Book Tour and Review: The Edge of Too Late by Jan Sikes
Believe me when I say I’m so happy to be back with Lone Star Book Blog Tours to bring you a wonderful book! November was a tough reading month, personally, as Covid finally caught me, and since recovering it has been a battle to concentrate on anything, which is a massive source of annoyance for this bookworm. That also means that for me to finish a book, it REALLY has to hold my attention, and trust me when I say that The Edge of Too Late did just that!
Read on to learn more about this book that is a fun mash-up of suspense with a little light romance and a dash of the supernatural and discover a book trailer and a great giveaway!
THE EDGE OF TOO LATE
Harbor Pointe Series, #5
by Jan Sikes
Ghost Suspense / Contemporary Short Stories / Action & Adventure Romance
Publisher: RiJan Publishing
Date of Publication: November 28, 2023
Number of Pages: 126 pages
Scroll down for Giveaway of The Edge Of Too Late!
SYNOPSIS
Brandon Miller has his dream job, financial security, and he’s madly in love. Only one thing is missing—a commitment.
Angela Cooper’s ex-husband left her with deep scars, souring her on the concept of marriage. She’s not interested in a do-over. Not with Brandon or anyone. Her heart is locked securely away behind a thick wall.
With a ring in his pocket and hope in his heart, Brandon arranges a romantic getaway to the historic Harbor Pointe Inn, where he plans to pop the question.
Before they reach the inn, Angela’s got her camera in hand and ghosts on her mind. But they arrive to find a much more tangible horror.
Accident or foul play?
Someone is up to no good, and Angela is the next target. When suspects can be worldly or otherworldly, danger and secrets lurk everywhere.
Poised at the perilous edge of too late, Angela and Brandon face the fight of their lives.
REVIEW
Author Jan Sikes’ The Edge of Too Late offers up a captivating mix of thriller, a genuinely sweet romance, snappy dialogue, adept use of dual point-of-view, and a very moody but romantic setting. It’s a quick but engaging read.
I was sucked in from the very start – the dialogue is quick and engaging, and I quickly got a good sense of who our two main characters are. The point of view switches between our main characters Brandon and Angela, a couple who clearly care about each other deeply, but are at seemingly different points in their relationship. Angela’s previous marriage left her leery of commitment and in no rush to dive into something permanent, whereas Brandon believes his love (which is very sweet – he clearly adores her) will be enough to break down the walls she’s put up. Ooh, the confidence of men: I knew this wasn’t going to be a typical romantic weekend. When the couple arrive at the hotel to find a woman being driven off by an ambulance and guests whispering about foul play, that scene had REALLY been set.
So start with a possible murder, add in a scary vagrant living on the beach, toss in a creepy maintenance guy, a possible ghost sighting in the nearby lighthouse, and a man CERTAIN he’s going to be able to change his girlfriend’s mind on marriage – and you definitely have one mess of suspense!
The hotel setting is both moody and scenic, which it lends itself well to establishing an air of suspense and disquiet. The suspense is lightened with some genuinely sweet romantic moments, which then veer into some unsettling ones. I was really kept guessing where the author would take the story next.
The story wraps up quickly and with a bit of a happy ending after a tragic event . I did have a small issue with one bit of the ending, but maybe some people can move on better than me – and Brandon’s pet name of “Angie-baby” may have set my teeth on edge, but also was a great flashback that set me firmly in a previous era (also shown by Angela’s film camera and the lack of cell phones everyone in the story.)
While this is the fifth book in the Harbor Pointe series, you definitely can hop right in without having read the prior books – it works well as a stand-alone (although I’m sure this won’t be your last by the author! )
I’m grateful to Lone Star Book Blog tours for introducing me to yet another new-to-me author AND giving me another book series to dive into. The Edge of Too Late gets four stars from me!
BOOK TRAILER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.
She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the entertaining true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale encompassing four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.
And now, this author can’t find a way to put down the pen. She continues to write fiction and has published numerous award-winning short stories and novels.
Jan is an active blogger, an avid fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.
WEBSITE BLOG FACEBOOK X (TWITTER)
NEWSLETTER BOOKBUB AMAZON GOODREADS
GIVEAWAY!
