The Ocean Hugs Hard

by

Eric Avedissian

A compelling tale of mystery, secrets, and death in a seaside tourist town in the 1960s.

The Ocean Hugs Hard by Eric Avedissian is a new historical mystery and suspenseful horror novel that tells the absorbing tale of a young reporter investigating the death of a local beauty queen in a summer seaside tourist town. With its engaging main characters, 1960s setting, and suspenseful twists, the story held my attention completely as the truth slowly came to light. 

Harmon Bass is an intriguing protagonist; he’s a young cub reporter still finding his way in his career and in his life, struggling to become comfortable with his asexual nature. He’s made a first step toward becoming an independent adult by moving out of his childhood home and working as a reporter for his hometown’s paper rather than as an accountant, as his father wants. Though trying to prove himself with this important story (and keep his job), he is genuinely interested in finding justice for the victim, who was his former (and only) girlfriend back when they were in high school together. 

Harmon’s co-writer on this story is June Jensen, a smart reporter who has been relegated to puff pieces and covering local events. She’s struggling to break free of the traditional attitudes of the male-dominated newsroom that limits her success. Likewise, Lyle Morris, the paper’s new African-American photographer, is up against the complacent, entrenched racism of a time when the Civil Rights Movement was just getting legs. 

The author can certainly tell a story and took me places I didn’t expect despite the imagery on the fabulous cover. Didi’s murder occurs off-the-page, and the discovery of her bikini-clad body provides the story’s opening, so Harmon’s investigation starts immediately. The descriptions of people and places are vivid and I felt like I was right there with Harmon every step of the very unpredictable way. The plot takes some surprising twists and turns and kept me fixed to its pages, compelled to keep reading to see how the story would pan out. 

I recommend THE OCEAN HUGS HARD to mystery readers who would enjoy a Twilight Zone twist to their traditional mystery. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

A New Life

Reflections of Michael, #4

by

L.J. Ambrosio

Live true to yourself and love others as they do the same.

A New Life is the fourth book in author L.J. Ambrosio’s emotionally exploratory and character-driven series, Reflections of Michael. This book follows Ron and Louie’s relationship after the death of their beloved canine companion, Rhonda. 

Life has almost come full circle for Ron. Once the young wanderer whom Michael took under his wing and mentored, Ron passes along what he’s learned in his life to Louie, the confused young stray he met as the manager of the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris. Where once he was the one seeking his place in life, Ron has found his purpose and is finally ready to end his self-imposed exile and return home to the US. He also feels Louie has come into his own and will survive nicely, with more confidence, comfortable in his own skin and the answers to his questions about his sexuality. I was glad Ron invited Louie to move out of the bookstore and into his apartment with him. And although nothing could ever replace Rhonda in their hearts, Mikey, the Jack Russell puppy, was a lovely addition to their lives. 

This story was full of heart and surprises as Louie finds his footing as a leader among his politically active friends, or when he befriends a sick and lonely older man, pursues possible new love interests, and bravely deals with being the target of bigots. Ron, Louie, Mikey, Madam, and so many of the characters had worked their way into my heart that the ending absolutely gutted me. It brought a very emotional closure to Ron and Louie’s story. 

I recommend A NEW LIFE to fans of the previous books in the series. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

The Summer I Remembered Everything

by

Catherine Con Morse

A summer of growth, love, and remembrance.

The Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse is a wonderful young adult story of a pivotal summer in Emily Chen-Sanchez’s life. With her perfect older sister, Emilly always felt she was playing a losing game to shine in her parents’ eyes. While she had always admired, perhaps, idolized Tessa, she was also jealous, and her feelings led her into constant arguments with her overachieving older sister. When a less-than-satisfactory grade on her end-of-year report card grounds her for the first three weeks of summer vacation, she figures getting a job will at least get her out of the house and give her a break from her family. She applies to be a companion to an elderly neighbor lady, Mrs. Granucci, thinking she’ll be helping her around her home with her daily activities; however, the lively senior is vivacious, active, and busy with life. Yet, she is harboring a secret; her little episodes of forgetfulness are just the start of a hidden problem, something much more serious. 

Emily is such a relatable girl, with her dreams and innocent desires, and the summer is one of coming of age in so many ways. She’s got the short end of the stick with a bad case of sibling rivalry, topped by having very cautious, anxious parents. Her mother has just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and is undergoing treatment. Her best gal pal is in London for the next several weeks, and her best friend, Matt, has a crush on another girl, again. But this time, his crush on a girl with so many similar interests just hits differently for Emily. Now, her new employer and growing mentor, Mrs. G., swears her to secrecy about her declining mental acuity and memory issues. Any one of these situations would be a handful for a sixteen-year-old to handle, so it’s no wonder that mistakes are made and lessons must be learned. 

