Monday, February 23, 2026

That Other Family by Lis Angus Blog Tour Book Review

THAT OTHER FAMILY

by Lis Angus

February 23 - March 20, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Julie Walker thought she knew her life: three teenagers, a husband, and her job at the Ottawa library. But when a stranger confronts her with a shocking claim about her late father, everything she believed about her family is thrown into question.

At first she struggles to know what to believe. But once the truth is revealed, a series of unsettling incidents escalate into real danger: her family has become the target of someone with resources she cannot match and few limits to what they might do. Drawn into a web of menace and betrayal, and uncertain who to trust, Julie must find the strength to confront an enemy she doesn’t fully understand.

Layered with dread and emotion, THAT OTHER FAMILY is a domestic thriller about fractured loyalties and one mother’s fight to keep her family safe.

Praise for That Other Family:

"Lis Angus has written a nail-biting cat-and-mouse crime thriller that has you suspecting everyone, trusting no one, and rooting for a woman desperately trying to protect her family from the sinister consequences of long-buried secrets. You won’t put it down until you’ve made it through the heart-pounding finale."
~ Katie Tallo, international bestselling author of Dark August (Gus Monet mystery trilogy)

"Lis Angus provides a tale of secrets, betrayal, and sharply drawn characters that had me gasping at the final twist. A great, fast-paced mystery."
~ Amy Tector, author of the Dominion Archives Mysteries

"Taut and riveting from the first page, this is a domestic thriller with real emotional stakes. What begins as a shocking family revelation becomes a harrowing fight for survival. With its layered characters and relentless tension, That Other Family will hold you in its grip to the very end. This is a great second novel from author Lis Angus. Those who liked her first book, Not Your Child, will love That Other Family."
~ Mike Martin, award-winning author of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series

"From Lis Angus, author of the gripping and fast-paced debut, Not Your Child, comes her eagerly anticipated second novel. That Other Family is another page turner, a story of betrayal and buried secrets — and a mother who will risk everything to protect her family."
~ J. Woollcott, Daphne du Maurier award-winning author of A Nice Place to Die and Blood Relations

"Lis Angus weaves another thrilling tale of family deception that crosses borders, wrecks lives, and calls to mind the question of what it truly means to be a family. That Other Family is tightly paced and intriguing until it's exciting end!"
~ Michelle Hillen Klump, author of A Dash of Death and Murder Served Neat

That Other Family Trailer:

My Review:

The first half of the novel is a slow build. About half way through the threat materializes and the psychological suspense increases. There is a good red herring that leads to a twist and suspense near the end.

I was a little unsure about the plot, one man having two families, but Angus made it reasonable and deftly had it lead to suspense. The villain was not entirely a surprise but leading up to the final reveal was good. I really liked Julie's twins and how they thoughtfully helped their mother when she was in danger.

This is a good mystery for readers who like an unusual plot, likable characters and a suspenseful resolution at the end.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Suspense
Published by: Next Chapter
Publication Date: December 29, 2025
Number of Pages: 290
ISBN: 9798241761187 (Paperback)
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | BookBub | Additional Links

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

JULIE

The woman slid three photos to me across the table, her manicured nails immaculate. “I know you don’t want to believe me. But you need to look at these.”

I was already on my feet, having told her—Frances Boyle, she said her name was—that we had nothing further to discuss. She had no business coming to me with this preposterous story, and certainly not here at the library where I worked. Her manner suggested she wasn’t used to people saying “no” to her, but I wanted her gone.

Yet I couldn’t help glancing at the faded snapshots she’d spread in front of me. All showed the same grouping: a couple, seemingly in their forties, and two teenagers, a boy and a girl.

“That’s my family,” she said, a rasp deepening her voice. “My parents with my brother and me. That was the year before Papa died.”

Against my will, my eyes were drawn to the man in the photos. “Papa,” she’d called him. He sure looked like Dad. My memories of him were vivid, though I was only eight when he died. That dark hair, cut short, with a white streak just off-center. Neat ears, firm chin, and warm smile. And those pointed eyebrows: unmistakable.

But I’d never seen the other people in those photos before.

Heat flared at the back of my neck, and the walls of the small meeting room felt like they were closing in on me. I shook my head, trying to clear it. I wished I’d thought to bring a bottle of water in with me.

Frances leaned forward, the gold chain around her neck glinting as she moved. “From your reaction, Julie, I’d say you recognize him.” Her gaze intensified. “Now do you believe me? Our father had two wives, two families. Yours and mine.”

