Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My brain is still spinning. Hester is incredibly gifted at weaving a mesmerizing tale with fantastic twists and turns that will keep you glued to your seat as well as keep you guessing. I was simply spellbound. Loved it and will absolutely read anything else I can get my hands on from this author.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
View all my reviews
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Raina Wilkins has given up on life until she’s demanded to become a fugitive with a wanted killer and vagrant teen with a dangerous secret.
On a crisp fall night, she hits a man who leads her into the dark Maine woods. The injured drifter takes her at gunpoint, forcing her to drive but vanishes into the woods.
Raina is lucky to have escaped with her life but Alec Demarco has deserted something which leads him back to Raina. What he’s left behind others will do anything to have. Raina becomes caught up in schemes, kidnapping and homicide but who can she trust when the world is out to get her?
This was a fast-paced read that led the reader down so many unexpected turns. This book was realistic and original from cover to cover. Easy to read, full of action, full of characters to sympathize with.
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Spouse Trap: Madeline Dawkins Mysteries
(The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 1)
by Cynthia Hamilton
4 out of 5 stars
I wasn’t finished with the first page of the prologue before I felt as though my pulse was quickening and I needed to know what was going to happen. If that isn’t the promise of a good book, I don’t know what is. This wasn’t my first experience with Cynthia Hamilton’s writing, I had read her book Finding Ruth a while back and fell in love. While the Madeline Dawkins series is an entirely different genre, I still suspected to enjoy her writing.
Spouse Trap was one of those addicting books where I found myself actively making excuses to keep reading. “It’s already 1222 in the morning, I’ll read for another six minutes then go to bed”. “I can’t stop in the middle of a chapter”… you get the idea.
It may be an unpopular opinion but I thought Madeline was a fantastic character, you could tell from the first page that she was intelligent and independent, despite her comfortable lifestyle, I appreciated that about her.
I look forward to reading more in the series and from this Author in general.
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second book I’ve read from Diane, and I was absolutely hooked! From the very first page I was hooked, and i am 100% going to be rereading this! From the very first paragraph of this book I was intrigued and just couldn’t put it down. I definitely recommend this book, and any of Diane’s other works! I very much look forward to reading more from Diane!
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hit and Run by Diane Hester is an intriguing book that definitely knows how to keep you turning the pages.
This is one of those books that had my attention from the moment I read the description. I immediately wanted to know what was going on and how things would turn out.
This was a fast paced story that really grabbed my attention. It was exciting and action packed – I really wasn’t sure how things would end which just made it even more exciting.
I have read a few books by this author now and I also enjoy them however this book has to be my favourite of hers so far. Highly recommend you will not be disappointed with this book.
How by Megan Mitcham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
How by Megan Mitcham is the third book in the stalker series. As with the other books in the series this is a fast paced and exciting novel.
The whole way through this book I found myself trying to guess what was happening. It was so exciting to read it felt like I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. This book was so thrilling I just could not put it down and ended up finishing it in one sitting!
The story itself is a stand-alone however I think you would benefit from reading the other books in the series so you can get a full comprehension of the characters and their relationships with each other. This is an absolutely brilliant book and one that I would very highly recommend.
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was hooked from page one reading this suspenseful thriller by Diane Hester, having read and enjoyed a previous novel by her I was looking forward to reading this latest offering and was definitely not disappointed. Raina Wilkins hits a man whilst driving her car, a man that literally comes out of the woods in front of her and if that wasn’t shocking enough he then orders Raina at gunpoint to drive him further into the forest where he abruptly gets out and disappears back into the forest. Raina thinks that is the end of her nightmare but then she discovers that her injured passenger, Alec DeMarco left something behind in her car and wants it back, and he’s not the only one. Raina is then forced on the run with a wanted killer and a homeless teen with a deadly secret and enters a world of abduction, conspiracy, police that want her dead and murder.
I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this gripping novel. It has a fast paced and action packed storyline and great intriguing characters that you get to know. I felt fully immersed in the story thanks to the authors detailed narrative and I would definitely recommend this five star read.
