Murder Leads to Marriage by Shannon Peeples

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a great day.

As I've talked about so many times, I come from a family with four girls, no boys.  My parents wanted a boy, had me, tried again, had triplet girls and quit.  If you knew my sisters, you'd quit too! Gosh I think they have big mouths and are full of....um...how do I put it politely...baloney, now.  Can you imagine the three of them crying with loaded diapers?  Oh, and there were no Pampers, only cloth diapers.  The smell of rinsed out diapers is something I still can't get out of my nose, decades later. When we were teens, my dad used to talk about trying to get into our one bathroom.  He would imitate women's arm movements putting on mascara, saying it was a jungle in front of the mirror. I've talked about all of this before, but the memories are such fond ones (except the smell). My dad was in all his glory.  He loved be a "girl Dad."  If you wanted something, all you'd have to do is ask him, beginning by calling him Daddy and saying it really slowly.  "Daadddy, I really need that pink sweater."  He was putty, and I think, happily so.  He was a wonderful Dad. As for the sisters, the jury is still out.

I recently read Murder Leads to Marriage by Shannon Peeples. This is the story of the Hurley sisters and their dad. Amy, Lily, Daisy and Rosie along with their father, Jack.  They have had to make a life for themselves after losing their mom and wife.  They are very tightknit and usually upfront with each other. We discover, however, that people have secrets. Some secrets might just be an unnamed boyfriend, but some are much more difficult to stomach and could bring dire consequences. When a woman is killed who had recently threatened Daisy, the truth must come out and mystery solved before the killer comes calling much closer to home. 

This book was a delight to read. While it feels, for the most part, more like a romantic cozy mystery than a heart pounding thriller, the story still moves right along.  With this pleasing pacing, I moved quickly though the book.  Thriller lovers don't despair, there is an elaborate mystery with a very tense resolution. All of the thriller/mystery stuff aside, where this novel really shines is in the relationship between the four sisters. The character development, while danger abounds, is remarkable and endearing. With the smooth writing, interesting plot and pacing, this book is a winner.  Don't be surprised if after reading Murder Leads to Marriage, you are checking in with your siblings, just to see what they've been up to.  You also might be looking over your shoulder...just a little bit.

Many thanks to publicist Deborah and author Shannon for the great read.  It has been a pleasure.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Hello.  I hope you're having a great day.

The holidays often make me think of the people I've lost, like my grandparents.  I was blessed to have fantastic, loving grandparents on both my maternal and paternal side.  My maternal grandfather was a very pious man, he also was extremely outgoing. He was modest but he was also a politician.  He was mayor and actually secured the land that later became the town's only mall. My grandparents traveled around the world going everywhere but Russia, where they wanted to go but never got the chance.  Every year they went to Hawaii for my birthday...without me...and called me from the pool, while I was in cold New York.  Being the way he was, my granddad knew the name of half the population of Hawaii, and they knew him.  My poor demure grandmother went along with it all.  She surprised me when I got married by giving me the advice to "train him (meaning my husband) right from the beginning".  That makes me think she ran the show more than she let on. Sadly, hubby has proven untrainable.

One time my grandparents moved to the boonies near my hometown.  They were near a swampy area, by a State Park.  When there, they became avid bird watchers. They had a tiny little book, which my sisters and I always fought over, that identified all kinds of birds.  It was so prized, it not only survived decades but was given to my niece when she was little.  For a while, my whole family knew the names of many birds, now sadly they are just known as the mean blue one, or the gray one with the yellow tail.

I recently read Starling House by Alix E. Harrow.  This is the story of Opal, a down on her luck, hard life kind of girl.  She lives in the town of Eden where everyone seems cursed.  She keeps having dreams of Starling House, a local mansion.  Starling House was the home of Elizabeth Starling, who, in the 1800s, wrote a book called The Underland and then disappeared.  Drawn to the house, because of her dreams, Opal meets the rude and brash current owner, Authur.  Opal tries to find the reason for her odd dreams of the elusive house, and why in the dreams the mansion feels like home.  As she does secrets become unraveled, some not only dangerous but life-threatening.

This book was lots of fun.  It was a fast pleasant read.  It is an odd bird (get it...bird...Starling), as it's kind of a gothic horror without being scary, it has a bit of romance, lots of mystery and suspense and a fair amount of thriller thrown in for good measure.  One thing about the way this is written, I usually hate, but is done so effectively here, that I loved it.  I dislike when things are said over and over, I feel like the author is trying to increase book length and is wasting my time.  In this case, it is on purpose and very useful.  We hear the story of Starling House from several points of view, from people with experience with the building, land and family.  The closer we get to the end, the closer we get to the truth.  So entertaining.  I literally could not put this down, reading until my vision was blurring.

I've been on a roll lately.  The last several books I've read have been so creative and fantastic.  Christmas has come early! 

My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon

Hello everyone. I hope you are well.

