Synopsis

 

Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with a thrilling novel where an eighteen-year-old girl’s search for answers lands her in one of the most terrifying situations imaginable.

Four days…
Trapped in a well, surrounded by dirt, scratching at the walls trying to find a way out.
Four days of a thirst so strong, that when it finally rains, I drink as much as possible from the dripping walls, not even caring how much dirt comes with it.

Six months…
Since my escape. Since no one believed I was taken to begin with – from my own bed, after a party, when no one else was home…
Six months of trying to find answers and being told instead that I made the whole incident up.

One month…
Since I logged on to the Jane Anonymous site for the first time and found a community of survivors who listen without judgment, provide advice, and console each other when needed.
A month of chatting with a survivor whose story eerily mirrors my own: a girl who’s been receiving triggering clues, just like me, and who could help me find the answers I’m searching for.

Three days…
Since she mysteriously disappears, and since I’m forced to ask the questions: will my chance to find out what happened to me vanish with her? And will I be next?

 

 

 

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Book releases March 16, 2021

 

 

Review

 

This book took me on a wild ride, one I wasn’t sure how it was going to end.

It starts with a very unreliable narrator, Terra. She was kidnapped but all of the evidence points otherwise and this causes a lot of grief and anxiety for Terra. Luckily, she finds an online support group to share her fears and story. But we all know that people may not be who they appear to be online, is that the case here?

Besides her own life, she has become attached to one of the other survivors on the board, Peyton. There are other characters in the chat and it is interesting how they interact with each other and show concern for the others. I had to wonder why Terra was so honest with all of the details. I think her age and naivete played a part in her actions, she is 18 after all.

I felt for Terra and thought her character might be able to move forward. That is until nearly everyone seemed to believe that her story wasn’t true. It is hard to prove when there is no physical evidence that proves she was kidnapped and her aunt doesn’t seem to miss her for the four days she was gone. The stress of the event has Terra on edge and acting erratically. I can’t blame her, I can’t imagine the stress of surviving the kidnapping can take on a person.

This book had my thoughts and beliefs all over the board. I wanted to believe Terra, but here was all this evidence (or lack of evidence) that said otherwise. Thankfully, she has a new friend, Garrett, that believes her. He seems like a good guy, but in the back of my mind, I wondered if he was involved in the situation. The story picks up steam near the end as everything comes to a head. The truth was quite surprising and not one I expected.

Overall, we enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 paws

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.

Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz’s titles have been named on various awards lists.

 

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DREAMS REKINDLED

 

Mesquite Spring, Book 2

 

By Amanda Cabot

 

Categories: Christian Historical Fiction/ Romance/ Stand-Alone

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: March 2, 2021

 

Pages: 352

 

 

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He’s bound and determined to find peace . . . but she’s about to stir things up.

Dorothy Clark dreams of writing something that will challenge people as much as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin seems to have. But in 1850s Mesquite Springs, there are few opportunities for writers–until newspaperman Brandon Holloway arrives, that is.

Brandon Holloway has seen firsthand the disastrous effects of challenging others. He has no intention of repeating that mistake. Instead of following his dreams, he’s committed to making a new–and completely uncontroversial–start in the Hill Country.

As Dorothy’s involvement in the fledgling newspaper grows from convenient to essential, the same change seems to be happening in Brandon’s heart. But before romance can bloom, Dorothy and Brandon must work together to discover who’s determined to divide the town and destroy Brandon’s livelihood.

 

 

 

Baker Books (Revell) | Amazon | BN | Christianbook.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a trip back to the Hill Country and Mesquite Springs.

This is the follow-up book to Out of the Embers with the focus on Dorothy Clark and her dreams of becoming a serious writer. She has been influenced by many authors and we saw a little of what she could do in the previous book. She doesn’t realize it, but her words inspired Brandon Holloway to set up a newspaper in Mesquite Springs after leaving Xavier. Brandon arrives in town with his own baggage from recent events in Xavier including the death of his father. It will take him time to comes to grips with the events that happened were not his fault.

Mesquite Springs is mostly a congenial town until a mysterious Mr. K decides that he wants to build a hotel and own land in this sleepy little town. For some reason, he doesn’t want a town with a newspaper or possibly even a church/minister. Possibly because it would be easier to manipulate people into doing what he wants instead of what is best for them or the town.  Mr. K sends a man to town, Phil Blakeslee, to create friction among the citizens. Mr. K is determined to upset the town and pull them in multiple directions to his benefit. Phil does a bang-up job of causing dissent but hopefully, the town will realize this and come together.

The relationship between Dorothy and Brandon is slow to mature, but I think this is a good thing because they have the opportunity to work together and learn more about each other. There are some miscommunications that hinder their relationship from growing at times. It is obvious to everyone but these two that they belong together, at least in the beginning.

