Thursday, March 30, 2017

Throwback Thursday Book Review COLOSSUS (My Name Is Not Heather Stokes Book 1)

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Book Review COLOSSUS (My Name Is Not Heather Stokes Book 1)

COLOSSUS (My Name Is Not Heather Stokes Book 1)
Title: COLOSSUS (My Name Is Not Heather Stokes Book 1)

Author: Jette Harris

Stars: 2 out of 5 stars

Review:


I decided to read this book based on the glowing reviews from other readers on Amazon. I’ve been a fan of thrillers and horror fiction for as long as I can remember, so I eagerly anticipated digging into COLOSSUS and finding a new, exciting story to digest.


I will begin with the good aspects of the book.


Harris is a skilled wordsmith. She is adept at using the English language to her advantage. She describes emotions, action, and many scenes with skillful aplomb. She opens the novel with a riveting prologue that is interesting, original, and makes a compelling case for believing the rest of the book to be a shotgun blast of dark thrills. For many unfortunate reasons, that promise is never fulfilled and that is where the praise for this novel ends.


The book is positioned as a suspense/horror thriller, but based on my interpretation of the content of COLOSSUS, that is incorrect. There were flashes of suspense, but never was it sustained. Most of those instances occurred within the first few chapters before the teenagers find themselves in Mr. Rhodes’ house of horrors. After that, the story is almost completely devoid of any level of tension. In my experience, the key to a compelling thriller is building tension and injecting unexpected events from time to time to keep the readers guessing. There is precious little of that here. Instead, COLOSSUS features a grueling, monotonous plot that suffers from pointless repetition and offers little in the way of reasons for the readers’ pulse to rise or even to continue reading.


The first few times Rhodes forces himself sexually on the teenagers is shocking (as any tale depicting rape should be). However, the author hamstrings the earth-shattering effects of such an event by boring the reader with blunt repetition. The author writes chapter after chapter of similar rape scenes until the reader becomes numb to the innate terribleness of the act. In doing so, the author also wastes precious pages which could have been used for character development, adding subplots, or building of suspense… on yet more rape scenes. As a result, the pacing is very slow and plodding because the story really doesn’t move until the final few chapters. There are, without exaggeration, dozens of scenes depicting rape or implying “off-screen” rape in the book. Occasionally the author throws in a flashback scene between rape sessions, but they are few and far between.


Once anything resembling a forward-moving story happens, it is very late in the game and in my opinion, too late to save the novel from itself. By the thirtieth rape scene I’d already had enough of the book and the “twist” (if it can be classified as such) is preposterous and a pill I just couldn’t swallow.


Police or FBI presence is non-existent despite this not being Rhodes’ first time torturing and raping kids for a month straight. With this being set in the very recent past (10-13 years), and technology being the state that it is in even in 2003, the idea that the authorities have no leads or clues with regards to the modus operandi of Avery Rhodes is implausible at best. Towards the end of the book, he even brags about them giving him a name (Phoenix) and having knowledge of his escapades. However, they only appear in the beginning of the book and the very end, and do nothing of consequence besides pester an old man. Does every suspense/horror novel have to have a law enforcement element? No. But such a subplot is more likely to build tension and be preferable to another rape scene.


On to the topic of the antagonist, Avery Rhodes (Colossus, Thatch, Phoenix… I might be missing one.) He begins the story sufficiently sinister and menacing enough, but then devolves into a cartoon caricature of a bad guy. He keeps a hunting knife in a bedside table drawer, unlocked, when he goes to rape a victim in the very same room. For some reason he takes his victims from their holding areas into another room to assault them, then returns them to their rooms, despite that creating a huge weak point in his plan. The kids are unrestrained before, during, and after with no handcuffs, no leather restraints, not even plastic zip ties. During the prologue, Rhodes finds a filthy and dilapidated house and secures it for himself. Only to apparently have the time and funds to renovate it, restore it, fill the kitchen with modern appliances, have the electricity restored (despite not being the actual owner of the house), and reinforce or replace all of the doors. He also chooses to make his torture and rape room stark white. Calls it The White Room. Now, I’ve never been a serial killer nor rapist, but if I were to establish a room where I was going to beat, torture, and sexually violate people for a month, the absolute last color I’d want the walls, bedding, and carpeting is white.


As for the ending: despite the seemingly endless scenes of rape and abuse, the ending was much too terse and unsatisfyingly anti-climactic. There is no redemption nor cathartic revenge, no twists in the plot, no big reveals, no final fight. It just ends. Speaking of which, those looking for a reason or meaning behind the series title: My Name Is Not Heather Stokes will not find any resolution to that question by the end of this book. The protagonist is called Heather Stokes at the beginning of the book, is called that throughout the book, and is called Heather Stokes until the very last line. Maybe in the next book?