This couldn’t be true. I gripped the edge of the table and took a deep breath, fighting to get my emotions under control. Who was this woman and what was her game? Inspecting her more closely, I guessed she was in her late forties, a little older than me. Well-groomed. Stocky but not fat. Wearing cropped pants and a short-sleeved silk blouse, a good choice for the hot weather we were having. Her clothes looked expensive, more Nieman Marcus than Walmart.

“Can you show me some ID?” I demanded. Maybe I should have asked for that earlier.

She smiled coolly and reached into her leather bag, pulling out a passport. The photo was definitely her, but with shorter hair. Her name: Frances Louisa Boyle. Date of birth: 1975.

“Wait a minute. Boyle?”

“That was Papa’s name—James Boyle.”

The tightness in my shoulders loosened. “So. That’s not my dad.”

“When he married your mom, he used the name James MacMillan.”

That was Dad’s name—but this was ridiculous. She was claiming not just that he’d had two families, but two names.

She sat back abruptly. “I can see you’re having trouble accepting it,” she said. “I understand. It’s hard to take in.” Her expression hardened. “I only found out after Mama died in February and I was going through her papers. I found some old letters tucked away, referring to his other family.” She raised her eyes to mine again. “Your family.” After a moment, she added, “I have a couple of the letters with me, if you want to see them. They’re in my safe at the hotel.”

My mouth tasted of something bitter, metallic. “What are you after?”

She clasped her hands together. “I had a private investigator locate your mother, your family. I came here to find out more.” Her gaze swept over me. “I thought it was best to come to you first, to see if you knew about it. Before I approach your mother.”

“You can’t be thinking of disturbing my mother with this!”

“I’m sorry, but that’s why I’m here. To find out what she knew, or knows, about what happened.”

If Frances confronted Mom with this story, it would devastate her. “Give me some time to think about this first.” There must be some way to check this woman’s claim. “Can I have copies of those photos?”

She pushed them toward me. “Those are for you.” She rose and pulled a card from her purse. “I realize you may need a bit of time to get used to the idea. Here’s my cell number. When you’re ready, give me a call.” She dropped the card on the table. “But don’t take too long. I can play tourist here in Ottawa for a couple of days, but then I’ll need to talk to your mother.” She straightened her shoulders and left.

I watched her cross the library’s open lobby, passing Tony at the info desk, heading toward the main entrance. I paced back and forth in the hallway, fuming. What she was claiming couldn’t be true.

But a coldness was rising in my stomach. Could Dad really have done this to Mom? To us?

Returning to my office, I closed the door and collapsed into my chair, my stomach churning. I dropped my head back against the headrest and stared blankly at the ceiling. Frances’s story kept echoing through my mind. It had to be nonsense…except for those photos. That guy did look like Dad.

When she asked for me by name at the front desk, I had hoped the interruption would be short. I hadn’t anticipated how shaken our conversation would leave me.

I needed to get back to work; I had to post next month's staff schedule soon. But after staring at my computer screen for a few minutes, I picked up my phone to call Caroline.

She and I had been friends since our university days in Toronto. I was studying library science and she was a psychology grad student. We met when we both moved into a shared student house near campus and clicked from the beginning. We’d stayed close friends ever since.

I came back to Ottawa after graduating. When she moved to Ottawa as well, joining the psychology staff at the Royal, our friendship grew. She had become my rock, the person I turned to first for advice.

“Do you have a few minutes?” I asked.

“I do. What’s up?”

I quickly recapped my meeting with Frances and the story she’d told.

“That’s quite the tale.” Caroline’s voice deepened. “But you don’t think it’s true?”

“I’m not sure.” I wanted to say no. But those photos had left me with doubts.

“Have you told Matt?”

My husband. “No. I haven’t had a chance.” I wasn’t even sure I wanted to tell him.

“Or your mom?”

My jaw clenched. “If Dad had another family, if he deceived Mom, I don’t see any need for her to know about it after all these years. She’d be heartsick.”

“But you say Frances wants to talk to your mom. How can you prevent that?”

“Maybe I can’t. But I wish I could find out first…”

“If it’s true?”

“Yeah.”

“There’s a foolproof way to check. A DNA comparison.”

Trust Caroline to have a scientific suggestion. “Yeah. But I don’t know if Frances would agree to be tested.”

“Why wouldn’t she? She’s the one who says you’re related.”

I sighed. “Testing takes time, and I don’t think Frances wants to wait.”

She paused. “Do you know about Ancestry.com?”

“…I’ve heard of it, but don’t really know—?”

