Happy Tuesday! While you certainly shouldn’t judge a book by its cover 🙂 , we all know that compelling cover design is what attracts a reader. There are so many elements to a great cover design — I commend those who produce these works of art. The title font is one such element, and the sky is the limit to types that can be used. Today TTT bloggers were tasked with showcasing fonts that mimic handwriting. I have chosen some books I have read/reviewed that fit that bill, those that have partial or full titles that look handwritten. There are a lot of different genres; I hope you find a book and a cover to pique your interest.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title:The Girl Upstairs Author:Jessica R. Patch Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Trade Release Date: April 28, 2026 Genre: Psychological Thriller
“Jessica R. Patch weaves a dark, twisty tapestry that’s both unsettling and unexpectedly hopeful. Masterful.” –New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan
She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.
Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.
Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.
As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…
Excerpt
The house looms over the harbor, its whitewashed exterior faded. It perches on the bluff like something forgotten, left to rot against the salt and wind. The porch wraps around the front, its boards warped and buckling. I can tell they’ll protest beneath my feet when I approach. Two barrels of dead flowers flank the doors.
The windows are the worst—too many, too large. They stare blankly, smeared with age and dust, clouded, like the house has been watching for so long it’s gone blind.
According to Teresa, the house caught fire in 1980, but it was contained to the main floor’s primary room and the bathroom beside it. Tragic accident around Christmastime.
The roof curls at the edges, blackened with damp, and the chimney stands like a broken spine, bricks crumbling away one by one.
Behind it, the forest presses in. The trees of Acadia stand silent, the pines too still, the birches stripped bare like reaching bones.
Something about the house is jarring. Not just old or neglected. Plenty of houses wear their history in their walls, in their beams, in the way the air inside feels heavy with time, but this one feel like the years left behind something that never quite settled.
We finally step out of the vehicle. I stand a few feet from the porch steps. The wind shifts, cold and sudden, and I swear the house exhales. Like it’s been holding its breath.
While I didn’t read The Girl Upstairs for this tour, I have already read and reviewed it. You can find my impressions HERE. It’s excellent!
Also Available
About The Author
Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.
Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places.
She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.
You’re invited to join the Patched In community at her website: jessicarpatch.com and receive a FREE short thriller, Nobody Has to Know.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each receive a signed copy of The Other Sister and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 27, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 4, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for the print copy. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
I love a twisty thriller, especially if it has an unreliable narrator! That kind of story keeps me on my toes. I found that and more in The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch. This book set in a picturesque secret-filled Maine coastal town was full of unexpected revelations, aha moments, and seriously creepy subject matter. (Content warnings: pregnancy loss and child abuse.) Gwen is the perfect character for the first person narration — fiercely devoted to finding justice, but broken in so many ways — she tells a compelling story as she seeks a new life with her doctor husband. Unfortunately, the house they move to will not let them achieve the peace they so dearly need. I could not put this haunted house novel down! While this story is told through a Christian worldview, the references are subtle. I especially liked the juxtaposition of crows and black-capped chickadees — you’ll know it when you see it. 😉 This book is for those who don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of creep-factor, like surprises around every corner, and love a very satisfying ending. I think this book is a good choice for a book club. Lots of things to discuss — Can justice be achieved in a broken world? Does growth come from pain? Can past trauma be redeemed?
Highly Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.
Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.
Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.
As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…
Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.
Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places.
She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.
Happy Friday! Today I am featuring a suspense/thriller from Jessica R. Patch. The Girl Upstairs looks like a creepy-good read, and I am looking forward to diving in! Have you read it yet? What did you think?
Here’s the first line:
She can breathe easy since she feels no consequences.
She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.
Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.
Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Somethinghappened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.
As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined . . . .
Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.
Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places.
She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.
Spring has been around for weeks in my area of the country, but it has been erratic! We’ve had record high temps, severe weather threats, and even a bit of snow! So crazy! But the flowers are blooming, the trees are budding, and my husband is mowing the grass! LOL! Today’s TTT topic is Spring TBR Lists. I am embarking on a novel approach to my reading life — choosing to read what I want, when I want. Even the few review titles are those I really, really want to read. It’s been a while, folks! I am having a blast! I had to really think about today’s post because past seasonal TBRs have been filled with required reading (books for review.) Today’s list features book club picks and mood reads, which are hard to plan for. But I think I have a great list planned. Let me know what you are reading this season.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title:The Other Sister Author: Jessica R. Patch Publisher: Love Inspired Trade Release Date: April 22, 2025 Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller
She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.
Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.
Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…
No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.
