The Last Word by Timothy Moonlight

Hello everyone.

My dad passed away several years ago. He was a fantastic father, the best!  I feel sorry for all of you, that you didn't have my dad as your father. I could tell you about him for days.

My dad worked as a contract negotiator between a major technology company and the federal government.  He was really good at it. My husband jokes that when my dad would go to buy a new car the salesman would see a mild mannered guy not knowing what he did for a living. The car dealer didn't stand a chance!  One thing my father was not good at was technology, funny considering where he worked. His company tried to get him to use a computer, he refused, preferring a legal pad and pencil. They even sent him to computer classes, he failed. Finally they gave up, buying him a case of legal pads. Thank goodness he was a great negotiator.

I recently read The Last Word by Timothy Moonlight. The book is labeled a techno thriller, which I completely agree with but I think this story would really hold the interest of sci-fi lovers as well. The novel opens with Claire Bigsby at her father, Jack's funeral. Jack had been the founder of an extremely successful technology company called InfiniTech. As Claire tries to come to terms with her loss, odd things begin happening. There is an involved, twisty, plot that the leads the reader to new discoveries around every corner. The author includes interesting characters, good and bad, that will have you rooting for some and cursing the others.

The writing is strong and the pacing steady as mysteries are revealed. While every author has their own style, Mr. Moonlight writes in a very meticulous manner which serves him well especially in action scenes. The end leaves the reader surprised and satisfied. The Last Word is due to be released on August 23rd and is currently available to pre-order on Amazon. This would be a great way to start your fall.

After reading about all this technology I'm going to buy a big box of number 2 pencils.

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

Hello everyone.

There are many odd things about writing a blog, one is that you really don't know anything about those that are reading it. I don't know if you live in the country or city. Are you a business professional? Are you a housewife, maybe looking for book reviews and cleaning tips...good luck with that...no cleaning here. Yes, I've seen the bathrooms and the dishes in the sink but I must read (and procrastinate). Because of this impersonal kind of communication you may be too young to know some reference I give or find something that amuses me to be ho-hum everyday for you. Why do I mention this? When I was a kid I remember going to New York City for the first time. I recall looking out the hotel room window down at the street and it was so busy, always. Of course we climbed inside the Statue of Liberty, looking out from her crown. We went on a shopping trip as my mom wanted a very specific bedspread that she was certain Gimbels carried. We saw the Rockettes Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. We also went up to the lookout floor in the Empire State building. I was so young and had never been in a building that high before, the elevator ride seemed to go on forever. I realize this may be an everyday thing for you, but if you haven't been in a skyscraper before it is an usual experience initially. By the time I was in college we were cutting classes to go "into the city" to see a Broadway show, one time almost getting elbowed in the face by Frank Langella (look him up). I digress, let's talk about a book.

I just read The Escape Room by Megan Goldin. This is a thriller about a group of people that work in a cut throat financial merger company in New York City. The story follows a specific team of coworkers. We discover that two of the team members have died and the rest have been called to a team bonding exercise, an escape room, that is an actual elevator in an empty luxury office tower under construction. The elevator is up high, where the one guard can't hear any screaming or pleas for help.   I won't say more, except I hope you aren't claustrophobic. This book is well written and sticks to the storyline. Anywhere the author takes you is absolutely necessary. The reading is quick, easy, and pleasant yet tense, as a thriller should be. There are those books that you want to slow down and savor, this is not one of those books. This novel you want to gobble up whole, just ask me, I read 290+ pages today...a new record for me. Yup, this was a great page-turner from beginning to twisty, satisfying end.

I think the publisher might be able to sell this as an exercise book. After reading this, I bet a lot of people will be skipping the elevator and taking the stairs!

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

Hello everyone.

When you were a kid did you ever go to a slumber party?  Okay, I realize sleep overs are more of a girl thing, but you men might need to learn about them for your daughters. At these gatherings girls often play games, spooky ones. Stiff as a Board Light as a Feather comes to mind. Someone lies on the floor, the others encircle that person putting two fingers under the edge of reclining person's body. Then a quiet incantation is repeated, "Stiff as a board light as a feather."  As the verse is chanted, the outside circle of participants lifts the center person who is now magically rigid and light, allowing them to levitate off the floor. Did you do this? I'm a chicken, if I was there when it actually worked I'd scream bloody murder and run away.

