Wednesday, November 30, 2022

ARC Review: What Meets the Eye by Alex Kenna

What Meets the Eye

Author:
Alex Kenna
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (December 6, 2022)

Description: From debut author Alex Kenna comes a pulse-pounding tapestry of secrets, retribution, and greed for fans of Jeffrey Archer.

Kate Myles was a promising Los Angeles police detective, until an accident and opioid addiction blew up her family and destroyed her career. Struggling to rebuild her life, Kate decides to try her hand at private detective work—but she gets much more than she bargained for when she takes on the case of a celebrated painter found dead in a downtown loft.

When Margot Starling’s body was found, the cause of death was assumed to be suicide. Despite her beauty, talent, and fame, she struggled with a host of demons. But as Kate digs deeper, she learns that Margot had a growing list of powerful enemies—among them a shady art dealer who had been selling forged works by Margot. Kate soon uncovers a dirty trail that leads straight into the heart of the city's deadly underworld.

Margot died for her art—and if Kate doesn't tread lightly, she could be the next to get brushed out.

My Thoughts: This debut story is told from a number of viewpoints. 

Kate Myles is a former LAPD officer who was invalided out after having her car hit in a police chase which broke vertebrae in her back and neck and left with constant pain and an opioid addiction. Her marriage, which was already in trouble before the accident, ended acrimoniously. She doesn't care about the husband who was cheating on her before they divorced, but she doesn't want to lose her connection with her young daughter. Her ex used her addiction to force a custody arrangement that isn't in her favor.

Now she's clean, beyond drinking a little too much, and working as a private investigator. When a man comes to her to look into the supposed suicide of his daughter, she isn't excited. But she needs the money and knows the police investigator who had the case as someone who doesn't want to work hard and is always looking for the easy solution.

We hear from Margot Starling who was a troubled person with mental issues who was also a very talented artist who made trends in the art world. One of her projects had her cutting the names of her past lovers into her stomach with an x-acto knife and painting a picture of it. Another had her sneaking a camera into a jail and then painting what she saw. She had quite a few enemies, many of them powerful, who would very much prefer that she was dead.

Kate learns about Margot's potential enemies as she begins her investigation, and she also stumbles into forgery and money laundering scheme which puts her at odds with the FBI and the police department where she worked. 

The story was well-written and exciting. I enjoyed all of the various points of view which help paint a picture of Margot's life. I also enjoyed learning more of Kate's story. 

Favorite Quote:
Two healthy young artists had died suddenly and within months, their paintings, or at least paintings bearing their names, had ended up in this second-rate gallery.

What is going on?
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

ARC Review: City of Fortune by Victoria Thompson

City of Fortune

Author:
Victoria Thompson
Series: A Counterfeit Lady Novel (Book 6)
Publication: Berkley (December 6, 2022)

Description: When a day at the races reveals sabotage and subterfuge, Elizabeth Miles must use every ounce of her craftiness to even the score in this all-new Counterfeit Lady novel from USA Today bestselling author Victoria Thompson.

Wealthy but uncouth Sebastian Nolan has invited his lawyer, Gideon Bates, and his lovely new wife, Elizabeth, to attend the famous Belmont Stakes. Nolan is anxious for Gideon and Elizabeth to help his daughter, Irene, acquire a bit of polish, now that his venture into thoroughbred racing has allowed them entry into society. He is also hoping to find her a rich potential suitor. Elizabeth is not exactly the society girl Nolan believes her to be, but she is eager to attend the races. Her con artist family has made a lot of money at racetracks, although not from betting on the horses, and she enjoys the excitement of the track.

Irene Nolan seems more interested in horses than husbands, and she jumps at the chance to show Elizabeth her horse, Trench, and introduce her to his rider, Cal Regan. Elizabeth soon realizes there is more than just a working relationship between Irene and Cal. But she also knows that Irene’s father would never allow his only daughter to marry a jockey. When Cal takes a terrible tumble injuring both himself and Irene’s beloved Trench, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the mishap was not simply bad luck—the horse and rider are victims of sabotage.