“It’s a site where people upload their DNA, and check to see if they match with anyone. I keep hearing about people finding linkages there to relatives they didn’t know about.”

“So we could check that site to see if we’re related to Frances?”

A doubtful tone entered her voice. “Well, maybe not, if you’ve never sent in a sample. If you send one in now, it could take several weeks for results to show up. And you don’t even know whether anyone on Frances’ side has uploaded there. If not, there’d be nothing to match to.”

I grimaced, disappointed. “Doesn’t sound like DNA’s going to help us. In the short run, anyway.”

“Yeah, maybe not. So let’s look at this another way. Is Frances’ story plausible? Could that have happened?”

Frustrated tears were pressing behind my eyes. “I don’t think so. But I wish I remembered more about our family, how things were before Dad died. I was so young, and my memories are pretty thin.”

“How about your brother? Would he remember more?”

I sat up at the thought. “That’s a good idea.” Patrick was four years older than me, so his memories of our family life back then would be better than mine.

Calling Patrick was complicated by the fact that he lived in Canberra, where he moved when he married Melissa six years ago.

Checking my watch and doing a time conversion, I realized it was still the middle of the night in Australia. But if I called around 4 p.m. my time, it’d be 6 a.m. there. I didn’t know what shift he’d be working—he was a paramedic with the Capital Territory Ambulance Service. If he was on the day shift, he’d be up. I’d text to see if he was awake.

He replied with a yawning-face emoji, but I took that to mean I could call. He answered on the first ring, “Yeah.”

I cut our usual time-and-weather chitchat short. “Listen. A woman came to see me today with a weird story.” I blurted out Frances’ claim that Dad had had two families, ours and hers.

His reaction was immediate. “That’s ridiculous.”

Thank you. “I know, right? It’s just not possible.”

“Wait, let me put on some coffee.” A series of indistinct sounds came through the phone. Then he was back. “Tell me the whole thing. From the beginning.”

I ran through it all, starting with Frances showing up at the library, and ending with her dropping a card as she left.

“Ridiculous,” he repeated. He was silent for a moment. “You think it’s Dad in those photos?”

“I don’t know.” I breathed out. “It looks like him. But photos can be manipulated…”

“Can you send me copies?”

“Sure. Hold on. I’m sending them now.”

While he waited for the images to arrive, he asked, “Are you thinking it’s some kind of scam?”

“Well, what could she be after? It’s not like there’s any inheritance or anything…”

He gave a small cough. “What about Mom? Are you going to tell her?”

“No! Can you imagine her reaction?” I swallowed. “Even raising it…I don’t want to spoil her memories of Dad.”

“Hold on—the photos are coming through.”

***

Author Bio:

Lis Angus is a Canadian suspense writer. Originally from Alberta, she has also lived in Germany and Toronto. Before turning to fiction, she worked with children and families in crisis, and later as a business writer, conference organizer, and policy advisor. Her debut novel, Not Your Child, was a finalist for the 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award and was published in 2022. That Other Family is her second novel. Lis is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Canada, and Capital Crime Writers. She lives in a small town south of Ottawa with her husband.

Catch Up With Lis Angus:

LisAngus.com
Lis Angus's Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @lis_angus
BookBub - @lisangusauthor
Instagram - @lisangus459
Threads - @lisangus459
X - @Lisangus1
Facebook - @lisangusauthor

Tour Participants:

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz

About the Book:

Once a black ops assassin for the government known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak broke with the program and went deep underground, using his operational rules and skills to help the truly desperate with nowhere else to turn.

When Luke Devine, one of the most powerful men in the world, has a psychological crisis, Evan flies to the East Coast to help him. While there, he learns of a young woman who was kidnapped off the New York City subway, clearly in danger and in need of aid. With no name and few clues, Evan and his team track down the missing woman, who was assaulted and abandoned. Evan offers his help―and sets out finding the young men responsible. But the woman insists that Evan abandon his usual methods―no vengeance and, in particular, no killing. Which will prove no easy feat given the mounting incoming threats from all sides. In a mission that takes Evan from coast to coast, from the poorest corners of society to the richest, Orphan X must figure out a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice with a measure of mercy.

My Review:

This is not my favorite in the series. I get irritated when a dream is presented to readers as an actual happening and Hurwitz did that early on with Joey. And then, as Evan and Joey approach Divine's residence, we read of a suspenseful confrontation. Then I came to, “But none of it had actually happened.” (733/5001) I wanted to quit reading right there. An author should be able to produce enough action so that more does not have to be imagined. And the “psychological” crisis Divine went through was just too weird. And the descriptive sexual violence was too much for me. Trigger situations abound.

