An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Hello everyone.

I hope you had a nice Christmas, or Tuesday, however it was you spent it last week. My Christmas was disastrous, despite my early start and incessant list making. We didn't get all our decorations or trees up. Our company arrived a day later than originally planned which gave us more prep time, yet still we were cleaning after they arrived and remained without the last tree and several critical decorations. In addition, I forgot to bring out several of the "snacks" we had purchased. We play games, lots of them, so we serve a nice breakfast but no lunch just snacks, then dinner, of course. Anyway, I forgot to put out lots of the snacks we had purchased...like a platter of assorted Italian meats my brother-in-law loves, or the nuts he loves, or the cheeseball that is tradition.

We were so lucky that from all my siblings, as a group present, hubby and I received a Play Station 4. Now before you think we are juvenile let me tell you my mother was the first in line to get an Atari, oh so many years ago, which she loved and played often. In addition, my artist niece has now declared her major as "game design". Since I bothered to learn all the words to Blue Clues in an effort to be a favorite aunt, you can bet your fanny I'm going to play a game she thinks is interesting. (BTW, I spent a good hour begging her to make a game of the book Nevermoor.) So we were being taught how to use the new game machine when my family packed up, leaving quickly after we finished. I forgot to give them treats that we usually do, and we will never eat, like dozens and dozens of spectacularly decorated sugar cookies (can you guess who made them...hint...I'm pointing at me) and a container of homemade fudge so big you could soak in it. Oh well, I guess they had a good time and that is all that matters, right? Successful family time. Unfortunately, my husband came away sick and now I'm getting the creeping crud. We both feel absolutely awful!

One good thing, after Christmas I was so tired, besides sleeping the only thing I've done is read. Hooray! I just read An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. If they sound familiar it is because they are the writing team that brought readers the thriller The Wife Between Us. I greatly enjoyed The Wife Between Us, but An Anonymous Girl is even better! This new book is about trust and lies. When is it okay to lie and when has it gone too far?  How do you tell if someone is lying? What are your moral values? It starts when a young makeup artist sneaks into a psychological study about morals because it pays well and she needs the money. Right there you are wondering about values, as she is lying to get into the study....but what if she needs the money for a noble reason? Is it bad then? Anyway, when the book starts you might think it is going to be slow or dry as a girl answers questions on a computer screen. You'd be wrong. It is strangely compelling, the story calls to you to push on just one more chapter. The story quickly morphs into something completely different, something personal and unpredictable. Someone is a master manipulator but the reader remains unsure who. As this plot becomes more and more of a true thriller, we realize that not only is their a whole lot of mental twisting going on but actual physical danger. Who is the target and who is the perpetrator? It is well told, quickly paced and certainly holds your interest. In addition, it has an oh so satisfying end, which you know I adore.

If you have a bookstore gift card, An Anonymous Girl is released January 8, 2019 and would really start your reading year out on the fast track!

Accidentally Engaged by Mary Carter

Hello everyone.

 Are you as frantic as I am with Christmas right around the corner? Why is it when you are a kid in school and looking at that clock on the wall it moves so slowly. Then as an adult, when you beg the clock to stop speeding it absolutely refuses. It is unfair. Maybe there is some weird time shift with age....hummm a wacked (meaning terrible) book idea there. Anyway, I am behind in cleaning for company and definitely behind in goodie baking. Oh the humanity.  I'll hang my head in shame...especially if there is a book in my lap.

 Naturally, I am way behind in the list of books I wanted to finish by the end of the year too. I have wanted to read the author Peter May for so long and received three of his books last year for Christmas, have I cracked one beyond the first paragraph...no. I read the first in the Cainsville series by Kelley Armstrong and loved it. I have the other four books in the series and haven't read any of them. I have the latest in the Jane Hawk series by Dean Koontz and haven't had time to read it. Arrrgghhhh! All these wonderful books staring at me and I have to clean and bake! The injustice of it all!

So, deep breath. In case you are as stressed as I am, let me suggest a quick hit book. Something a bit on the fluffy side, something with a sense of humor. I recently read Accidentally Engaged by Mary Carter. This book opens with the main character being a serial wife, having been married 3 times. Clair is currently working as a tarot card reader. When a bridal party arrives, different members with different agendas, all hell breaks loose. In the pandemonium, the engagement ring gets left behind. Clair decides she needs to return it. Doing so, well, let's just say the book is off and running.