The character that steals the show (in my opinion) is Nutmeg. Nutmeg is a pregnant mutt that is very clever until discovered by Dorothy. But this bond they have will save Dorothy in the end (you will have to read the book to find out how!)

“…if a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. Mesquite Springs isn’t a kingdom, but I’m afraid this division will destroy it.”

The issues we see in today’s world are not unique to our times. I appreciated how the author brought to light multiple issues that affected people even in the 1800s from slavery/racial issues to mental issues such as depression. It was amazing how fast a few false rumors could affect a person’s wellbeing and is no different than life today with the advent of social media and the internet.

The book does leave you hanging regarding Mr. K but the author addresses this in the Author’s Notes and what we can expect in the last book in this trilogy. I’m curious how this issue will be resolved and look forward to reading this installment.

My favorite line from the book is this one because it says so much:

“You can choose happiness or fear.” 

Overall, this is a fun read and while you don’t have to read the first book in order to enjoy this one, you might want to pick it up first to get a feel for the town and the residents.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of Out of the Embers, as well as the Cimarron Creek Trilogy and the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming.

 

 

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3/6/21	Excerpt	That’s What She’s Reading
3/7/21	Excerpt	Forgotten Winds
3/8/21	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles
3/9/21	Deleted Scene	All the Ups and Downs
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Somebody to Love

 

by Sharon Sala

 

Publication Date: 2/23/2021

 

 

Synopsis

 

Welcome to Blessings, Georgia! Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, you’re returning after years of being away, or you’re new in town, you’re sure to find the happy ending you’ve always been looking for.

 

Fifteen years ago, a family member stole the money Hunt Knox had saved for college, while three of his siblings and his father hid the truth and told him to get over it. Betrayed by their lies and thievery, Hunt joined the army and wound up flying Apache helicopters in Iraq. Now, he’s a chopper pilot for an oil company in Houston, Texas, his father has been dead for six years, and he’s finally returning home to Blessings at his mother’s dying request.

Ava Ridley, the little girl his mother used to babysit, has grown up and is a nurse at his mother’s bedside when he arrives. Ava is overjoyed to see him. She had a huge crush on him when she was young. And as the two spend more time together, Ava’s crush grows to be even more.

Through secrets, lies, family betrayal, and difficult choices, Hunt’s not sure he and Ava can ever make a home together in Blessings. Or if life will once again lead them onto different paths…?

 

 

 

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Review

 

When I think of where I would like to be, it is a small community like the one in Blessings, GA. A community, while not without its challenges, comes together to support its fellow citizen and help improve everyone’s life. This book is no different.

The romance between Hunt and Ava is revived from their childhood, at least on Ava’s part. Hunt is several years older and while he watched out for her, he never saw her in a romantic light until now. Their romance seems quick, but they have a lot of history together and sometimes that is all you need to create a forever relationship.

While the romance is the main focus of the story, there are several subplots including Hunt’s relationship with his family, some troubled youth and their family, and the normal town happenings.

I enjoy this series and this book was no different. I did feel like something was a little off with the writing in this particular book but nothing I can put my finger on. Perhaps part of it was due to repetitive text, some of the characters seemed a little flat, and the development of the relationship between Hunt and Ava seemed just a little too quick despite their history.

The sense of community is what keeps bringing me back to this series. They don’t hesitate to look out for each other and help wherever possible.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Hunt rode across town, past the park, and then west down Peach Street to the little house at the end of the block. He’d seen this house a million times in his dreams, but it hadn’t looked sad and run-down like this.

A black pickup was parked beneath the carport, so he rolled up and parked beside it. He got the house key out of his pocket, but as he headed toward the back door, the hair stood up on the back of his neck. He didn’t believe in ghosts, but this house didn’t feel like it wanted him there. That was fair.

He didn’t want to be here, either, but a promise was a promise.

He unlocked the door and walked into the utility room just off the kitchen, turning on lights as he went. All of the furnishings were here. If it hadn’t been for the faint layer of dust all over everything, he could imagine his mom had just stepped out to run an errand and would be back soon.

There was a low spot in the middle of the kitchen floor—probably floor joist issues. The old hardwood flooring was scarred and worn, and the furniture was threadbare. The sight of this neglect made Hunt angry. How could his brothers and sisters let this happen? They were all right here in the same town together.

The year Hunt began high school, they’d remodeled the attic enough to call it a bedroom, and for the first time in his life, he’d had a room of his own. Curious to see what it looked like now, he went straight up the narrow stairwell at the end of the hall and opened the attic door. The single window was bare of curtains or shades, and the dust motes in the air stirred as he moved through the space now filled with boxes of old memories that should have been laid to rest years ago.