I slogged through a little more of the book, through the imagined floating staircase, but did not finish. I don't think I'll read any more of this series. It has just gone off the rails. I want the old Orphan X, Nowhere Man back, the one who was nice to the lady and child who lived in his building. There is enough backstory included one could read this novel on its own. It is so different from the earlier books, however, one might get the wrong impression of the series. I did like the earlier novels.

My rating: 3/5.

About the Author:

Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times, #1 internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers, including the Orphan X series, and two award-winning thriller novels for teens. His novels have won numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW).

Minotaur Books, 416 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Cold Zero by Brad Thor with Ward Larsen

About the Book:

Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777—the most advanced jetliner ever built—disappears without a trace over the North Pole. Crippled by sabotage, it crash-lands on the ice, stranding the surviving passengers in a wasteland of frigid cold and chaos.

The real storm, however, is still coming.

Hidden inside the wreckage is the prototype for a revolutionary piece of technology that could upend the balance of world power. Now Washington, Moscow, and Beijing are racing to be the first on scene to retrieve it—at any cost.

Trapped in the middle of the world’s most dangerous flash point are CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and former fighter pilot turned first officer, Brett Sharpe. Hunted by enemy forces, they must spirit both the device and its creator across the ice to safety—before rival superpowers turn the Arctic into a war zone.

With the clock ticking and the temperature dropping, the fate of the free world is about to be decided at the top of the globe.

My Review:

This is an action packed cold war novel. A device that would give a nation the edge in warfare causes three nations to interact in the northern cold Arctic. The survivors of the plane crash must win over the actions of the dangerous countries as well as survive the cold in which they landed.

It may not be the normal Brad Thor novel but I liked it. The writing style is good and the action moves along well. CIA agent Kasey is a good heroine and this could be the beginning of a new series. She thinks outside the box and makes good crucial decisions.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Authors:

Brad Thor is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five thrillers, including Edge of Honor, Black Ice (ThrillerFix Best Thriller of the Year), Near Dark (one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year), Backlash (nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller of the Year), Spymaster (“One of the all-time best thriller novels” —The Washington Times), The Last Patriot (nominated Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers association), and Blowback (one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” —NPR). Visit his website at BradThor.com and follow him on Facebook @BradThorOfficial, on Instagram @RealBradThor, and on X @BradThor.

Ward Larsen is a USA TODAY bestselling author and decorated Air Force veteran. An eight-time Florida Book Award winner, his thriller The Perfect Assassin has been optioned for film. Larsen brings real-world experience as a fighter pilot, federal agent, airline captain, and aircraft crash investigator to his high-stakes fiction. Visit him at WardLarsen.com and follow along on X at @WardLarsen.

Atria, 352 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Friday, February 20, 2026

Induction by Chautona Havig Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: Induction (Prequel to The Agency Files)

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: November 10, 2023

Someone wants her dead. Not happening on his watch.

When Roman Simon goes missing, the small town of Fairbury burns with rumors hotter than the sidewalk in July. They’re certain he’s either left his wife, or she killed him (not that they’d blame her). As the weeks pass and the police fail to find answers, things heat up more when Anna Simon disappears, too. If that’s not strange enough, the chief of police orders his officers to leave Anna out of their investigation.

As a new recruit into a secret protection service known only as The Agency to the few who know it exists, Keith Auger doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he’s determined to do his new job well. But when he finds himself guarding a woman before he’s fully trained, he already begins to doubt the wisdom of this career path.

Pressure mounts as Keith tries to stay one step ahead of the men out to kill Anna and another step ahead of Anna who is determined to find answers no one will give her.

Keith can’t help but wonder: will his first assignment with The Agency be his last?
Induction is an introductory novel to The Agency Files.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is an entertaining short suspense and a fitting introduction to The Agency Files series. We are introduced to Keith and see how he adjusts to his new job. He is tested right away at his initial interview so the book gets off to a quick start. We are also introduced to Hani, a support character who has more experience and is part of this case too. She adds an element of potential romance.

The length is is similar to a novella so we do not have a great deal of setting construction nor deep character development. Havig's writing style is concise, often incomplete sentences. I did have a little trouble at times following the action. Nonetheless, this is an entertaining quick read and a good way to introduce the series.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours, and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

Author Writing Woes: or How This Book Came to Be.

Way back in the dark ages of my writing career (you know, around 2009…ish), I had an idea for a couple. She was a plain woman in many ways—a good student. He was the star quarterback for a college football team. And one day, while goofing around with his teammates, he bumped into her and caused her to drop everything, ruining a library book.

