Book Review: Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey

 Book Review

Watch Out for Her

Samantha M. Bailey

 

Book Description:

Sarah Goldman, mother to six-year-old Jacob, is relieved to move across the country. She has a lot she wants to leave behind, especially Holly Monroe, the pretty twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel, hired to take care of their young son last summer. It started out as a perfect arrangement—Sarah had a childminder her son adored, and Holly found the mother figure she’d always wanted. But Sarah’s never been one to trust very easily, so she kept a close eye on Holly, maybe too close at times. What she saw raised some questions, not only about who Holly really was but what she was hiding. The more Sarah watched, the more she learned—until one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee, something so shocking that all she could do was flee.

Sarah has put it all behind her and is starting over in a different city with her husband and son. They’ve settled into a friendly suburb where the neighbors, a tight clique of good citizens, are always on the lookout for danger. But when Sarah finds hidden cameras in her new home, she has to wonder: has her past caught up to her, and worse yet, who’s watching her now?

A spine-tingling, page-turning novel from USA TODAY and #1 national bestselling author Samantha M. Bailey, Watch Out for Her is psychological suspense at its very best—a chilling look at trust, voyeurism, and obsession in the modern age, and how far we will go to watch out for those we love.

 

Release Date: April 19, 2022

Psychological Suspense

 

Preorder:

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My 5-Star Review:

Sarah Goldman wants to leave all the bad memories behind when she and her family move across country to Toronto. Living with her husband and six-year-old son, Jacob, in a quiet little suburb, she still can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching her. Still watching her. Has she really left the past behind, or has it followed her there?

 

Watch Out for Her by Samantha M. Bailey is an intense suspense novel that will keep you reading long into the night. It will have you questioning who the real predator is, and who is the prey. And how far will this person go to get exactly what they want? Don’t turn out the lights because someone may be watching. I highly recommend this amazing suspense novel the the talented Ms. Bailey.

 

About the Author:

Samantha M. Bailey is the USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of WOMAN ON THE EDGE, which has sold in eleven countries. She is also a journalist and freelance editor; her work has appeared in NOW MAGAZINE, THE VILLAGE POST, and OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, among other publications. She lives in Toronto. Connect with her on Twitter @SBaileyBooks and on her website at SamanthaMBailey.com.

Book Review: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

 Book Review

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

Allison Pataki

 

Book Description:

Mrs. Post, the President and First Lady are here to see you. . . . So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard—even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar’s treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood’s biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweather Post lived an epic life few could imagine.

Marjorie’s journey began gluing cereal boxes in her father’s barn as a young girl. No one could have predicted that C. W. Post’s Cereal Company would grow into the General Foods empire and reshape the American way of life, with Marjorie as its heiress and leading lady. Not content to stay in her prescribed roles of high-society wife, mother, and hostess, Marjorie dared to demand more, making history in the process. Before turning thirty she amassed millions, becoming the wealthiest woman in the United States. But it was her life-force, advocacy, passion, and adventurous spirit that led to her stunning legacy.
 
And yet Marjorie’s story, though full of beauty and grandeur, set in the palatial homes she built such as Mar-a-Lago, was equally marked by challenge and tumult. A wife four times over, Marjorie sought her happily-ever-after with the blue-blooded party boy who could not outrun his demons, the charismatic financier whose charm turned to betrayal, the international diplomat with a dark side, and the bon vivant whose shocking secrets would shake Marjorie and all of society. Marjorie did everything on a grand scale, especially when it came to love.

Bestselling and acclaimed author Allison Pataki has crafted an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life woman, a powerful story of one woman falling in love with her own voice and embracing her own power while shaping history in the process.

 

Random House Publishing

Publishing Date: February 15, 2022

Biographical Historical Fiction

 

Preorder Now:

Amazon Kindle

 

My 5-Star Review:

This amazing story grabbed me from the first paragraph. I had never heard of Marjorie Post before, but now I’m obsessed. She had an incredible life and also contributed so much to society. Author Allison Pataki weaves a strong story about Marjorie’s life, with such intimate details and descriptions that you feel you are right there. Every step of the way, I was surprised to learn something new about history. Marjorie was the daughter of Who? Marjorie’s daughter is her? Marjorie bought what from Russia? The details continued to fascinate me. Loved this story!