It turns out that Sebastian Nolan has more than a few skeletons in his closet and someone is out to get their long sought-after revenge. Elizabeth knows that to help Irene and Cal, she is going to need some help in creating the quintessential con. With the ever honest Gideon at her side, she enlists those closest to her to come up with a scheme that will either ensure young Irene and Cal a first-place finish or have disastrous consequence....

My Thoughts: City of Fortune was an excellent addition to the Counterfeit Lady series. I loved the 1919 setting and the information about both horse racing and Womens' rights that were woven into the story.

Elizabeth Bates and her husband Gideon have been invited to the Belmont Stakes by Sebastian Nolan who is one on Gideon's clients. Elizabeth meets Nolan's daughter Irene who is extremely knowledgeable about horse racing and who happens to be in love with her father's jockey. 

When chicanery happens which injures both horse and jockey, Elizabeth decides to run a con on Nolan to make things right for the young couple. 

Luckily, she isn't the only one with a con in mind. Her father has arrived at the races with a woman who looks amazingly like Irene's mother and Nolan's first love. Only Irene's mother died in childbirth which created a bitter rivalry between Nolan and Daniel Livingston who was engaged to Irene's mother before Nolan swept her away. 

Since the look-alike is also a con woman, it isn't hard to enlist her help in running a con on both Nolan and Livingston and a good part of the unsavory elements of New York Society too. 

This story was a lot of fun to read. I loved the twists and turns and plots.

Favorite Quote:
Gideon knew he had crossed some invisible line he never even knew existed when he realized he'd agreed to invite a female con artist to dine with is mother. How had this happened? And the worst part was, his mother was thrilled.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca

Well Traveled

Author:
Jen DeLuca
Publication: Berkley (December 6, 2022)

Description: The Renaissance Faire is on the move, and Lulu and Dex are along for the ride, in the next utterly charming rom-com from Jen DeLuca.

A high-powered attorney from a success-oriented family, Louisa "Lulu" Malone lives to work, and everything seems to be going right, until the day she realizes it’s all wrong. Lulu’s cousin Mitch introduced her to the world of Renaissance Faires, and when she spies one at a time just when she needs an escape, she leaps into the welcoming environment of turkey legs, taverns, and tarot readers. The only drawback? Dex MacLean: a guitarist with a killer smile, the Casanova of the Faire… and her traveling companion for the summer.

Dex has never had to work for much in his life, and why should he? Touring with his brothers as The Dueling Kilts is going great, and he always finds a woman at every Faire. But when Lulu proves indifferent to his many plaid charms and a shake-up threatens the fate of the band, Dex must confront something he never has before: his future.

Forced to spend days and nights together on the road, Lulu’s interest in the kilted bad boy grows as he shows her a side of himself no one else has seen. The stresses of her old lifestyle fade away as she learns to trust her intuition and follow her heart instead of her head. But when her time on the road is over, will Lulu go with her gut, or are she and Dex destined for separate paths?

My Thoughts: This engaging contemporary romance stars lawyer Louisa "Lulu" Malone and Dex MacLean. 

Louisa has been working very hard to fulfill her parents' expectations for her. Seventy hours a week isn't enough to secure her a partnership in the law firm where she works. She finally realizes this while taking an afternoon off by visiting a Renaissance Fair and her phone keeps beeping with messages demanding results she can't deliver. 

A phone call from her demanding boss is the final straw. She quits her job and throws her phone into the Laundry Wenches washtub. 

Luckily, she is welcomed into the world of Renaissance Fairs and soon becomes part of the Dueling Kilts company. The lead singer is Dex MacLean who is the Casanova of all the fairs his group visits. Lulu is attracted but also determined not to become one of his conquests. 

Dex has been happy with his life. Traveling from fair to fair with his brother and cousins, playing his guitar, and loving all the ladies has been enough for him - until he meets Lulu who isn't immediately felled by his charms.

