HAPPILY EVER AFTER discussion
WHAT ARE YOU READING THESE DAYS?
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What are you reading these days?
Mod
That's great. Hope you enjoy them when you get a chance to read them. My favourites from all the books I've read by her so far are the first two books of the Texas Rangers series and the three books of the Forgotten Files series.
Here is my 4.55 rounded to 5 stars review of Random in Death
by J.D. Robb:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Near-Future Police Procedural / Romantic Suspense
It is amazing that after fifty-eight books this author can still use prose to elicit a strong emotional response from readers. The novel has a deeply involved plot that is thought-provoking and tragic. Robb is an excellent storyteller who combines a creative plot with suspenseful scenes, lots of solid police investigation, and some action.
Here is my 3.12 rounded to 3 stars review of Secretly Yours
by Tessa Bailey:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Romantic Comedy
Opposites Attract
This is a funny and light read with several steamy scenes and well-developed characters. My main quibbles are that I wanted more tension and obstacles as well as some of the actions of Tessa were improper and unprofessional. Overall, this is an entertaining and light book, but not very memorable.
Here is my 4.07 rounded to 4 stars review of Wild Magic
by Alexandra Ivy:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
urban fantasy, paranormal mystery, paranormal romantic suspense
Overall, this novel was a fast-paced and entertaining tale with great characterization that kept me engaged throughout the story. My biggest quibble is that I wanted to know more about the Gyre. I felt the worldbuilding concerning it was insufficient.
Here is my 3.13 rounded to 3 stars review of The Store
by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Disappointing
Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of The End
by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Military Thriller Novella
Dynamic Plot
Immense amount of conflict
Mod
Ramla Zareen wrote: "I'm reading the Tracy Crosswhite series by Robert Dugoni. I'm currently on book 4: The Trapped Girl. So far I'm enjoying it :-)"I love that series. I need to get current on it.
Mod
Yes, it's good :-) I finished the fourth book and enjoyed it as much as I did the first three. I'm now starting the fifth book: Close to Home.
**
Holiday-themed books Scrooge-ish and Naughty-ish by L.B. Dunbar, from her Holiday Hotties series.
Both feature women in their late 30s/early 40s finding love with hot firemen in town. I like Dunbar's books, but sometimes wish the heroines weren't so down on themselves -- though, I did enjoy both stories overall.
The second, Naughty-ish, had a great Christmas "DO" list. The heroine had just gotten divorced and forced to move into a smaller house with her kids. She wasn't in the holiday mood, but made a list of things to do for herself and her kids. Her (hottie) neighbor helped her change her list and her attitude...
*
*
*
*
*
*
She later added...
* Build a home (full of traditions)
* Love your family
* Be happy and better
The title of the book comes from her want to be a bit naughty (Naughty-ish). Her hero-next-door was all too willing to help her with her entire list. He's the one who helped her reset her holiday priorities.
Just getting to today's e-mail... This was in a newsletter I get from Tonya Kappes.Are you a voracious romance reader? For one day only, stuff your Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple Books or Google Play ebook reader with 1000+ free romance reads!!!
https://www.romancebookworms.com/
Happy hunting!
Here is my 2.89 rounded to 3 stars review of The Busy Body
by Kemper Donovan:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Light and entertaining mystery
Somewhat slow-paced
Those who love Agatha Christie's novels will likely enjoy this one.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Pam—this is great. Thank you for sharing it and also thanks for helping me discover wonderful books over the past few years :-)
Everyone—HAPPY NEW YEAR :-)
I'm reading In Her Tracks by Robert Dugoni.
It's the eight book in his Tracy Crosswhite series. So far I'm enjoying it.
Here's an excerpt:
*******
Maybe she couldn't save them all.
Maybe she couldn't find justice for them all, or for their families.
But maybe she could find justice for one. And wasn't that better than not even trying?
She could live with failure. She couldn't live with regret.
*******
I'm also rereading The Five Find-Outers and Dog series by Enid Blyton with my eleven-year old daughter. Her first language is German but she agreed to read the books in English with me. They started learning English since 3rd grade so she's able to read and follow the stories. It's a joy to revisit my favourite childhood mystery series with her :-)
We're currently reading The Mystery of the Strange Bundle.
It's highly entertaining :-)
Here's my daughter's favourite scene from the book so far:
*******
Fatty was most unfortunate. He opened the front door from inside at exactly the same moment that Mr Goon unlocked it from the outside. Mr Goon stared at Fatty as if a thunderbolt had hit him. His mouth fell open and he went a familiar purple colour. He swallowed hard.
