It’s been crazy busy at work. I forgot it was a holiday weekend! Wondered why so many people were out and about shopping. It’s been very hot here and I look forward to next week when I get a couple of days off. Plan to spend them reading outside and swimming in the pool.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Stay safe and take care everyone.
~~~~~
My new books this week. It rained books! LOL Every book from publishers and Netgalley came in this week. These are most of them.
~~~~~
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.
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 232 pages Genre: Mystery/Cozy Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: April 23, 2020 Content Rating: G. This is a true cozy mystery. No sex. No on-stage violence. No swearing. Just good clean fun!
,
“Lauren Carr’s books are never boring, that’s for sure. They entertain,
give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing, give us a
few good laughs and make us eager for the next book. Warning: Lauren
Carr’s series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just one
book!” – Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads
.
Join us for this tour from April 20to May 22, 2020!
.
.
“Here we go! Carr is a master storyteller who always offers a plot full
of twists and turns, a bit of humor to offset the dark, and a unique
cast of characters. In Killer Deadline that
cast includes – handsome Ryan, her first love (who is now her
step-brother); a mysterious social media friend called Nerdy Guy; Elmo, a
super smart dog, a boxer, she rescued who has become asocial media star
and has a penchant for cleaning; a TV station full of suspicious
employees; and more.”This book is a wonderful read to pick up at the end of a long day. It
truly is a “cozy murder mystery.” I promise, it’ll draw you in right
from page one and keep you turning the pages until you reach the very
last page. I can’t wait for the second book in this series.” – Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
My Review
I’ve read and loved a bunch of Lauren’s books and was excited to get my hands on this cozy mystery. I know she can bring her characters to life. I know she can sprinkle some fun romance along with those characters. I know she can give the critters in her stories as much of a role as her human ones. And I know she can give me a cast of characters to keep me on my toes and a mystery that keeps me clueless. And now she’s going to do all that with a cozy mystery series!
Nikki returns to her small home town in Pennsylvania to take over the family news station now that her mother is retiring. Her skills as an investigative reporter will come in handy as she steps into her new role. What won’t be so easy is facing the one she let get away, a nemesis with a grudge and the cold case murder of her father many years ago.
Like with most of her books, Lauren doesn’t give you just one mystery to solve, she gives you several. I had an idea who did the first murder but was caught completely by surprise when her father’s killer was revealed. Then there’s nerdyguy, someone Nikki befriended on the internet. I figured out who he was and what he was up to fairly early on and couldn’t wait to see Nikki’s reaction when she finally figured it out too.
And as with her other books, Lauren brings in a nonhuman character that easily challenges the human characters for the spotlight. Elmo, Nikki’s boxer, is famous. Everyone wants their picture taken with him. He does these incredible things. And you don’t even have to ask him. I easily pictured Elmo making the bed and loading the dishwasher. Gotta love a dog that enjoys doing housework.
From first sentence to last, I had a blast with Killer Deadline and I am excited for more in this series.
5 Stars
~~~~~~
Book Description:
Folks in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, claim that where Nikki Bryant goes,
trouble is not far behind. Her refusal to back down from a challenge has
made Nikki Bryant a top investigative journalist.
When an online friend nudges her to join him in a pact to reconnect with
their first loves, Nikki and her boxer dog Elmo leave the bright lights
of Las Vegas for the charming town of Pine Grove. There, she must face
the biggest challenges in her career and life—the first love she had
left behind and her father’s unsolved murder.
But before she has time to unpack her car, Nikki stumbles upon the dead
body of local news anchor, Ashleigh Addison, her childhood rival. Could
Ashleigh’s death be connected to an explosive news story that she had
teased about airing live? Did that explosive story have anything to do
with the murder of Nikki’s father?
With the clues in her father’s cold case hot again, Nikki intends to
chase down the story of her life until she catches his killer—no matter
what it takes.
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson
Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!Killer Deadline marks Lauren’s first venture into mystery’s purely cozy sub-genre with a female protagonist.Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Things are changing a bit here with a soft reopening going on. They’ve opened the beaches and small businesses. There’s still restrictions on how many can gather or be admitted. I’m hoping people use common sense and keep taking precautions. Some places that opened back up had a spike in cases. They still check our temperatures at work and require us to stay six feet apart when possible and wear masks.