She wasn’t happy.

Did several chapters follow with him trying to make it up to her? Yep. Did she cave?

Eventually. And a couple of years later, the day before their wedding, his mother begged him not to marry someone so dull and uninteresting.

But all this came out about a quarter of the way into the book. The first chapter opened with her eating lunch with her husband, who ordered her least favorite dish because it’s good for her. Employees scowled, and the rumors of how awful he was to her flourished.

If only they knew. No one loved anyone more than Ramon Simon loved his Anna. Abusive? Never. Not even a hint, but no one in Fairbury would ever believe that.

But that was my problem. That’s all I knew. I called it “A Man and a Mouse” while waiting to find out what their story really was.

Twelve years later, I finally knew.

See, I had this character from one of my favorite series. The Agency Files is a suspense/romantic suspense series focusing on protecting people from “the bad guys” until law enforcement can round up those bad guys and it’s safe to go home. They’ll do anything they have to in order to keep you safe—even kidnap you. The best of the best? Keith Auger. And well… he wasn’t born an agent, was he?

I decided to write his “induction” into The Agency, and what better way to do it than to introduce him to Anna Simon? Her husband is missing, and someone’s after her. So, after a crazy ride at his job interview, and a few weeks of training, Anna is his first assignment. Keep her alive until those trying to kill her are caught. But that’s when things get complicated.

The series has grown a lot since Justified Means released. From that one book to last month’s exciting conclusion to this “branch” of the series with Take Cover, we’ve seen human trafficking, a drug running biker gang out to kill an ex-member who met Jesus, a crisis of faith combined with bioterrorism, a guy running for his life—he just doesn’t know why, an office manager gone rogue, an unemployed woman hiding out from “goons” in a Michigan castle, a traitor in the agency, and a bad guy who just might be the only one who can help them thwart a hostile takeover.

It’s been a bit of a wild ride for The Agency, but with the series “complete” (there will be spin-offs), it seemed like a perfect time to introduce folks to the series prequel, Induction. All of the series books are available in print, on Kindle Unlimited, and as audiobooks (they’re even FREE on Christa DelSorbo’s YouTube channel!).

Happy reading! And I apologize in advance for Flynne’s slang. That girl!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 21

Simple Harvest Reads, February 22 (Author Interview)

Roads to Everywhere, February 22

Blogging With Carol, February 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 24

Denise L. Barela, February 25 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 26

For Him and My Family, February 27

Guild Master, February 28 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 1 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 2

Fiction Book Lover, March 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 3

Lots of Helpers, March 4

Just Your Average reviews, March 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/iQUgI/induction-celebration-tour-giveaway

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

First to Die by Suzanne Trauth Blog Tour Book Review

THE FIRST TO DIE

by Suzanne Trauth

February 9 - March 6, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Connie Tucker, a free-spirited beach bartender, has been estranged from her family in New Jersey ever since her actress mother, Simone, disappeared one night during a violent storm at the theatre where she was rehearsing. Uncontrollable and in a rage at the loss of her parent, fifteen-year-old Connie is exiled to California, due to her delinquent behavior, to live with an aunt she doesn’t know. Now, fifteen years later, Simone’s murdered remains are discovered at a construction site and Connie returns to the east coast for the funeral—she owes it to her mother. The cold case unit will take over now and solve the crime. But then she discovers a message her mother left behind. It feels like a dispatch from the grave. Connie must face her tortured past, the guilt of concealing a devastating secret, and the part she played in her mother's disappearance. Unearthing buried family history and childhood demons, she confronts the agonizing reality that she doesn’t know where she belongs, where to call home. Who to trust. When a second suspicious death occurs, Connie races to unravel the events of the night Simone disappeared. Her mother was the first to die…but not the last.

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this murder mystery featuring a truly amateur sleuth. Connie is a bartender and she has no experience in solving crimes. She is obsessed with finding out who murdered her mother years ago, however. There are a number of suspects and Connie meanders her way to identifying the culprit through talking to people and uncovering lies about past events. She is a bit impulsive, getting herself into dangerous situations from time to time. And just when I thought she had it all figured out, there was a twist, suspense and another twist. I felt the support characters were crafted well, some supporting Connie, some really suspicious.

This novel is also about family and relationships, those who will support her. Connie has been gone for 15 years, and we are as in the dark as she is about who she can really trust. I liked the developing relationship between Connie and her sister. While the plot is wrapped up at the end, there is one hanging thread which could mean a sequel. I'll be watching.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Suspense
Published by: Between the Lines Publishing
Publication Date: November 18, 2025
Number of Pages: 334 (Pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-965059-65-4
Book Links: Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Between the Lines Publishing

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

Now

“They found Mom. You need to come home.”

