Michelle's Empty Nest’s Comments (group member since Oct 31, 2021)

Michelle's Empty Nest’s comments from the Hooked on Books group.

Prompt Name / #: Romances #5





Two From the Heart
Published: April 2017


From the #1 bestselling author of Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas and Sundays at Tiffany's, two heartwarming tales about the power of a good story to open our eyes to life's possibilities.

Anne McWilliams has lost everything. After her marriage falls apart and a hurricane destroys her home she realizes that her life has fallen out of focus. So she takes to the road to ask long lost friends and strangers a simple question: "What's your best story?" Can the funny, tragic, inspirational tales she hears on her journey help Anne see what she's been missing?

Tyler Bron seemingly has it all - a successful company and more money than he knows how to spend. But he has no life. So he hires a struggling novelist to write one for him. There are no limits to the fictional world that Bron's money can transform into a reality, and he soon becomes the protagonist of a love story beyond his wildest imagination. But will Tyler Bron be able to write the happy ending himself?


Complete ONE of the following:

1. Read a book with an MPG of CONTEMPORARY.
2. Read a book published in April of any year.
3. Read a book where a natural disaster of some kind occurs.
4. Read any James Patterson novel.

Prompt Name / #: Romances #1





Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas
Published: January 2001


Beautifully captures the joys of a new family as it builds to an overwhelmingly moving climax. This is an unforgettable love story, at once heartbreaking and full of hope.

James Patterson has written a love story!--a powerfully moving and suspenseful novel about families, loss, new love, and hope.

Katie Wilkinson has found her perfect man at last. He's a writer, a house painter, an original thinker--everything she's imagined she wanted in a partner. But one day, without explanation, he disappears from her life, leaving behind only a diary for her to read.

This diary is a love letter written by a new mother named Suzanne for her baby son, Nicholas. In it she pours out her heart about how she and the boy's father met, about her hopes for marriage and family, and about the unparalleled joy that having a baby has brought into her life. As Katie reads this touching document, it becomes clear that the lover who has just left her is the husband and father in this young family. She reads on, filled with terror and hope, as she struggles to understand what has happened--and whether her new love has a prayer of surviving.

Written with James Patterson's perfect pitch for emotion and suspense, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas captures beautifully the joys of a new family as it builds to an overwhelmingly moving climax. This is an unforgettable love story, at once heartbreaking and full of hope.


Complete ONE of the following:

1. Read a book with an MPG of ROMANCE.
2. Read a book where someone writes in a diary or journal.
3. Read a book where the author's FIRST initial is found in SUZANNE and the LAST initial is found in NICHOLAS.
4. Read any James Patterson novel.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #71: Two-Buck Chuck





Two-Buck Chuck once won a top wine award.


Trader Joe's 2002 Charles Shaw Shiraz beat out 2,300 other wines to win a prestigious double gold medal at the 28th Annual International Eastern Wine Competition, so don't feel bad stocking up on the bargain brand.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🤑 1. Read a book with rhyming words in the title.
🤑 2. Read a book published in 2002.
🤑 3. Read a book where a store of any type is mentioned.
🤑 4. Read a book with a 2 and an 8 in the publication date.

Way to go!





Impressive, Richard!


Sammy...lick, lick, lick! 🤣

Prompt Name / #: Romances #4





The Christmas Wedding
Published: October 2011


The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill's wedding. Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby's four children have drifted apart, each consumed by the turbulence of their own lives. They haven't celebrated Christmas together since their father's death, but when Gaby announces that she's getting married -- and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day -- she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays.

But the wedding isn't Gaby's only surprise--she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever. With deeply affecting characters and the emotional twists of a James Patterson thriller, The Christmas Wedding is a fresh look at family and the magic of the season.


Complete ONE of the following:

1. Read a book published in October of any year.
2. Read a book with something related to a wedding/bride on the cover.
3. Read a book where a spouse dies.
4. Read any James Patterson novel.

Prompt Name / #: Thrillers #35





The House Next Door
Published: January 2019


THE WORLD'S #1 BESTSELLING WRITER - 3 pulse-pounding thrillers in 1 book!

The House Next Door (with Susan DiLallo): Married mother of three Laura Sherman was thrilled when her new neighbor invited her on some errands. But a few quick tasks became a long lunch-and now things could go too far with a man who isn't what he seems....