This story is a fast, pleasant read. It is light-hearted and quirky. It is romantic and sassy. Most of all, it is funny, really funny. Something that is oh so needed at this time of year. This absorbing book will melt away your stress and help you find your smile.

Accidentally Engaged would make a great holiday gift for a girlfriend or sister with a sense of humor. One thing is for sure, you'll never baste a turkey again without a chuckle. What in on the joke? Read the book, you'll laugh all the way to your roasting pan!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Hello everyone. I need you to join me for a bit of "mind traveling" today. Imagine you are in the northeastern US.  Parts of New England had a wind chill of -15 yesterday. The whole area has had snow and ice too, winter has arrived.  Okay, now get ready, we are going to slowly start going south for a vacation. Come on, pass the singing snowman that sounds like Burl Ives.  Ooops, try not to get run over by that sledding electric razor. Definitely ignore Buddy the Elf when he offers you some gum! Tune them out and think more like the Price is Right and "come on down". Pass NJ, wave to the Cape May Victorians. Careful of the speed traps in Maryland...hey, why are you speeding anyway? Be careful. Ah, hitting the eastern shore of Virginia now? Make sure you stop at Stuckey's and get some chocolate covered coconut patties. Now, get out your wallets and be prepared to be shocked at the $12 toll to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. At least it is picturesque and interesting if you are going to the bottom of the bay at the exact time a ship is going over. Keep going.

In North Carolina yet? Good, stick as closely as you can to the coast. Notice all those bridges? Why if you are driving close to the coast are there all those bridges? One word, marshes! Yep, all those places where the ocean tries to go inland, or rivers try to get to the ocean are marsh lands. Now you might ask what is the difference between a marsh and a swamp? Ahhh, that is using the old canoodle!  A swamp has more woody things like stumps and trees, but a marsh is more grasslands. Marshes are nutrient rich wetlands that support all kinds of animal and plant life. Now I know you think I'm more off my rocker than usual and about to break into some kind of song probably from School House Rock but no, I've just read a great book about a marsh in North Carolina.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is an amazing book, set in the marshes of coastal North Carolina. It is beautifully written, almost lyrical in parts, while still being an interesting, easy to read story. That story is epic in its journey following a little girl, abandoned in the marsh as she learns how to not only survive but live. The reader is witness to the hardships and bravery of little Kya Clark as she grows up and learns about the world and herself. There is a mystery in this book that is interesting but the strength of it is how enchanting the story is as a whole. This is not that much of a who-dun-it and definitely not a thriller. Amazing, and sweeping in scale, the pacing is excellent and writing superb. The way the author handles things like Kya's childhood innocence reminds me of Tom Sawyer, and I can think of no higher compliment than that.

As Christmas approaches, I keep saying books would make an excellent gift. Different books for everyone's taste. Where the Crawdads Sing would be an excellent gift for those that like a little emotion in their story, something quiet and thoughtful. Almost a classic. For the right person, this would even be a great hostess gift when you've forgotten that pricey bottle of wine. Where the Crawdads Sing is smoother, fuller bodied and will linger longer, too.

Green Zone Jack by I. James Bertolina

Hello everyone. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Now that you've been shopping or refusing to shop (as we do) and are probably in turkey sandwich heaven, loosen your stretchy pants and read on.  Let's face it, we all have so much to be thankful for. No matter how bad things are, they can always get worse. I hope things are always sunshine and daisies for you, me too, I love it when things hum along.

Something I am always grateful for is our military. Whether you agree with what conflict the US is currently in or not, I cannot imagine anyone not being in awe of people that are willing to put their family life on hold and are literally facing the possibility of laying down their life so that we can enjoy a nice Thanksgiving. I am not that brave. To be honest, I cannot even fathom that kind of bravery. I see it all the time though. My grandfather was on a ship in WWII and my uncle was literally on the beach at Normandy on D-Day. In addition, I live in a huge military area. I see the families left behind, the wives with kids, dealing with car repairs, hurricanes or a case of the flu, all alone. Even if there is no war, accidents happen. Bravery, all around. I don't know how they do it, military or their families.