Her older sister Gaby wasn’t one to waste words.

Connie should have been relieved, comforted, something. Unfortunately, it was fifteen years too late for that. And anguish she had buried deep in her body, and mind, erupted with a vengeance.

She cooled her heels in San Diego until the last possible moment to return for the funeral. The less time spent there, the better. New Jersey triggered chilling images tethered to that night. To the last time she saw her mother.

The plane thumped to earth, delivering Connie Tucker to the past with a bounce. Everything about this state was a rude wake-up call. She couldn’t wait to board the return flight to California. At fifteen, she left New Jersey in a rage, thrown out of the only home she’d known, dumped thousands of miles away on a relative she’d never met. Nerves twitching, her insides were a stew of anxiety and bitterness, wondering how people here would react to seeing her. Connie shook her head to tamp down the unruly thoughts and scold herself. They were the ones who should be nervous.

Down the parkway in the rental car, exit onto Lenox, right onto Mercer, left onto Third Street. Past Antonio’s Pizza where she and Gaby bought slices on their way home from school because who knew what their mother would cook for dinner. Past the playground attached to St. Gabriel’s. At the corner of Mercer and Third, a few patrons ambled in and out of a bodega. The street was mostly empty. Her heart bounced in her chest.

42 Third Street. She lowered the car window, her breathing shallow at the sight of the ancient Lincoln in the driveway. The blue paint polished and gleaming. “Buy American” was her father’s motto when Connie was a kid. The same automobile she and her best friend Brigid had “borrowed” until Gaby blew the whistle on her. Grounding was followed by exile two months later. She swallowed raging emotions—love, hate, sadness. If Connie closed her eyes, her parents magically materialized on the porch swing, creaking steadily back and forth on warm summer nights. Sometimes Uncle Charlie sat on the steps and the three of them drank beer, Charlie telling stories and her father laughing. But that was before.

Connie stepped out of the car and surveyed the neighborhood. Much had changed and much had remained the same. Down the block, Porter’s Bar and Grill still boasted the neon signs out front advertising beer, wine, and food. After his stint on the police force, and her mother’s disappearance, her father found employment at the bar—back then a hangout for current and former cops, a nerve center for law enforcement chatter. Old Man Porter was fond of her father, of the whole Tucker family.

Despite the sun shining in a brilliant blue sky, the area was tinged with gray. Sunny in San Diego and sunny in Hallison, New Jersey were two different animals. But even worn out as it was, her Jersey home beckoned, a magnet luring Connie into a tangle of sensations and history. Part of her, she hated to admit, yearned to be here again, but before nostalgia could overwhelm her, she stiffened her resolve: do her duty to her mother and then back to the other coast.

The day was already sweltering, humid air like a wet sheet clinging to Connie, her bangs plastered to her forehead, her shirt dotted with damp patches. Urban smells permeated the neighborhood—exhaust, heat shimmering off the pavement, cooking odors. Third Street radiated a kind of shabby warmth despite reopening sharp wounds. As she climbed the steps to her family’s front door, a voice boomed behind her.

“Connie Tucker!”

She whirled to her left. “Rosa!” she sputtered. Rosa Delano. Standing on her front porch. Daughter of the next-door neighbor, Mrs. Delano, whose front yard featured neat flower beds and trimmed bushes. The woman who’d been a kind of second mother after Connie’s first one disappeared.

“Yeah, that’s me.” A cigarette dangled from between bloodless lips, graying hair a tangle of frizz, her expression sullen.

She’d aged. And not well.

Rosa smirked. “Came home ’cause they found your old lady, huh? Si-mone.” Hands stuffed in jeans pockets, she extended the second syllable to mock the dead woman. “Bunch a bones by now, I guess.”

Connie’s stomach lurched, her fingers forming a fist. Attack mode. Breathe, she told herself. Stay in control. She’d forgotten how mean Rosa could be. In and out of the Delano house when Connie was growing up. Sometimes gone for months, once even for a whole year. Neighborhood gossip churned out tales of Rosa’s arrests for petty, and not-so-petty, crimes, their father warning Gaby and Connie to stay clear of her. That was easy to do since she was away for much of their pre-teen years.

“Wonder who buried her? Si-mone.”

Connie refused to take the bait. The hell with her. “Tell your mother I’ll stop by later.”

“Fat chance. You keep away from her.” Rosa opened her screen door. “Guess you figured Si-mone was still alive all these years, huh?”

