Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Can't Wait Wednesday! The Lies We Believe

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This cover and intriguing title grabbed my attention. This first book in a new series from on of my favourite suspense authors released June 28th.

About the book: The Lies We Believe







Riley Bishop is a single mother, working at home as a security analyst to provide for her two children, Sadie and Oliver. But something is very wrong. Riley starts forgetting things—like appointments, where she put her keys, and where she parked her car. And then she thinks she sees her deceased ex-husband while out shopping. But as Riley begins to question her own sanity, her twelve-year-old Sadie goes missing. Soon Riley finds it harder and harder to know what is truth and what are lies as she is forced to question her own reality while she searches for her daughter.

Apprehending fugitives as a part of the SOG team gives Tucker Shaw the purpose and drive he needs to fight the demons from his past. When he’s called out on a mission, Operation Jackal, to track down a group of endangered children, he has no idea how drastically his life is about to change. It’s a frantic hunt as Tucker and his team race to save thirteen children, including Sadie. But when Sadie’s mother comes to him with credible evidence on who is behind the girls’ disappearances, the situation quickly spirals out of control with a final twist that has Tucker questioning everything he knows to be true.

What are you waiting on this week?

Monday, May 29, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book/NOT Want to Read a Book

 

 Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I missed last week's top ten Tuesday, so this week I am combining the two topics 😀.

5 Things that make me instantly want to read a book:


1. AUTO BUY favourite author.

2. A new author in my Favourite genre.

3. The next book in a series I am enjoying.

4. The Cover draws my attention immediately.

5. ALL my goodreads friends are talking about it!


5 Things that make me instantly NOT want to read a book:


1. It is PURE romance with the cliché plot - they meet, falls in love, misunderstand, break up, finally talk, happy in love again.

2. Includes subjects I am not comfortable with.

3. The cover is too steamy.

4. I tried the author before but did not like them.

5. My Goodreads friends did not rate it well.

Weekend Wrap-up: May 28th

 


 

It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

This weekend was busy with spending time with friends and running another half marathon.

Hopefully I can catch up on all my outstanding reviews this week.


Finished






(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading


Did not make a lot of headway with the bulk of these:



Next up:







What are you reading this week?


Here is my past week's Blog Posts.




Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

One this week:




Friday, May 26, 2023

Book Spotlight Fridays! Ned

    

Book Beginnings and Friday56


Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

Loved Ned.  Twists and turns around every corner! Ned released June 6th but already available to purchase directly from the author's website: https://susanmaywarrenfiction.myshopify.com/.


Ned






About the book:


After four years of training to become a Navy SEAL, Ned Marshall is finally ready to marry the woman of his dreams, Shae Johnson . And Shae’s been uber patient, waiting, building a life as a free-lance graphic artist, moving around the globe to be with him. So, when she said yes to his proposal in Geneva, he fully expected to live happily-ever-after.

At the very least, he expected her to be waiting at the hotel for him three days after an emergency call-out. And maybe it was unreasonable to expect her to be sitting in the hotel, working on her watercolors—Shae, after all grew up in Montana, and she has adventure in her blood. So of course she’s going to go climb the beautiful Swiss mountains. Even make a friend.

But Ned isn’t thrilled with her new friend, and something about him doesn’t feel safe…

So she’s made some friends while waiting for Ned to return? Shae can’t believe that after years of sacrifice, Ned is actually angry at her—what did he expect, that she’d sit by the window? Dana and his friends are harmless, right?

Not so much. Because when Shae finds herself kidnapped, and brought to Russia, she fears the worst—she’s been swept up in a human trafficking ring. And when she’s sent to, of all places, Siberia how will Ned ever find her?

But Ned isn’t going to lose her—not after everything they’ve been through, and he’ll stop at nothing to rescue her. But when he discovers the real reason she’s been taken, he will have to become a traitor to his country if he wants her back.

Join the epic race to rescue Shae in the high-adrenaline book three in the Minnesota Marshalls series.

The Minnesota Marshalls
Book 1: Fraser
Book 2: Jonas
Book 3: Ned
Book 4: Iris (coming soon)
Book 5: Creed (coming soon)



*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

How Ned hated walking into a country naked.

Friday 56

What? Walking over the wall, she flicked on the light.
Stilled.
She'd been robbed.

My thoughts so far

This one was really good.  Looking forward to Iris, the next book in the series.


                                    ************************************************************* 

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Review: The Keys to Gramercy Park

The Keys to Gramercy Park The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson
My rating: 💛💛💛💛💛

Wow, this story captivated me from the start to finish. I experienced so many emotions while reading this story: frustration, loss, heartbreak, smiles, hope, and peace.

When an author plays with my emotions like this, it really proofs their talent of providing a reader with a story which is intriguing, and character you get to know, some you love and some you really do not like. I had so much hope that one of the characters would turn their lives around...you would have to read the book to see if it happened or not.

