It’s Thursday! And, after our holiday party at work this morning, I’m off until next Wednesday. Lots of reading time! Of course, I have some errands to run first – car wash, groceries. But, I hope to settle in with the cats and books once I’m home today.
I’ve just started a book that may appear to be a Christmas novel. Yes, Trish Harnetiaux’ White Elephant is set at holiday time, but Christmas isn’t really the theme. Henry and Claudine Calhoun are the owners of Aspen’s premier real estate firm. Every year they have a party for their staff, and the white elephant exchange has become a competitive event that stirs up jealousy and rivalry. But, this year, someone unwraps a murder weapon that Henry used years earlier to help launch the business. Claudine helped him cover it up. Now? Who knows their secret?
So, what are you reading this week? You might not have a lot of time right now, but I hope you find some reading time before the end of the month. Let us know what you’re reading, please!
I read and really enjoyed BLIND SEARCH, the second Mercy Carr (and her dog Elvis) book by Paula Munier. There are two murders by bow and arrow in the woods of Vermont, and former MP Mercy, along with potential love Troy Warner (the local game warden), is on the case.
Also read a couple of short story volumes: THE CHRISTMAS CARD CRIME and Other Stories, edited by Martin Edwards, and O. Henry's WHIRLIGIGS.
I'm reading the previously mentioned WHERE I'M READING FROM too. Next up is the latest Craig Johnson book about Sheriff Walt Longmire, LAND OF WOLVES.
I only finished one book this week, SQUARE WATERMELONS by Marcus Chen. It’s the memoir of an American living and working in a Tokyo. It was interesting but I didn’t realize the story was going to continue in another book when I started it.
Next up is an ARC of UNDER THE RADAR by Annette Dashofy
I agree with Jeff. I thought Paula Munier's BLIND SEARCH was even better than the first in the series. In wintry Vermont, military police vet Mercy and her dog, Elvis, a fellow Afghanistan veteran who originally belonged to her late fiance, take it upon themselves to protect 9-year-old Henry, whose wanderings in the woods may have led to his witnessing a deadly crime. Henry is an autistic savant who can speak but chooses to do so very little, and he is immediately drawn to Elvis and by Susie Bear, a huge tracking dog owned by game warden Troy. Two murders occur during hunting season, and the suspects include several wealthy hunting enthusiasts staying at a local entrepreneur's mansion, not to mention local poachers. The writing is engaging and accessible, the mystery is quite convoluted, and the realistic characters and setting can't be beat. I consider this a superior mystery series after just two books and hope for more.
THE CONFESSION CLUB, the third in Elizabeth Berg's series set in the small town of Mason, MO, focuses on a few of the characters in the previous books–namely Iris from Night of Miracles and Maddy from The Story of Arthur Truluv–but you don't need to read those books to enjoy it. Iris is a divorcee in her late forties who would like to find love again with an intriguing man who is living at a neighboring (but abandoned) farm. But he has a lot of baggage, including PTSD from the military in Afghanistan. Maddie, the pregnant teen taken in by the late Arthur Truluv, has a wonderful 7-year-old daughter and a husband (not the biological father), but she is still dealing with her troublesome childhood and anxious to move back to Mason after living in New York–will her currently-estranged husband agree? This book flew by for me, and there were tears, but I didn't want it to end.
I read one of Jasmine Guillory's contemporary romances before, and I rated it as just OK. But ROYAL HOLIDAY hit the spot fro me, probably because it involved a "woman of a certain age." Fashion stylist Maddie seizes the opportunity to fill in for her pregnant mentor as stylist to a duchess in England for holiday season events. When she invites her 50-something mother to accompany her, longtime divorcee and social worker Vivian is at first reluctant, but finally agrees to go on what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. When she unexpectedly meets the handsome private secretary to the Queen, it turns into a whirlwind friendship/romance that takes her to places she never thought she would go, first in northern England and then in London. And it gives her a new perspective on life. This is a charming story with a minimum of conflict, so it was definitely holiday comfort food for me.
Books I've read – The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams (ARC)
A Hall of Keys and No Doors by Emmie Mears
Whispers of War by Julia Kelley (ARC)
And I highly recommend all of them!
Today, after I do a few things around the house and start a pot of Taco Soup simmering I plan on digging through Mt. TBR to find the next book I might (hopefully) enjoy.
I’m very intrigued by your book. I hope it continues to be good.
Last night, I ignored other stuff I should have been doing to finish OWL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Donna Andrews. Meg’s latest adventure was fun like always.
Today, I’ll be starting SEALED OFF by Barbara Ross. I love the Maine Clambake series, so I’m looking forward to it.
Tonight, I’ll be driving to a library outside my area for their third annual Mystery trivia night. Should be a good time.