Well, it is October.  I'm sure you needed reminding of the date so there is it, you're welcome.  For me, October is a time when I breathe a slight sigh of relief that there aren't as many hurricanes coming up the coast. I now start dreading something new, turning on the heat and its associated cost. Fall also makes me terribly homesick.  I come from a place where the most excellent apples are grown, cider mills dot the landscape, and pumpkin farms host all kinds of fun activities.  Living near the coast where shrimp are plentiful, but locals have never met, let alone tasted, a decent apple. I miss fall in the north. I suppose for many of you, the crisp air dipping down into the country makes you think of chili, football, and trick or treating.  Some of you participate in the great American debate, is candy corn good or the fall equivalent of melted crayons?  I don't want to discuss politics here but for today I will make an exception.  Candy corn is delicious and for you that don't agree, well, I just shake my head and picture you standing in the corner coveting your Twix.  Feel free, I'll take the corn.  One thing many book lovers have in common is seasonal reading.  You want a great beach book on vacation, a cute little Hallmark Channel-ish Christmas novel, and a spooky read in October.  I think I can help.

I recently read My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon. I have read and reviewed several books by Ms. McMahon, one of my favorites is the The Drowning Kind.  I was anxious to "dive" into her latest.  This is the story of Alison, who lives in a Vermont farmhouse with her family.  They are getting ready to celebrate Christmas, she isn't a fan of the holiday but puts up with her husband's love of it.  Out of the blue, Alison receives a call that her mother is very sick and dying.  Reluctantly, she goes to see her mom in the hospital.  Their relationship is not good.  Alison's mom, Mavis, who is now a famous artist, was an abusive mother.  When Mavis asks to come live the last few weeks of her life with her daughter and family, Alison wrestles with the decision.  Finally, she agrees, hoping they can improve their mother/daughter dynamic. As their time together begins it becomes very apparent something is wrong, Mavis is not who she says.  In fact, Alison is sure that her ill mother is a threat to her own family and has to figure out what is truly going on and how to protect those she loves.

My Darling Girl is the perfect October read.  Despite being set at Christmas, this book will give you the major creeps.  The story is fast moving, interesting, and will leave you feeling uneasy.  What else can I say?  It's fall, this is a fun, spooky read by an established author who doesn't disappoint.  Turn on all your lights, grab this book and some candy corn and make a weekend of it.

For those "crayon criticizers," how do you feel about black jellybeans?

A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing

 

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a great day.

My mom used to tell the story of her office romance that wasn't.  Before she had children, she was the receptionist at a major corporation, she would deal with visitors and salespeople.  My mother was quite beautiful, so I'm not surprised they put her out front.  Now stop rolling your eyes.  I know all moms have to say their children are attractive but not the other way around, so just stop moving your eyes like that or they'll stick that way.  She really was stunning (making me question why I was so short sheeted...oh my gosh, if you don't understand that term you need to go to summer camp).  Anyway, Mom caused a scandal.  Seems she was seen often having lunch with an older man, a respected employee that was also a politician...and very married.  When her boss finally gathered his nerve to broach the topic, he explained why that it was not proper behavior.  He demanded she stop meeting with the man, and most definitely having lunch in the corporate cafeteria.  My mother stood her ground and steadfastly refused.  Her now irate boss wanted to know how she could possibly refuse his order; she calmly told him it was easy.  She was well aware that the man she was eating lunch with was married, and she didn't care, she didn't care because he was married to her mother.  My mother was eating lunch with my grandfather, her dad.  Oh to have been a fly on the wall that day!

I recently read A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing.  This is the fourth book I've read by Downing and I have enjoyed and reviewed them all.  This is the story of Wes and Ivy.  They have been a couple, on and off, for years.  They have a passionate relationship where they can't stand to be apart, but then once together for a while they burn each other out and break up.  They are like two cogs, trying repeatedly to fit together correctly to make each other spin but they keep missing the perfect alignment.  Because of this constant cycle, they find ways to test each other, often resulting in trouble.  Despite their issues, they will never be far apart because they share a secret.  When the police suddenly become interested in them both, they realize that making their relationship work is the only way to survive what lies ahead.

If you've never had your heart broken, wondered about someone in your past, held a flame for someone longer than you should, or found the person you were meant to be with...well, you might interpret this story as two people dating who can't get it together.  If you've had your fair share of romantic experiences, you will quickly realize that Wes and Ivy's feelings and actions are much more complicated.  The secret they hold, and are being pursued for, drives the story and their relationship forward.

A Twisted Love Story started out slower than the author's other books but once you understand what is going on, the couple's dynamics make it interesting.  When more about the dreaded secret comes out, the book moves quickly towards an unusual but satisfying resolution.  A different type of story for Downing but still very enjoyable.

The Angel Maker by Alex North

Hello everyone.  I hope your week has been a nice one.

Every time I think about Alex North, I think about the things publishers sometimes send along with their books.  There have been pens, bookmarks, bumper stickers, swizzle sticks, anonymous notes in the mail from the thriller's killer, candy and more.  One of the most unique things came with an early copy of The Whisper Man by Alex North.  When you opened the package, it started singing.  Not just singing, no this wasn't any joyous Santa Claus is Coming to Town or Happy Birthday...both songs have me wishful that someone is giving me a new car or dazzling emerald jewelry, of which I have received neither.  I opened the book packaging and it started to sing the creepiest song.  One I still remember and can sing word for word, years later.  The spooky little jingle can be heard on my review of the book on September 16,2019.  Ever since getting that chatty Cathy package, I'm always on the lookout for this author's next book.

