Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 22
March 21, 2024
Book Blogger Hop: 22-28 March, 2024
The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Billy @ Ramblings or a Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
March 22-28, 2024 Question of the Week:Do you remember your first library visit?
Answer:Not my first visit, no. I do remember in elementary school they used to walk us over to the public library once a month since it was only a few blocks away. The first time was probably when I was in the first grade and I can’t remember the books I picked out or anything, I can just visualize the children’s section of the library. I remember once the school didn’t get us back on time with our books so we all had a 10 cent fine.
Do you remember your first library visit?
March 20, 2024
Time Travel Thursday: 21 March
Time Travel Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Budget Tales Book Blog where readers take a look back at what they were reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…) and compare it to what you are reading now.
21 March 2022
Two years ago today I read Barbarian’s Touch in a single night. It wasn’t one of my favorites of the series but they were all quick reads.
Currently Reading:
I’m about halfway through Murder at the Mena House.
Comparison:You couldn’t get two books that are more different! One is a spicy sci-fi romance set on a far away planet. The other is a cozy mystery set in Egypt in the 1920s. I am enjoying Murder at the Mena House better than Barbarian’s Touch as well.
Have you read either of these books?
Trope Reveal: Fragile Hearts by Catherine Cowles
USA Today bestseller, Catherine Cowles, has revealed the tropes for the first book in the Sparrow Falls Series, Fragile Sanctuary, coming May 16th!
Hate to Love / Enemies to Lovers
Brother’s Best Friend Ex Profiler
Hilarious Grandma
Found Family
Serial Unaliver
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
Belt Scene
Touch Her and Die Vibes Broken Hero
The scowl should’ve been my first clue to stay far away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend? Reasons two and three. Not to mention, he’s the new contractor working on my house.
He’s everything I’m not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack.
Until he sees me shatter.
Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall. And as so-called accidents start plaguing every part of my life, it’s Anson who steps in to keep me safe.
As he does, I can’t help but feel a flicker of heat. And it only takes a single moment for that spark to ignite into flames, engulfing us both.
But Anson’s a man with secrets, and they have a price. When they’re revealed, neither of us will make it out unscathed…
Pre-Order Now ➝ https://geni.us/FragileSanctuaryAmzn
𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://geni.us/FragileSanctuaryPB
𝗔𝗹𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://geni.us/FragileSanctuarySEPB
𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄/𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀: https://geni.us/FragileSanctuaryHC
About Catherine CowlesWriter of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she’s not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
Connect with CatherineAmazon: https://amzn.to/2IEQXSw
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Lc4mU0
Twitter: https://twitter.com/catherinecowles
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2RFY7Jv
Instagram: http://bit.ly/31TE3rJ
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2xdUZLn
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2J3dWWF
Website: https://www.catherinecowles.com/
Stay up to date with Catherine by joining her mail list:
March 19, 2024
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Granite Harbor
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.
Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols
Thriller, Standalone
eBook, Hardcover, 320 pages
April 30, 2024 from Celadon Books
Blurb:A small town in coastal Maine is under threat from a serial killer in this crime novel from Peter Nichols – bestselling author of The Rocks
In scenic Granite Harbor on the coast of Maine, life has continued on–quiet and serene–for decades. That is until a local teenager’s body is found brutally murdered and hung in The Settlement, the town’s historic archaeological site. The way the body is displayed, hung from a handmade wooden structure, and the singular gruesome clue left inside the corpse, signal that this might not have been the killer’s first victim.
Alex Brangwen is adjusting to life as a single father and the town’s sole detective after a failed career as a novelist. This is his first murder case, and as both a parent and detective, Alex knows the people of Granite Harbor are looking to him to catch the killer and temper the fear that has descended over the town. But his skills as a detective are rudimentary, and he worries that they are more novelist’s intuition than investigator’s expertise.
Isabel, a single mother attempting to support her family while healing from her own demons, finds herself in the middle of the case when she begins working at The Settlement. Her son Ethan, and Alex’s daughter Sophie, were best friends with the victim. When another teenager is found murdered, the body left with the same gruesome detail, both parents are terrified that their child may be next.
