Release Day! Christmas in Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey ~ My Thoughts #ChristmasInPeachtreeBluff #NetGalley

Happy Release Day!!

Congrats Kristy

on the release of

Christmas in Peachtree Bluff!

Christmas in Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Series: Peachtree Bluff #4

Christmas, Fiction, 368 pages

Published October 26, 2021 by Gallery Books

In the newest installment of New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey’​s Peachtree Bluff series, three generations of the Murphy women must come together when a hurricane threatens to destroy their hometown—and the holiday season in the process.

When the Murphy women are in trouble, they always know they can turn to their mother, Ansley. So when eldest daughter Caroline and her husband, James, announce they are divorcing—and fifteen-year-old daughter Vivi acts out in response—Caroline, at her wits end, can’t think of anything to do besides leave her with Ansley in Peachtree Bluff for the holidays. After all, how much trouble can one teenager get into on a tiny island?

Quite a lot, as it turns out.

As the “storm of the century” heads toward Peachtree Bluff, Ansley and her husband, Jack, with Vivi in tow, are grateful they’re planning to leave for the trip of a lifetime. But Vivi’s recklessness forces the trio to shelter in place during the worst hurricane Peachtree has ever seen. With no power, no provisions, and the water rising, the circumstances become dire very quickly…and the Murphy sisters, who evacuated to New York, soon realize it’s up to them to conduct a rescue mission. With the bridges closed and no way to access Peachtree Bluff by land or air, they set sail on Caroline’s boat, The Starlite Sisters, determined to rebuild their beloved town—as well as their family.

In “pitch perfect tones” (Publishers Weekly) and written with her signature Southern charm, New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey explores the magic of Christmas, the power of forgiveness, and the importance of family in a tale that reminds us that, no matter the circumstances, home is always where we belong—especially during the holidays.

My thoughts about Christmas in Peachtree Bluff ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"For magazines and travel guides, globe-trotting Instagrammers and hotel reviewers, Peachtree Bluff, Georgia, was a beach destination best enjoyed during the heat of summer."

I absolutely love, love, love the Peachtree Bluff series. And I love reading Christmas holiday books this time of year. Well, Kristy has combined two of my biggest bookish loves into a fabulous Christmas story centered around the Murphy family—a family I became enamored with from the very first book in this series.  

There is plenty of drama in Peachtree Bluff as a hurricane is making it way inland and everyone is being asked to evacuate. Not everyone is able to leave and those who end up having to stay spend several intense days getting through the worst of it. The Murphy family pulls together once again, supporting each other the best that they can, even though its not always easy. So much drama, so much love. 

I also loved all the holiday traditions that are such a big part of Peachtree Bluff. Even after the "storm of the century" threatens their beautiful town, everyone pulls together to celebrate and keep all of those age-old traditions alive. That was such a wonderful part of the story and made me wish I could be there for all of the celebrating. It filled me with such joy! 

Christmas in Peachtree Bluff is a story that I highly recommend! If you love Southern fiction then this would be perfect for you. This whole series is amazing. And then, if you also love reading Christmas stories, this is a definite must-read. It combines both of those elements exquisitely!

Thank you to Kristy Woodson Harvey and NetGalley for the ARC of Christmas in Peachtree Bluff. This is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including Under the Southern Sky, Feels Like Falling, and The Peachtree Bluff series. A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous online and print publications including Southern Living, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, Domino, and O. Henry. 

Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Her work has been optioned for film and television, and her books have received numerous accolades including Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Beach Reads, Parade’s Big Fiction Reads, and Entertainment Weekly’s Spring Reading Picks. Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction. 

She blogs with her mom Beth Woodson on Design Chic, and loves connecting with fans on KristyWoodsonHarvey.com. She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband and son where she is (always!) working on her next novel. ~ Amazon

Connect with Kristy

BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Release Day! Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey ~ My Thoughts #UnderTheSouthernSky #TallPoppyWriter

 Happy Release Day!