The question split the air like the crack of a whip, jerking Connie’s head backwards. “How dare you talk about my—”

Rosa laughed in triumph. “Ha! Listen to you. ‘How dare you?’ Always did act like you were better than everybody else. Always had to have your own way.” She slouched into the Delano house and let the screen door slap shut behind her.

Heart hammering, Connie was left to wonder probably for the thousandth time how sweet, generous Mrs. Delano could live with someone as nasty as Rosa. According to Connie’s mother, she was already a troublemaker when her parents were killed in a car crash and she was adopted by Mrs. Delano at thirteen. Connie was only two or three when Rosa rolled in next door like a storm front that never budged. Now, twenty-seven years later, her words hung around Connie in the ether, burning through a tangle of jumbled ideas and leaving the charred truth—Connie had figured her mother was alive somewhere.

Needing a minute, she stepped back from the front door and confronted the Tucker residence, which exhibited contrasts identical to most of the other homes on the street: window frames in need of scraping and painting, and her mother’s favorite old-fashioned glider—and slightly rusty matching metal chairs—crowding the porch, hinting at benign neglect. Yet, two flower baskets hung from hooks on the porch pillars with cascading red, yellow, and blue blooms. Someone tended to those plants. Gaby, no doubt.

Connie steeled herself, donning emotional armor. Knocking brought no response, neither did pressing the bell, broken years ago and apparently never repaired. She’d kept a key to the house—from spite—and jiggled the lock a fraction, the way she’d done as a teenager breaking the curfew her father had tried to establish.

The door swung open.

With the windows shut tight, primal odors hung in the air like church incense. Lingering smells of baking, fresh laundry, furniture polish. Connie pulled a carry-on suitcase into the house. “I’m here.” Where were her sister and father? The car was in the driveway. She’d texted her arrival time and expected someone to be in the house to meet her. Instead, she was greeted by silence. Perfect.

A chair in the hallway held a stack of mail. Circumventing the living room to her right, Connie moved straight ahead to the kitchen. A used coffee mug and bowl sat in the sink. Otherwise, the room was orderly, a table in the breakfast nook had placemats, The Star-Ledger, and a vase of flowers. The sweet scents of lilacs and roses filled the air.

Back to the hallway she stopped in the arched entrance to the living room. Taking it all in. A new couch and the worn leather of the old recliner, her father’s favorite piece of furniture, and a flat screen television. The coffee table was the same. Also, the rug she and Gaby had danced on with their mother to ABBA all those afternoons. Their beautiful French mother.

A rush of memories confronting her on all sides, blocking progress, keeping her captive, nowhere to go but back into that night.

***

Author Bio:

Suzanne Trauth is a novelist and playwright. Her novels include The First to Die, What Remains of Love (a first-place winner in Women's Fiction, Firebird Book Awards; a finalist in General Fiction, American Book Festival; and a finalist for the Hemingway Prize) and the Dodie O’Dell mystery series–Show Time, Time Out, Running Out of Time, Just in Time, No More Time and Killing Time. Ms. Trauth has co-authored Sonia Moore and American Acting Training and co-edited Katrina on Stage: Five Plays. She is a former member of the theatre faculty at a university and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, the Dramatists Guild, and the League of Professional Theatre Women.

Catch Up With Suzanne Trauth:

www.SuzanneTrauth.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads, @suzannetrauth
BookBub, @trauths1
Instagram, @suzannetrauth
Facebook, @suzanne.trauth.2025
Facebook, @SuzanneTrauth (Author)

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Cross and Sampson by James Patterson Brian Sitts

About the Book:

In Washington, DC …

Metro PD detective John Sampson stands in a crater in the middle of a DC street, calling in the bomb squad. “Dispatch, this is Sampson. Contact the FBI and the ATF. We’ve got a suspected terrorist attack here.”

In Chapel Hill, NC …

Alex Cross searches the apartment of a missing psychology grad student—his own son Damon. Has following in his famous father’s footsteps made Damon a target?

From FBI headquarters, in police stations, on airplanes, and at murder scenes, the detectives track crimes committed hundreds of miles apart. It will take more than distance to weaken the partnership of Sampson & Cross.

