First time reading a book by Miranda Rijks and it will not be the last. The prologue totally enticed me and I could not wait to listen to more. The audiobook was enjoyable. There are two different narrators. The writing was great and I enjoyed the build of the mystery.

The New Neighbour is Linette and things aren't the same after she moved in. Actually, they haven't been the same since the previous owner's son was killed in a hit and run that was never solved. Who's hiding the secret? Could a murderer be living next door? This book was suspenseful and a fun mystery with lots of turmoil and calamity. Lots of speculation to the very end.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to and give a honest review for this book.

 

Let me start with Megan Goldin is an auto read or listen to the audiobook author for me. I went into the book blind and really had no idea what the story was about. STAY AWAKE did not disappoint. Is it an unrealistic story with possibly and unreliable narrator? Yes but it works. Liv wakes up in a cab and has no idea where she is or where she is coming from. She goes to the last apartment she remembers living in with her roommate. However, she has suffered from memory loss and doesn't know why the words STAY AWAKE are written on her arm, yet she does feel as though something is wrong.

The story is told from Liv's point of view and Detective Darcy's. Darcy's narrator on the audiobook was my favorite. I could listen to her all day. Liv's took a little getting use to. The dual timeline was fantastic and the slow build of each chapter kept me listening and wanting more. I even liked that the plot left some holes in the story, it would my mind wonder and guess what was going to happen. The overall suspicious, skeptical and fearful characteristics worked and I totally enjoyed this psychological read!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this book with my honest review!

 

I totally enjoyed this outstanding audiobook. This was my first Kiersten Modglin book to read/listen to. Who doesn't love a good dinner invitation with the new neighbors where the deceitfulness, secrets, and riddles all come to a dubiousness and fictional ending? Six friends can't help but question who has moved in next door especially with the extensive security and walls they built. It's all the talk in the cove of close friends. What would you do if you were locked inside your neighbors house and had to play a game full of riddles to escape? Everyone seems to have secrets that must be revealed. I enjoyed the multiple narrators and loved listening to it on double speed. It was a fast paced book full of madness and deranged escape room vibes. The suspense builds and is certainly a fictional ending but that's why I enjoy fictional reading to escape the real world! I can't wait to read/listen to more books from Kiersten Modglin.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and give a honest review of this new to me author.

 

What an enjoyable and encouraging read.    We all need to trade our "self-help" for TRUE HOPE.   We all face or will face discouragement and wilderness times.  Discouragement can affect what we believe and how we view or see the world.   We are often swayed to things of this world when we are discouraged.   There are so many excellent quotes and scriptures throughout the book.   "Doubt often grows from small seeds of unbelief".   "Better encouragement comforts us by the way of the cross".     God encourages us to look to Him for his grace.  God is our hope, salvation and joy.   Nothing else in this world will ever give us the courage or comfort that only God can provide.   God will not fail us!   I can't wait to purchase a physical copy of this book for myself to reread!

Thank you Netgalley and Crossway Books for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this fantastic book.  

 

Cecily Wong is an adventure travel journalist and is on her biggest assignment if she can just survive the most mental and emotional strain she has experienced.   She must remember to breathe!  She has the most exciting, gripping and stressful story to write.   She is going mountain climbing with Charles who is about to climb the 8th highest peak in the world without cheating by using ropes or oxygen.   Cecily will be blogging and has the opportunity to interview and write the story once they reach the peak.  However, the path to the peak is full of avalanches, vertigo, secrets, doubt, extreme weather, and suspicion of a murderer? 

Also on the hike are a filmmaker, sponsor, Doug the leader, and lots of Sherpas that take care of the setting up the campsite and preparing the meals.   Charles discovered Cecily after her blog post from her last climb that was a failure.   Has Cecily prepared and trained enough for the adventure of Manaslu Mountain in Nepal.   Is she ready for the conditions?   Can she overcome the mistrust, anxiety and stress during the climb?   

Throughout the book are several blog entries by Cecily and I thought that was fun to read.    The picturesque descriptions of the climb are fabulous.   The pace is very slow but I do think it is fitting since it takes time to climb the mountain so you don't get attitude sickness.  I enjoyed the writing and since I enjoy hiking I enjoyed all the details.   There are several twists and turns that will give you the heebie-jeebies and I couldn't wait to see how it ended.  I thought the secrets, suspicion, wonder, doubt, anticipation mixed with the suspense of why people seem to die every time Charles climbs was intriguing and engaging.   I would have trouble sleeping and eating too if if the night before the climb starts someone died.   Everyone has secrets.   Does she have the courage and determination to finish?    Remember to always breathe or you will be breathless!

Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.  

 

Reading Ann Voskamp's writing is a breath of fresh air. I love her poetic sense combined with the raw and unclouded truth of the gospel. In our life there will be storms. There will be heartache, grief, suffering, and paths that we simply don't which way to go; however, God, Our Waymaker is the One that makes a way. When we let go of our expectations and grip onto to the Waymaker to lead our way, we can begin to find true satisfaction and joy. We can be happy with things of this world but they are fleeting and only last a moment. The Waymaker shows us how to have a true joy that last no matter the storm or path we are on.

Ann states, "Prayer isn't about moving heaven to do things our way but about moving us to do things God's way on earth."

My favorite quote from the book:
"The moment you let go of expectations, much suffering lets go of you. Expect nothing but hesed. Expect God to knock on your door, expect God to rise on your horizon, expect hope and mercy and miracles and a glass of cold water, but just don't expect God to come looking any way you expect. Expect nothing but hesed--the lovingkindness of God--just not the kinds of ways you'd ever dreamed. Pain will come, but name it a mystery, and find manna in it and taste bits of miracle even in what you can hardly stand and don't understand."

"...I'd seized a pen and wielded it like a weapon against the dark and jotted down gifts, moments of grace, throughout the day, and for years I'd fought for joy because any life worth living demands that you refuse to let anything steal your joy because what steals your joy, steals your strength. "

God's hesed love (steadfast love, mercy, grace, compassion) is all we need. He is the miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness. He can make our darkness into light when we surrender our desires to His Will! Oh what a wonderful read and reminder of God's faithful Word!

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful reminder of God's Faithful Love.

 

I have to admit that I was intrigued to read this book because of the cover and the title. I had to read about Magpie's to learn a little more. A magpie bird is considered to be an intelligent creature with a bold personality. It can be a bit ruthless and they carry a folklore or myths of bad omens. Well, that could sum up the book in many ways but the synopsis gives an excellent description of the book without giving anything away!

The first half of the book is told from Marisa's point of view and then when Kate begins to give her point of view the story quickly ignites. Is anyone telling the truth? Who can you believe? The characters are well developed and strong. The mother in law is hot blooded and my least favorite character. The story is well written and totally kept my interest to the very end even though the ending is crazy and far fetched. Some of the twists and turns may be predictable but then Elizabeth Day gives you a new spiral to unwind.

There are some trigger warnings. This book does discuss mental health concerns and the expectation and longing for a child and the grief of infertility.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book.