#MMBBR #Showcase #FirstLine #PartoftheFamily by @PhilbyWrites #TheBoroughPress @Harper360

 

#FirstLine ~ Prologue

I felt my abdominal muscles twinge as I lowered myself to sit.

On the surface, Anna Witherall has the perfect life. Married to her university boyfriend David, she has an enviable job, beautiful home, and gorgeous three-year-old twin daughters, Stella and Rose. Their competent and capable nanny, Maria, is practically part of the family.

But beneath the veneer of success and happiness, Anna is hiding a dark secret, one that threatens to unravel everything she has worked so hard to create. Only one thing is certain: to protect her children, she must betray them.

#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #SoCalledNormal by @markhenick @HarperCollinsCa #mentalhealth

So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience by Mark Henick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ Prologue --- This is the end.

I am always so impressed by the courage that people show when sharing their personal stories with the world. I am further impressed and in awe because they allow themselves to become vulnerable to hopefully help others facing similar struggles. I was easily drawn into this story and was fascinated how the journey went for Mark, it was both heartbreaking and hopeful. It is a must read for those that love powerful memoirs that truly capture what resilience looks like while examining complex family relationship and the power of depression and so much more!

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So-Called Normal Shares Gripping True Story of Suicide Attempt Survival and Resilience

 

New York NY, February 10, 2021 — By age 15, depression and anxiety had taken their toll on Mark Henick. Clinging to an outside girder on an overpass, a deeply troubled Henick made the only decision he thought he could. And he let go.

 

Henick’s newly released book, So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience, aims to break the relentless stigma of mental illness through his candid, intensely personal account of his youth, the events that led to that fateful night on the bridge, and the experiences and transformation that followed. Henick takes readers inside the mind of a boy who had to deal with the breakdown of his parents’ marriage, an abusive stepfather, bullying and trauma — all while trying to navigate his progressively worsening mental health. In the backdrop is a community that didn’t talk about mental illness, one where silence and maintaining the comforts of “normal” was paramount.

 

So-Called Normal is a vital, triumphant story of perseverance and recovery that has already touched the hearts of many, including television personality Rosie O’Donnell.

 

“Mark Henick is a powerful storyteller. His vivid account of his early years as a depressed, suicidal teenager is a page-turner. So-Called Normal is beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and hopeful. Necessary reading for anyone who wants a peek inside the mind of someone who journeyed through mental illness and found hope on the other side,” O’Donnell said.

 

Author Mark Henick’s TEDx talk, Why We Choose Suicide, is one of the most watched in the world and has been viewed millions of times. His search for “the man in the brown jacket” whose bravery and strong arms kept him from falling to his death went viral around the world (and was successful!). Henick has been on television and radio and has written many articles on mental health. He has hosted more than 60 intimate conversations about mental health with notable public figures and celebrities on his podcast, So-Called Normal, and has executive produced and hosted the Living Well podcast for Morneau Shepell. Henick has served on the board of directors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and was the president of a provincial division of the Canadian Mental Health Association — the youngest person in either role. He has worked as a front line clinician, a program manager and the national director of strategic initiatives for CMHA. Currently the CEO and principal strategist for Strategic Mental Health Consulting, Mark Henick is in high demand as an international keynote speaker on mental health recovery.

 

To watch Henick’s powerful TEDx talk, please visit https://youtu.be/D1QoyTmeAYw. For more information, please visit www.markhenick.com or connect with the author on the following social media sites: www.facebook.com/markhenick/;https://twitter.com/markhenick; and www.youtube.com/markhenick.

 

For the recent PEOPLE Magazine feature about Henick and the man who saved him, please visit https://people.com/human-interest/inside-one-mans-search-stranger-saved-him-suicide/.

 

#MMBBR #BlogTourHost via @TLCBookTours #Excerpt #Review #HerDarkLies by J.T. Ellison @thrillerchick

 

About Her Dark Lies: A Novel

Hardcover: 416 Pages

Publisher: MIRA; Original edition (March 9, 2021)

Fast-paced and brilliantly unpredictable, J.T. Ellison’s breathtaking new novel invites you to a wedding none will forget—and some won’t survive.

Jutting from sparkling turquoise waters off the Italian coast, Isle Isola is an idyllic setting for a wedding. In the majestic cliff-top villa owned by the wealthy Compton family, up-and-coming artist Claire Hunter will marry handsome, charming Jack Compton, surrounded by close family, intimate friends…and a host of dark secrets.

From the moment Claire sets foot on the island, something seems amiss. Skeletal remains have just been found. There are other, newer disturbances, too. Menacing texts. A ruined wedding dress. And one troubling shadow hanging over Claire’s otherwise blissful relationship—the strange mystery surrounding Jack’s first wife.

Then a raging storm descends, the power goes out—and the real terror begins…

Purchase Links

MIRA | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

This book was fantastic. I loved it so much! It was perfectly paced and the characters wonderfully drawn out for the reader. I loved the mystery, suspense and thrills in this novel. I was burning through the pages and was fully entertained and engaged. I love these types of books that grab you and allow to to escape your world and hop into the pages of the book! A MUST read for thriller and mystery lovers!