Congrats Kristy

on the release today of

Under the Southern Sky!

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Southern Fiction, 400 pages

Published April 20th 2021 by Gallery Books

Two childhood friends discover that love—and family—can be found in unconventional ways in this timely, moving novel from the USA Today bestselling author of the “beautifully Southern, evocative Peachtree Bluff series” (Kristin Harmel, internationally bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife).

Recently separated Amelia Buxton, a dedicated journalist, never expected that uncovering the biggest story of her career would become deeply personal. But when she discovers that a cluster of embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife Greer have been deemed “abandoned,” she’s put in the unenviable position of telling Parker—and dredging up old wounds in the process.

Parker has been unable to move forward since the loss of his beloved wife three years ago. He has all but forgotten about the frozen embryos, but once Amelia reveals her discovery, he knows that if he ever wants to get a part of Greer back, he’ll need to accept his fate as a single father and find a surrogate.

Each dealing with their own private griefs, Parker and Amelia slowly begin to find solace in one another as they navigate an uncertain future against the backdrop of the pristine waters of their childhood home, Cape Carolina. The journey of self-discovery leads them to an unforgettable and life-changing lesson: Family—the one you’re born into and the one you choose—is always closer than you think.

From “the next major voice in Southern fiction” (Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Under the Southern Sky is a fresh and unforgettable exploration of love, friendship, and the unbreakable ties that bind. 

One of Country Living’s 20 New Books You Don’t Want to Miss This Spring

One of Bookstr’s 8 Most Anticipated Reads of 2021

One of Frolic’s 12 Most Anticipated Books of 2021

One of BookTrib’s Most-Anticipated Reads of 2021

One of Brit + Co’s Books You Should Read with Your BFF

Available from: 

Your Local Bookstore, Bookshop.org | Amazon

Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Target

and everywhere books are sold

Signed copies available from Oxford Exchange

My thoughts about Under the Southern Sky ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First line—"I found out my marriage was over the day my 'Modern Love' piece appeared in the New York Times."

I'm a huge, huge fan of Kristy's stories and have been hooked on them ever since I read her very first book. I have loved all of them, and if possible, love each one more than the previous one. She's just that good! Her storytelling is wonderful and enticing from the first words. I immediately fall in love with her characters and feel like they are my friends. 

Under the Southern Sky is an emotional, touching story of two people, a man and a women who were childhood friends, who are each now struggling with the current situations of their lives. Amelia and Parker come together again after Amelia discovers the frozen embryos that Parker and his deceased wife had had stored. 

This story is a little bit different from Kristy's previous books. It has a more serious tone to it and a little more drama. But it's still full of the beautiful storytelling that she does so well. I quickly became captivated with the lives of Amelia and Parker and struggled right along with them, as they tried to figure out the right thing to do. 

Under the Southern Sky will tug on your heartstrings and lovingly wrap itself around your soul. I loved every bit of it and highly recommend it if you are looking for a satisfying, emotional read. 

I received an ARC of Under the Southern Sky and this is my honest opinion.

About the author

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the bestselling author of Dear Carolina, Lies and Other Acts of Love, Slightly South of Simple, The Secret to Southern Charm, and The Southern Side of Paradise and Feels Like Falling. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing, a finalist for the Southern Book Prize, her work has been optioned for film and her books have received numerous accolades.

She blogs with her mom Beth Woodson on Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life. Design Chic is the inaugural member of the design blogger hall of fame, sponsored by Traditional Home, and winner of Amara's Best Luxury Blog, as chosen by Roberto Cavalli. She also loves connecting with readers on kristywoodsonharvey.com.

Harvey is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism and holds a master’s in English from East Carolina University, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including Southern Living, Traditional Home, Parade, USA Today, Domino, Our State and O. Henry. She has been seen in Today.com, Women’s Health, The Washington Post, US News and World Report, The Huffington Post, Marie Claire’s The Fix, Woman’s World, Readers’ Digest, Bustle, New York Live and North Carolina Bookwatch, among others.

