#RoughJustice #NetGalley

Title: Rough Justice
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Publish Day: June 30, 2018
Rating: 🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄

Review:

This a novella that happens after the series ends. Olivia is on her first Hunt with Ricky. She's anxious about the target of this as for her it doesn't feel right. So, she stops the hunt due to this. This is the only time given to Olivia + Ricky.

As the rest of the story is following her and Gabriel's relationship and the investigation.

Through the investigation they find bigger problems with the guy and it's definitely not what they originally thought.

And, the relationship things Gabriel is experiencing are definitely not what he thought, either.

Overall, it has a good balance of investigation and relationship/family/life drama. We see more investigation in this as it's part of Olivia adjusting to being apart of the Hunt. It's more focused on Olivia and Gabriel's relationship and how they're adjusting to their new life.

Do you have to read the five books that come before this? This novella does have some catch up parts.. so you could read just this. But read the series :O It's fun.

Downloaded through Netgalley thanks to the publisher in exchange for a honest review :D

#Room119 #TFLince Review

Title: Room 119
Author: T. F. Lince
Publisher: Amazon
Publish Day: December 14, 2017
Rate: 4/5

Summary:High-flying trader Dean Harrison has it all – the London penthouse apartment; the fast car; the beautiful wife. But when the threads of Dean’s life start to unravel, they do so with alarming speed.

Following the advice of a frail stranger, Dean sets off for Welnetham Hall Hotel and is plunged into the mysterious world of Room 119 – a world where nothing makes sense. How does everyone in the hotel know his name? Why does he travel there on a train line that shut down over fifty years ago? And who is the sinister man in black who pursues him wherever he goes?

As he gradually pieces together the puzzle of Welnetham Hall, Dean is forced to re-evaluate his life and realises that nothing is more important to him than his wife and daughter. Desperate to get back to them, he vows he would lay down his life for the people he loves.

It’s a promise he may have to keep.

Possible Trigger Warnings for this: Drugging someone, drunk driving and a clown

"Dean was too busy pulling scams in the playground, conning kids out of their dinner money, to worry about getting grades."

Thoughts:

This mixes genres a mystery, thriller and elements of fantasy tied in. I started using Twitter for blogging purposes and through other book bloggers found this. I retweet book advertisements, especially, if it's noticeable it's an indie author. This author seems to have it down with getting people to read his books and write reviews for it.

He's a very active author with following those who tweet about the books, write updates on it and on Goodreads. I am reading it through Kindle Unlimited because, well, I pay for the service so I may as well use it. So far the advantages of it is finding authors and books I wouldn't have read to begin with..am reading now.

It's currently listed at $3.99 for the eBook andddd $10.99 if you want to buy a physical copy of it off Amazon. Since I didn't buy a physical copy I can't tell you much on that. It's the only book he has listed as on e of his.

If you like interacting with authors and reading their books.. this is a good author to start reading..again though he has only one book out. But y'know.

"He wore a suit like it had never wanted to fit him, like it was being rejected by his DNA."

Review:

We start with Dean being full of himself, working with people, training them. Typical person who makes money and enjoys being the big shot. He has co-workers who aren't as impressed with him, his status in the company and want his spot. Typical job setting in high stakes kind of work.

He's jealous of an up and comer and doesn't step from it. Instead of making a friend makes an enemy. Which from the short glimpse of this kind of job... pretty much everyone was probably an enemy. At some point he is roofied by one of the newbies which causes him to be late for his kid's birthday. This same person interferes with a trade that kills everything in Dean's life.. family, friends, the job, etc.

Typical thriller setting where he's trying to figure out what is going on. More so after he meets an older couple on a bridge. Fantasy elements are involved with Room 119, this old couple and where he ends up middle of the story.

Mystery/ thrill / getting the answers for this gets to where you realize what the 'twist' or what is going down. But it's still fun to read.

He ends up crashing after going to his daughters school drunk & being stupid.

The dialogue between the character's wife and kid is kind of cheesy in parts. Feels clunky because of this like they're not real elements to the story. I don't know how to describe it. But overall the story is interesting enough to enjoy and get through. Every story has some pieces that don't work as well as others. Which is fine so long as you're enjoying what you're reading over all.

Toward the end of the book his talking with a friend of his about a name that's given him at one point....and "gave Dean a handshake that morphed into a man hug" ...  There's apparently a difference between hugs..and whatever a man hug is. .yeah? What the fuck does that mean? Lol.