Lastly, I would like to address the editing. COLOSSUS is rough: Liberal use of parentheses in passages where they are not normally used. (Also occasionally italicized.) Questionable use of semi-colons and other punctuation. Even a section that dips into regional dialect and becomes nigh unreadable when a trifecta of intentionally misspelled words conspires with hundreds of apostrophes during a five-page stretch of italics.


All of those things being said, I write this review not to dissuade the author from writing more, quite the opposite. It is clear Harris knows how to write, and has the key building blocks at her disposal to make a phenomenal story or series. However, this is not that story. I encourage the author to: Please, write more! But I also urge her to hone her craft, refine her skills, and prove that she’s better than this work. I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars with the second star being given solely for the potential of the writer only hinted at in the pages of COLOSSUS.

Thank you Douglas for your Review.

Synopsis:

Abducted and held captive, four high school seniors are forced to entertain the malicious appetites of an unpredictable predator. He calls himself Rhodes. They call him Colossus, the looming, threatening figure teetering on the edge of madness. 

Heather Stokes, no stranger to tragedy, does all she can to protect her friends, risking her life and sanity. As days of torture drag into weeks of Hell, both Heather and Rhodes realize that they are in over their heads, and it is possible that none of them will survive. 

COLOSSUS is a brutal psychological thriller that will have fans of Gillian Flynn and James Patterson adding a new name to their list


About The Author:
Jette Harris
I was born and raised in the greater metro-Atlanta area. I live there with my husband, dog, cat, and snakes. 

I graduated from Mercer University in Macon, GA (class of 2008) with a dual BA in English and German, as well as a certificate in secondary English/Language Arts. 

After teaching middle and high school for three years, I ran away screaming.

I now write character-driven, multi-genre novels (and work a dayjob). My debut novel is the horror-thriller COLOSSUS, the first book of the My Name Is Not Heather Stokes series.

My primary goal is to make your heart beat faster.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Book Review Holding Fire (Alpha Security #2) By April Hunt

Holding Fire by April Hunt
Title: Holding Fire

Author: April Hunt

Stars: 4 out of 5

Review:
This Romantic Suspense/Military Romance works because of the audience that will be reading the book. 
The male lead his Alpha from head to toe Me Tarzan You Jane lets have sex.  I will protect you if you listen to me and no one else.

The no strings attacked sex followed by love it a little over used expect April Hunt use the female lead as the one who wants no strings.

Trey Hanson is Alpha with the Capital A. Instead of coming from a broken home he is your traditional good old boy who loves his mom and is special ops group are his family. 

Elle Monroe comes from a messed up father who controls his family like he controls congress.  She doesn't want to be controlled.  The author made her feisty without being a brat. 

 The author stays true to the characters from being to end of the book. Reader will feel satisfied with the end of the book.

I enjoyed the Authors writing style it was fast pace, descriptive without being boring.  April Hunt gives her readers what they want with a small twist that will keep her readers hooked.
The secondary characters were more fun to read about which will have me picking up her next book in the series to see if she can keep Charlie true to her characters.

This series will work as a beach read giving readers hot sex, adventures, Alpha males and feisty women.

Than you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance Copy. 

Synopsis:

Alpha Security operative Trey Hanson is ready to settle down. When he meets a gorgeous blonde in a bar, and the connection between them is off the charts, he thinks he's finally found the one. But after their night together ends in a hail of gunfire and she disappears in the chaos, Trey's reasons for tracking her down are personal . . . until he learns she's his next assignment.

Elle Monroe never expected to see Trey again. The night they shared was incredible, but the last thing she's looking for is a relationship. Now that it's clear she's being targeted, though, she has no choice but to trust this man she barely knows with her life. And Trey's not just determined to keep her safe . . . he's determined to win her heart.


Kindle Edition
Expected publication: March 28th 2017 by Forever

About The Author:
April Hunt
April blames her chocolate addiction on being born near the country chocolate capital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. When April's not busy raising her husband and two young children (yes, that's worded correctly), she can be found writing about her next brooding alpha hero and the woman he never knew he needed, but now can't live without

HEATED PURSUIT is her debut release with Grand Central Publishing. Alpha Up and meet the heroes of Alpha Security...you'll be SO GLAD that you did.


Website: http://aprilhuntbooks.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AprilHuntBooks

Monday, March 27, 2017

Don't Feed the Monkey Brain by Jennifer Shannon

Don't Feed the Monkey Mind: How to Stop the Cycle of Anxiety, Fear, and Worry

Title: Don't Feed the Monkey Mind

Author: Jennifer Shannon

Stars: 5 out of 5 Stars

Review:
Just like many reviews I also have general and social Anxiety. I have struggled most of my life with it not really knowing what it was until the last 6 years ago. I hated and loved being around crowds. I would go home and analyze ever last thing I said hoping I didn't say the wrong thing or make people think I was a werido. Than I would get myself so tired up in knots I wouldn't be able to eat or sleep for days on end. 
I struggled daily to find peace and while I do take care of my anxiety not in the natural way this book was a great guide to understanding anxiety in general. The author write using the analogy of the "Monkey Brain" which make understanding anxiety simple as well as the fun illustrations that she uses to help digest they more dryer and medical side to Anxiety make this a very enjoyable read.

