A Christmas Resolution (Christmas Stories, #18)

A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

John and Celia Hooper from the last book are back. Celia's friend Clementine is about to make an unhappy marriage, and Cilia and John are determined to find out the truth and expose the groom before the wedding day.

View all my reviews

All That Glitters by Danielle Steel

All That Glitters by Danielle Steel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It seems rather pointless two best friends since grade school realize they should be together instead of with the people they have been with.

View all my reviews

The Awakening (The Dragon Heart Legacy, #1)

The Awakening by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's awesome!!!

Breen Kelly grew up believing her Father abandoned her, weighed down by debt and a job as a teacher that she hates her only solace comes from hanging out with her best friend Marco (gay) and Sally (also gay and like a Mother to her) at Sally's Gay bar. Then she discovers the fact that her Mother (Jennifer) has been hiding a fortune from her that her Father sent.

Breen uses the money to go to Ireland (with Marco at first). After Marco leaves a cute pup Bollocks arrives at the cottage and she follows him through the tree to another world (Talamh) She meets her Grandmother Marg (a witch) and her lover Sedric (were-cat). She discovers that it was Sedric who was following her around Philadelphia and who helped her discover the money her Mom was keeping from her. She meets Keegan the leader of her people who was raised by her Father after his own Father died saving Breen. Breen learns that she was kidnapped by her Grandfather Odran (a god) when she was three and that many of the Talamh gave their life to rescue her. And that she is the key to saving both her worlds. Keegan begins training her for battle.

When she returns to Philadelphia Keegan is upset with her as he doesn't really believe she will come back. Keegan is also in love with her. Faced with the fact time is running out for Talamh Keegan opens a portal in Philadelphia and hopes to talk Breen into coming back with him. There he learns that Breen was already making plans to return, she was just telling everyone goodbye and getting her book deal (she has started writing books) in place. Keegan meets Marco and Sally and wins them over. But Marco realizes Breen is upset so he follows them back to the apartment and mistakes an emotional moment for a disagreement and barges in to confront Keegan. In order to diffuse the situation Breen tells Marco the truth and when Keegan opens a portal Marco follows them in..

I can't wait for the next book in the series.

View all my reviews

War Lord (The Last Kingdom, #13) by Bernard Cornwell (Goodreads Author)

War Lord by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am going to miss Uhtred, he has been threatening to die of old age for the last few books but the book leaves him alive and Lord of the North.

The book begins with King AEthelstan trying to take Bebbanburg away from Uhtred, Constantine (King of the Scots) wants Bebbanburg too and Anlaf claims to be King of Northumbria and Uhtred's overlord. Both Constantine and Anlaf try to get Uhtred to swear fealty to them and join them in the fight against King AEthelstan, but Uhtred stubbornly clings to his oath to protect King AEthelstan, even though at times it appears that AEthelstan has betrayed him and at one point it even looks as if AEthelstan is going to lay siege to Bebbanburg. In fact he uses this belief to attack Constantine.

In the end Constantine and Anlaf join forces and it's only with Uhtred's help that AEthelstan is able to hold on to his crown and he rewards Uhtred with a wife he doesn't want and all of Northumbria to rule.

Uhtred's oldest son Bishop Oswald is killed when assassins sneak into the Saxon camp and try to assassinate King AEthelstan before the Battle of Brunanburh. Oswald was in the King's tent alone.

View all my reviews

The Sentinel (Jack Reacher, #25)

The Sentinel by Lee Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Reacher stops a kidnapping he winds up with more than he bargained for. The target of the kidnapping (Rusty) was the towns IT Department, the servers were taken hostage by ransom ware and the entire town has turned against him, but Rusty's new program managed to save some of the data and the Russian's are worried that the identity of their spy will be revealed.

But if keeping Rusty out of their clutches isn't enough of a challenge for Reacher, an FBI agent has infiltrated the Russians and her life will depend on Reacher risking his to save her.

Fast paced and with lots of action your typical Reacher novel.

View all my reviews

A Time for Mercy (Jake Brigance, #3)

A Time for Mercy by John Grisham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Poor Jake he is facing bankruptcy again and an unpopular case (this time he gets severely beaten by the victims family)

I enjoyed the book but it highlights several problems with Mississippi Laws.