I recently read The Angel Maker by Alex North.  I've read The Whisper Man and The Shadows by the same author and enjoyed both.  This time we are following several different people.  Katie Shaw is an adult woman with a husband and young daughter, plenty of responsibilities.  She is contacted by her mother when her brother, Chris, goes missing.  Chris had been the victim of terrible violence when they were teens and Katie still, privately, holds herself responsible.  Then we follow Laurence, a police detective.  He is investigating a bizarre and brutal murder of a wealthy man who seemed to know he was going to die.  You know a wild ride is coming your way when you learn that Laurence had investigated what happened years ago to poor Chris and realized both attacks may somehow be connected.

Although I have enjoyed all North's books, this is by far my favorite.  This might well be my favorite thriller of the year, although I probably say that often.  This story is complicated, like you need a string and pins to map it out on your dining room wall and despite living in North Carolina, I'd end up with my string traveling to New Jersey.  Honestly, it's not that complicated, not too many characters and not overly involved.  This story is intricate enough to keep you anxiously reading and amazed at how the author has connected everything to make a composite story.  So many times, thrillers are heart pounding or plot thick, this book accomplished both seamlessly.  I loved every second and cannot wait for Alex North's next book.

The Drift by C.J. Tudor

Hello everyone.  I hope your week is going well.

Do you get snow where you live?  We rarely get any of the white stuff. Sadly, we make up for it with hurricanes.  Frankly, I'd rather have the snow.  Growing up in upstate New York, we had loads of snow.  I swear we had lots more than they do now.  A year or two ago they received 41 inches of snow in one storm, can you even imagine?  What I am talking about is consistent, winter season long snow. That is what we had, picture me chuckling at southerners complaining about the occasional Snowmageddon.  We lived that for at least a solid four months, I'm quite sure at times winter lasted for six months.  Ask my husband, we visited my parents one time in June, it was so cold they had a fire in the fireplace...IN JUNE!  Then there was the time we went up in May, packed nothing warm. In fact, I brought no socks, just backless sneakers and pedal pushers.  On that trip, surely the temperature dipped below zero. Of course, as a kid I was just the image of beauty and grace on the slippery snow-covered tundra.  Think Elsa, from Disney.  I'm certain I wore the gown too and sang about building a snowman.  Our neighbors, who tried to get me to walk with snowshoes on, might disagree just a tiny bit.  Not that I took a header into a huge snowbank, but I'll just say, you can get in ice cream headache without eating anything, especially when your entire face is submerged.  Who thought it was helpful to walk on soft show with tennis rackets strapped to your feet, all those holes in between those strings (rolling my eyes for emphasis)?

I recently read The Drift by C.J. Tudor.  I read, reviewed and loved her book, The Burning Girls.  I was very much looking forward to Tudor's newest offering.  As the title indicates, this entire book takes place in the snow.  The world is on the verge of something catastrophic happening.  A huge snowstorm leaves people stranded.  The reader follows three groups.  One group is on a trip from a boarding school and their bus has crashed.  They are in the wilderness, the storm is raging, the temperature dropping, people are hurt, and wild animals await their exit from the damaged bus.  Next, we follow a group on a cable car, high above the snowy mountains, headed to someplace called "The Retreat".  As the storm moves in the cable car stops, leaving them stranded in the cold.  They can't jump down or go up, and the dangling car becomes frigid.  Then finally we follow The Retreat employees themselves.  Something odd has happened, as the storm starts their power goes out.  What is usually reliable has suddenly left them in a very dangerous situation.

This book was interesting.  I don't think I'd call it fun.  This book made me cold and uneasy.  It wasn't pleasant, although lots of thrillers aren't but this one felt dark, and I didn't want to read it.  Don't get me wrong, it had a great plot and twists that fooled me, but I came away feeling blah.  Usually, I'm racing to my husband begging him to read whatever story I've just finished so we can talk about it.  In the case of The Drift, I was just glad it was over.  As always, although it wasn't for me, you may love this one.  It is highly rated on Amazon and is Editors pick for Best Thriller.

Oh no, maybe I've living in the south for so long I've developed an aversion to snow.  But where would I wear my Elsa dress?

The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

What is going on with the cost of books?  I thought perhaps it was a temporary thing, but the wacky pricing of books seems to be here to stay. Authors don't get that much of what books cost, so don't blame them.  This leaves me asking why the heck digital books are so expensive. Why are they just a few dollars cheaper than a hardback book?  Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, and yes, I know that publishers set the price of books.  But if I'm not getting a physical copy, why am I paying so darn much?  My Kindle books have to be formatted, I get it, but so do printed books.  I'm getting no cover, no pages, no paper, no book smell, no book to chuck across the room if it irritates me, and frankly, no book to throw dramatically in case of a fight with hubby. I feel like I've just watched A Christmas Story: no turkey sandwiches, no turkey salad, no turkey gravy, turkey hash, turkey a la king, or gallons of turkey soup.  What? I told you we were a movie line family.  Okay, I'll stop.  Why are paperbacks so expensive?  They are almost as much as a hardback and often more.  What happened to buying a book at the drug store at the beach for $3.95?  Now they are like twenty bucks.  Some big shots at the publishing houses are laughing their butts off at the gullible readers. First of all, if you work for a publishing house, I'm kidding.  Second, you are a lucky duck.  Does your office smell like a library with old books, or like a Barnes and Noble with new books and fresh coffee? These are the burning questions that keep me up at night. And, yes, I am the sucker paying a gazillion dollars for books. I can't help myself; I beg them to take my money.

