The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 5 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre!  Woot! Woot!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

July 5 question - 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?

I’ve been trying to nail that one down for years. I still can’t answer it.

June/July Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

 

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT by Jacquie Biggar, USA Today best-selling author

Georgina’s company is in financial straits, so she’s sold the majority of shares to the large conglomerate CLO with the hopes of saving it.

Unknown to Georgina, Rhys Turner has been sent from CLO to get the company in shape, not to hold on to it,  but to sell it at a profit. But Rhys didn’t count on Georgina or his reaction to her. Conflicted, he has a decision to make.

Once again Ms. Biggar has created a fun romp with lots of comedic relief, loveable characters, and emotions that tug at the heartstrings. I’m a Jacqui Biggar fan and as with all Ms. Biggar’s stories, I highly recommend this one. 

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

TRADS

 

STRANGER IN PARADISE by Robert Parker

This is number seven in the Jesse Stone series. The stories are quick easy reads, that hold my attention. This one reintroduces Crowe, a criminal from a former story. Only this time, Crowe and Jesse are working together to bring down the bad guys.  On to number eight.

 

NIGHT AND DAY by Robert Parker

This is number eight and based around a peeping tom. Like the rest of the series, it's entertaining and an easy read. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPALOOSA by Robert Parker

This is the first in the Virgil Cole/Everett Hitch series. I’m still trying to decide what I thought of this one. Interesting √. Well written √.  Well developed characters √.  And let me say, even though I write them, I don’t read a lot of Westerns. But this was more gritty than what I expect from the genre. The F word was thrown around and not that I have a problem with it, if used sparingly, it’s not what I expect from a Western.

In this story, the itinerant peacemakers must deal with a rancher who has taken over the town of Appaloosa. AND in true Parker fashion, one of our heroes falls for the wrong woman.

At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll read anymore of the series or not.

 

SPLIT IMAGE by Robert Parker

There's always something interesting going on in Paradise. This time it's two murdered members of the mob.

One of the things I love about this series is the repartee among the characters. It's always amusing.

On to book 10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE ASSET (Book 1), THE RUSSIAN (Book 2) and THE TARGET (Book 3) by Saul Herzog

This is an extremely powerful political thriller series with a lot of focus on Russia and the tension between Russia and the United States. There is also a lot of Russian history sprinkled throughout the book as we follow the protagonist, Lance Spector, a CIA assassin, from one dangerous situation to another. These books are intense enough I had to take a break from them before I move on to the third. And the protagonists are all seriously flawed.

What really intrigues me is the novelist, a highly successful trad author writing under a pseudonym, with no information on his true identity.

My husband and I think we’ve figured it out😉.  Who do you think Saul Herzog really is?

 

 

 

IWSG Wednesday

 

The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG   

Hashtag: #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 7 posting of the IWSG are Patrcia Josephine, Diedre Knight, Olga Godim, J. Lenni Dorner, and Cathrina Constantine! 

Thanks so much for co-hosting.

 
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

June 7 question - If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with? I didn’t even have to think about this one, I’d spend more time reading and gaming. Notice I didn't mention house or yardwork.😊 What about you?

May/June Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

 

IN DARKNESS: THE SHARK by L. Diane Wolfe

 

This was such a fun read and a different twist on an old tale.

Jewels is a loner, her only interest, the ocean and marine biology. It’s not that she doesn’t like people but she’s been hurt and doesn’t want to be again. Then her life turns upside down and she cautiously learns to trust again when a shark becomes her new best friend.

Recommended for those who love sea life and a heartwarming ending. 

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

TRADs

 

HIGH PROFILE BY Robert B. Parker

This is the sixth in the Jesse Stone series.

A controversial talk show host is found hanging from a tree in Paradise and it’s not suicide. Shortly  thereafter, an unknown woman is also found murdered in Jesse’s town, giving him two perplexing crimes to solve.

Another good read. On to number seven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEA CHANGE by Robert Parker

This is the fifth in the Jesse Stone series. A body washes up on shore at Paradise which leads to an investigation that takes a turn into depravity. 

Spoiler Alert. This story touches on the uncomfortable topic of incest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIMPLY LIES by David Baldacci

 

David Baldacci is a world class author and after I got into it, this book held my attention with suspenseful twists and turns. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the opener. After reading three pages I put it down and would have never gone back to it if I’d had more reading material. The story is about a work from home mom and opens with the protagonist’s toddler hurling vomit chunks on her. Seriously? Been there. Done that. Not my idea of escapism reading.  AND a spoiler alert: there is mention of a cat being tortured. Something else I can do without reading.

Once past the opener though, and if it weren’t for the mention of the above spoiler alert, the story unfolded with a complex plot and interesting characters and turned in to an immersive read. If anyone else out there has read it, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

 

SAVING FAITH by David Baldacci

 

Lee Adams is a PI that finds himself on the run with a woman who the FBI desperately wants to interview for a corruption case.  Also chasing them is a killer who wants to silence them both.

I enjoyed this one. Though, there was one scene where the protagonist stopped just short of rape with the female character. I didn’t see where that added anything to the story, nor do I like it on general principal. Overall, though, a good read.

 

 

 

 

 

STONE COLD by Robert B. Parker

 

This is the fourth in the Jesse Stone series. Jesse is Chief of Police in Paradise, MA. He’s a cop and a darn good one. He has two addictions, alcohol and his ex-wife.

In this book, two serial killers come to Paradise. One of the people they kill is a woman Jesse dated and their next mark is Jesse himself.

So far, each book in this series has delivered and Stone Cold is no exception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIGHT SINS by Tami Hoag

 

This is book one in the Deer Lake Series.  Like the last two books I read by Hoag the suspense is tight and tense. Unlike the other two, it has a steamy romance running through it. If you like your murder mysteries straight up with no romance this may not be the series for you. If you like your mysteries with heat, this is one you’ll probably enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUILTY AS SIN by Tami Hoag

 

The saga of a shattering kidnapping in a small Minnesota town continues. This time the story focuses on Ellen North, Assistant County Attorney and Jay Butler Brooks, a true crime writer.   

Of everything I’ve read by Ms. Hoag, I found Brooks’ character to be the most fascinating. His character packs a high dose of sex appeal even on the written page. As always Hoag’s writing is tense and tight. Even though I find the subject of kidnapping, especially where children are concerned disturbing, the book held my attention all the way.

 

 

 

 

 

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS by Harlow Giles Unger

 

It’s always interesting finding out about our forefathers and what went on in the past. I’m a fan of Harlow Giles Unger and feel he does a good job of bringing the past to life. For me the last couple of chapters of this book were the most fascinating. John Quincy wasn’t a popular president but after he left office, he became  a congressman and the champion of the people. He was a patriot through and through and while in congress would challenge either side of the aisle if he felt they were wrong.   I got the impression if he’d put in half the time and energy into his marriage as he did politics, he would have made Louisa’s life much easier.

 

 

 

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