First there is the automatic "death penalty" attached to the case just because the POS victim happened to work as a police officer. His death was in no way related to his job as a deputy, and his occupation shouldn't have been an issue and the death penalty shouldn't have even been an option. The POS Stuart Kofer was shot because he was a drunken bully who routinely got drunk and beat up his girlfriend and her children and threatened to kill them. The night he died he has beaten the Mother, Josie, so badly that she was unconscious and her children Drew (age 16) and Kiera (age 14) believed her to be dead. After knocking Josie out he preceded upstairs to Kiera's bedroom and tried to break the door down to get to her (we later learn that he had been raping her and threatened to kill her family and her if she told anyone). Stu eventually goes to bed and Drew scared of what Stu will do if he wakes up takes Stu's service revolver and shoots him when he seems to be stirring. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN VIEWED AS SELF DEFENSE BUT THE POLICE ACT LIKE STU WAS SOME HERO SHOT DOWN IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

None of the local lawyers want to take the case so Judge Noose forces it on Jake Brigance. Besides it being an unpopular case causing lots of hard feelings in the community there is a law on the books capping the attorney fee. Noose's scheme to make sure that Jake gets paid a fair amount backfires when the Board of Supervisors appeal Noose's ruling.

At the end of the book the jury is tied 6-6 and a mistrial is declared. But unfortunately there is no limit to how many times someone can be indicted for the same crime. So Drew is facing another trial for the same crime, this seems really unfair and his entire life can be hijacked by this. Kira gives birth to Stu's baby and the Brigance's adopt the boy who they name Lucian (although he'll be called Luke).

View all my reviews

Julian of Macedon (Dark Hunters) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Goodreads Author) Fantasy Lover

Julian of Macedon by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This is the same book as Fantasy Lover. Which I had read in 2008. When I first started reading it I didn't realize I had actually read it before, as I am used to stories being partially told in someone else's book, for example Kyrian is mentioned in this book. And this is being marketed as a NEW book, as well as originally being published with a different title. But the more I read the more I was convinced I had actually read the book. Since I blog about the books I have read as well as review here I searched the blog for Julian of Macedon and came up with the info about Fantasy Lover. So I am feeling slightly ripped off. If you haven't read Fantasy Lover then you'll enjoy the book and it's well worth the read. If you have read Fantasy Lover then it's the same book and you can skip it.

View all my reviews

You Betrayed Me: A Riveting and Suspenseful Psychological Thriller by Lisa Jackson (Goodreads Author)

You Betrayed Me: A Riveting and Suspenseful Psychological Thriller by Lisa Jackson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Really thinking it's time the Cahill family disappeared. This time the action revolves around James Cahill. James is in a coma when his girlfriend Megan disappeared, and even after he awakens he has amnesia about that night. Meanwhile the police suspect he may have played a role in Megan's disappearance even though he was unconscious.

Suspects :
Rebecca- Megan's sister she was dating James before her sister lied to him and seduced him. Now she is back supposedly to find her sister but she still has a thing for James and it's definitely reciprocated.

Sophia/Julia - James' new girlfriend that he just hadn't gotten around to telling Megan about. They were fighting about Sophia the night Megan disappeared.

Other women James has been involved with (it's a long list)

Add in weird cop who keeps stealing items and distracts from the story. I could have done without him. And you have a very messy plot. Eventually when a reporter is killed the police start to figure out that the Cahill connection might play a role, especially when one of the hairs taken from James' bed proves to be from a close relative (Poor James didn't have a clue he was sleeping with his cousins) But it's actually Rebecca playing detective and James following up on a lead a detective he hired gave him who find Megan's body and stop Julia/Sophia in their tracks.

Sophia while imprisoned was still pg with twins at the end of the story so I suspect she Cahill saga will continue, with the next generation.

View all my reviews

Master Bedroom Closet Imporvements & Laundry Room Update

 

The Master Bedroom Closet is so much better with the improvements Bo Made. And I am making more use of the top shelf. 

I got several nice totes at Marshall's when they opened back up. I am able to store some of my seasonal clothes in them. Right now they have my shorts in them.

I got this lovely shawl last year for Mother's Day so I was happy to get it out for the cooler weather. See the butterflies in the pattern. My daughter in-law Katie is a very gifted crocheter. 

I also found this laundry basket. I am really enjoying it as it takes up less room then the plastic one I had, looks nicer and holds just as much clothing.

I am also liking the shelves Bo added to our closet.

Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown (Goodreads Author)

Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Arden returns home to have her baby, a secret that has been kept for decades begins to unravel and the innocent Arden is at the center of it all.

