I got the idea and the motivation to start doing Tackling The TBR from All The Book Blog Names Are Taken. It has helped me to keep track of my reading shelf as far as current events and I also started doing a post for Books From The Backlog, from Carole’s Random Life in Books, to tidy up my shelves. I feel better about my out of control TBR and have even knocked off a couple of those old ones that had been hanging around for years.
This week I had a hard time concentrating, so I didn’t get much read and I added a few.
I can’t help it . . . from the
extensive decorating (too many orange tubs to count!) to the ghoulish
appetizers (including skull Jell-O molds!) . . . I love it all!! But for sake
of space, I’ll condense my bump in the night and howl at the moon passions into
a list of favorite things.
Tagline: Max and Charlotte return for the explosive conclusion of the “By Moonlight” series . . . and the stakes have never been higher!
Book Description:
He’s the Promised One
A Mobster’s attack dog turned legitimate business powerhouse, Max Savoie is the reluctant leader of New Orleans’ shapeshifter clan. They’ve kept to anonymous shadows, working and living unnoticed by the human world until their new Shifter King’s past draws dangerous outsiders who threaten all.
She’s the Protector
A fiercely determined NOPD detective, Charlotte Caissie has sworn to defend her beloved city and her unborn child from both criminals and otherworldly factions at war. While standing boldly at the side of her mate/husband, secrets from the past return to shake the foundation of her beliefs.
They Have a Problem
Walking a marital tight rope between opposite worlds, Max and Cee Cee’s paths place truth and trust at odds when outside threats force enemies to become allies. The time to take a stand for their family and their future is at hand. Time to rise together for the survival of all they love!
Max hadn’t
visited that dark portion of his past for a very long time. Why now? Because of
the life his mate carried? Or were the dangerous shadows of unfinished business
reaching out from a swampy grave, a reminder of things he’d rather forget?
A rocking
chair’s familiar creak. He tensed and twisted anxiously in the throes of his
dream. Icy fingers of caution and loss clutched his chest as eyes darted behind
closed lids. Unable to deny his desire to look again upon the worn elegance of
his mother’s features, he faced his dread the way he’d addressed his life, with
a cautious, reluctant need to know the truth . . . of who and what he was.
Shadows, like
those long-ago secrets, hung thick, revealing little of the dark head bent over
the child Marie Savoie held in arms both protective and comforting. Max wished
she’d look up to feed time-starved memories, craving the gentle curve of her
smile and loving warmth in her gaze. He settled for the steadying croon of a
voice from the past.
“What is it,
Max? Another bad dream? They can’t harm you.”
As much as he
loved her, then and now, he’d never quite believed that assurance. Bad things
existed beyond the rusty gate imprisoning his youthful curiosity within their
overgrown yard for the first five years of his life. He knew because he was one
of them, a child of the unnatural world. All he’d wanted was to find his place
within it. But his mother had hidden that knowledge from him, just as she’d
kept the outside away for as long as she could
“Mama, what’s
wrong with me?” that small voice sobbed.
The rocker
continued to complain as she stroked the child’s black hair. Her tender gesture
failed to calm either boy or the man he’d become.
“Nothing’s wrong
with you, Max. You’re perfect. They just don’t understand, so they fear you.
That’s why you must be careful to never let them see the truth.”
“What truth?” he’d
pleaded. “Mama, tell me!”
Low and soft,
Max repeated from where he watched, decades away, “Mama, tell me.”
She brushed a
kiss across the top of the child’s flushed brow then slowly straightened,
turning toward Max Savoie, a surreal voyeur from the future she’d never see.
Her gaze swam with tears like liquid silver before flaring bright, then hot.
Then red.
“Max,” she
crooned, “you’re just like me.”
About the Author:
Nancy Gideon is the award-winning bestseller of over 70 romances ranging from historical, Regency, and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal and horror, with a couple of produced screenplays and non-fiction writing books tossed into the mix. Newly retired from 20 years as a legal assistant, she feeds a Netflix addiction along with all things fur, fin, and fowl, and dotes on her grandguy. She’s also written under the pseudonyms Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West, and Lauren Giddings.