As Alex and Isabel race to find the killer in their midst, the town’s secrets, past and present, begin bubbling to the surface, threatening to unravel the tight-knit community. At once a page-turning thriller and a captivating portrait of the social fabric of a small town, Granite Harbor evokes the place and atmosphere of a Jane Harper mystery with a terrifying villain reminiscent of Thomas Harris’s Buffalo Bill.
Why I Want to Read This Book:You can imagine with an upcoming trip to Maine coming up this fall, I’m definitely in the mood to read books set there. I’m intrigued by the historical archaeological site and the killer sounds downright chilling. I also find it interesting that the detective is a “failed” novelist – I think that might make him even more dimensional as a main character. I might save this one for my fall trip to New England and read it on the plane if I can make myself wait!
Will you be checking this one out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
March 17, 2024
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 18 March 2024
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
Last Week I Read:No Strangers Here by Carlene O’Connor
I enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to the other book I picked up by this author. I liked that there was a little humor mixed in with the thriller. Kerrygold Irish Butter and a rabbit stuck in a vase… 
I love, love, loved this one! It was so addictive I ended up listening to it over 3 nights.
This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer
If you like horror, you have to read this book! A wonderful debut!
Currently Reading:Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth NeubauerI’m about 75 pages into this one and loving it. I like the setting and the main character! I’m excited to see where this one goes and can already tell I will continue the series.
Next Read: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
My last audiobook borrow of the month, this will be my next audiobook listen that I plan to start tomorrow.
What are you reading this week? Do you ever buy books in multiple formats (physical and audiobook for example like I did with The New Couple in 5B)?
Weekend Review: Stacking the Shelves and The Sunday Post
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Book Opportunity, Get Togethers, and St. Patrick’s DayHey Bookdragons! Happy Sunday! How was your week?
Tuesday we reached the lower 70s and it was such a gorgeous day I took a drive down to an indie bookstore an hour from my house. While I was paying for the horror novel I was buying I got to talking about my own books and the employee told me I should bring a copy of one of my books in and they might want to stock it.
Thursday I met with a few of my mom’s friends for an early St. Patrick’s Day dinner out (and since I’m pescatarian I stuck to just grilled cheese instead of corned beef). It was nice to have a meal with someone again since I’ve been solo since my mom passed in August except for a work lunch last month.
Also, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! The police department in the neighboring town that goes all out for the holiday had quite the eventful night last night from what I could hear listening to the sheriff’s department’s channel at work last night. I’m going to see if I can snag a leftover load of soda bread from the grocery store this afternoon and call it a day
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 11 March 2024
Cover Reveal: Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
I skipped Time Travel Thursday due to not having an active book on March 14th in the past 2 years. I also skipped Book Blogger Hop.
Stacking the Shelves (below in joint post)
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 18 March 2024
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Granite Harbor (rescheduled from last week due to cover reveal)
Time Travel Thursday (if I have a book for that date)
Book Blogger Hop: Do you remember your first library visit?
Stacking the Shelves
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.
Physical:I picked up a physical copy of The New Couple in 5B as I was finishing up the audiobook because I loved it so much.
This Wretched Valley was the book I was buying at that indie bookstore and I already devoured it! It was such a fantastic eerie read! If you like horror this is a must.
What books did you add to your shelves last week?
March 13, 2024
Cover Reveal: Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
USA Today bestseller, Catherine Cowles, has revealed the covers for the first book in the Sparrow Falls Series, Fragile Sanctuary, coming May 16th!
Pre-Order Now ➝ https://geni.us/FragileSanctuaryAmzn
Cover Design by Hang Le
Photography by Madison Maltby
Blurb:The scowl should’ve been my first clue to stay far away from Anson Hunt. The sexy smirk and the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend? Reasons two and three. Not to mention, he’s the new contractor working on my house.
He’s everything I’m not: grumpy, rude, and more than a little attached to his solitude. It doesn’t matter how many times I try to kill him with kindness; the man simply won’t crack.
Until he sees me shatter.
Because when my world comes crashing down around me, Anson is the one catching me as I fall. And as so-called accidents start plaguing every part of my life, it’s Anson who steps in to keep me safe.
As he does, I can’t help but feel a flicker of heat. And it only takes a single moment for that spark to ignite into flames, engulfing us both.