I recently read The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden.  This is the follow up book to The Housemaid, which was released last fall.  While you'll feel right at home with the same main character if you read the first book, it is completely unnecessary to fully enjoy and understand the second.  This is the story about Millie, who has had a difficult past which she would like to keep private.  Unemployed and in need of money, Millie finds a job as a maid and cook for a couple who live in a lavish penthouse.  When learning of her new duties from Douglas Garrick, he advises her not to go into the guest room.  That is where his wife stays, and she is not well.  Millie must never bother Mrs. Garrick.  This seems reasonable until Millie hears unusual noises coming from the out of bounds room and possible crying from her unseen employer.  Then there is the blood that starts appearing on Mrs. Garrick's nightgowns that Millie is responsible for washing.  

While sequels rarely measure up to their original, The Housemaid's Secret is just as good. The twists remain surprising and worrisome.  The book takes flight on the first page and holds you hostage until the very last word.  A very quick, fun, read that will remind you of why you like thrillers!

This book, worth every penny.

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica

Hello everyone.  I hope this week has been great.

Lately it seems that normal things have snazzy new words.  Hiking, even for an afternoon, used to mean something rugged. You definitely wore a heavy backpack loaded with the latest survival gear, despite the hike being only two hours.  You also wore heavy brown, unyielding, boots. When on an official hike, you were in danger of being eaten by a mountain lion, billy goat, or at the minimum you encountered a flirtatious Big Foot. When I was a kid, we hiked all day, without the lifesaving gear.  We roughed it walking, oh excuse me, hiking to the creek where we dared walk in the water discovering waterfalls and crayfish.  You wanna talk about rugged, try walking around in soaking wet sneakers the rest of the day, they squished and squeaked with every step, then there was the wrath of Mom. Forget mountain lions, ruined brand new sneakers was a capital offense.

I recently read Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica.  I read one of her other books, Local Woman Missing, and didn't like the end.  This book is different.  Just the Nicest Couple is the story of two couples, that are friends.  Nina is a schoolteacher and her husband, Jake, is a surgeon.  Lily is also a teacher, and her adoring husband is Christian.  Sadly, Jake goes missing.  Lily tells Christian that she was on the "hiking" trail and saw Jake.  Something bad happened.  Christian tries to help his wife with this dangerous and tricky situation.  As with most thrillers, all is not what it seems.  The reader is presented with multiple scenarios as the picture constantly morphs.

This book was so fun.  The ending was fantastic.  I'm so glad I didn't give up on this author.  The story was fast paced, simply told, easy to read, and interesting.  A fun thriller!

I best hike my way to the kitchen to do dishes. I better find one of those survival backpacks, I'll need it.

Sign Here by Claudia Lux

Hello everyone.  I hope you've enjoyed a nice weekend.

I messed up and I've come to confess.  Occasionally I receive advanced copies of books from publishers.  Although they arrive with no strings attached, I feel like I should read and review them.  It seems only fair. A book for free and an advanced look? Yes, please.  It is a privilege that I would never want to abuse.  Let's face it, books even simply printed proof copies, are expensive, just like everything else.  In addition, I'm certain the author has their hopes up for some great feedback to help with their book sales (certainly not all reviews are positive).  

I dropped the ball.  Yes, there were the holidays, covid, and life in general, but I read plenty of other books in that time.  So, to Berkley publishing, I apologize.  I don't know if it was the length or topic, something stopped me from diving into your book immediately.  I hope other readers won't be so skittish, they would be missing out.

I recently read Sign Here by Claudia Lux.  This is the story of a man named Peyote who is in hell.  Yes, literal hell.  The descriptions are both terrifying and hilarious.  What I thought might turn my stomach was completely engaging.  Peyote is trying to get one final person in the Harrison family to sign over their soul, for which he will be rewarded.  The story also follows the Harrison family as they live their lives on earth.  They decide to spend their summer at the family lake house.  What seems like an idyllic vacation suddenly turns dark as the reader finds out that years ago something bad happened at that house.  Family members are hiding secrets that are starting to make others wonder.  One person knows the truth of what happened, Peyote, from hell.  He can use that knowledge to his advantage to get that one last soul.

Please, please, don't be like I was.  Do not let this book intimidate you with its 400+ pages and difficult topic.  This story is interesting, suspenseful, fun, witty, dark, and an easy read.  It's new and unique.  You can't say that as much these days.  Definitely worth a read.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!

If you want to receive advanced copies of books, you don't need to have a blog.  Authors are happy to have reviews anywhere.  You can go to Netgalley and read eBooks; you have to review on their site but once you get going publishers may approve you to receive that latest blockbuster early.  Or you can go to Bookishfirst, they usually send you a paper copy.  They require you to come back and write a review on their site.  Or you can go to Goodreads, under the browse button there are giveaways...hundreds of giveaways.  Goodreads would like you to come back and review the book, but it isn't required.  I'm certain there are more sites, but these are very reputable and well known. No soul selling for these books!