Book Title: What’s Not Said by Valerie Taylor Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 316 pages Genre: Women’s Fiction, Chick Lit Publisher: She Writes Press Release date: Sept 15, 2020 Format available for review: print, and NetGalley Download (mobi for kindle, epub, pdf) Will send print books out: USA Tour dates: Sep 28 to Oct 16, 2020 Content Rating: PG-13 + M. WHAT’S NOT SAID is rated
PG-13+M because of four F-words, moderate cussing, two explicit sex
scenes, and a couple of implicit sex scenes.
Book Description:
In WHAT’S NOT SAID, we meet Kassie O’Callaghan, a middle-aged woman who’s on a mission to divorce her emotionally abusive husband and start a new life with a younger man she met while on a solo vacation in Venice. When she learns her husband has chronic kidney disease, her plans collapse until she pokes around his pajama drawer and discovers his illness is the least of his deceits. Then again, Kassie is no angel. As she struggles to justify her own indiscretions, the separate lives they lead collide head-on into a tangled web of sex, lies, and DNA. Still, mindful of her vows, Kassie commits to helping her husband find an organ donor. In the process, she uncovers a life-changing secret. Problem is, if she reveals it, her own immorality will be exposed, forcing her to decide whose life to save—her husband’s or her own.
WHAT’S NOT SAID (She Writes Press) is Valerie Taylor’s debut novel. Its sequel, WHAT’S NOT TRUE (She Writes Press), will be published in the fall of 2021. While WHAT’S NOT SAID is the first installment of a series, it is written and can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Valerie Taylor was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. She earned a B.S. Marketing degree and an MBA from Sacred Heart University, as well as a graduate certificate in health care administration from
Simmons University (formerly Simmons College). She had a thirty-year career in the financial services industry as a marketer and writer. After her divorce, she spread her wings and relocated her career to Boston and then to Seattle. When she retired, she resettled in her home state to be near her two grown children and granddaughter. She’s a published book reviewer with BookTrib.com; and a member of Westport
Writers’ Workshop, Independent Book Publishers Association, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association. She enjoys practicing tai chi and being an expert sports spectator. WHAT’S NOT SAID (She Writes Press) is her debut novel. Its sequel, WHAT’S NOT TRUE (She Writes Press), will be published in the fall of 2021.
Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those
neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything
like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in
your stacks.
What Drives Good People to Do Something Bad? As terrible revelations come to light, four people join together to commit an unspeakable act…
When a member
of the privileged upper class frames a Polish immigrant for a
socialite’s murder in 1920s Akron, the heart-pounding events that follow
lead to a stunning and unexpected conclusion. This gripping tale of
bigotry and class distinctions includes political corruption, greed,
injustice, murder, and betrayal. While Albo Jablonski endures the
atrocious conditions of the state penitentiary, his son Nickels,
daughter Antonia, and their friends Kurt and Charlie are tormented by
the knowledge that he is innocent. Zemsta is a powerful,
character-driven story of three boyhood friends during the tumultuous
days of Prohibition that explores the meaning of friendship, family,
love, and loyalty.
“Brown’s debut novel recounts how a young
woman’s murder affects the lives of childhood friends. But it is the
portrayal of real-world history–the height of Prohibition, the early
days of cinema–that makes the book such a gem. A nostalgic, authentic
novel that charms with its vintage hue.” –Kirkus Reviews
From the Author: Zemsta makes an excellent choice for book clubs. If you are interested in having the author join your book club discussion by Skype, just send a note by e-mail (located in the back of the book) to set it up.
I added Zemsta by Victoria Brown to my Goodreads TBR on 10.12.12, but grabbed it from Amazon on 7.12.12. I always love a good mystery and even though I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, every once in a while it fits the bill. What is your favorite kind of mystery? Historical fiction? Suspense and fiction? Police Procedurals? Cozy Mysteries? Something light or something in the dark and disturbing?