How by Megan Mitcham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
How ( Stalker Series Book 3) by Megan Mitcham. This is the 3rd book in this series and I recommend reading the 1st two to get the characters back stories. This one is about FBI Agent Libby Irish who has had to work twice as hard to get where she is because she is a woman. Now she is becoming the laughing stock of the guys because she now has a stalker/fan that sends out a not so flattering picture of her. She had just won one of her biggest cases but now the win of that may be lost to this scandal. While this stalker is getting bolder her weird/hot neighbor is her first suspect but when things get really dangerous he offers to help her. She is beginning to see a whole new side to Jake and she likes what she is seeing. Things in her apartment seem to be moved around and she is getting scared that her stalker is going to do something permanent. Will Jake help her in time to find out who the stalker is? Will Libby continue to make strides in her career or will the stalker put an end to it? Read Who to find out!
How by Megan Mitcham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
How (Stalker #3) by Megan Mitcham. This is the third book in the Stalker Series. This was an extremely suspenseful- romance filled novel. This book had me intrigued from the beginning. This book was my favorite out of the series. It was filled with suspense, romance and plot twists that had you really thinking. Thank you for an amazing book!!!
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton a thrilling four-star read. This is number one in the Madeline Dawkins series and my first read by this author, a High Price to pay can’t come soon enough for me as it looks like this series goes from strength to strength. This one will keep you on your toes, and have you second guessing everything, but what made this story for me was Madeline Dawkins herself she was a great character and really made the story, she is so much stronger than she realises and will astound you with her character.
Review by @saraoxo
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Spouse Trap is the first book in the Madeline Dawkins series by Cynthia Hamilton. I really enjoyed reading this exciting crime mystery- Ms. Hamilton’s cleverly crafted story had me avidly reading along trying to piece everything together- whilst rooting for Madeline to find the justice she deserved and win out in the end.
I loved all the tension, drama, intrigue, and suspense that Ms. Hamilton was able to instil in her story- it definitely made for an exciting read. I love when a story captivates me like this- where I lose all sense of time and place because I am so invested in the story, desperately wanting to know how things turn out in the end but also not wanting the story to end because I am enjoying it so much.
This first book certainly sets the whole series off to a fantastic start- leaving me with an addiction and needing my next ‘fix’. So, I have already been on a hunting mission and snapped up the other three books in the series just so I can see what else Madeline gets up to.
Cleverly woven with lots of interconnected elements and complex layers that made this story all the more enthralling. Highly recommended reading!!
Thank you, Cynthia Hamilton!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hit and Run by Diane Hester is a great and gripping mystery thriller and has to be my favourite by her. I was captivated and the pages kept on turning and I found myself finishing it in one sitting. Diane has woven the threads to give us something that keeps you guessing with the twists and action and thinking you are on the right track, only to be turned right around. Our heroine is troubled by her past and it almost seems like history is repeating but is she strong enough to overcome her fears? There is action and danger, and most of all the story is so believable that it is scary.
Reviewed by @jennadb
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Let me say that I have been reading for many, many years. In all those years of reading I can’t recall reading any book that blind sided me like this one. And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is so skillfully written it will have you looking up these people on Google. Especially if you, like me, missed the page that says “This book is a work of fiction”. It doesn’t feel like fiction. The author has so skillfully woven his fiction into the tapestry of truth it’s almost indiscernible. I like that “Gotcha” moment. It so rarely happens. A.J. Ullman is an author I will definitely be reading again.
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a horrifying mess poor Madeline had to overcome. It seems nearly impossible. SPOUSE TRAP: Madeline Dawkins Mysteries (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 1) by Cynthia Hamilton, was an excellent read. I so appreciated Madeline’s journey. I have to say I am proud of her. This is an excellent first book in a series because I can tell you I am hooked. The characters, especially Madeline were all well fleshed out and intriguing.The world Madeline lives in is well put together. There is just nothing about this book that doesn’t feel real. It pulls you in. Great writing, great story, I can’t wait for book two.
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my first book by Diane Hester, it was amazing. Hands down loved it. This story gives us Raina as our main female character and Alac as our main male- but so many other characters. This was deeply developed and I felt emotional connections with all of the people we come across. I couldn’t get enough of this book. She has been through some trauma that causes specific situations to occur. She feels hopeless, lost and unloved. I love her! Oh my goodness. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would!
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great look at a true crime that happened in Cincinnati. Leah Marcus was a popular, bright, talented young girl who was found murdered in her home. She had been raped, strangled and hit over the head.
The police look at several suspects but DNA evidence points to her boyfriend Damon. But is his story about having sexual intercourse with her the day before the murder true or a story hes made up to cover his tracks.
The writer delves into the case and produces an informative book about the case, the evidence and the outcome.