Really don't understand why we had the pregnancy and miscarriage at the beginning of the book. It was unnecessary and lent nothing to the plot. Also it seems a bit unbelievable that Lisa never spent any of the money. Exactly how were her and Arden surviving when they first left town. Although I think it does lend credence to her Father's death being an accident.

View all my reviews

No Gravestone Unturned: (Cobble Cove, #5)

No Gravestone Unturned: by Debbie De Louise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I won this book as part of the Cool Cats and Feline Fantasies Grand Prize.

I loved the cats. This is the first book I read in the series so I wasn't familiar with the backstory of some of the characters and not really interested in what Halloween Costume they were going to wear. To me it had a really slow start, Noah's body isn’t discovered until chapter 11 –so to be honest I was a little bored until then. I am used to much faster paced mysteries where the body is usually discovered in the first chapter or at least by the second.

I did enjoy hearing about the old town legend, and it was neat how the legend actually had a part in the murder. Once the murder happened I did enjoy the puzzle of who killed Noah and why. And while I did suspect the killer was George, I couldn't guess his accomplice.

I enjoyed reading about Sneaky, Kittykai and Salem and I loved the fact that Bradley adopted a cat at the end of the book. If you want a feel good book, a murder with no gore (Noah was hit over the head with a shovel) and a mostly happy ending this books for you.

View all my reviews

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman (Goodreads Author)

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Since this is a very short story you didn't have as much character development as you do in his novels but he managed to say a lot in less than 65 pages as a lot of the pages had pictures on them.

View all my reviews

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda (Goodreads Author)

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have to be honest I wouldn't have read this if it hadn't been a book club selection.

Nic returns home and another girl disappears this time it's their neighbor Annalise Carter who was dating Nic's ex boyfriend. Inevitably her disappearance reminds everyone of the disappearance of Nic's best friend Corine 10 years ago, especially as Annalise left a voice mail with the police stating she has info about Corine's disappearance. When the police start questioning Nic's Father who is suffering from dementia Nic calls her fiancee (Everette) who is a hotshot attorney. But riddles from her Father soon have Nic questioning exactly what happened the night of the fair when Corine disappeared. Nic makes a desperate gamble to protect her family and reclaim the life she lost 10 years ago.

1. Nic returns to Cooley Ridge to help her brother Daniel with their Father who has dementia. They are planning to fix up the family home to sell, but in order to do so they have to get guardianship of their Father who refuses to sell the house, even though his money has run out.

2. The Monster in the woods is all of them at various times. It's the secrets and lies that have bound them together and kept them apart.

3. I hate books when the story is told in reverse especially when the author flips between past and present. I found it disorienting and irritating and it really interferes with my enjoyment of the book.

4. At various times they were all bad and made poor choices.

5. Daniel, Patrick and Tyler all made the choices they did to protect Nic out of their love for her and to some extent Patrick made the choice he did out of guilt over being a bad Father. Nic made the choices she did out of self preservation. Annalise is a greedy bitch and Laura just wants to protect her family, especially the husband she loves and the Father of her unborn baby (Daniel). In the end Daniel, Tyler and Nic will make the choices they do to protect Patrick from his choice and to protect Laura from her actions.

6. I think Corrine was responsible for the accident as she deliberately stepped in front of the truck. But those involved in the cover up were wrong.

7. I never though Laura would be Annalise's killer. I wasn't surprised that Corrine wad dead, but was surprised that it was really an accident. A lot of heartbreak could have been avoided if they had just told the truth from the beginning.

8. To some extent I do agree with Nic.

9. No I didn't like this book, mainly because how events were told out of order.

10. I haven't read any other books by Megan Miranda and if this is her usual writing style I wouldn't read anymore of her work.

11. This compares poorly to other mysteries I have read.
Mysteries I recommend:
Lee Child's Reacher series.
Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
A Time for Mercy John Grisham
Dan Brown
J. D. Robb "In Death" series
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett


View all my reviews

The Power of Self Care/Self Love: A Physical Therapists Guide to Evolving Into Your Higher Self

The Power of Self Care/Self Love: A Physical Therapists Guide to Evolving Into Your Higher Self by Jackie Castro-Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing book full of good advice and inspiration.