The story really struck home for me, having had to care for someone, also not a family member, with cognitive decline. Things happen or get said that truly catch you off guard. The incident where Emily is accused of stealing is not an uncommon tale; it occurs frequently as loved ones progress through their disease, and it is hard to take, difficult to overcome, and move on. The situation between the two sisters was emotional to read about. I appreciated how the author had the characters confront their differences and air their feelings and perspectives. As time passes, you realize that having a sister is a truly unique relationship. 

I recommend THE SUMMER I REMEMBERED EVERYTHING to readers of young adult fiction, especially those looking for a POC perspective. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.

Gone to Ground

by

Morgan Hatch

Goals clash as a young man battles powerful, unseen adversaries in this dark and gritty thriller.

Gone to Ground is the clever new thriller by Morgan Hatch that pits a gifted high school senior from the wrong side of town against the wealthy, privileged, and politically connected over the fate of his neighborhood and the homeless denizens of an eyesore section of land. A large piece of undeveloped real estate in East LA is eyed as the perfect location for the terminal for the new high-speed rail project under construction, and monied and politically savvy backers rush to take possession. Unfortunately, it is also the site of a large, long-established, and well-entrenched homeless encampment. 

High school senior Javier Jimenez has always had his younger brother Alex’s back, but lately, he’s been replaced in his brother’s esteem by the fast-talking minions involved with the local gang, Denker Street. Already burdened by bills and helping to keep their overwhelmed mother’s head above water, he’s tried to talk Alex off the path he’s going down, but to no avail. 

Underdog Javier is an unusual protagonist but a worthy adversary in this complex tale of divergent storylines. He’s got so much going against him, yet he’s on a successful road leading to college and a bright future afterwards, especially considering his natural financial proficiency. He’s an engaging character, soon to face difficult choices as things get dark and gritty, and you can’t help but root for him.

 I really liked how the author structured the plot, developing several seemingly unconnected storylines at the start. Each, in itself, is an intriguing thread, and I was surprised by the way they all eventually converged to create the larger story. 

GONE TO GROUND is book one of a planned trilogy, so I am already anticipating more from this author. I recommend this book to readers of mysteries and thrillers, especially those who enjoy a grittier tale or one set in Los Angeles but away from the bright lights, glitz, and glam. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Dream by the Shadows

The Shadow Weavers Duology, #1

by

Logan Karlie

Atmospheric slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers young adult fantasy.

Dream by the Shadows is the first book of the Shadow Weavers Duology by author Logan Karlie, and it is an atmospheric young adult enemies-to-lovers tale within a frightening world of nightmares and dreams, shadows and light. Young Esmer’s world falls apart when her parents succumb to “The Corruption,” a horrific disease that turns normal people into slavering, demonic killers, plaguing her village. With her only desire being the protection of her younger brother, she soon becomes a pawn in an eternity-long struggle between her world’s leader, Lord Mithras, the Light Bringer, and the evil antithesis known as the Shadow Bringer. 

Esmer Havenfall is the heartbreakingly engaging young heroine trapped by the circumstances of her parents’ actions and their subsequent deaths. She already carries a load of guilt, feeling responsible for her older sister’s death, and she is the only support for her sweet, much-loved younger brother, Elliot. I was exhausted for this young woman, as each time she tried to sleep, she found herself in the nightmarish Dream Realm, where she encountered the notorious and reviled Shadow Bringer. 

The plot moves quickly as the author builds a complex setting and an intricate system of magic. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and I had some difficulty keeping up at times. I enjoyed the push-pull of Esmer’s emotions toward the Shadow Bringer as she was both repulsed by his reputation and sympathetically drawn to the man suffering behind the mask. The descriptions of the diverse and vivid settings were at times lush, stark, and always atmospheric. 

As I mentioned, I did have some trouble comprehending the full nature of the world of Noctis, the lore, and the magic system; it was just that vast. It took the entirety of the book for me to gain a modicum of comfort with it all, as much is revealed during scenes in the Dream Realm that early on played out with all the well-known confusion one experiences in a nightmare. The excitement of the story really takes off toward the end of this book, leaving me anxious for the next, so I can see how this will all resolve. 

I recommend DREAM BY THE SHADOWS to readers of young adult fantasy. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.