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this thriller from Diane Hester, HIT AND RUN! This novel literally has something in it for everyone but really is a must read for the thriller lover! I know of and have read previous works from Hester but this one has to be a fast favorite that I will for sure be doing a reread of eventually. I loved how this book read and flowed like a thriller movie. I was always at the edge of my seat awaiting that next twist or turn in the road that would come and rarely was it what I had expected to see come of things. I thoroughly enjoyed the push and pull between the characters and the banter was a comfortable and stressful song that kept you enthralled and guessing what would come.
The teasers drew me into this read and they did not disappoint. I really loved the way the story was just as exciting as the teasers. Raina Wilkins is on a drive home from the movies. It is dark and a wooded and creepy place she is traversing and her thoughts match the situation. She didn’t know just how much her life was going to be completely changed when the stranger that hopped from the woods literally hopped right in front of her moving vehicle. The suspense gets even crazier when the man is next holding a gun to her head and making demands. Will the course of the book reveal the secrets and troubles of everyones pasts? Will somehow this crazy night be the change she didn’t know she needed in her life? You will think this book is one thing and it will be the complete opposite. I won’t divulge any more details but I can assure you this is one that you do not want to miss! I can’t wait to see what we will get next from the ever talented Diane Hester!
Review by @lizaileen
View all my reviews
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus
By A.J. Ullman
5 out of 5 stars
The story And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman is a book that is very powerful and moving. It is a story about the murder of Leah Marcus, the investigation into her death, and how Damon Allbright, Leah’s boyfriend was tried for the offense. The crime reporter who worked for the Cincinnati Tribune at the time of the murder ten years later decides to re-investigate. The story is very well written and does a wonderful job of laying out what the investigation found and when Damon was tried. Leah’s murder occurred at a time of racial strife and the investigation brings up the subject of race and class. Once I started this book, I just couldn’t put it down. It pulled me in and didn’t let me go until the final page. The story explores and dives into the lives of the two families affected by the tragedy. This is a story that had my emotions going up and down while reading and trying to determine just what had happened. It is a book that I would recommend reading.
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my first book by this author, I loved it from beginning to end. It is a well developed story that took me back to a time where races were at odds. The author’s attention to detail made me feel as if I was right there with the characters. I had no problems connecting with the characters and the emotions that they made me feel. Leah is a young adult that was found brutally murdered. Her boyfriend was a young African American male whose DNA was found on her. He was tried for her murder. Years later a crime reporter wants to get to the bottle of this murder and learn the truth. Will they find justice for Leah? Two families, racial odds, and one senseless murder. You don’t want to miss this one! I highly recommend this book.
Review by @bjwagner
View all my reviews
╔═🔳*¨*✶*¨`*🔳 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🔳*¨*✶*¨`*🔳═╗
And The River Runs Deep: The Cold Case Murder Mystery of Leah Marcus by A.J. Ullman
BUY NOW – https://amzn.to/35MWb8P
#AJUllman #TrueCrime #AndTheRiverRunsDeep #OnTour #ItsyBitsyBookBitsTours #BookSpotlightShowcase
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Crime
Page Count – 213 pages
Leah Marcus was the seventeen-year-old daughter of a rich, white, Jewish power couple, the father a famous mass tort lawyer, the mother CEO of a non-profit corporation assisting the mentally ill. Leah was a piano-playing prodigy who dreamed of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon. Leah’s boyfriend, Damon Allbright, was the star point guard at their high school, an excellent student, gifted with an angelic singing voice and the African American son of the pastor at one of Cincinnati’s major Baptist churches.
During the fourth day of Cincinnati’s 2001 race riots, someone bludgeoned, bound, strangled and probably sexually assaulted Leah. Leah Marcus’ death held the city spellbound during the spring and summer of 2001. Suspicion soon fell on Leah’s boyfriend. After Damon’s DNA is found in Leah’s body, the investigators charged him with her rape and murder. Her murder, the alleged murder, of a beautiful, young white woman at the hands of a black man, gripped the city like so many crimes involving sex, race and class. Damon was tried for the offense.
Ten years later, the crime reporter for the Cincinnati Tribune, who covered the crime and trial, decides to re-investigate the murder and learn the truth behind the senseless killing. Her story is a tragedy in the tradition of Shakespeare.
And The River Runs Deep drills into the lives of two families set amidst the turbulent times of racial strife and the impending doom of 9/11.
