Y is for You Can Run by Willow Rose @MadamWillowRose

Posted on December 13, 2019 by fundinmental

Woo Hoo! This is my Y for the Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge and will wrap it up, completed. I had this on my Kindle and have been working my way through a bunch of Willow Rose’s books I received for free. If you join her newsletter, she shares a lot of her books on for free on Amazon. I love her work, so if you are looking for some great mystery/thrill reads, give her a try.

She has some great covers too. This is the Goodreads cover, but right below it is the Amazon cover, which I like even more.

You Can Run: A heart gripping, fast paced thriller (Mary Mills Mystery Book 2) by [Rose, Willow]

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Willow Rose is one of my go to authors. I love her work and am so happy to be with her fabulous characters, waiting to see what badness will befall them. I hope you enjoy the RUN.

We begin all over the place as we learn about the characters, flipping back and forth between them, getting their thoughts and feelings first hand.

I was just strolling along until…the open back door of Kelly’s house.

I say yes to the dark side of an author’s imagination!

Cast of characters:

Marcia: a schizophrenic
Mark: Marcia’s son
Mary: Marcia’s friend, and if I am ever in trouble, I would love to have her by my side
Harry: who is he…really?
Peter: has Cerebral Palsy
Kelly: is someone stalking her?

I purposely left out one character, because I want you to meet him for yourself.

Each chapter is told from a character’s point of view. I do like getting the lowdown straight from the horse’s mouth. I feel I get to know them better.

I do wonder how they all will come together. What do they have in common? I know Willow Rose has something in mind, because she always has a diabolical plot brewing, never giving her characters on easy ride. I’m at 44% and I am finding answers to SOME of my questions.

Willow Rose deals with some sensitive issues in a positive, yet at times, cruel way, which comes across as reality. The character of Peter Elingston, cerebral palsy, is true. Google it if you want to know more.

I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be, trapped in your own mind. This applies to Marcia and Peter. It may break your heart, but it left me feeling better when all was said and done. No matter how bad things got, Willow Rose ends it on a positive note.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

It’s not the kind of thing you’d expect to happen on an ordinary Saturday morning.

Her kids are arguing and her husband is still sleeping. Lisa is tired and wonders why her husband keeps working late. Is he having an affair? Is it the same girl as last time?

Lisa’s teenage daughter is acting up, and just as Lisa is about to walk up to her room and tell her who’s the boss around here, she feels the cold steel of a gun pressed against her cheek, while a hand covers her mouth.

Years later, it remains a mystery. Who killed Lisa’s family after holding them captive for twenty-four terrifying hours in their own house?

Mary Mills is enjoying her new life in Cocoa Beach. She is back with her husband Joey and the rest of the 7th Street Crew that she grew up with. She is writing a blog and doing pretty well for herself when she realizes one of her best friends, Marcia is in serious trouble.

It is well known within the crew that Marcia likes to drink a lot, but things are getting worse. Marcia is deep in over her head and she risks losing her children. Soon Mary realizes that maybe she doesn’t know her old friend as well as she thought.

It is said that a friend will help you if you’re knocked down, while a real friend says, “Stay down; I’ve got this.”

Will Mary be able to live up to this? Will she be able to help Marcia, to save her before it is too late? Does she want to after she digs deeper into Marcia’s story and finds out who she really is?

ABOUT WILLOW ROSE

TheQueen of Scream aka Willow Rose is a #1 Amazon Best-selling Author and an Amazon ALL-star Author of more than 60 novels. She writes Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense, Horror, Supernatural thrillers, and Fantasy. Willow’s books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won’t see coming. Several of her books have reached the Kindle top 10 of ALL books in the US, UK, and Canada. She has sold more than three million books. Willow lives on Florida’s Space Coast with her husband and two daughters. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watch the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

MY REVIEWS FOR WILLOW ROSE

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Giveaway – The Fixer by Jill Amy Rosenblatt @JillARosenblatt @partnersincr1me

Posted on December 13, 2019 by fundinmental

The Fixer:

The Last Romanov

by Jill Amy Rosenblatt

on Tour October 21 – November 23, 2019

Synopsis:

The Last Romanov by Jill Amy Rosenblatt

“My name is Katerina Mills. Make sure I disappear.”