She is a proud member of the Tall Poppy Writers, serves on the board of Beaufort Historical Association, and is a member of the University of North Carolina’s Women’s Leadership Council. She is a frequent speaker at fundraisers, book conferences and private events. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and seven-year-old son where she is working on her next novel. ~ Amazon

Connect with Kristy

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Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Release Day! In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo ~ My Thoughts #TallPoppyWriter #InABookClubFarAway #NetGalley

Congrats Tif

on the release today of

In a Book Club Far Away!

In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo

Women's Friendship Fiction, 400 pages

Published April 6th 2021 by Gallery Books

From the author of Once Upon a Sunset and The Key to Happily Ever After comes a heartwarming and moving novel following three Army wives—estranged friends—who must overcome their differences when one of them is desperate for help.

Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden used to be best friends. As Army wives at Fort East, they bonded during their book club and soon became inseparable. But when an unimaginable betrayal happened amongst the group, the friendship abruptly ended, and they haven’t spoken since.

That’s why, eight years later, Regina and Sophie are shocked when they get a call for help from Adelaide. Adelaide’s husband is stationed abroad, and without any friends or family near her new home of Alexandria, Virginia, she has no one to help take care of her young daughter when she has to undergo emergency surgery. For the sake of an innocent child, Regina and Sophie reluctantly put their differences aside to help an old friend.

As the three women reunite, they must overcome past hurts and see if there’s any future for their friendship. Featuring Tif Marcelo’s signature “enchanting prose” (Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake) and the books that brought them together in the first place, In a Book Club Far Away honors the immense power of female friendship and how love can defy time, distance, and all old wounds. 

My thoughts about In a Book Club Far Away ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"In a commercial kitchen far, far away, in a military town in the middle of Georgia, a caterer named Regina Castro had an online crush."

I've been meaning to read one of Tif's books before now. When I saw this one, the cover full of books and about a book club, I just knew this was the one that I ineeded to read. I loved it!

In a Book Club Far Away has a close, supportive trio of women friends who vow to be there for each other, if and when they receive an SOS. That's how these three women finally come together after so many years on the outs—one of them sends out an SOS and the other two come running. 

Regina, Adelaide, and Sophie are all interesting characters, each with their own personalities and quirks. It was fun getting to know each of them and to see how they all got to where they are today. 

This was a beautiful story of the power of friendship, and forgiveness, with caring characters dealing with everyday problems, as well some deep-rooted misunderstandings. Watching the women be there for one another was a wonderful thing. When women support women, anything can happen. 

And if you are in need of more fantastic books to add to your TBR list, there are numerous title mentioned in the book that would be great to read.

I highly recommend In a Book Club Far Way for a great escape read. I know you will get lost in this amazing story, just like I did.  

I received a copy of In a Book Club Far Away  from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

About the author

Tif Marcelo is a veteran army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts Stories to Love Podcast, and she is also the author of Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, and the Journey to the Heart series. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Tif

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Release Day! A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser ~ My Thoughts #AMillionReasonsWhy #NetGalley #TallPoppy

Congrats Jessica
on the release today of
A Million Reasons Why!

A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser

Women's Psychological Fiction, 352 pages

Published March 23, 2021 by St. Martin’s Press

When two strangers are linked by a mail-in DNA test, it’s an answered prayer―that is, for one half-sister. For the other, it will dismantle everything she knows to be true.

But as they step into the unfamiliar realm of sisterhood, the roles will reverse in ways no one could have foreseen.

Caroline lives a full, happy life―thriving career, three feisty children, enviable marriage, and a close-knit extended family. She couldn’t have scripted it better. Except for one thing:

She’s about to discover her fundamental beliefs about them all are wrong.