'Good morning, Mr Goon,' said Fatty, smoothly. 'Do come in. I'll shut the door for you.'
Mr Goon stepped in, still wordless. Then he exploded into speech. 'What are you doing here? HERE, in this house that's under police supervision. You want to get locked up, I suppose—being found on enclosed premise, and up to no good, I'll be bound! HO!'
Fatty stepped back out of range of Mr Goon's explosions. 'I heard a kitten mewing here,' he said still politely. 'And being a subscriber to the RSPCA—if you know what that means, Mr Goon—I naturally had to come into the house to find it.'
'Pah!' said Mr Goon, disbelievingly. 'This here house is absolutely empty! I've been through it meself with a tooth-comb already!'
'This 'ere 'ouse hisn't hahsolutely hempty,' said Fatty. 'Dear me, I seem to be getting muddled. Hark, Mr Goon—can't you hear the kitten mewing now?'
'Miaow!' said the kitten, and obligingly crept out from under the hall-stand. It went to Fatty and rubbed affectionately against his legs. Then it looked at Mr Goon, hissed at him and spat.
'Most intelligent behaviour,' observed Fatty. 'I hope you believe in the kitten now, Mr Goon.'
Mr Goon did. He had to. 'Take it away and take yourself off too,' he said to Fatty. 'I've work to do here. And keep out of this, see?'
'You'll be careful of the dog here, won't you, Mr Goon?' said Fatty. 'I'm not quite sure where it is—you may possibly hear it growling somewhere, and trace it by that.'
'There's no dog here,' said Mr Goon, stalking past Fatty. 'A kitten I might have missed, being so small like, but not a dog. What do you take me for?'
'It would be better not to tell you,' murmured Fatty. 'Not here, anyway.'
He was just behind the policeman, and it was as well for Mr Goon that he couldn't see the innocent expression on Fatty's face—a look that all his school teachers knew only too well.
A blood-curling growl suddenly came from somewhere in the house. Mr Goon stopped as if he had been shot. 'What's that?' he said.
'Sounded like the dog,' said Fatty. 'What a horrible animal it must be. I think I'll go, Mr Goon, and leave you to tackle him.'
Another growl came from somewhere, and the policeman took two hurried steps backwards, treading heavily on Fatty's foot.
'Ouch!' said Fatty. 'Look out where you're going if you want to walk backwards, Mr Goon. Well—good-bye—I'll leave you now.'
'You come and help me find that dog,' said Mr Goon, changing his mind completely about wanting Fatty to clear off. 'It might want two of us to get him. Funny I didn't see him or hear him when I was here before this morning.'
Fatty grinned behind Mr Goon's broad back. He debated whether to produce another animal noise. This ventriloquism was most useful.
'All right, Mr Goon,' he said. 'If you think it's my duty to stay and help you, I will. I'm always around when duty calls, you know.'
Mr Goon was very thankful. He began to tiptoe forward into the little dining-room. Fatty followed a few paces behind. He suddenly gave a shout that made Goon nearly fall over backwards.
'Look, look—what's that—over there! LOOK OUT!'
Mr Goon was so anxious to get out as well as to look out that he almost fell over Fatty, trying to rush out of the room. Fatty clutched him as he went.
'It's all right! It's all right! I just caught sight of you in that mirror over there, Mr Goon, and it was such a dreadful sight I thought it must be someone lying in wait for us. Gosh, thank goodness it was only your reflection!'
Mr Goon was very angry and very relieved. He glared at Fatty. 'Any more of this funny business,' he began, and then stopped suddenly.
From somewhere behind him came the sound of heavy grunting. Mr Goon swung round at once. 'Did you hear that?' he asked Fatty breathlessly. 'That grunting noise. What was it? It sounded out there in the hall.'
'Yes, it did,' said Fatty, clutching at Mr Goon's arm and making him jump again. 'You go first, Mr Goon. I'm scared.'
So was Mr Goon. He tiptoed into the hall and promptly fell over the kitten which made a dart at him as soon as he appeared. He retreated into the dining-room again, bumping into Fatty. The grunting noise was heard once more, this time sounding further off.
It's a pig!' said Mr Goon, hardly able to believe his ears. 'Sounded upstairs that time. Did you think it was a pig, Frederick?'
The more frightened and puzzled Mr Goon became, the more polite he got. At this rate, thought Fatty, he'll soon be bowing to me every time he speaks! He badly wanted to laugh, but he firmly thrust down the ever-mounting guffaw that wanted to rise up and explode.
'What sort of a fellow was it who lived here, Mr Goon?' asked Fatty, innocently. 'Was he fond of animals? He seems to have kept kittens, and dogs, and pigs, anyway.'
'How was it I didn't see the pig when I was here this morning?' marvelled Goon. 'I turned everything over and looked everywhere for clues. And yet, I didn't see the dog or the pig. Shall we go upstairs to find the pig?'
'Yes. But be careful the dog doesn't rush out at you,' said Fatty. 'You go first, Mr Goon.'
Mr Goon didn't want to go first. He pushed Fatty in front of him, and then immediately wished he hadn't because a deep and ferocious growl came from somewhere behind him. Fatty was certainly practising his new talent well!
And then a new sound came to worry poor Mr Goon. A voice came from somewhere, a groaning voice that said, 'I never did it, I never! Ooooooh! I never did it! Where's my auntie?'
Goon listened, petrified. He began to feel as if he was in a nightmare. He whispered to Fatty, 'There's a man here somewhere! This beats all! We'd better get help. I'm not going to snoop round here with dogs, and pigs, and a man groaning. What's been happening since I was here this morning?'
'Look, you stay here, Mr Goon, and I'll go and get help,' said Fatty, and moved firmly into the hall. But Mr Goon clutched him.
'No, don't leave me here alone. Can't you stay while I get help?'
'Remember your duty, Mr Goon,' said Fatty, solemnly. 'There is something strange here, and it's your duty to examine it. But it's not my duty. I'll go and get help. Good-bye!'
Goon held on to him tightly, and then the voice began again. 'I never did it, I never! Ooooooh! I never did it! Where's my auntie?'
Goon began to shake. 'What's he mean, talking about his auntie?' he whispered. 'Come on, let's go! This is a mad-house, this is.'
'Mr Goon—why not telephone for help!' said Fatty, suddenly catching sight of the telephone in the hall. 'You'd get someone here in a thrice then.'
Mr Goon was so relieved at this bright idea of Fatty's that he almost embraced him. He stumbled to the telephone and dialled a number.
Fatty heard him telephoning to another constable. He tiptoed silently out of the front door, grinning as he heard Goon's agonised voice.
'Send someone up here at once. There's a fierce dog in the house—and a pig—yes, I said a pig—P-I-G. Yes, PIG, you idiot. And a groaning man who wants his auntie. AUNTIE! Yes, I did say auntie. Are you deaf, or something? Well, how do I know why he wants his auntie? No, I'm not daft, but I soon shall be if you don't send someone to this address at once. Yes—I do want help—YES, there IS a dog here—and a pig—and an auntie—no, not an auntie, but a man who wants one. Oh, and there's a kitten too, I forgot to mention that.'
There was a pause as Goon listened to a few remarks from the other end of the telephone. He spluttered into it again.
'Any more sauce from you, Kenton, and I'll report you. I'm NOT having a joke with you. You come up here at once. AT ONCE, do you hear?'
Fatty heard all this and felt that he really must go somewhere and laugh. He tiptoed round to the back of the house where there was a shed he could go into and laugh in peace. He saw the broken casement window, hanging open, as he passed. He thrust his head inside, and sent a terrible growl into the house.
Mr Goon heard it. He looked round, and found that Fatty had gone. He was alone—alone in the house with a host of terrifying things! It was too much for Goon. He fled at top speed out of the front door, and didn't stop running till he came to the bottom of the road.
Fatty heard him go. And then he laughed. How he laughed! It really was the best laugh Fatty had ever had in all his life!
*******
Both my daughter and I laughed like crazy when she read aloud that telephone conversation near the end of the chapter. Lol.
Ramla Zareen wrote: "PamG wrote: "I have finished my Year-in-Review for 2023:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Pam—this is great. Thank you for sharing it and also thanks for helping me discover wonde..."
Thanks for the kind words, Ramla. It means a lot. I've also found some great books from your recommendations. I like the Tracy Crosswhite series and want to get current on it in 2024.
Here is my 4.02 rounded to 4 stars review of The Deceiving Look
by Victor Methos:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Crime and legal thriller
Third book in the series
Overall, this tense, suspenseful, and tragic novel gripped me from the beginning. The author brings strong characters, a great plot, and fascinating relationships to the novel.
Mod
You're welcome Pam.
Very happy to hear that :-)
I hope you get a chance to do that soon. I just finished One Last Kill—the tenth and currently the last book of the series—and it was an enjoyable read.