View all my reviews

The Forgotten Kingdom (The Lost Queen Trilogy, #2)

The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow!!! It picks up where The Lost Queen left off and it told from Lailoken (Merlin), Languoreth and Angharad's POV

I'll start with Angharad. Believing that her Father would make arrangements for her safety Lailoken didn't send her away with the other women and children. Unfortunately something happened to the messengers that were sent to arrange for her release, we never find out who killed them as we know the Dragon Warriors (who were blamed for it) didn't. Eira (Lailoken's wife) waited to make sure she was safe and when she came to the hut tried to get her to safety. Unfortunately they were captured by Gwrgi realizing that he plans to rape Angharad Eira helps her escape. When she arrives in Strathclyde on a slave cart Languoreth is able to rescue her.

Meanwhile Angharad finds shelter with Brother Thomas trying to help her reach her Father (Rhydderch) they are captured. Angharad eventually arrives at the home of her great grandmother Eachna (high priestess at Fortingall). Eachna supposedly releases Brother Thomas (we really don't know what happened to him) and sends word to Angharad's parents about her whereabouts. Years later we discover that she never sent word to them and that they believe Angharad to be dead. When Angharad finds out about Eachna's deceit she travels with Ariane (priestess at the Orcades and former teacher of Languoreth) to the Orcades where she becomes a priestess and treats Artur when he arrives on the island wounded. When Artur reveals he knows Lailoken she sends a message to her Uncle). Later she will have a vision of a battle and will ask Muirenn (chieftain of Dun Deagh) and Talorcan to raise an army and accompany her home. Muirenn, Talorcan, Angharad and Ariane will arrive in time to help defeat the Angles.

The majority of the Dragon Warrior's died when Rhydderch attacked them. Diarmid, Fendwin and Maelgwn (now the Pendragon) are among the few survivors who along with Lailoken taken shelter with Archer in the Caledonian Wood. Lailoken discovers the secret of the God of the Falls and arranges to teach Wisdom Keepers there. Once Tutgual dies and Rhydderch is named King he makes arrangements to have Lailoken pardoned (along with the other Dragon Warriors) and named as his counselor unfortunately he is forced to also name Mungo as co counsel. Upon learning that her enemy Mungo will be returning to court Languoreth makes arrangements to have someone spy on him (I believe it may be Brother Thomas).

Languoreth becomes Queen.

View all my reviews

Hindsight (Kendra Michaels, #7)

<Hindsight by Iris Johansen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliantly written as always. Kendra returns home under duress only to find herself thrown into an investigation revolving around the school for the blind she attended as a child. Now Kendra has to stay alive long enough to discover why the staff at the school have become targets of a paid killer and convince Olivia that Harley should be her dog or at least that she should be his person.

I love Harley and am glad he has been added to the characters. He makes a charming new addition. I look forward to reading more about him in future books.

View all my reviews

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (Goodreads Author), Neil Smith (Translator)

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At first I had trouble getting into it and was rather disappointed then wham the Backman magic took hold. Really hard to say what the book is about as it's about so many things forgiveness, stupid choices, growing old and love to name a few.

View all my reviews

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini (Goodreads Author)

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book since I love Eragon Eldest Brisingr and Inheritance but alas I didn't Most of the book was deadly boring and a chore to plough through. And Kira was annoying and not very realistic. It starts out with Kira being the damsel in distress of every horror book ever written poor little Kira who just got engaged is sent out to check a microbe in a remote part of Adra. Not content to just do her job she insist on checking out a rock formation for her fiance and it turns out to be alien and the alien life form bonds with Kira. (cue the eerie music)

Since the "Soft Blade" (which is what Kira calls it) is ultimately suppose to be a seed for life and desires to do no harm I find it unrealistic that it's first act is to kill Kira's fiance and several of her shipmates. I find it even more unbelievable that she wouldn't want the Soft Blade removed or that the Soft Blade would bond with someone without their permission. The first part of the book is Kira/Soft Blade being the ultimate weapon. And of course Kira accidentally starts a war with the Jellies and creates the Corrupted who both want to wipe out humanity. Although fearing the Corrupted will wipe them out too a group of Jellies want to form an alliance with humans.

Then Kira discovers that she created the Corrupted by accident (I am still not sure why the Soft Blade attempted to heal a Jelly and a human who were strangers to Kira and not her fiance and shipmates. The Corrupted is a fusion of the Jelly and Human with a copy of the seed) and that the Soft Blade was meant to create life. With her new understanding she is even more determined to bring Peace to humanity and Jellies, while wiping out/healing The Corrupted.