One time, I was at a slumber party where we were daring each other to go into a dark bathroom and look into the mirror. There was a mantra we were to say three times and you were supposed to either see a woman standing behind you or scratch your own eyes out. Of the two, I'd prefer the standing woman and less of the extreme itchy eye treatment. We all ended up being too creeped out to take the dare and settled on eating the edge of a dog biscuit. Ah, ain't life grand.

I recently read Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson. This book will be available on July 30th. This thriller follows a woman, Amy, who has an unusual visitor at the book club she is hosting at her home. It is a new neighbor, Roux.  Roux is not the type of woman the book club is used to, she is much more outgoing, brash even. After inviting herself in, she insists that they don't discuss the book but instead play her version of the game Never Have I Ever. Roux is getting the women to divulge the worst things they've ever done. Secrets are exposed, lives are changed forever. Amy, however, likes her life just the way it is and the only thing she wants changed is Roux out of it.

One of my fellow bloggers wanted to know what I thought of this when I was halfway done. I was unsure how to answer, finally settling on "A bit slow for a thriller, but interesting."  I stick by that answer, but now see the author had a point. She spends a large portion of the beginning of the book discussing Amy's past. Obviously, this slows down the action in the present time, but it is necessary. So when you read this, if you are thinking perhaps this story isn't for you please stick with it. The details of the past come together masterfully and aid in the tension that is building to a shocking end, something I would never have imagined. A very enjoyable read.

I wonder if there are any thrillers about games that are more my speed, like go fish.

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

Hello everyone.

Have you ever heard experts say that we, as humans, sometimes have a fight or flight reaction? I think it might be real. When something really bad happens, for a split second I want to leave. The thought floats through my head to run away and start a new anonymous life somewhere else, without the awful issue of the moment. Of course I don't leave, it isn't responsible. People I love need and deserve my support but the fleeting thought is there.

Then there is the other kind of flight, the serious, well thought out kind. When I was a kid, I loved going to the beach. I know I've mentioned before that on one family spring break trip to Myrtle Beach I swore I would marry a pool boy. I must have believed that the pool boy was the epitome of beach-dom. I couldn't have aspired to a hotel owner or land baron, nope, teenage me thought that the pool boy was the top of the beach heap. Funny thing is my husband grew up just a few blocks off the ocean and his early jobs were working in hotels and renting bikes on the boardwalk. His brown hair was bleached pale blonde by the sun, he was super tan and had beautiful blue eyes (still does). He was a walking postcard for the oceanfront. Now, having been married for eons and living by the ocean for years I want to move. We can't, hubby's job is here. The problem is hurricanes. I have experienced way too many and am terrified of them. If I could, I would move far away from the ocean just because of hurricanes.

I recently read The Invited by Jennifer McMahon. This is the story of two teachers who decide they want to move. Helen is a history teacher and Nate adores science. They want to leave their jobs, buy an old house, and build a new life. After looking at all their options, this couple purchases a lot they like and decide to build a new house that looks like an old salt box home. Problems arise when they discover that the property they now own is where the house of town legend Hattie Breckenridge once stood...and the site of her death over a century ago. When Helen wants to give her new house a wink and nod to history she purchases several pieces of architectural salvage that had a connection to Hattie. Once installed, these pieces seem to bring odd happenings to their newly built home.

When reading the book jacket, you might think this is a straight up haunted house book. While it is a bit spooky, it really is so much more. The story of Hattie unfolds and the reader is witness to how she was treated, how a single moment in time can change everything including future generations, naturally it ties into today as well.  I love when a book ends up having a much more involved story than I thought it would, I feel like I am getting extra value for my money. That is exactly how this book is, more than I anticipated. The Invited is engaging, moving not at a thriller pace but quickly enough to keep the reader interested. Like in many books, I was sure I knew the answers to the mysteries presented but the author proved me wrong. If you like mild haunted house stories, stories concerning New England, houses, mysteries or just great tales, you'll like this book.

I am wondering if I should start tracing our deed back...perhaps not.

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

Hello everyone.

Have you ever really looked at your house? Really looked?  Several years ago we had a house built. It was a wonderful, but stressful experience. Once completed, we discovered a few feet "missing" from the interior. We finally decided that the missing space was an area that heat and air ducts ran from the first floor, through the second, to the attic.

