This is my own version of a weekly book haul and all things new on fuonlyknew.
I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
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Some chit chat.
It’s Mardi Gras here on the Gulf Coast and the parades are rolling, beads, moon pies and all kinds of fun stuff are flying off the floats. Great music and food are in order. I used to love this time of year. I’d buy the expensive ball gown. Go to the dance and party all night. And join the crowds to catch the bounty that’s tossed my way. Now, I stay at home. Been there. Done that. I leave it to the enthusiasts to enjoy. I can always pull up a book on my Kindle that involves Mardi Gras and stay safe and snug at home. Many people mistakenly believe Mardi Gras originated in New Orleans when in fact it was started in Mobile, Alabama. Right across the bay from me. Just a fun fact I wanted to share.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Let The Good Times Roll!
Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
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My new books this week.
![Beach Blanket Homicide (Whispering Bay Mystery Book 1) by [Geraci, Maria]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51fXYp6-7pL._SY346_.jpg)
![Ladies of the Lake by [Corday, Ken]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519-B3scFUL._SY346_.jpg)
![The Neighbour: a fast paced mystery which will keep you guessing until the very end by [Penry, Lewis M]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518UwrRj-QL.jpg)
![Wicked Innocents: Case No. 1 (The Frontenac Sisters: Supernatural Sleuths & Monster Hunters) by [Livernois, S.H.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HaeMW5ACL.jpg)
![Severed Souls: Case No. 2 (The Frontenac Sisters: Supernatural Sleuths & Monster Hunters) by [Livernois, S.H.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51PVsoleSQL.jpg)
![Death Knell: Case No. 3 (The Frontenac Sisters: Supernatural Sleuths & Monster Hunters) by [Livernois, S.H.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51QkZ3Su6HL._SY346_.jpg)
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Movies and shows I watched this week.
I’m continuing b
my binge of Criminal Minds. Now on Season 9, Episode 4. I thought I’d come across some episodes I’d missed. Come on, there are 277 episodes. But so far I’ve seen everyone.
I watched Mandy starring Nicholas Cage. I really liked him in this one. The movie…not so much. It’s so out there and really violent. And that’s where Nicholas really pulled it off. He looked deranged and he needed to be to get the job done.
Then I watched Kiss And Cry. I didn’t realize it was a true story. Carley Ellison was 17 when she was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. Sarah Fisher played her character in the movie and she was brilliant. I smiled so much it hurt. Cried so much I was exhausted. And was so uplifted. And truly thankful Carley’s story was shared. She was brave beyond words, with a heart so big, it enveloped all those around her.
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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.
Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.
![All Eyes on Me (A Miranda and Parker Mystery Book 1) by [Lanier, Linsey]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Vw8pWBYgL._SY346_.jpg)
![Dead Wood (A Hardboiled Private Investigator Mystery Series): John Rockne Mysteries 1 by [Ames, Dan]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iEolUydVL._SY346_.jpg)
![Blood and Snow by [Workman, RaShelle]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Mt29sNW0L.jpg)
![Of Ice and Snow: Snow Queen Origins: A Fairy Tale Adaptation (Fairy Queens Book 1) by [Argyle, Amber]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51rmMUt2ntL._SY346_.jpg)
![Ninety-Nine Signs: A Contemporary Romance (Ninety-Nine Series Book 1) by [Haxby, Elisheba, Vincent, Jesse]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xMF7lsoPL.jpg)
![Fledgling (The Shapeshifter Chronicles Book 1) by [Brown, Natasha]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513FmSVp10L._SY346_.jpg)
![River Bones (Sara Mason Mysteries Book 1) by [Deal, Mary]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mjwQuApnL._SY346_.jpg)
![Bad Karma: A gripping serial killer thriller with a twist (The Criminally Insane Series Book 1) by [Clegg, Douglas]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Kc1JDo5ZL.jpg)
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Click on the covers for this week’s reviews.
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Other posts on my blog this week.
Travel Diaries Of The Dead And Delusional ~ Blitz and Giveaway
Clouded By Envy ~ Release Day Blitz and Giveaway
The Puppy Who Knew Too Much ~ Review and Giveaway
The Kid’s Korner #34 ~ The Firefly
Awakened by Stacy R. Collins ~ Excerpt and Giveaway
Eclairs, Scares & Haunted Home Repairs ~ Spotlight and Giveaway
The horror of ….. Obedience ~ Excerpt and Giveaway
The Friday 56 #199 ~ Silver River Secrets
That Which Grows Wild ~ Review and Giveaway
Ian Dodge Mysteries by Judy Nichols ~ Excerpts and Giveaway
Saturday Screams #62 ~ Dark Corners Three Times Around
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I didn’t know that about Mardi Gras! That it originated in Mobile. Interesting!