Stay safe and take care everyone.
~~~~~
My new books.
I’ve been tearing through the Murderbot Diaries books and had to pre-order the newest one. I don’t normally spend so much for an eBook but since I got the first four books free through TOR, I figured this was a way to pay them and the author back for such awesome generosity.
~~~~~
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.
We had a bit of a scare this week. A storm blew through here and the winds were so strong I thought the house was going to take flight. A tree snapped in half and fell right between my house and my car. So I’ve been busy cleaning that up and chasing down everything that blew all over the place. Now the weather is 80s and sunny. Gorgeous! And I managed to take a few dips in the pool. I also found time to binge the entire Jesse Stone series. I love those movies. Didn’t do much reading. Still struggling to concentrate.
Stay safe and take care everyone.
~~~~~
My new books.
~~~~~
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.
Welcome to My Monday Minis where I share short reviews about books I’ve read.
I couldn’t resist the title and synopsis for this one.
~~~~~
Conquest
by Robbie Dorman
Genre: Horror
My Review
This book is chock full of action and some bloody good horror.
Imagine a wildfire threatening your town. It’s approaching fast and it’s time to get out. But, a group of strangers aren’t having any of it, They see the fire as an opportunity to unleash their inner beast. To rend, tear and feed. They’re shapeshifters with long sharp claws and very big teeth.
As with most horror stories, there’s the character’s you want to survive, those that you really hope don’t and the ones doing all the deciding. It all adds fuel to the fire as the flames approach and each has to decide what side they’re on. It sure made for a super fast and wild read.
This would be such fun as a movie and I had a blast. I’ll definitely be watching for more from the author.
4 STARS
~~~~~
Synopsis
WHO WILL LIVE WHEN CONQUEST BURNS?
Tensions are running high in the small mountain town of Conquest, Idaho. Newly elected Sheriff Heather Hill is on one side, toxic and corrupt Mayor JH Bieter on the other, a standoff in a culture war. With a wildfire approaching, battle lines begin to form. As the cold war heats up, Heather and JH are at each other’s throats.
But they have more to worry about than the fire.
The Pack has arrived in Conquest.
A ravenous gang of bestial shapeshifters, they are hungry and eager to show their dominance. Conquest makes a perfect target. Now Heather, JH, and the people of Conquest must fight for survival as blood and ash fill the streets.
It’s been another crazy week of work and more work.
I did manage to get in some pool time. Even got a bit of a sunburn. LOL
I also read a few books and actually managed to finish them.
And I finished binging Grey’s Anatomy. Now I’m looking for some more shows to watch. Got any suggestions for me? I’ve been turning to anything that will keep my mind off what is happening to all of us.
I had to take my son to the emergency room in the pre dawn hours on Thursday. They wouldn’t allow me in with him and I sat in my car in the parking lot for hours. He finally came out and it was discovered to be Kidney stones. Since then he has safely passed them and is doing well. It really hit home when I couldn’t go in with him.
Stay safe and take care everyone.
~~~~~
My new books.
~~~~~
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.
Join Us for this Book Series Tour from Mar 30 to May 1, 2020!
.
“Quill says: If you like your thrillers with lots of twists,
plenty of “creepy,” some paranormal events, and a fast-moving plot,
check out BULWARK. You might just be afraid to turn off the lights after reading the last page.” – Red Feathered Quill “Brit Lunden’s paranormal fantasy novella, Bulwark,
is genuinely eerie and spooky, filled with the kinds of scary effects
that true lovers of the dark crave and rarely find. There are no gushes
of blood or other cheap special effects, just a consistently good
pulse-pounding story about an ancient evil and the one man who stands up
against it. Readers who grew up with the likes of Barker, King and Lovecraft will have a field day reading this classy, dark fantasy novella.” – Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Review) “Author Brit Lunden has weaved an entertaining story that
spans paranormal, romance, and mystery. Thanks to the splattering of
action and the mysterious connection of characters and happenings, this
fast paced story is well suited to those looking for a light and
enjoyable thrill.” – Bianca Schulze
.