Our current house is an early 1900's craftsman, a Sears house. Shortly after moving in, the previous owner came to the door and wanted to know if we found the secret room and met the ghost. Having lived in a haunted house I can tell you this house has no ghosts. The owner swears his wife was constantly losing her keys saying a ghost was moving them. Frankly, I think she just forgot where she put her keys. When your house is haunted, you know it. Someday I'll tell you about it. What the old owner was talking about was that there is stained glass in several places on our house. On the second floor there are two stained glass windows on the outside but only one on the inside. One window is in a walk-in closet in a guest room, the other in the master bedroom. Only the master has no such window. For some unknown reason it was long ago walled in on the interior. I'm guessing because it was difficult to decorate around. Our bedroom has double divided glass pocket doors, five windows, a fireplace, a radiator, and closet along with the entry door. Not many good places to put any furniture. I imagine putting a wall over the stained glass was done to have a section of plain wall. Old buildings were built differently, they seem to have a lot more nooks and crannies. Now that you want an English muffin, let's talk about a book.

I recently read Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. I finished this book in one day, something I (the admitted slow reader) have never done before, and we are talking 360+ pages. This is the story of a young woman who lost her boyfriend, job and place to live all at once. She has found a great offer that helps with her situation, apartment sitting. Not only does she now have somewhere to live for the next three months but a great paycheck as well. In addition, this apartment is in an old building in NYC that she has been interested in for years and is the pinnacle of plushness. Because of the noteable people living in the building, the job comes with several rules like no visitors, no discussing the building on social media, and you must spend every night in the apartment. A bit odd, but not that unreasonable for rich people that want their privacy.

This book is a thriller through and through. It starts calmly, gaining the reader's curiosity, but as strange things begin happening it quickly builds to a page flipping frenzy. While the story progresses we are presented with several possible explanations for the events at the old privileged apartment building. Racing from one solution to the next until finally the reader is given a satisfying ending you'll never see coming.

This was my first Riley Sager, but certainly not my last. As soon as my eyes recover and my hands stop shaking I'll have to purchase his other two books. Now I know to clear my schedule and get the economy size eye drops!

The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searle

Hello everyone.

Years ago, I started learning about genealogy. During my quest I have discovered some remarkable things. I also realize all the questions I should have asked relatives that have passed on. I wish I could go back and ask those questions now and tell my family all the interesting things I have found. Some of them, like my grandfather, would be none too shocked that he was a direct descendent of William the Conqueror...and I'd NEVER hear the end of it. I found I share a branch of the old family tree with Wald Disney, George Eastman, and Daniel Webster.  The discovery is never ending, as technology gets better it seems to shrink the world and make information better quality and easier to obtain. My research actually started a lot closer to home. I began trying to find out about my husbands family.  They were very early settlers of North Carolina. There is a town and streets named after them, even a bird. They owned a lot of land, what do people with a lot of land do, they farm of course. Close enough to drive to, we were able to see the actual farms they owned, some of the early buildings still stand. It is quite an odd feeling to be right there where your family lived, hundreds of years ago.  The land is peaceful and beautiful as wind blows patterns through the crops, usually cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans or wheat. It seems like such an honest way to live, simple. You plant seeds, they grow, you harvest the crop, more seeds are planted and more grows. Okay, that is a simplified version but compared to working downtown, complaining about traffic jams, parking costs, and stuck elevators, it's pretty holistic.

I recently read The Reluctant Courtship of Jack Allan by Dayle King Searle. While sold as an inspirational romance, it is much more.  There is a romantic element but it is really just a beautiful story.  The main character is a man, very unusual for anything romantic-ish. Jack is a farmer who has lost his wife, his neighbor Ruby plays matchmaker between him and her granddaughter, Ally. Things don't go quite as planned for the sassy Ruby, but she believes she knows what is best. In addition, we find out that Jack has a secret that threatens not only his relationship with Ally but essentially his future true happiness. This book talks a lot about farming. Wait, don't run. It is informative and interesting, not dry or boring and blends into the story seamlessly. (It is a farming setting, afterall.) I don't want to say much more about the plot as I will ruin it for you.

This story is full of characters that you will come to love and admire. This book will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. The writing is excellent. While you may not have heard of this author or novel, the writing rivals any New York Times best seller out there. This book is a joy to read from beginning to end.

Next time I hear the song Old McDonald, I won't be thinking of ee-i-ee-i-o, I'll be thinking about Jack Allan.