The bed he’d slept in was gone. The closet door was missing, the closet empty. Even the rod where his clothes used to hang was gone. It was as if they’d wiped away all memories of him. If only he’d been able to do the same.

He went back downstairs, glancing in his mother’s room and accepting it was the only one decent enough to sleep in, then began eyeing all of the things that needed repair.

He went back to the kitchen to check out the appliances. The burners on the gas stove lit, the oven came on. The dishwasher was clean, and the single glass in the top rack told him it had recently been in use and was likely in working condition—something he’d find out later.

The water pressure was good, and the washer and dryer appeared to be in working condition. The refrigerator was the newest appliance in the house, but nearly everything inside it needed to be thrown away. He didn’t know for sure how long his mother had been in the hospital, but the carton of milk was over a month out of date, and the single container of peach yogurt had long since expired.

The ice in the bin beneath the icemaker had all frozen together, which meant the electricity must have been off at one time long enough to melt it. Then when the power returned, it froze back. So he took the bin out and dumped the ice in the sink, then put it back beneath the icemaker to start making fresh ice, then dumped everything that was in the freezer and refrigerator into the garbage.

The central heat and air were still working, and they looked newer than he remembered, which was good. There was a big job ahead of him to do this right, but in the long run, it would make a huge difference in the sale of the house. However, this task was going to take tools as well as supplies, so he went out back to the toolshed to see what, if anything, was left.

The light bulb was burned out in the shed, so he left the door open as he went in to look around, and it was just as he feared. There was nothing left in it but a couple of old hammers, a hand saw, and an old sack of roofing nails. Seeing the nails reminded him he needed to check on the condition of the roof as well. He could rent tools and hire help. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it was going to be a pain in the ass coping with his family while it happened.

He found a set of car keys hanging on a hook in the kitchen and guessed it was to the truck. If it ran, it would be handy to use while he was hauling stuff to the house to make repairs, so he went out to check. The insurance verification in the glove box was in Marjorie’s name. He turned the key to see if it would start, and the engine turned over immediately. So he locked the house and drove to the bed-and-breakfast to pack up his things and check out.

Bud was scanning Hunt’s card to pay for his room when Hunt thought about the locks he needed to change.

“Hey, Bud, is there still a locksmith here in town?”

“Yes, there sure is. Mills Locks, next door to Bloomer’s Hardware on Main Street. The owner’s name is Cecil, but everything is probably closed today.”

“Okay…I remember him,” Hunt said. “Thanks, and thank you for your hospitality,” he said, then carried his bag out to the truck. Out of curiosity, he drove straight to the locksmith, saw the Open sign on the door, and went inside.

The man at the counter looked up.

“Welcome to Mills Locks. I’m Cecil Mills. How can I help you?”

“I need a couple of new locks put on a house I’ll be remodeling. Would you be available to do that today?”

“Yeah, sure. Here in town?” Cecil asked.

“Yes, where Marjorie Knox lived. I’m her oldest son, Hunt. I’m going to fix it up some before it’s put up for sale.”

“Lived?”

Hunt nodded. “She passed away early this morning.”

Cecil frowned. “I hadn’t heard. I’m real sorry about that. I’m waiting on a customer who’s on the way in from his farm, but I can get away around noon, if you don’t mind me coming at your lunch hour.”

“I’m not on any schedule. You sure you’re okay working on New Year’s Day? It could wait until tomorrow,” Hunt said.

Cecil shrugged. “I’ve already been called out twice today for emergencies, and my wife is home and sick with the flu. I’d just as soon be here.”

“Then noon is fine. Do you know the address?” Hunt asked.

“It’s the last house on the right at the end of Peach Street, right?”

Hunt nodded. “Yeah. My Harley and her black pickup will be under the carport.”

“Then I’ll see you at noon.”

“Right,” Hunt said, and left the shop, then stopped by the grocery store. He was surprised to see that it was no longer a Piggly Wiggly, and had a new facade and a new name to go with it. The Crown.

Nobody recognized him, which made shopping easy, until he got up front to pay. The cashier who was checking him out kept looking at him, and when he put his credit card in the reader, she finally spoke.

“You sure do look familiar. Are you from around here?” she asked.

Hunt nodded as he put his card back in his wallet. “I’m Hunt Knox. I used to sack groceries here back when it was still the Piggly Wiggly. You’re Millie, aren’t you?”

“Yes! I’m Millie Garner! I knew you looked familiar. I just heard about your mother’s passing. My sympathies to the family,” she said.

“Thanks,” he said, and began putting his bags back in the shopping cart.