He set up a possible sequel as The Corrupted made 7 copies of itself before she destroyed it and at the end of the book she bestowed "gifts" on her friends before she set off alone to track the 7 copies down as well as The Seeker that got away. I really hope he doesn't and that he will turn his pen to something else.

View all my reviews

Battle Ground (The Dresden Files, #17) Jim Butcher

Battle Ground by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't wait for the next one...

Battle Ground picks up where Peace Talks leaves off. The battle with Ethniu and Corb is commencing with a vengeance and everyone is there for the party.

I really really hate the way Murphy was killed by a trigger happy cop, Rudolph after she saved Harry's life by killing the giant Jotun. Since Odin claimed her body there is always the possibility we will see her again. Although as long as anyone lives who remembers her she isn't suppose to be made Einherjar.

There was a lot of fighting a lot of dying people and monsters worked together to bring Ethniu down. Marcone and Harry teamed up at the end to bring her down and Marcone was forced to reveal that he is a Knight of the Blackened Denarius. Harry made off with the Eye and gave it to Alfred for safe keeping after he bound Ethniu. When Alfred came to collect her he almost killed Harry and Marcone with a tidal wave (Marcone will probably hold that over Harry's head for awhile, talk about unexpected consequences). Even so Harry was able to talk Marcone out of his castle.

Mab orders Harry to take Justine to see Thomas, as a favor to Lara. On the way there Harry realizes Justine is possessed by Nemesis and dives off the Water Beetle. Mab eventually finds her knight and gets him the medical attention he needs.

Mab orders Lara and Harry to wed (didn't see that coming) Lara's quick thinking gets them a years reprieve.

Molly finally goes to visit her parents and tells them she is the Winter Lady (which they already knew)

So Harry now lives in a castle and he is engaged to Lara.

View all my reviews

Shadows in Death (In Death, #51)

Shadows in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When a contract killer from Roarke's past makes a hit in New York the chase is on. Made all the more intense because Cobbe is intent on killing Roarke, if he can.

View all my reviews

The Evening and the Morning (Kingsbridge #0)

The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Edgar's Father is killed in a Viking raid the family of boat builders is forced to move inland to Deng's Ferry (eventually renamed King's Bridge) to a small farm. While his brother's become farmers and raise a family together Edgar returns to building things first a new ferry and later a bridge.

The first bridge he builds is burned by Deng, but when the King discovers the burnt bridge he commissions the building of a new bridge and places it under the King's protection. Edgar will eventually build a cathedral for King's Bridge and marry the woman he loves.

Duke Hubert (a Norman nobelman) will allow his daughter Ragna to marry the English Ealdorman Wilf believing he has King Ethelred's permission to wed her. Only after the wedding will Ragna discover that Wilf's first wife isn't dead he merely set her aside, and that Ethelred never gave his permission. After Wilf is injured in battle and mentally incompetent Ragna will take over, until Wilf is killed by his brothers and Ragna is kidnapped and raped until she becomes pregnant. She is then forced to marry Wigelm (Wilf's half-brother) in order to keep her youngest son (conceived when Wigelm raped her). Wigelm eventually tires of her and sets her aside but takes their son away and gives him into the care of his mistress. With nothing left to lose Ragna confides in Aldred that Wynstan (Wilf's eldest half brother and the brains behind Wigelm) is suffering from Whores Leprosy. Aldred is able to use Wynstan's medical condition to prevent him from becoming Archbishop. When a drunken Wigelm tries to rape Ragna again she murders him and disposes of the body in the canal. Everyone chooses to believe his death was an accident and Ragna is able to reclaim her son and marry the man she loves with the King's blessing.

Aldred becomes bishop of King's Bridge.



View all my reviews

A Question of Betrayal (Elena Standish #2)

A Question of Betrayal by Anne Perry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I probably would have given it more stars but I really liked Stoney and was heartbroken when she killed him off.

Elena is now working for M16 and she was sent to rescue her former fiance who was branded a traitor but was apparently working undercover. She soon makes contact with him. Meanwhile back home her Grandfather is dealing with the murder of a former colleague and the clues pointing to the traitor being high up in M16. When Peter puts the pieces together he goes to rescue Elena.

View all my reviews

Master Bedroom Closet

We have a really small closet. To make the most of the space we added  shelves.

And raised the rack of clothes higher so we could add another rack under it.