Sela lives a life in shades of gray, suffering from irreversible kidney failure. Her marriage crumbled in the wake of her illness. Her beloved mother and lifelong best friend passed away. She refuses to be defined by her grief, but still, she worries about what will happen to her two-year-old son if she doesn’t find a donor match in time.

She’s the only one who knows Caroline is her half-sister. That Caroline may be her best hope for a future. But Sela’s world isn’t as clear-cut as it appears―and one misstep could destroy it all.

After all, would you risk everything to save the life of the person who turned yours upside down?

From the moment Caroline meets Sela, both must reexamine what it really means to be family, the depths of a mother’s love, and the limits and the power of forgiveness.

My thoughts about A Million Reasons Why ~~

So....to be honest, when I started this book and realized the premise—DNA test and newly discovered siblings, with one of them being sick and needing a donor organ—I was pretty sure I knew where this storyline was headed. Been there, read that before. Could this author really take the story down a different path than the one I was expecting? 

Well, let me tell you, she most certainly did! There were so many unexpected aspects and details of these peoples' lives that I found this to be a very unique story. I was totally drawn into the drama and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. 

I can highly recommend A Million Reasons Why and am excited that this story is now out in the world. Pick it up, you will not regret it!

I received a copy of A Million Reasons Why from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

About the author

Jessica Strawser is the author of the book club favorites Almost Missed You (a B&N Best New Fiction pick), Not That I Could Tell (a bestselling Book of the Month selection), Forget You Know Me (now new in paperback), and A Million Reasons Why, forthcoming in March 2021 (all from St. Martin's Press). She is Editor-at-Large for Writer’s Digest and a contributing editor for Career Authors, and her work has appeared in The New York Times' Modern Love, Publishers Weekly, and other fine venues. She lives with her husband and two children in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she recently completed a term as the 2019 Writer-in-Residence for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

A popular speaker at writing conference and book festivals nationwide, she is a proud member of the Tall Poppy Writers and Women's Fiction Writers Association. Connect with her on Twitter @jessicastrawser and Facebook and Instagram @jessicastrawserauthor. Visit jessicastrawser.com to learn more, read some of her work and sign up for her email list to receive occasional updates and hellos. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Jessica

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Release Day! The Family Ship by Sonja Yoerg ~ My Thoughts #TheFamilyShip #TallPoppy

Congrats Sonja

on the release today of

The Family Ship!

The Family Ship by Sonja Yoerg

Print and e-book, 411 pages

Published February 23, 2021 by Lake Union Publishing

Chesapeake Bay, 1980. Eighteen-year-old Verity Vergennes is the captain of the USS Nepenthe, and her seven younger siblings are her crew. The ship—an oyster boat transformed into a make-believe destroyer—is the heart of the Vergennes family, a place both to play and to learn responsibility. But Verity’s had it with being tied to the ship and secretly applies to a distant college. If only her parents could bear to let her go.

Maeve and Arthur Vergennes already suffered one loss when, five years earlier, their eldest son, Jude, stormed out and never returned. Now Maeve is pregnant again and something’s amiss. Verity yearns to follow her dreams, but how can she jump ship now? The problem, and perhaps the answer, lies with Jude.

When disaster strikes and the family unravels, Verity must rally her sibling crew to keep the Nepenthe and all it symbolizes afloat. Sailing away from home, she discovers, is never easy—not if you ever hope to find your way back. 

My thoughts about The Family Ship ~~ 

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"PROLOGUE Jude 1962 Jude's earliest memory was of the day his sister was born, as if becoming a big brother made his brain decide it needed to start keeping track for the long run. As if a promise made at four was meant to be honored forever."

This story absolutely blew me away! Such great characters and such a unique, captivating story-line!

The Vergennes family is like no other family I have ever encountered before—in real life or on the pages of a book. This family of 10 has a ship in their front yard, and their lives are centered around living a shipshape existence. That is until the older children want to stretch their sails (see what I did there?) and try to live their lives outside the family ship.