Kiss and cry looks really good. Wow.
Hope you enjoy your weekend!
There’s arguments either way, but it points to Mobile and that’s what I’ve been told since I’ve lived here. Kiss & Cry was such a powerful movie. So glad I watched it, Greg.
I did not know that about Mardi Gras, so that’s cool. And I’m like you – been there done that and reading a book and staying home sounds lovely. 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
I just don’t have the urge or gumption to go anymore. Besides, I have so much stuff from previous parades, I sure don’t need more. LOL
I’m not someone who enjoys being in a big crowd of people! I go out for appointments and shopping but mostly I like to stay at home and read or watch TV!
I’m like you:) Leave to others to fight the crowds. When I was younger, I was right there in the thick of it though!
Mardi Gras sounds like so much fun! I have to admit, it’s something I associate heavily with New Orleans though so that was an interesting piece of info!
New Orleans is party central and they do it up huge! Mobile does a great job too and more people are flocking there. It’s a bit safer but still as crazy fun.
Mobile, Alabama? I didn’t know that! Thanks as always for the freebie links.
Now if you ask New Orleans, they will argue the fact. LOL History can get blurry but it points to Mobile. Enjoy the freebies:)
That is quite an interesting tidbit about Mardi Gras. It sounds like it is fun, and we have nothign like that in where I live. Thanks for sharing.
Here in the south we look for any reason to celebrate. Mardi Gras is just one festival. There are Arts & Craft fairs, music fests, and all kinds of jubilees. Never a dull moment:)
OMG Laura tell me it has a happy end please!!! Just watching this trailer has me all messed up! Now Mardi Gras is only in one week for us! Interesting news about its origin 😉
It was a beautiful movie, Sophie. And you know I can’t spoil the ending for you. LOL
Love your fun fact, I wasn’t aware of that! I would have also stayed home! 🙂
I already have so much bounty from previous years. Sure don’t need more. LOL
I never knew that about Mardi Gras! I think it would be so cool to go to a parade just once to see what it’s like. I watched someone I know on youtube who went to one near them and it seemed pretty cool.
Have a great week!!
Stormi
Week in Review
There is some arguments about where it originated but the facts do point to Mobile. They are wild and fun, but exhausting. LOL And I don’t like trying to find a place to park and walking so far. I’ll leave it to the younger ones now. LOL
I’ve always wanted to go to Mardi Gras, but I guess if you grew up with it, I can see how you’d get tired of it after a while.😁
I’ve lived here over thirty years and it was such fun when I first started going. Now I go some smaller parades now and then but mostly I avoid the craziness and crowds:)
I can’t imagine how crazy NOLA is during Mardi Gras! It must be a totally madhouse! I was in NOLA one year for St. Patricks day and that was enough crazy for me!
I’ve not been to a parade in NOLA. They are a bit safer but still crazy in Mobile. We also get some on my side of the bay and those are are fun.
Happy Mardi Gras! I have never been and now I feel as if I’m too old to try. 🙂 I’d rather stay home and read!
I loved it when I was a young woman full of energy. Now I’m content to sit and home and read too:)
We also have a similar celebration (in fact, all of these things first came from Europe, I guess :D), but it will be only on March 5th, I think. We wear masks and make pancakes 😀 yum.
Your new books look nice! And I’ve heard about Kiss and Cry, but I feel like it would totally break my heart 🙁
Have a nice week!
It ends on Fat Tuesday here. People come here from all over the country. It’s a tradition for many. A French explorer brought the celebration to America and Mobile has a legitimate claim that it started in their city.
I love those remnants of Mardi Gras…and the tidbit about its origins.
Ladies of the Lake looks tempting, with Ken Corday as the author. Days of Our Lives is part of his legacy.
Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I still have both of my ball gowns too. They go from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand so you take special care with them. I couldn’t fit in mine now but my sister has this beautiful sequined gown that still fits her. You feel so elegant and the dresses make you look gorgeous! I was excited to learn about the author for Ladies Of The Lake and I had to grab it!
I have Beach Blanket Homicide too. It looks good. I want to get Ladies of the Lake since the author is with Days of Our Lives. I’ll probably get it.
Hope you have a great week!
I was grinning when I came across both of them. They sound good and the covers and titles are great.
Mardi Gras has always seemed a little too crazy for me, but I can see how it would be fun to experience at least once. I didn’t know that it didn’t originate in New Orleans, though—that’s news to me.