Excerpt
“One last thing before I go.” He steps onto my porch, then turns, and his dark eyes are dancing again. “I really like that paint you picked for me. Got a guy coming out this weekend to strip the old wallpaper off. Thanks.”
He doesn’t trust me. He knows I’ve been in his office, and he thinks I’m lying in regard to this case, yet his compliment is genuine. His eyes, sincere. I have no idea what to make of this man. Why didn’t he throw out the samples? Why show up on my doorstep like this? Other than to shake me up. I know what he thinks about me. Liar. And he’s not wrong. I am a liar. A deceiver. And many other things.
I feel guilty simply by being in his presence, and I haven’t done anything sinister in regard to Dru. Okay, the snooping was wrong, and I’m genuinely remorseful for that.
I’m not who he thinks I am, except part of me wonders if he knows I am an imposter. He’s just doing his job, but his job happens to threaten me and my future.
“You did? You do? You know you can paint over wallpaper. Saves time.”
“I could.” He eyes me in that weird way again. “But when you paint over another layer like that, it eventually peels, and what’s underneath is revealed. A real eyesore that you wanted covered up in the first place. I find stripping away the old, even if it appears pretty, is the right way to go about it. It’s so much easier to work with a completely bare source. It’s fresh and clean and ready for color. I don’t mind the time it takes. I’ll be happier with the results.” He shrugs one shoulder.
My heart pinches. “Are you actually talking about paint?”
He rubs his chin. “Do you think I’m talking about paint?”
Always a question with a question. “I don’t know.”
He reaches out and takes my cross necklace in his hand. I don’t flinch at his move into my personal space—not like I would with any other man. As quickly as he holds it, he drops it and steps back. “Or maybe you do.”
My Impressions:
What a twisting ride Jessica R. Patch takes readers on in the suspense thriller, The Other Sister! This is my first book by Patch, but it won’t be my last because this book really kept me on my toes. The novel follows Charlotte Kane, a product of a horrible mother and a foster system that failed her. Charlotte has desperately tried to find her place, trying to fit in as best as she can. When presented with the ultimate new life — trading places with a twin sister she never knew of — Charlotte convinces herself she is doing what she has to do. I found Charlotte to be a really interesting character. I wanted so much to like her, and for the most part I did, but she fools herself while fooling others. Her character grows a lot, but in the end she is forced to make the right decisions. If things had gone differently, would she have made the same choices? The novel presents a lot to ponder. As to the events surrounding Charlotte’s story, things aren’t all they seem in genteel Savannah, Georgia. Charlotte’s story is juxtaposed with another point of view from an unnamed character that gets creepier and creepier. Honestly, I knew I was missing something important, but I never guessed until the end just what that was. How perfect is that for someone who figures out whodunit more often than not. If you like creepy and thought-provoking, then The Other Sister is the book for you.
Recommended.
Audience: Adult.
(Thanks to Just Read Publicity Tours for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Jessica R. Patch has penned over 27 novels and is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense or a dark, twisty thriller. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, down the street at the Mexican restaurant, or collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook.
Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to her email newsletter “Patched In” updates and receive a FREE short thriller.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of The Garden Girls & a $20 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 22, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Happy Tuesday! It is no secret that I read A LOT of mystery/suspense. That being said, there’s not much that surprises me. I almost always guess whodunit. However, there are some authors that have kept me guessing up to the end — the best possible scenario I can think of. So today, I am sharing the books that are full of twists and turns you won’t see coming. I hope you find a book to love.
Happy Friday! I will be reviewing The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch later this month, but I wanted to share its attention-grabbing first line today. Patch is a new-to-me author of suspense, and I’m so looking forward to reading this book!
Here’s the first line:
Her eyes are vacant orbs that pierce my soul and chill my bones.
She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life.
Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption.
Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker…
No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.
Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Jessica R. Patch is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense, a cold case thriller, or a small-town romance. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, watching movies with her family, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at http://www.jessicarpatch.com.
Happy Tuesday! How is it already Spring? Now, I am not complaining. The winter here in the Sunny South was cold by our standards. But how has the time gone so quickly!? While my reading isn’t as quick as it used to be, I am steadily making progress on my TBR list. TTT helps me get it in line too. So here’s my Spring TBR, a mix of review books, book club selections, and just because. Wish me luck! 😉
Happy Tuesday! I don’t have a book wishlist primarily because my family and friends look around my house and proclaim I already own too many. What do they know!? LOL! But if I did keep a wishlist these books would be on it.
Many of the books I review are provided to me free of charge from publishers, authors, or other groups in return for a review. The opinions expressed in the reviews are mine and mine alone. No monetary consideration is given. This disclaimer is in accordance with FTC rules.
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