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WHAT ARE YOU READING THESE DAYS?
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What are you reading these days?
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Christine
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Aug 13, 2022 04:52PM
I’m reading Never Tell Them: A psychological suspense thriller by N.L. Hinkens
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Here is my 4 star review of Kit McBride Gets a Wife
by Amy Barry.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a historical romance that combines romance and humor in a historical western setting. While the plot is straightforward, the book is full of laugh-out-loud humor as well as some more somber moments. The world-building was great, and the author captured the cultural lifestyles and portrayed them well.
My 4.45 --> rounded to 4 stars review of A Cornish Recipe for Murder
by Fiona Leitch:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fiona Leitch brings a death, a baking show, and some humor to the fifth book in the Nosey Parker cozy mystery series set mainly on the grounds of Boskern House in Cornwall, England. A well-plotted story with characters that feel emotionally rich draws readers in and doesn’t let go until the final word in the book. Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Jodie’s world. It was a fun, appealing and entertaining read with a solid mystery to unravel.
Here is my 3.78 rounded to 4 stars review of Suburban Hell
by Maureen Kilmer:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is what I would call "lite" horror with some dark humor. Overall, this was a well-plotted, moving, and clever story that built momentum, moved well (after the first 3 chapters, created a few startling moments, and built suspense as it moved to its dynamic conclusion and an epilogue that makes one think there will possibly be a second book.
My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review of Dark Memories: A Thrilling Romantic Mystery
by Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. It's a romantic suspense novel with plenty of danger, suspense and romance woven into the story. Overall, it had exciting scenes, compelling, but flawed characters, and some suspenseful moments.
Here is my 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review of A Trip with Trouble: The Mountain Lodge Mysteries
by Diane Kelly:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The setting was perfect for this novel and Ms. Kelly does a great job of transporting readers to the mountains of North Carolina. The story captivated me from the beginning with a good plot, great world-building details, and characters that are emotionally rich.
Here is my 4.72 rounded to 5 stars review of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sangu Mandanna brings warmth, diversity, and humor to a magical realism novel with romance, danger, and suspense. This is a wonderfully executed story with extraordinary and diverse characters and a setting that came alive. My only quibble is that I wanted more suspense in the novel.
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Read the Lana Dash series Bad Bridesmaids. They're all short, fun reads about five women in Vegas for a bachelorette weekend. Stories include a second-chance romance and a friends-to-lovers romance, but the others are insta-loves. The sixth book (02b) involves a woman they cross with in Vegas. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees (2.5-4 stars).
*01 Hot Mess
*02a Party Princess
*02b One Night Only
*03 Maid of Dishonor
*04 Dancing Diva
*05 Runaway Bride
NOTE: book 02b is a BookFunnel freebie for signing up for the author's newsletter
Here is my 3.66 rounded to 4 stars review of Requiem
by David Hodges:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Requiem by David Hodges has since been retitled Revenge on the Levels. It is the second book in the Kate Hamblin Mystery Series. This police procedural is well-done and the author’s experience as a former superintendent with the Thames Valley Police gives it authenticity and results in a realistic read. The plot is dynamic, with lots of suspense incorporated into the police investigation.
Here is my 3.56 rounded to 4 stars review of Court of the Vampire Queen
by Katee Robert:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a steamy / spicy reverse harem paranormal romance that tackles some deeper themes if one reads it in its entirety.
Here is my 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review of A Burning Obsession
by Mike Omer:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is the third and final book in the Abby Mullen crime thriller series. The author knows how to build suspense, develop characters, add action and atmosphere, and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Here is my 3.41 rounded to 3 stars review of Moving Target
by Maggie Clare: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is the fourth book in the Tactical Solutions International Romantic Suspense series. It is entertaining with some suspense and action, a great start, and a good ending. However, after the first chapter, the pacing slowed significantly for five or so chapters.
Here is my 4.19 rounded to 4 stars review of Killers of a Certain Age
by Deanna Raybourn. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Deanna Raybourn brings friendship, humor, danger, and action to this suspenseful thriller featuring four assassins who worked for an international clandestine organization for forty years. They're ready to retire and the company has given hem an all-expenses paid cruise to celebrate. Naturally, things don't go as planned. This story captivated me from the first page with extraordinary characters, travel, brilliant world-building, and exciting scenes interspersed with wit and humor.
Here is my 4.84 rounded to 5 stars review of Desperation in Death
by J.D. Robb:My review
This is the fifty-fifth book in the In Death Eve Dallas series and I have read all of them up to this point. J. D. Robb (pseudonym for Nora Roberts) brings murder, suspense, and anguish to a well-written futuristic police procedural set in New York City during the spring of 2061. Overall, this novel was heartwrenching as well as darker and grittier than usual.