If you enjoy historical biographical fiction, this is the novel for you! I’m even planning a trip to see Marjorie’s house-turned-museum now because of the amazing things she owned. I won’t say what they are and ruin the story – but it sounds incredible.

 

About the Author:

Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of THE QUEEN'S FORTUNE, THE TRAITOR'S WIFE, THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS, SISI: EMPRESS ON HER OWN, WHERE THE LIGHT FALLS, as well as the nonfiction memoir BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN PLACES and two children's books, NELLY TAKES NEW YORK and POPPY TAKES PARIS. Allison’s novels have been translated into more than twenty languages. A former news writer and producer, Allison has written for The New York Times, ABC News, The Huffington Post, USA Today, Fox News and other outlets. She has appeared on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Good Day New York, Good Day Chicago and MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

 

Allison graduated Cum Laude from Yale University with a major in English and spent several years in journalism before switching to fiction writing. A member of The Historical Novel Society, Allison lives in New York with her husband and family. To learn more and connect with Allison, please visit www.AllisonPataki.com 

Book Review: City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston

 Book Review

City of Time and Magic

Found Things Series, Book Four

Paula Brackston

 

Book Description:

Xanthe meets Brackston's most famous heroine, Elizabeth Hawksmith from The Witch's Daughter, in this crossover story with all the "historical detail, village charm, and twisty plotting" of the Found Things series (Publishers Weekly).

City of Time and Magic sees Xanthe face her greatest challenges yet. She must choose from three treasures that sing to her; a beautiful writing slope, a mourning brooch of heartbreaking detail, and a gorgeous gem-set hat pin. All call her, but the wrong one could take her on a mission other than that which she must address first, and the stakes could not be higher. While her earlier mission to Regency England had been a success, the journey home resulted in Liam being taken from her, spirited away to another time and place. Xanthe must follow the treasure that will take her to him if he is not to be lost forever.

Xanthe is certain that Mistress Flyte has Liam and determined to find them both. But when she discovers Lydia Flyte has been tracking the actions of the Visionary Society, a group of ruthless and unscrupulous Spinners who have been selling their talents to a club of wealthy clients, Xanthe realizes her work as a Spinner must come before her personal wishes. The Visionary Society is highly dangerous and directly opposed to the creed of the Spinners. Their actions could have disastrous consequences as they alter the authentic order of things and change the future. Xanthe knows she must take on the Society. It will require the skills of all her friends, old and new, to attempt such a thing, and not all of them will survive the confrontation that follows.

 

Releases November 23, 2021

Buy now:

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My 5-Star Review:

For a reader like me who has read all of Paula Brackston books, if you say you’re bringing in a character from another series, I’m there! Xanthe has defeated one evil time spinner but in the process, her dear friend Liam was pulled away from her into another time. Frantic to find him, she begins her search where she believes he must be – with her one-time friend, Mistress Flythe. What Xanthe doesn’t realize is she will need all of her strength as a Spinner and all her friends to help her fight evil once more in order to save Liam. And lucky for her, a very talented witch is on her side.

I love the way Ms. Brackston spins a story. The characters and scenery come alive in your mind. You don’t want to put down a Paula Brackston book once you’ve started it – so sit back, relax, and enjoy. I highly recommend this fourth book in the Found Things series as well as everything else she has written!

 

About the Author:

Paula Brackston lives in the historic city of Hereford on the Welsh border. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and has been a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. Before becoming a writer, Paula tried her hand at various career paths, with mixed success. These included working as a groom on a racing yard, a travel agent, a secretary, an English teacher, a script reader, and a goat herd. Everyone involved (particularly the goats) is very relieved that she has now found a job she is actually able to do properly.

In 2007 Paula was shortlisted in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was shortlisted for the Mind Book Award. The following year she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme. 'The Witch's Daughter' became a New York Times bestseller. Her books are translated into five languages and sold around the world.

Paula Brackston is always sharing interesting tidbits of her life and writing, so be sure to follow her on Facebook.

Giveaway! $500 Black Friday Shopping Blitz! Enter Now!

 $500 Black Friday Shopping Blitz

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