Katerina Mills is getting out . . .

Desperate to escape a psychotic former client, a vengeful mobster, and a dirty DEA agent, professional “fixer” Kat Mills is ready to drop out and disappear.

She doesn’t trust her employer, the shadowy MJM Consulting, but Katerina can’t say no to one last job for the biggest score yet, enough money to get lost for good… until the client asks the impossible…

Dmitry Zilinsky claims he is a direct descendant of Russia’s last Tsar, Nicholas II, and he demands Katerina steal the item that will prove it.

Kat must get the job done or she can’t make her escape. But when professional thief Alexander Winter reappears in her life, Katerina Mills faces a new choice: go it alone or risk everything to be with the one person she doesn’t want to live without?

Book Details:

Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Published by: Jill Amy Rosenblatt
Publication Date: October 22, 2019
Number of Pages: 692
ISBN: 978-1-7332560-0-1
Series: The Fixer #3
Purchase Links: Amazon, Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

CHAPTER 1

Katerina Mills sat in the silver Honda Civic, peering through the lenses of the binoculars. The factory parking lot loomed larger as she watched the first shift employees filing out, heads bowing to brace against the frigid Vermont winds, and dashing to their cars.

Katerina knew every inch of the toy factory her father had managed. In high school, she had helped out after classes, typing, filing, and bookkeeping. Following graduation and while caring for William Mills through his bout of cancer, Kat worked a few hours a day and carried paperwork back and forth to her father at home.

Can you keep an eye on things for your old man?

Bullshit, Kat thought. It was time to find out the truth.

Kat snapped out of her thoughts as Richie Calico emerged. She watched him turn up the collar of his jacket as he hustled toward a shiny, red Dodge Durango. Kat knew Richie as a third-generation, blue-collar working stiff, always looking for an angle and an easy buck.

That looks new, Kat thought as she sharpened the binoculars on the Durango.

Richie’s head swiveled back and forth as he hurried to the SUV.

That’s not the confident man I remember strolling up to my desk with a singsong “Kat-a-reeena.”

As if we shared a secret.

Richie slid into the Durango, revved the engine, and took off, speeding out of the lot.

Time to spill your secrets, Richie.

Kat put the Civic in gear.

***

Katerina watched Richie pull into a strip mall, park in front of a run-down pub, and get out. She followed, parking in the back of the lot and cutting the engine.

Leaning forward, Kat wrapped her arms around the wheel. I have to go in. I need him to fill in the blanks. How do I get in and out without being noticed? Steal in and out. Like a thief.

She sighed. It had been a little more than two months since her first B and E. Alexander Winter, “Bob,” and “Professor,” to Kat, a good man and an expert thief, had walked her through it and brought her out. He would know what to do. She closed her eyes, the familiar ache of missing him threatening to overwhelm her.

Not now, Katerina thought, opening her eyes and forcing herself to return to the business at hand. There’s a reason Richie is looking over his shoulder. Remember what Winter taught you, she thought. Once you go in, you give yourself five minutes. Every minute you linger, your risk of getting caught rises.

Scanning the lot one more time, she flipped the fur lined hood over her chestnut hair, opened the door, and got out.

***

Slipping in through the back door, Katerina stepped into the shrouded gloom of the deserted dive bar. She came up behind Richie as he slouched in a booth, drinking alone.

Suddenly, Richie’s eyes shot up from his Coors and he jolted at the presence of a person looming over him. Shifting to face him, Kat brushed her hood back and watched his eyes grow wide. He gaped at her as she slid into the booth.

“Katerina,” Richie said, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. “Uh . . . Merry Christmas, Happy New Year . . . when did you get home?”

