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Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
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Enter the Giveaway
Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.
Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.
I love mysteries--and have been working through a new series on my reading list over the past couple of weeks! I recently had the opportunity to read and review books from the Annie Collins Mystery series by Helen Starbuck. I shared my reviews of The Mad Hatter's Son and of No Pity in Death earlier this week--and took advantage of some downtime this weekend to read The Burden of Hate. Check out the books, read my thoughts, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!
How far would you go for someone
you love? How much hate would you need to commit murder? Revenge. Hate.
Fear. Not exactly traditional wedding gifts. But when convicted killer
Ian Patterson escapes from prison, operating room nurse Annie Collins
and fiancé assistant district attorney Angel Cisneros are forced to
confront these realities head on. Will Ian Patterson’s quest for revenge
toward the two people responsible for sending him to prison—Annie
Collins and Angel Cisneros—bring them face to face to settle the score
once and for all?
Find out why Kirkus Reviews calls The Burden of Hate, “A thriller that offers a master class in suspense.”
My Review
The Burden of Hate Pulls from Earlier Books in the Series. If
you read my review of The Mad Hatter's Son, you know I struggled a bit
to get into the story--then enjoyed the story line. In No Pity in Death,
the author picked up where the first book left us and kept a nice pace
as she introduced her new mystery and entwined some subplots and side
stories. Each novel is a standalone story--but, because the characters and events of previous books revisit either directly or as subplots and memories--it really is necessary to read the previous books in order. The Burden of Hate is also standalone novel--but it pulls from both books as the main characters face some old threats while encountering their latest mystery.
The Burden of Hate Was My Favorite in the Series. I didn't like Annie much during the first book--but, I enjoyed the author's settings and storytelling style. The second book continued Starbuck's storytelling and seemed to even-out Annie's shortcomings through her relationship with Angel--and the challenges she faced through the novel. This book seemed to balance everything well for me. The pace of the novel flowed well, I enjoyed the author's method of tying the past together and continuing to move her characters forward--and, once again, there was just enough light suspense to keep me interested from cover to cover.
Buy the Book
You May Also Enjoy
Book Title: The Mad Hatter's Son (An Annie Collins Mystery #1) by Helen Starbuck
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 285 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Routt Street Press
Release date: 2018
Format available for review: ebook (Gifted Kinde, PDF), audiobook (audible download)
Tour dates: Jan 13 to Feb 9, 2021
Content Rating: R. Two explicit sex scenes, profanity, medical scenes.
Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.
About the Book
Curiosity killed the cat, so the saying goes, and it may end up killing operating room nurse Annie Collins. Annie’s estranged friend Libby Matheisen needs Annie’s help to discover what is causing her vague, puzzling symptoms. Unwillingly drawn into her friend’s life, Annie must discover whether Libby is really ill or if there is a hidden agenda. Faced with Libby’s apparent suicide, Annie is unable to stop asking questions to uncover the truth about her illness and death. The answers to these questions don’t come without a price, and pursuing the mystery of Libby’s death threatens to end her life as well. Friends change, love betrays, and the end results are never what you anticipate. Find out why the BookLife Prize called The Mad Hatter’s Son “An outstanding debut,” and it was the winner of The National Indie Excellence Book Awards mystery category.
Buy the Book
About the Book
Struggling to put her life back
together after almost being murdered, operating room nurse Annie Collins
agrees to help homicide Detective Alex Frost investigate a troubling
number of patient deaths in the ICU step down unit at her hospital. Are
the patients succumbing to life threatening illnesses or is someone
helping them die? Assistant district attorney and close friend, Angel
Cisneros, worries about Annie’s involvement with Frost’s investigation,
and his concern
escalates after a person from her past contacts her. His feelings for
her, which have grown deeper, complicate everything. Dangerous enemies
are something Annie and Angel have in common. As they quickly discover,
paybacks can be hell.
Buy the Book
This morning, I have another beauty and health self-help book in our book spotlight. Last week, I shared Face Value on A Mama's Corner of the World and today--I have Face Fitness: The 10 Minute Face Lift by Gregory Landsman. Check out the book, learn about the author & enter & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!www
Book Title: Face Fitness - The 10 Minute Face Lift - How to take years off your face naturally! by Gregory Landsman
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18 yrs +), 67 pages
Genre: Beauty & Grooming; Health & Wellness; Self Help
Publisher: Hill of Content Publishing
Release date: Nov 2018
Tour dates: Jan 18 to Feb 5, 2021
Content Rating: G.
Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.