My Review:

I have read or listened to most of the Alex Cross novels and this is another good one in the series. I enjoyed John Sampson getting his own story. The pace of both stories are great and the topics could be out of today's news headlines. I enjoyed the novel. Even though it is part of a long running series, it reads fine on its own.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including ‘The Idaho Four,’ ‘Walk in My Combat Boots,’ and ‘Filthy Rich.’ Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography ‘James Patterson by James Patterson.’ He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Little, Brown and Company, 368 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Monday, February 16, 2026

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

About the Book:

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

My Review:

This novel is certainly different from anything else I have read by Quinn. I like the idea that the library is a refuge for people who need to be in a safe place. Individuals can enter into their favorite novel. This is a good novel for book lovers, especially those who have found themselves lost in a good book. Just imagine if that could actually happen. My favorite characters were the ghosts, people with too many books on TBR stack. I can really identify!

But all is not well in the magical library land so there is some suspense too. This is something quite different from Quinn but a welcome change that is entertaining.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," "The Diamond Eye," and "The Briar Club." She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including "The Phoenix Crown" with Janie Chang and "Ribbons of Scarlet" with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. "The Astral Library," releasing in 2026, is her first foray into magical realism. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.

William Morrow, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Sunday, February 15, 2026

A Year in the Room by Steven Rogers Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: A Year in the Room (The Reluctant Pilgrim Book 2)

Author: Steven Rogers

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Release Date: October 23, 2024

Reluctant pilgrim Ben Cahill steps off a flight from Israel facing an unrelenting list of challenges—a fractured family, no job, no place to live, and a dubious grip on his newly-found sobriety. He has no plans for the next steps in his life.

Ben starts over, settling into a small, rented room and working three part-time jobs. As his first year of recovery unfolds, Ben fights an unrelenting spiritual war against his personal demons and the consequences of his past actions.

Can a chain-smoking, no-nonsense grandmother, a retired navy cook, a crusty old Scotsman, and an unexpected pilgrimage to the legendary Scottish Island of Iona, clear away the wreckage of Ben’s life and lead him to hope? Join Ben on his journey in this sequel to the award-winning novel Into the Room.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is a novel exploring one man's healing from ruining his life through alcohol. We experience the help of those around him, the places he visits to pursue healing atmosphere, and the efforts to reunite with his wife and children. There are unique people he meets on his journey, such as Pearl, a cigarette smoking woman with a heart of gold.

This novel is not a page turner but rather an account of the long and methodical journey of healing Ben must traverse. I liked his visit to Iona and learning about the island and the community there. There was also an interesting visit to the Bible Museum. Rogers is good at creating great descriptions so the visits were informative.

This novel is for readers who appreciate a realistic account of struggle and healing. While it is the second book in this series, it reads very well on its own. I don't think the story is over. I'll be watching for the next novel in Ben's journey.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author

Steven Rogers is a Christian author of the “Reluctant Pilgrim” series. His most recent novel, A Year in the Room, was published in November 2024. The book is a sequel to his debut novel, Into the Room, which was published in 2021. In addition to other awards, both books were finalists for the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Awards.

Steven loves the process of writing, especially exploring characters that are either broken or facing unfamiliar situations. They are usually ordinary people confronting their internal demons and the challenges of day-to-day living. He also enjoys bringing his stories to a happy, or at least hopeful, ending.

Steven serves as the Director of Royalty Management and Acquisitions Editor at Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. In addition to writing, Steven is a speaker and enjoys sharing his journey of faith and exploring how God’s word applies in the modern world.

Steven, a proud father of three adult children and one incredibly lucky son-in-law, is happily married to his wife of thirty-nine years, Kathy. They live in Richmond, Virginia.

More from Steven

When I first began writing, I was trying to become the next Stephen King. I was inventing serial killers, violently murdering people, and using time travel as a plot concept. At the time, I didn’t know there was a robust and far-reaching Christian Fiction market.

Things changed in 2017 while I was on a flight to Israel. Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, I had the thought, I wonder what would happen if I were an alcoholic who has just been released from rehab, and I HAD to take this trip? I quickly invented my character, Ben Cahill, and took him on the tour with me.

When we got back home, my wife asked what I’d been writing in my journal during our visit to The Holy Land. After I explained, the following exchange took place:

Her: “You may have a book there.”

Me: “That’s not my genre.”

Her (using much gentler language): “You’re not published yet; you don’t have a genre.”

To make a long story short, the result of this conversation was my first novel, Into the Room.

A Year in the Room is Book 2 in my “Reluctant Pilgrim” series. I wrote the book because I was compelled to continue telling Ben Cahill’s story and explore an alcoholic/addict during the first year of recovery.

Many writers fall in love with their characters. I am no different. Writing about Ben has been a blessing for me. His story has significantly impacted my personal spiritual journey, taught me to forgive, and brought me closer to God. I will be forever grateful for his impact on my life.