“Do you plan on staying here?” she asked.

“Only long enough to fix up the family house so it can be sold at auction. I promised her I’d do that,” Hunt said, then walked out pushing the shopping cart.

By the time he got back to the house and unloaded the groceries, it was getting close to noon. He took off his jacket, then began emptying the sacks and putting up the things he’d just bought.

By the time he was through, Cecil Mills was knocking on his door. He let Cecil in, and then pointed out the locations where new locks were needed.

“There’s just the front door, and then a back door in the kitchen.”

Cecil nodded. “I’ll get those switched out for you and get both locks synced to open with one key. How many keys are you going to want? It comes two keys to a set, so you’ll have four.”

“That’s plenty. I’ll be the only one using one here, but when it sells, then that will be handy for the new owners.”

“Then I’ll get right to work,” Cecil said.

“Call out if you need me,” Hunt said, then took a notepad and a pen and started in the kitchen, making a list of the things that needed to be fixed.

 

***

Excerpted from Somebody to Love by Sharon Sala. © 2021 by Sharon Sala. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

 

About the Author

 

Sharon Sala has 127 books and novellas in print. First published in 1991, she’s a RITA finalist, winner of the Janet Dailey Award, RT Career Achievement winner, National Reader’s Choice Award, Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence, Heart of Excellence Award, the Booksellers Best Award, RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the Centennial Award for recognition of her 100th published novel. Her books are New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. She lives in Oklahoma.

 

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All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone

 

by John J. Jacobson

 

 

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Pages: 352

Date of Publication: February 23, 2021

Categories: Historical Fiction / Action Adventure / Western

 

 

 

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All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone is the rollicking adventure story of Lincoln Smith, a young Texan living at the beginning of the twentieth century, who thinks of himself as the last true cowboy. He longs for the days of the Old West, when men like his father, a famous Texas Ranger, lived by the chivalric code. Lincoln finds himself hopelessly out of time and place in the fast-changing United States of the new century. When he gets his heart broken by a sweetheart who doesn’t appreciate his anachronistic tendencies, he does what any sensible young romantic would do: he joins the French Foreign Legion. On his way to an ancient and exotic country at the edge of the Sahara, Lincoln encounters a number of curious characters and strange adventures, from a desert hermit who can slow up time to a battle with a crocodile cult that worships the god of death. He meets them all with his own charming brand of courage and resourcefulness.

 

 

Bookshop.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to be taken on a wild adventure? Imagine a cross between James Bond and Macgyver, throw in the Wild West and North Africa, and the result will be this book.

“I like gettin’ out and see what’s stirring with the new day, while it’s still fresh and wild, before others get a chance to mar it’s newness.”

I started reading this book and wasn’t sure what to expect. We meet Lincoln Smith, a young man that loses his father to some outlaws in the wild west of Texas in the late 1800s. His father was a role model for Lincoln and he did his best to emulate his father all his life. I have to admit I could relate a little bit to Lincoln and how he did not like things to change. He didn’t like the trains coming through his town and definitely did not like the horseless carriages he encountered as a young man. He even says he was born too late and should have been born about 50 years earlier.

Lincoln decides after a Wild West show closes that he is going to join the French Foreign Legion to see places he has only heard of and places he hasn’t. We have all heard of this outfit and I have to admit, I really don’t know much about them other than they are a military organization. Apparently, this organization still exists and I could find myself going down a rabbit hole reading about the group but stopped myself. Anyway, Lincoln makes his way to France to join up in the early 1900s and meets Jake and Johnny, two men that will have his back more times than he can count. What follows is their adventure.

Lincoln has some crazy good luck throughout the book. He manages to wriggle his way out of tough situations and while it may seem impossible, it is what made this book so fascinating to me. I think Lincoln is a bit naive and could have easily been taken advantage of (and probably was a few times) but luckily he met various characters that took him under their wing and watched out for him.

There is one character that I didn’t like at first but came to admire and that is Amanda. She is the daughter of an Ambassador and she is very hard-headed and insists on doing what she wants despite the potential danger. But I think that is what attracts Lincoln to her and there could be a romance brewing but only time will tell.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and once the action really picked up about halfway through the book, I had a hard time putting it down. Sure, some of it may seem impossible but that is the great thing about books, they make the impossible possible and let us imagine a world other than our own.

We give this 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though John J. Jacobson didn’t join the French Foreign Legion after being jilted by a girlfriend, or over his displeasure of missing the last great cattle drive, he has, borrowing Churchill’s phrase, lived a rather variegated life. He was born in Nevada, grew up in the West, surfed big waves in Hawaii, circled the world thrice, survived the sixties and seventies, corporate America, and grad school. Among other degrees he has an MA in Renaissance literature from Claremont Graduate University.