Here is my 3.69 rounded to 4 stars review of Rules of Engagement
by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery.My Review
This romantic suspense / spy thriller is creative and complex, and it will keep readers guessing. High stakes and an all-too-real situation kept me engaged throughout the story. The final chapter takes place four months later and wraps up the loose ends. However, it felt tacked on rather than a smooth continuation of the story.
Here is my 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review of A Death in Door County
by Annelise Ryan.My Review
Unique characters and an intriguing mystery made this a fun cozy mystery.
Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of The Winter Orphans
by Kristin Beck.My Review
This historical fiction novel is largely set in southern France between August 1942 and November 1943. Overall, this was an engaging and emotional story of hope, fear, and bravery in the face in adversity.
Here is my 4.21 rounded to 4 stars review of The Shadow Murders
by Jussi Adler-Olsen.My Review
This police procedural is set in Copenhagen, Denmark and features the cold case division Department Q. Great characterization and a deeply involved plot kept me engaged throughout.
Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of Winter's End
by Paige Shelton.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is the fourth book in the Alaska Wild series. It combines traditional police detective work and amateur sleuthing in a mystery with atmosphere and heart. Overall, this enjoyable mystery was engaging, suspenseful, intriguing, and compulsively readable.
My 3.21 rounded to 3 stars review of The Witch and the Tsar
by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore: My Review
The author weaves a story of light versus darkness that highlights Russian history, mythology, and folktales. The country seemed to come to life in this descriptive tale that has excellent world-building. However, the pacing was slow at times. The narrative is rather straightforward and the plot didn’t have the twists and turns that I expected. However, the historical references to actual people and events added a significant layer of interest to the plot.
Here is my 3.86 rounded to 4 stars review of Mother Daughter Traitor Spy
by Susan Elia MacNeal.My Review
This standalone historical fiction spy novel is inspired by real people and events. Based on a real mother-daughter spy duo, Veronica and Violet are well-developed characters. They seem to be somewhat naïve, but definitely feel a duty to protect democracy and do what is right for the country. Overall, this story is inspiring, well-written, and well-researched and it is a story that will stay with me.
I'm reading the Fortress Defense series by Julie Anne Lindsey these days.
I read the first book: Deadly Cover-Up
and found it quite enjoyable.
I'm now reading the second book: Missing in the Mountains
It hooked me right from the start, and I'm enjoying it even more than the first one :-)
I read the first book: Deadly Cover-Up
and found it quite enjoyable.I'm now reading the second book: Missing in the Mountains
It hooked me right from the start, and I'm enjoying it even more than the first one :-)
Here is my 3.55 star rounded to 4 stars review of Because I Could Not Stop for Death
by Amanda Flower,My Review
This is somewhat darker than most of Amanda Flower's cozy mysteries. This one is a historical mystery that brings great characterization and world-building. Mixing real-life individuals like a young Emily Dickinson and her family with fictional characters such as Willa and Henry made this an engaging historical mystery.
Here is my 3.52 star rounded to 4 stars review of Hell's March
by Taylor Anderson:My Review
This is the second book in the Artillerymen series. It's a mash-up of an alternative earth science fiction historical military thriller. (1847, monstrous animals, Yucatan Peninsula, human sacrifices, war) The author brings amazing world-building and characterization to this action-packed novel.
Here is my 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review of Last Seen Alive
by Carolyn Arnold.My Review
This is the sixth book in the Detective Amanda Steele police procedural series. The prologue and first chapter are dramatic and immediately pulled me into the story.
Here is my 3.12 rounded to 3 stars review of House of Hunger
by Alexis Henderson:My Review
I’ve seen this book classified as historical fantasy and gothic horror. Both are fitting for this tale of wickedness, deceit, lies, and passion. The premise is great, and while there was a sense of potential danger, it didn’t quite create the suspense and sense of urgency that I expected during most of the book.
Here is my 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review of Christmas Wolf Surprise
by Terry Spear:My Review
This is the third book in the Red Wolf paranormal romance series. It's set near Portland, Oregon at Christmas time. It's enjoyable, easy to read, has a quick pace and lots of steam, but it lacks the suspense that some of her other series have.
My 3.93 rounded to 4 stars review of Blackmail and Bibingka
by Mia P. Manansala.My Full Review
Overall, this engaging cozy mystery has great characterization as well as some intense moments that kept me turning the pages. It has a solid plot and is descriptive without slowing down the pace. My one quibble was that the final chapter was somewhat rushed and was more telling than showing.
Here is my 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review of Murder at Haven's Rock
by Kelley Armstrong.My Full Review
Overall, this is well-written and entertaining with a solid mystery and complex characters set in an off-the-grid sanctuary town that is under construction. An intriguing start quickly accelerates as the plot develops and Casey’s investigation takes off.
I finished Vanishing Hour
by Laura Griffin.Overall, this engaging and entertaining romantic suspense has wonderful characterization, a little spice, and some great action.
My 4.21 rounded to 4 stars full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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