The author tells her personal struggles with anxiety and even shares that fact she had anxiety writing this book which helps the readers relate to the author on a more personal level.
This book takes a story of feeling lost, crazy and unable to find peace of mind and fill in the details
The author includes quizzes and exercisers that are great suggestions to cope with anxiety. Several are very tradition and others are very innovative.

If you love someone dealing with Anxiety read this book and help them find the peace and guidance they need.
Advance COpy from Netgalley


Synopsis:
The very things we do to control anxiety can make anxiety worse. This unique guide offers a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based approach to help you recognize the constant chatter of your anxious “monkey mind,” stop feeding anxious thoughts, and find the personal peace you crave.

Ancient sages compared the human mind to a monkey: constantly chattering, hopping from branch to branch—endlessly moving from fear to safety. If you are one of the millions of people whose life is affected by anxiety, you are familiar with this process. Unfortunately, you can’t switch off the “monkey mind,” but you can stop feeding the monkey—or stop rewarding it by avoiding the things you fear.

Written by psychotherapist Jennifer Shannon, this book shows you how to stop anxious thoughts from taking over using proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques, as well as fun illustrations. By following the exercises in this book, you’ll learn to identify your own anxious thoughts, question those thoughts, and uncover the core fears at play.

Once you stop feeding the monkey, there are no limits to how expansive your life can feel. This book will show you how anxiety can only continue as long as you try to avoid it. And, paradoxically, only by seeking out and confronting the things that make you anxious can you reverse the cycle that keeps your fears alive.


Paperback200 pages
Expected publication: April 1st 2017 by New Harbinger Publications

About The Author:
Jennifer Shannon
My journey writing this book began as a 5 year-old, sitting next to my mother while she studied for her psychology classes. I wanted so much to be a psychologist and help others. But I needed plenty of help myself. I was an anxious child, prone to stomach aches, missing school, and nightmares of a man who lived under the house. When my father died I worried obsessively that my mother could die too. 

It wasn’t until years later—after a seeing a succession of therapists, completing counseling grad school, and giving birth to my first child—that I discovered a clue to my persistent anxiety and worry. It was a new therapy at the time, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. CBT changed my life. I learned that my resistance to anxiety was what was maintaining it. When I practiced accepting and welcoming it, anxiety began to lose its power over me.

For the past 25 years I have made the treatment of anxiety the central focus of my practice. I treat Social Anxiety (extreme shyness), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Separation Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Phobias, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The powerful tools I’ve used to help my clients are the same tools I’ve used to help myself, and they can help you too.

Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind is a distillation of what I’ve learned from CBT and mindfulness practices. The book will help you recognize that your anxiety is not a monster to be avoided and resisted. It is only a wild, frightened little monkey that, with acceptance and welcoming, can be tamed. 

Married for 31 years and a mother of three, I am a Certified Diplomat of The Academy of Cognitive Therapy and a member of the Anxiety and Depression Disorders Association of America, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the International OCD Foundation and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. I am the co-founder of the Santa Rosa Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and the author of The Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens and The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens. 


Website:  http://www.jennifershannon.com

Friday, March 24, 2017

Book Review Claiming Grace (Ace Security #1) By Susan Stoke

Claiming Grace (Ace Security #1)
Title: Claiming Grace

Author: Susan Stoke 

Stars: 3 1/2 Stars out of 5

Review:
3 1\2 stars out of 5
I struggled reading this story. I have read other books by Susan Stokers and found that I have to work to get into her stories.  I am not sure if it is her writing style or voice but I do struggle.

The author took on a challenging story line of silent abuse.  With that story lines comes challenges of how to make the heroin voice heard know she was emotional abused.  Both leads were "broken characters" one was physical abused while the other one was controlled and emotionally abused which brought them together.

With all of these type of books the male lead in this case Logan seems to turn a switch and everything changes. He sees what is happening to Grace and works hard to free her.  After 28 years of being abused she isn't going to be able to turn a switch either and move on.  I'm not saying the story had to be based in reality but give some credit to the fact it takes years to move past that kind of crap.

I found this book hard to read for many personal reason.  My opinion is just that someone isn't able to move forwards as quickly as Grace did when they have been in a abusive relationship for their entire life.
Advance Copy from Netgalley

No I do not plan to continue reading this series.

Synopsis: 
For Logan Anderson, moving on from a traumatic past means moving back to his hometown of Castle Rock, Colorado, to start a personal-security business with his brothers. But it’s not long before Logan runs into Grace Mason, his best friend from high school…and the woman who never answered his letters during his Army years.
Grace was pleasantly surprised to see Logan return to Castle Rock, despite their falling-out ten years ago. Everyone always assumed they would end up together, including Grace, who had eyes only for him. But as Logan eventually escaped their town, Grace got pulled further into her family’s controlling grasp—and farther away from the man she loved.
Now, united by scars both visible and not, the two must fight to free Grace from the suffocating hold of her family. But the Masons won’t let go easily—and they’ll do whatever it takes to keep the couple apart.
Kindle Edition286 pages
Expected publication: March 14th 2017 by Montlake Romance
About The Author:
Susan Stoker
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She's married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country. She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in. 
Website: http://stokeraces.com

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Throw Back Thursday He Said Killing Kate Julie Kramer

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Book Review - He Said Killing Kate - Julie Kramer


Occasionally Lisa and I read the same book and will put up a second review. Please see Lisa's more thorough review of Killing Kate here.

Title: Killing Kate

AuthorJulie Kramer

Review: Every genre has its sub-categories, and mysteries are no different. The brilliance of Julie Kramer’s books is they successfully bridge the gap between two of my favorites styles. Keeping it all Minnesota, you have the gritty police procedural that can be quite dark (think John Sandford’s Prey books), and you can also have the light and often humorous cozies (Think Joanne Fluke’s Bakery books). Riley Spartz is an imperfect investigator who seems to blunder through life on a wing and a prayer, slowly and congenially unraveling the mysteries that come her way. But at the same time this book isn't all relationships and fun, she is often presented with some pretty bad criminals and a series of terrible crimes; crimes that don’t come with a cookie recipe (but don’t get me wrong, you should never join Hannah Swenson on an investigation if you are on a diet – they are damn good recipes).
Riley finds herself thwarted from the story she wants only to be thrust into the story that needs her. Through a careful piecing together of the clues she is slowly able to put together a story that encompasses far more than she originally bargained for. The scene is set through southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa, including Iowa City landmark The Black Angel. The landmark is so descriptive Lisa has committed us to visiting it on our next trip visiting our parents. Though when pressed she insisted we will not be making out in the moonlight, regardless of the authenticity of the experience.

So if you want a fun mystery with a likable lead character investigating some pretty serious crime then Julie Kramer’s Riley Spartz is definitely for you. The books are well written and quickly paced (Lisa and I received our copy on a Thursday and were both through it by Saturday – and that was with me hiding it from her while at work Friday). One of the best aspects of the books is also what made 24 great, a commitment to story over character. For example, you pretty much knew from the moment Nina shot Teri in season one that no character except for Jack Bauer was safe (and even then I could have seen them killing him off if the plot demanded it). It is that tension that keeps the fun from diluting the mystery in Kramer’s work; Who can we trust? Who can we rely on? Killing Kate will keep you guessing until the end and then keep you anxiously awaiting book 5.

Speaking of book 5 – Tempting Ted, Finding Frank, Watching Wendy? 

Where I got the book: The author very kindly sent us an advance copy for review (but Lisa and I also attended her book signing and bought our own hard copy to keep).

Quick Review: 5 stars

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Book Review The Devil's Triangle (A Brit in the FBI #4) Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison

The Devil's Triangle (A Brit in the FBI, #4)
Title: The Devil's Triangle

Author(s):  Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison

Stars: 4 out of 5

Review:

The Devils Triangle is by two authors who brought together what they do best a thrill ride of action the story has very cheesy moments as well as cliche dialogue and absurd but interesting plot twist.
This book will keep reader locked and loaded from beginning to end of the book daring readers to finish it a night. 
The endless characters of evil vs good comes to life with each page even if they are a little on the cheesy side. I enjoyed this book and recommend to those who love spy, James Bond type of books.

Advance Copy From Netgalley


Synopsis:
FBI Special Agents Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine have a new mandate as the government’s Covert Eyes, assembling a handpicked team of top-notch agents to tackle crimes and criminals both international and deadly. But their first case threatens to tear the fledgling team apart when the enigmatic thief known as the Fox reappears with a plea for help.

Master thief Kitsune has stolen the staff of Moses from the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, and now that she’s delivered, her clients are trying to kill her. On the run, she asks Nicholas and Mike to help her discover the true identity of her clients and stop the threat against her life. Under strict orders to arrest the Fox and bring her back to New York, the Covert Eyes team heads to Venice, Italy, to meet with Kitsune, and finds nothing is as it seems. Kitsune’s secret clients are the Koaths, a family descended from Moses himself, who will do anything, anything, to find Ark of the Covenant and wield its power, as their long and bloody history can attest. To execute their plan, they’ve spent years perfecting a machine that can control the weather, manipulating worldwide disasters that spin the entire globe into chaos.

From New York to Venice, from Rome to the Bermuda Triangle, Nicholas and Mike and their team are in a race against time, and nature herself, to stop the Koaths and recover the famous Ark of the Covenant. But can they trust Kitsune, their sworn enemy, to help them save the world from a family of madmen?
 


Kindle Edition
Expected publication: March 14th 2017 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

About The Author(s)
Catherine Coulter

Catherine Coulter is the New York Times bestselling author of 75 books. Her hugely popular FBI thrillers include The Cove, The Maze, The Target, The Edge, Riptide, Hemlock Bay, Eleventh House, Blindside, Blowout, Point Blank, Double Take, Tail Spin, Knockout, Whiplash, Split Second, Backfire, Bombshell, Power Play and Nemesis. She has a new international thriller series -- A Brit in the FBI -- co-written with JT Ellison. These include The Final Cut, The Lost Key and The End Game. Also now available is the first in her novella series, starring Grayson Sherbrooke (from the Sherbrooke historical romance series), titled The Strange Visitation at Wolffe Hall. 
Upcoming new releases! The 20th book in her FBI thriller series, Insidious, will be out in September 2016, and the 4th book in the Brit series, The Devil's Triangle, will be out early 2017. Coulter lives in northern California with her three thriller cats and her thriller husband.


J.T. Ellison
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.T. Ellison writes standalone domestic noir and psychological thriller series, the latter starring Nashville Homicide Lt. Taylor Jackson and medical examiner Dr. Samantha Owens, and pens the international thriller series “A Brit in the FBI" with #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter. Cohost of the Emmy Award-winning literary television series, A Word on Words, Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.


Website (s)  

http://www.jtellison.com/

http://www.catherinecoulter.com/



Monday, March 20, 2017

Motherhood Monday LDS Youth 2017 Trek

If you are not Mormon or Lds this might seem really weird.

4 days of pushing a handcart has taken my beautiful brain and made it very very tried. I hope to give a more detailed story about the Trek later but right now I am still in need of sleep but since I am a mom of 4 kids on spring break I will only post a few pics.

Story to come Later.  Just know it was the greatest experience of my life that I will NEVER EVER do again.  I wore enough sunscreen to fill two bottles and yet I am burned and peeling.
My Family



Sleeping area

Red nose. Cold Morning. Yup the Hormel hat isn't very pioneer of me.

Our Company ready to go 200 Youth between 14-18


Trying to keep the cart from tipping over

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Book Review Rough Around The Edges Meets Refined by Rachael Anderson

Rough Around the Edges Meets Refined (Meet Your Match, #2)
Title: Rough Around the Edges Meets Refined

Author: Rachel Anderson

Stars: 4 1\2 Stars out of 5

Review: 
A story about a young recent widow who meets a widower, with two young daughters, and their ensuing courtship. This is a delightful, feel good, modern day romance with out pages of blatant needless sexual descriptions. 

I have rated this book 4.5 stars.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.
Thank you Frank

Synopsis:
For Noah Mackie, life is finally back on track. He has a great support system, a promised promotion is on its way, and he's finally getting the hang of this single father thing. But when the job falls through and his neighbor's matchmaking efforts become more aggressive, Noah is in for yet another unwanted detour. With his career and two spirited daughters to worry about, he doesn't have time for dating—especially not someone like Cassie Ellis, his girls' beautiful and sophisticated dance instructor, who is about as open and approachable as a brick wall. 

Rough around the Edges Meets Refined is about two people who think they know exactly what they want but who have no idea what they really need. It's about learning that people aren't always what they seem and that sometimes life’s detours take you exactly where you need to go

About the Author:

Rachael AndersonA USA Today bestselling author of clean romance, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating

Learn More About Rachel Anderson Check out her Website

http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/

Friday, March 17, 2017

Book Review The Research Trip By C. P. Stringham

The Research Trip
Title: The Research Trip

Author:  C. P. Stringham


Stars: 4.25 out of 5


Review:
An intriguing modern day romance set in England and America. The author was able to bring together two very different people and keep the reader wanting more. The story contains mutual attraction, multiple sex encounters, unexpected pregnancy, and a satisfactory ending. Oh, did I fail to mention that the main characters are 40 and 52 respectfully. 

I have rated this book 4.25 stars.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.

Thank you Frank for your Review.

Synopsis:
When her latest book pitch is green-lighted, Kate travels to England, days before she is due for her author appearances, and heads out to experience every-day London and its surrounding boroughs—the setting for her next book. Note pad in hand and armed with her camera, she begins the research portion of her trip. While caught up in the sights and sounds, the unexpected happens. Kate meets DSI Paul Bailey of the Metropolitan Police. She’s drawn to his kindness the moment they meet and, within the span of 48 hours, enters into a whirlwind affair with the seasoned detective. She finds herself acting less like Kate Beacham and more like one of the characters in Katherine Lee Sumner’s novels. Feeling an inexplicably strong connection to each other, Kate and Paul make a commitment to continue their relationship from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Before the couple can even begin racking up frequent flyer miles, Kate discovers the one souvenir she never planned on bringing home with her. Once the initial shock wears off, Kate quickly decides not to uproot her family by moving to England. After losing their father, her teen daughters need the familiar security and stability provided by their home, grandparents and friends. Complicating matters further, Paul’s attention is consumed by his current high profile case and his sense of duty to bring it to a close. Knowing his career was to blame for the decline of his first marriage, Kate doesn’t hold much hope for their future. As the months pass and promises are broken, Kate realizes, in all likelihood, she will have to let Paul go so that she may move forward. Only Paul isn’t willing to go away so easily.

In matters of love, Katherine Lee Sumner was one to write from the heart, but the ever-cautious Kate Beacham always followed her head—it was safer. Despite everything, she was in love with Paul and she knew he loved her, however, her head raised one resounding question about their relationship; was love going to be enough?


Kindle Edition, 438 pages
Published March 1st 2013

  About The Author: 
C.P. Stringham
I blame it all on Aaron Spelling. While normal 13 year olds were playing Atari, I was tuning in to "Dynasty" and "The Colby's." My peers learned how to beat their game systems at Donkey Kong and Space Invaders and I learned about blackmail, extramarital affairs, and corporate takeovers through "The Queen of Scheme," Alexis Morell-Carrington-Colby-Dexter-Colby-Rowan. As near as I can recall, my love for spinning a good yarn began then. Hopeless romantic. Avid reader.

Writing has been a creative outlet for me since my high school days. While attending college, I would entertain my roommates with what they called, "Bedtime Stories." Never anything Mother Goose or Aesop would approve of. I've always loved holding the rapt attention of others as I unleashed the world my imagination created. As a writer of romance stories, I do have a literary confession to make; I simply adore great mystery books! I read them every chance I get. 

The Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania are where my family and I have made our home. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and we have been blessed with two wonderful teen daughters. We are animal lovers and include a dog, three cats, a horse, 14 chickens, and a half-dozen minnows as part of our pet menagerie. Much of our spare time is spent at a nearby horse farm where our daughters take dressage lessons. I love attending horse shows and, occasionally, get to watch my children compete! Our oldest has shown quite successfully in the American Quarter Horse Youth Association show series and our youngest has shown at local open show events in the Riders With Disabilities classes. Our youngest was diagnosed in 2010 with PDD-NOS which is an Autism Spectrum Disorder. My husband and I are actively involved in our local school community helping to spread awareness and acceptance for those with an ASD. If we can reach them, we can teach them!




Twitter:   PTGPotus

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Throwback Thursday Book Review A Geek Girls Guide to Murder Julie Anne Lindsey

Friday, August 14, 2015

Book Review - A Geek Girl's Guide to Murder - Julie Anne Lindsey

25537151
Title: A Geeks Guide to Murder

Author: Julie Anne Lindsey

Stars 5 out of 5

Review:   Mia Connors is IT manager for Horseshoe Falls community, but when the email system fails Mia doesn't have time to track down a computer hacker.  Not with the Renaissance Faire season in full swing where her family business relies on her presence.  Than Hunky head of security and Mia go head to head and things get messy not to mention her missing friend and a dead body.

From being to end of A Geeks Girls Guide to Murder is hands down one of the funniest book I have read in a long time. Author Julie Anne Lindsey has created a very memorable character, Mia Connors, who has social issues because she is more comfortable with computers and gaming than human interaction. However author Julie Anne Lindsay has made Mia Connors very relatable. Her family is a nutty but you will grow to love them as a reader. In fact her family brings some of the most memorable laughs though out the book.  This book has a great cast of characters that will draw the readers wish they were friends you had in your life.

This book had me laughing so much and I couldn't put the book down until I read every last page. There is not sex in the book and it is very clean for those who like a fun lighthearted mystery.

This is a perfect summer murder mystery for those who need a little fun, a good laugh and a female charterer who reminds you of a geeky, glasses wearing, computer loving Nancy Drew.

Received from Netgalley for a honest review

Thanks Heidi for this review -

Synopsis:  IT manager Mia Connors is up to her tortoiseshell glasses in technical drama when a glitch in the Horseshoe Falls email system disrupts security and sends errant messages to residents of the gated community. The snafu’s timing couldn’t be worse—Renaissance Faire season is in full swing and Mia’s family’s business relies on her presence.

Mia doesn’t have time to hunt down a computer hacker. Her best friend has disappeared, and she finds another of her friends murdered—in her office. When the hunky new head of Horseshoe Falls security identifies Mia as the prime suspect, her anxiety level registers on the Richter scale.

Eager to clear her name, Mia moves into action to locate her missing buddy and find out who killed their friend. But her quick tongue gets her into trouble with more than the new head of security. When Mia begins receiving threats, the killer makes it clear that he's closer than she’d ever imagined.

ebook
Expected publication: August 31st 2015 by Carina Press
Julie Anne Lindsey
Author Information:  I tell stories, mostly to my children, sometimes to strangers. I'm YA obsessed, addicted to social media, caffeine and Poptarts. You can find me anytime lurking around the Internet, amped up on sugar and wielding a book.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Book Review Break Me (Corrupted Hearts #2) By Tiffany Snow

Break Me

Title: Break Me

Author: Tiffany Snow

Stars: 4 out of 5

Review:

I have always found the second book in a series seems to always fall short. Its the story that is filled with back story, romance that readers skip though and its just ok. Basically the book you read to get you to book 3.
Break Me is NOT I repeat NOT that book.
This book is if fun,suspenseful, sadness, anger and once again a awkward heron China Mack who makes me not feel like an awkward mess. China grows alot in the series from leaning she is too trusting and who to trust.  

What readers enjoy about Tiffany Snow as an author she is able to take characters on a page and have readers fall in love with them, cheer for them and end up fighting for who the female lead should end up with.

 Tiffany Snows readers love her writing. Blank Slate still my favorite stand alone book and China had replaced Kathleen Turner for me. 

Tiffany Snow writes love scenes that will have you looking for cool water. Action that will my your heart race and moments of WHAT THE HECK!


I dislike love triangles but the story is so good I couldn't stop reading.

Advance Copy from the Author. Thank you so much and I can't wait to read the next in the series


Synopsis:  
Just a few weeks ago, computer prodigy China Mack’s typical night in involved Endor Star Wars pajamas and a sensible bedtime. Now she’s dating gorgeous tech guru Jackson Cooper—one of Forbes’s Top Ten Eligible Billionaires—much to the Twitterverse’s delight.

Turns out, going from socially inept hermit to poster girl for geek chic has its challenges. China’s relationship gets even more complicated because her role heading the top-secret Vigilance program—where she’s partnered with Superman clone Clark Slattery—makes her a target. And when ruthless businessman Simon Lu plans to co-opt Vigilance software to blackmail government and military employees, he’ll need China’s cooperation—willing or otherwise.

But not every enemy is so easily identified. Some hide in plain sight, in very high places, and mistaking foe for friend could be the last mistake China ever makes


Paperback316 pages
Published March 14th 2017 by Montlake Romance

About The Author:
Tiffany Snow
Tiffany attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, attaining two degrees in History and Social Studies Education. After working many years as an instructor and consultant in the Information Technology field, Tiffany now writes full-time.
Tiffany loves to read and has been reading romance novels since she was way too young to read such things. She has an unhealthy obsession for all things Doctor Who, prefers Pepsi to Coke and Absolut to both, thinks men who drink girly cocktails are wusses, has learned to never stop believing in her beloved St. Louis Cardinals, and can recite the entire scripts of When Harry Met Sally and Apollo 13. George Washington is cool, Bon Jovi still rocks the house, and Bruce Willis is the ultimate alpha-male hero.
Married with two wonderful daughters, Tiffany and her family make their home in Kansas City, Missouri, not far from where she was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.
Tiffany is represented by Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Website: http://www.tiffanyasnow.com


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Book Review: Remember Me by Danice Allen

Remember Me (Darlington and Montgomery Families, #1)
Title: Remember Me

Author: Danice Allen

Stars: 4 out of 5

Review: 
A well told historical romance that incorporates all of the elements required of a good story telling. You can not fail to like the heroine who is brilliant, kind and funny. The hero fills all of the blocks required of her unexpected love. He is a war veteran, handsome, and a man of honor. So what could possibly go wrong? For the answer you will have to read this engaging love story.

I have rated this book 4 stars.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.
Thank you Frank for your review

Synopsis: 
Out on a daring rescue mission, Amanda Darlington feels duty-bound to care for an unconscious gentleman after he stumbles drunkenly into the path of her carriage. Aware of the dangers in nursing a potential scoundrel back to health, she nevertheless takes a chance on the handsome stranger—especially when he awakens with no memory.

When Jackson Montgomery comes to, he is greeted by a vision of beauty that instantly sparks the fire of passion within him. But as his memory returns, the shattering secrets hidden in his past threaten to destroy any chance he has of winning Amanda’s love. Only through feigned amnesia can Jackson capture Amanda’s heart, but can he do so before she learns the truth of his brazen charade and his dark past?


About The Author: 
Danice Allen
Danice Allen is the author of twenty-two romance novels, writing under her own name for Avon and Berkley, and as Emily Dalton for Harlequin Regency and Harlequin American. One of her contemporary novels, WAKE ME WITH A KISS, was named Best Harlequin American of the Year by Romantic Times magazine. Her novels have been sold around the world and translated into many languages, including Chinese.

Danice enjoys researching her novels almost as much as writing them, especially when the research includes travel. She has traveled extensively in the United States and spent some memorable times in Great Britain and Europe exploring castles and countryside.

Danice lives in Utah, but is an avid Anglophile and lover of British literature and history. At the same time, she immensely enjoys stories based in small-town Americana, both to read and write. This shared love for the "old" country and the "new" country made sense to her when her ancestry DNA test revealed that she is very, very British, and that her ancestors came to America with the earliest settlers.

Danice is married and has two sons, one of whom lives in Los Angeles and writes for television. Her other son lives close by with his wife and two children, which makes for many fun family gatherings.

Danice loves to read, travel, do in-depth family history research, walk and shop.
 


Website:

https://www.amazon.com/Danice-Allen/e/B003ZOA0IU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1487345758&sr=8-2

Monday, March 13, 2017

What am I doing during Spring Break? LDS Youth Trek

What am I doing during Spring Break? LDS Youth Trek.

You might ask what is that? Its is 4 days where 200+ youth from the ages of 14-18 as well adults become pioneers and live the lifestyle they best they can as they pull handcarts.
Image result for Pioneer trek clothingImage result for Pioneer trek cooking
Yes we willing do this ever 4 years.  This year Doug and I have been ask to be Ma and Pa for a group of 8 kids.
Everything we will need for 4 days will be in this buckets. Yes I made my clothing. OK ok my mom made half of my clothing but I made over 10 aprons for different people.  I avoid the traditional brown, dark green and went with bright colors or purple, pink and blue.  I mean if I am going to suffer I am going to look cute doing it. In happy colors that I love.
Image result for Pioneer trek buckets

Yup 4 days with only the things that can fit in a Home Depot Bucket.  Thankful as Ma and Pa we have to bring lots of extra items which can fit in a backpack.  Than a large container full of cooking supplies.
Next question you might as is where are you sleeping? It gets even better.
Image result for Pioneer trek Tents
Tarps will be our tents. Thankfully I have a husband who has the ability to see anything and create it into a tent I will be living to sleep in. (I am bringing a sleeping mat as well as sleeping bag)

Food yes we will be cooking using a dutch over, coals and fire.
Image result for Pioneer trek cooking
I have been practicing baking bread, cooking stew over fire as well as lots of other helpful things. I can make bread really well everything else will take interesting.  We are also eating lots of oatmeal and portage. (FYI I am not a pickie eater but I hate Oatmeal.)

Image result for Pioneer trek activities

The first day of the trek we will be walking between 10-15 miles.  The next day we trek another few miles and set up base camp where the kids get to learn about life in 1830-1860's while Pa and I get life set up.  I really want to shoot the muskets.
No deodorant, No tooth Paste, Only items that were used during the time of pulling handcarts 1800's.  When I get back Saturday I am going to be very ripe and excited for a shower.
Yes we will be peeing in the woods, but they will have porta potties at main camp! Never thought I would be excited for Port a Potties in my life.

Everyone who has gone before us say we will love every second of the trek.
Personally I am still trying to figure out a way to bring deodorant and make the kids wear it without getting in trouble.

My kids are excited for the Trek because it means Grandma and Grandpa will be visiting and they will get spoiled rotten while I am away.

I won't know the kids until the day of the trek which makes me nervous 8 teenagers I have never met before.  ARRHHH

I will give you an update when I get home and if I survive. Someone mention Rattle Snakes! SERIOUSLY not what this Ma needs.

Follow the link to better understand what my husband and I are doing for spring break
https://www.lds.org/youth/activities/bc/pdfs/stake/PD10052956_000_Handcart_Trek_Booklet.pdf?lang=eng#page=21

Disclaimer for all reviews sent by the publisher, publicist or author for review.

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) ISSUED NEW RULES THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON DECEMBER 1, 2009. THESE RULES STATE THAT PRODUCT REVIEWERS ON BLOGS MUST DISCLOSE WHETHER THEY RECEIVED REVIEW PRODUCTS FOR FREE OR RECEIVED MONETARY PAYMENT FOR SUCH REVIEWS. PAYMENT IS NEVER ACCEPTED IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW OR BOOK MENTION UNLESS NOTED IN THE POST. THE RECEIPT OF ARCS OR FREE REVIEW COPIES IN NO WAY INFLUENCES OR HAS AN IMPACT ON THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE BOOK REVIEWS POSTED ON THIS SITE.