I can now fit most of my clothes in the closet. I haven't finished with it yet. There will be more additions coming soon.

Chaos by Iris Johansen (Goodreads Author)

Chaos by Iris Johansen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliant this book made me remember why I love Iris Johansen. When Sasha and a group of school girls are taken prisoner by Masenak and his thugs Alisa is determined to do whatever she has to do to rescue her and the other girls including enlisting the aid of Gabe Korgan.

A misstep during the first rescue attempt leaves Sasha still in Masenak's clutches and Alisa shot. Masenak plans to race Sasha and her horse Chaos against Reardon (the man Korgan really wants to take down) and his horse Nightshade. Determined to rescue Sasha and all the horses Korgan and Alisa race against the clock to bring Masenak and Reardon down.

Margaret Douglass also makes and appearance in the book.

View all my reviews

The Order (Gabriel Allon #20)

The Order by Daniel Silva
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the Pope dies in mysteries circumstances Donati summons Gabriel Allon to Rome. The Pope had been writing a letter to Gabriel shortly before his death revealing the discovery of an ancient book the Pope wanted Gabriel to have that would change the relationship between Jews and Christians for the better. Both have disappeared.

Together Donati and Gabriel seek out the clues that will lead them to the truth about the Pope's death and in the process change the Catholic Church forever.


View all my reviews

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger (Goodreads Author)

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliant the the tale of four children fleeing from the Lincoln Indian Training School in search of a place to call home. Set during The Great Depression.

View all my reviews

Too Funny Not to Share

The Great Digest Flag from r/mississippi

The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs

The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interspersed with yummy recipes we travel to Bella Vista the family estate that Tess Delaney never knew about to meet the sister she didn't know she had.

The story begins with Tess returning a necklace to Annelise Winther that was taken from her family by the Nazis in World War II. While Annelise doesn't want to part with the necklace she does allow Tess to sell a few things she found at garage sells.

In line for a promotion Tess is hurrying back to the auction house where she works when she meets Dominic Rossi who tells her that her Grandfather Magnus is in a coma and that he has left half his estate (Bella Vista) to her. Poor Tess didn't even know she had a Grandfather, much less a half sister that shares her birthday. As she grows closer to her half sister Isabel, she is broken hearted that Isabel may lose the only home she has ever known but when she finds a document gifting Magnus' Grandfather with a Faberge Egg she becomes determined to track it down to save the Apple Orchard. The only problem the Egg is missing. Various documents and recollections by Tess' Mom (Shannon) lead Tess to believe her Father Eric was on the way to sell the egg the day he died. Eventually they discover that Eric's best friend took the egg determined to get the egg back for Isabel and Magnus Tess has to promise to walk away from Dominic a man she has grown to love and the life she wants with him.

View all my reviews

Hall Renovations

 For some strange reason the hall didn't have a light in front of the closets making it really hard to see what was in them. The light was placed on the other side in front of our bedroom door where you really didn't need it so I don't understand their logic. Anyway we added  a light in front of the closet doors and got new light fixtures for all three hall lights. I really like the square design.

And I love being able to see in my closets.

Dead Watch by John Sandford

Dead Watch by John Sandford
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Jacob Winter is tasked with finding out who kidnapped and killed Madison Bowe's husband, along the way he falls for her and they team up to take down a corrupt government official.

View all my reviews

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs (Goodreads Author)

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this book checks all the boxes. A must read for anyone who loves books.

Natalie is working in a winery when the book opens and is put out that both her Mother and her boyfriend are missing her promotion party. She also overhears her coworkers badmouthing her so the day is something of a bummer and it only gets worse when she learns that the job her boyfriend had to do was actually picking up her Mother to fly her to the party and that the plan crashed.

Devastated by the loss of her Mother Natalie returns home to care for her ailing Grandfather and run the family book store. She soon realizes she loves working in the book store but that their finances are strained, thinking the only way to save them is to sell the book store she is dismayed to learn that her Grandfather is the sole owner and he refuses to sale the only home he has ever known and that has been in his family for generations. But with the help of the handy man Peach the book store soon starts yielding it's treasures.