FIVE WINNERS:
1st: $20 Amazon gift card
2nd & 3rd: audiobooks of The Edge of Too Late
4th & 5th: eBooks of Flowers and Stone
(US Only; ends midnight, CST 12/15/23)
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
| 12/05/23 | Jennifer Silverwood | Review |
| 12/05/23 | Hall Ways Blog | Excerpt |
| 12/06/23 | Boys’ Mom Reads | Review |
| 12/06/23 | LSBBT Blog | BONUS Stop |
| 12/07/23 | JennCaffeinated | Review |
| 12/08/23 | Librariel Book Adventures | Review |
| 12/08/23 | Chapter Break Book Blog | Character Interview |
| 12/09/23 | StoreyBook Reviews | Review |
| 12/10/23 | The Clueless Gent | Review |
| 12/11/23 | Bibliotica | Review |
| 12/12/23 | Rox Burkey Blog | Review |
| 12/12/23 | Forgotten Winds | Author Interview |
| 12/13/23 | It’s Not All Gravy | Review |
| 12/14/23 | The Plain-Spoken Pen | Review |
24 Comments
Priscilla Bettis
Good review, Jenn! The Edge of too Late sucked me in, too. I loved it!
Author Jan Sikes
Thank you for adding your recommendation, Priscilla! Hugs!
Nicholas C. Rossis
I have several of the Harbor Pointe books on my Kindle – I really need to read more!! Thanks for the great review 🙂
Author Jan Sikes
Lol, Nicholas. Sometimes I wish I could just do nothing for a whole week but read. Even then, I’d never catch. up. I appreciate your support!
Nicholas C. Rossis
I know what you mean, Jan 😀
Beem Weeks
This is a wonderful review. I’m finishing the first book in this series and have enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to reading all of them.
Author Jan Sikes
Thank you, Beem! I appreciate your support!
Jenn
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kristine Anne Hall
I had to laugh at your response to “Angie-baby.” For me, every single time I heard it (I listened to the audiobook), I thought of Helen Reddy’s song! Which actually was kinda apropos for this novella. Thanks for a great review!
Author Jan Sikes
Lol, Kristine. I definitely thought of the Helen Reddy song as I was writing the story. 🙂
Jenn
Oh, I knew there was something jangling in the back of my brain when I read those words! That’s it!!! Shh – you’ll show our age!!!
Jacqui Murray
I’ve read all of the series so far. Can’t wait to read this one.
Author Jan Sikes
Yay! Thank you, Jacqui! I hope you enjoy it!
Author Jan Sikes
Hi, Jenn. So sorry you have had to deal with COVID. It seems like it is never going away. I’m thrilled that you were able to concentrate enough to read my novella. That makes my heart happy. Sorry the ‘Angi-Baby’ term of endearment threw you off. You are the second reader to mention it. But that’s a lesson for me as the writer going forward. 🙂 Thank you for your wonderful review! Hope you feel 100% soon!
Jenn
Honestly, it’s probably appropriate for the time frame in which this is set (I don’t think it specified an era but the lack of cell phones makes me think it’s in the ’80s or early ’90s, and that phrase is appropriate for the era. ) For me, it’s a personal thing and an old boyfriend that was very “don’t worry about it baby”. It’s all good – he was a little clueless to where she was at in terms of commitment anyway, right? Bless his heart! (it worked out ok for him in the end)
Author Jan Sikes
Lol, Jenn. Yes. The year was 1989, just when cell phones and technology were beginning to take off. Glad the boyfriend’s life worked out okay. 🙂
robbiesinspiration
A wonderful review of this novella. I have read the first three books in the series and am currently reading the fourth. This one will be next.
Jenn
I’m very curious about the previous books and plan on loading up my kindle for Christmas break! I have a lot of air travel in the next month and Jan’s stories seem just the ticket!
D.L. Finn, Author
Great review and post 🙂 I enjoyed this story too!
Author Jan Sikes
Thank you, Denise!
Jenn
Thanks so much for stopping by! It was fun, wasn’t it?
D.L. Finn, Author
🙂
Author Jan Sikes
Thank you, Robbie! I’m so glad you are enjoying the Harbor Pointe Series!
Jenn
Oh, thank you so much! I need to catch up on the rest of the series!