“Hi Richie,” Kat said. “How’s the heroin business?”

***

Author Bio:

Jill Amy Rosenblatt

Jill Amy Rosenblatt is the author of The Fixer (Katerina Mills) series. The Last Romanov is the third book in the series. Book 2, The Killing Kind, was the 2017 Beverly Hills Book Award Winner for Suspense. She previously published Project Jennifer and For Better or Worse through Kensington Press. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature and her Masters Degree in Literature and Creative Writing from Burlington College in Vermont. She lives on Long Island and is currently at work on book four of The Fixer series, The Good Criminal.

Catch Up With Jill Amy Rosenblatt On:
jillamyrosenblatt.com, Goodreads, BookBub, Twitter, & Facebook!

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!

Giveaway:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Jill Amy Rosenblatt. There will be 3 winners. One (1) winner will receive an Amazon.com Gift Card and Two (2) winners will receive The Fixer: The Last Romanov by Jill Amy Rosenblatt (eBook). The giveaway begins on October 21, 2019, and runs through November 25, 2019. Void where prohibited.

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Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours

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I Wanted To Love – Her Last Whisper by Jennifer Chase @JChaseNovelist @pumpupyourbook

Posted on December 12, 2019 by fundinmental

Her Last Whisper is one of those books that I really wanted to love. I read Dead Cold by Jennifer Chase and it was fantastic, so when I had a chance to grab Her Last Whisper from PumpUpYourBook, I didn’t hesitate.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I read Dead Cold by Jennifer Chase from the Jennifer Chase series and LOVED IT, so when I had the opportunity to read and review Her Last Whisper, what a great title, I had to have it. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat.

I love Prologues and Jennifer Chase’s Last Whisper prologue made me sit up and pay attention. I had hoped the story would continue to do the same, keep me on the line and reel me in.

Kate had been a patrol officer and an Army K9 handler, and a loner. Now she is stepping in to lead the cold case unit. I love cold case stories and the steps they take to solve the mystery.

I know what her first cold case will be, Amanda Payton, the kidnapped girl inn the prologue. I can detect too. LOL

Chad is her best friend, a firefighter for Sequoia County, but will it be more than that? I do like some romance with my serial killers. 🙂

He’s on the hunt…AGAIN.

I do love critters, especially dogs, in my stories. They tend to add that little extra I am always looking for. I just questioned why Kate didn’t have him by her side more. Even though it is explained why, I wouldn’t have left him behind. After all, Cisco is an Army K 9 and trained to the max.

We have a side mystery too. A blast from her Army past comes to town, looking for his lost brother. Will they come together, or is Jennifer Chase sharing her personal life to give us a glimpse into who she is, showing us a developed character?

Soooo close, but Her Last Breath didn’t quite get there for me. I devour suspense and thriller novels, so my expectations are always high when I ‘crack open a book’. A sense of urgency and suspense fell a little flat, BUT the ending was great. I would have liked that level of tension throughout .

There is no doubt I will be looking for more of Jennifer Chase’s work.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Her Last Breath by Jennifer Chase.

GOODREADS BLURB

Katie focuses her mind, trying to keep another anxiety attack at bay. The victim’s long brown hair is slick and wet, her body rigid in the grass. She looks more like a mannequin than the woman Katie had spoken with only yesterday, the woman she had promised to protect…

When a cold, naked body is discovered by a couple on a jog through the lush woodlands of Pine Valley, California, new recruit Detective Katie Scott is stunned to discover the victim is Amanda Payton – a much-loved local nurse and the woman at the heart of an unsolved case she’s been investigating whilst getting a grip on her crippling PTSD.

Weeks earlier, Amanda had run, battered and bruised, out into the headlights of a passing patrol car. She claimed to have just escaped a kidnapping, but with no strong evidence, the case went cold. The Pine Valley police made a fatal mistake…

Katie is certain the marks on Amanda’s wrists complete a pattern of women being taken, held captive and then showing up dead in remote locations around Pine Valley – and she won’t let someone die on her watch again.