Jack whispered into Dean’s ear as the man hug lasted a little longer than they were both anticipating, It eventually gave way to a more manly punch on the shoulder.

A happily ever and some weird elements. I'm still confused about the clown.

Recommend? Yes, good entertainment.

#BloodWillOut #NetGalley

Title: Blood Will Out
Author: Jo Reggiari
Publisher: Penguin Teen
Publish Date: June 5, 2018 -- Soon!
Rating: 3.5-4ish out of 5
From: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary:Silence of the Lambs for young adults -- Blood Will Out is a gripping YA thriller readers won't be able to put down.

Ari Sullivan is alive--for now.

She wakes at the bottom of a cistern, confused, injured and alone, with only the shadowy recollection of a low-pitched voice and a gloved hand. No one can hear her screams. And the person who put her there is coming back. The killer is planning a gruesome masterpiece, a fairytale tableau of innocence and blood, meticulously designed.

Until now, Ari was happy to spend her days pining for handsome, recent-arrival Stroud Bellows, fantasizing about their two-point-four-kids-future together. Safe in her small hometown of Dempsey Hollow. But now her community has turned very dangerous -- and Ari may not be the only intended victim.

Told in alternating perspectives of predator and prey, Blood Will Out is a gripping and terrifying read.

This review has separate things due to content of book. I've 'my thoughts' and the review portion. 

My thoughts:

Trigger Warnings: Homophobia, transphobia, anti-mentally ill (idk what the phobia or name for this is, my apologies), possible short lived 'appropriation'.  Not trigger warning but note on the Missing Person Myth.

From the Netgalley page and ratings on Goodreads this has really low ratings. I don't understand the nicks due to grammar/spelling/formatting as we're getting whatever condition ARC's. Oftentimes they are unedited and not ready for the bookshelves around the world. They're just readable enough that those of us who ask for books can get them and read 'em.

But this is the weirdest formatted un-ready edition of any book I've received from Hidden Gems or Netgalley. As you can see I do paragraph breaks with no indention so the book running with this format is totally not annoying for me. I prefer reading things this way so I write this way. Nice to see a book formatted this way.

But there was paragraph breaks in weird spots, massive font sizes splashed about, and all this sometimes made things unclear as to what the hell was going on. So, I understand complaining about THAT when it takes from/prevents understanding of the things going on in the story. These three paragraph-rant is not in my rating of the book story as..that's not what I'm reviewing a book on.


Homophobia:

Lynn is a teenage lesbian in a small town with some small-minded people. They let her know it. They use slurs against her and nothing is done about this.

Transphobia:

When Lynn & Ari together someone makes a comment of Ari possibly feeling like a man being with Lynn (they're not dating). As far as I am aware based on little information given they're cis female teenagers.

Mentally Ill:

The surviving kids make comments toward the persons who abducted them and wanted to murder them.

There is no establishment that the serial killer in this book had a mental illness. There are consistency with psychopathic tendencies with serial killers but it's never established with this killer in this book.  I know, it may seem as if I'm splitting hairs all due to a fictional serial killer...but the ideas and believes that mentally ill are dangerous are still heavily around.

Psychosis isn't ...just for murderers or those who are a threat to those around them. I realize that sentence makes it sound like an add-on that someone's chosen in their life.

However, to be a serial killer doesn't automatically mean the person is mentally ill. Usually, mental illness is defined roughly around something that debilitates you from functioning in your life. While serial killers often cannot hold steady work them killing things doesn't stop them from functioning in their life. Sooooo it's kind of iffy to classify every serial killer as someone with mental illness.

I know someone's going to be, "You have to be mentally ill to do something like this." and it's .. no, no you don't have to be. A disregard to society that you're in and the rules we all agree to follow...isn't a mental illness on its own.

Cultural Appropriation:

While getting ready for a dance they've decided to get a kimono dress. Thing is, with Kimono's -- it's from my understanding a dying fashion item. So, it needs new-comers to stay alive. I recommend buying from Japanese owned or Japanese-American owned to keep this fashion item alive.

Name of the Book Means:

It means the personal character, as determined by condition of birth will eventually be revealed. The serial killer in this story. The title is speaking about the serial killer when we've discovered who the killer is and what they're really like. Basically, people are always true to their "blood".

Serial Killer:

The serial killer I think the author checked off almost everything on the list of them. From upbringing, personality, and things they do.