A. J. Ullman is a writer, nurse practitioner and used to be a lawyer. For information about A. J.’s writing, email info@ajullman.com or visit the website, https://www.ajullman.com
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
HIT AND RUN by Diane Hester. All I can say is WOW! I loved this book. I lost a night of sleep over it but it was sooo worth it! Its the story of Rainia Wilkins who is driving alone on a fall night in Maine when a man jumps in front of her car. She hits him and then he climbs into her car and forces her at gunpoint to drive to the airport. Before Rainia can even wrap her mind around what his happening he jumps back out of the car and runs into the woods again. What she doesn’t know is he left something very important in her car, something that he and others are willing to kill for. Thinking she will never see Alec Demarco again she goes on with her life but when he pops back up wanting what he left her life is turned upside down. Along with Alec and a a runaway teen she is forced to trust people she doesn’t know that she should and do things she wonders if she will get killed for. Not knowing who she can trust including the police Rainia is in for the fight of her life. This book is so amazing and I will jump at the chance to read another Diane Hester book!
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a suspense-thriller that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I was pulled in right from the beginning and kept engaged to the end. This is a well developed story that has twists and turns that kept me turning pages just waiting to see what would happen next. The characters made the story feel real to me. I had no problem connecting to them. Raina was driving alone on a dark wooded road when a man came out of the woods and she hit him. He forces her to drive at gunpoint but gets out and goes back to the woods. The problem is that he left something behind in her backseat. How far will someone go to get this thing? Her world is turned upside down from here and I had a hard time putting the book down. This is a really good book that I highly recommend.
Review by @bjwagner
View all my reviews
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hit and Run by Diane Hester is a great page turning thriller. I must confess I read it all in one sitting. I really could not put it down. So many twists and plots you really can’t put it down. The slow burning romance is just right. The action, and deep thinking to solve the mystery all came in just the right doses to keep me in this book till the end. To say I was not disappointed is an understatement. Diane Hester is a name I will remember when looking for a good book to get lost in.
Hit and Run by Diane Hester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hit and Run
By Diane Hester
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book Hit and Run by Diane Hester. It is a suspenseful thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. It is a story that includes mystery and danger. I loved reading about the characters of Raina Wilkins and Alec DeMarco. Raina is a character that I could empathize with. From the time that she hits Alec with her car, her life is turned upside down. From then on, she finds herself in dangerous situations and at times unsure of who to trust. Alec is a character that does have his rough edges however he, just like Raina, is trying to survive. They together with a homeless teen find themselves in danger and on the run. What does their future hold? Read this book to find out. This is a story that had me trying to put together the clues as to what is happening. The book is written in such a way that I felt like I was right there with the characters. I found myself turning pages to find out what was going to happen next. This is a story that has some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. This is a book that hooked me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final page. I would highly recommend reading this story.
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A great mystery read with an intriguing storyline which had me gripped from page one. Madeline Ridley had it all and was very happy with her life, a handsome and successful husband, a high status position in the Santa Barbara society, and everything money could buy. However when Madeline wakes up alone in an unknown hotel room with no clothes on and a splitting headache she soon learns that her position in society, her influence and all her luxurious things suddenly mean nothing. Things become worse when her supposedly loving husband Steven comes home with a selection of damming photos all of which she has no memory off. Whilst visiting Stephan at work to explain her innocence Madeline walks in on a situation that makes her realise who her real enemy is. Madeline’s comfortable world collapses amongst blackmail, sabotage and deceit. In order to salvage something of her life Madeline reverts back to her maiden name of Dawkins and discovers what her strengths are.
Spouse Trap is the prequel to Cynthia Hamilton’s, “The Madeline Dawkins Mystery series”. I enjoyed this book and the author had me hooked from the very beginning. I liked how Madeline’s character developed and changed during the course of the story and whilst to begin with she is rather timid by the end of the book she is ‘Madeline Dawkins’ and I’m sure she will make a great heroine in the series of books that follow. I look forward to reading further books in the series.
🔲🔳*¨*✶*¨`*🔳🔲 BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🔲🔳*¨*✶*¨`*🔳🔲
HIT AND RUN by Diane Hester
BUY NOW – https://amzn.to/2SMBkNI
#HITANDRUN #DianeHester #Thriller #OnTour #ItsyBitsyBookBitsTours #BookSpotlightShowcase
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Thriller
Page Count – 426 pages
Cover Designer – Shardel at SelfPubBookCovers.com
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30986067-hit-and-run
Driving alone on a dark autumn night, Raina hits a man who darts from the Maine woods in front or her. The injured stranger climbs in her car, forces her to drive on at gunpoint, but gets out soon after and disappears back into the forest.