But then a beautiful office worker with a link to the hospital where Amanda worked goes missing. With only days before the next body is due to show up, can Katie make amends for her past by saving this innocent life?

Totally gripping crime fiction for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh. Nothing will prepare you for this nail-biting roller-coaster ride…

ABOUT JENNIFER CHASE

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning crime fiction author and consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists. Her latest book is the crime thriller, Dead Cold.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS: WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

MY JENNIFER CHASE REVIEWS

Dead Cold

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Books From The Backlog – The Sixth Discipline by Carmen Webster Buxton @CarmenWBuxton

Posted on December 12, 2019 by fundinmental

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.

If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.

The book was free on Amazon when I scheduled this, but be sure and check for the ‘0’

Amazon / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

Ran-Del Jahanpur is a warrior of the Sansoussy Forest, trained in both the mental and physical Disciplines of his people. He thinks he’s prepared for any danger the forest might hold, but his skills prove useless when he’s caught in a hi-tech trap. Soon Ran-Del finds himself in a city so alien it might as well be another world—machines speak, vehicles fly, and his captors’ weapons can inflict pain without touching him. Every time Ran-Del tries to escape, he’s foiled by a technology he doesn’t understand. As terrifying as the city is, his kidnapper, the enigmatic Baron Hayden, exudes a jovial affability that worries the Sansoussy even more. What can such a powerful man want with a Sansoussy warrior, who can neither read nor write and knows nothing of city ways? The Baron’s daughter Francesca clearly knows more than she’s saying, but Ran-Del’s psy sense tells him only she’s being truthful, not what she’s thinking. And it’s only after it seems that Ran-Del has escaped the city and its dangers, that he finds out how thoroughly he has been caught.

I downloaded The Sixth Discipline from Amazon on 7.7.12 and added it to my TBR on 7.28.12. I love paranormal stories, so this is one I will keep on my list, hoping to get to it.

Goodreads rating: 3.77

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Put A Smile On Your Face With Mistletoe Magic by Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist

Posted on December 11, 2019 by fundinmental

Amanda Siegrist writes some wonderful happy ever after romance novels that can warm your heart and put a smile on your face.

Mistletoe Magic (Holiday Romance Novel, #2)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Mistletoe Magic by Amanda Siegrist is a very appropriate title, but I won’t spoil the surprise for you. It may be predictable but there are some special moments that put a smile on my face and a happy ever after in their future.

Theresa works at the diner and is known for making the worst cup of coffee, but Officer Aiden Crowl comes every day for his cuppa. The precinct even has a bet on whether or not she will every make a good pot. She has always had a crush on him, going back to high school, and, with the death of his fiancee, will she have a second chance at love?

She comes from the wrong side of town and her alcoholic brother never lets her forget it with his drunken escapades, pounding on her door in the middle of the night demanding money, even going so far as to break into her house.

Theresa loves everything about Christmas, but this one is proving difficult for her. I can see where her self doubt and lack of confidence comes from, but I am looking forward to her overcoming her insecurities and becoming the wonderful character I know she can be.

HUH. I’m at 79% and I should have seen that coming.

I love small town romances and when tragedy strikes, the whole town comes together, showing their love and support.

Want a heartwarming smile on your face while reading a happy ever after Christmas novel? I found it here.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Mistletoe Magic by Amanda Siegrist.

GOODREADS BLURB

From USA Today bestselling author Amanda Siegrist comes a heartwarming holiday series that will fill you with the Christmas spirit and lots of love.

A mistletoe. A kiss. This just might be the start of a beautiful Christmas.

Theresa might not make the best pot of coffee in town, but people still flock to the diner for a cup, even Officer Crowl, who rarely displays a smile since his fiancé died. She’ll never be able to win his heart, but it’s hard to resist him, especially when he kisses her under the mistletoe. Well, on the cheek, but that has to count for something…right?