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

Some people walk through life (literally) with grace.  Not me, I walk through everything with an eternal sense of clumsiness.  Sadly, some of my lack of walking on clouds has rubbed off on my husband.  Now some of his troubles he deserves.  Hubby constantly leaves glasses, bowls, everything, halfway on and halfway off the counter or table.  It's begging mean old Mr. Gravity to do his job, while he laughs maniacally and twists his handlebar mustache.  This time, I'm talking about accidents.  One time after my grandfather had died, my sisters and I rented a house on the beach in Nags Head, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  We invited my grandmother, thinking it would be a great escape for her and reenforcing that we were still a family of which she was a big part.  One day while helping my grandmother in her room, hubby had to get something that had fell behind a set of drawers.  They were about hip high, and he didn't realize that the top drawer was slightly open.  As he bent over the top to pull her item from behind the dresser, um...some very personal part of his body traveled into the top of the drawer (yes, he was dressed), at the same time he was leaning against the drawer.  Yes, he gave himself a major pinch, all the while not letting on to my grandmother what had happened.  Yep, that's one of my memories of renting a house for a family vacation.

I recently read The Villa by Rachel Hawkins.  I've reviewed several of her books before, enjoying them.  In addition, she writes The Ex Hex series under the name Erin Sterling, also reviewed here.  The Villa is about Emily and Chess, both authors and best friends from Asheville, NC.  When reunited for a visit they decide to spend the summer in Italy in a famous villa with an interesting history.  The story moves in dual timelines between the present and 1974 where five people are also renting the same villa for the summer.  They are musicians and a writer.  All hoping the setting will improve their creativity. Sadly in 1974 one of the five ends up murdered.  The crime is solved and one of them goes to jail, but when in the present-day Emily does some research, it appears things may not have been as it seemed.  As the book moves through everyone's time on their vacation, parts of their histories start to match up.  Will Emily solve what really happened in 1974, will the cursed house tear Em and Chess apart or worse?  

While I have enjoyed Rachel Hawkins past books this one is so superior.  The story is multi layered, interesting, moves at a thoughtful pace.  While not a heart pounding thriller, you'll be thrilled to keep those pages turning.  Highly entertaining, this book is hard to put down.  Don't miss it.

Now that I've told you about my husband and his hurt...um...pride...I better go make sure all the kitchen drawers are closed.   

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a nice day.

Does your family play games?  My family plays lots of games.  When we were growing up, there was one game that reigned supreme, especially with my father...Tripoley.  This is a card game with a board that has combinations of cards written on it.  You start by playing poker, then go into a version of rummy.  With certain combinations you get to claim the amount that is anted to in each spot on the board.  Now, gambling is frowned upon, so I'll say we always played this with poker chips.  Okay, I'll put this out there, what is the point of saving your pennies in an old coffee can if it is not to crush the dreams of your family, one cent at a time! Perhaps I "forgot" to ante once or twice, making it much more profitable.  Don't look at me like that, you never heard the saying "mama needs a new pair of shoes?"  Well, April has a raging book addiction to pay for, with pennies if necessary!

I recently read The Family Game by Catherine Steadman.  This is the story of a young newly engaged couple, Harriett and Edward.  Edward is from a wealthy family, like Vanderbilt wealthy.  In addition, he has made a fortune himself.  Though Edward has been kind of estranged from his family, he now feels it's time for him and his bride-to-be to participate in family gatherings. The only issue is that his family is weird, toxic, abrasive, and not to be trusted.  Then there are the games.  When the family gathers, they play games, not a rousing game of Scrabble (I always get z and q repeatedly), or a marathon game of Monopoly that requires snacks and eventually coffee.  Nope.  This family plays "run for your life" kinds of games.  Is Edward worth it?  What would you go through for the person you love?  How wacky of in-laws would you put up with?  These questions and more are asked as secrets are exposed and hidden.

This was a quick and fun read.  Nothing too taxing, with pleasant writing.  Pretty thrilling as far as thrillers go, this book has that feeling that you're waiting for someone to jump out around every corner.  It was a tiny bit annoying that some characters were in the story only briefly and could have played a bigger role.  Nonetheless, very enjoyable.

I'm going to count my pennies, lots of books are calling my name.

Keep it in the Family by John Marrs

Hello everyone.  I hope you are well.

I wanted to talk about one of our old houses where we found lots of "stuff" in the attic, since that relates to today's book.  I can't.  I have to address something that is driving me crazy.  Authors please, pretty please with a cherry on top, enough with the Covid already.  If readers want to read about the pandemic, they can read something nonfiction, but fiction is fiction...it's made up.  Why when I'm going to a category of book that will allow me to escape the goings on of today, must I read constantly about Covid.  Yes, authors, we all know you went through lock down.  Do you really think you're telling us something we don't already know and wouldn't prefer to forget?  If you can't think of some other way to keep characters at arm's length or in their house, then I just don't know (shaking my head). I feel like authors need to have a sign stuck to their laptops saying "Covid, been there, done that, got the t-shirt."  Now that the stupid virus got me to spout an ancient, annoying saying I'll put grumpy Gerta away.

I recently read Keep it in the Family by John Marrs.  This is the story of a young couple Mia and Finn, who bought a rundown house with plans to retore it to its previous grandeur making it their dream home.  Shortly after their adventuresome purchase Mia discovers that she is pregnant.  While Mia isn't able to do quite as much to the house Finn and his dad, Dave, are hard at work making the necessary fixes.  One day something terrible is found in the attic.  Not only does it greatly delay their project, but it shakes everyone to the core.  The unwelcome find threatens to reveal secrets long ago hidden and tear this couple and family apart.