The Killer's Wife (with Max DiLallo): Four girls have gone missing. Detective McGrath knows the only way to find them is to get close to the suspect's wife...maybe too close

We. Are. Not. Alone (with Tim Arnold): The first message from space. It will change the world. It's first contact. Undeniable proof of alien life. Disgraced Air Force scientist Robert Barnett found it. Now he's the target of a desperate nationwide manhunt-and Earth's future hangs in the balance.


Complete ONE of the following:

1. Read a book with an MPG of SHORT STORIES.
2. Read a book with windows on the cover.
3. Read a book published in January of any year.
4. Read any James Patterson novel.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #34: Mouse Speed





The speed of a computer mouse is measured in "Mickeys."


A British scientist first invented the roller-ball device in 1946 while working for the Royal Navy, but the word "mouse" didn't get coined until 1965.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🖱 1. Read a book published or set between 1946 and 1965.
🖱 2. Read a book with a scientist character.
🖱 3. Read a book with the word MOUSE found in the text.
🖱 4. Read a book that seemed to speed by.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #34: Mouse Speed





The speed of a computer mouse is measured in "Mickeys."


A British scientist first invented the roller-ball device in 1946 while working for the Royal Navy, but the word "mouse" didn't get coined until 1965.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🖱 1. Read a book published or set between 1946 and 1965.
🖱 2. Read a book with a scientist character.
🖱 3. Read a book with the word MOUSE found in the text.
🖱 4. Read a book that seemed to speed by.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #24: Giant Pumpkin Kayaking





Giant Pumpkin Kayaking is quite simply the sport of kayaking inside of a giant, hollowed-out pumpkin.


The most famous race takes place on Lake Pesaquid in Nova Scotia at the annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta. The course is a half-mile long and competitors often decorate their pumpkins with paint and flags.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🎃 1. Read a book set at least partially in Canada.
🎃 2.Read a book with all the letters of KAYAK in the title. {2 As, 2 Ks}
🎃 3. Read a book with something painted or flags on the cover.
🎃 4. Read a book with the word PUMPKIN found in the text.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #24: Giant Pumpkin Kayaking





Giant Pumpkin Kayaking is quite simply the sport of kayaking inside of a giant, hollowed-out pumpkin.


The most famous race takes place on Lake Pesaquid in Nova Scotia at the annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta. The course is a half-mile long and competitors often decorate their pumpkins with paint and flags.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🎃 1. Read a book set at least partially in Canada.
🎃 2.Read a book with all the letters of KAYAK in the title. {2 As, 2 Ks}
🎃 3. Read a book with something painted or flags on the cover.
🎃 4. Read a book with the word PUMPKIN found in the text.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #24: Giant Pumpkin Kayaking





Giant Pumpkin Kayaking is quite simply the sport of kayaking inside of a giant, hollowed-out pumpkin.


The most famous race takes place on Lake Pesaquid in Nova Scotia at the annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta. The course is a half-mile long and competitors often decorate their pumpkins with paint and flags.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🎃 1. Read a book set at least partially in Canada.
🎃 2.Read a book with all the letters of KAYAK in the title. {2 As, 2 Ks}
🎃 3. Read a book with something painted or flags on the cover.
🎃 4. Read a book with the word PUMPKIN found in the text.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #24: Giant Pumpkin Kayaking





Giant Pumpkin Kayaking is quite simply the sport of kayaking inside of a giant, hollowed-out pumpkin.


The most famous race takes place on Lake Pesaquid in Nova Scotia at the annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta. The course is a half-mile long and competitors often decorate their pumpkins with paint and flags.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🎃 1. Read a book set at least partially in Canada.
🎃 2.Read a book with all the letters of KAYAK in the title. {2 As, 2 Ks}
🎃 3. Read a book with something painted or flags on the cover.
🎃 4. Read a book with the word PUMPKIN found in the text.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #24: Giant Pumpkin Kayaking





Giant Pumpkin Kayaking is quite simply the sport of kayaking inside of a giant, hollowed-out pumpkin.


The most famous race takes place on Lake Pesaquid in Nova Scotia at the annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta. The course is a half-mile long and competitors often decorate their pumpkins with paint and flags.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🎃 1. Read a book set at least partially in Canada.
🎃 2.Read a book with all the letters of KAYAK in the title. {2 As, 2 Ks}
🎃 3. Read a book with something painted or flags on the cover.
🎃 4. Read a book with the word PUMPKIN found in the text.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #10: National Animal of Scotland





The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland.