“Jack, what’s going on? I can see blue lights flashing. Is that the island’s police?”

His attention snaps to the pier. “Our local island polizia, yes. The Italians have both local

police and military police, but here on the island, it’s just a couple of local guys. There’s no

crime on Isola.”

Unspoken—Our security sees to that. You’re safe with me, Claire. Always.

Safety is something Jack offers in spades. After Monday’s escapades, I’ve been shown

that in person.

“What do you think’s happened?” I ask. “They aren’t here about Monday night, are they?”

“I don’t know. I suppose we’ll find out. They’re blocking our way up to the Villa.”

It’s another ten minutes before we can disembark. Jack is silent and watchful the whole

time. He holds my hand and plays absently with my ring. I see the muscle in his jaw tick,

tick, tick as he grinds his teeth.

When the gangplank finally settles against the ground, he says quietly, “Just follow my

lead.” He steers me down the pier toward the flashing lights. We’re fifteen feet away when

he sucks in a breath and says, “Wait here.”

“But—”

“Wait here, Claire.”

Jack doesn’t normally command me. I’m so shocked I halt immediately, and he surges

ahead, disappearing into the crowd. I stand awkwardly alone, shivering in the salty breeze. I

can hear Italian, spoken very quickly, much too fast for me to follow even the few words I’ve

picked up, then Jack’s baritone, all overlaid with a cacophony of seagulls—the island’s

rookery for wayward birds must be nearby. I’m just grateful for the solid ground. Maybe I

was getting a little seasick.

Jack reemerges moments later, his face pale.

“The timing is impeccable,” he grumbles.

“Are they here for us?”

“No. The restoration people dug up a body.”

“A body? Whose?”

“No idea. Sorry, technically it’s not a body, it’s a skeleton. Remains. This happens

frequently in historical restoration.”

“Remains?” I’ve had just about enough death for a lifetime. Two bodies in two days?

Jack smiles. “Don’t freak out. You know this island dates back. Sometimes there are little

mudslides that expose ruins, or the restoration people my dad hired will dig into the ground

and find a tomb, or tunnel under a building and uncover disarticulated bones.”

“So it—they—aren’t recent?”

“Goodness, no. I’m sure they’re not. My parents will have to meet with the people from

the historical society, just to be certain, but it’s all going to be fine. It’s just one more thing to

handle.”

He sounds annoyed but supremely unconcerned, so I relax, too. I have learned to take

my cues from Jack. This is a whole new world I’m stepping into, and camouflage is my only

weapon.

“Let’s get up to the Villa. I’m sure my parents will want to see you. And I’d love to show

you around, if you’re not too jet-lagged. Plus, we have the meeting with the lawyers this

afternoon.”

Ah, the lawyers. I’ve almost forgotten about the prenup signing. Almost…

What, you thought it was going to be different? You missed the part of the story where

Prince Charming sat Cinderella down with an annuity payout schedule because the glass

slipper earned interest at 4.8 percent a year? This is the Comptons we’re talking about.

Jack might love me beyond all reason, but his family will protect him at all cost.

“I’m not too bad actually. Awake enough for greetings and explorations, at least.”

“Then let’s go.”

About J. T. Ellison

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.T. Ellison writes standalone domestic noir and psychological thriller series, the latter starring Nashville Homicide Lt. Taylor Jackson and medical examiner Dr. Samantha Owens, and pens the international thriller series “A Brit in the FBI” with #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter. Cohost of the Emmy Award-winning show, A Word on Words, Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband.

Connect with J. T.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Excerpt tour:

Monday, February 15th: From the TBR Pile

Tuesday, February 16th: Kahakai Kitchen

Wednesday, February 17th: Seaside Book Nook

Thursday, February 18th: What is That Book About

Friday, February 19th: Pacific Northwest Bookworm

Monday, February 22nd: Helen’s Book Blog

Tuesday, February 23rd: Audio Killed the Bookmark

Wednesday, February 24th: Reading Reality

Thursday, February 25th: Palmer’s Page Turners

Friday, February 26th: Mrs. Mommy Booknerd

Monday, March 1st: Living My Best Book Life

Tuesday, March 2nd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Wednesday, March 3rd: Books & Bindings

Thursday, March 4th: Jathan & Heather

Friday, March 5th: Novel Gossip

Saturday, March 6th: Where the Reader Grows

Monday, March 8th: Art Books Coffee

Instagram tour:

Friday, March 5th: @novelgossip

Monday, March 8th: @bookish.sunrise

Tuesday, March 9th: @bryantparkbooks

Tuesday, March 9th: @lovelyplacebooks

Wednesday, March 10th: @the_boozy_baking_bibliophile

Thursday, March 11th: @always_reading

Thursday, March 11th: @workreadsleeprepeat

Friday, March 12th: @pages.and.plates

Saturday, March 13th: @hooked.by.books

Sunday, March 14th: @shobizreads

Monday, March 15th: @lifeinlit

#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #Crush by @TracyWolff @MBeatie @EntangledTeen @entangledpub

Crush by Tracy Wolff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine - Being the lone human in a school for paranormals is precarious at the best of times.

