WHAT ARE WE READING AND REVIEWING IN MAY 2022?

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WHAT ARE WE READING AND REVIEWING IN MAY 2022?

1Carol420
Apr. 22, 2022, 10:39 am



WHAT ARE YOUR READING PLANS FOR MAY? HOPE YOU ENJOY EACH AND EVERY ONE!

2Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 31, 2022, 11:19 am



CAROL HAS COOKIE'S AND LOTS OF GOOD BOOKS
💐 - ★
💐Intelligence Check - Katheryn McIntyre - 4.5★ (March Early Readers - (Didn't receive until 5/26)
💐Stronger Than Passion- Katherine McIntyre - 5+★ (April Early reviewers)
💐Conspiracy Theory - Elle Keaton - 3.5★ (Pick A Wiinner Make A Friend)
💐The Reality of Us - Vanessa North - 4★
💐Ashes Beneath Her - JR Erickson - 4.5★
💐Sister Dear - Hannah Mary McKinnon - 2.5★
💐Wrong Place, Wrong Time - W. Glenn Duncan - 3★
💐Cover of Night - Linda Howard - 4.5★
💐The Widower’s Wife - Cate Holahan - 4★
💐The Hockey Player's Heart - 5★
💐Seven Perfect Things -Catherine Ryan Hyde - 5★
💐Where Shadows Meet - Colleen Coble - 2.3★
💐Fletcher - M. Tasia - 5★
💐The Fear Hunter - Elise Sax - 2.5★
💐Zero At The Bone - Jane Seville- 4.5★
💐Always Time to Die - Elizabeth Lowell - 3.5★
💐Third You Die - Scott Sherman - 4.5★
💐Color of You - C.S. Poe - 5★
💐Can't Hide From Me - Cordelia Kingsbridge - 3.5★
💐Storm Season - Elle Keaton - 5★
💐After The Fire - Felice Stevens - 5★
💐Embrace The Fire - Felice Stevens - 4.5★
💐Tattoos & Teacups - Anna Martin - 4★
💐Chase the Sun - Christina Lee - 4★
💐Never Saw It Coming - Linwood Barclay - 5★
💐Run Rose, Run - Dolly Parton and James Patterson - 3★
💐Fear Thy Neighbor - Fern Michaels - 5★
💐Hurry Home - Roz Nay- 4★
💐Midnight Sun - Ramsey Campbell - 3★
💐The Bone Field - Debra Bokur - 4★
💐No Surrender- Badlands - Morgan Brice - 5★
💐The Druid Stone Heidi Belleau- 4★
💐In The Weeds - Andrew Grey - 5★
💐Rescue Me - K.M. Neuhold - 4★
💐Second You Sin - Scott Sherman - 4★
💐Backward - Andrew Grey - 5★
💐Round and Round - Andrew Grey - 5★
💐Not Dead Enough - Peter James- 5★ (Reread)
💐Over and Back - Andrew Grey -5★
💐Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled - Dorothy Gilman -3★
💐Where You Are - J.H. Trumble - 4.5★
💐Don't Let Me Go - J.H. Trumble - 4.5 ★

3Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 1, 2022, 8:46 am


Cover of Night - Linda Howard - (Idaho)
4.5★
n the charming rural town of Trail Stop, Idaho, accessible to the outside world by only a single road, young widow Cate Nightingale lives peacefully with her four-year-old twin boys, running a bed-and-breakfast. Though the overnight guests are few and far between–occasional hunters and lake fishermen–Cate always manages to make ends meet with the help of the local jack-of-all-trades, Calvin Harris, who can handle everything from carpentry to plumbing. But Calvin is not what he seems, and Cate’s luck is about to run out.

All of Linda Howard's stories seem to be filled with lots of dangerous people, hard-core emotions, and some really well-done writing. Oh, and let's not forget the sexy romance. This one was certainly no exception. The character of Cate was a strong heroine who holds her own when it comes to building a new life as a widow and getting out into the wilderness to help save the town. If you read many of this genre of books you will figure out fairly quick how it was going to end. You will laugh, maybe shed a few tears, but above all you'll cheer.

4Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 1, 2022, 4:42 pm


Fletcher - M. Tasia - (Michigan)
Fire Lake Book #2
4★
BLOOD BROTHERS...Fletcher Daniels has family. The family he chose. His Navy SEAL family. Those who share his DNA are dead to him, except his brother Kyle. When Kyle disappears, Fletcher is forced to confront his “blood” family, whose mere presence makes going through Hell Week at BUD/S feel like a walk in the park. Saving Kyle is fraught with intrigue and betrayal. With his real “brothers” at his back, and the addition of a tough sheriff who’s decided Fletcher is his, they uncover unthinkable crimes. Elias Cooper thought he’d left military maneuvers behind when he retired from the Marines and became the sheriff of Marshall County. Working with Fletcher and his team brought it all back. Now, Elias will do everything and anything to keep the man he loves alive, especially when the pain in the ass doesn’t want the help. Two tough men with hardened hearts come to learn the meaning of community and love.

Fletcher has all the family that he wants or needs...his SEAL brothers. Now he also has Sheriff Elias Cooper. I hated Fletcher's blood family except for his brother. Poor guy. I can't imagine these people being allowed to raise a dog much less a child. There was so many things happening here but the core was Fletcher's relationship with his guy, sheriff Elias. He knows that he was lucky to have him as well as his "family". Not his blood family, but the guys that always have his back and he calls his friends. There was some good action and even a little mystery. Overall it was a well rounded story. Fletcher summed it up in the end saying, "Family means everything, especially the family that you choose and it's even better when they choose you".

5Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 2, 2022, 8:33 am


Chase The Sun - Christina Lee - (Oregon)
Free Fall Series Book #2
4★
Jamie and Conner are as different as night and day. Even after years of living apart, they still have a blast together—but now it’s mixed with an undeniable spark of attraction. Before they know it, they can’t keep their hands off each other. For Conner it’s all new and exciting, but Jamie isn’t the type of guy who takes this sort of intimacy lightly. Conner soon realizes that Jamie quenches something deep inside of him that no one has before, but he doesn’t know how to handle a real relationship. As Jamie’s time in LA comes to an end, and the more they struggle to get on the same page about their feelings, the more Jamie realizes that trying to tie Conner down is as futile as capturing the sun.

Connor and Jamie grew up in the same small town in Oregon, but their core differences could have had almost had them living on different planets. Connor's parents were the town hippies...known for smoking and growing weed, having an open relationship and being "free spirits". As soon as Connor could leave, he made his way to LA where he had a series of jobs as well as roommates and generally drifts his way through life. Jamie's family is more traditional. After graduating from high school, he works at the repair shop owned and run by his family, while continuing to live at home with his father and his mother who has MS. Connor's uncle dies and leaves him a vintage car, which Jamie, his childhood friend, offers to get running and bring to him in LA. When Jamie arrives the two of them start learning that there is more out there than the life that either of them had been living. They say opposites attract and it was certainly true of these two sweet guys. Connor, who is outspoken and vibrant, and Jamie who is shyer and more reserved, soon learn that together they bring out the best in each other. Together they are a couple that you can't wait to see their "together". This was a lovely story of two young men learning more about themselves, about life, even as they’re learning about falling in love.

6Carol420
Mai 2, 2022, 1:08 pm


Fear Thy Neighbor - Fern Michaels -(Florida)
5★
At twenty-nine, Alison Marshall is ready to find a place to call home. With no family and no ties, she’s drifted from one small Florida town to another since high school, working odd jobs, saving hard, and building a nest egg. Once she finds the right place to settle down, she’ll know. And when she reaches beautiful Palmetto Island, she thinks she may have found it. The small, close-knit island community seems to have everything Alison needs. On a hunch, she contacts the island’s only realtor, and learns that an old beach house is on the market. Miraculously, it’s in her budget, and Alison takes it as another sign that she’s in the right place. At first, home is everything she hoped it would be. But as days turn into weeks, she uncovers a dark side to this supposedly peaceful haven. The locals have a secret, and once Alison discovers what it is, she faces a stark choice. She can stay and join them—or escape. But leaving brings its own risks, and Alison is starting to wonder if coming to Palmetto Island is the last mistake she’ll ever make.