Staying busy keeps Officer Aiden Crowl sane. Because when he’s idle or alone, he thinks, and nothing good comes from that. Everyone thinks he was the perfect man. They think he’s broken because she’s gone. He is, just not for the reason they believe. Every time he walks into the diner, one sweet smile from Theresa erases some of the pain. He should stay away from her. Far away. But what is he supposed to do when they’re standing under a mistletoe? Kiss her, of course.

The entire Holiday Romance series: (Each book can be read as a standalone.)
♡ Merry Me (Book 1): Elliot & Lynn
♡ Mistletoe Magic (Book 2): Aiden & Theresa
♡ Christmas Wish (Book 3): Bentley & Emma
♡ Snowed in Love (Book 4): James & Erin…coming December 3, 2019

ABOUT AMANDA SIEGRIST

Love! Gimme some love and heaps of romance. I have a sappy heart that just loves two people meeting, going through the cycles of a relationship, and ultimately, falling in love. Give me a good book like that and I’m a happy camper:)

I write contemporary and romantic suspense, but I am partial to suspense. I just love a good mystery.

Besides writing, I love baking, crafts, and baseball…oh, and meeting new people. *smiles*

Website / Twitter / Facebook

MY AMANDA SIEGRIST REVIEWS

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Children of the Fifth Sun by Gareth Worthington @DrGWorthington @JeanBookNerd

Posted on December 11, 2019 by fundinmental

Series: Children of the Fifth Sun (Book 1)
Paperback: 414 pages
Publisher: Vesuvian Books (July 25, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1944109404

Praise for CHILDREN OF THE FIFTH SUN

“An action-packed, globe-hopping science fiction thriller… pedal-to-the-metal pacing and relentless action make it easy to turn pages…” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Insane! What Gareth did here was incredible! This author took a global look at America, China, and Russia, and added a species from another era into the mix, to create a well-researched novel of suspense, intrigue, with dashing individuals. The characters travel the world on a unique mission while trying to stay out of the line of fire as rogue government agencies from several different countries try to stop them. It’s a wild ride from California to Peru, from Egypt to Siberia. The amount of research put into this novel is on par with a Michael Crichton novel. The main character, Kelly Graham, reminded me of Dirk Pitt from Clive Cussler’s novels. Overall, an incredible read and a book I’m recommending.” ―Jonas Saul, Best-selling author of the Sarah Roberts Series, April 2017

Suspend disbelief and let yourself travel on a downriver, undersea, and overland adventure in this well-constructed novel. The author takes you on a fast paced journey full of intrigue, government secrets, unusual creatures and just a tad of romance. Superlatives abound and the literary illumination paints an image so clear you feel you are there with the characters. For those who know the author, there are bit of his personality revealed which makes reading the novel even more enjoyable. A bit Tom Clancy, a hint of Dan Brown — authentically Gareth in his debut work. ―Charity Scripture

“Scientist Worthington’s understanding of the complexities and possibilities of marine biology and endocrinology are evident.” ―Publishers Weekly, May 2017l

AWARDS
WINNER 2017 LONDON BOOK FESTIVAL — SCIENCE FICTION
FINALIST 2018 SILVER FALCHION AWARD — SCI-FI/FANTASY/HORROR

Genre: “Science Faction” – science fiction, action and adventure with fact-based science, theories and mythology

IN ALMOST EVERY BELIEF SYSTEM ON EARTH, there exists a single unifying mythos: thousands of years ago a great flood devastated the Earth’s inhabitants. From the ruins of this cataclysm, a race of beings emerged from the sea bestowing knowledge and culture upon humanity, saving us from our selfish drive toward extinction. Some say this race were “ancient aliens” who came to assist our evolution.

But what if they weren’t alien at all? What if they evolved right here on Earth, alongside humans . . . and they are still here? And, what if the World’s governments already know?