Raina thinks never to see him again. But Alec DeMarco has left something behind in her car, something others will kill to possess. When he returns to claim it, Raina is swept into a world of conspiracy, abduction and murder. A world where even the police want her dead.
Born in New York, Diane Hester is a former violinist with the Rochester Philharmonic and the Adelaide Symphony. Her debut thriller, RUN TO ME, was short-listed in the 2014 Daphne du Maurier Awards. She lives in Port Lincoln, South Australia with her family.
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Envision you have the perfect life: Cash, top spot, power, an attractive union but you wake up all by your lonesome, naked, hungover with no memory of how you got there. This is Madeline’s life:
Madeline is living her fantasy life with a stunning and fortunate husband with the dream home atop of Santa Barbara, she can afford anything she can imagine. Her life is beyond great until her life begins to unravel in a single night.
Madeline’s husband, Steven believes she’s cheating but in a rage to prove her innocence, she stumbles on the person out to destroy her life. This will send her down the road of extortion, obstruction, and trickery. Hoping to be free of blame, she accidentally stumbles on the truth as she uncovers her secret rival.
After such devastation, Madeline breaks down, goes back to her maiden name of Madeline Dawkins in order to repair her life. She rediscovers who she is, what she brings to the table and where her true self lies.
Books like this one inspire women to rediscover our own individuality outside of a man and I find it empowering! Very original and entertaining.
How by Megan Mitcham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When a crime scene photo breaks the Internet, an admirer turns pursuer, but how far will one FBI proxy go to rescue her loved ones.
FBI Special Agent Libby Irish seeks validation by outsmarting her male counterparts on the job. After unraveling a weapons ring, she finally believes she’s gonna get her due. That is until a revealing picture of her in front of the arsenal goes viral and she’s under the media’s radar but puts her as a joke to her fellow coworkers. If that’s not enough, Libby is receiving random letters from a secret admirer, an untamed cat attacked her plus someone has been sneaking into her house repositioning everything in there. That’s enough to make any girl go insane.
All the while speculates her gorgeous but lunatic of a next door neighbor. When devastation hits his home, he lends a helping hand to help the agent find her pursuer but she winds up seeing there’s more to her neighbor than meets the eye. Once the stalker becomes more audacious, the two must work diligently to destroy him before it takes a dangerous turn.
This book will most definitely keep you on your toes with the twists, turns and unexpected plus romance along the way. This is the third of this standalone series that will keep you hooked on this mysterious collection. I say collection because none of these books leave you without wanting more. Great reads, every single one because you can’t pick up one without starting another.
How by Megan Mitcham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
How is the third book in the Stalker Series by Megan Mitcham. Libby Irish is an FBI Special Agent that kicks ass. She knows she works in a male dominated profession but she is determined to not let her sex be a weakness. There was a case that a fellow agent was not able to crack but she did, which lead to the downfall of a huge weapon ring. Just when she is feeling strong and confident in herself a sexy picture from the crime scene surfaces and all the wind is knocked from her sails.While dealing with fan mail and her ex-pet cat who now lives next door she nearly missed someone moving things in her house. She suspects it might be her mysteriously handsome neighbor but he experiences a tragedy of his own. This leads to Libby seeing a different side of him, and they are determined to figure out who her stalker is. Megan Mitcham has not failed in this third story. She portrays yet another strong female lead in Libby. This story is full of suspense, thrill and romance, I just couldn’t put it down.
Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Spouse Trap is the first book in the Madeline Dawkins series, and I think the author got off to a flying start.
The story starts with Madeline in a hotel room, unable to remember how or why she is there. After photographs surface Madelines world begins to crumble, she not only doubts herself but she can no longer trust anyone. Determined to find out the truth Madeline searches for answers.
You really feel for Madeline, especially at the start when there is so much hurt and confusion. The book is packed with emotion throughout and you are really rooting for Madeline that she gets the outcome she deserves.
I really enjoyed this book, the author let’s you know from the beginning where the story is leading, but there are plenty of twists throughout to keep you hooked. I really enjoyed the pace of the writing. Books with lots of action can often leave me behind, but the author packs in lots of description and scene setting which I love.
I would recommend this book, I haven’t read anything by Cynthia Hamilton before, but I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