Just finished Laura Bradford's Assaulted Pretzel the second in the Amish series – enjoy the series a lot. Am in the middle of Ace Atkins newest Spenser – Angel Eyes. I like how he has continued depicting Spenser in the same manner as Parker did.
I just put the White Elephant on hold.
This week I finished THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY by Alix E. Harrow. I cannot say enough good things about this book. It isn't my usual genre of fantasy but I just loved this.
Next I read TWENTY-ONE TRUTHS ABOUT LOVE by Matthew Dicks. This was written as lists. At times I got tired of only lists but I laughed and teared up while reading it. A fun quick read about Daniel, a former teacher who opens up a bookstore. It is failing and he tries to keep it a secret from his wife who is ready to start a family. After the complexity and intensity of the Harrow book, it was nice to read something light and fun.
Now I am reading THE DEARLY BELOVED by Cara Wall. It was selected by Jenna Bush Hager for her book club. Several of the bloggers I follow said it was one of their favorites for the year. I am not far enough to decide that. It is about two ministers and their wives who lives intersect through the years.
Thank you for sharing your St. Louis trip Lesa. It looked like lots of fun.
Happy Reading!
I read:
Holy Terror by Richard marcinko; I didn't realize the series survived 9/11.
Kiffin Rockwell; a biography of a nearly forgotten WWI war hero.
Hide and Seek by Jeff Deischer; a continuation of the Charlton heroes adventures. Not bad, although I disagree with some of his choices, in a comics nerd debate.
A Talent for Killing by Ralph Dennis; A hitman novel set in atlanta, about a former CIA agent who loses his memory, becomes a hitman, and the CIA people terrified he'll remember.
The Suicide Squad by Richard Curtis; The final book in The Agent series, as Dave Bolt, Sports agent has to find a quarterback that disappeared.
Fab: Revolver by Mark Gillespie; Final book of the trilogy. John Lennon wakes up in the future, then goes back in time to prevent his own murder. I didn't have a headache when I finished.
Altar in the Woods; Lovecraftian stuff. Lovecraft is sort of like a dish you only want once or twice a year, but then you gotta have it.
First, I should have mentioned this since it's December, but if I don't hear from anyone, I'll do it again next year. Any of you want to do your favorites read in 2019 again? I know Jeff, Margie, and Glen did it last year. I'd love to have anyone do it again, if they want.
After unpacking groceries, I immediately sat down to check on your books from this week. I just messaged Paula Munier and suggested she might want to check out your comments today since Jeff & Margie loved Blind Search. I have to admit it's on Mt. TBR for me, but I'm going to have to find it. The next days are going to go by faster than I want them to do. Now, I'm going to have to look for Royal Holiday, Margie.
Well, that's a lot of Tokyo, Sandy, if there's a second book. Are you going to go on with it?
Kaye, I have to admit, I'm a little behind with Ellery Adams' books, which is a shame because I really like them. I also like taco soup. (grin) Darn, I wish it wasn't so far to your place.
I'll let you know, Mark. If I finish it, it held up. I usually quit if the book doesn't hold my interest. Your trivia night sounds like fun!
Netteanne! I'm so glad you like Laura Bradford's series. It's a favorite in my family. And, I brought home Angel Eyes from the library. It's been a long time since I read a Spenser book because I was disappointed in Ace's first one. I don't think he had the voice right yet. Now that I've been away from Parker's books for a while, I'll have to try it.
Sharon, I"m participating on Twitter for #libfaves19 as librarians submit our 10 favorite books of 2019, all published in 2019. I see THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY has been mentioned several times so far. We have six more days to go. I had one nonfiction on my list, one romantic comedy, and the rest are crime fiction.
Glen, It sounds as if you had a better than average week. Good!
I'll be happy to try to make a Year's best list. It's always a good exercise to go over the books I've read.
Great! Thank you, Glen. I always enjoy those lists.
Lesa, I might go back to Tokyo sometime but I have too many other things that I want to read more
The trivia night was fun. Even better, my team won!
I’ll do my best to put another list together this year, Lesa. It helps that I have kept brief summaries of all the books I have read, along with my own rating.
Will get you a list before we leave for Florida on January 4.
Congratulations, Mark!
Thank you, Margie & Jeff!
I have
Blind Search on my library list. I just received Traitor's Purse by Margery Allingham. Also reading Erica Spindler's Triple Six (2nd in a series) and her Justice for Sara. I finished Amanda by Kay Hooper. I also started A Murderous Tangle by Sally Goldenbaum. I finished Scarpetta's Winter Table by Patricia Cornwell, a short story with descriptions of what they are cooking, but not recipes!
You had a busy week, Gram! I'm sorry I didn't get back earlier to comment. I missed that you had written a post.
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