View all my reviews

Half Moon Bay (Clay Edison, #3)

Half Moon Bay by Jonathan Kellerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book begins with the discovery of an infant's bones in People's Park when the University of California, Berkeley is attempting to build some dorms on it's land. The discovery halts the construction and Clay is tasked with discovering the infant's identity. The discovery of the infant's bones prompts a phone call from Peter Franchette who believes they may be the bones of his older sister who disappeared 50 years ago. Clay quickly determines through DNA testing that the bones are of a male and that the Father is a convicted White Supremacist Fritz Dormer, Clay notifies him of the discovery and tries to get him to reveal the Mother's name but Fritz claims ignorance (which was actually the truth he had no idea about the baby) so Clay works with Lieutenant Sibley of UCPD to identify the Mother.

Meanwhile on his on time Clay is working on the kidnapping of Margaret (Polly) Franchette. Realizing the babysitter Chrissy's story doesn't add up he request the FBI's files and discovers that one of the detectives also thought Chrissy had something to do with the kidnapping. A post card he sent his wife from Half Moon Bay gives him a location to search for Chrissy and he discovers an all grown up Margaret now known as Audrey Marsh.

View all my reviews

Peace Talks (The Dresden Files, #16)

Peace Talks by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hope he hurries up and writes the next book because it ended on a cliff hanger.

Thomas does something very STUPID and tries to assassinate Etri (we never find out why although I think it has something to do with Justine's pregnancy.) He's captured but not before killing one of Etri's bodyguards. The Svartalves jump to the conclusion that Harry was involved and try to take Maggie prisoner but Mouse prevents them from entering the Dresden's quarters at the Svartalves compound. Harry manages to prove his innocence and takes Maggie and Mouse to live with Michael.

Meanwhile the Wizards are trying to kick Harry out and Mab has loaned Harry out to Lara. And Grandpa is lecturing on how evil White Court Vampires are. Determined to save Thomas from Svartalves justice Lara and Harry hatch a plan to break Thomas out of Marcone's castle during the Peace Talks after Lara uses her political clout to have him transferred there.

Things with the breakout are going pretty well until the Fomor show up with the Titan Ethniu determined to destroy mortals. Ethniu blast Mab through several walls. Harry sends Lara, Freydis, Karrin and Thomas (who is dying from starvation his own hunger is feeding on him) on to the harbor while he goes back (still invisible) to see what is going on. When Ebenezar questions where the Winter Knight is Mab responds that he was last seen consorting with Ms. Raith and will participate in the defense of the city as soon as he concludes his business. Which unfortunately has Grandpa following Harry to the harbor.

Grandpa and Harry have a show down that Harry survives only because he was using a construct Molly made for him. (Grandpa was really upset when the thought he had killed Harry). And finally Harry tells McCoy that Thomas is his grandson. Once Grandpa catches on that it was a construct he blew a hole in Harry leaves Grandpa alone on the dock and his consciousness returns to his body on the Water Beetle.

They make it to Demonreach where Harry imprisons Thomas in stasis until they can find a way to cure him. Lara misunderstanding his actions attacks but they come to a truce and return to the city for the upcoming battle with Ethniu and Corb.

So far I think Grandpa is the only one who knows Thomas has been freed and Harry's part in the rescue. I also think that as the Warden of Demonreach Harry may be the only one who can stop the Titan Ethniu.

View all my reviews

Naked Heat (Nikki Heat, #2)

Naked Heat by Richard Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nikki Heat recently broken up with Jameson Rook, is dismayed to find him at her crime scene when the celebrity columnist of "Buzz Rush" Cassidy Towne is tortured and murdered. Due to his knowledge of Cassidy Towne he is invited to join the investigation. Apparently Ms Towne was writing a tell all book that would reveal what really happened the night Reed Wakefield died. But someone is tying up loose ends and the bodies start dropping. When Rook is almost a victim of the murderer Nikki's feelings for Rook rush to the surface and Nikki and Rook rekindle their romance. Pursuing different avenues of the investigation they both discover the "truth" and only Rook's quick thinking and Nikki's training keep them from becoming the final victims of the cover up.

View all my reviews

You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson (Goodreads Author)

You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ava is obsessed with finding her two year old son Noah who went missing two years ago (he is 4 when the story starts) but everyone else on the island she calls home thinks she should just get over it. Especially her husband Wyatt he threatens to have Ava committed.

But slowly Ava is starting to remember what happened in the past including Wyatt's infidelities and the fact she was planning to divorce him when Noah went missing. When a sexy stranger arrives on the island everything starts to change for the better for Ava.

View all my reviews

Heat Wave (Nikki Heat, #1)

Heat Wave by Richard Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am currently enjoying Castle reruns and thought I would give this a try. Amusing and fun perfect beach read.