It is with the military in mind that I have to tell you about a book, Green Zone Jack. Now, I read a lot of psychological thrillers, but every once in a while, I need a palette cleanser. I can only take so many 'did their husband, wife or lover do its' before I need a brief break. This time, I turned to I. James Bertolina for some solid action adventure. Good thing too, because he totally delivered! This story reeks of the dangerous, lawless Old West, but on steroids, in the modern day Middle East. Diplomatic Security Service agent Payton Ladd is charged with finding the missing nephew of a U.S. Senator, and has little time to do so. The writing is solid and stays on the plot, which I completely adore and makes the story fast-moving. As the novel unfolds, the reader is presented with a large cast of likely suspects.  With Sam Spade-like fortitude and help from heroic U.S. service members, Ladd weaves his way through a minefield of criminal and political intrigue as bullets and grenades fly. If you want romance and loads of emotion, don't look here, if you want a great thriller filled with adventure and quick pacing, this book is for you. A great ride and read!

Looking for a gift for a husband or boyfriend, Green Zone Jack would be an excellent choice. Looking for a gift for a wife or girlfriend who is need of a break from puppies and PTA meetings, Green Zone Jack will meet the challenge. This book is definitely a well-written, action-packed thriller. You'd be smart to pick it up!

Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Hello everyone.  You may not believe me, but I know why you come here. You want to read about a book you are interested in and see me yap on about how cleaning the toilet is such a crappy job (ahem, yes, I saw it and yes, it is a bad job I dislike, you probably do too). However, like last time I have to tell you a story that relates to today's book.

I have a niece. She is in her early twenties. My niece was the first "kid" in our family so in an effort to be her favorite aunt I did some things I now don't know whether to be ashamed of or proud of.  Given how many thrillers I read perhaps I should pause here for effect, letting your mind wander. No, these things do not involve shovels, drives to the barren woods, or missing people. Possibly worse. I watched Ren and Stimpy. Think that is bad? Hold on to your chair...I learned all the songs from Blues Clues. Oh, yes, shutter you should! I know the mailbox song, complete with flag arm movement. You want to know about Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, I'm your girl! I know, it is shocking.

When my niece was a teen, I read the Twilight series with her, despite her completely bailing after the first book. I have whole series-itis and had to read all of them. Then there is Harry Potter, we read the whole series together. It was bliss. Sometimes she'd get the book on her own, or it would "magically" appear from Amazon. One time, hubby and I braved the dreaded line at midnight at Walmart. I remember her calling me, saying she had been reading late at night, hidden in the bathroom so as not to bother her family, in tears. She was reading about Dumbledore dying. It was a bond, shared over books that I am so grateful for. No matter how old she gets or where she goes, those shared moments will always be with me and I hope with her.

Now my niece is in a famous design school, either destined for Disney or game design. She can draw, paint, sculpt anything from characters to realistic, from landscape to the intricacies of the human body. Sadly, I don't think she realizes how amazing she is, and she definitely is amazing. My niece is stunningly beautiful both inside and out, not only super creative but absolutely brilliant at math and science. She is funny and sweet, kind and thoughtful. She is the bravest person I know, in so many ways. Despite her young age, she is possibly the most inspiring woman I've ever met and I am in CONSTANT awe.

When I talked to my niece a while ago, we were talking about book genres and she was saying how much she liked fantasy. Given her chosen profession, this is not a surprise. Fantasy is not my favorite. To me it just takes longer to get into a book if I have to go through all that "world building" too.  However, as you've seen in the past sometimes the "buzz" on a book gets the better of me and I have to read it. Such is the case with the kids fantasy book, Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow, described as being the new Harry Potter.

I loved this book. Thankfully, you are immersed in the story and world easily and quickly. The reader instantly likes and has empathy for the little Morrigan Crow and a chuckle or two for her quick wit and sarcasm. The story progressed quickly, describing just enough of the setting for your brain to take over without over doing it and slowing the plot. Obstacles and tasks are handled efficiently with neither too little nor too much time spent on each one. The pacing is perfection. Needless to say, despite it's 461 pages, I didn't want it to end. And it is a fantasy...I didn't want to end....461 pages...with lots to do at the holidays...461 pages...didn't want to end.  You get the point.