 

 

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3/9/21	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
3/10/21	Review	The Clueless Gent
3/10/21	BONUS Promo	Hall Ways Blog
3/11/21	Review	Reading by Moonlight
3/11/21	Review	Julia Picks 1
3/12/21	Review	Bibliotica
3/12/21	Review	Book Fidelity
3/13/21	Review	The Plain-Spoken Pen
3/14/21	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles
3/15/21	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
3/15/21	BONUS Promo	All the Ups and Downs
3/16/21	Audio Review	KayBee’s Book Shelf
3/16/21	Review	Forgotten Winds
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3/18/21	Review	Missus Gonzo
3/18/21	Review	Tangled in Text

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

When her elderly patients start dying at home days after minor surgery, anesthesiologist Dr. Kate Downey wants to know why. The surgeon, not so much. When Kate presses, surgeon Charles Ricken places the blame squarely on her shoulders. Kate is currently on probation and the chief of staff sides with Charles, leaving Kate to prove her innocence and save her own career.

Aided by her eccentric aunt, a precocious medical student, and the lawyer son of a victim, Kate launches her own unorthodox investigation of these unexpected deaths. As she comes closer to exposing the culprit’s identity, she faces professional intimidation, threats to her life and, tragically, the suspicious death of someone close to her. The stakes escalate to the breaking point when Kate, under violent duress, is forced to choose which of her loved ones to save—and which must be sacrificed.

 

 

 

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Praise

 

“Medical suspense as sharp as it gets. Euliano is off to a good, no, a brilliant start.” — Kathy Reichs, New York Times bestselling author of the Temperance Brennan Bones series

“This is terrific—delicious suspense, done-that authenticity, and a great main character in Dr. Kate Downey … we want to see more of her.” — Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author of The Sentinel

“Fatal Intent rings with thrilling authenticity. Tammy Euliano writes with convincing authority, immersing us in a world only a doctor truly knows.” — Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of Call After Midnight

“Tense and fulfilling, there’s plenty of sizzle and emotional clout in this stirring debut.  And, even better, it’s all written by someone who knows what she’s talking about.  A wonderful beginning and I’m looking forward to more.”  — Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Kaiser’s Web

“[Fatal Intent has] an intriguing plot with wonderful twists and turns and all kinds of dangers—devious and frightening! A wonderful debut for this talented author!” — Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author of Danger in Numbers

“A tale of high stakes and shocking manipulations, the tension will keep you holding your breath until the very last page.” — Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of The First To Lie

 

 

Review

 

The topic of this book is a great one for book clubs or discussion in general. How do you feel about end-of-life issues especially when one is terminal or in a vegetative state? Why are they forced to suffer? This book will possibly have you thinking twice about how you feel on this subject.

Dr. Kate Downey is a strong protagonist but not without her own flaws. Her husband is in a vegetative state which weighs heavily on her emotions. Is she doing the right thing? This becomes very important as the book progresses as Dr. Downey works to uncover the mystery of why patients are dying after simple surgeries.

I was pulled into the story right from the start. I found the mystery intriguing and wondered if I would be able to decipher the clues and figure out how this was happening. Of course, I didn’t. But the journey was a roller coaster that kept me engaged. From Kate’s life as an anesthesiologist, teaching future doctors in anesthesia, a complicated situation with her husband and his family, and battling the Chief of Staff at the hospital. I felt a range of emotions, much like Kate. Sorrow for her family situation, curiosity about the recent deaths, compassion for her patients and students, and relating to the love she felt for her husband despite his situation.

There are many likable characters including her eccentric Aunt Irm, her student Jenn, a deceased patient’s son Christian. These characters helped round out the story and added an additional dimension to the various situations. I really liked Aunt Irm and her love for Kate and wanted to assist with solving this puzzle.

This book had the perfect blend of characters and situations to keep a reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. There will be some revelations at the end that might surprise you, I know I was not expecting them and it took the book in a new direction.

We give this book 5 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Tammy Euliano, MD, is a practicing anesthesiologist and tenured professor of anesthesiology at the University of Florida. In addition to a prolific list of academic publications, YouTube teaching videos, and numerous teaching awards, she has also written award-winning short fiction. Fatal Intent is her debut novel. Tammy lives in Gainesville, FL, with her husband.

 

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Synopsis

 

Regency London

Caroline Gray’s third season in London society ends as badly as her first two—no marriage proposal, no suitor, not even a glimmer of an interested prospect. She suspects it’s because she is far too quick to speak her mind to men who are put off by her forthright opinions, her eager intellect backed by a formal education, and her unconventional ideas about the future. She is far more daring than demure to suit the taste of her class. Besides, Caroline thinks there will always be next season to find a husband.