The drama that continued to befall this family kept me turning the pages and the love that they had for one another endeared them all to me. As they struggled with the tragedies that happened to this close knit family and as they pulled together to support one another, I fell more in love with everyone. So much heartache, and so much love. 

Once again, Sonja has written a story that pulled me in, a story with a cast of individuals who captured my feelings, and my heart. I am totally amazed at the stories that she creates, stories that are so different from what is out there, and so different from her previous work. I know when I read one of her books, that I am going to be going on a journey that I have not been on before!

I highly recommend The Family Ship! I loved it! I loved the story, I loved the characters, and I loved the adventure that whisked me away, allowing me to escape to another time and place.

About the author

I grew up in Stowe, Vermont, the daughter of a ski instructor and a history teacher. In my first incarnation, I was a animal behaviorist who studied learning in blue jays, hyenas and kangaroo rats. I wrote a book about that. Now I make stuff up.

I've published several novels, including True Places, a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller. Yeah, typing that makes me smile because reaching readers is the point, right? My upcoming release, The Family Ship, earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Watch for it on February 23, 2021.

When I'm not writing or pretending to be writing, I run, garden, cook, eat, drink wine, then run some more. My husband and I live in central Virginia with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's quiet and pretty, like Vermont.

Connect with Sonja

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Release Day! The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner ~ My Thoughts #Tall Poppy #TheNatureOfFragileThings #NetGalley

  Release Day! 

Congrats Susan
on the release today of 
The Nature of Fragile Things!

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
Historical Fiction, 384 pages

Published February 2nd 2021 by Berkley Books

April 18, 1906: A massive earthquake rocks San Francisco just before daybreak, igniting a devouring inferno. Lives are lost, lives are shattered, but some rise from the ashes forever changed.

Sophie Whalen is a young Irish immigrant so desperate to get out of a New York tenement that she answers a mail-order bride ad and agrees to marry a man she knows nothing about. San Francisco widower Martin Hocking proves to be as aloof as he is mesmerizingly handsome. Sophie quickly develops deep affection for Kat, Martin's silent five-year-old daughter, but Martin's odd behavior leaves her with the uneasy feeling that something about her newfound situation isn't right.

Then one early-spring evening, a stranger at the door sets in motion a transforming chain of events. Sophie discovers hidden ties to two other women. The first, pretty and pregnant, is standing on her doorstep. The second is hundreds of miles away in the American Southwest, grieving the loss of everything she once loved.

The fates of these three women intertwine on the eve of the devastating earthquake, thrusting them onto a perilous journey that will test their resiliency and resolve and, ultimately, their belief that love can overcome fear.

From the acclaimed author of The Last Year of the War and As Bright as Heaven comes a gripping novel about the bonds of friendship and mother love, and the power of female solidarity.

My thoughts about The Nature of Fragile Things ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"Interview with Mrs. Sophie Hocking. Conducted by Ambrose Logan, U.S Marshall. Case Number 069308. Official transcript. San Francisco, CA. November 6, 1906."

Honestly, I haven't read a book by this author that I didn't just love. The Nature of Fragile Things was no different. I realize it's early in the year but this one is probably going to one of my favorites of the year. Such a memorable story!

Susan has created a enthralling, believable story centered around an Irish immigrant, a woman who comes to the United States for a chance of a better life. Sophie is thrown into a challenging world but strives for what she knows is important. 

  

I love Susan's writing. She has such an wonderful, flowing writing style. I felt very comfortable with her characters and setting from the start. I have always been fascinated with this time period in San Francisco and what the residents had to go through in that catastrophic earthquake of 1906, so this story captivated me. 

The Nature of Fragile Things is a story that I highly recommend! It's beautiful, heartwarming, and one that you won't soon forget. I know I won't. 

I received an ARC of The Nature of Fragile Things via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

About the author

Susan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than half a million books in print in fifteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.

She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.