So, Thanksgiving is next week with Christmas close behind. I have cooking galore, cleaning and decorating to do. Something is going to have to go undone. The Nevermoor sequel, Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow was released this week. After finishing Nevermoor I had to immediately order it with it's 545 pages. Thankfully, my niece is also great in the kitchen, think I'll leave the cookie baking undone and get her help, she'll understand...maybe I can trade her a book for her help. I know just the one!

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Hello everyone. Hope you are well. Also, hope you have a hot cup of coffee as I have a bit to say today.

I had the world's best parents. Yes, I know it is a bit like saying my kid is the best, when everyone thinks their own child is the most amazing thing on the planet. Honestly, I had great parents. Despite having four kids they were always a couple. Of course, they constantly had their parental hats on, but it was common to walk past the kitchen and see them leaning against the kitchen sink, kissing...in their 50s. We had a finished basement with fireplace and if the mood struck, they'd be slow dancing while the stereo played and fire crackled, often while it snowed outside. How romantic is that? It is with this never-ending love and adoration for my parents that I must tell you about what my father often gave my mother for a gift. Blue eyeshadow. Now, he gave her gifts all the time, brought flowers, etc. But for regular gift giving occasions, Dad couldn't quite figure it out. Sometimes he got it right, but often you'd find him at the drug store buying blue eyeshadow. Now after many years, my mother, having accumulated every shade from Glacier Blue to Night Sky, began to buy her own gifts. She could do anything creative with thread or yarn from sewing our clothes to knitting hats for the homeless and every kind of needlework. Mom would order herself some needlework kits for her birthday and Christmas and call it a day.

Now, I know you are saying this is a book blog and despite the housewife angle this is a bit more off track than normal. But alas, I give you this story as a gift and a warning. The holidays are fast approaching, and you husbands out there may be looking for a gift for your wife, or your secret girlfriend. Often as a gift of last resort, men these days have progressed past the drug store blue eyeshadow to the spa gift certificate. If your wife is a reader, I warn you to avoid this gift at all costs, especially if your wife is a fan of Liane Moriarty.

The new Liane Moriarty book, Nine Perfect Strangers, has so many of the magical traits readers have come to expect in her books. They are so normal, in character and setting. Wives, husbands, neighbors, PTA meetings, neighborhood parks, cookouts...normal everyday things. People that could be any one of us at any time. That is what makes her books so spellbinding, that it could be me...you.... your wife or husband. In Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane takes her characters to a spa. You know I don't restate plots, read the jacket, but it is not your everyday run-of-the-mill spa. Things are a bit rigid and get more so. If you think spas are all relaxation and facials, guess again.  This book gives us the back story of the characters, as always, and brings them together masterfully. However, it has a bit of a thriller edge. I think this makes the pacing of this book faster than her usual stories. The tension is unfurled slowly but steadily, building to a place you won't see coming. As I've said in the past, I have read all Liane Moriarty's books and enjoyed them all, but I think she constantly is improving. This is my favorite and I think her best.

Now back to you husbands, remember, shop early for something your wife actually wants, perhaps a book like Nine Perfect Strangers. For those of you that are naughty with a girlfriend on the side, may I recommend a 10 day stay at a spa.

Watching You by Lisa Jewell

Hello everyone.  I hope you are well.

Did you ever see the old Maxwell House coffee commercials? No?  Let me enlighten you. They had a huge advertising campaign featuring the slogan "Good To The Last Drop." It was a great idea and very catchy at the time. 

That is EXACTLY how Lisa Jewell's book Watching You can be described. Good to the last drop! Now that you want a cup of coffee which we know goes great with books, let me tell you about this story. It starts with a murder scene, not only do we not know who the murderer was, but we don't know where this scene is or for that matter if the victim is even male or female. Using that premise, Lisa Jewell weaves a tale that makes us guess at everything that is involved. It is brilliant at making us wonder if this person, then that, is the victim or perhaps the murderer. Experienced thriller readers will spot so many opportunities for characters to be either and with good reason. As the story is told the reader leans toward one character for each part, then the possibility of a completely different scenario. Now it might sound confusing but it is not. The plot is clear and well told, the pacing enough to keep you flipping pages as you race to the end. Then there is the last drop part. I'll give nothing away other that to say you'll enjoy it to the very end! 

I was so fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book, which is now available for pre-order. Since this great book is released on December 26, 2018, if you don't want to pre-order it might be a great use of those gift cards and be something to curl up with during the coming winter.