However, her family’s dwindling income leaves Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: a one-way ticket to sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend waits. If the match doesn’t work, Caroline cannot return home.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the thrill of the open sea, and as commander of one of the ships of the Fishing Fleet, he ferries scores of young English girls to the shores of India to find husbands. The voyages pay well, but he struggles to understand why families would allow young women to be matched with total strangers so far away.

The trips have always been routine and uneventful—until this trip’s first night’s dinner with one Miss Caroline Gray. She engages in a lively political conversation, presenting opposing viewpoints to the conventionally opinionated gentlemen at her table. Captain Scott is secretly amused and delighted at her boldness, not to mention quite drawn to her beauty.

The rest of the passengers are shocked by her behavior and Caroline finds herself an outcast, suffering harsh judgments from the other passengers. However, she finds an unlikely ally in Captain Scott which quickly draws them closer.

Both know an arranged marriage awaits Caroline at the end of their voyage, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Caroline will have to decide if she will honor her mother’s wishes and marry a man in India whom she has never met, thus securing a future for her and her mother, or be brave enough to throw convention to the wind and commit to love a sea captain. He may be enchanted by her bold and unconventional ways, but will his love and admiration last?

 

 

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Advance Praise

 

“A charming historical romance in which smarts and sass are vindicated.”— Foreword Reviews

“…a delightful, not exactly traditional Regency romance. Teen readers will enjoy this adventurous journey with its proactive heroine and exotic settings.”— Booklist, starred review

“An unconventional woman finds herself at home at sea in this stirring Regency from Julie Wright…This adventure is sure to entice fans of historical romance.”— Publishers Weekly

 

 

Review

 

Sometimes you just need a romance for that feel-good feeling and this one was a perfect fit for my reading mood.

It is fascinating to read how marriages and lives were in the Regency period. I feel bad for the women that lost pretty much everything when their husband died because they didn’t inherit the estate. This forces them to find other accommodations and they hope that they do not wear out their welcome with whomever they live with at this stage in their life.

Caroline is not like the other ladies seeking a husband. She is inquisitive and seeks knowledge and wants to be appreciated for her mind and not just be a wife that does not contribute to intellectual conversations and the like. She is most likely considered a bluestocking for that time. So far she hasn’t found that with any of the gentleman in England and possibly her last hope is to discover love with the son of a family friend that is living in India. She doesn’t expect to fall in love on the way to India with Thomas, the captain of the ship. I enjoyed the banter between the two and they both learning how to interact without jumping to the wrong conclusions as was wont to happen.

There is a bit of an adventure throughout the book. There is the three month journey to India from England, the storms they encountered, the pettiness of some of the ladies on the ship, and exploring and enjoying India once they arrived. We also find Caroline standing up for a young boy on the ship and endearing nearly all of the crew to her as she talks to them, asks questions, and is able to sketch a likeness of them to send home to mothers and wives.

I do think that there needed to be an epilogue…what happened with Caroline and Thomas? There is the indication of a happily ever after, but what exactly happened?

An enjoyable book and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Julie Wright started her first book when she was fifteen. She’s written over a dozen books since then, is a Whitney Award winner, and feels she’s finally getting the hang of this writing gig. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves reading, eating writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch movies. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner. She hates mayonnaise but has a healthy respect for ice cream.

 

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The Adventures of Forkman: What’s That Noise?

 

by Tiffany Caldwell and W.R. MacKenzie

 

Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages

 

Children’s Picture Book

 

Publisher: Mascot Books

 

Synopsis

 

When poor manners are present, Forkman will be there to save the day! Join Kathryn and William as they learn how to load the dishwasher properly and avoid inappropriate distractions at the table with the help of all their utensil friends. This second book in the Adventures of Forkman series is a great introduction to mealtime etiquette for readers of all ages.

 

 

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Review

 

This is a delightful book that aims to teach children proper mealtime etiquette and how to load the dishwasher so that everything comes out nice and clean. This is the second installment and contains chapters 3 and 4. I say this so you aren’t confused wondering why it has chapters 3 and 4 in it and you wonder where the first two chapters disappeared to!

This book is very colorful and will appeal to slightly older children, I would say ages 5-8. Younger children will enjoy the colorful images and might learn something from Forkman’s instruction, but it may not resonate with them quite yet.