I started this yesterday and didn't something I haven't done in ages...I stayed up until morning to finish it. I then found that I was actually disappointed that it had ended...that there wasn't any more story. Just when Alison starts to make friends and is happy with her decision and her new home.... strange things begin to happen. This is where I knew I COULD NOT stop reading! She finds a bone. ...you can use your imagination to guess what kind...as she's clearing up overgrowth on her property. She then learns this is not the first time that bones came from here. Then she hears the rumors of missing children and cult activity, or is it just rumors? Slowly she knows that her first thoughts on the discoveries were right. Still, she wants to spend time in her nice cottage on the beach. She has now set herself on a course that may change her life forever. The characters are both likable and questionable. The plot is breathtaking and events are sometimes horrific, but be assured the book will hold onto you until the end and afterwards.

7Carol420
Mai 3, 2022, 9:33 am


Zero At The Bone - Jane Seville - (Ohio)
4.5★
After witnessing a mob hit, surgeon Jack Francisco is put into protective custody to keep him safe until he can testify. A hitman known only as D is blackmailed into killing Jack, but when he tracks him down, his weary conscience won't allow him to murder an innocent man. Finding in each other an unlikely ally, Jack and D are soon on the run from shadowy enemies. Forced to work together to survive, the two men forge a bond that ripens into unexpected passion. Jack sees the wounded soul beneath D's cold, detached exterior, and D finds in Jack the person who can help him reclaim the man he once was. As the day of Jack's testimony approaches, he and D find themselves not only fighting for their lives... but also fighting for their future. A future together.

This has been on my "To Read" list for a long, long time. I have to admit the title was a bit of a turn off, but I finally decided that it was time and if I didn't like it I could always just close the book or shut off the sound...something I have trouble doing. Well, I did neither. I loved the story and the two characters. It definitely was the most unlikely love story I have ever encountered since D is the hitman that has been sent to kill Jack, a surgeon who was unlucky enough to be at the wrong place at the wrong time...which means he's now the key witness against a huge mob boss and everyone is out to get him. D is a hitman with a conscience and a heart. He doesn't kill people who don't deserve it, and he feels that Jack, an innocent surgeon, falls under that umbrella, so D takes Jack under his wing to protect him. Just because D doesn't kill him, doesn't mean that there aren't other hitmen that will. There is so much more to this story line...both from D and Jack's side...and as they run for their lives...they both find a new reason why they really need to live. It's a very long story but I recommend the audio version. I truly enjoyed Alan Smith's rendition. I have several favorites narrators, but it was the first time hearing him. I have added him to my favorite's list.

8Carol420
Mai 3, 2022, 5:12 pm


After The Fire - Felice Stevens - (New York)
Through Hell and Back series Book #2
5★
A single bullet destroyed the dreams of Dr. Jordan Peterson. With his lover dead, Jordan descends into an endless spiral of self-destruction that nearly costs him his friends, his career and his life. When Jordan finds himself working closely with the aloof Lucas Conover, the investment banker's mysterious past and unexpected kindness shocks him back into a life and emotions he'd thought lost forever. The betrayal by the foster brother he'd worshiped taught Lucas Conover never to trust or believe in anyone. Living a solitary life doesn't free him of the nightmare of his youth; it reinforces his belief that he would never fall in love. When the death of one of his clients forces him to work closely with Dr. Jordan Peterson, he meets a person whose suffering exceeds his own. Though Jordan rejects his effort to help, something within Luke pushes him discover more about the first man to ever get under his skin. As Luke lets down his guard and Jordan lets go of his pain, desire takes control. Each man must come to terms with past struggles if they are to create a future together. And learning to trust in themselves and love again after tragedy and a lifetime of pain, may be the only thing that saves them in the end.

Another Incredible story by Felice Stevens and a wonderful reading by Kale Williams. It has thought-filled characters, emotional and heartfelt feelings, and well done hot sexiness. Life is complicated and we all have issues. It's how we deal with them and who we surround ourselves with that matters. Honesty, understanding, patience, compassion, acceptance and true love are all here to enjoy. Realistic characters and a heart wrenching tale are so vividly written and will hold your attention to the end. I loved Asher and Drew, in the first book, plus the family and friend, so it was great to see them again, because the story is richer if you know the characters deeply. Dr. Jordan Petersen, and Investment Banker, Lucas Conover each have issues, each a different upbringing, and they have to work out those issues, let go, be open and honest to let new hopes, new desires, and new love in. Lucas presented Jordan with the Trust that Keith left him to take care of abused young kids and to get guns of the streets. Jordan has heavy problems with the anti-anxiety meds, and hides it from everyone. He's wallowed in sorrow over Keith's death for nearly a year. The Trust and community center give him hope, and Lucas gives him hope for love, also. Lucas is "Luke" from Ash's childhood. Dr. Tash is introduced, and we will see more of him in book three. I really enjoyed the journey of this story.

9Carol420
Mai 4, 2022, 1:30 pm


The Druid Stone - Heidi Belleau - (Ireland)
Layers of The Otherworld series Book #1
4★
"Sean never asked to be an O'Hara, and he didn't ask to be cursed by one either." After inheriting a hexed druid stone from his great-grandfather, Sean starts reliving another man's torture and death...every single night. And only one person can help. Cormac Kelly runs a paranormal investigation business and doesn't have time to deal with misinformed tourists like Sean. But Sean has real magic in his pocket, and even though Cormac is a descendant of legendary druids, he soon finds himself out of his depth...and not because Sean's the first man he's felt anything for in a long time. The pair develop an unexpected and intensely sexual bond, but are threatened at every turn when Sean's case attracts the unwelcome attention of the mad sidhe lords of ancient Ireland. When Sean and Cormac are thrust backward in time to Ireland's violent history—and their own dark pasts—they must work together to escape the curse and save their fragile relationship.

The author uses a mix of Celtic mythology, magic, history, time travel, and romance create this epic story. I found the characters to be interesting and there was definitely a lot of complexity. The only issue I had was how confusing the plot became at times, and I had a hard time following along without having to do some re-reading. I heard Scottish and Irish spoken all my life, so I didn't have any problem understanding the reader, but I think anyone that was unfamiliar with the accent and some of the terminology might have difficulty with it. I also had difficulty telling if the point of view being expressed was Connor's or Sean's. There are a lot of supporting characters, including creatures, animals, a wonderfully accepting family, really good friends and former lovers. I do wish there had been a bit more romance between Connor and Sean but overall, it was a really good story with some outstanding creepy bits.

10Carol420
Mai 5, 2022, 9:20 am


The Bone Field - Debra Bokur - (Hawaii)
Dark Paradise Mystery series Book #2
4★
Kali Mahoe has been called to a bizarre crime scene. In the recesses of a deep trench on Lana’i Island’s pineapple fields, the skeletal remains of someone buried decades ago has been found inside an old refrigerator. The body is headless, the skull replaced with a chilling adornment: a large, ornately carved wooden pineapple. Kali’s investigation leads her to an unlikely suspect, an illegal cock-fighting organization, and a strange symbol connected to a long-disbanded religious cult. Kali solves cases using logic and reason, not the unknown or unexplainable, which might help her unravel an increasingly mind-boggling series of deadly events. Because the dormant pineapple fields of Lana’i have yet to give up their darkest and most terrifying secrets.

Kali is a young Hawaiian police officer who teams up with her uncle Walter for another very strange case along with what they thought would be merely pedestrian police work. Soon they find that their puzzling investigation involves a very strange cult. Some tourists have discovered a refrigerator containing a headless skeleton with the head having been replaced with a carved pineapple. Strange hardly covers this case. When more bodies are uncovered, they have to work even harder to figure out how they are all connected, who the killer could be and how this weird cult fits into it all. Although I found the head being replaced with the carved pineapple a bit over the top, I found it to be a fun read with equally as many red herrings as real clues to keep you guessing.

11Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 6, 2022, 9:57 am


Embrace The Fire - Felice Stevens - (New York)
Through Hell and Back series Book #3
4.5★
Brandon Gilbert has spent years in hiding, but he’s finally accomplished his dream of working as a public school teacher. When offered the chance to help bullied children, there was no way he could say no. Not to mention that meeting Dr. Tash Weber, the psychiatrist who helps them, a sad yet sexy older man, ignited a spark inside Brandon he’d never had before. Though five years have passed since the death of his lover, Dr. Sebastian "Tash" Weber has no interest in relationships or love. But young, enigmatic Brandon awakens his heart and his desire. Despite Tash’s best efforts to push him away, Brandon unlocks the passion for life Tash thought he’d lost forever. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan for either Brandon or Tash, but neither family disapproval nor self-doubts can stop them from embracing the fire that burns between them. And when Brandon returns home to fight for a future he never imagined possible, he and Tash discover that the one thing worth fighting for has been with them all along.

This entire series would have been absolutely perfect if, and that's a big IF, these people would have stopped meddling in the lives of the main characters. I don't see how they think they are going to "help" anything by interfering as if the two guys are 10 years old. In this case Tash was 15 years older than Brandon so for some unknown, unthinkable reason, almost everyone has to tell Tash that Brandon is too young for him and needs to go out and have the time of his life. Brandon is a teacher and has told everyone that he's happy and has no desire to do the club scene. I just wanted to scream at them to LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!! I would have loved Brandon no matter who he had been paired with, but pairing him up with Tash was perfect. I really loved the epilog where we learned what happened with each of the couples. The characters in these book are loved, they're a family that I will miss until I reread this series again...and I diffidently will.

12Carol420
Mai 6, 2022, 10:53 am


No Surrender - Morgan Brice - (South Carolina)
Badlands series Book #5
5★
Cold cases, hot leads, a psychic psychopath, a copycat killer, cursed objects, the trial of the century--and wedding plans. Psychic medium Simon Kincaide and sexy homicide detective Vic D'Amato met hunting a supernatural serial killer. Since then, Simon has become a police consultant on cases involving the paranormal, and Vic has gotten over his doubts about Simon's abilities being real. Along the way, they fell in love and got engaged. But it seems like the danger never ends. Now, the first case Simon and Vic worked together comes back to haunt them as the killer goes to court and all hell breaks loose. The killer has a crazy fan setting curses on key players in the upcoming trial. Ghosts from an old cold case suggest that someone got away with murder. And a supernatural creature attracted to fear and death is using the Grand Strand as its feeding ground. Simon and Vic feel like they’re waging a war on all fronts, but with the stakes so high, there can be No Surrender!

The "slitter", the really bad guy from Badlands, book #1, is about to go to trial but someone wants to stop it from happening. Seems the creep actually has a fan that idolizes him. Vic has always depended on paranormal info from Simon, but this time they work the case tightly together. Along with the case, and on a happier note, they are finally planning their wedding. I know that this is probably creeping up to ending this wonderful series but I really, really, really want it to go on somehow. I think Morgan Brice can come up with a way to make this happen. (fingers crossed) I've reread this series so many times I've lost count. I love Simon and Vic as individual characters and as a couple. Their relationship feels so real, something that an actual real life couple would go through. They have arguments and then hot make ups. There are a few work problems, that usually aren't too serious like being late to dinner. Simon now has so much support from friends and Vic's family who accepted him and truly love him. His past with his ex and his own " sweet" mother was an unbelievable nightmare. Vic and Simon's relationship keeps getting stronger with every new book...and I hope all us fans are going to be invited to the wedding.

13Carol420
Mai 7, 2022, 9:51 am


Conspiracy Theory - Elle Keaton - (California)
Veiled Intentions series Book #1
3.5★
Disillusioned, burned-out and fed up, homicide detective Niall Hamarsson burns his last bridge and flees to the only place he's ever called home. All he wants is to be left alone with his ghosts. very, very alone. Sheriff Mat Dempsey is a glass-half-full kind of guy. He returned to Piedras a decade ago after his father's unexpected death, but he loves taking care of his small hometown. And he remembers Niall from before, the man is even more intriguing now--even if he is an arrogant ass who acts like Mat has no idea what he's doing. Almost immediately the first suspicious death on Piedras in years has the two men at odds. Sheriff Dempsey needs Niall to stay away from the murder investigation, he doesn't want the ex-detective muddying the waters. Niall's not interfering with Dempsey's investigation so much as keeping his hand in and using the case as a distraction from unwanted memories that are popping up like weeds after a storm. Will the two men realize they work better together than apart, in more ways than one? Or will Niall successfully keep Mat at arm's length?

I liked the characters, and I really, really liked the dog. The organization of the story however, needed some work. The mystery was good, the setting was well done, And as I have already said I liked the two main characters. Some of the supporting characters were just lukewarm. Like the deputy that we were told was competent and smart and in the next chapter became a harpy worrying about the guys "bad language. Come on...really? This was a police station not a Sunday School class. The character of Niall is primarily a jerk, that spent most of the story steamrolling over Mat and Mat allowing him to. I hope that's not going to be the way any relationship they might have in the future is going to go. I know first books in a new series sometimes spend time setting the stage for future books, and since I didn't totally dislike the book...I will be willing to try book 2.

14Carol420
Mai 8, 2022, 7:30 am


Sister Dear - Hannah Mary McKinnon
2★
Beauty. Wealth. Success. She’s got it all. And it all should’ve been mine. When Eleanor Hardwicke’s beloved father dies, her world is further shattered by a gut-wrenching secret: The man she’s grieving isn’t really her dad. Eleanor was the product of an affair, and her biological father is still out there, living blissfully with the family he chose. With her personal life spiraling, a desperate Eleanor seeks him out, leading her to uncover another branch on her family tree - an infuriatingly enviable half-sister. Perfectly perfect Victoria has everything Eleanor could ever dream of. Loving childhood, luxury home, devoted husband. All of it stolen from Eleanor, who plans to take it back. After all, good sisters are supposed to share. And quiet little Eleanor has been waiting far too long for her turn to play.

Ho hum! It's been a long time since I have had a book that I was so bored with. The main character was a ditz to put it kindly. She did things that I found so unbelievable from a supposedly educated woman. Even the plot was flimsy. I know I'm a minority with this opinion, but it just didn't do anything for me. Oh wait...yes it did. It allowed me to mark another category off a challenge.

15Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 8, 2022, 10:20 am


Stronger Than Passion - Katherine McIntyre - (Maryland)
Chesapeake Bay series Book #2
5+★
Hudson West is the enemy. The calm, arrogant, stupidly hot owner of the rival restaurant in town never fails to push Nico Shah's buttons. So when he and Hudson are invited to collaborate to cater the Chesapeake Days festival, he wants to say hell no. But with his mother's upcoming transplant, he needs that money. Nico Shah is trouble. Hudson's noticed the gorgeous, witty flirt and has veered far away. He's looking for commitment while Nico's looking for his next flavor of the night. Except now that they're working together, neither can ignore the chemistry that's one spark away from burning down a forest. And when they finally collide, the connection is beyond anything either has experienced. But with Nico still terrified of the word "boyfriend" and Hudson needing someone who belongs to him, this can only end in heartbreak.