As they travel together for the summer, the pair become closer and fall in love. But fall looks to bring their separation. Lulu wants to work as a lawyer - though not for the huge, soul-destroying company where she worked before - and Dex wants to stay with the fairs and play his music. It looks like sorrow for the both of them until they find a compromise.

This story had a great setting and great characters. This is the fourth book in the series that began with Well Met (2019). It stands alone quite well, but characters from earlier stories do appear in this one. 

Favorite Quote:
"Sit." It may not have been Attorney Voice, but Sasha could sound commanding when she wanted to. I sat like a well-trained puppy, my butt slamming into the seat.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Monday, November 28, 2022

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (November 28, 2022)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

I had a nice quiet week. Thanksgiving dinner went well with everything ending up cooked at the same time which is sort of unusual for us. There's usually one part of the dinner that ends up ready too early or that we need to delay dinner for until it finally cooks. This year we used a digital thermometer on the turkey breast which let us know what temperature it had reached so that we could start the potatoes, gravy, stuffing and asparagus appropriately. We kept things simpler than most years by not preparing sweet potatoes or a green bean casserole. We had sweet potatoes when we did the turkey leftovers on Saturday and I'm okay with never having green bean casserole.

I did lots of reading and listening this week. I decided to listen to Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega series again. I am reminded as I listen how much I enjoy urban fantasy. This week I'll be reading the next in the Kris Longknife series and the next in the Susan Mallery Fool's Gold series before resuming my review books. I'm also expecting the latest in Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra to download to my Kindle on Tuesday and have left a spot on my December calendar for it. 

My brother told me on his way to work this morning that a Winter Storm Watch is predicted for Tuesday. I have an appointment for a blood draw, and he has a haircut scheduled. I hope we can both keep our appointments. 

I'll also be working on my State of the Stack post this week since it is nearing the end of November. Seems to me I've both read and received a number of review books this month.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)
  • A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones (Review; December 6) -- This is the third book in the Sunshine Vicram thriller series. I loved the way the author combined LOL humor and nail-biting suspense. My review will be posted on December 3.
  • Winter's End by Paige Shelton (Review; December 6) -- This is the fourth in the Alaska Wild thriller series. I enjoyed the setting and the characters and thought the mystery was well-plotted too. My review will be posted on December 6.
  • The Penguin Who Knew Too Much by Donna Andrews (Mine; Chirp Audiobook) -- This humorous mystery is the 8th in the Meg Langslow series and combines a body in the basement with a closing zoo with the animals coming to Meg and Michael's new house. My review will be posted on December 22.
  • From Every Storm by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (Mine) -- This latest chapbook contains three novellas. Two have been previously published but not widely distributed and the other is new for this book. All the stories were intriguing and entertaining. I reviewed it on Amazon, LibraryThing and Goodreads.
  • Sharp Edges by Jayne Ann Krentz (BookBub; $1.99) -- This is a reread of a book by a favorite author that I likely first read 20+ years ago. The story stands up well and has great dialog and characters. My review will be posted on December 7.
  • Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs (Audiobook Reread) -- I reviewed this one here.
Currently
Next Week
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:
Bought:
What was your week like?

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Book Review: Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis

Rescue My Heart

Author:
Jill Shalvis
Series: Animal Magnetism Book 3
Publication: Berkley (November 6, 2012)

Description: A man and woman with a complicated past find a second chance at romance in this Animal Magnetism novel from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.

After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.

Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, Adam is the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.

For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time.

My Thoughts: This was an engaging and entertaining second-chance-at-love romance.

Holly fell in love with Adam when she was eighteen. They had a close relationship until he decided to leave her. He joined the Army, learned who he was, and became a disciplined person. Adam had grown up in foster care after his father's death and his mother's retreat to the Reservation. He has always felt unworthy and unwanted.

After serving in Afghanistan and coming home with PTSD and guilt for surviving when the rest of his squad did not, Adam is trying to rebuild his life as a trainer of search and rescue dogs. He also has classes doing general dog training.

Holly ran away to New York City after Adam left town and threw herself into a marriage with one of her college professors. She didn't pick well. Her husband was a womanizer and a jerk. In order to save her own pride, she didn't mention to her father or brother that she's divorced him.

