The year is coming to an end and I was looking at my 2019 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge to find out what I was lacking and I needed a J. I looked through my Kindle and found Just You, Me and a Secret by Ganga Bharani Vasudevan. I picked it up on an Amazon free day, 6.7.16.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

There are some definite bumps and bruises in Ganga Bharani’s first novel, but I am so happy I grabbed it on an Amazon free day.

I love the cover and it fits the story perfectly!

When I first began I struggled a bit. It reads like an ARC, rough around the edges, but I persevered and am glad I did.

Meera has lost her memory and her future husband, a doctor, is helping her to regain it. She reads her diary, Clara, and learns about her life. For some reason she is drawn to San, her lifelong friend, more than to Ashruth, her intended. Could the bash on her head have changed her that much?

As the story unfolds, I find myself getting more involved in her life and I am hoping she comes to the same conclusion I have.

The ending makes everything worthwhile.

3 Stars

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MY LAUREN CARR REVIEWS

• Three Days To Forever
• Kill And Run
• Cancelled Vows
• Candidate For Murder
• Killer In The Band
• A Fine Year For Murder
• Twofer Murder
• Ice
• Murder by Perfection
• Crimes Past
• Spring Thaw
• It’s Murder My Son
• The Root of Murder

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Sylvia was searching for a good story to kick off her journalism career and almost immediately I thought I knew how the story would go…but not quite. Calvin Demmer wasn’t going to make it quite that easy for me.

Suicide Bridge…36 cases. Why had she never heard of it before?

I can guess. There’s something going on and everyone in town wants to keep it a secret.

Suitably creepy for an easy reading short story.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Town That Feared Dusk by Calvin Demmer.

3 Stars

Allright, Book III of the Chupacabra series by Michael Hebler, Legend of the Chupacabra. I got this book from Michael back in 2015 and finished it on 12.16.15. Man oh man it has been a wild ride…so, let’s get started.

Another fabulous cover in the series.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

As I enter the third book in the series, Legend of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler, I have been reading them one after another, I become more fond of Jessie and her tenacity. She had a sordid upbringing, is self reliant, untrusting. Life is not what she would have chosen, but she would make the best of it. If she ever became your friend, it would be for life.

I couldn’t understand her felling of dread and being stalked. After all, the chupacabra was dead…isn’t it? What do you think?

Hate and revenge are strong motivators, leaving some open to being duped and unleashing a horror never known before upon the white man. In this western world, we learn about man’s ability to be good and bad. Are they born that way or do circumstances dictate their actions? I love a book that makes me ponder deep questions.

Suspense, twists and turns, pain and sorrow, but love and hope blossom from the most evil depredations. Sometimes subsequent books in the series don’t hold up, but, no worries. Each book has held more depth, more terror and more suspense than the last. I cannot stop reading, the suspense and sense of urgency driving me to the end…but wait…there’s one more book. YAY!

OMG…NO…Michael, you are sheer evil. I had a feeling something had to happen, but, damn it! I sure didn’t see the ending coming and it was a fabulous surprise.

5 Stars

J P Choquette asked me if I would like to read Silence in the Woods and I gave her a quick yes. I love anything to do with the woods and a good scare, maybe meeting Bigfoot, gotta go for it. How about you? Would you go looking for Bigfoot?

Cover: Bespoke Book Covers

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Four went into the woods…only one came out…with a harrowing story that got him locked up in an asylum.

The group of friends had went into the woods to photograph the elusive creature that was reputed to be the cause of missing people.

The book alternates between when they went into the woods and Paul’s story after he came out…alone.

Paul is determined to return. He feels that his wife, Jane, is still alive and hopes their friends are too. BUT…there is more than Bigfoot on the loose and he will, again, have to fight for his life.

We have plenty of mystery, action and horror. Also a bit of Indian mythology going on. So all I can say is…be careful of those hieroglyphs and hikes in the woods. I love stories about the woods and I would and do enter…willingly. Would you?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Silence in the Woods by J P Choquette.

4 Stars

• Posted by sherry fundin on September 25, 2019 at 10:31am
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A Might Rolling Thunder by Kerry Alan Denney is another one of those books that slipped through the crack. I finished reading it on 11.14.16 and loved it. Soooo…here we go.

Love the fabulous cover by Nicolle Brown Designs.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A Mighty Rolling Thunder by Kerry Alan Denney starts out so nice…but it quickly turns into a run for her life for Livy…enter Conor, a guy with no memory…

At 17% it hit me…I have had those same thoughts. What would I do? How far would I be willing to go if the shit hit the fan? Lawlessness, fear, hunger, need, desire…The Rapture…the people are gone, just vanished.

Could you imagine talking to your dog, yeah, I know you already do, but what if he really understood you…and talked back?

Victor, oh yeah, he’s the villain and he wants to rule the world and would do anything to make it happen. Power, he wants it.

Free will. Do you choose to share joy or sorrow? Hope or despair? Love or damnation?

I enjoy a desolate world with a cast of characters that must band together to survive.

Throw in some magic (?), and I am in heaven. Too bad these guys weren’t, but it sure did make for a great story because of it.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of A Mighty Rolling Thunder by Kerry Alan Denney.

4 Stars

I have seen E J Stevens name bandied about and even follow her newsletter, so why I haven’t read or reviewed any of her work before surprised me. LOL So I set out to correct that and picked up a review copy of Craven Street, which was released 6.25.19.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The cover has an eerie vibe and I do I love the location, Whitechapel. It made me feel as if Jack The Ripper was looking over my shoulder as I walked the streets…or should I say ran, because there be monsters here.

I also love that the Whitechapel Paranormal Society has an all female unit.

We have plenty of action and sometimes our enemy will be our friend, as the bodies pile up. Gritty, dangerous action in this other worldly battle between good and evil.

Though there is not a cliffhanger, the story is far from over.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Craven Street by E J Stevens.

3 Stars

Very pretty cover for Codename: Chimera by J K Persy. I got this book back in February of 2014, but didn’t read it until 1.15.15. I loved it and I don’t have any excuse for waiting so long to share it with you. The cover does not make me think of the cozy mystery that it is.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

During their investigation, they learned about a project called Chimera and now the mystery deepens. Is it a conspiracy? Will they kill anyone to keep a secret?

A convoluted mystery centered around a medallion. Who does it belong to?

Codename: Chimera lacked a sense of urgency, but a lot of cozies do. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them and I loved this one. I was super curious about the outcome and the deaths that follow the medallion.

I loved the trio and was happy to be along for their adventure. Codename: Chimera by J K Persy is not what I expected from looking at the cover, but it all made sense in the end.

The brain teasers are a bonus. I stopped and spent a lot of time trying to solve them. I wonder if you will too.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Codename: Chimera by J K Persy.

4 Stars

I downloaded a copy of Hidden by Megg Jensen a long time ago, 12.16.15, to be exact, but before that. I think it had been made free since I had signed up to review the book through Xpresso Book Tours. I finished reading the book on 1.3.15 and did rate the book on goodreads, but did not write the review.

AND…GUESS WHAT…IT’S FREE. But be sure and look for the ‘0’

Great cover by Michael Gauss

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Dragons, can never get enough of them.

The living conditions put people’s true character to the test. Such close living makes it hard to hid their true colors. The characters are vindictive, revengeful, heroic and brave. I love ’em and hate ’em.

What is the fog? Is it treacherous, benign, hiding something? What happens to those who go into the fog?

I was engrossed from the beginning. The fog had me very curious and I wanted to walk into it with Tressa. When I first started reading the book, I was looking for dragons, but once I met Tressa, it became all about her. I love her strength. Her personality demanded she do what is right, no matter the consequences. She wasn’t reckless, she felt it was her duty to her people…as if she were their leader. Bastion, her true love since childhood, meant, fated, to be together.