SERIES DETAILS: Series Title: Bulwark Anthology Collection Category: AdultFiction (18+) (104 to 146 pages) Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release dates: Jan 2018; Mar 2019; Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M: Some violence and mild sex.
Series Details:
Bulwark: a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth from the outside world.
The beating heart of this anthology is Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden.
Sheriff Clay Finnes appears in each book, but he is not the main character in each book.
There is NO series arc requiring readers to read all 10 books in the
anthology. Every book is completely stand-alone. You can read the books
in order or out of order.
Bulwark by Brit Lunden Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 146 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: January 2018 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
Book Description:
Clay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark.
Recently separated from his wife, all he can think about is what went
wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him. He’s troubled by a
bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a
normal day in his life. Clay has to admit that the fantastical stories,
told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves,
things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread
House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the
same.
The Knowing (Book 1): A Bulwark Anthology Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 104 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Mar 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
Book Description:
.
Bulwark- a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth
from the outside world. Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden. Who knows
what strange things can happen when the rest of the world can’t see you?
JB Stratton is alone in the world, and all he has left are the memories
of his beloved Ellie. Dirt poor JB and wealthy Ellie feel an instant
connection that is as intense and primal as the blood red earth of their
home. Unseen roots connect them, pulling them into an impossible
relationship. Will the memories of past lives help or hinder the path of
their love? Based on the original novella Bulwark, by Brit Lunden, The
Knowing continues the story of a town isolated from the rest of the
world where the impossible becomes plausible, and logic is determined by
reality.
The Devil and Dayna Dalton: (Book 9) A Bulwark Anthology by Brit Lunden Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 126 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.*Contains Sexual Content*
My Review
I read and liked a few of the previous books in the Bulwark series and I enjoyed this one too.
Dayna was labeled white trash and promiscuous as long as she could remember. Her mother’s reputation shadowed her whole life. I couldn’t help but hope for something good in her life despite her being her own worst enemy. I do tend to cheer for the underdog.
When strange things start happening in the small town, Dayna’s life becomes much more complicated. Buried secrets come to light and she meets a special someone who might change everything.
While the story was over before I was ready, it sure kept me glued to the pages. I had a really good time.
4 Stars
~~~~~
Book Description:
Reporter Dayna Dalton’s reputation has been ruined since birth. The
daughter of wild child, Becky Dalton, is expected to follow her mother’s
footsteps; never given a chance to prove she’s different. Dana’s been
in love with Clay Finnes since she was a teenager. Her unrequited love
for Sheriff Finnes leaves her empty. He’s happily married and
unavailable. Instead, Dayna finds herself stuck in the revolving door of
bad relationships. But this is Bulwark, Georgia, a town where strange
things are always happening. Dayna is doomed to this loveless life until
she can find someone who will appreciate the depth of her character.
Can she overcome her fears and look beyond her own perceptions to accept
a greater love? *Contains Sexual Content*
Meet the Author:
Brit Lunden is a prolific author who’s written over 50 books in assorted
genres under different pen names. Bulwark was her first effort in adult
fiction and was chosen by several of her fellow authors as the basis
for a new series, A Bulwark Anthology. Using her characters, they are
creating new denizens in spin-off stories to this bizarre town. Brit
Lunden lives on Long Island in a house full of helpful ghosts.Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Another crazy week and not much new to report. Just tired and excited to get two days off in a row next week. The pool will be my first stop, and then the couch for some nappin and bingin. LOL
Stay safe and take care everyone.
~~~~~
Click on the covers for this week’s reviews.
~~~~~
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.
Join Us for this Book Series Tour from Mar 30 to May 1, 2020!
.
“Quill says: If you like your thrillers with lots of twists,
plenty of “creepy,” some paranormal events, and a fast-moving plot,
check out BULWARK. You might just be afraid to turn off the lights after reading the last page.” – Red Feathered Quill “Brit Lunden’s paranormal fantasy novella, Bulwark,
is genuinely eerie and spooky, filled with the kinds of scary effects
that true lovers of the dark crave and rarely find. There are no gushes
of blood or other cheap special effects, just a consistently good
pulse-pounding story about an ancient evil and the one man who stands up
against it. Readers who grew up with the likes of Barker, King and Lovecraft will have a field day reading this classy, dark fantasy novella.” – Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Review) “Author Brit Lunden has weaved an entertaining story that
spans paranormal, romance, and mystery. Thanks to the splattering of
action and the mysterious connection of characters and happenings, this
fast paced story is well suited to those looking for a light and
enjoyable thrill.” – Bianca Schulze
.