Now she's back home working for her dad. She's a strong, independent woman who has never gotten over her love for Adam. This time she isn't going to let him run the show. She knows what she wants and will do everything to get it.

I loved the relationship between Holly and Adam. I also loved the dogs that were part of his life. He has a great relationship with his brothers who are both ready to call him to account as he tries to sabotage his own life. 

Favorite Quote:
He toed the jacket. "You don't need this -- you've already drawn the line in the sand. I think I can control myself." He was ninety-nine percent sure.

Okay, seventy-five. 
I bought this one November 6, 2012. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, November 25, 2022

Friday Memes: Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis

 Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Rose City ReaderThe Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:
There was a fine line between being exhausted and being comatose, and Adam Connelly had just about found it.
Friday 56:
Holly couldn't imagine the strength it took to go through something like that and survive, but she knew one thing. Adam had it. In spades.
This week I am spotlighting a book that has been languishing on my TBR mountain since November 6, 2012. Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis is the third book in her Animal Magnetism contemporary romance series.

Here is the description from Amazon:
A man and woman with a complicated past find a second chance at romance in this Animal Magnetism novel from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.

After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.

Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, Adam is the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.

For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time.

Thursday, November 24, 2022

ARC Review: Murder on the Class Trip by Lee Hollis

Murder on the Class Trip

Author:
Lee Hollis
Series: A Maya and Sandra Mystery (Book 3)
Publication: Kensington Cozies (November 29, 2022)

Description: In the new installment from veteran Hollywood screenwriter Lee Hollis, friends, moms, and P.I. partners Maya and Sandra have left their hometown of Portland, Maine, on a school trip to Washington, D.C.—where a killer has just added murder to the itinerary. . .

Drafted as chaperones, Maya Kendrick and PTA president Sandra Wallage are accompanying the SoPo High seniors to the nation’s capital—much to the embarrassment of Maya’s daughter Vanessa and Sandra’s son Ryan. Now both moms are about to find out which is harder—shepherding unruly high schoolers or solving a murder. The last sight they expected to see on this trip is a female intern who works for Sandra’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, Senator Stephen Wallage, in a fatally compromising position.

Desperate to avoid scandal, Stephen begs Maya and Sandra to solve the case. But their FBI counterparts—tough-as-nails agents Markey and Rhodes—are far less enthusiastic about the meddling of two “amateurs.” With suspects ranging from senators to students to stalkers, Maya and Sandra must follow a twisty trail of clues so they can catch a killer and survive to make the return trip . . .

My Thoughts: This is the third Maya and Sandra mystery and the first in the series that I have read. Maya Kendrick was a former police officer who is now a private investigator in Maine. Sandra Wallage is the soon-to-be ex-wife of one of Maine's US Senators and her partner.

After being guilted into taking part as chaperones to their children's senior class trip to Washington DC, they find themselves trying to solve the murder of one of Sandra's husband's staffers. Despite loud and frequent claims by a rival in the Senate, Senator Stephen Wallage has an airtight alibi. He was on the Senate floor when the murder happened, but the rest of his staff is still under suspicion.

Between dealing with an anal head chaperone who is obsessed with counting her charges and a fellow chaperone with a major crush on Sandra, Maya and Sandra still find time to investigate. I liked the insider's look at the Senate that Sandra has. I liked the way the two women leaned on each other's strengths in this investigation. 

I liked that both women were having husband problems. Maya's has just been released from prison. He's an ex-cop who was convicted of corruption. Now, he's determined to rebuild his relationship with his wife and his daughter and rebuild his life too. Sandra's almost ex was a serial cheater who would like to resume his relationship with her. 

This was an entertaining story.

Favorite Quote:
...a propensity for wearing stupid T-shirts that said things like "Math - the Only Place Where People buy 73 Oranges and No One Wonders Why?
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

ARC Review: One Last Chance by Kat Martin

One Last Chance

Author:
Kat Martin
Series: Blood Ties, The Logans (Book 3)
Publication: Kensington (November 29, 2022)

Description: New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin mixes high-octane adventure with sizzling romance for an explosive thriller featuring a dangerous cult, an ex Green Beret, and a female private investigator who will stop at nothing to rescue her missing sister and unmask the high-stakes conspiracy at the heart of the Children of the Sun…

Former Green Beret Edge Logan has made a new life for himself at Nighthawk Security in Denver, using his finely honed skills to neutralize threats of all kinds. When he overhears friend and fellow agent Skye Delaney discussing a new case involving her missing sister and a mysterious cult, he offers himself as backup. With her own military background, Skye is gutsy and more than capable, but a cult like Children of the Sun is too risky for anyone to investigate alone.

Skye is grateful for Edge’s experience, even though she is aware of the attraction simmering between them. Her battle scars make her reluctant to get involved with anyone, much less a coworker—even a warrior like Edge. But infiltrating the cult’s compound is more complicated than expected—and something much more sinister than worship is clearly going on behind its walls. As the pair works against the clock to unearth high-stakes secrets, the personal barriers between them begin to crumble. Together, can they unmask the face of evil before their time runs out?

My Thoughts: This romantic suspense title is the third in the Logans series. We met youngest brother Edge in the previous book. Edge was forced to resign from the Army and is determined to clear his name, bring his crooked superior officer to justice, and resume his career as a Green Beret. While attempting to do this, he is working for Nighthawk Security in Denver. 

Skye Delaney also works for Nighthawk Security. She's also former Army, but her career was ended when she encountered an IED which hurt her left leg and left her with disfiguring scars. 

Edge and Skye are attracted to each other, but both have reasons not to pursue a relationship. Edge is on his way to somewhere else, and Skye is very sensitive about her scars which, she feels, already cost her a fiancé. But events are such that they are thrown together and can't fight their attraction.

When Skye's stepmother calls her and asks her to check on her younger stepsister Callie, she and Edge head to the Children of the Sun compound to look into things. This very cult-like compound concerns them both. When they are refused entry and can't communicate with Skye's sister, they send in a drone which shows some suspicious activity. With an uninterested sheriff, they decide to rescue Callie on their own. 

They get Callie out but not her good friend Lila. A failed drug raid sends the villain's fleeing, taking Callie's friend Lila with them. A promise to Callie keeps Nighthawk Security and especially Edge and Skye searching for the cult leader and his followers.

The story was a fast-paced and exciting one. From a cult compound to the glitter of Las Vegas drug deals to intercepting an illegal arms shipment in Mexico, there is a lot of action. It also had a nice amount of spicy romance. The characters were well-developed and interesting people. I enjoyed it.

Favorite Quote:
Edge flicked her a sideways glance. "One room or two. Like I said -- it's your call."
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Audiobook Review: Harbinger by Wen Spencer

Harbinger

Author:
Wen Spencer
Narrator: Tanya Eby
Series: Elfhome (Book 5)
Publication: Audible Studios (October 18, 2022)
Length: 15 hours and 29 minutes

Description: The long-awaited new entry in Wen Spencer’s popular Tinker series.

The war against the oni heats to a flashpoint even as Tinker learns that the enemy has a dangerous new weapon, the nactka. What’s more, the Stone Clan has sent its most famous warlords, the Harbingers, to take control of the allied war effort. Are these elves friends or foes? Tinker’s newfound baby siblings are up for grabs. The babies, though, are wood sprites and aren’t going to take things lying down. Team Mischief go!

My Thoughts: This audiobook is filled with the preparations for battle with the oni and an enemy who has been waiting for his chance at revenge for thousands of years. 

We get a chance to catch up with most of the players from the earlier books in the Elfhome series including both Tinker and Oilcan, Law, Jane, Tommy, Olivia, and Wolf Who Rules as they are all in various locations preparing for battle with the enemy. Not to mention Tinker's nine-year-old twin sisters and the four siblings who are yet to be born but have been taught to dream walk by the dragon Joy. 