Kelly Graham is a narcissistic self-assured freelance photographer specializing in underwater assignments. While on a project in the Amazon with his best friend, Chris D’Souza, a mysterious and beautiful government official, Freya Nilsson, enters Kelly’s life and turns it upside down. Her simple request to retrieve a strange object from deep underwater puts him in the middle of an international conspiracy. A conspiracy that threatens to change the course of human history.

You can purchase Children of the Fifth Sun at the following Retailers:

Photo Content from Gareth Worthington

Gareth Worthington is a trained marine biologist and also holds a doctorate in comparative endocrinology. Currently, Gareth works full time for the Pharmaceutical industry helping to educate the World’s doctors on new cancer therapies. In his spare time Gareth has a number of passions, including: martial arts – he trained in Muay Thai at the prestigious EVOLVE MMA gym in Singapore and currently trains in MMA at Phoenix Sportkampf, Switzerland; playing acoustic guitar; studying ancient history; drawing; and most of all writing fiction.

An award winning author, he hopes to one day hang up the pharma hat and write full time.

You can visit his author page and blog at www.garethworthington.com

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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MY GARETH WORTHINGTON REVIEWS

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Cozy Corgis – Scornful Scones by Mildred Abbott @MAcozymystery @pumpupyourbook

Posted on December 10, 2019 by fundinmental

Mildred Abbot’s Cozy Corgi Mystery Series has been a delight to read. I mean, look at that face. How can I possibly resist Watson and the quirky characters we will find in the small town of Estes Park.

Scornful Scones (Cozy Corgi Mysteries #5)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Scornful Scones was a delightful visit to the small town of Estes Park, tagging along while Fred and Watson poke their nose in another mystery.

Katie’s delightful squeal of joy and Watson’s scrabbling feet as he rushes to get the treat he missed when it was thrown to him put an immediate smile on my face.

A small town takes a while to accept an outsider and Fred sure doesn’t make it easy for them. Everyone knows everyone’s business and they are just waiting for Fred to start questioning her suspects, wasting no time in letting the gossip fly.

These quirky characters and their furry friends are always a delight to visit, giving me some light mystery and smiles.

I don’t have any complaints about Scornful Scones. It was a nice change of pace from the heavy, gruesome, dark and dangerous stories that I immerse myself in, leaving me needing a fun read for a change of pace.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Scornful Scones by Mildred Abbott.

GOODREADS BLURB

With summer approaching, Estes Park is abuzz with flowers, baking, tourists, and… murder.

Tourist season is about to begin, and the lovely weather has Winifred Page and her corgi sidekick, Watson, leaving the comfort of the Cozy Corgi Bookshop and Bakery to reluctantly attend a celebration at the Black Bear Roaster coffee shop. But a chill of uncertainty settles over Fred when a choking death doesn’t seem so accidental—despite the dry hazardous scones.

As Fred and police sergeant Branson Wexler rekindle a possible romance, Fred shares her suspicions. But is she seeing murder at every turn? Learning to trust her gut feelings, Fred risks the ire of the coffee shop owner to investigate not one, but two, deaths.

As suspects and motives abound, old resentments are uncovered, and Fred and Watson build new friendships even as they follow the crumbs to find clues to a killer.

ABOUT MILDRED ABBOTT

Reading the Cozy Corgi series is pretty much all you need to know about Mildred. In real life, she’s obsessed with everything she writes about: Corgis, Books, Cozy Mountain Towns, and Baked Goods. She’s not obsessed with murder, however. At least not at her own hands (nor paid for… no contract killing here). But since childhood, starting with Nancy Drew, trying to figure out who-dun-it has played a formative role in her personality. Having Fred and Watson stroll into her mind was a touch of kismet.