The longer I read, the more I find is going on. I am loving my journey to the answers. It is exciting and dangers at the same time. I was bummed when a favorite of min bit the dust, added an unexpected twist, but I love when an author doesn’t walk the usual line and isn’t afraid to kill of their characters. Not predictable and plenty of surprises. Would love to read more.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Hidden by Megg Jensen.

4 Stars

Tainted Future by Ashley Fontainne is an apocalyptic/dystopian novel where zombies run AMOK and aren’t the only bodies that will be falling. The series does need to be read in order.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Tainted Future by Ashley Fontainne is the third book in the Rememdium series and I do recommend reading them in order. That being said, how do I write this review without giving any of the good stuff away?

Ashley Fontainne included a cast of characters in the beginning of the book and it picks up where Book II, Tainted Reality left off.

Tainted Future starts out with three bloody, gory deaths and a flaming missile that obliterates the town. They are on the run. Where do they go?

And it only gets worse. A bullet to the head. Brains splatter.

My emotions ran hot. I was filled with fear, smiles and hope, watching the characters face their personal demons and rise above them was inspiring. I only wish I would do the same in a dire situation.

People will be exposed for who they really are. Some will change for the good, others… Some characters are filled with great courage and sacrifice, at least those that are not out to rule the world. I hate that Ashley Fontainne has the need to kill so many of them off, but hey, I’m not surprised at all. Be careful of who becomes your favorite, because they might not make it.

One of the greatest scenes was in the Humvee, racing over the terrain and anything else that gets in the way. Bodies were thrown side to side, as they bounced their way into the next hair raising end of the world scenario.

We don’t end up with a cliffhanger, but we do need to read Book IV, Tainted World to find out what happens next. Will it be the final chapter? I am already bummed at some of the characters that had to bite the dust and I am afraid to find out who will be next…but, I have the book on my Kindle and will begin reading…NOW.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Tainted Future by Ashley Fontainne

4 Stars

I believe this is my first novel by Ann Cleeves and I would like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review The Long Call.

When I saw the cover I immediately clicked.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love the cover for The Long Call by Ann Cleeves and am always on the lookout for a good mystery. That being said, I really wanted to love this, but…

Maggie loved talking to her friend but one day he didn’t show up. And so her mystery begins and she wants answers.

The characters are gay, lesbian, mentally challenged…

Everything, good and bad, centers around the Woodyard, a community center.

It held no tension or suspense for me. I couldn’t get excited by the story or the writing but I am curious…so I will read on. I know a police procedural is not as exciting as a thriller, but I would put down The Long Call, read something else, come back to it, put it down…well, you get the picture. I was bored and my mind kept drifting.

I did finish it and because I had to know the ending, I gave it 3 stars, for satisfying my curiosity.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Long Call by Ann Cleeves.

3 Stars

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.

I downloaded Ward of the Vampires, Ward of the Vampire #1, by Kallysten from Amazon on 6.2.14. Been a while. lol

Amazon / Goodreads

MY ONE SENTENCE REVIEW

Fabulous cover the Ward of the Vampire by Kallysten drew me into this vampire story with characters that captured me, making me want to know more as they took me to a wonderful place of magic and romance.

Forgot to mention the cliffhanger. This is more like a preview or a tease of what is to come in the series, which is complete and available as a set and you can get it HERE for $4.99 on Kindle

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

It’s THE party of the season. Socialites, artists and A-list stars have been invited to Morgan Ward’s birthday bash, including Angelina’s boss, Delilah.

For months, Angelina has been looking at the preparations from afar, but never did she imagine that, come the day, Miss Delilah would put her in a gorgeous gown and bring her along as her ‘plus one.’

Wandering from crowded room to crowded room in the sumptuous mansion, Angelina grows overwhelmed and escapes onto a balcony, only to find it occupied by her host. That first meeting leaves her struggling for her very life, but she soon gets an unexpected do-over.

Meeting Morgan Ward for the first time all over again, Angelina finds herself falling into his arms… But is it all only a fantasy?

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