I have read lots of John Marrs books, and usually they include some small amount of fantasy.  Now I'm not a fantasy fan, but Marrs does it so well that I've come to look forward to it from him.  This book is different.  It is not fantasy at all, and while all thriller it might be said that it kind of dips its big toe into the horror pond.  If you just want a great story, you'll like this.  If you want typical John Marrs you'll still be happy but surprised by the topic and lack of futuristic flair. 

One thing is for sure, you'll never look at one of those falling apart houses tucked back in the woods the same way ever again. 

The Prisoner by B.A. Paris

Hello everyone. I hope you are doing well.

Today we picked up an order from the mart of walls (Walmart).  Despite carefully ordering only items "in stock" in my store and not on short inventory, 15 items out of 36 were out of stock.  I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure that very soon when I order groceries, not only are they not going to have anything but are going to request I bring THEM something from home.  Seriously, when they are out of my ordered whole chicken, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, even turkey lunch meat...what am I supposed to serve?  I didn't just read Harry Potter and am unable to swish and flick something on the plate for lunch or dinner.  Okay, housewifey rant over, at least I worked a book in there.  Phew. 

I recently read The Prisoner by B.A. Paris.  It came out last Tuesday, was delivered Thursday, I started it Friday night and was done by early afternoon on Saturday.  I was mesmerized by this story.  I think I slept for twenty minutes and tried getting up to read when hubby protested it was too early...and I read until 6:30 in the morning.  M-e-s-m-e-r-i-z-i-n-g.  I have read hundreds of thrillers but for some reason this one I could not put down...for anything...including sleep.  I have read all but one of B.A. Paris' books and liked them all.  This one, I don't know, it had a grip on me that wouldn't let go.

This is the story of Amelie and she is married to Ned.  Ned, a gazillionaire, is not a very nice person.  One day, they are both kidnapped.  They are kept separately while awaiting the payment of the ransom.  They are also kept in complete darkness.  Sounds like it would be difficult to make a great story out of due to the limited location.  It isn't.  The darkness just amps up the tension, you feel the darkness, the starkness, and find yourself almost holding your breath.  The story becomes more complicated when Amelie sadly realizes that she might be safer with her kidnappers then with her own husband.  Is she experiencing Stockholm syndrome or is Ned really a danger to his own wife? This is only a fraction of this involved, always twisting story.  

This book is under 300 pages, with such an elaborate story and being shorter than many, you know the author doesn't have a word that isn't absolutely necessary.  It also means to fit the whole tale in, this book must move along.  It flies!  Loved it and now have a huge case of book hangover.

If you buy this book, read it with a booklight in a dark room....I dare you. 

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a great day.

Years ago, I had all my parent's slides, they took gobs of photos.  The slides were starting to degrade and were hard to look at without setting up a lot of equipment.  Despite it being more overwhelming than cooking Thanksgiving dinner for a family of twenty with a picky Aunt Sue and cranky Uncle Hank, I scanned all the slides into my computer.  Within those family slides is an engineering drawing that I have no idea what it is.  When I was a kid, I was convinced my dad was a spy due to his wearing sunglasses, hey I was little and I'm quite certain that all spies covet an extensive sunglass wardrobe (they probably have cameras in them).  Of course, my dad was a regular person, but that miscellaneous slide had me wondering about him and his job that took him to top secret sites.

I recently read Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn.  This is the story of four aging women, spies, well assassins is more accurate.  The group these ladies work for has sent them on a fantastic all expenses paid cruise to mark their retirement. While trying to enjoy their relaxing gift they realize that someone is on the cruise that shouldn't be, in fact, it is someone they work with...a fellow assassin.  The four women quickly realize that this time they aren't the killers but the targets.   Why would an organization they have been so loyal to suddenly turn on them?  How do they come out alive when those after them are as well trained as they are?

This book is smart, fun, quick moving, interesting and laugh out loud funny.  Anyone will enjoy this book but if you are forty or older you will start to recognize some of their aches and pains, along with other "hormonal things" going on with their bodies.  All of this commentary on aging and the actual story of hunting assassins is told with so much humor, if was a pleasure to read.  My only regret is that this book isn't the beginning of a series, as I could do with a whole lot more of these wise-cracking ladies.

Hey, my dad went on a cruise once...hmmmmm...

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda

Hello everyone. I hope your day is going well.

As you lose people in your family, ultimately many of their belongings are divided up among those that are left grieving their absence.  My parents and grandparents had some nice dishes. With four of us all wanting certain pieces, despite losing these family members long ago, we still argue over who has what. Right now, the issue is these gigantic yellow Pyrex bowls.  My mother had one so did my grandmother.  One of my sisters has both of them.  This has become an issue of cataclysmic importance.  My mother made great potato salad and always served it in the humongous yellow bowl. None of my three sisters....NONE...have ever even made potato salad.  I, however, make fantastic potato salad (which I'm currently eating, hence this story), in fact, I make my mother's potato salad.  My potato salad and the elusive yellow Pyrex should be together, it is how the world should be.  I know there are terrible things going on in the world, heck plenty in the US alone and we have it better than so many others.  Yet, I implore you to consider my bowl dilemma, it is unfair that I am the only one able to use the yellow bowl as intended by family tradition, yet my sister holds TWO of them and feels not a twinge of guilt over her ceramic gluttony!  While I usually try and tie the opening of this post with the book, but I have little to say about hiking and have potato salad in my mouth.  Eh, it's free, take what you can get.