SERIES DETAILS: Series Title: Bulwark Anthology Collection Category: AdultFiction (18+) (104 to 146 pages) Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release dates: Jan 2018; Mar 2019; Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M: Some violence and mild sex.
Series Details:
Bulwark: a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth from the outside world.
The beating heart of this anthology is Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden.
Sheriff Clay Finnes appears in each book, but he is not the main character in each book.
There is NO series arc requiring readers to read all 10 books in the
anthology. Every book is completely stand-alone. You can read the books
in order or out of order.
Book Details:
Bulwark by Brit Lunden Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 146 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: January 2018 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
Book Description:
Clay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark.
Recently separated from his wife, all he can think about is what went
wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him. He’s troubled by a
bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a
normal day in his life. Clay has to admit that the fantastical stories,
told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves,
things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread
House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the
same.
The Knowing (Book 1): A Bulwark Anthology Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 104 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Mar 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
My Review
I read Bulwark, the first book in this series and really liked it. The plot was dark and mysterious, with genuine characters. It’s where I was introduced to JB so I guess I was expecting The Knowing to feel similar.
As JB pondered the past and his love for his wife, Ellie, I got this warm feeling inside. I realized the plot was going to be about life, paths and choices. All the best ingredients for a love story. And what a great love story it turned out to be.
I read this even faster than the first book and had such a great time. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this exciting series.
4 Stars
~~~~~
.
Book Description:
.
Bulwark- a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth
from the outside world. Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden. Who knows
what strange things can happen when the rest of the world can’t see you?
JB Stratton is alone in the world, and all he has left are the memories
of his beloved Ellie. Dirt poor JB and wealthy Ellie feel an instant
connection that is as intense and primal as the blood red earth of their
home. Unseen roots connect them, pulling them into an impossible
relationship. Will the memories of past lives help or hinder the path of
their love? Based on the original novella Bulwark, by Brit Lunden, The
Knowing continues the story of a town isolated from the rest of the
world where the impossible becomes plausible, and logic is determined by
reality.
The Devil and Dayna Dalton: (Book 9) A Bulwark Anthology by Brit Lunden Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 126 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.*Contains Sexual Content*
Book Description:
Reporter Dayna Dalton’s reputation has been ruined since birth. The
daughter of wild child, Becky Dalton, is expected to follow her mother’s
footsteps; never given a chance to prove she’s different. Dana’s been
in love with Clay Finnes since she was a teenager. Her unrequited love
for Sheriff Finnes leaves her empty. He’s happily married and
unavailable. Instead, Dayna finds herself stuck in the revolving door of
bad relationships. But this is Bulwark, Georgia, a town where strange
things are always happening. Dayna is doomed to this loveless life until
she can find someone who will appreciate the depth of her character.
Can she overcome her fears and look beyond her own perceptions to accept
a greater love? *Contains Sexual Content*
Meet the Author:
Brit Lunden is a prolific author who’s written over 50 books in assorted
genres under different pen names. Bulwark was her first effort in adult
fiction and was chosen by several of her fellow authors as the basis
for a new series, A Bulwark Anthology. Using her characters, they are
creating new denizens in spin-off stories to this bizarre town. Brit
Lunden lives on Long Island in a house full of helpful ghosts.Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Join Us for this Book Series Tour from Mar 30 to May 1, 2020!
.