Website Address: http://www.mildredabbott.com
Twitter Address: https://twitter.com/MAcozymystery
Facebook Address: https://www.facebook.com/MildredAbbottAuthor/
Facebook Secret Club Address: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Mildredabbottscozymysteryclub/
Instagram address: https://www.instagram.com/mildredabbott/

MY MILDRED ABBOTT REVIEWS

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SciFi – Alien Bonds by Carmen Webster Buxton @CarmenWBuxton

Posted on December 9, 2019 by fundinmental

Carmen Webster Buxton approached me about reading her SciFi Wakanrean series because I had read a few of her other books and really enjoyed them. I was so happy she did. I have ventured out from my favorite genres of suspense/thriller/mystery and paranormal/supernatural more and more and have been pleasantly surprised.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

If you are a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek and SciFi, this may be a series for you. We have all you need…out of this world romance, intrigue, race discrimination, and characters that grow and develop as the story is told. Each book spotlights a different couple and could stand alone, but if you are new to the series, I highly recommend starting at the beginning.

I accidentally read the books out of order, grabbing the second book in the series, Alien Vows, and reading that first. It did make reading Alien Bonds easier, because I got used to the unique names and words, though there is a glossary at the end of the book. I invented my own pronunciations making the flow smoother for me. I do that a lot when there are tough names and words to mentally pronounce.

We are on the planet Wakanrea. Space travel is common, yet the species tend to stick to their own kind.

In Alien Bonds, we meet Dina Bellaire, a Terran, human, and Kuaron Du, a Wakanrean. Their meeting change their worlds forever. They meet from across a crowded room and they are floored by shahgunrah, a biological event that is like imprinting for werewolves . Their love is slow to develop, but their mating is instantaneous, creating problems that could be deadly…for her.

Some of the events make me think of the Twilight series, but I will leave that for you SciFi lovers to find out for yourselves. The surprise is worth the wait.

Carmen Webster Buxton has created a world that I got lost in by her ability to bring it to life through her descriptive words and the characters quickly became dear to me. There are hidden agendas, corporate greed, race hatred, romance, acceptance, and more.

Carmen Webster Buxton fills us in on the Wakanrean history and you could call the Alien Bonds historical fiction of the scifi kind. LOL

Jared, a Terran, human, is a character I met early in the story. He is Kuaron’s friend and their lively banter brings me lots of smiles. I wonder…will he get his own story? I would love to see it.

I want to thank you, Carmen, for giving me an opportunity to travel to a distant planet, meet some wonderful characters, and learn some life lessons along the way.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Alien Bonds by Carmen Webster Buxton.

GOODREADS BLURB

In ALIEN BONDS, two lives are changed in an instant. Industrial chemist Dina Bellaire travels all the way to the planet Wakanreo to advance her career. Her carefully planned life goes up in flames the second she meets Kuaron Du, a Wakanrean who makes his living singing ancient songs in a dead language. Both of them know they can’t go back to the way they were before they met. They just have to convince the rest of the universe that what happened to them is real.

ABOUT CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON

Carmen Webster Buxton spent her youth reading every book published by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein and Georgette Heyer. This combination of far-future worlds, alien cultures, and old-fashioned courting customs influenced her writing, especially in her ThreeCon series.

Carmen was born in Hawaii and experienced a childhood on the move, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband Charlie, and a beagle named Cosmo. She writes science fiction and romance, mostly set in the far future, and the occasional fantasy.

She has published several books, including THE SIXTH DISCIPLINE and its sequel NO SAFE HAVEN. TRIBES, SHADES OF EMPIRE, and THE NOSTALGIA GAMBIT are in her ThreeCon series; these books are set in a shared universe but do not share any characters. WHERE MAGIC RULES (a novella) is her only published fantasy. KING OF TREES crosses genres, as it is a time travel/alternate history/science fiction novel with fantasy overtones. SARONNA’S GIFT is her first book to be available as a paperback as well as an ebook, and the first overt romance. TURNABOUT is young adult dystopian science fiction that starts in the real world. ALIEN BONDS is another science fiction romance, the first book in a planned trilogy. The second book is ALIEN VOWS. The third book ALIEN SKIES will come out in 2019.