I recently read The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda. This is the story of a woman, Abby, who works at an inn in western North Carolina.  The big draw of this picturesque vacation spot is the hiking, rafting, general outdoorsiness.  In the past, there have been problems when people have gone missing on the hiking trails.  When a mysterious guest checks in, Abby's curiosity is peaked.  She discovers that the guest, Trey, is the brother of one of those who had disappeared.  As Trey begins his exploration of his brother's actions Abby is surprised by what she discovers while trying to assist him.  All is not right at the inn and the evidence is mounting that something is very wrong.

While I don't really consider Megan Miranda's books heart pounding thrillers, this is more thriller than usual.  The mystery is interesting and complicated. The story is intriguing and grabs you quickly.  The writing is pleasant, as always.  I wished it was a bit shorter, but at 336 pages the length doesn't seem outrageous. Overall, this was very enjoyable and my favorite by this author so far.  Can't wait until the next. 

You know what would be great to take on a hike?  Potato salad!

The Kingdom of Savannah by George Dawes Green

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a great day.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Savannah.  If you are not from the US, Savannah is an old city in Georgia.  I read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, when it first came out.  My niece went to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).  They appreciated her talents, which are unending.  When traveling to Disney World, we would spend the night in Savannah as it's a hefty drive from home yet not exhausting.  Years ago, my parents went to the city for several days, doing the whole tourist thing, and loved it.  Most importantly, we had a beloved dog named Savannah, one of the sweetest Scottish Terriers ever.  Yep, I definitely have a soft spot.

I recently read The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green.  I've never read anything by him before but he's quite famous. He wrote the award winning The Caveman's Valentine, which went on to become a movie with Samuel L. Jackson.  He also wrote The Juror, which was an international bestseller and also became a movie, featuring Demi Moore and Alec Baldwin.  I have been missing out. 

The Kingdoms of Savannah is about a woman that disappears and a man that is found dead.  Looking into these ominous events is the Musgrove family.  The matriarch is a bit of an investigator and her children have varying degrees of career sucess, lending their talents toward a solution.  The book features tons of characters as we are introduced to many citizens of Savannah.  Still the reader quickly catches on that while they add to the story, the only characters you really must keep track of are the Musgroves with a couple of exceptions.  While the public image, and certainly my image, of Savannah is mint julips in sizable stately old homes, this story explores another side.  Green expertly shows us the dark side, the forgotten people, the marginalized.  Does it preach about topics, no.  It does, however, have a dark, gritty feeling.  Atmosphere is a huge part of the story, and it is remarkably well done without "it was a dark and stormy night" type of descriptions. The story was involved yet easy to follow and kept me interested the entire way.  A great read that will linger for weeks to come and may have you calling your travel agent.  Have a mint julep for me.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a good day.

My mother loved the holidays, one of the reasons is that the family was around.  She loved the pandemonium of all her kids and their spouses being home.  I think maybe she felt surrounded by love.  Gosh, that's a happy thought.  A few years ago, my sister, her husband and two charming children came here for Christmas.  They had a bit more time off than usual and were going to be able to stay for three or four days.  I, like my mother, was in all my glory. We had the decorations ready, the cookies, food for days, and loads of games to play.  Then my dream happened.  In coastal North Carolina we had a Christmas snowstorm, a doozy.  Snow here is rare, on a holiday, rarer still, then you add I had a house full of family, the fireplace going, tree lights sparkling and snow falling that amounted to NINE inches, it was absolute perfection.  That being said family visits aren't so wonderful for all families.  You know there is that saying about company stinking in a few days, like fish.  I feel sorry for those people.

I recently read Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney.  I loved Rock, Paper, Scissors so I was very excited for this new book.  Daisy Darker does not disappoint.  This is the story of Daisy Darker, who goes home to her family's gothic house that sits, crumbling, on an island only reachable when the tide is out.  I know, I know, I was willing to buy the book for the location alone!  The entire Darker family is gathering to celebrate the birthday of Nana, who is turning 80.  Unfortunately, this family gathering is not pleasant as they do not get along.  The tide comes in, and they are stuck there...getting Agatha Christie vibes yet?  The clock strikes midnight and they find poor old Nana dead.  She is not the last, the bodies start piling up like firewood.  Who could possibly be responsible and why?  

This fast-paced read is filled with twist and turns. Despite having quite a few characters, they are easy to keep straight especially as the story gives the reader glimpses into the past and what made this family so hateful. The setting, though limited to one house, adds an immeasurable amount to this book.

This would be the perfect fall read, perhaps out on your porch with a slight chill in the air.  When you go back inside, you may find yourself giving your family a second look.....you never know.

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Hello everyone. I hope your week is going well so far.

One gets to be a housewife by being a wife.  My husband is the kindest person you'd ever meet but upon getting married he did have some things I had to get used to...male things.  First there is the air that comes from places that I didn't know exist, frankly I think the male body has more openings than the female.  Next, despite being evolved, smart, and truly nice, at times he will still objectify women.  If he is talking about some woman we don't know by name, the first thing he uses to describe her is her chest size.  Then there is the snoring.  Certainly lots of people snore, but my husband has it down to a fine science...just ask our neighbor three doors down!  He usually goes to sleep before me, as I've stated before I am a bad sleeper.  I will try, try being the optimal word there, to watch TV.  I find it impossible to hear the dialog over his snoring.  I've even recorded it and played to back for him, showing him that he really does possess a world class talent.  Not only am I wide awake if he's snoring, it's been going on for so much of my life, now I think there is something wrong if he sleeps peacefully.  Yep, I'm awake either way.

