Sunday, November 29, 2020

Mailbox Monday! 11/30/20

 


Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists!!
Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia @ A Girl and Her Books, has a permanent home now at Mailbox Monday.
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Here’s a shout out to the administrators:
Leslie @ Under My Apple Tree 
Serena @ Savvy Verse And Wit
Martha @ Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf 
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                THANKS to everyone for keeping Mailbox Monday alive. 
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I hope you had a good mailbox.

I had an AMAZING mailbox!!
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Received November 23rd

1: THE LOST GIRLS by Jessica Chiarella
Courtesy of NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam


Received November 27th

1: GOODBYE, ORCHARD
Gift to self




It's Monday! What are you reading? 11/29/30 - 12/31/20

 


I hope you had a great reading week.
********************
This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOKDATE


Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
************
What I read this past week:

1: THE LONGSHOT by Lauren Clark
Review posted 11/22

2: A LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS by Marci Bolden
Review will be Dec 8th

3: THE ARCTIC FURY by Greer Macallister
Review will be posted 12/1

4: WILDFLOWER GRAVES by Rita Herron

 5: 
DARK FALLS by Gregg Olsen

6: 
THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS by Jodi Picoult

7: 
TAKE IT BACK by Kia Abdullah

8: 
COLD WIND by Paige Shelton

9: 
THE PUSH by Claire McGowan

10: THE WICKED HOUR by Alice Blanchard

11: 
MY NAME IS ANTON by Catherine Ryan Hyde

12: 
WATCH HER by Edwin Hill

13: 
LITTLE WISHES by Michelle Adams

14: 
THE LAST TO SEE HER by Courtney Evan Tate

15: 
PRETTY LITTLE WIFE by Darby Kane

16: 
WRONG ALIBI by Christina Dodd

I hope to be all caught up here... Then start January 2021!!


Month of reading.. 11/1/20 - 11/30/20

 Books I read in November!



1: MY ONLY CHILD by Sam Vickery
2: CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 by Lisa Unger
3: TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH by Gilly Macmillan
4: A FRENZY OF SPARKS by Kristen Fields
5: LOSS LAKE by Amber Cowie
6: THE LONGSHOT by Lauren Clark
7: THE STRANGER IN MY BED by Karen King
8: A LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS by Marci Bolden
9: THE ARTIC FURY by Greer Macallister


This weeks reading list! 11/23 -11/30

My week in reading!



1: A LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS by Marci Bolden 
2: THE ARTIC FURY by Greer Macallister
3: DARK FALLS by Gregg Olsen
4: THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS by Jodi Picoult
5: WILD FLOWER GRAVES by Rita Herron


Friday, November 27, 2020

Book Blogger Hop 11/27 - 12/3



This week's question is: 
Do you own an e-reader? If so, what is your favorite thing about it?

My answer:
Yes I do. A kindle paperwhite. My favorite thing is the weight and how many books I can take with me everywhere I go. I love my paperwhite. 



Book beginnings on Friday! 11/27/20

 


Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

My book beginnings:

Massachusetts Superior Court, Boston

October 1854

In the front row sit the survivors.

Virginia can see them clearly from her seat in the dock. Even when she looks away from them-toward the judge, the jury-she still feels their presence. Five women, broken and brave, who came to this courtroom against all odds. She wonders if they feel jarred, the way she does, minding the rules of civilization again: caring what they wear, watching what they say, wondering how their actions make others feel. They were free of all that, not so long ago. Then again, what a steep price they paid for that fleeting freedom.



From 56%:

Charles Street Jail, Boston

October 1854

Today's food is no better than yesterday's, but with each day, Virginia finds it more tolerable. Probably because it has become habit. in the North, she became accustomed to flour paste and pemmican, and after that, nothing, then raw meat, then jerked meat, then nothing again. Whatever they call food here is at least halfway worthy of the name and arrives regularly. She never has to wonder whether there will be more.



Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Starts with a T

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620


 1: THEIR SILENT GRAVES by Carla Kovach

2: THIN ICE by Paige Shelton

3: TRADING SECRETS by Rachael Eckles

4: TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH by Gilly MacMillan

5: TURN BACK TIME by Annette G. Anders

6: THINGS WE NEVER SAID by Nick Alexander




YOU WILL REMEMBER ME by Hannah Mary McKinnon

I"m so happy to be a part of this reveal. It's going to be such a great book!


COVER REVEAL!

 

YOU WILL REMEMBER ME by @hannahmarymckinnon pubs on May 25, 2021 and I can’t wait for this twisted psychological thriller. Look at that cover!






Praise for this book: 
“Another unputdownable read from an author who gets better with each book. What begins with a case of amnesia twists with each new discovery as McKinnon slowly and methodically unravels the layers of secrets and deceit. A gripping, chilling thriller that held me captive until the shocking end.”—Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of Stranger in the Lake

 “Forget the truth. Remember the lies.

 He wakes up on a deserted beach in Maryland with a gash on his head and wearing only swim trunks. He can’t remember who he is. Everything—his identity, his life, his loved ones—has been replaced by a dizzying fog of uncertainty. But returning to his Maine hometown in search of the truth uncovers more questions than answers.


Lily Reid thinks she knows her boyfriend, Jack. Until he goes missing one night, and her frantic search reveals that he’s been lying to her since they met, desperate to escape a dark past he’d purposely left behind.

Maya Scott has been trying to find her estranged stepbrother, Asher, since he disappeared without a trace. Having him back, missing memory and all, feels like a miracle. But with a mutual history full of devastating secrets, how far will Maya go to ensure she alone takes them to the grave?”

Shared fates intertwine in a twisty, explosive novel of suspense, where unearthing the past might just mean being buried beneath it.

About the Author

Hannah Mary was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favor of writing. She now lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband and three sons, and is delighted by her twenty-second commute. Connect with her on Facebook, on Twitter @HannahMMcKinnon, and on Instagram @HannahMaryMcKinnon. For more, visit her website at www.hannahmarymckinnon.com.

@bookclubbish @hannahmarymckinnon #thriller #psychologicalsuspense #hannahmarymckinnon #youwillrememberme #canlit #readthenorth

Hannah Mary McKinnon

www.hannahmarymckinnon.com


Connect: Facebook — Goodreads — Instagram — Twitter

Pre-order: https://amzn.to/335SdYN  or 

https://bit.ly/334UFyC




Monday, November 23, 2020

THE STRANGER IN MY BED by Karen King

 


Fans of The Girl on the TrainBehind Closed Doors and Date Night, who are looking for a dark, gripping psychological suspense novel, will love The Stranger in My Bed.

‘We have a patient who has been involved in a serious accident. We believe he’s your husband.’


Synopsis:

When Freya first met Phil, she thought he was the man of her dreams. He bought her roses every week, booked surprise trips to sun-soaked destinations, and showed her affection like she’d never experienced before. But over time the dream has become a violent nightmare. And now Freya is packing her bags, knowing it’s time she escaped their increasingly broken marriage.

But then Freya gets a visit from the police. Phil’s been in a horrific car crash and – as he comes around – it becomes clear that he remembers nothing since their blissful honeymoon two years before, back when their relationship was perfect. All he wants is to be happily married again.

Freya knows giving him another chance could be dangerous. But now he’s the one who needs her, it’s a chance to turn the tables, and to change the outcome of their relationship once and for all. After all, he will only know what she chooses to tell him…

But what really happened during those two years of marriage? And as they start over again, who is safe? And whose life is in danger?

Fans of The Girl on the TrainBehind Closed Doors and Date Night, who are looking for a dark, gripping psychological suspense novel, will love The Stranger in My Bed.

My thoughts:

This was a very intense book. It was about abuse, affairs, not being there for others the way you should be. About family, trust, honor, children. 

I did not like Phil at all. Not one tiny bit. I found him to be a big bully and very self-centered. He only cared about himself. He may have been in an accident. He may have lost two years. But he didn't learn a thing. He still lied, bullied, cheated and was very destructive. He was a very unlikable person.

It was kind of hard for me to like Freya also. I found her to be very weak. I know it happens in this type of relationship but at first it appeared she was a strong woman. One who didn't mind voicing her opinion. One who stood up for what she believed. That didn't last at all. But near the very end I did like her. I felt so bad for her for all she went through, Not just with Phil but also her mother and sister. I did figure out what was up with the sister by the way. Not good Daisy. Not good at all. I did not like Freya's mother either. Seems she though Phil was better than her own daughter. But then you only hear a bit from her and she's never mentioned again. It's like she was forgotten.... 

I like when I read a book and learn new words. This one didn't disappoint with that either. There were several words that I know but didn't think of until they appeared here. That's always a plus with reading. 

The characters in this book are not really likable. They are very annoying and you will get frustrated with them over and over again. Even hate a couple of them. Lots of secrets are revealed when you find out who did it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good read. Just very aggravating in many places and unlikable characters. There is not a lot of descriptions in it either. I did enjoy reading it and finding out who did what to whom and why. I didn't blame the villain in this book. Not at all. Sometimes you get what you deserve.