View all my reviews

This Must Be the Place by Kate Racculia (Goodreads Author)

This Must Be the Place by Kate Racculia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hilariously funny and poignantly sad. When his wife Amy dies Arthur sets out to discover her past from trinkets she had saved in a shoe box. The trinkets lead him to her best friend Mona and to the secret Mona has kept for 17 years.

Meanwhile Mona's daughter Oneida discovers a forever friend and a love that doesn't last. How to keep secrets and how to forgive the secret her Mom kept.

My favorite quote from the book

Life hurts, and I want you to know how to protect yourself. From all the ways there are to be hurt, she thought, but couldn't quite say. The people you love will hurt you worst of all.

View all my reviews

Daddy's Girls by Danielle Steel

Daddy's Girls by Danielle Steel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Typical DS
Daddy a successful rancher dies leaving behind his 3 girls who have to learn to cope with life without Daddy. Kate the oldest finds love with the ranch foreman, Gemma the Star learns to stand on her own two feet after the TV show she stared in closed. And Caroline has to deal with a cheating husband and if that isn't enough to handle they discover that their Mother isn't dead after all, Daddy lied.

View all my reviews

Still Alice by Lisa Genova (Goodreads Author)

Still Alice by Lisa Genova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Heartbreaking and very realistic.

I could identify with Alice as I had problems with my memory (lack of sleep luckily) right before I was diagnosed with PMR so I could relate to her fear and frustration and I think telling the story from Alice's POV made it more powerful although I would have liked to have learned more about her husband and children. Lydia was the only other character I really felt like I got to know. John (the husband) seemed really distant to me except for the one time when Alice told him she missed herself and he said he missed her too.



View all my reviews

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author)

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed her other books I have read, but it's still a good albeit incredibly sad read.

Irish Chase is an old lady and she is using the time she has left to write the truth about her sister's death, why she left her husband, and who the Father of her daughter Aimee really is. All in hopes that one day her Granddaughter Sabrina will read it.

View all my reviews

The Persuasion (Eve Duncan #26) by Iris Johansen

The Persuasion by Iris Johansen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jane and Seth Caleb FINALLY get together.

Luca is obsessed with Jane and acquiring a fortune that will allow him to rival the Medici Family. He plans to use Jane to get Seth Caleb to cooperate with his plans. And he threatens a young boy (Tomas) to keep Jane in line after he kidnaps her.

But Seth is willing to give his life for Jane and with everyone's help Tomas will be saved, Jane will be freed and Seth Caleb will live to marry Jane. Can't wait to see how their kids turn out and what special talents Michael has.

View all my reviews

Masked Prey by John Sandford (Lucas Davenport Series #30)

Masked Prey by John Sandford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A website, 1919, seems to be targeting the children of Democratic lawmakers. Henderson and Smalls bring Lucas in to investigate the right wing groups suspected of being behind it. But Lucas soon discovers the website was set up by Audrey Coil (one of the children displayed on the site) to garner publicity for her blog Young'nHot'nDC. Unfortunately some of the lone wolfs in the right wing groups take the 1919 website seriously and actually target the children on the website.

One gunman is caught in the parking garage across from one of the kids school, another is apprehended after he kills a researcher looking into his group, but the third lone wolf escapes detection and kills a random child in the school yard. In order to track him down Lucas will leak the identity of the person responsible for 1919 and use Audrey for bait.

Also large hint at the end of the book that the next Prey novel will take place in Florida.

View all my reviews

Camino Winds (Camino Island #2)

Camino Winds by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

During Hurricane Leo, author Nelson Kerr winds up dead. When his friends head over to his home to identify the body they soon suspect foul play especially after Bob Cobb (another author) reveals that Nelson called him shortly before he died and said that Ingrid (Bob's hookup) was with him. Nick (a college student who works for Bruce and crime novel enthusiast) soon comes up with a theory that Ingrid was a hired killer and that she killed him because of his latest manuscript that no one has seen.

Bruce soon gets his hands on the manuscript and it deals with a controversial drug that prolongs life in brain dead patients that is being given to people in nursing homes. With the help of the agency that investigated Bruce in Camino Island and eventually the FBI they discover that the plot of Kerr's book was very real as well as the identity of the man who ordered Kerr killed.

Side note Bruce and Nicolle get married for real, after Nicolle's French lover dies.

View all my reviews