The characters and stories in both timelines kept me engaged, usually I tend to gravitate to one period more than the others.

Twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.

This is one of my favourite books of this series - each book can be read as a standalone.

I also listened to the audiobook and if you enjoy audio version, this one should make your wish list.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:


Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan
 
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.
 
Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for NYC governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.
 
Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

About the author:


Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children's Literature and is an active member of American

Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three young sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she's not tending to her chickens, splitting wood, or decorating cakes, she's working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance--where the past and present collide with faith.

Review: The Secret to Happiness

The Secret to Happiness The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

The Secret to Happiness continued where The Sweet Life left off: Characters settling in, making a success of new beginnings, building on old and new relationships, and reaching out to family members in need.

This story was evident of two sides to the same story. Callie’s view of her and Dawn’s relationship was quite different to how Dawn experienced it.

Callie came to Cape Cod, trying to overcome severe depression based on fears. I loved little Cowboy Leo broke through Callie’s walls and was vital to her breakthrough.

This story focuses on life and its struggles and how to take each day and how to focus on the one thing which makes you happy and work from there, is one each reader can take to heart.

I am glad to see there will be a third book, because I am not yet ready to finish my visit to Cape Cod. I still want to see how certain relationships might develop!

Review: 1. The Sweet Life

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*


View all my reviews


About the book:


Escape to Cape Cod--where you just might find the secret to happiness

Callie Dixon had the world by its tail . . . until it all slipped away. Fired from her dream job after making a colossal mistake, she's escaped to her aunt's home on Cape Cod for time to bounce back. Except it isn't a home, it's an ice cream shop. And time isn't going to help, because Callie's bounce has up and left. There's a reason she made that mistake at work and she's struggling to come to terms with it.

Things go from bad to worse when Callie's cousin Dawn drags her to a community class about the secret to happiness. Happiness is the last thing Callie wants to think about right now, but instructor Bruno Bianco--a curiously gloomy fellow--is relentless. He has a way of turning Callie's thoughts upside down. Her feelings, too.

Could Bruno be right when he says that hitting rock bottom is the very best place to be? If so, how is that supposed to help her find exactly what--or who--has been missing all along?

About the author:


Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the

Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.


Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.

Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Can't Wait Wednesday! Fairest of Heart

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I love Karen Witemeyer and this cover is just stunning! this one releases June 1st.

About the book: Fairest of Heart





Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young woman found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus's heart divines a different truth--one that might just get Penelope killed.

An enchanting Western take on the classic Snow White fairy tale, Fairest of Heart will sweep you away from once upon a time to happily ever after.

What are you waiting on this week?

Monday, May 22, 2023

Review: The Swindler's Daughter

The Swindler's Daughter The Swindler's Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Rating 4.5

This was my second book by this author, and I enjoyed it very much. I found myself just reading and reading to see what was going on and what would happen. There was also a point where I was confused, just like the characters, with regards to who to trust and who is not trustworthy.

There was sweet character development, new beginnings, trust in God’s plans, characters finding their own voice to stand up for what they want, and danger and suspense.

I recommend this story to fans of historical romance with a dash of danger and mystery.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*


View all my reviews

About the book:


A surprise inheritance. A cache of family secrets. A choice that will change her life forever.

Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that the man has left a business and all of his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she goes to take possession of her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye--and has put a target on her back.

To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she's always dreamed of, she'll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers--especially Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.

About the author:


Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South.

She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at 
www.StepheniaMcGee.com.

Weekend Wrap-up: May 21st


 

It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

A better reading week this week.  Still catching up on reviews.


Finished






(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading


Did not make a lot of headway with the bulk of these:




Next up:





What are you reading this week?


Here is my past week's Blog Posts.




Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

None this week 😀





Friday, May 19, 2023

Review: Barking up the Wrong Tree

Barking up the Wrong Tree Barking up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson
My rating: 💛💛💛

This was another cute cozy mystery with the mystery of a champion dog gone missing. There was a lot of possible kiddognappers but I think halfway I did guess the napper correctly.

I enjoyed getting back to the group of friends and their love interest as well as their longing and willingness to help animals.

I am enjoying this cozy mystery series with the 4 paw friends.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

More in the Gone to the Dogs Series:
Book 1 - Off the Chain by Janice Thompson
Book 2 - Dog Days of Summer by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Book 3 - Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson  

View all my reviews

About the book:


A Champion Dog Is Off His Game
 
Grab a puppy to snuggle and unwind with a delightful small-town mystery in book 3 of the Gone to the Dogs series.
 
Inquisitive, detail-oriented, Veterinarian Kristin Keller prides herself on winning over any dog. But has this self-proclaimed dog whisperer finally met her match in a Sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out of sorts—almost as if he is not the same dog. Has he, by chance, been switched out with another dog just before the next big competition? Kristin and the other Lone Star employees will do anything to help the Atkinson family figure out this mystery surrounding their beloved Remington.