It had great potential and like I said, I did enjoy it. But there were things left unanswered for me. People just forgotten. Phil's whole family for instance and Freya's mom.  To me they were strong characters in the story yet after you meet them they are not mentioned again.

I received a copy of this from #NetGalley, #Bookouture. This is my own thoughts and feelings about this book. 

I am giving this book a 3.5/5 stars. I say read it if you want and come to your own conclusions. 



Sunday, November 22, 2020

THE LONGSHOT: Golden Isles Series #2 by Lauren Clark

 


Back cover:

The Longshot is a feel-good beach read about finding unexpected love in the Golden Isles.

Becca Campbell shines as a public relations associate for St. Simons Island's most popular advertising agency. But when her newest client, a devastatingly handsome NFL player, doesn't play by the rules, it's all Becca can do to keep him in line--while ignoring the chemistry growing between them.

Zach Taylor is looking to escape the trouble he's caused since the Jacksonville Jaguars' devastating loss in the season's final game. To make matters worse, his bad boy reputation isn't winning any points with the NFL team's new owner, who's looking to change up the roster. And Zach isn't catching any breaks from his buttoned-up and beautiful new PR agent, Becca.

Can Becca's Hail Mary plan save Zach's NFL career and help them both find true love? Find out in this new romance novella from author Lauren Clark!

Note: All the books in the Golden Isles series are standalone, happily-ever-after romances and can be read independently. Readers can visit Lauren at www.authorlaurenclark.com.

My thoughts: 

I always enjoy books by Lauren Clark. This one was just one of many that I have read by this author. It's the second book in a three part series. They can be read as standalone though.

This was a fast easy book to read. It's the story of a boy and a girl. How they meet. How they start out and how they end up. The ups and downs of each ones jobs and lives.

Becca meets Zach in a strange way. He had messed up a party she organized for the advertising agency she worked for. He was drunk and did some pretty stupid things. Becca didn't have much tolerance for men like him. Not in the beginning anyway. She didn't need drama in her life.

Zach, a NFL player, met Becca and instantly thought he was a big mistake for him. He didn't need anyone to fix his life for him. His agent hired Big Splash ad agency to fix what Zach had broken with his career. To try and get him back on track with playing football. The things he did sure didn't help and it would be up to Becca to help.

This is a very fast read. The characters are so likable and easy to follow. It's told in alternating voices from Becca to Zach. Becca gives the job her all. She takes her work very seriously. Once Zach understands that things start to move in the right direction. Together they can fix things. They do have a few ups and downs to get over though.

This is a light love story. A story of two people who meet and have an attraction for each other much to each's dismay. It is a very uplifting book. One that will keep you turning the pages. I read it in one afternoon. It's that good, I really liked Becca and after she got  Zach to behave I liked him also. There are some very tender scenes in this story that will bring tears to your eyes. Visits to the hospital to see children who are very sick. Talk of things in Zach's life that are a bit sad. But overall this is a great lift you up story,

5/5 stars for me. Any book by Lauren Clark(Lara McNeil) is so worth reading. Grab this series.

The next and last in the series is: THE FIXER UPPER. 





It's Monday! What are you reading? 11/23/20

 


I hope you had a great reading week.
********************
This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE


Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
************
What I read this past week:

1: A FRENZY OF SPARKS by Kristin Fields
Review posted. I highly recommend this book!


2: 
LOSS LAKE by Amber Cowie
Review posted. Another very good book!


3: 
THE STRANGER IN MY BED by Karen King
Review posted.


4: 
THE LONGSHOT by Lauren Clark
Review will be posted.


5: 
A LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS by Marci Bolden
Review December 8th


6: 
THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS by Jodi Picoult
Review will be posted.


7: 
THE PUSH by Claire McGowan
Review will be posted.


8: THE ARCTIC FURY by Greer Macallister


9: 
WILDFLOWER GRAVES by Rita Herron


10: 
DARK FALLS by Gregg Olsen


11: 
TAKE IT BACK by Kia Abdullah


12: 
COLD WIND by Paige Shelton


13: 
THE WICKED HOUR by Alice Blanchard


14: 
MY NAME IS ANTON by Catherine Ryan Hyde


15: 
COME TOMORROW by Tess Thompson


16: 
WATCH HER by Edwin Hill


17: 
LITTLE WISHES by Michelle Adams


18: 
THE LAST TO SEE HER by Courtney Evan Tate


19:  PRETTY LITTLE WIFE by Darby Kane


20:  WRONG ALIBI by Christina Dodd


This takes care of the rest of November and all of December!



James by Percival Everett

  My thoughts First, the narrator was wonderful. I was sucked into this story. It was a bit slow at first but it was worth it. What this wor...