“Quill says: If you like your thrillers with lots of twists,
plenty of “creepy,” some paranormal events, and a fast-moving plot,
check out BULWARK. You might just be afraid to turn off the lights after reading the last page.” – Red Feathered Quill “Brit Lunden’s paranormal fantasy novella, Bulwark,
is genuinely eerie and spooky, filled with the kinds of scary effects
that true lovers of the dark crave and rarely find. There are no gushes
of blood or other cheap special effects, just a consistently good
pulse-pounding story about an ancient evil and the one man who stands up
against it. Readers who grew up with the likes of Barker, King and Lovecraft will have a field day reading this classy, dark fantasy novella.” – Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Review) “Author Brit Lunden has weaved an entertaining story that
spans paranormal, romance, and mystery. Thanks to the splattering of
action and the mysterious connection of characters and happenings, this
fast paced story is well suited to those looking for a light and
enjoyable thrill.” – Bianca Schulze
.
SERIES DETAILS: Series Title: Bulwark Anthology Collection Category: AdultFiction (18+) (104 to 146 pages) Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release dates: Jan 2018; Mar 2019; Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M: Some violence and mild sex.
Series Details:
Bulwark: a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth from the outside world.
The beating heart of this anthology is Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden.
Sheriff Clay Finnes appears in each book, but he is not the main character in each book.
There is NO series arc requiring readers to read all 10 books in the
anthology. Every book is completely stand-alone. You can read the books
in order or out of order.
Book Details:
Bulwark by Brit Lunden
. Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 146 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: January 2018 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
.
My Review
Small town settings are such a draw for me. Especially in the horror and paranormal genres. Brit Lunden sucked me right into this one with her flawed, vulnerable character, Sheriff Clay Finnes. His daughter has been missing for a long time and his marriage is crumbling. Things happen to challenge him to the core as he follows the bread crumbs for answers.
Bulwark may be a shorter read but the author packed it with so much mystery to ponder. What’s real and what isn’t keep you guessing. Where does the weird green water come from? Is there a Gingerbread House? What about the reports of wolves in the woods around town? And can a witch be behind all of the bad things that have happened?
I wasn’t sure about anything as I raced through this book. The plot is revealed like driving a winding road. You can’t see what’s around the next curve, especially the ending.
4 Stars
~~~~~
Book Description:
Clay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark.
Recently separated from his wife, all he can think about is what went
wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him. He’s troubled by a
bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a
normal day in his life. Clay has to admit that the fantastical stories,
told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves,
things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread
House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the
same.
Book Title: The Knowing (Book 1): A Bulwark Anthology Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 104 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Mar 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.
Book Description:
.
Bulwark- a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth
from the outside world. Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden. Who knows
what strange things can happen when the rest of the world can’t see you?
JB Stratton is alone in the world, and all he has left are the memories
of his beloved Ellie. Dirt poor JB and wealthy Ellie feel an instant
connection that is as intense and primal as the blood red earth of their
home. Unseen roots connect them, pulling them into an impossible
relationship. Will the memories of past lives help or hinder the path of
their love? Based on the original novella Bulwark, by Brit Lunden, The
Knowing continues the story of a town isolated from the rest of the
world where the impossible becomes plausible, and logic is determined by
reality.
The Devil and Dayna Dalton: (Book 9) A Bulwark Anthology by Brit Lunden Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 126 pages Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. Release date: Sep 2019 Content Rating: PG + M due to violence and mild sex.*Contains Sexual Content*
Book Description:
Reporter Dayna Dalton’s reputation has been ruined since birth. The
daughter of wild child, Becky Dalton, is expected to follow her mother’s
footsteps; never given a chance to prove she’s different. Dana’s been
in love with Clay Finnes since she was a teenager. Her unrequited love
for Sheriff Finnes leaves her empty. He’s happily married and
unavailable. Instead, Dayna finds herself stuck in the revolving door of
bad relationships. But this is Bulwark, Georgia, a town where strange
things are always happening. Dayna is doomed to this loveless life until
she can find someone who will appreciate the depth of her character.
Can she overcome her fears and look beyond her own perceptions to accept
a greater love? *Contains Sexual Content*
Meet the Author:
Brit Lunden is a prolific author who’s written over 50 books in assorted
genres under different pen names. Bulwark was her first effort in adult
fiction and was chosen by several of her fellow authors as the basis
for a new series, A Bulwark Anthology. Using her characters, they are
creating new denizens in spin-off stories to this bizarre town. Brit
Lunden lives on Long Island in a house full of helpful ghosts.Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram