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About Book Reviews

I made the announcement last year, but I want to remind everyone that I have joined the Amazon Associates Program. When I post a book review, I will also post the cover. The cover will be a link to Amazon. In addition, there will be a link at the bottom that will have Amazon’s current price for the book listed. Unless otherwise noted, the link will be for the Kindle version.

If you are considering purchasing the book (especially when they are 99 cents!), please consider using my link to get to Amazon to complete the purchase. You would be helping me out a whole heck of a lot, and it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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Happy Belated New Year!

I am so sorry I have been neglecting you, dear friends. Once the holidays hit, everything else just went super crazy with our schedule. I could barely keep up with work assignments and soccer, much less this blog. But 2019 is a new year, with new beginnings and new priorities!

During our cruise a couple of weeks ago, I finally had the opportunity to do some thinking about where I wanted to focus this upcoming year. I have come to the conclusion that this will be mainly a writing/book/book review blog. Not that I wrote a lot of personal stuff to begin with, but honestly…who really cares about the latest soccer practice? I want to actively expand this blog and its companion FB page, and I feel that taking the personal family posts out will help me do that.

I will still share any big news or events that I feel strongly about, but otherwise, will make this my place to talk about authors, books, and writing.

Thank you all for sticking with me. If you have friends who would like to receive this blog for book recommendations and reviews, please feel free to share it. And be prepared for a slew of book reviews coming your way over the next couple of days. (Three day weekends are made for catching up!)

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Missing in Action

Hey everyone…sorry I haven’t been around much lately.  Okay, you’re right, I haven’t been around at all. There has been a lot going on in the household, all good!

Aside from the usual soccer craziness, I started a new job! I have a friend who suggested that since I like to write, I should look at freelancing. So I signed up with Upwork (interesting site, has been very useful) and started looking for jobs right away.

My experiences have been really good so far. I have transcribed handwritten recipes into a Word document for a cookbook. That one was fun, and the recipes looked really tasty. I also transcribed a 29-page legal document from PDF into Word. That one was tedious, because it had stamps all through the letters, and was full of legalese. But it paid well. 

Most interesting have been the reviews and articles I have written. I have learned more about portable coolers, shoes for different kinds of feet, robot vacuums and Korean beauty products than I ever thought I would. I hooked up with an agency that does landing pages (the pages you land at when you click a link), and I have done several of those for Kings Dominion, Universal Studios and Disneyland. Those have been very fun!

(If you are in the market for any of those, let me know. Seriously, I’ll hook you up with all of my insider knowledge)

I’ve also received a couple of inquiries about being a Virtual Assistant. This is something I hadn’t even thought about existing, but in the online world that we live in now, it totally makes sense. I’m not sure of the parameters of either job yet, but as far as I can tell, it is basically a personal assistant via the internet. I’m looking forward to seeing how those pan out, because that could be creative and something different!

Another job gets me a little bit more exposure, so I hope to continue working for them, because it is some fun writing. You can see what I have done for them here and here. If I can get enough people sharing them, I will be able to pitch my own content and write to my heart’s delight 🙂

The best thing about all of these is that I get to do it on my own time (as long as I meet my deadlines). In between games at the soccer showcase in North Carolina a few weeks ago? There I was researching K-beauty products. In the waiting room of the Kia dealership while they replaced the tire with the bolt in it? Creating a landing page for the best discount tickets to Kings Dominion.  (Oh yeah, about the tire? That’s a post of its own).

My husband will say that the actual best part about all of this is that I get to work while still in sweatpants. He’s not wrong. 

Anyway, I hope that now that I have gotten my feet wet, I will be able to equal out my time, and get back to posting here and doing book reviews. I’m really behind on those, so be prepared for quite a few all at once over the next few days.

Thanks for sticking with me! Off to an article about a moose on a porch!