Frozen Crimes is Chrys Fey’s latest novel in the Disaster series. I have been reading her work for years and eagerly pick up her books anticipating a wonderful story.
I love the beautiful cover of Frozen Crimes, done by Kim Mendoza.
I have been through a hurricane, an earthquake, a lightening storm, a tsunami, a fire, and now a blizzard with Beth and Donovan. Chrys Fey does not give them a break, just because Beth is pregnant.
Frozen Crimes has a gorgeous cover and I do love a story that features storms and Mother Nature showing us who is the boss. To know Beth and Donovan’s full story, you need to start at the beginning with Hurricane Crimes.
Chrys Fey dives right into the suspense and I wonder…is it someone we have met before?
Donovan is away on a monster truck tour. He is a driver and loves what he does. He had never planned on marriage, but once he met Beth, he was a goner. She used to travel with him and he missed her terribly. Now that a little one is on the way, he wonders…
Beth is home alone…Oh No. It’s nighttime. There’s a knocking at her bedroom window. She’s no newbie to danger, but being pregnant adds another level of fear. She has no idea that she is being hunted, stalked. In this day and age, it is easy for someone to find you and that in itself is frightening, then we have Beth and Donovan’s story to add to that.
Beth is no stranger to danger, so she started a self defense studio. Thorn, a police officer, is their best friend and has a sweet spot for one her friends who is also an employee. She has her own tragic story to tell and kindred spirits are drawn together. He uses checking on Beth as an excuse to spend time with her.
Beth and Donovan’s love for each other is so sweet. When he took her for a drive on vacation in Michigan, I knew what was coming and I loved it. He is so wonderful with Beth and the small things are very precious to her. I love that they live in Florida, and I too love living in sunny paradise. I was born in Michigan, so them visiting for Christmas and getting caught in a blizzard brings to mind forgotten memories. Deep fried turkey, yeah I’ve had that. I love those little touches that make a book even better to me.
Chrys Fey’s writing flows smoothly, leading me deeper into the story, anticipating something bad coming, just not sure what it is going to be. She does add the good with the bad. She creates suspense and adds some heat to spice things up.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Frozen Crimes by Chris Fey.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
***Frozen Crimes (Disaster Crimes Book 5)***
Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.
Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing.
Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?
MY REVIEW FOR THROUGH THE FURY TO THE DAWN BY STU JONES
Though I am not what I would consider religious, I love to read about angels and demons. I jumped on this series because I have read some of Stu Jones work and loved it. I am looking forward to reading what he says is a story of faith, conviction and redemption.
I can usually go wherever an author wants to take me and was easily lead into this series with Stu Jones’ ability to pen a great story and OMG, I am lost in this world. As I read, the pacing flows like a river and I am along for the ride. The evil is true EVIL and man descends to its basest levels. BUT…
God won’t forget his creation and has a chosen few that will rise to the occasion. Dark and gritty doesn’t begin to describe the levels Stu Jones goes to in order for us to join in the battle of Good vs Evil…and it will be a fight to the death.
Through the Fury to the Dawn reads like an apocalyptic/dystopian, paranormal/supernatural novel, with a heavy dose of religious influence. I immediately began reading Book II, Into the Dark.
All profits are donated to combat sex trafficking.
A huge thank you goes out to Amazon for the two months of free Kindle Unlimited, of which this series is not the only one I was able to finish.
5 Stars
MY REVIEW FOR INTO THE DARK BY STU JONES
I immediately began reading Into The Dark by Stu Jones as soon as I finished the first book in the Action of Purpose series, Through the Fury to the Dawn. I think this could be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend beginning at the beginning.
We start at mourning the loss of someone I will miss dearly, but each character has their role to play and Stu Jones has no qualms about killing them off for the good of the story…and it definitely creates some emotional backlash for me.