But Anson’s a man with secrets, and they have a price. When they’re revealed, neither of us will make it out unscathed…
March 10, 2024
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 11 March 2024
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
Hey Book Blogger Friends! Happy Monday! I’ve been busy reading the last week and a half and now I’m spending a couple days relaxing, reading, and binging movies.
Recently I Read:Anna of Kleve: The Princess in the Portrait by Alison Weir
As predicted, this was my favorite of the series. I just loved Anna’s story so much.
In the Hall With the Knife by Diana Peterfreund
I once again enjoyed my reread of this one. I’ll have to finish my reread of the next two soon.
Katheryn Howard: The Scandalous Queen by Alison Weir
I enjoyed this one and felt sorry for Katheryn (unlike her cousin Anne Boleyn). She was very much a young girl preyed upon and used by people she was supposed to trust and it ended tragically for her.
One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon
I picked this one up at a cozy mystery author event on the 3rd. Sadly Lynn was sick and unable to leave the hotel to attend but her books were available. I enjoyed this one and will continue the series in time.
Katharine Parr: The Sixth Wife by Alison Weir
After an intense 6 weeks in saying goodbye to the Six Tudor Queens series, still as obsessed as ever though. Sadly Katharine Parr’s story was my least favorite. There was such a small window of her life with Henry VIII and neither the dragging earlier section of her life before marrying Henry VII nor the year and change after he died held my interest too much.
Currently Reading:No Strangers Here by Carlene O’ConnorI’m just starting this one and I’m excited. It’s another book I picked up at the Cozy Mystery book event. I did get to meet Carlene and she was so nice!
Next Read:The New Couple in 5B by Lisa UngerThis is my next audiobook borrow from my library’s Hoopla system. I’m really looking forward to this one.
What are you reading this week? Have you read any of these?
March 9, 2024
The Sunday Post: All Systems Go, An Unknown Illness, and Cozy Con
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
All Systems Go, An Unknown Illness, and Cozy ConHey Book Blogger Friends! How have the past two weeks been? I didn’t post last weekend due to a mixture of fatigue, not feeling well, and a busy weekend.
On the 27th our new system at work went live. We’re still slowly getting the hang of it and I’m waiting for the day where everything just works and I stop getting a dozen emails with conflicting information.
On March 1st I came down with what I believed to be food poisoning. I thought it had passed on Saturday then on Sunday night into Monday morning I started feeling sick again and it’s been on and off all week. I hope I feel better going into this coming week.
I was well enough last Sunday to attend Cozy Con put on by Kensington Publishing at O’so Brewing Company in Plover, Wisconsin. I got to meet 9 cozy mystery authors, got a bunch of books, and had a lot of fun.
Emmeline Duncan and me!
Meeting Colleen Cambridge!
With Christin BrecherOn the Blog February 26-March 9, 2024 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 26 February 2024
Can’t Wait Wednesday: The New Couple in 5B
Time Travel Thursday: 29 February
Book Blogger Hop: 8-14 March 2024
Stacking the Shelves: 9 March 2024
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 11 March 2024
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Granite Harbor
Time Travel Thursday: 14 March
Book Blogger Hop: On average, how long do you spend writing a review?
Stacking the Shelves: 16 March 2024
Around the Book Blogging World:Nothing this Week!
March 8, 2024
Stacking the Shelves – 9 March 2024
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.
Books Added to My Shelves This Week:Last Sunday I attended Cozy Con hosted by Kensington Books and an independent bookstore in Stevens Point, Wisconsin – Bound to Happen Books at O’so Brewing Company. In attendance were 9 cozy mystery authors (there were supposed to be 10 but Lynn Cahoon was sick and unable to attend). Needless to say, I had a big haul!
Physical: Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah
Mischief Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein
Murder in an Irish Village by Carlene O’Connor
No Strangers Here by Carlene O’Connor
Murder’s No Votive Confidence by Christin Brecher
15 Minute of Flame by Christin Brecher
One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon
Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer
Flat White Fatality by Emmeline Duncan
Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge
Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
I had a notification on my kindle that this had recently released. I met Nicky through Twitter over a year ago and I’m looking forward to reading this one.
What books did you add to your shelves this week?
