ChaosHappinessBookMama

The Orphan's Secret  Shirley Dickson  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #bookouture #bookontour #booktour #bookreview #bookrecommendation #theorphanssecret #shirleydickson #wwii #womensfiction #allthefeels 1941 - World War II is in full swing. And Ethel falls in love with the enemy - Karl,  a German prisoner of war. When Ethel finds herself pregnant,  she finds a friend in Lily- also a pregnant women whose husband is in the war.  They build a lovely friendship and promise to care for each other's babies.  Lily and Ethel's baby survive. But Lily's husband comes home. Will Lily tell him the truth?  This book just yanks out every emotion.  And the history - very informative account of the life of women in England as well as ways women helped the war effort. Excellent read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book stays with you. Betsy was kidnapped by two ruthless killers, abused and shared. Very graphic - triggers.  But we also get to learn about Betsy's life after she escapes. Using the tools the brothers taught her, Betsy does not lead a quiet life. She sets up her own life - fascinating,  well researched.  You can't help but be obsessed.   #betsyroberts #zooloobooktours #serialkillers #truecrime #booksn#booknerds #fivestarreview #bookreview 

Murder on the Pier Merryn Allingham ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #bookworm #bookouture #BookReview #booktour #cozymystery #cozymysteries Flora simply walks down a pier - it's never that simple for Flora. Of course she finds a body - young Polly, whom everyone in the village loved.  Or at least not one person. Flora convinces Jack to help her again to solve this newest mysterious death - convinced it wasn't a simple accident. Lots of entertaining village characters,  Jack his usual "Do I have to" self. Great additon to the series.  

Missing Daughter Kiersten Modglin ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #missingdaughter #mustread #kierstenmodglin #bookouture #BookReview #booktour #suspense This book starts with Skylar's birthday party.  Her mother,  Ginny, struggles with the stress of people in her house, dealing with family and suppressing the need to cleanup while others play. The feel of constant judgement, scrutiny - only her friend Alex seems to a source of support. The next morning,  Ginny realizes Skylar didn't wake during the night.  Going into her bedroom, Ginny finds an emtpy bed. Skylar is missing. The plot moves back to six months before - narrators Cameron, her husband and Ginny taking turns to build up to the disappearance, introducing the suspects- including each other. Great, fast paced read. I truly loved the brutal portrait of mothers and their struggles - the struggle to grieve their pregnancy and birth,  the loss of self, the never ending soul crushing guilt of motherhood, self judgment, the stru...

My Husband's Fiancée Wendy Owens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #booktour #nextsteppr #wendyowens #mustread #books #bookrecommendation #myhusbandsfiance Finished in a day- this book starts with the arrest of Liz for the murder of her husband's mistress.  And I was obsessed. The book begins a year after Liz's arrest and trial. She has an expected visitor - Dr. Evelyn Powell. Her husband's fiancée.  Desperate for Liz to sign the divorce papers, Evelyn agrees to listen to Liz's story. Liz is desperate for someone to help her expose Nathan for who he really is - Alison's killer. Drama. Intrigue. Mystery. Obsession. Excellent read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dark Water Girls  Meagen Beaumont #bookouture #BookReview #booktour #bookrecommendations #meaganbeaumont #thrillerbooks You HAVE to read this book! This is my favorite kind of thriller - fast paced,  likeable characters who made mistakes, chaos and a strong kickass woman.  Georgie reluctantly returns home after years of in the armed services.  She ended her career as a warrant officer for the sexual harassment and assault office. Immediate respect.   Georgia left her foster home when she overhears the young man she loves talking to her foster sister. About her pregnancy.   Now as an adult and the beneficiary of a monumental estate, Georgia is forced to face the truth of that night, the crime rampant in her community and face the monsters. 

Her Mother's Cry  Roberta Gately #hermothersgrave #robertagately #bookouture #bookontour #bookreviews #book  Jessie loves being an ER nurse - but the thrill of being a forensic nurse calls her.  Jessie is called to the scene of a young woman - an unidentified woman jumped from the roof.  With a possible pulse, Jessie follows the victim to the ER, where she is declared deceased.   Leaning towards suicide, the autopsy shows the woman was dead upon hitting the pavement.  Bruising on her wrists. Torn fingernails.   Several cases of women committing suicide within months. Jessie is convinced there is a connection.   Great story and suspense. Relatable characters.