Mod
Here is my 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review of Northwoods
by Amy Pease:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
!! This is my 500th review that I've written and submitted to NetGalley in just over 4 1/2 years.
Crime Thriller and Police Procedural
The author brings strong characters, a great plot, fascinating relationships, and excellent pacing to the novel.
Mod
by Amy Pease:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
!! This is my 500th review that I've written and submitted to NetGalley in just over 4 1/2 years."
Wow, that's amazing!
Here is my 3.09 rounded to 3 stars review of When Grumpy Met Sunshine
by Charlotte Stein:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Romantic Comedy
Overall, this was a story that quickly drew me into Alfie and Mabel’s world and their journey together. It was an engaging and cute read with plenty of witty banter. The characterization was excellent and the descriptions gave readers an appreciation for their living conditions. However, at 60%, the book went steamy and spicy without advancing the story line much until the last 10%.
Ramla Zareen wrote: "PamG wrote: "Here is my 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review of Northwoods by Amy Pease:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
Thanks, Ramla.
Mod
I'm now going to reread books 1 to 5 of the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti so that I can better enjoy the recently published book 6: Frostbitten.
Ramla Zareen wrote: "I read Fallen by Mia Sheridan. It had Suspense and Mystery and a touch of Paranormal. Creepy at times yet intriguing. Character development and the way the story unfolded was impressive. There was ..."Fallen sounds good. The Deep Ops series is one that I want to read this year.
Here is my 3.52 rounded to 4 stars review of Devils Island
by Midge Raymond and John Yunker:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery
Set in Marbury Island (fictional version of Maria Island) in Tasmania, Australia
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative mystery with a couple of surprising twists and turns. I loved the information about the island, its history, and the wildlife that is on it. There was a lot of tell versus show when it came to information about the characters. Some of the background information seemed unnecessary to the degree that was provided and this adversely affected the pacing.
Here is my 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review of The Clinic
by Cate Quinn:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Psychological thriller
Overall, this engrossing and unsettling thriller has great characterization and world-building and pulls on the heart strings.
Tempted and Taken by Mari Carr from her Italian Stallions series.
As usual when not reading cozies I'm reading romance. This is the sixth book in the series. A prequel interlude, Naughty and Nice, was issued in December to whet our appetites until the couple's full story came out. The December "encounter" was hot! This was good, but -- for me, at least -- was not as good. I love the couple and the story was good, just not as good.
There are two more (I believe) left in this series. I've enjoyed all entries, some more than others. However, all have been good.
Here is my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of Lethal Vengeance
by Robert Bryndza:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural
# 8 in the series
Gripping, Complex, Good characterization, Page-Turner
Here is my 4.36 rounded to 4 stars review of Dead Letter Days
by Kelley Armstrong:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery
Novella
Set between the Rockton and Haven's Rock series
Well-written, entertaining
I've already read book one in the Haven's Rock series and book two is coming up soon when I realized there was a prequel.
Here is my 2.98 rounded to 3 stars review of January Fifteenth
by Rachel Swirsky:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Near future
Universal Basic Income
Switches points of view between four characters
Takes place in one day
Great premise, but didn't deliver everything I expected.
There wasn't a resolution / conclusion to the stories.
Thought-Provoking.
Here is my 3.28 rounded to 3 stars review of Radiant Heat
by Sarah-Jane Collins:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Atmospheric Mystery
Lake Bend, Victoria, Australia
Annoying Main Character
Great World-building
Flashbacks adversely affected the pacing for me despite their importance to the story line. There was little to no warning of the time changes and this became disconcerting at times.
Overall, this engrossing, dark, intense, and unsettling thriller has good characterization, even with a main character that wasn’t extremely likeable, and great world-building while pulling on the heart strings.
Here is my 4.22 rounded to 4 stars review of The Ghost Orchid
by Jonathan Kellerman:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural combined with Psychology
39th book in the series
Here is my 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review of The Tainted Cup
by Robert Jackson Bennett:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fantasy Mystery
Good characterization
Great world-building
Entertaining and fun read
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Books mentioned in this topic
Wild Instinct (other topics)Prowl (other topics)
Remain (other topics)
My Evil Mother (other topics)
Innocence Road (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
T. Jefferson Parker (other topics)Colleen Coble (other topics)
Nicholas Sparks (other topics)
Laura Griffin (other topics)
Fiona Leitch (other topics)
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I've read The Dollmaker, along with the..."
I've read The Shark, but haven't read The Hangman yet. I have several of her other series on my TBR, but haven't gotten to them yet.