When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing and dream-following, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.  ~ Goodreads

Connect with Susan

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Release Day! Not My Boy by Kelly Simmons~ My Thoughts #NotMyBoy #Tall Poppy #NetGalley

Not My Boy

Not My Boy by Kelly Simmons

304 pages

Published January 5, 2021 by Sourcebooks Landmark

Who will you cross to protect your own?

When Hannah packs up her past and moves to the cottage next-door to her sister, she hopes the luxe neighborhood and close family ties will be the perfect escape for her son and the shadows that trail them. But when a young girl goes missing days after they unload their final boxes and her son is quickly thrown under suspicion, Hannah must do whatever it takes to protect her child.

Even if that means pointing the blame her sister's way instead.

With investigators swarming and neighborhood scrutiny closing in, the divide between two sisters grows. As one fiercely defends her husband, the other shields her boy from the crime, keeping quiet the secrets that might unravel it all.

And all the while, one young girl has vanished, and someone is to blame. 

My thoughts about Not My Boy ~~ 

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First line—"As the moving and storage truck pulled away from the curb, Hannah Sawyer waved as if friends were leaving, instead of her, a stranger, leaving." 

I have to admit that I struggled with this book a bit. The story seemed to ramble for me and be somewhat disconnected. That's good in a mystery/suspense novel because the reader knows that eventually everything will be tied up and it will make sense. I'm not sure all of the information we got was necessary. And some of the characters were hard to like, which again isn't always a bad thing.

The family dynamics were interesting though. Two sisters, their families, and their mother—that's a lot of dysfunction right there. Each mother is trying to protect her own children and throws suspicion in any direction they can, including their own loved ones. 

Not My Boy will take you on a ride until the very end. The journey to get there is full of curves and pit stops but it will all be worth it when you get there. 

I received an ARC of Not My Boy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

About the author

My sixth novel Not My Boy arrives January 5, 2020, and will also be available in audiobook and who knows, maybe a Netflix series is next? It was compared to Big Little Lies by Booklist in a starred review, and NYTimes Bestseller phenom Julie Clark, author of Last Flight, called it "propulsive and impossible to put down."

All of my books have been applauded by bestselling authors like Megan Abbott, Caroline Leavitt, and Sarah Pekkanen. They've been hailed as "great titles for book groups who love strong female characters" by the Library Journal. Publishers Weekly called my first novel, Standing Still "An electrifying debut" in its starred review. Even Kirkus likes me! Maybe you'd enjoy discovering a new-to-you author?

I've visited hundreds and hundreds of book clubs via Zoom, FaceTie, Google Hangouts or in person. I'd love to meet with yours.

For book signing events or more information, see my website kellysimmonsbooks.com. Or friend me on Facebook (kellyatbubble) or follow me on Insta (kellyasimmons) or twitter (kellysimmons) for more giveaways and fun! ~ Amazon

Connect with Kelly

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New Release! The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan ~ My Thoughts #TheFirstToLie #TallPoppy

The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Published August 4th 2020 by Forge Books

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author and investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan delivers another twisty, thrilling cat and mouse novel of suspense that will have you guessing, and second-guessing, and then gasping with surprise.

We all have our reasons for being who we are―but what if being someone else could get you what you want?

After a devastating betrayal, a young woman sets off on an obsessive path to justice, no matter what dark family secrets are revealed. What she doesn't know―she isn't the only one plotting her revenge.

An affluent daughter of privilege. A glamorous manipulative wannabe. A determined reporter, in too deep. A grieving widow who must choose her new reality. Who will be the first to lie? And when the stakes are life and death, do a few lies really matter?

My thoughts about The First to Lie ~~ 

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"Lies have a complicated half-life."

Oh wow! So many lies, secrets, deceit, and revenge all wrapped up in this amazing story. The plot and characters were so twisted, it was sometimes hard to know who was who and what their agenda was. This is not by any means a negative about this book, it's what drove me to keep reading.

