Evilly Amused: A Twisted Rose Mystery Novel by Marlowe Blue

**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Hidden Gems**
WOW! I loved this book. I had a sense for who was the real murderer and I had figured out why. But there was one major part I had not figured out and that part had me scared to the bone trying to finish this book.

Lela hangs out with wrong crowd called "The Hex". 4 of the 6 end up dead and its really obvious who the real murderer was and the obsession she had with Lela made it obvious why. However, Lela is found with the murder weapon and everyone's blood all over her -- don't worry I'm not giving too much away, she's only in jail for like 5 min (I felt like this could have been drawn out a little better to draw up the suspense but then I also like not wasting my time too). But then we get a nice little treat for the twist at the end. my husband happened to look over my shoulder at this point and was like "what the hell are you reading". I was terrified to finish reading and the ending really saved the book so it wasn't another thriller that I had figured out before the end with no fun in finishing the book. Well done. 5 out of 5 stars.

These Wicked Wings by V.B. Marlowe

**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Hidden Gems**
NOPE NOPE Defiantly not!!!! Made it 10% through this book and decided this one was not for me. The cover is beautiful and the description is done really well so it seems like a good book. However, I was bored and disconnected. Maybe someone who really, and I mean REALLY, likes a book in the sci-fi/YA genre would enjoy it.

The Neglected Ones by C.L. Salaski

**I voluntarily reviewed this book for Hidden Gems.** YES! This book really did an amazing job of bringing the horrors of what our elderly community go through. Tears were brought to my eyes on multiple occasions. I think the book would have been just as good without the paranormal stuff. I felt like the ghost brought the story down a little bit and were randomly inserted.

A Mother's Lie by Jo Crow

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of the book*** Well I liked the concept of the book. However, the execution needs some work. The cover is amazing and as a mother myself I was eager to see where this little boy was wandering off to.

We follow Clara as she returns to her childhood home in hopes to complete a documentary for funds to get the medical treatment her little boy needs. Returning home isn't so bad... for normal people. As for Clara, the whole town is convinced she is the killer of her own parents. One of them being a main reason that the town has any money coming in at all. You see where their grudge would be raised pretty good. As the case is reopened with her return, she races the police to prove that she is innocent. Clara brings to light the old saying, "one step forward, two steps back". Everything she does to clear her own name just digs her into a deeper hole as more and more evidence is stacked against her.

I was sucked in early in the book but found myself distracted about half way through. I felt as though Crow's writing style had changed. It was as if "big words" were trying to be inserted to make things more interesting, however, I found them highly distracting. Then the writing goes back to being like it was in the beginning and not as intense with the amount of odd words being used. As a sucker for most thrillers, I like when a book pulls you in and can really give you the feeling that you're there. However, I found Crow's need to describe EVERYTHING annoying. I felt like each detail had five words to describe it and found myself just wanting to skim to get it over with. Crow did a good job with the ending and pulling me back in. I am glad I stuck with it and finished.

I'm indifferent as to recommending this book.
3 out of 5 stars.