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BOOK REVIEW: The Wife’s Secret

Out now!
Kindle: $2.99

If you read any psychological thriller, make sure it is this one.  I know I’ve said this, or something close to it, a few times, but I guess I have just been lucky when it comes to psych thrillers lately.  I had never read anything by Kerry Wilkinson, but the description of this one grabbed me, and I am so glad that I chose it.  While there were parts that I almost guessed what was going on (a bad habit due to too many psych thrillers, I think), there was enough to keep me guessing.  I was really impressed with the way the story was laid out: from the groom’s point of view in the present, then from differing points of view in the past.  It was all layered very nicely to build the story towards the climax.  I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.  

The Wife’s Secret by Kerry Wilkinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So many books these days have a tagline similar to this one: “A gripping psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist.” Some don’t live up to the hype, while others rise to the occasion and earn the tag. This book is solidly in the latter category. At first glance, it seems as if the alternating chapters of present and past, with the past coming from multiple viewpoints and at varying times, would be confusing. But the author keeps juggling everything, and does so with finesse. The method highlights the dread of knowing that everything is not as it seems, while building layers of plot that make the twists true “OMG” moments. I loved every page of this book, and upon finishing immediately downloaded other books by Kerry Wilkinson. An excellent psych thriller in a crowded market. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

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BOOK REVIEW: Tell Nobody

Release Date: 10/03/2018
(Out Now!)

I usually hate coming into the series in the middle, especially if it’s a serial story where continuity is important.  It’s hit or miss; sometimes an author makes a passing reference that is intriguing and makes me want to read the previous books, and sometimes an author refers to previous events so much that I don’t feel a need to read any of the others.  This book, the 5th in the Lottie Parker series, fits in the former category.  A really cracking crime story, set in Ireland, it weaves several perspectives into one narrative.  A perfect break from rom-coms and psych thrillers.  If you like crime novels, I’d start with the first one of the series, only because you’ll get better continuity of characters.  Below is my Goodreads review:

Tell Nobody by Patricia Gibney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though this was the 5th in the Detective Lottie Parker series, it was the first one I have read. Aside from a few references to previous events, it did not matter much that I was new to the series. This was a well-crafted crime thriller, with many threads weaving into one narrative. I loved the setting, and thought the author did a great job with detail. Told from different perspectives depending on the action, the narrative never got lost or jumbled. In fact, the differing voices gave credibility to the story, making it well-rounded. I found the law enforcement perspective especially interesting, because it was so similar to an American point of view; LE is universal! The author did a great job of dropping hints and revealing clues in a timely manner, so that there was always something driving the plot forward. I did feel like the first half was a little slower, as everything was being set up; but once I got halfway through, the pace really took off as more pieces started falling into place. I will definitely be going back for the first four books in the series, and will be looking for the next one! A solid 4.5 stars.  Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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BOOK REVIEW: Under My Skin

Release Date:
10/02/2018
(Out Now!)

I’ve been reading so many books lately, that there are times where I can’t keep them straight (sad, but true); this is especially the case when it comes to psychological thrillers.  This is a genre that has exploded recently, and it sometimes seems that everyone who can type has written one.  Now, I’ve read quite a few good ones, but it takes a lot to really make one stand out in a crowded field.  This is that book!

The atmosphere is set when we learn that Poppy’s husband was killed just about a year prior to the action, and she hasn’t dealt with the grief very well.  That’s actually quite an understatement.  Poppy’s uncertainty about what her own life has become is made even more confusing by mysterious events that occur.  Ultimately, the line between dreams and reality are irrevocably blurred, and Poppy needs to make some difficult decisions as to whether she is strong enough to move forward.

This book had twists and turns galore, and had high tension all throughout.  A real page turner, I can’t recommend it highly enough!  Below is my Goodreads review:

Under My Skin by Lisa Unger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Good. God. This book was amazing! I could not turn the pages fast enough to get through the twists and turns of this psychological thriller. The characters are very real, even as they may not actually exist, and the plot is very well-crafted. The reader is essentially in Poppy’s shoes as she navigates her increasingly mysterious life. The author did an incredible job with tone and atmosphere, as there were times where I could literally feel Poppy’s panic as my own. The revelations that begin to clear up the mystery are well-done, and timely within the plot. I especially liked how the author kept me off balance; just when I thought I had something or someone figured out, something else would occur to make me doubt what I knew. This was extremely effective, because it mirrored Poppy’s experiences. And the “what the heck” moment that comes in every psych thriller? Yeah…didn’t see it coming at all. Incredible story, with excellent resolution. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin-Hanover Square Press, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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BOOK REVIEW: Louisiana’s Way Home

Release Date: 
10/02/2018

I’m sorry to say that this is one case where I had seen movies based on the author’s books, but hadn’t read the books themselves.  Never having read them, I wasn’t sure what to expect style-wise from this middle school-appropriate story.  I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.  The characters were vividly described and the situations Louisiana found herself in were sometimes laugh out loud funny.  I really loved Louisiana’s voice, and was glad the author wrote the story in the first person; her commentary on the events gave additional perspective that fit the story perfectly.  Fans of “Because of Winn-Dixie” and “The Tale of Despereaux” will definitely like this book!  

My Goodreads review follows:

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a short, easy read with a well-loved character at the center. Fans of the author’s “Raymie Nightingale” will be thrilled to see the return of Louisiana Elefante. Written in the first person, Louisiana’s voice really comes through. I can’t imagine this story being told any other way, because her voice is truly unique. Headstrong Louisiana deals with major life changes with tenacity, humor, and heart. Although not entirely easy to see on the surface, young readers will learn the message that good things come to those who wait, and that it sometimes just takes a little bit of faith in others to be able to find one’s own strengths. I would recommend reading “Raymie Nightingale” first, to get a better depth of understanding of the characters, but it isn’t necessary for understanding this book. Best for middle grades, although advanced elementary readers may enjoy it as well. Thank you to NetGalley, Candlewick Press, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.



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BOOK REVIEW: Stuck in Manistique

I was fortunate enough to be pre-approved for this book.  Even though it didn’t look like something I would normally read, I’m very grateful for the “read everything you can” perspective I got from my mom.  I would really have hated to miss out on this lovely book by Dennis Cuesta.  It was like taking a quick vacation to a more serene place.  Even though it was set in the UP of Lake Michigan, it reminded me a lot of the small towns in the Sierra Nevada where we used to spend our summers (right down to the interactions with residents that make you realize that everyone knows everyone’s business…and is okay with it).  Really, a simple time in a simple place.  I sincerely hope they still exist, not just in fiction. 

Please note that Amazon does not have a listing for this title yet.  When they do, I will post an updated link to the book.  My review follows:  

Stuck in Manistique
Release Date:
10/29/2018

Stuck in Manistique by Dennis Cuesta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an absolutely charming book. The author’s love for the setting, the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Lake Michigan, comes through in his descriptions of the sights, the people, and even the lexicon of the area. The characters are memorable, and the plot lines are believable. Even though I guessed at a couple of the resolutions, it was still a nice ride with the characters as they reached their destinations. There were some very funny moments (nice odes to Fawlty Towers), as well as some heart-wrenching ones. All of it was written with care and attention to detail. In all of the noise of everyday life, it was very relaxing to spend some time in Manistique. I sincerely hope the author writes more stories with these characters. Thank you to NetGalley, Celestial Eyes Press, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.



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New Links for Readers

Not huge news, but I have become an Amazon Affiliate.  What does this mean to you, my readers?  On my book reviews, you will now be able to click on the cover of the book, and it will take you to the Amazon page for that book.  Obviously, you are under no obligation to do so, but if a book catches your eye, please use my link to purchase.  I’ll also post any sales, reduced prices on books I’ve reviewed, or discounts that I find!

I am hoping to go back and update all of my past reviews, especially since some of them have come down in price.  So I apologize in advance if you have subscribed and get a bunch of updated posts. (If you haven’t subscribed, what are you waiting for?!?)

  As always, thanks for reading!  

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