I knew it would all make sense in the end—I just had to be patient—but my jaw dropped whenever one of the characters swerved in a new direction. After all the twists and turns, the author wraps up the story with an unexpected but satisfying ending.

I'm not sure why I haven't read anything by this author until now but this book will definitely not be my last. I am impressed with the depth of her writing and the intense intrigue of this story. Hank Phillippi Ryan has just been added my list of must-read authors.

I highly recommend The First to Lie for an edge-of-your seat thriller that will keep you guessing to the very end.

I received and ARC of The First to Lie and this is my honest opinion.

About the author

Hank Phillippi Ryan is a USA Today bestselling author of 12 thrillers, winning the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, three Anthonys, the Daphne, and for The Other Woman, the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award.

She is also on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, with 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. Book critics call her “a master of suspense,” “a superb and gifted storyteller,” and she’s the only author to have won the Agatha in four different categories: Best First, Best Novel, Best Short Story and Best Non-Fiction.

Her previous novel, The Murder List, is an Agatha, Anthony, Macavity and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee. NYT bestsellers A.J. Finn says, “exciting, explosive, relentless,” and B.A. Paris says it’s “her best yet.” Hank’s newest novel: the chilling psychological standalone The First to Lie. The Publishers Weekly starred review says “Stellar… Hank Phillippi Ryan could win a sixth Agatha with this one” and bestseller Sarah Pekkanen says “Book clubs will gobble it up.”

Hank is a founder of MWA University and past president of National Sisters in Crime. ~ Author's website

Connect with Hank

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Release Day! Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev #RecipeForPersuasion #TallPoppyWriter

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Sonali

on the release today of

Recipe for Persuasion!

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
The Rajes #2
Print and e-book, 464 pages
Published May 26th 2020 by William Morrow Paperbacks

From the author of Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors comes another , clever, deeply layered, and heartwarming romantic comedy that follows in the Jane Austen tradition—this time, with a twist on Persuasion.

Chef Ashna Raje desperately needs a new strategy. How else can she save her beloved restaurant and prove to her estranged, overachieving mother that she isn’t a complete screw up? When she’s asked to join the cast of Cooking with the Stars, the latest hit reality show teaming chefs with celebrities, it seems like just the leap of faith she needs to put her restaurant back on the map. She’s a chef, what’s the worst that could happen?

Rico Silva, that’s what. 

Being paired with a celebrity who was her first love, the man who ghosted her at the worst possible time in her life, only proves what Ashna has always believed: leaps of faith are a recipe for disaster.

FIFA winning soccer star Rico Silva isn't too happy to be paired up with Ashna either. Losing Ashna years ago almost destroyed him. The only silver lining to this bizarre situation is that he can finally prove to Ashna that he's definitely over her.

But when their catastrophic first meeting goes viral, social media becomes obsessed with their chemistry. The competition on the show is fierce…and so is the simmering desire between Ashna and Rico.  Every minute they spend together rekindles feelings that pull them toward their disastrous past. Will letting go again be another recipe for heartbreak—or a recipe for persuasion…?

In Recipe for Persuasion, Sonali Dev once again takes readers on an unforgettable adventure in this fresh, fun, and enchanting romantic comedy. 

  

About the author

Sonali Dev’s first literary work was a play about mistaken identities performed at her neighborhood Diwali extravaganza in Mumbai. She was eight years old. Despite this early success, Sonali spent the next few decades getting degrees in architecture and written communication, migrating across the globe, and starting a family while writing for magazines and websites. With the advent of her first gray hair her mad love for telling stories returned full force, and she now combines it with her insights into Indian culture to conjure up stories that make a mad tangle with her life as supermom, domestic goddess, and world traveler.

Sonali lives in the Chicago suburbs with her very patient and often amused husband and two teens who demand both patience and humor, and the world’s most perfect dog. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Sonali

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Release Day! The Library of Legends by Janie Chang #TheLibraryOfLegends #TallPoppy

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Janie

on the release today of 

The Library of Legends!