I, again, am not a young adult, rather a 40 something year old and I loved this book. I love that there are themes of adventure, danger, young love, heartbreak, triumph, compassion, coming of age and so many more relatable themes for readers of all ages. There is a cast of interesting characters that add so much depth to this story. You really get to know them while reading this series and attachments are made. I will admit that I have a team I am cheering for (Jaxson or Hudson), but won’t share that here because I know the depth of others loyalties! It runs deep for lovers of this series. You cannot help but be pulled into this story and escape from everything else while reading. I cannot wait for the next two books in this series. I highly recommend this series to readers of all ages!!!

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #AMothersPromise by @kdaldenauthor

A Mother's Promise by K.D. Alden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ Dr. Price wore a three-piece suit with lots of authority and a kind smile.

This book was fantastic. It was fascinating and so well written. I am a bit exhausted in the best way after reading this book because I felt like I was living inside this book since page one. What a journey. This story is woven so beautifully, by a master storyteller with richly fleshed out characters. It is complex story with compelling characters. I will not soon forget this wonderful story. It was truly stunning!

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #TheFamilyShip by @SonjaYoerg Thanks to #LakeUnionPublishing⁦ @LUAuthors ⁩& @netgalley for the #reviewcopy #partner

The Family Ship: A Novel by Sonja Yoerg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#firstline PROLOGUE JUDE 1962 Jude’s earliest memory was of the day his sister was born, as becoming a big brother made his brain decide it needed to start keeping track for the long run.

This book was fantastic. It was extremely character driven and the story causes the reader to ache for the characters. Tragedy befalls a family and everything feels so uncertain for the Vergennes kids. This huge family is one you will not soon forget. You are brought back in time when life was simpler, but heartache and tragedy hit this family harder than they ever could have imagined. You will be whisked into the book and will find it hard to put down. There are so many special, unique and original storylines, which made it a delight to read. I could really see this book being made into a movie or miniseries. I will never forget the Vergennes family and I am so appreciative to Yoerg for writing this amazing story!!!

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#MMBBR #Review #HappyGirlLucky #TheValentinesSeries #book1 by @holsmale via @Harper360

Happy Girl Lucky by Holly Smale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was such a delight. I immediately fell in love with Hope, the main character. Her immeasurable joyous view on love, her naïveté when it comes to life and her unintentional humorous personality, it was the perfect package. You watch her fumble through her first love and it is nothing short of completely entertaining. You will cheer for her, you will want to yell at her and you will want to guide her all her obstacles. I cannot wait to read the other installments in this new series. It is such a fun read, with the interesting Valentine family!!!! I highly recommend this book and really enjoyed it!!!

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#MMBBR #Review #TheChoice by @Alexlakeauthor @Harper360

 

An incredible new psychological crime thriller from USA Today bestselling author Alex Lake

Matt Westbrook only turned his back for a moment. But when he looks around, his car – with his three young children inside – has vanished. Panicked, Matt assumes a car thief has got more than he bargained for, but then he starts to receive text messages: This is a kidnapping. If you want to see your children again, you will exchange them for your wife.

Matt and his wife Annabelle are horrified. They can’t involve the police, or their children will be killed. Which means they have to choose: Annabelle, or their children. Either option is unthinkable. But one is inevitable. And they have only hours to make their decision…

Alex Lake Untitled Book 1 by Alex Lake

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#FirstLine - Look at him.

REVIEW

This book was quite the read. It bounces back and forth between past and present, building the story slowly. I was drawn into the premise immediately and the story did not disappoint. I loved the quick chapters and multiple perspectives. It definitely build depth to the story and provided ease to read in between running errands and other appointments. I would say this is a slow burn mystery/suspense. I really liked it and will be looking into other books by Alex Lake! 

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #HadleyAndGrace @SuzanneRedfearnvia #partner #LakeUnionPublishing @LUAuthors and @NetGalley #NetGalley who provided a #free #reviewcopy

Hadley and Grace by Suzanne Redfearn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#firstline - Her watch says 12:52, which means eight minutes remain to get the cupcakes.

This book was fantastic! It was such a powerful read, with themes that are heavy, but are needing to be brought to light. This story tugs on your heart strings as you see two very different woman navigate their pasts and the reconcile the possibility of their futures being derailed in an instant. When Hadley and Grace’s lives collide in an unusual way the journey to self discovery, hidden strengths and fighting for the lives they know they deserve soon begins. These woman were put in the same place at the same time and it changed the trajectory of their entire lives. Being compared to Thelma and Louise is a good comparison, but this story is deeper and way more meaningful! A powerful story that will keep you buzzing through the pages! I read it in just over a day! A MUST read!

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