Buy the Book
Amazon
B&N ~ Book Depository ~ BAM
IndieBound ~ Chapters Indigo
Add to Goodreads
Check out the Entire
10 Years Younger Series
Each book stands alone, focusing on a different method to achieving younger looking skin i.e. Face Value - DIY topical treatments; Face Fitness - facial exercise; and Face Food - anti-aging foods). Together they represent the ultimate guide to younger, healthier and more vital looking skin at any age.
“With knowledge and know how we can counteract and prevent premature
aging, as small changes make a big difference to the way we age over
time.”
Gregory Landsman
To receive a
free copy of Gregory’s e-book, STOP SKIN AGING PREMATURELY, which
includes a list of the most powerful cortisol lowering foods go to: https://gregorylandsman.
Meet the Author
Enter the Giveaway
I love mysteries--and enjoy finding new series to add to my go-to reading lists. I recently had the opportunity to read and review books from the Annie Collins Mystery series by Helen Starbuck. I shared my review of The Mad Hatter's Son earlier this week and have my review of No Pity in Death this morning! Check out the books, read my thoughts, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!
About the Book
Struggling to put her life back
together after almost being murdered, operating room nurse Annie Collins
agrees to help homicide Detective Alex Frost investigate a troubling
number of patient deaths in the ICU step down unit at her hospital. Are
the patients succumbing to life threatening illnesses or is someone
helping them die? Assistant district attorney and close friend, Angel
Cisneros, worries about Annie’s involvement with Frost’s investigation,
and his concern
escalates after a person from her past contacts her. His feelings for
her, which have grown deeper, complicate everything. Dangerous enemies
are something Annie and Angel have in common. As they quickly discover,
paybacks can be hell.
My Review
No Pity in Death Picks Up Where The Mad Hatter's Son Left Off. If you read my review of The Mad Hatter's Son, you know I struggled a bit to get into the story--then enjoyed the storyline. In No Pity in Death, the author picked up where the first book left us and kept a nice pace as she introduced her new mystery and entwined some subplots and side stories. While this novel is a standalone novel--I would definitely recommend reading the first book first. I didn't love Annie as a character in the first book--but, I found myself becoming quite attached to her as this novel moved forward.
Part Mystery/Part Life Drama. For me, this novel's mystery and suspense were almost side-stories from Annie's challenges faced as she coped with and moved from her past dramas and traumas. The author gives readers twists and turns to develop and unravel her mysteries--but she gives readers a more profound story as Annie grows and strengthens from her previous adventures in mystery-solving and romance.
Would I Recommend No Pity in Death by Helen Starbuck? Again, I didn't love many of the supporting characters, but I became attached to Annie (and her love interest)--and this book sealed my interest in continuing the series. I love the author's ability to pull readers into her settings and bring Annie's work life into the reader's view. If you enjoy mysteries that aren't overly complex--and love a novel that draws on human nature, relationships, and a bit of real-world/real-life drama--give this book and the mystery series a look. I enjoyed Starbuck's storylines, her character interactions, and especially her settings and realistic views of the aspects of Annie's life. I would certainly read the books in order, and I look forward to seeing Annie in future mystery solving adventures.
Buy the Book
You May Also Enjoy
Book Title: The Mad Hatter's Son (An Annie Collins Mystery #1) by Helen Starbuck
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 285 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Routt Street Press
Release date: 2018
Format available for review: ebook (Gifted Kinde, PDF), audiobook (audible download)
Tour dates: Jan 13 to Feb 9, 2021
Content Rating: R. Two explicit sex scenes, profanity, medical scenes.
Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.
About the Book
Curiosity killed the cat, so the saying goes, and it may end up killing operating room nurse Annie Collins. Annie’s estranged friend Libby Matheisen needs Annie’s help to discover what is causing her vague, puzzling symptoms. Unwillingly drawn into her friend’s life, Annie must discover whether Libby is really ill or if there is a hidden agenda. Faced with Libby’s apparent suicide, Annie is unable to stop asking questions to uncover the truth about her illness and death. The answers to these questions don’t come without a price, and pursuing the mystery of Libby’s death threatens to end her life as well. Friends change, love betrays, and the end results are never what you anticipate. Find out why the BookLife Prize called The Mad Hatter’s Son “An outstanding debut,” and it was the winner of The National Indie Excellence Book Awards mystery category.
How far would you go for someone you love? How much hate would you need to commit murder? Revenge. Hate. Fear. Not exactly traditional wedding gifts. But when convicted killer Ian Patterson escapes from prison, operating room nurse Annie Collins and fiancé assistant district attorney Angel Cisneros are forced to confront these realities head on. Will Ian Patterson’s quest for revenge toward the two people responsible for sending him to prison—Annie Collins and Angel Cisneros—bring them face to face to settle the score once and for all?
Find out why Kirkus Reviews calls The Burden of Hate, “A thriller that offers a master class in suspense.”
Buy the Book
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