The Library of Legends by Janie Chang 
Print and e-book, 400 pages
Published May 12th 2020 by William Morrow Paperbacks

From the author of Three Souls and Dragon Springs Road comes a captivating historical novel in which a convoy of student refugees travel across China, fleeing the hostilities of a brutal war with Japan

 “Myths are the darkest and brightest incarnations of who we are . . .”

China, 1937. When Japanese bombs begin falling on the city of Nanking, nineteen-year-old Hu Lian and her classmates at Minghua University are ordered to flee. Lian and a convoy of students, faculty and staff must walk 1,000 miles to the safety of China’s western provinces, a journey marred by the constant threat of aerial attack. And it is not just the refugees who are at risk; Lian and her classmates have been entrusted with a priceless treasure: a 500-year-old collection of myths and folklore known as the Library of Legends.

The students’ common duty to safeguard the Library of Legends creates unexpected bonds. Lian becomes friends and forms a cautious romance with the handsome and wealthy Liu Shaoming. But after one classmate is arrested and another one is murdered, Lian realizes she must escape before a family secret puts her in danger too. Accompanied by Shao and his enigmatic maidservant, Sparrow, Lian makes her way to Shanghai in the hopes of reuniting with her mother.

During the journey, Lian learns of the connection between her two companions and a tale from the Library of Legends, The Willow Star and the Prince. This revelation comes with profound consequences, for as the ancient books travel across China, they awaken immortals and guardian spirits who embark on an exodus of their own, one that will change the country’s fate forever.

    

About the author

Janie Chang grew up listening to stories about life in a small Chinese town in the years before the Second World War and tales of ancestors who encountered dragons, ghosts, and immortals. Her two novels, Three Souls and Dragon Springs Road have been nominated for the 2019 International Dublin Literary Award. Dragon Springs Road was a Canadian national bestseller. Her upcoming novel The Library of Legends will be available April 28, 2020 (Canada), May 12 (USA).

Born in Taiwan, Janie has lived in the Philippines, Iran, Thailand, and New Zealand. She now lives in beautiful Vancouver, Canada with her husband and Mischa, a rescue cat blessed with astonishing beauty and no self-esteem issues whatsoever. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Janie

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Release Day! The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms #TheBrightSideOfGoingDark #TallPoppy

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Kelly

on the release today of

The Bright Side of Going Dark!

The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms 
Print and e-book, 341 pages
Published May 12th 2020 by Lake Union Publishing

From the bestselling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler comes a fresh, funny, and thoughtful story about going off the grid in order to truly live.

As one of the most popular influencers on social media, Mia Bell has lived her life online for years. With her celebrity dog and gorgeous fiancé, she is planning the ultimate virtual wedding—expensive, elaborate, and entirely paid for by sponsors. But off-camera, her world is far from picture perfect. After being jilted by her fiancé and faking her nuptials to please her sponsors, Mia finally has had enough. She heaves her phone off a cliff, ready to live—and maybe find love—offline for a change.

Mia’s sudden absence doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by techie loner Paige Miller, who hacks Mia’s account and begins impersonating the internet celebrity. Paige has her reasons. Her half sister, Jessica, idolizes Mia and desperately needs something to believe in. If taking over Mia’s online persona is Paige’s only means of connecting to her sister, so be it.

Creating a like-worthy life is more fun than Paige expected. But when she grows too bold and is caught in the act, a fiasco ensues that could forever change Mia, Paige, and the people who love them. Because somewhere amid the chaos is an invaluable lesson—one that only real life can teach.

    

About the author

USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller Kelly Harms is the author of The Bright Side of Going Dark, The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane and The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay. She worked with bestselling authors, Edgar, RITA, and Agatha award winners, and Indie Next List Picks in her time as an editor at a division of HarperCollins and later as an agent at the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She now lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her beloved family. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Kelly

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

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