J L Wilson

Whole by J.L. Wilson - Political Mystery

Asa and Alice fell in love when they were in college. Child geniuses, they understood each other like no one else ever could or would. Separated by time and circumstance, they are brought back together when Asa seeks Alice's help to try and learn how he could have shot and killed a man and not remember doing it. He unwittingly draws her into a mystery that threatens them both and doesn't resolve for many years.

I was riveted by this book. It read seamlessly and although I was able to figure out the mystery on my own, I was still engaged with the details of how the story played out. I recommend. 4 stars.

My sincere thanks to J.L. Wilson and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it.… (mehr)

Click the logo to read the full review.

I picked this up because the moment I read the synopsis, I wanted to read it. I mean, who sees a lot of books with lead characters who are gamers... and the game ends up being real? I don't. So, I became super excited to read it. However, what I read was not what I expected.

It felt like there wasn't enough detail to draw me into the story. There are several scenes lacking. Where there's action, there's not enough happening to keep me at the edge of my seat. It also seems like the brother and sister are complacent with what's happening as the story guides us up to the plot.

When finally introduced to Renaria, it finally goes in depth with the world and some of its plants/animals. I really appreciate the thought that went into the world... (click the logo at the top to read the rest of the review)… (mehr)

I found this book listed as “romance with suspense” when I did a web search. That would make me think the primary theme was the romance but I think it’s the suspense. From the beginning all the way till the end Brownies, Bodies and Breaking The Code is packed with tension.

Jessie Patrokus is a software tester for Codebreakers. A company that has private contracts as well as government ones. Jessie is very good at her job because she never gives up. Unfortunately that asset in her job may be her undoing.

The day of the company potluck lunch changes Jessie’s life completely. Charlie Gordon died. Jessie was sure it was due to ingestion of the brownies she had made for the potluck. The labels had been switched and maybe he was allergic to something in them. She was panicked especially when the police wanted to question her. She was determined to find out what happened to Charlie. Nothing was going to stop her - an online stalker - a ‘supposed’ hunter right in her backyard - threats - being followed - nothing was going to get in her way. Obviously she had something that was important to someone but what was it?

Gus Colcannon started at Codebreakers very shortly before Charlie died. He is tall and very good looking but Jessie is suspicious. He doesn’t even dress like he belongs in Minnesota in the middle of winter. Supposedly he is here after a divorce and plans to go back to New Mexico soon. He doesn’t seem to know much about programming, testing or even software. Yet he wants Jessie’s trust and she is just not sure - too many questions - too few answers. He seems to be working with the police though and Jessie feels drawn to him despite all the questions.

Brownies, Bodies and Breaking the Code is a suspense filled ride from the very first pages to the very last page. Not only is there a good mystery and romance between the covers but refreshingly the main characters are middle-aged rather than young adults. It makes for a nice change.
… (mehr)

Reviewed by Judy
Review copy provided by Wild Rose Press
Meet the much-married, by-all-intents-and-purposes dysfunctional and totally fascinating Whittington family. Did I mention they’re also rich as Croesus? Cassie, the only non-Whittington-born member of the clan used to be married to Charlie, but now she’s in love with (or at least sleeping with) Sam Barlow. There’s something fishy between Sam’s ex-wife Sheila and Charlie’s brother John. When both of them end up murdered, almost everyone’s a suspect.

But life goes on, and so does sister Livvie’s wedding to T.J., the day after John’s funeral. It’s a cozy family affair, including Janelle (pregnant with Charlie’s baby but not yet married to him), and sister-in-law Diane and her brood—one of whom, the eldest son Matthew, is regarded as generally creepy.

And two murders, one funeral, and a wedding don’t stop Cassie from making the annual pilgrimage to open up the Whittington summer home (left to her by Charlie’s grandmother, along with fifteen million dollars). The question is, will she live to enjoy her windfall?

This fast-paced whodunit opens with a hot love scene and finishes with the ends neatly tied up—well, almost. Unless a third book is forthcoming, we’ll never know. (Music swells as we fade to black…)

The author does a great job of interweaving the back story throughout the narrative, but I discovered that Foxglove, Fancy Fungus, and Fatal Family Feuds is the book to read first just so you don’t have to sort out details as you tumble through the family’s nutty, non-stop antics.

Check out the books on Amazon for a ‘look inside’ both. You’ll leave with one or both in your Kindle or on the way by mail.… (mehr)