I liked the no nonsense approach to Forkman’s teachings of how to load a dishwasher and what sounds are not appropriate at the dinner table, which even included phones. I especially liked how this is a family lesson and they all learned a little something from Forkman. They also enjoy spending time together playing games and eating dinner which helps foster a stronger family unit.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Tiffany Caldwell: I have worked with children for over thirteen years and every year basic manners become less evident. When I was growing up, my sisters and I took etiquette classes during the summer while we visited our grandparents. Etiquette was always a big part of our upbringing. ​ When we would have our family dinners, my dad, W.R. MacKenzie, would make our utensils come to life as we were eating. Forkman became a part of our dinner routine! ​ I am a mother of three great kids and a military wife to my hero. A few years ago, I told my dad we needed to start writing our story. We are so excited to share Forkman with the world!

 

W.R. MacKenzie: I spent thirty-nine years in the bakery business. After I retired and my four children were grown, I felt it was time to share the importance of the family meal with the world. ​​​​​The Adventures of Forkman teaches children how to properly conduct themselves at the table. Our books are filled with characters all children can relate with and I believe Forkman and his crew will help children of all ages learn manners and table etiquette.

 

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Giveaway

 

Autographed copy of THE ADVENTURES OF FORKMAN (USA only) (1 winner) (ends Mar 12)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Synopsis

 

ONE LOVE STORY. TWO MARRIAGES. THREE VERSIONS OF THE TRUTH.

Skye Starling is overjoyed when her boyfriend, Burke Michaels, proposes after a whirlwind courtship. Though Skye seems to have the world at her fingertips―she’s smart, beautiful, and from a well-off family―she’s also battled crippling OCD ever since her mother’s death when she was eleven, and her romantic relationships have suffered as a result.

But now Burke―handsome, older, and more emotionally mature than any man she’s met before―says he wants her. Forever. Except, Burke isn’t who he claims to be. And interspersed letters to his therapist reveal the truth: he’s happily married, and using Skye for his own, deceptive ends.

In a third perspective, set thirty years earlier, a scrappy seventeen-year-old named Heather is determined to end things with Burke, a local bad boy, and make a better life for herself in New York City. But can her adolescent love stay firmly in her past―or will he find his way into her future?

On a collision course she doesn’t see coming, Skye throws herself into wedding planning, as Burke’s scheme grows ever more twisted. But of course, even the best laid plans can go astray. And just when you think you know where this story is going, you’ll discover that there’s more than one way to spin the truth.

 

 

 

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The book releases March 2nd, 2021

 

Review

 

This book will take you on quite a ride through the lives of three individuals – Burke, Heather, and Skye. Their stories flip from the past to the present and the deception that is revealed is shocking and at times, unbelievable. The book is divided into two parts and this book reminds me of Gone Girl in a way, that you believe one thing to be true and then find out that you couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to share what I liked without giving away too much. I will say that I missed some obvious clues about these three and how their stories intersect. But maybe I didn’t and they were just obvious in the second part of the book. It is quite an eye opener and how I felt about the different characters changed and those that I liked or felt sorry for, I now despised. This book definitely got into my head.

I think Skye is the most likable character and the one that I felt sorry for because I thought she was an innocent pawn in this whole debacle. Not that she is totally innocent, but I can see how she got swept up in her feelings for Burke and what he provided for her. You will learn about Skye’s OCD compulsions which are a part of her self image issues. But considering how cruel people can be, especially when they are teenagers, it isn’t a huge surprise.

I had mixed feelings about Burke and Heather. I liked them and hated them all at the same time, especially when the truth is revealed near the end. I think Heather is a bit naive too and she learns near the end of the book what might make her happy isn’t quite as fulfilling as she thought. I fear if I say too much more it will spoil the story.

This is a look into the psyche of the characters and what makes them tick and what lengths are they willing to go to in order to ensure happiness. You might be surprised at their discoveries by the end.

This is definitely a book that will get into your head and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Carola Lovering is the author of TELL ME LIES (out now from Atria Books) and TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE (forthcoming from St. Martin’s Press, early 2021). She attended Colorado College, and her writing has appeared in W Magazine, National Geographic, Outside, and Yoga Journal, among other publications. She lives in Connecticut.

 

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Synopsis

 

In one of the year’s most anticipated debut psychological thrillers, a family made infamous by a true crime documentary is found dead, leaving their surviving son to uncover the truth about their final days.

“They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces the fate of the Pine family, a thriller that will both leave you on the edge of your seat and move you to tears.

After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family—his mom, his dad, his little brother and sister—have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident, but the FBI and State Department seem far less certain—and they won’t tell Matt why.

The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn’t the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny—currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte—was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted. Though the country has rallied behind Danny, Matt holds a secret about his brother that he’s never told anyone: the night Charlotte was killed Matt saw something that makes him believe his brother is guilty of the crime.

When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he’s faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he’d hoped to leave behind forever. Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny’s case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison—putting his own life in peril—and forcing him to confront his every last fear.

Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, Alex Finlay’s Every Last Fear is not only a page-turning thriller, it’s also a poignant story about a family managing heartbreak and tragedy, and living through a fame they never wanted.

 

 

 

Preorder now, release date is March 2nd, 2021

 

 

Review

 

I have enjoyed psychological thrillers lately. Perhaps it is the way the author draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat as each new bit of information unfolds and sucks you further and further into the story. This book is no exception.

The story is told from multiple points of view and I think that made the story that much better because without the various perspectives we wouldn’t have a full understanding of the big picture. Plus we would have been left wondering how did Matt’s family die and why? But hearing from each character (outside of Tommy the youngest), pieces of the puzzle start falling into place but I still had no idea who was behind it all until the very end. There might be a few clues scattered throughout the book, but they were not obvious to me to put the pieces together.

The characters are very different and I really liked Matt’s “misfit” gang of friends from his first semester in the dorms. This group really looks out for each other and their personalities all mesh well with each other. Ganesh is a true friend and it is quite humorous that he is the richest but cares the least about money and more about experiences.

Sarah Keller is a tough FBI agent but has a soft spot for her kids and her husband. Her husband is quite a hoot and it is obvious how much they adore each other. While a minor part of the story and rounds it out and reflects the outside life of the FBI agent. Sarah is smart and is able to obtain information from others without putting the case at risk.

The book has its moments that left me on edge and hoping that something bad wouldn’t happen. I even felt some sympathy for Danny who was incarcerated for a crime that he may not have committed. But it takes the full book to find out the truth about what happened that night at the party.

Overall this is a very good book and if you are into psychological thrillers then you will like this one. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Alex Finlay is the pseudonym of an author who lives in Washington, D.C. Born in the American South, Alex spent years traversing the globe, from a tropical island in the Pacific to a small village in the UK to a remote region in the Far East. But it was on a trip to Tulum, Mexico that Alex was inspired to write Every Last Fear.

 

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Synopsis

 

Can you really have the best of both worlds?

He’s rich, successful—and has been faithfully married to his longtime girlfriend for nearly one gruelingyear. Because for Dr. Dorian Graham, too many women is never too much—no matter how loyal his wife, Shantae, has been since their college days. So when she proposes they celebrate their first anniversary by each spending a no-questions-asked, no-consequences night with their greatest temptation, Dorian is shocked, but can’t resist. Especially since Shantae’s wild-card younger sister, Reagan, is gorgeous, uninhibited—and the one who got away . . .

It turns out one sizzling night with Reagan isn’t enough. Yet the more Dorian takes, the more she demands—and the more he suddenly has to lose. Soon, with his mind games being used against him and his every move checkmated, Dorian will be forced to go all-in on one last desperate play to win. But winning might just be another way to crash and burn . . .

 

 

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Review

 

This was an ok book until the last chapter and then *bam* the twists it hit me with was a shocker. I don’t know what category to put this book in because it is not romance, not really suspense/thriller, so maybe just fiction? Others have said romantic suspense…maybe.

Not many of the characters are likable. Dorian is a cheater, Reagan is a sleaze, and Shante appears weak. I really had a hard time finding anything redeemable about any of the characters except maybe some of the minor characters.

Shante has decided to give Dorian a hall pass for their one year anniversary. At first, he doesn’t want to do it, but he has this hardon for her sister, Reagan. Ummm, if I was given a hall pass I would not use it on someone I might see on a regular basis. But, had he not chosen Reagan, the ending wouldn’t have happened as it did. Reagan definitely doesn’t understand the concept of a one night stand and she continues to come on to Dorian and entice him into continuing a sexual relationship with her. This is not going to end well for anyone, and it doesn’t. I won’t spoil anything in case you wish to read the book, but everything is a hot mess until the very end, and even then I wondered about Reagan’s mental state. I still wonder about her mental state…she is definitely not stable.

While reading this book I wondered where it was possibly going and how it would end. Dorian gets his just rewards (my only “spoiler”) and there are some unanswered questions. The sex scenes are somewhat graphic and frequent. Maybe just a little over the top for my personal taste, but I’m sure just the right amount for others.

Overall I am giving this book 3 paws up. The ending was a surprise but looking back, maybe it shouldn’t have been. However, there really aren’t any clues as to how this will all end up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Briana Cole is an acclaimed author, motivational speaker, sex educator, and actress. Her novels are known for exploring unconventional relationships and making readers question all expectations about love, lust, and monogamy. An Atlanta native, she graduated cum laude from Georgia Southern University and is a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her motto and ultimate drive toward success is a famous quote from Mae West: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

 

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