About the book:


Welcome to the wacky, wonderful world of inspirational author Janice Hanna Thompson, where romantic

comedy rules the day! I hope you love to laugh, because I make it my goal to tickle your funny bone at every turn in my light-hearted tales.


Whether you’re looking for inspirational romance, quirky cozy mysteries, light-hearted historicals or fun books for younger readers, you will find it here. You will also find an abundance of non-fiction books, guaranteed to ease life’s burdens.

Why do I focus on the light-hearted stuff? Because life is hard! My readers lead busy, chaotic lives and need those special “Calgon, Take Me Away!” moments! Providing “Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters” brings me great delight. Lest you think it’s all fluff, think again!

Woven between the lines of each cheerful tale you will find the ultimate love story, one guaranteed to stir your soul and get your heart fluttering. Talk about a real happily ever after! There’s something for everyone on my site, so settle back in your chair, grab a cup of Earl Grey tea, and get ready to discover a light-hearted approach to life!

Book Spotlight Fridays! The Secret to Happiness

   

Book Beginnings and Friday56


Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

This one is just as enjoyable as the first book in the series.


The Secret to Happiness




About the book:


Escape to Cape Cod--where you just might find the secret to happiness

Callie Dixon had the world by its tail . . . until it all slipped away. Fired from her dream job after making a colossal mistake, she's escaped to her aunt's home on Cape Cod for time to bounce back. Except it isn't a home, it's an ice cream shop. And time isn't going to help, because Callie's bounce has up and left. There's a reason she made that mistake at work and she's struggling to come to terms with it.

Things go from bad to worse when Callie's cousin Dawn drags her to a community class about the secret to happiness. Happiness is the last thing Callie wants to think about right now, but instructor Bruno Bianco--a curiously gloomy fellow--is relentless. He has a way of turning Callie's thoughts upside down. Her feelings, too.

Could Bruno be right when he says that hitting rock bottom is the very best place to be? If so, how is that supposed to help her find exactly what--or who--has been missing all along?



*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

Two months ago, Callie Dixon had been the executive chef at one of the largest convention hotels in Boston, a hotel so highly esteemed that the Food Safety Conference chose to hold their annual meeting there.

Friday 56

"Callie, when you finally realize that living up to other peoples' standards is simply not sustainable, it frees up a lot of energy to truly enjoy your life."

My thoughts so far

Looking forward to continuing this story over the weekend.


                                    ************************************************************* 

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Can't Wait Wednesday! Ned

 Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Yes, please, so excited for this one!  Releasing June 6th.

About the book: Ned





After four years of training to become a Navy SEAL, Ned Marshall is finally ready to marry the woman of his dreams, Shae Johnson . And Shae’s been uber patient, waiting, building a life as a free-lance graphic artist, moving around the globe to be with him. So, when she said yes to his proposal in Geneva, he fully expected to live happily-ever-after.

At the very least, he expected her to be waiting at the hotel for him three days after an emergency call-out. And maybe it was unreasonable to expect her to be sitting in the hotel, working on her watercolors—Shae, after all grew up in Montana, and she has adventure in her blood. So of course she’s going to go climb the beautiful Swiss mountains. Even make a friend.

But Ned isn’t thrilled with her new friend, and something about him doesn’t feel safe…

So she’s made some friends while waiting for Ned to return? Shae can’t believe that after years of sacrifice, Ned is actually angry at her—what did he expect, that she’d sit by the window? Dana and his friends are harmless, right?

Not so much. Because when Shae finds herself kidnapped, and brought to Russia, she fears the worst—she’s been swept up in a human trafficking ring. And when she’s sent to, of all places, Siberia how will Ned ever find her?

But Ned isn’t going to lose her—not after everything they’ve been through, and he’ll stop at nothing to rescue her. But when he discovers the real reason she’s been taken, he will have to become a traitor to his country if he wants her back.

Join the epic race to rescue Shae in the high-adrenaline book three in the Minnesota Marshalls series.

The Minnesota Marshalls
Book 1: Fraser
Book 2: Jonas
Book 3: Ned
Book 4: Iris (coming soon)
Book 5: Creed (coming soon)

More Marshall family romantic adventures

The Epic Story of RJ and York
Book 1: Out of the Night
Book 2: I Will Find You
Book 3: No Matter the Cost

The Montana Marshalls
Book 1: Knox
Book 2: Tate
Book 3: Ford
Book 4: Wyatt
Book 5: Ruby Jane

What are you waiting on this week?

Book Spotlight Friday! The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

Book Beginnings and Friday56 Book Beginnings  is a weekly meme hosted by   Rose City Reader  that asks you to share the first sentence (or s...