Missing Person Myth:

This book includes the myth about needing to wait 24 hours before reporting a person missing. Please do not wait 24 hours before reporting ANYONE missing. The longer the wait the less chances of finding the person alive, especially, if you fear for their life.

Cops may not feel urged to look for someone but that doesn't mean you shouldn't file a missing persons. Do it as soon as you realize the person -- adult, teen or child -- is missing.

(Unless you live in Michigan as some places there do have waiting periods). 

Onto the Review:

What I liked:

!!!!(spoilers)!!!

Teenagers acting and seeming like teenagers. Stupid banter and stupid crushes. Connection with your best friend over everything else. Strength in wanting to keep you and your friend alive no matter what. 

Adult themes that kids deal with that they shouldn't but they do - being attacked, gore, murder.

A lesbian character surviving to the end of the book. The loner kid who was seen as possibly the serial killer but turned out to be not the killer. That was nice to see. I was, "OH GREAT." 

The adults kind of listening to the teenagers and accepting information given to them. There was a few bumps along that but it wasn't as annoying as it often is in YA.

The killer was slowly being pieced together as the story went along. For me, the language and the no noticeable gender talk help collect and figure out who it was along the way. What I liked was it did take longer for me to piece things together. I think having it focused on Ari and her thoughts helped distract me along the way. 

What I didn't liked:

Focused a lot on her ideas of who the killer was. Yes, she did write a lot of names down trying to figure out who it was but still.. she still thought it was this one particular person. Yes, she doesn't know who tried to kill her, either, but shit. 

Yes, she was stereotyping him and knew she was but god that was annoying part. 

Since it all boils down to who is trying to murder her and her friend..we don't get a lot of character closeness the way you usually do in books. We know her and see her doing stuff but there's a wall between us and the characters. 

Overall:

It was fun and so frustrating waiting for definite answer as to who the murderer was. 

Recommend?: 

If you are unable to watch TV or movies about serial killers .. wouldn't recommend. To everyone else who does, even enjoy these things...then go for it.

#TheCrookedStaircase #NetGalley by Dean Koontz

Title:  The Crooked Staircase
Author: Dean Koontz
Publisher:  Random House Group - Ballantine
Release Day: May 8. 2018 -- soon!!!
Genre: General Fiction, Mystery & Thriller
Rating: 4 / 5
Received: Through Netgalley thanks to Random house!

Summary from Goodreads: Jane Hawk knows she may be living on borrowed time. But as long as she's breathing, she'll never cease her one-woman war against the terrifying conspiracy that threatens the freedom--and free will--of millions. Battling the strange epidemic of murder-suicides that claimed Jane's husband, and is escalating across the country, has made the rogue FBI agent a wanted fugitive, relentlessly hunted not only by the government but by the secret cabal behind the plot. Deploying every resource their malign nexus of power and technology commands, Jane's enemies are determined to see her dead . . . or make her wish she was.

 Jane's ruthless pursuers can't stop her from drawing a bead on her prey: a cunning man with connections in high places, a twisted soul of unspeakable depths with an army of professional killers on call. Propelled by her righteous fury and implacable insistence on justice, Jane will make her way from southern California to the snow-swept slopes of Lake Tahoe to confront head-on the lethal forces arrayed against her. But nothing can prepare her for the chilling truth that awaits when she descends the crooked staircase to the dark and dreadful place where her long nightmare was born.

No spoilers! Just excitement toward this series. 

My Review: I am usually pretty luke-warm or right out hate book series. But this is my first experience with Dean Koontz book and have absolutely enjoyed my time so far. I've purchased the first two books so that I could successfully & enjoy the third book.

This series consumes you and you definitely lapse into the reading a movie within your head. The way it is written it feels literally like it is going on as you're reading.


Recommend? Yes, this is a good introduction to this author. At least for me it feels that way. I literally have no other experience with this author so..  but yes, definitely recommend. But start with The Silent Corner as this is the third book.

#WeedingWednesday: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

Title: The Cuckoo's Calling Author: J. K. Rowling Publisher: Mulholland Books

Summary
The Cuckoo's Calling is a 2013 crime fiction novel by J. K. Rowling, published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. A brilliant mystery in a classic vein: Detective Cormoran Strike investigates a supermodel's suicide.

Shelved: March 18, 2014 and shelved in my "I'll Finish Later". I got to 25% in this book before DNF occurred.  So, I had already tried reading it and decided to give it a go later on. Ha.

I've notes: I need sleep... So far I've learned what "kitbag" is. These aren't promising notes on a book. 

Survive? Weed?: I tried to read this. I know I am not a Harry Potter fan and liked her book Casual Vacancy. This is a series so I'm removing it from my TBR.

So far I've removed two books through this process. Also, for some reason my TBR list is out of order. I find that odd.

What are your thoughts on this book? Am I saving myself ? Is this worthwhile to try to pursue? 

Last weeks Weeding Wednesday Post Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson . 

#PineappleUpsideDownCakeDay Book Ideas for Today!

Classic fantasy meant for children. Everything is the same here no one ages and ...they've been here awhile. A resident is tired of this living condition.

A sequel? Another story of the above?

Another cozy mystery with a cutesy name. Charlotte lives in a community of old people and a murder happens. It's also a romance. .dun dunnn.

Pineapple Grenade is a crime comedy about a serial killer there are twenty-one books. This is book 15.

Betty Neels , Pineapple Girl is a romance with a nurse/ doctor connection

At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple by Marion Chesney -- it's a historical romance  set in England.

I know it was the rage to bicker about whether pineapple should be on pizza (as god intended it should)...pineapple upset down cakes are sacred..delicious things..and they have a day dedicated to them.

Do you have a family recipe? Buy them at the store? Put your own spin on it? My mom used to make them fairly regularly -- or at least enough to have fond memories about them.

Recipes:

Classic Recipe w/ TasteofHome
Recipe serves 9 takes 50 minutes to make

Pineapple Upside-down Cake recipe from Epicurious   
Recipe serves 8... takes 1 1/4 hours to make

Easy Pineapple Upside-down Cake by Tablespoon
Recipe serves 1...takes an hour to make.

#StephenKing's The Green Mile Review

Title: The Green Mile
Author: Stephen King

Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: Welcome to Cold Mountain Penitentiary, home to the Depression-worn men of E Block. Convicted killers all, each awaits his turn to walk the Green Mile, keeping a date with "Old Sparky," Cold Mountain's electric chair. Prison guard Paul Edgecombe has seen his share of oddities in his years working the Mile. But he's never seen anyone like John Coffey, a man with the body of a giant and the mind of a child, condemned for a crime terrifying in its violence and shocking in its depravity. In this place of ultimate retribution, Edgecombe is about to discover the terrible, wondrous truth about Coffey, a truth that will challenge his most cherished beliefs... and yours.



My Review: I watched the movie first as a kid and fell in love it. In my teens I decided to read the book. It feels and reads completely different than the movie for me. Thankfully, the copy that I had was all segments of this book  .. its original six volumes of the same story published separately.

The Mystique Reader published Goodreads Monday about Alice Walker's The Color Purple blog post. I absolutely love The Color Purple — the movie. The Green Mile is the reason why I am afraid to read the book. I watched the movie The Color Purple as a kid and loved it. I'm worried that the book won't win me over the way the movie did.

 The Green Mile is one of my favorite movies but I didn't enjoy my adventure while reading it. I believe if I wouldn't have watched the movie first as a child then read it in my teens... I would have different opinions.

It's one of my fears that the enjoyment of a movie will take away from the experience of reading the book. I know it sounds bizarre and a lame worry.. but The Green Mile caused it.

If you've read my other blog post about Stephen King's Carrie -- it has a low rating as well. I tend to like the movies around Stephen King's books because I've watched the movie first.

I couldn't get his books as a kid because my library access was only through my elementary school. They don't house his books (for obvious reasons). But I was able to watch TV easily enough.

Gun, With Occasional Music by Johnathan Lethem Review

Title: Gun, with Occasional Music
Author: Johnathan Lethem
Publisher: Mariner Books
Release Day:  September 1, 1994
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary: While shadowing the wife of an affluent urologist, a hapless private eye falls in love with her. When the doctor turns up dead, the P.I. finds himself caught in a crossfire between the boys from the Inquisitor's Office and gangsters who operate out of the back room of the Fickle Muse.

About Author: Johnathan Lethem is an American novelists, essayist and short story writer. Gun, with Occasional Music is his first book that blends science fiction and detective fiction

Review: This was a fucking weird book. We're in a future where animals are able to function like humans -- talk, hold down jobs and get treated like shit. I read this as one of SciFi and Fantasy Book Clubs read a few years ago.

I don't remember a lot about it other than it was a trip from the first page until the end. The book does not end the way you'd expect this kinda thing to end.

Recommend: Yes, everyone should at least try this experience for themselves.

#NationalCoffeeCakeDay Book & Recipe Ideas -

National Day Calendar

So, April 7th based on the National Day Calendar is the day to celebrate the cakes you eat while drinking coffee.

I am listing books with coffee, cupcakes and wedding cakes. Otherwise, it looks like my option would be recipe books. Since this is meant as a Fiction blog..

Title: The Various Flavours of Coffee
Author: Anthony Capella
Genre:  Historical, Romance

Summary: Robert Walls
1895. Robert Wallis, would-be poet, bohemian & dandy, accepts a commission from coffee merchant Samuel Pinker to categorise the different tastes of coffee & encounters Pinker's free-thinking daughters, Philomenia, Ada & Emily. As romance blossoms with Emily, Robert realises that the muse & marriage may not be incompatible after all.

Title: Comfort Food
Author: Kate Jacobs
Genre: Chick Lit, Cooking, Romance

Summary:  Shortly before turning 50, TV cooking show personality Augusta "Gus" Simpson discovers that the network wants to boost her ratings by teaming her with a beautiful, young new co-host. But Gus isn't going without a fight-whether it's off-set with her two demanding daughters, on-camera with the ambitious new diva herself, or after-hours with Oliver, the new culinary producer who's raising Gus's temperature beyond the comfort zone. Now, in pursuit of higher ratings and culinary delights, Gus might be able to rejuvenate more than just her career. (less)

Title: Death by Latte --- this is 2nd in Death By Mysteries series
Author:  Linda Gerber
Genre:  Mystery, Young Adult, Romance

Summary:It was only a few weeks ago that Aphra Connolly’s life changed completely. She had been living a quiet existence on her father’s secluded island resort, until Seth Mulo turned up and stole her heart . . . and provided information that led her to find her mom in Seattle. But the reunion isn’t quite what she expected. Aphra’s mom, Natalie, doesn’t seem happy to see Aphra, and Natalie’s boyfriend, Joe, insists that Aphra go home. Even worse, Seth shows up, only to ask her to return the ring he gave her the previous summer. At least Natalie’s hunky neighbor is sympathetic. But when Joe is found dead at a nearby coffee shop, Aphra discovers her whole trip to Seattle has been based on a lie. And now someone just might be trying to kill her. . . .

Title:  Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride
Author:  Lucy Kinsley
Genre:  Graphic Novel, Memoir, Nonfiction, adult

Summary: A funny and whip-smart new book about the institution of marriage in America told through the lens of her recent engagement and wedding…. The graphic novel tackles the all-too-common wedding issues that go along with being a modern woman: feminism, expectations, getting knocked over the head with gender stereotypes, family drama, and overall wedding chaos and confusion.

Title: When in Doubt, Add Butter
Author: Beth Harbison
Genre: Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Food

Summary: Search for True Love follows Gemma who believes her dating days are over.

Title: Spilled Coffee
Author: J. B. Chicoine
Genre: Fiction, Coming of Age

Summary:Benjamin Hughes is on a mission. He has just bought back the New Hampshire lake cottage his family lost eighteen summers ago, in 1969, just before he turned fourteen—just before his life blew apart.

Title: Sweet Love
Author:Sarah Strohmeyer
Genre: Romance, Chick Lit

Summary: 
An irresistibly delicious novel about the power of love …and dessert. Like other well-meaning mothers, Julie Mueller believed she did the right thing when she secretly ended her teenage daughter's crush on Michael Slayton, a wild older neighborhood heartthrob with a penchant for Shakespeare and the pedigree of trailer trash.

Twenty years later, Betty Mueller has come to realize that was a big mistake. Her daughter Julie - divorced and raising a teenage daughter alone - is a workaholic obsessed with her career. And Michael, the one man who could make her happy, is the one man to whom she won't speak.

Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said thy edge should blunter be than appetite, Shakespeare once pleaded though it will require more than poetry and passion fruit for Julie and Michael to renew their love.

Title: A Pinch of Ooh La La
Author: Renee Swindle
Genre: Chick Lit, Romance

Summary: Abbey Ross, who runs her own bakery in Oakland, California, is known for her visually stunning wedding cakes. But lately, Abbey’s own love life has become stale. According to her best friend, Bendrix, Abbey’s not the spontaneous young woman she was when they were teenagers listening to the Cure and creating attention-grabbing graffiti. Of course, her failed relationship with a womanizing art forger might have something to do with that. Nevertheless, it’s time for Abbey to step out of the kitchen—and her comfort zone—and Bendrix has even handpicked a man for her to date.

Title: Roast Mortem  Coffeehouse Mystery #9
Author: Cleo Coyle
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Summary:After local firefighters pull Clare out of a blazing café, she happily comes to their rescue by teaching them the finer points of operating their newly donated espresso machine. But matters really heat up when somebody is torching cafes around the city and firefighters begin to die in suspicious ways...

Title: Declaring Spinsterhood
Author: Jamie Lynn Braziel
Genre: Romance, Chick Lit

Summary: 

Emma Bailey is thirty years old and single. No problem for her, but a point of round-the-clock contention for her mother, her family, and too many of her friends. In Jamie Lynn Braziel's Declaring Spinsterhood, the terminal illness known as "old maid" is explored from every angle, and the result is a compassionate, compelling, and wickedly funny novel. Emma may stand up before all and declare her intention to never marry, but what about that little place in her heart reserved for Brian Davis? Sure, Brian's seeing someone, and Emma is not a vixen who breaks up relationships, but would it be so terrible if Brian returned the interest? Rather than bide her time, Emma dates…and dates. Some of the men are charming, others less so. With her vow of spinsterhood more a noose than a friend, Emma musters her courage and moves on. That is, until the unforeseen throws up the biggest obstacle of her life: love.

Coffee Cake Recipes:

Aunt Anne's Coffee Cake All Recips
Time: 45 Min

Easy Coffee Cake Lil' Luna

Classic Coffee Cake The Kitchn 
Serves 12

Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
Time: 1.05 hour

#NationalCaramelDay- Book Ideas - National Caramel Day

National Caramel Day is here! & It would have been my Nana's birthday.

Off-topic but we purchased Instant Apple Cider flavored Caramel. I don't know what I was expecting but it was not that. I had to pour it out and thankful that it doesn't cost that much.

Now on to books with a caramel theme that may interest you stopping by. In the process of digging up books that match these national theme books. I am finding a lot of cozy mystery series with weird themes or things I wouldn't normally associate with.... murder or anything related to such.

But on top of that I keep finding books to read.

 Cozy mystery with foodie twist names.

Caramel Pretzel Killer by Summer Prescott is the fourth book in the Cupcakes in Paradise series. Book number 1 is called Vanilla Bean Killer. A list for all books here on goodreads. This series can be read through Kindle Unlimited as well..if you have it.

Friends of an art gallery owner help when someone is murdered at the opening of it.

I've "checked out" the first book thru KU. My public library doesn't have these books.

Caramel Hearts by E.R. Murray follows Liv a fourteen year old who is struggling with her family life. She finds a recipe book written by her mom and uses it as a way to find her self.

Young adult, contemporary, Irish, and Realistic fiction.

Assaulted Caramel - Amish Candy Shop Mystery #1 - Amanda Flower.

Bailey King, is called home by her grandmother -- her grandfather's heart is doing so well.

She finds someone dead in her grandparents candy shop and works to prove the accused didn't do the killing.

Honestly, I think the author just really wanted to have a pun-worthy summary of a book to her name. 








A holiday murder book -- Christmas Caramel Murder written by Joanne Fluke (If you couldn't tell). A cozy Mystery set around Christmas time.

Lisa's husband's ex-girlfriend is found dead in the snow and  they are in need of solving who would have murdered her.

I like that the description also promotes that this has actual recipes -- 20 of them !! included.

This is book 20 of Hannah Swenson Books. 

Caramel Crush written by Jenn McKinlay is the 9th book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery.

They make breakup caramel cupcakes to give to Mel's fiance because he's only in the relationship for her money. But surprise! He's dead! Now what?

For some reason my library does not have the first in this series?!

Do you have a favorite caramel recipe? food? purchase? Do you own a cupcake store or bakery where people randomly show up dead?

Caramel Recipes:

Salted Caramel Cupcakes Food Network
 
Makes: 24 reg or 38 mini
Time: 55 mins
Easy

Caramel Pretzel Bites Taste Of Home
Makes: 72 Servings
Time: 45 mins

Salted Caramel Vodka Recipe
1750 ml bottle of vodka

Daddy Darkest - Ellery Kane

Title: Daddy Darkest

Author: Ellery Kane

Publisher: Amazon 

Release Day: Jun 1, 2017 -- the eBook on Amazon is currently $3.99

Rating: 4 out of 5

First Sentence: I wish my first plane ride had ended in a crash.

Downloaded through Netgalley to read for an honest review!

Summary: A month after her high school graduation, small-town-girl Samantha "Sam" Bronwyn boards a plane with her best friend, Ginny. Destination: San Francisco. But when Ginny disappears inside an airport bathroom wearing Sam's letterman jacket. A past where secrets aren't all that's buried and where revenge comes at the highest price.

About the Author: Ellery Kane is a Forensic psychologist and her work inspires her stories. 

My Review: 

It's an interesting story that starts in the present day with Samantha Bronwyn. As the story progresses it's discovered that Samantha's current problem has something to do with her mother's past. Once we find this out we jump to 1996 following her mother Clare down her path that leads us to Samantha's problem.

Some of the information that, to me, could have been shocking reveals are told to us and then we learn how that information came to be in later chapters. Usually in the flashback chapters with Clare. 

We go between the past and the present to explain how and why we are where we are. It's well written and fun to read. Some parts I wish she wasn't that great at writing because holy shit vivid imagery was not something I needed for certain scenes. 

As everything happens Samantha learns that she doesn't know her mom like she thought she did. When the book ends she still has learning to do and wonders if her mother will ever open up about everything that went down. 

This was a fun and different read I bought the next book after finishing this. 

Spoilers Ahead: 

In Clare's chapters we find out that she was a victim of molestation when she was a teenager by her friends step-father. We see how the stepdad's actions/grooming effect her into her adulthood and her behavior and expectation of the men in her life.

She is a new psychologist in a men's prison. She meets and falls in love with a serial killer that is known as Cutthroat. They connect somehow on an emotional level due to her committing neonaticide when she was a teenager. 

Clare's relationship with Cutthroat almost gets Samantha and her friend, Ginny killed. Clare feels freed from Cutthroat and then she finds a note at her house saying to find him. It ends there. 

It's learned because Clare wanted Cutthroat to know that she had Samantha that she sent McKinnon (shady FBI lady) ultrasounds of Samantha. I think this was talked about to establish that Cutthroat's mom had been keeping tabs on her granddaughter and that's how he discovers that Sam & Ginny are going to San Francisco.

The thing that's confusing me though was how did they know where she lived and what her name was? Did Clare let it slip when she sent out the ultrasound of her new name and location? I must have missed something because I don't remember that being addressed. 

Because from my understanding she sent the ultrasound to the FBI lady when she lived in Oklahoma. She ends up moving to Texas and that's where she raises Samantha. So, how did Cutthroat's mom get more information???

Also, if she's keeping track of her granddaughter how did Cutthroat mess up that he grabs the wrong girl? Did they not find a picture of her on social media? I feel like I missed something there. It's established that Samantha looks like her father -- unless Cutthroat only realized they looked alike when he finally meets her later on in the book.

End of Spoilers

Recommend?: If you can handle stories that involve serial killers, child molestation/rape,neonaticide, suicidal thoughts/attempts and messed up characters...then, yes, it's recommended.

It's part of a series called Doctors of Darkness. But as far as I can tell the second book has no relations with the first book in regard to characters. It's called The Hanging Tree. The eBook is currently as I'm writing this 99 cents. 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Review

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson, Translator: Reg Keeland
Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard
Release Day: September 16, 2008
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:It’s about the disappearance forty years ago of Harriet Vanger, a young scion of one of the wealthiest families in Sweden . . . and about her octogenarian uncle, determined to know the truth about what he believes was her murder.

About the Author: Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and writer who passed away in 2004. As a journalist he was active in documenting & exposing Swedish extreme right and racist organizations.  Condensed from Goodreads. 

My review: I read this alongside my sister and mom as our makeshift book club. This was different than I had expected but it is enjoyable as a book club read. I don't think I would have made it through this if it wasn't for the fact I was reading and talking about it with my mom and sister.

Recommend?: Not really, no. The first two books of this are interesting enough to get through. I dropped out of reading this after trying to get through the third. So, whatever you wanna do with your time.

There are five in this series. The fourth and fifth were completed by David Lagercrantz as they were not completed before the author died.

Vanilla Bean Killer - Book 1 - Summer Prescott - Review

Book: Vanilla Bean Killer

Author: Summer Prescott

Purchase: Fairly certain since this is a KU book it's only available through Amazon

Rating: 3/5

Summary: Missy and Chas start their new life after selling the Inn, but are plagued by scary situations from the very start. Chas and Spencer's first official case at the investigation agency hits far too close to home, and Missy begins to wonder if she might have made the biggest mistake of her adult life. County Coroner, Timothy Eckels, is haunted by the ghosts of his past, and his feisty assistant Fiona fears for her life in this first installment of the Cupcakes in Paradise series.

