Five great thrillers for your next getaway
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 11, 2023
Spring is in full swing, and if you’re looking for reads to bring with you on your next getaway, we have tales that will thrill you and keep you turning the pages. According to Wikipedia, thriller is a genre of fiction with numerous, often overlapping, subgenres, including crime, horror and detective fiction. Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving their audiences heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety. Today, we’re focusing on five great thrillers that our readers loved, and hope you will, too. Interpreting Guilt by Peter Kirkland With 1000 ratings and a 4.5 star average, clearly loved by many readers, Interpreting Guilt is the third book in the Small Town Lawyer series by Peter Kirkland. The series follows defense attorney Leland Munroe as he defends multiple clients in this thrilling legal series. Anne M. writes in her five star Amazon review, “I… Read More >
Great Cookbooks to Explore this Spring
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 4, 2023
Does Spring have you inspired to try your hand at some new culinary delights? Have you been wanting to make smarter choices for your health? Check out these great cookbooks, loved by Hidden Gems ARC readers, and don’t stress about what’s for dinner tonight – or any time this Spring! Fall In Love With Mediterranean Cuisine by Bernetta Parris With almost 100 ratings and a 4.8 star average, Fall In Love With Mediterranean Cuisine is a must read! “…The recipes come with beautiful color pictures and easy to follow instructions,” MistressViolet writes in her five star Amazon review. “One thing I was particularly happy to see was nutrition information, so that you immediately know the calories per serving. Recipes also come with helpful tips as well as notes at the end of the recipe that alert readers to the pressure points, if a recipe happens to have them, helping… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Lynn Wallace
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 28, 2023
Today’s interview is with author Lynn Wallace. According to her official bio, Wallace writes young adult paranormal romance with a Christian twist. She shared with us her journey to publication and the challenges she has overcome. It was a pleasure getting to know more about Lynn’s writing style, upcoming projects and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? LW: I would say that I write romantic Christian fantasy. Fantasy, meaning that I use monsters to magnify the brokenness of mankind and those monsters find redemption through love, representing how we find redemption through God’s love. I do include bits of biblical truth from Scripture, and the stories are romantic because there’s always a love story. Also, I write towards a YA audience (no sex, sorry!). HG: Fantastic. Tell us a bit about your publishing journey. When did you… Read More >
Romance Novels to Enjoy this Spring
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 22, 2023
If you’re a regular on the Hidden Gems blog, you’ll know that romance is the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program. Our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. If you’re looking for a new read to enjoy the spring weather with, there’s something for every romance reader on this list! Deadly Twist by Kendall Talbot With 220+ ratings and a 4.5 star average, Deadly Twist is a standalone novel, but is the second in the three book Maximum Exposure series, which will have your heart pounding from romance and adrenaline. For those who are fans of Lara Croft, this series is for you! “…This is a superbly written romantic suspense with descriptions so vivid and graphic, you will feel the steamy jungle heat and hear the mosquitos buzzing around!” Silke explains in their… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Lauren Smith
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 14, 2023
Today’s interview is with multi-genre, and multi-pen name author Lauren Smith who also writes as Emma Castle and Daphne Hunt. She shared with us her journey to publication and the challenges she has overcome. It was a pleasure getting to know more about her writing style, and life outside of writing! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? LS: I write romance, historical fiction and cozy mysteries under the names Lauren Smith, Emma Castle and Daphne Hunt. All of my writing has a timeless feel no matter the subgenre. I’m an attorney who now writes full time. HG: Fantastic. You’re both traditionally published and self-published. Can you explain to readers what that means for an author and how it differs when it comes to the publication process? LS: I first started out in my career publishing with a small publishing house that… Read More >
Spring Break Books for Your Young Adult Readers
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 7, 2023
Are your middle-grade or young adult readers looking for books to read over Spring break? Our Hidden Gems ARC readers recently loved the following titles, and we bet the young adult readers in your life will, as well. Who knows – you may find yourself a fan of the following titles, too. Finding Frances by Kelly Vincent With 40+ ratings and a 4.5 average star rating, Finding Frances follows Retta Brooks as her world is suddenly turned upside down by domestic violence. Ian Y. describes further in his five star Amazon review, “A story of how a teenager finds herself and her inner resilience to overcome the traumas of her parents’ abusive relationship. Her authentic voice and struggles are evocatively written and have deep emotional impact. At a time when domestic violence laws and funding are in a state of flux globally, it’s imperative to shine a light on relationship… Read More >
Children’s Books to Read During Spring Break
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 28, 2023
Do you have a young reader in your life? Or maybe you’re looking for a great bedtime story to enjoy with your youngest book lovers. With spring break on the horizon, we have a list of books to add to your reading list! Our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the following titles, and we bet your young bookworm will, as well. Bellies to the Sky by Colleen Canning With 100 ratings and an impressive 4.6 average star rating, Bellies to the Sky is recommended for children ages 3-9 years old. According to the book description, this bedtime book will help lead your little one -and you – to a peaceful night/s sleep. “The best part of life is sitting with a little one and reading to them and watching their wonderment,” writes Debi H. in her 5-star review. “Bellies To The Sky manages to keep their attention while learning… Read More >
Horror Stories to Read Under the Covers
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 21, 2023
The weather got you down? Looking for a bit of excitement during the February blahs? Here are tales that will thrill you and keep you turning the pages. We’re focusing on horrifying hidden gems that our readers loved, and hope you will, too. Read them now or add them to your Goodreads to-read list for the future. The Brother’s Curse by Christine M. Germain With 110+ ratings and a 4.6 star average, The Brother’s Curse is the first of the three book The Brother’s Curse Saga series and is a heart-pounding tale indeed. Crystal, who moves back home after the death of her parents is quickly launched into a race to flee from paranormal brothers who are on a quest to procure one of her mother’s heirlooms. “…A tension-building story with fantastic horror elements and engaging dialogue,” Ashon R. writes in their five star Amazon review. “In my opinion, the… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Jeanne Felfe
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 14, 2023
Today’s interview is with author Jeanne Felfe. According to her official bio, Felfe writes character-driven stories from the heart, often defying genre-classification. She shared with us her journey to publication and the challenges she has overcome. It was a pleasure getting to know more about Jeanne’s writing style, and life outside of writing! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? JF: I’m a “life happens” kind of writer. Most everything I write has a real-world feel to it with strong female characters (never damsels in distress) in dramatic situations. While Bridge to Us is technically a romance, it leans toward women’s fiction. HG: Wonderful. Tell us a bit about your publishing journey. How did you know you were ready to take on the “author” title? JF: I’ve been an on-and-off-again writer for many years. It wasn’t until my mother passed in 2012… Read More >
Fantasy Novels to escape the Winter Chill
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 7, 2023
If you are looking for an escape from the cold of winter, this list is for you. We’ve got one for everybody on this round-up of recently top rated fantasy novels that our Hidden Gems ARC readers raved about. Cyrus Longbones and the Yeti Kingdom by Jeremy Mathiesen With 40+ ratings and a 4.7 star average, Cyrus LongBones and the Yeti Kingdom is the second in the three book Cyrus LongBones series. Cyrus must free his village from the grips of an evil Queen. Mike writes in his five star Amazon review, “My 13 year old grandson and I have read both books and thoroughly enjoyed them. If you like action/adventure/fantasy, I would definitely recommend this series…This book is listed under children’s/young adults, but as a grandparent six times over I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time…” “This book was a rollicking good time and just… Read More >