It’s a lot of fun. The balls are formal and it feels like you are stepping into the paste when the court is revealed before the ball. And the parades are wild. But I’m happy to stay at home now. I do like to watch the videos and pictures my sister and brother-in-law share when they go to some.
Well you and I both did the haul all the books this week. I have never been to anything Mardi Gras other than the museum in NOLA. I’ve been through Mobile a few times and it’s a good place to visit. I saw various posts and am on the K9 reads right now. Have a wonderful week and some great reads!
I got some great books and have them lined up in the order I will be reading them. I live across the bay from Mobile in Fairhope. A charming little town and I love it here.
Didn’t know that about Mardi Gras. I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans, but not at that time. Too crazy for me. Enjoy your Mardi Gras at home, and happy reading! 🙂
I’ve been to New Orleans several times but never at Mardi Gras. I’ve taken tours, visited the French Quarter and famous landmarks and taken the Steamboat ride. It’s a beautiful city with so much culture and history to explore. Of course, we hit the casino while we were there. LOL
Such an interesting fact about Mardi Gras – I had no idea it originated in Alabama. Learn something new every day. As always you grabbed some great books. I see a few I need to check out.
I moved here over 30 years ago and that is when I learned about it too. Big surprise.
How did Alabama allow New Orleans to hijack Mardi Gras? I will admit, I had no idea about the Alabama connection. I need to go find out more about The Puppy Who Knew Too Much. The name and the cover are too cute.
Mardi Gras began over 300 years ago. It’s said the first celebration was in Mobile and it was introduced to New Orleans years later. I’ve lived here over 30 years and have always been told it started in Mobile. The facts sure lean towards it too. The Puppy Who Knew Too Much was a fun read and I’m going back to read more of the series. Don’t want to miss anything:)
I did think that Mardi Gras started in New Orleans. St. Louis has a pretty big celebration. I went once and that was enough for me. I have a lot of shows that I would love to binge but I can’t do the reading I want and watch a lot of tv. Such a struggle! I hope you have a great week!
Official reports say the 1st US Mardi Gras was in Mobile in 1703 and we later went to New Orleans to share it with them. My reading does suffer when I watch too much TV but my brain appreciates the change from reading now and then. LOL
I would have missed it if I’d been asked Where Mardi Gras originated on Jeopardy. I’m not sure anyone knows that, actually, or at least they didn’t until you shared it.
You’ve got lots of books awaiting. Enjoy!
You go on line and it says conflicting things until you dig a bit deeper. I found the best article explaining origin from CNN. Hard to dispute real facts! I always thought New Orleans until I moved here.
Oh man! I always wanted to go to a Mardi Gras! Glad you had a fun time!
Here’s my Sunday Post!
Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog
I had some grand times:)
I had read that about Mardi Gras but almost everyone thinks NOLA. Have you read the Sentinels of New Orleans series? I am loving your haul and need to take a closer look at some of them.
I have the series on my list to read. I love stories with settings close to my neighborhood!
Kiss and Cry sounds like a powerful movie. I will have to check it out. I have never lived any place that celebrates Mardi Gras. Guess it is more of a Southern thing. Here on the West Coast, it really isn’t observed. One of these days I would like to see it, but then I will probably be too old and not care.
They are such fun but I’m not into fighting those crowds anymore:)
I’ve never been to Mardi Gras. I did know it started in Alabama. I think I learned that from Anthony Bourdain or W Kamau Bell, both have shows on CNN. I’ve learned a lot about the world through those two shows. I don’t think I could be around that many people. LOL Have a great week.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
The CNN report is the one I was referring to! They really did their research.
I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans a few times in college but my attitude is pretty much like yours. I had a good time but I’d rather stay home with a book now! I do like reading about all the madness though and know I have a few cozies that take place during the parties. Hope you’re having a great week!
I have some cozies and urban fantasy books that revolve around Mardi Gras. That’s good enough for me now. LOL
Oh look at the gorgeous Mardi Gras pic! I always wanted to visit the Gulf dor Mardi Gras! But I’ll probably do it once lol not 20 anymore lol Now I MUST watch Kiss and Cry! You convinced me!
I sure did have fun going to all of the events and parades when I was younger. Content to just stay home now. LOL
Mardi Grass definitely sounds like a lot of fun. But staying at home isn’t to bad either. Especially when you get time to read. 😉
Have a great week and happy reading.
Yep. I enjoy my time at home more than fighting the huge crowds anymore:)
I always thought Mardi Gras originated in New Orleans too! I’d like to have seen this and enjoy the party 🥳 and parade – done American style – I bet it’s spectacular!
In that movie 🎥 looks good. I will look it up!
It’s a fabulous, fun spectacle for sure!