I recently read Stay Awake by Megan Goldin.  This is the story of Liv Reese, who wakes up in the back of a taxi in New York City.  She doesn't know how she got there or why there is this bizarre writing on the back of her hand telling her to stay awake.  What is even odder is that she discovers not only doesn't she know what happened the night that landed her in the taxi asleep, but she doesn't remember the last two years.  While trying to figure out what is going on she finds out that someone has been murdered and the murderer has written, in blood on the window, a message about remaining awake.  Could she have done something terrible?

Holy cow does this book move.  Honestly, don't start this unless you can finish it.  The story boasts short chapters, often ending with terrifying revelations, bouncing between two years ago and the present day.  This suspenseful thriller fills the reader with the urgent need to know what has happened to Liv.   I don't want to give anything away but turn on Netflix for your kids, order take out, and clear your schedule, this one is wild.

By the way, hubby wants to read this book.  Finally, I have something to keep him awake!

The Big Dark Sky by Dean Koontz

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a great day.

You would think living near the North Carolina coast, where millions of people flock to for their annual vacations, that I would think of nothing else.  No, I always have to be the oddball.  I have been incredibly homesick lately.  Hubby and I have even considered moving there.  Unfortunately, although he was willing, the property taxes and school taxes for upstate New York are terrifying! I don't mean cute little kid dressed as any political figure on Halloween scary.  I mean a girl, usually with big boobs, in baby doll pajamas (for no reason) and high heels, in a haunted house with a serial killer chasing her, with all phone lines cut, and the lights go out... terrifying.  Hubby was surprisingly into the idea of fall spent wandering the pumpkin farms, the cider mill, high school football games and stunning leaves.  I even had him primed for snow filled Christmases.  Darn, I don't think I can convince him to drive ten hours to pick apples and see fall leaves.

I recently read The Big Dark Sky by Dean Koontz.  This is the story of Joanna Chase who grew up on a ranch in Montana.  She starts getting bizarre phone calls and tv broadcasts telling her to go to her childhood home, the theme of returning home invades her dreams as well.  Unable to resist, Joanna heads home determined to see a childhood friend still in the area and find out what is going on.  However, Joanna isn't the only one going to Montana as several other people have been implored for one reason or another to converge at her childhood home. All find themselves in danger as there is a madman nearby, determined to clean the planet by killing everyone, beginning with them.

I don't know why but I never look forward to a Dean Koontz book like I do others.  I really should though, as I can't remember ever being let down by one of his stories.  Koontz books are rarely about what I think they will be, are usually a bit kooky, always feature great writing, and never fail to keep me entertained.  What else could you want?  The Big Dark Sky will have you mesmerized until the end. 

Oh, one more thing.  Amazon currently has this book rated 4.5 stars.  I tell you that so you'll know and NOT be tempted to read any of the reviews.  Many of them mention topics revealed in the book, making them spoilers for the many twists.

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

Hello everyone.  I hope you're enjoying the beginning of summer.

Before I had the luxury of becoming a housewife, and the queen of the vacuum and chicken roasting, I actually had a job.  Don't laugh, now that's not nice. Yes, someone would hire me.  I worked in banking, specifically in the credit card industry.  You know how you finally pay off your credit card and the next statement you still are charged interest?  I can tell you why AND do the extensive math to show you how it is calculated.  Want to set up a new account? No problem.  Fraud on your card, I'm your girl.  Are you a merchant in need of a great discount rate and need your accounts set up, I gotcha there too.  It was quite an education. 

One time the entire area was being bombarded by fake applications.  I was very lucky and got to go to a seminar and have lunch with a Secret Service agent.  Yes, they do more than protect people.  A gang of con men had hit the area and the Secret Service had lots of information on what was going on, including how to spot fake applications.  Surprisingly, the apps all had things in common. First, you are paying me to be out of the office, and you're feeding me, and I get to meet someone kind of interesting.  If only all days could be like that. Well, okay, maybe not, it was fraud, and I do get to stay home now.

I recently read The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark.  I was excited to read this as I read The Last Flight by Ms. Clark.  At that time, I had read 842.3 thrillers in a row, all set in a neighborhood.  The last flight is set in an airport.  Relief! While I never got around to reviewing it, I really liked the book.  I was hoping this new book would deliver the same, great thriller and something different.  I am happy to say that it does.

This is the story of Meg, who is a con artist that disappears and reinvents herself when the game is over.  Then she is on to the next victim.  Kat is a journalist who has a connection to Meg.  She is working to expose the truth about the cons and show Meg for what she truly is.  There is a problem, the closer Kat gets to Meg, the less she understands her.  Leaving her with more questions not only about Meg but herself.

This book is a quick read.  While it's not a heart racing thriller, you will find well defined characters that you will hold your attention long after the book is over.  Very interesting.  I can't imagine what Julie Clark will come up with next, but no doubt I'll be begging her to take my money.