We get an indepth look at some of the characters and how they came to be who they are.
Life has changed drastically since the destruction caused by WWIII.
Unputdownable! The nail biting, spine tingling suspense made me unable to stop fretting, racing through the pages. Bodies falling in grotesque manners, the sick, Malak, who is much more than a man of evil, Kane, Courtland, Jenna, Tynuk and Az….
I love the blend of genres and was amazed at how easily it was for me to accept the religious angle because it fits so well.
OMG. I had tears in my eyes as the brutal battles rage through the pages, losing some of those I have come to care for deeply. I love a series that maintains the same level of intensity throughout. It doesn’t happen often. Kudos Stu. Keep up the great work. AND…I’ll be checking out Book III right now.
5 Stars
MY REVIEW FOR AGAINST THE FADING BY STU JONES
Each book of the Action of Purpose series begins where the previous book left of. With that being said, I am all in and can hardly wait to get to the conclusion and find out what happens to all my friends.
In Against the Fading Light, Tynuk’s story is told and I love this young man. He is a believer, never wavering.
Kane and the gang are what family is all about, though they are not related.
As the showdown approaches, God’s talking and the angels are listening.
I AM LOVING THIS SERIES. I am not religious, don’t go to church, but this story and Stu Jones’ ability to tell it has blown me away. Amazing, awesome, uplifting, hopeful, heartbreaking, devastating…
I must warn you…put aside some time, because once you start reading about this battle between good and evil, you won’t be able to stop! The ending was all I could hope for and he kept me entranced, riveted, unable to quit until the last page was read.
Old Saint Nick is missing, sparking shenanigans in the town of Santa Claus.
Private Eye Nala Bonne and her trusty crime-fighting rescue dog Max spend their days surfing social media for telltale signs of disability fraud and philandering husbands, but when a lucrative opportunity to investigate something entirely different, Nala readily agrees to take the case.
The task: find a missing Santa impersonator
Unfortunately for her, someone is dead set against the search and will stop at nothing to drive Nala and Max out of town before their search even begins.
Can this dynamic duo locate the missing Santa before it’s too late?
M. K. Scott is the husband and wife writing team behind The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries. Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities. The Internet and experts in the field provide forensic information, while the recipes and B and B details require a more hands on approach. Morgan’s daughter, who manages a hotel, provides guest horror stories to fuel the plot lines. The couple’s dog, Chance, is the inspiration behind Jasper, Donna’s dog.
Happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Music Monday! Let’s share
some songs we’ve been enjoying lately! If you would like to play,
and I really hope you do, please see the rules and link up below HERE
This is my favorite Fleetwood Mac song. My son and I were lucky to see them in concert in Michigan when he was a youngster. We had a great time and loved singing along.
I got the idea and the motivation to start doing Tackling The TBR from All The Book Blog Names Are Taken. It has helped me to keep track of my reading shelf as far as current events and I also started doing a post for Books From The Backlog, from Carole’s Random Life in Books, to tidy up my shelves. I feel better about my out of control TBR and have even knocked off a couple of those old ones that had been hanging around for years. COME ON….JOIN IN.
Previous Total: 2452
Currently Reading
Books Read
Books Added
All these books were free when I created the post, but be sure and check for the “0”
**images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**
Hello fellow bloggers. I see where Hurricane Delta is going to pass by Pensacola, but smack Lake Charles in the face….again. I feel for them. That being said, the cleanup in the yard is almost done. We have one more stack of tree debris for them to pick up. I will be sharing some photos and videos, so be sure and come on by again soon.
This video was them taking out the oak tree that, luckily, fell between the shed and the fence. Yeah, we need to replace the fence, but the shed is still standing, with some damage. It could have been worse.
My reading mood is low, so I haven’t done much of it and blogging is still…well, I did try and make it by at least a couple of times this week and see what you were up to. I am hoping to shake this lethargy and get going again soon.
Hope you have a good week. Stay safe and I’ll be seeing you.