This is the second book that I was fortunate enough to receive to read and review from this author. I believe "WOW"! probably says it all. Hudson and Nico were enemies, business rivals, thought they could never be friends mush less lovers...until something strangely unexpected and wonderful happened...Neither of them wanted to explore it too closely since neither had had much luck at relationships but they both knew this was something they wanted to try...wanted to succeed...wanted to totally loose themselves in. I hated Hudson's family, which I'm sure I was supposed to. I don't understand how parents could treat a child of any age the way they did Hudson. Noone has the right to decide how your life is going to be lived. It wasn't even because he was gay, it was because he refused to fit in their perfect family mold. Anyway...Katherine McIntyre certainly knows how to present a heartwarming, hot romance story with the absolute perfect couple. I don't want to give anything away but I will say that Hudson and Rico solved one of their problems with and idea that I had already wondered why they didn't try. Even though this is book 2 in the series, the books can be read as standalones. Thank you to Hot Tree Publishing and author, Katherine McIntyre for this opportunity.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hot Tree Publishing and Katherine McIntyre in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own

16Carol420
Mai 8, 2022, 4:34 pm


Midnight Sun - Ramsey Campbell -(England)
3★
Ben Sterling has a very strange inheritance... Though now a happy family man, and a successful writer of children s stories, as a child Ben was tragically orphaned by a mysterious car crash. Raised by a loving aunt who refused to discuss his father s eccentric family, he nevertheless develops a strange fascination with the lonely Yorkshire house they inherited. On his aunt's death, Ben unexpectedly acquires this ancestral home, and the family decide to move into it...ignorant of the strange stories concerning those who stray too close to the woods at night. Ben himself is increasingly drawn to nearby Sterling Forest extensive pinewoods planted by his family around the ancient oak grove where his great-grandfather was found dead so many years before. Edward Sterling had been exploring the icy wastes of the far north, where shamans were said to practice ancient rituals to keep the midnight sun shining over their desolate land. Found naked and Snowblind in this distant wilderness, he had been returned to his wife...but died soon afterwards in bizarre circumstances. Now, three generations later, Ben unwittingly sets loose an awesome power, and soon the entire countryside falls into the grip of ice and blizzards. But what must be the sacrifice that can transform eternal winter back into spring?

I have read Ramsy Campbell's books for more years than I care to recount. I started with The Hungry Moon and The Doll Who Ate His Mother and have been hooked on his books ever since. In spite of my fondness for this author, I found this one a bit frustrating, for lack of a better word, to read. It was excessively descriptive and seemed to just plod along until almost the last. The plot was interesting, but I didn't feel that it ever really fleshed out. The father of the family relocated to a big house that his grandfather had lived in and immediately begins to get obsessed with the forest that had been planted many years ago. This forest seems to have some type of energy that remains unknown to the reader throughout the entire story. It never becomes clear what is in the woods... what is illuminating the frozen forest... and what exactly is in the center of it all. It was strange and somewhat eerie at times, but ultimately i felt it was unfulfilling. The main character simply does an implausible turn around, conveniently tying things up in very short order...making it all a bit pointless. 3 stars because I know this author can and has done better and I do have hope for the future.

17Carol420
Mai 10, 2022, 1:18 pm


In The Weeds - Andrew Grey -(Pernnsylvania)
New Leaf Romance series Book #2
5★
Florist to the stars Vin Robbins is in high demand in LA, but he hates working for someone else. When he returns to his Pennsylvania home to help his widowed father, he finds an opportunity he never expected with his first love, but learns that someone’s been taking advantage of the unused family greenhouse. Casey Lombard wasted too much of his life denying who he is and what he wants, but he won’t do that any longer. His biggest regret is letting Vin go, so running into Vin again when he gets called to investigate who planted pot on Vin’s family’s property sends him reeling. Vin ignites feelings Casey thought long dead. But Casey has a daughter, and Vin is only home for a visit. Surely the bright lights of Hollywood will call him back to the City of Angels, so how can Vin and Casey build the life they both wish they had?

Andrew Grey was one of the first m/m romance authors that I ever read. His Carlisle Cops series was what really whetted my appetite for this genre of books, plus my two lovable" book bring buddies":) His characters are lovable and believable plus they work together to get their HEA. Although this is the second book in this series, New Leaf being the first, the characters from several of his other books make appearances so we always can keep track of old friends while making new ones. Vin and Casey had been childhood friends and as 14 year old's they began to notice that something was developing between them other than friendship. Life went on and they took different paths that led away from one another. Vin to LA where he followed his mother's talent of creating beautiful and unusual floral arrangements for the stars, but he worried about his widowed Dad back in Carlisle, PA. Casey joined the Carlisle Polce Department, married and then divorced and now has custody of his young daughter, Brianna. When Vin takes two weeks to check on his dad and see about selling the floral shop that his mother ran before her death, things pick up where they left off between Vin and Casey but now there are other lives to consider. Another thing that I love about Andrew Grey's books is that he doesn't make his "print people" overly miserable, totally ignorant, nor does he keep the reader in suspense for very long. Always a good read by this author.

18Carol420
Mai 11, 2022, 7:50 am


Tattoos and Teacups - Anna Martin
4★
As a teenager, Robert McKinnon left his native Scotland and moved to America. That was sixteen years ago, and Professor McKinnon has never quite settled in his new home or found his place this side of the pond. He might be prematurely old, but he has his cat, and his books, and that's all he needs. Then Chris Ford explodes into Robert's life with a crash of cymbals. The younger man is the polar opposite of Robert's calm civility. Bright tattoos cover his skin, and he wears his hair in a Mohawk and plays drums for a rock band. But he's a shot of color in Robert's black-and-white world, and Robert turns out to be the one thing Chris can count on. Despite all the reasons it shouldn't work, somehow it does. Even if Robert wasn't looking for love especially not with someone nearly ten years his junior, but he can't deny being with Chris is fun. But sometimes Chris's free-spirited nature leaves Robert feeling vulnerable. If they can't find a balance between "tattoos and teacups", their relationship won't survive, and neither will Robert's newfound lust for life.

Another new author for me. It wasn't a bad read by any means but there were some things that were made into a bigger issue than they needed to be. The main one was how much time was spent by Rob and Chris agonizing the 9-year age difference. Nine years is a mere drop in the bucket. They were attracted to one another...Rob could accept Chris's many tattoos and his choice in music...although in addition to his band he also plays percussion with an orchestra. hris knew that Rob wasn't enthusiastic about his band's music, but it didn't seem to me to have been a huge issue since what he was enthusiastic about was Chris. They genuinely loved one another although that seemed to happen with supersonic speed. Some readers might find the swiftness of this to be too much. I liked that they obviously have a strong attraction, are good for each other, and wish to be together despite being so different from each other. Their romance is a sweet, slow build with minimal angst.

19Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 12, 2022, 12:26 pm


The Reality of Us - Vanessa North
4★
The reality of Alden... Arrogant. Aloof. Argumentative. Antagonistic. Angry. Alden Kaufman is many things, and none of them are nice. Trauma has left him deeply scarred and incapable of easy friendships. He doesn't know how to let anyone past his walls, and he doesn't think it's worth the trouble. The reality of Kit...Everybody's best friend, nobody's boyfriend. In spite of a lifestyle that doesn't invite attachments, Kit Taylor gets along with everyone he meets-except Alden. He can't entice his prickly co-worker out of his shell and has given up on trying. The Reality of Us...Two men at odds with themselves and each other embark on what should be a simple team-building exercise, but nothing goes as planned. Unexpected intimacy and a freak accident leave Kit and Alden dependent on each other long after they leave the mountain behind. Now they have a choice-to continue as they've been or trust a shaky new reality together.

A really good read. Both the men were vulnerable for similar reasons, Kit as he struggled to reconcile the happy go lucky, no strings attached relationship with his deep feeling for Alden, and Alden with his tragic personal & family history, that he deals with by pushing others away, but he's unable to keep Kit at arms' length. I thought the author portrayed Alden's PTSD and agoraphobia with a great deal of delicacy and tack. The story was very well written, sometimes raw, and very honest. I liked Alden's Mom was a jewel. I hope Thomas, (Alden's likeable ex) gets his "Happily Ever After" someday.

20Carol420
Mai 12, 2022, 5:23 pm


Seven Perfect Things - Catherine Ryan Hyde
5★
Thirteen-year-old Abby Hubble lives in an unhappy home in the Sierra Nevada foothills where her father makes life miserable for her and her mother, Mary. One day Abby witnesses a man dump a litter of puppies into the nearby river. Diving in to rescue all seven, she knows she won’t be able to bring them home. Afraid for their fate at the pound, she takes them to an abandoned cabin, where all she can offer is a promise that she’ll be back the next day. To grieving widower Elliot Colvin, life has lost meaning. Looking for solace, he retreats to the hunting cabin he last visited years ago, before his wife’s illness. What he discovers is not at all what he expected: seven puppies and one determined girl with an indomitable heart. As Abby and Elliot’s friendship deepens, Abby imagines how much better her life―and the puppies’ lives―would be if her mother were married to Elliot instead of her father. But when Abby’s father moves the family hundreds of miles away, Abby and her mother must decide how long they’re willing to defer happiness.

The picture on the cover is worth at least 10 stars all by itself. Inside the cover is a wonderful and heartwarming perfect story. It's a story of bravery, of heroics, of commitment, of responsibilities, of relationships, but mostly, it's about love and creating a family. Through in the miracle of second chances and you have something that will stay with you for a long, long time. Of course, there are the seven perfect furry, wiggly, cuddly little things that will charm you with their innocence, and sweet warm puppy breath. I ask you, who could resist that?

21Carol420
Mai 14, 2022, 12:05 pm


Ashes Beneath Her - J.R. Erickson - (Michigan)
4.5★
Orla has a gift, an ability to sense things she touches: memories, traumas…murders. On a sunny day in 1975, she sets off on a bike ride into the picturesque countryside and vanishes. She is not the first young woman to go missing and she will not be the last.

The setting was in Traverse City just on the southern side of the Mackinac Bridge in my beautiful state of Michigan. It would have been nice if the author had done more description of Lake Michigan and the surrounding areas which are nothing short of magnificent. Otherwise, it was a fast paced and very well written story. I expected it to be a little more on the paranormal side, but it had a really good serial killer mystery angle. If you are a fan of a good ghost story, a murder mystery blended with the supernatural, and some tenacious characters, then this book may be just the thing for you.

22Carol420
Mai 14, 2022, 2:31 pm


Run Rose Run - James Patterson & Dolly Parton - (Tennessee)
3★
Every song tells a story. She’s a star on the rise, singing about the hard life behind her. She’s also on the run. Find a future, lose a past. Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny. It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her. And destroy her.

James Patterson certainly is a master of telling a story and Dolly Parton has probably forgotten more about music than most people ever knew. Together they have created a ubique partnership. I thought the rise to stardom for Ruthanna was a bit rushed and unrealistic. The days are over that everyone that plays a guitar and is willing to try to sing is over. Nashville is now filled with wantabe country singers. Ruthanna and all the other characters are damaged somehow, full of emotional trauma, and unsaid lies. Way too much so. There's no plot line like James Patterson's books usually have. No murder, no mystery, I can't even call this a thriller. It felt like he only had his name on the cover. I like both James Patterson and Dolly Parton, but I like them doing individually what they each do best.

23genesisdiem
Mai 14, 2022, 3:00 pm

>22 Carol420: ooh, thanks for this. I've been debating buying it but saw one review that said the accompanying album told a better story than the book and I wasn't quite sure what to make of that. I guess I'll hold off until it goes on sale.

24Carol420
Mai 14, 2022, 4:30 pm

>23 genesisdiem: I guess I was maybe expecting a bit more.

25Carol420
Mai 14, 2022, 5:17 pm


Rescue Me - K.M Neuhold
Heather Ink series Book #1
4★
"Your life can change in an instant" (Madden) I never thought a night out could change everything. All I wanted was to dance, drink, maybe take a cute guy home for a night of fun. I met the guy, but the night ended as a nightmare. Screams and blood and tragedy haunt my dreams. I'm alive and I owe it all to the gorgeous marine who refused to leave me for dead. But how can I start a new relationship when I'm not even sure who I am anymore? "I'll always save you" (Thane) After a long work week, all I wanted was to let my hair down and to meet a nice guy. When I laid eyes on the gorgeous, tattooed man at the bar, I had to have him. I never would have thought the night could end in such horror. I saved his life, and I swear I'll save him as many times as I have to. Even if it means saving him from himself.

Madden and Thane are both really great characters. Their story has lots of ups and downs. Their first meeting was traumatic which understandably left Madden terrified of many things that could have adversely affected his budding relationship with Thane. It was good to see that Madden and Thane cared about one another enough to work it out. Madden knew it had to learn to trust himself again and Thane was smart enough to give him the opportunity. The on page emotions and lust can be felt throughout the book which gives the story a very authentic vibe.

26Carol420
Mai 16, 2022, 8:48 am


Third You Die - Scott Sherman - (New York)
Kevin Connor series Book #3
4.5★
Finally settling down with his hunky cop boyfriend, former callboy Kevin Connor is giving up the "oldest profession" for a new career: producing his mom's TV talk show, "Sophie's Voice." But when their latest guest--gay porn sensation Brent Havens--ends up floating in the East River after vowing to blow the lid off the adult film industry, Kevin returns to the world of high-stakes sex to find out: Who killed the twink who had everything? Was it the X-rated director who exploited his star--for his own desires? The bartender boyfriend who hustled more than just cocktails? Or the eye-candy co-star who left the sweet actor for a sugar daddy? Either way, Kevin is zooming in on one twisted plot with no shortage of drama queens. But is he ready for his close-up. . .with a killer?

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I really liked Kevin Connor and his somewhat inane entourage. I hope there is going to be more to follow this one. The reader's credulity might be stretched a little by Kevin's and his mother's investigative techniques or the necessity for them to have to have to investigate at all, but it is still a good story. The entire storyline might have been a bit more satisfying if we had learned a little more about what eventually happened to the various victims and culprits, but I guess we can accept that the good guys prevailed.

27Carol420
Mai 16, 2022, 5:20 pm


Hurry Home - Roz Nay - (Canada)
4★
Alexandra Van Ness has the perfect life. She lives in an idyllic resort town tucked away in the Rocky Mountains, shares a designer loft with her handsome boyfriend, Chase, and has her dream job working in child protection. Every day, Alex goes above and beyond to save children at risk. But when her long-lost sister, Ruth, unexpectedly shows up at her door asking for help, Alex’s perfect life is upended. Growing up, Ruth was always the troublemaker, pulling Alex into her messes, and this time will be no different. Their relationship is fraught with hurts and regrets from their childhood that bind them to silence, but they can’t outrun them forever. Alex lets Ruth stay under one condition: we will never, ever, talk about the past. But when a local child is in danger, Alex becomes very involved and the secrets from long ago come back to haunt her with terrible consequences for everyone.

It's a chilling and suspenseful domestic drama. Both estranged sisters have dark secrets from the past that both want to remain deeply buried. Alex now has what seems to be the perfect life. She has a handsome boyfriend, Chase, who she lives with in his beautiful loft in the Rocky Mountains. She has the job that she always wanted working in Child Protective Services with at-risk children. But all that is at risk of change when her sister Ruth appears unexpectedly at her door. With a long history of trouble in Ruth’s life, Alex is certain that Ruth’s appearance will only bring upheaval to her world...but they are still sisters so Alex agrees to help Ruth. She makes Ruth promises never to bring up anything from the past. The story is told from both Alex’s and Ruth’s points of view, and needleless to say the points of view are very different. The secrets are slowly revealed, leaving the reader wondering who is telling the truth and who can be trusted. Many twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing right up to the shocking conclusion.

28Carol420
Mai 17, 2022, 9:40 am


Wrong Place Wrong Time - W. Glenn Duncan -(Texas)
Rafferty series Book #4
3★
When bounty hunter Toby Wells offered Rafferty two hundred bucks for fifteen minutes work the answer was obvious. There was no way he could know Wells would murder an innocent man and use Rafferty as cover for his getaway. Payback will taste sweet. and would be a whole lot easier to come by if Rafferty wasn't already spending his days protecting Thorney—the octogenarian uncle of a good friend. but a deal is a deal. He's not about to cut the old guy loose just because things got complicated. Then Wells is back in town. Still trigger-happy and showing no signs of slowing his murderous rampage. Rafferty has to stop Wells. and he has to do it now. because Uncle Thorney is walking right into the crossfire.

Rafferty is suckered into aiding and abetting in a murder and of course it all goes downhill from there. The writing itself is not bad and I can see a reader getting caught up in the humor and the characters but there was way too much inconsequential filler that does absolutely nothing to advance the story. About halfway through I found I had to go back and reread to see if by some chance I had missed something. I also found that the "romance" lines between Rafferty and Hilda would have better suited a couple in high school than two middle aged adults.

29Carol420
Mai 17, 2022, 3:34 pm


Can't Hide From Me - Cordelia Kingsbridge - (California)
3.5★
Charles Hunter’s team is on a mission to extract an unidentified ATF agent from an undercover job gone wrong. All they’ve got to go on is the rendezvous location—until Charles recognizes the ex he hasn’t seen in years. Their “simple rescue mission” is about to get a lot more complicated. For Ángel Medina, adjusting to life after his cartel nightmare is hard enough without confronting memories of a failed relationship. All he wants is a fresh start. But when a violent stalker lashes out from the shadows, Ángel realizes his nightmare is far from over. As the stalker’s obsession escalates and bodies start dropping, Charles and Ángel are thrown together in a desperate search for the culprit. Tempers flare and old passions reignite, drawing them back into the same turbulent relationship that once ended in disaster. But the stalker isn’t letting go—and the next strike might hit straight through the heart.

I read Cordelia Kingsbridge's Seven of Spades series some time ago and absolutely loved each and every addition. In this one, Charles and Angel were great characters, but it took some time for them to admit that they needed one another like they needed air. I have to admit that I never figured out who the person was that was wanting to eliminate Angel, but more importantly, I really didn't understand the why. I was happy with the way the story ended and I do so hope there will be more books for us to follow Charles and Angel's adventures.

30Carol420
Mai 18, 2022, 7:06 am


The Fear Hunter - Elise Sax- (California)
2.5★
Living in a haunted lighthouse in the small town of Sea Breeze, California with her two elderly aunts, Agatha Bright has everything she wants. She owns and runs a bookstore / soup shop on the beach, and her soups are loved by everyone in town. Her life is regimented and organized. But Agatha has secrets that might get her in big trouble. Dark secrets. When a woman goes missing, the suspicion falls on Agatha, turning her life upside down. The new detective in town, Remington Cumberbatch, has seen a lot of weird things as a detective in nearby Cannes, California, but he’s in for a surprise with Agatha, her family, and the quirky town of Sea Breeze. He begins to investigate Agatha as the number one suspect, but the attraction is immediate. When the missing woman turns out to be murdered, the mystery deepens, and Agatha must help Remington find the killer before she winds up in prison…or worse.

I don't mind humor in a story. Usually I find it often adds to the plot and makes the characters more human and likeable, but I found this entire book to be silly and not in a good way. Actually, I didn't really care for the story or the characters. I did finish it hoping that maybe it would get better. No such luck.

31Carol420
Mai 19, 2022, 10:59 am


The Hockey Players Heart - Jeff Adams - (California)
5★
Hometown hero. Hockey superstar. Perfect boyfriend? When hockey star Caleb Carter returns to his hometown to recover from an injury, the only thing he’s interested in is a little R & R. He never expects to run into his onetime crush at a grade school fundraiser. Seeing Aaron Price hits him hard, like being checked into the boards. The attraction is still there, even after all these years, and Caleb decides to make a play for the schoolteacher. You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take, right? Aaron has been burned by love before and can’t imagine what a celebrity like Caleb could possibly see in a guy like him. Their differences are just too great. But as Aaron spends more time with Caleb, he begins to wonder if he might have what it takes to win the hockey player’s heart.

Caleb is sincere, sweet, and down-to-earth. During a period of recovery from an injury he returns to his hometown where he reconnects with his sister's best friend. Their friendship grows and soon begins to turn into something else. Both guys were a bit unhappy before, but this developing "thing" between them seems to have alleviated their sense of loneliness. We all know that real life sometimes rears it's ugly head, and most everything has logistics. One looming problem is that Caleb doesn't live in Foster Grove...he lives in New York. He has a commitment to his hockey team and he travels for most of the season. I loved Aaron. He's a teacher who not only loves his job but is committed to his students. There's some angst as the guys try to figure out how they can make this can work. I loved the way it gets resolved. Overall it's a 'feel good' story. Parts of it were a bit "fluffy"...but hey, sometimes we can all use a bit of fluff in our lives.

32Carol420
Mai 20, 2022, 2:30 pm


Where Shadows Meet - Colleen Coble - (Indiana)
2.3★
Hannah is distraught when her parents are murdered—but what makes it worse is that she should have been at home with them . . . not meeting her forbidden love, Reece. Unable to face the community and her guilt, she runs away and marries him. But Reece isn’t the man she thought he was. He controls her completely, and when she gets pregnant—against his wishes—he pushes her down the stairs as she approaches her due date. When she wakes in the hospital and he tells her the baby died, she knows she’s had enough. She runs again. Years later, Hannah has become an expert on Amish quilts, and her visibility allows Reece to track her down. He begs her to come back, saying he’s changed—and sends her a picture of their daughter.

This was just so incredibly slow and the twists that finally appeared didn't make much sense to me. The character of Reece especially was just forced for lack of a better word. I completely understand the plot intended and the reality of how the abusive marriage thing works, it's just that this author has simply failed to really bring these people to life. There are times when the plot drags on through too many useless twists of the characters' every move or every train of thought. I really had to force myself to finish it.

33Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 20, 2022, 5:06 pm


Second You Sin - Scott Sherman - (New York)
Kevin Conner series Book #2
4★
Someone is killing New York City's hottest male prostitutes, and it's up to full-time call boy, part-time sleuth Kevin Connor to find out who. With his spectacular boy-next-door looks, quick wit, and ability to role-play even the most outrageous scenarios, Kevin is facing his most challenging position yet--to stop a ruthless killer. As Kevin begins his investigation, there's no shortage of possible suspects or motives. Could the killer be a sadistic head case with a deadly fetish? A high-profile celebrity worried that his biggest secret might get out? Or perhaps it's a right-wing politician, guilty of protesting too much from his pious and unforgiving soapbox. As Kevin gets closer to the truth, he'll find himself trapped in a scandalous web of secrets where the line between victim and predator blurs, and no sin goes unpunished.

The character of Kevin is lovely, bright, funny, and a guy that his friends and family can count on. I really liked him. The main problem that I had with the story was that it was hard to tell where the "mystery" began and why Kevin's closeted boyfriend, Tony, who was a cop, didn't take more of an interest in the murders. Early in the story one of Kevin's friends is hit by a hit and run driver and spends the entire story in a coma without Kevin or any of his friends taking much of an interest in his condition. Just seemed odd. I did like the ending, and I loved Kevin's mother and the lengths she went to in order to get even with the TV personality that was running down Kevin and the rest of the gay community. There are 3 books in this series thus far and of course I've read them backwards, but I know for a fact that Scot Sherman has created a character in Kevin that is both charming and intelligent, and is only discovering just how smart he really is. I hope that the author lets Kevin live in several more books.

34Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 21, 2022, 10:16 am


The Widower's Wife - Cate Holahan
4★
Ana Bacon, a beautiful young wife and mother, tumbled off a cruise ship into dark and deadly waters. Ana is gone—leaving behind her wealthy husband and adorable daughter—but not everything about her disappearance adds up. What secrets did she leave behind? Investigator Ryan Monahan is a numbers man. So when his company sends him the Bacon case, which could net a ten-million-dollar payout, Monahan doubts that her death is just a tragic accident. But the husband has a substantial alibi and a number of witnesses claim to have seen Ana fall, and the official ruling seems to hold up. Still, the more Monahan uncovers about Ana’s life, the more he realizes how many people would kill to keep her secrets hidden. And the closer he gets to the truth, the greater the odds grow that he, too, will take a fatal fall.

This was a different tale about greed, betrayal, and love with surprising plot twists and suspense. Usually, I am not fond of stories where the writer goes back and forth between time periods. In this case, it is only a few months and it seemed to work well. The Mystery builds piece by piece and the characters and locations have the reader feeling like they are there. Overall, a very good mystery.

35Carol420
Mai 22, 2022, 9:48 am


Always Time To Die- Elizabeth Lowell -(New Mexico)
St. Kilda series Book#1
3.5★
As a dark world of twisted passions and depraved crimes slowly opens up before Carly, she realizes that there is no one whom she dares to trust -- perhaps least of all Dan Duran, a dangerous and haunted mystery man who's somehow tied to the Quintrells' past. But she will need an ally to survive the terrible secrets a father carried to the grave and an even more devastating evil that lurks among the living -- because following the bloodlines of the wealthy and power-hungry can be a bloody business ... and some dead secrets can kill.

Powerful family secrets are the center of this story. It's filled with characters that are part of the family or are in some way connected to the family and they all have secrets. Details about those secrets are slowly revealed throughout the book; some of which leads to further investigation and danger for Carly and Dan. There is an extremely large number of characters that makes it a bit difficult to sort out exactly who is who, but there is a family tree at the beginning of the book does help. The unexpected twist toward the end of the book makes wading through the huge number of details in the early part of the story worth the effort. The romance between Carly and Dan plays second fiddle to the mystery surrounding the Quintrell & Castillo family. Overall, it's a well written story that just has way too many characters.

36Carol420
Mai 22, 2022, 11:36 am


Color of You - C.S. Poe - (New Hampshire)
Lancaster Story Book #3
5★
Bowen Merlin—yes, that’s his real name—accepts a position in the quaint town of Lancaster, New Hampshire, as the high school band director. He leaves New York City for the snowy countryside of New England just in time for the holidays. With class, homework, after-school activities, and a surprise Christmas concert to plan and rehearse, Bowen is plenty busy. And since he’s never had much luck with romance, factoring in time to find Mr. Right isn’t a priority. Until he meets the proprietor of Snowy Ridge Apple Orchard, Felix Hansen. Suddenly, true love seems like a possibility for the first time in Bowen’s life. The two are a perfect match and fill the skipped beats of each other’s hearts. But as wonderful as Felix seems, he’s harboring old scars that could bring an end to their budding relationship after someone in town goes to great lengths to sabotage their careers. If Bowen is to survive, he’ll need to lean on old friends and new, convince Felix he’s worth any hardship, and prove they can come out of the catastrophe stronger if they do so together.

I discovered this author about three years ago and I believe I have read almost everything she has written and have really enjoyed each one. Her characters are believable, loveable, and better yet, redeemable. This story is a beautifully written Christmas themed, MM romance tale that is built on attraction, respect, and honesty that I totally loved. Bowen is a newbie to New Hampshire and a 35-year-old music teacher, who gets things started by accidentally spilling his hot apple cider on Felix Hansen, the 47-year-old divorced owner of the orchard gift store and café. After that it's just becomes one of the sweetest adventures of the year. You don't have to wait until Christmas to meet and enjoy Bowen and Felix.

37Carol420
Mai 23, 2022, 8:34 am


Never Saw It Coming - Linwood Barclay - (Connecticut)
5★
Keisha Ceylon is a psychic. At least, that's what she tells people. She watches the news for stories of missing people, then waits a few days and goes to see the family. She tells them she's had a vision and that she may know where their missing loved one is--for a price, of course. Keisha's latest mark is Wendell Garfield, whose wife disappeared a week ago. She's seen him on TV, pleading for his wife to come home, or for whoever took her to let her go. Keisha tells Wendell her vision of what might have happened. Unluckily for Keisha, her vision turns out to be alarmingly close to the truth. As she wades deeper into the mystery, Keisha inadvertently finds herself caught in a web of suspicion and violence that's much more complicated than she first thought--and which may end up with her own disappearance.

The book centers around con artist ‘psychic’ Keisha Ceylon. She lives with her dead-beat boyfriend Kirk, who I hated, and her young son Matthew. I thought it was quite clear from the start that Keisha is motivated by financial means to "trick" the bereaved into hearing what they want to hear. My first thought was "How does this woman sleep at night?". Then it became evident her tricks were soon to be catching up with her. The question then becomes what happens when the scammer is scammed? Overall this is an intense psychological thriller, slightly different than Barclay's usual fare, but filled with shady characters. It's a cleverly done story and a very satisfying read.

38Carol420
Mai 23, 2022, 6:03 pm


Backward - Andrew Grey - (Pennsylvania)
Bronco Boys series Book #3
5★
Club owner Harry Klinger has had his eye on Tristan Martin for months, but never had the nerve to approach him. He’s watched as Tristan dated Eddie and then reluctantly sat on the sidelines during the emotional breakup when Tristan discovered Eddie was dealing drugs. Now that Tristan seems to be healing, Harry hopes to get his chance. When Eddie sends his men into Harry’s club to harass Tristan, Harry steps in to help. Tristan is reluctant at first since he admittedly has terrible taste in men, but Harry seems genuine, and Tristan can’t help but think Harry’s sexy as well and begins to hope for happiness for both of them. Unfortunately, Eddie isn’t behaving rationally, sampling too much of his own product. With his determination to take Tristan back, it’ll take more than Harry’s help to keep Tristan safe as Eddie ratchets up his attempts to get what he wants.

I loved Tristin and Harry. Harry is levelheaded, above board and part owner of a successful night club. Tristin is just a sweetheart. Their getting together seemed to be a bit rushed at first, but we learned that Harry and Tristin had been circling one another for months. Its a love story for the ages, with a beautiful happy ever after for two deserving guys.

39Carol420
Mai 24, 2022, 8:01 am


Storm Season - Elle Keaton - (Washington)
5★
They say you can't go home again. Adam Klay doesn't intend to until the death of his father forces his return to Skagit, Washington. Cleaning up his father's chaotic life was never on Adam's bucket list. Worse, Adam finds himself inexplicably drawn to the elusive, terminally-clumsy, gorgeous, Micah Ryan. No way is he getting involved with someone from his hometown, he's always insisted the best view of Skagit was in his rearview mirror. Micah Ryan has been coasting on auto-pilot since his family was killed in a car accident a decade earlier. He runs a web business and has an irritable cat. He hardly leaves his house, unless it is for his afternoon espresso. His world tips upside down when Adam Klay rolls into town. For the first time in years, he feels alive. Unfortunately, Micah's return to the living has been noticed and is not appreciated.

I have read this author off and on for several years now and always have found that the characters that she creates are usually 'broken" in some way but they always find someone that is absolutely perfect for them. Adam is intense, driven, and usually fixated on murder. He’s also a broken guy in a lot of ways. Micah is warm and nurturing, but he doesn’t have any outlets for his need to take care of someone until Adam comes into his life. They make each other feel better, as well as healing each other’s wounds simply by existing...and it’s beautiful. A really good story that keeps you guessing throughout, with that great chemistry existing between Adam ad Micah.

40Carol420
Mai 25, 2022, 10:46 am


Not Dead Enough - Peter James - (England)
Roy Grace series Book #3
5★
On the night Brian Bishop murdered his wife he was 60 miles away, asleep. At least that's the way it looks to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, who is called in to investigate the kinky slaying of beautiful socialite Katie Bishop. Grace soon starts coming to the conclusion that Bishop has performed the apparently impossible feat of being in two places at once. Has someone stolen his identity or is he simply a clever liar? As Grace digs deeper behind the façade of the Bishops' outwardly respectable lives, it becomes clear that everything is not at all as it seemed.

Once in a while I like to reread favorite series by favorite authors, and Peter James's Roy Grace series certainly meets the criteria. As usual, Peter James has written a well plotted thriller with an elusive criminal who continues to wreak his havoc while being pursued by the intelligent and determined Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and his crew. The process involves several of the characters that we've already met in the previous books. His characters are smart, funny, and utterly human. No superstars here able to wave a magic wand and solve a complicated crime. It's all about hard work, ferreting out the facts, and working them together with his peers. Kinda like putting together a 1,000-piece puzzle. The problem with this case is that the pieces keep moving. It's fun watching Roy move the pieces around until he has the answers. I seldom recommend books since everyone has different tastes, but I diffidently would recommend this series to anyone that enjoys tense crime thrillers.

41Carol420
Mai 25, 2022, 5:33 pm


Round and Round - Andrew Grey - (Pennsylvania)
Bronco Boys Book #4
5★
When it comes to love, Kevin Foster can’t seem to win. Some consider him a hero, but dousing an arsonist’s attempt to burn Bronco’s to the ground puts Kevin on the vengeful criminal’s radar. Afterward, the arsonist fixates on Kevin, determined to burn away every part of Kevin’s life. Coming to Kevin’s rescue more than once, and in more ways than one, is “MacDreamy Hotness”―firefighter Angus MacTavish. Not only is Angus smitten at first sight, he learns Kevin’s nickname for him, intriguing him further. When Angus discovers Kevin is the arsonist’s target, he takes it upon himself to protect him at any cost. Soon Kevin works his way into a heart Angus thought he’d closed off for good. Things heat up between them, but the arsonist has no intention of letting Kevin finally find happiness. Hopefully Angus and Kevin can stop him before he reduces everything Kevin values to ash―including the love igniting between him and Angus.

I call Andrew Grey's books my hot chocolate and comfort reads. I always know I'll get something consistently enjoyable...not too exciting or angsty...and nothing overly suspenseful. Harry and Bull's club is the target of an arsonist on the loose. Not only is the club in danger but the boys are in danger also. A fireman that will become everything to Kevin is ready to save the day. an absolutely beautiful story. Very emotional with on the edge of your seat suspense. There is also an amazingly brilliant "Happy Ever After" also.

42Carol420
Mai 27, 2022, 10:51 am


Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled - Dorothy Gilman - 3★ - (Syria)
3★
After facing down hijackers on a flight to the Middle East and saving the lives of the passengers on board, a young American woman steps off the plane in Damascus in a blaze of celebrity and disappears. The CIA believes Amanda Pym was kidnapped, possibly murdered. Masquerading as Amanda Pym’s worried aunt, Mrs. Pollifax begins her determined search, slipping through Damascus’s crooked streets and crowded souks . . . and trekking deep into the desert. Yet she is shadowed by deadly enemies, whose sinister agenda threatens not only Mrs. P. but the fragile stability of the entire Middle East.

This is the first of the Mrs. Pollifax books that I've read, and I have to say that I enjoyed the adventure with this unique elderly lady more than I thought I would. I found myself laughing at her humor and sometimes her attitude. She is smart, daring. and tough. I'd have to call it a good "old fashioned" read, no blood and guts anywhere. It reminded me somewhat of the works of Georgette Heyer.

43Carol420
Mai 27, 2022, 12:48 pm


Intelligence Check - Katherine McIntyre - (March Early Reviewers)
Dungeons and Dating series Book #3
4.5★
Mason gives people too many chances, Hunter gives too few, but are they willing to take a chance on each other? Mason has always tried to believe the best in people, and for the most part, their sunshine attitude pays off. They love their friends, their family, and they’re determined to win over their broody, gorgeous coworker Hunter—especially when their car in the shop turns into carpooling to work together. Hunter’s only seen the worst in people, and he doesn’t trust easily—not after growing up with a mom who ditched and an addict dad. However, perky, sweet, hot-as-hell Mason seems to win him over with every goofy comment or adorable smile, and before he can stop himself, he’s falling hard. The more time Mase and Hunter spend together, the more their attraction flares until they’re both holding the hope for something real. However, when Hunter’s past collides with his present, the secret he's been keeping threatens to destroy everything—the home he established, the friends who’ve become his new family, and any chance of a future with Mason.

This is the third book I have read by this author but the first book in this four=part series. I loved, loved the Chesapeake Bay series and was equally sure I would love this one also. You just know that Mason & Hunter are going to be perfect for each other...even though they came from completely different backgrounds. We learned early on that both guys had been deeply hurt and seemed almost afraid to trust that they could heal. Their families weren't train wrecks going somewhere to happen...they had ALREADY happened. Mason's twin sister died of an overdose and Hunter's father and mother were both addicts, but both men were determined to climb out of that hole if they possibly could. We also learned that both of them had secrets that had the ability to kill their budding relationship. Katheryn McIntyre tells a story with such depth that the reader feels every victory but also every setback. Thank you Ms McIntyre for giving me the opportunity to read yet another of your wonderful stories. Also for taking the time and trouble seeing that I received it,

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own

44Carol420
Mai 29, 2022, 3:43 pm


Over and Back - Andrew Grey - (Italy, Pennsylvania)
Brocos Boys series Book #5
5★
Opposites attract on an overseas holiday, but trouble has hitched a ride. While Bronco’s nightclub is closed for renovations, the owners invite the staff on a trip to Italy. Bartender Hank needs a roommate, and he’s had his eye on waiter Grant for a while, even if he’s had to keep his distance. But sharing such close proximity means sparks are sure to fly…. Grant has a problem saying no, and it’s led him into some less-than-healthy relationships. While he’s determined not to repeat his mistakes, it’s clear Hank is different. They’re both willing to take it slow and explore the feelings building between them, but even in a foreign country, their pasts are catching up, and that could hurt more than just their budding romance.

Hank and Grant’s love story was magnificent. They are wonderful additional characters to the series. The two of them really needed each other. Both had terrible exes' that ruled and dominated their existence. Together they gave one another the courage they needed to finally be free. An added bonus, as with the first four books of the series, we got to spend time with Zach and Bull and the rest of the guys while they toured Italy, while the club was being repaired and remodeled after a fire. This series really should be read in order to understand how the characters came to be together. Get to know all these wonderful guys because they are nothing short of amazing.

45Carol420
Mai 30, 2022, 2:51 pm


Where You Are - J.H. Trumble
4.5★
Robert Westfall's life is falling apart--everywhere but in math class. That's the one place where problems always have a solution. But in the world beyond high school, his father is terminally ill, his mother is squabbling with his interfering aunts, his boyfriend is unsupportive, and the career path that's been planned for him feels less appealing by the day. Robert's math teacher, Andrew McNelin, watches his best student floundering, concerned but wary of crossing the line between professional and personal. Gradually, Andrew becomes Robert's friend, then his confidante. As the year progresses, their relationship--in school and out of it--deepens and changes. And as hard as he tries to resist, Andrew knows that he and Robert are edging into territory that holds incalculable risks for both of them.

I had so many mixed feelings about this story. Andrew as a teacher should have known that what he and Robert had started was going to blow up and take them, at least him, down with it...but love is truly blind, deaf and dumb. Robert lied to Andrew about his age and that wasn't found out until after things were spinning out of control. Andrew thought that Robert was 18 which would have made him an adult, then finds out he wouldn't be 18 for two more months. Andrew is only 6 years older. I felt drawn to their dilemma and found myself rooting for them when I realized that the ups and downs in the relationship was all created entirely by others. It deals with such a controversial subject but is done in such a way that the sexual aspect of the forbidden teacher/student relationship is secondary. The story is strong and realistic and oddly provocative without being vulgar. It's compelling, romantic and if like me you are a sucker for a happy ending you'll love Andrew and Robert. These two deserved happy ever after in spades.

46Carol420
Bearbeitet: Mai 31, 2022, 10:59 am


Don't Let Me Go - J.H. Trumble -(New York)
4.5★
Some people spend their whole lives looking for the right partner. Nate Schaper found his in high school. In the eight months since their cautious flirting became a real, heart-pounding, tell-the-parents relationship, Nate and Adam have been inseparable. Even when local kids take their homophobia to brutal levels, Nate is undaunted. He and Adam are rock solid. Two parts of a whole. Yin and yang. But when Adam graduates and takes an off-Broadway job in New York--at Nate's insistence--that certainty begins to flicker. Nate's friends can't keep his insecurities at bay, especially when he catches Skyped glimpses of Adam's shirtless roommate. Nate starts a blog to vent his frustrations and becomes the center of a school controversy, drawing ire and support in equal amounts. But it's the attention of a new boy who is looking for more than guidance that forces him to confront who and what he really wants.

There are so many twists and turns in this story...some thought provoking and some heart-breaking. Nate and Adam have to come to terms with what has happened between the two of them. Adam will have to truly look deep and see what it is he wants from Nate. Nate will have to find himself and learn to stand up on his own with no one to help. Nate will find a friendship that means a lot to him and he will experience love outside of Adam that scares him. The book causes you to take another look at love and relationships in view them in an entirely different light. You'll ask yourself how is it that you can love someone so much that you will put your entire life on hold for them? How is it that a new relationship can open your eyes making you see that what you had right in front of you could have been a lie? The author has done a fantastic job with this story. When the last sentence has been read and the covers have been closed, you will without a doubt love these four guys.

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