Carmen often blogs about ereaders, digital publishing, writing, and speculative fiction. Visit her blog to see what’s coming out next! To send her feedback on her books, send email to carmen.webster.buxton (at) gmail.com.

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MY CARMEN WEBSTER BUXTON REVIEWS

Where Magic Rules (on Goodreads)
Tribes (on Goodreads)
Shades of Empire (on Goodreads)

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Music Monday – Everything’s Gonna Be Alright by David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney #musicmonday @davidleemurphy @KennyC_Online

Posted on December 9, 2019 by fundinmental

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.

Rules:

Every Monday share a few songs you’ve been enjoying lately. It doesn’t have to be a specific genre, new, or one of your favorites – just something you’d like to share with others. If possible, share a music or lyric video of the song and your thoughts on the song(s), artist(s), and/or music video(s).

If you would like to participate in Music Monday, please join the link up by sharing your post’s url HERE

I don’t listen to a lot of country music, but some songs stick in my head. AND, my brother took Mr Wonderful and I to a Kenny Chesney outdoor concert at The Wharf in Alabama. Had a great time and I couldn’t help but find myself trying to sing along. I didn’t know a lot of the words. lol

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Keeper of the Peace by Jennifer Malone Wright @Jennichad217 #AlphabetChallenge

Posted on December 8, 2019 by fundinmental

As the year counts down, so does my Alphabet Reading Challenge. I chose Keeper of the Peace by Jennifer Malone Wright for my K. I downloaded this on an Amazon free day on 11.14.17 and I am so glad I did.

Keeper of the Peace (Graveyard Guardians, #2)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

David’s back home and once he sets his eyes on Hannah again, he is determined to get her back. He messed up the first time, but he was not going to make that mistake again.

Hannah was devastated when David left the first time. Would she be able to let him back into her life? What about the fact that she is a Keeper, a protector of souls and he is investigating the murder of a Reaper and she is the one that killed him.

I was able to quickly relate to David and his love for his 1968 Chevelle. I had one and boy did I love that car. It was loud, fast and so much fun to drive. Funny the things that catch my attention, especially when Reapers and Keepers are going head to head.

As the real word and the supernatural collide, the story picks up the pace. It is pretty easy to figure out the story, but the journey and getting to know a great cast of characters makes me want to read more and to know what happens to the Chosen One and the Prophecy.

After starting to write this review I found out it was the second book in the series, but I had no problem diving right in, I checked my Kindle and found Keeper vs Reaper sitting there…waiting. I will be going back in time to read it. 🙂

GOODREADS BLURB

The love of her life left her long ago, shattering her heart into a million pieces. It’s taken Hannah almost twelve years to push away the hurt and move on with life. That is, until the death of a Reaper brings Detective David Foster back to town and their paths cross once again.

With more and more of the soul-eating Reapers passing through town in search of the Chosen One, who happens to be her sister Lucy, the Estmond family has been busy enough. Now, they rally together in hopes of keeping Hannah out of prison.

With all the trouble lately, being a Keeper, a protector of souls, has never been more difficult for Hannah. Will she forgive David and rekindle their relationship? More importantly, will he find out she is the one responsible for the murder he is investigating?

Sparks fly in more ways than one in the second installment of the Graveyard Guardians.

ABOUT JENNIFER MALONE WRIGHT

Jennifer Malone Wright is best known for her best selling novella series, The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter. Other works include the follow up to The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter series called The Arcadia Falls Chronicles, The Graveyard Guardians series and her full length vampire novel called Savior (A Higher Collective Novel).

She resides in the beautiful mountains of northern Idaho with her husband and five children where she practices preparing for the zombie apocalypse. Just kidding!

But seriously, between the craziness of taking care of her children, Jennifer has little time left for herself. The time she does have left, usually leading far into the night, is spent working on her beloved fiction or chatting with her equally crazy friends.

Jennifer also loves coffee, has a passionate affair with red bull, wishes the sushi were better where she lives and dances while she cleans.

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