Review: I'm fairly certain this is a continuation of another series. Characters were established and there was only two new character introductions. But you don't really need the other books. It just feels like you're walking into things.

It looks like the characters started in a series Frosted Love Mysteries. Which doesn't seem like they have eBook version just a really pricey volume. It was written by Carol Durand & Summer Prescott. Prescott continues onward. 

There wasn't really a mystery. Just an inconvenience to moving into house that Chas & Missy purchased. There's not a whole lot happening in this one. This is a very starved book even for a cozy mystery.

Usually the lack of mystery/build up in the story is balanced by having fun character situations. Which didn't happen in this one. It's easy to forgive if you're entertained.

fI'm going to read the nextone in this series. She pulled a beautiful last chapter that I'm praying wasn't just a lure to get me to download the next book.

I started this book after finishing up with Heir Ascendant& taking a break from Room 119. Both serious stories that I needed to rest from.

On an unrelated note: It annoys me that the book covers for this series don't all match.

Recommend?:If you like cozy mysteries that don't have a lot going in regards to mystery or life happenings of the characters..then yeah.

There's currently 10 books in this series and15in the series that I think comes before it. I don't know how many were in Frost Love Mysteries because all I'm seeing are volumes and I don't wanna go through that mess. It's linked above in the review portion if you want to investigate yourself.

What is your favorite cozy mystery? Let me know so I can check it out. I love mysteries in almost all its forms.

#WeedAppreciationDay - No not that! Book Ideas

From the national calendar it's National Weed Appreciation Day.

My favorite weed was and still is the dandelion. I am allergic to them and could only participate with observing those who blew on them for wishes for the most part.

So, my list of books I've found are focused on book covers with Dandelion's on them. I wasn't aware of just how many books have Dandelion's on them until today.

Blowing On Dandelions by Miralee Ferrel  A Christian historical romance fiction. About Katherine Galloway in 1880

About a cursed island called Greene Island. Follows a seventeen year old who doesn't care about whether it is cursed. Dandelion on Fire written by Sherry Torgent is book 1 in a series

The March of the White Guard by Gilbert Parker.  On Goodreads it says this about it, "

A tale of adventure and daring, loyalty and deceit, bravery and cowardice that captivates the imagination. It is a narrative that warms the heart and manifests the belief in goodness of man and the reward that follows it. The depth and goodness of characters is gratifying and visionary of morals.

"

Send Me A Sign is a YA romance/realistic fiction by Tiffany Schmidt.  About a girl named Mia who has cancer and is dealing with life around that.

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith -- A YA realistic fiction  about a young lady who struggles with assault.

#NationalQuiltingDay - 6 Book Ideas for National Quilt Day

National Calendar

Day to recognize quilt makers and quilts. How to observe -- thank a quilter, create a quilt or read about quilts! The hashtag for today is: #NationalQuiltingDay 

 Beyond the Storm  - Quilt of Love #1 - There's 25 - Carolyn Zane

Christian - Romance

About a woman named Abigail who after a storm decides to make a quilt with all the cloth she finds in her town. 

This series has several different authors. 

The Quilter's Apprentice - Elm Creek Quilts - 20 books - Jennifer Chiaverini 

Chick Lit - Contemporary

Follows two women as they build their friendship through quilting

A Single Thread - Cobbled Court Quilts #1 - 7 books - Marie Bostwick

Divorce - Friendship

Follows Evelyn post divorce in a new town with a new business-- a quilt shop. Builds friendships with women who have different reasons for being there (no plan to make friends...yet they did!).

Sew Deadly - A Souther Sewing Circle #1 - 12 books - Elizabeth Lynn Casey

Cozy Mystery - Southern - Divorcee  

Follows Tori Sinclair who is trying to settle into her new town...then.. local sweetheart is found dead at her back door. WHAT?

Bachelor's Puzzle - Patchwork Circle #1 - 2 books - Judith Pella

Historical Fiction - Christian - Romance

The eligible daughters in a town compete to win the love of a new minister with creating quilts. 

To Scotland with Love - Kilts and Quilts - 6 books - Patience Griffin

Divorce - Romance - Scotland

Caitriona leaves Chicago for Scotland. Finds love but if she wants to revamp her career she'll have to sacrifice her love for it.

What books have you read that were quilt theme?