Yes, although it's a fabled creature, the national animal of Scotland is actually the mythical unicorn — chosen because of its association with dominance and chivalry as well as purity and innocence in Celtic mythology. BRB, moving to Scotland real quick.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🦄 1. Read a book set in Scotland.
🦄 2. Read a book with all the letters of UNICORN found in the title.
🦄 3. Read a book tagged MYTHOLOGY any number of times.
🦄 4. Read a book where the author's first initial is NOT found in CELTIC.

Prompt Name / #: Thrillers #44





The Summer House
Published: June 2020


One historic lake house. Seven murder victims. Four accused Army Rangers. Two versions of the truth.

Only one can survive.

Sullivan County, Georgia, belongs to Sheriff Emma Williams. But not when Army Rangers posted to the local base are implicated in a major crime. To an elite team of investigators led by Major Jeremiah Cook, the physical evidence Williams swears by presents clues to an entirely different story. The small-town sheriff has never worked a multiple homicide, and Cook knows it. Unless he can convince the locals that the recent crimes are part of a larger mystery, this outsider may never unlock the century of secrets hidden inside The Summer House.


Complete ONE of the following:

1. Read a book with any light source on the cover.
2. Read a book set in Georgia in the U.S.
3. Read a book that you also used for one of Angie's challenges.
4. Read any James Patterson novel.

Prompt Name / #: Thrillers #34





Juror #3
Published: September 2018


Ruby Bozarth, a newcomer to Rosedale, Mississippi, is also fresh to the Mississippi Bar -- and to the docket of Circuit Judge Baylor, who taps Ruby as defense counsel in a racially charged felony.

The murder of a woman from one of the town's oldest families has Rosedale's upper crust howling for blood, and the prosecutor is counting on Ruby's inexperience to help him deliver a swift conviction. Ruby's client is a college football star who has returned home after a career-ending injury, and she is determined to build a defense that will stick. She finds help in unexpected quarters from Suzanne, a hard-charging attorney armed to the teeth, and Shorty, a diner cook who knows more than he lets on.
Ruby never belonged to the country-club set, but once she nearly married into it. As news breaks of a second murder, Ruby's ex-fiancé, Lee Greene, shows up on her doorstep -- a Southern gentleman in need of a savior. As lurid, intertwining investigations unfold, no one in Rosedale can be trusted, especially the twelve men and women impaneled on the jury. They may be hiding the most incendiary secret of all.


Complete ONE of the following:

1. Read a book with a number in the title.
2. Read a book set in the southern U.S.
3. Read a book where the MC's first initial is found in UPPER CRUST.
4. Read any James Patterson novel.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #22: The Oscars





The Oscars used to give out an award to child performers.


The award show discontinued the Academy Juvenile Award in 1960 after famous names like Shirley Temple and Judy Garland nabbed the honor. Also no longer on the ballot? Best Dance Direction and Best Title Writing.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🏆 1. Read a book with something gold on the cover.
🏆 2. Read a book that has won an award.
🏆 3. Read a book where the title starts with a letter in OSCARS.
🏆 4. Read a book where a character acts, dances, or writes.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #22: The Oscars





The Oscars used to give out an award to child performers.


The award show discontinued the Academy Juvenile Award in 1960 after famous names like Shirley Temple and Judy Garland nabbed the honor. Also no longer on the ballot? Best Dance Direction and Best Title Writing.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🏆 1. Read a book with something gold on the cover.
🏆 2. Read a book that has won an award.
🏆 3. Read a book where the title starts with a letter in OSCARS.
🏆 4. Read a book where a character acts, dances, or writes.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #22: The Oscars





The Oscars used to give out an award to child performers.


The award show discontinued the Academy Juvenile Award in 1960 after famous names like Shirley Temple and Judy Garland nabbed the honor. Also no longer on the ballot? Best Dance Direction and Best Title Writing.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🏆 1. Read a book with something gold on the cover.
🏆 2. Read a book that has won an award.
🏆 3. Read a book where the title starts with a letter in OSCARS.
🏆 4. Read a book where a character acts, dances, or writes.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #15: Chess Boxing





Unsurprisingly, Chess Boxing involves both the classic game of chess and the popular sport of boxing.


The competitors alternate between 5 rounds of boxing and 6 rounds of chess for a total of 11 rounds, each lasting 3-minutes. The game was inspired by a French comic and invented by Dutch artist Lepe Rubingh.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🥊 1. Read a book where a character plays chess or another board game.
🥊 2. Read a book that has a French or a Dutch translation.
🥊 3. Read a book with an MPG of HUMOR or COMEDY.
🥊 4. Read a book with the word boxing {can also be box, boxes, boxed, etc.} found in the text.