I like the way all of the various plot threads are wound together as each group is doing their own thing to keep Pittsburgh out of the hands of the oni. 

My only complaint is that the story ends on a cliffhanger leaving the fates of most of the characters unresolved. 

I bought this one using and Audible Credit. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox

Through the Liquor Glass

Author:
Sarah Fox
Series: A Literary Pub Mystery (Book 5)
Publication: Kensington Cozies (November 29, 2022)

Description: Fall is in full swing in the picturesque New England town of Shady Creek, Vermont, and Sadie Coleman, owner of the literary-themed Inkwell pub, is serving up delicious food and drinks with a side of sleuthing in the latest Literary Pub Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox…

Autumn brings a wonderland of color and atmosphere to Vermont. As the last leaves fall from the trees, the town is gearing up for a new festival: A Taste of Shady Creek. Pub proprietor Sadie Coleman is looking forward to visitors coming to sample her literary-themed cocktails. She’s a little more wary about her mother’s impending first visit. What if her mom doesn’t like Sadie’s adopted town—or her new boyfriend, Grayson Blake?

Those concerns are overshadowed when a food critic is found dead at Grayson’s craft brewery, pinned under a barrel. Curiouser and curiouser—the victim is linked to Grayson’s past as a private investigator, and all the evidence points to him as the killer. While Grayson lays low, Sadie starts some investigating of her own, diving down a rabbit hole of suspects. Was it a bad review that made the killer mad as a hatter? Or are there other motives at play?

In between serving Kiss of the Cider Woman cocktails and book-minded bites to festival goers, Sadie is striving to clear Grayson’s name. But it’ll take more than a dash of ingenuity to prevent the festival from fizzing out completely—and stop a killer from downing another innocent life . . .

My Thoughts: The fifth book in the Literary Pub mysteries has Sadie Coleman busy preparing for a food and drink festival and preparing for her mother's first visit to her new home in New England and introducing her to her boyfriend Grayson. 

When one of the food critics who is in town for the festival is found dead in Grayson's brewery, Sadie finds herself needing to solve a new mystery. After all, Grayson had a history with the victim and police are looking at him as the number one suspect. When Grayson goes into hiding so that he can continue his investigations into who might have murdered the woman, Sadie is left to conduct her own investigation. 

There are lots of possible suspects because the victim made a habit of alienating people. From a fellow food critic to a man who lost his restaurant after her bad review to a young woman who gave up a possible writing career after receiving a critique from the victim, Sadie has lots of possibilities. 

I had a couple of problems with the story. Despite having solved four previous cases, Sadie seems particularly clueless. Her desire to find her boyfriend even though it might lead the police to him seems really odd. She didn't need to see but just wanted to. She also takes some chances when she decides to search one of her suspects' rooms and her heavy-handed interview techniques weren't very effective.

Fans of cozies on the more unrealistic end of the spectrum, or those who have read earlier books in this series, would seem the best audience for this title.  

Favorite Quote:
Nick took a moment to consider his words. "She was a determined and tenacious woman. She'll be sorely missed by everyone who knew her." He stared down into his mug of coffee with a somber expression.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Monday, November 21, 2022

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (November 21, 2022)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

I just realized yesterday that Thanksgiving is this week. It really tried to sneak up on me. However, the turkey breast is in the refrigerator to thaw, and the rest of the meal is planned. It is just my brother and me so there really isn't that much to do. He has both Wednesday and Thursday off this week before he begins work at 6:45 AM on Black Friday. He's already moaning about having to get up at 4:30 AM to get ready. I'm not too sympathetic since he's the one who told them he was willing to work any hours the store is open.

I had a really good reading and listening week. I have just one December 6 review book left on my stack to read and then a gap before I need to begin reading those releasing on December 27. I slotted in the next book in several series that I'm reading right now. I had set a tentative goal of finishing one of these series this year but will fall short. I'm closest to finishing the Fool's Gold series but still have 7 book and some novellas to read in this 21-book series. 

Now that the baseball season is over, I find that I have more time to read and listen - especially listen. I try to listen to and review two audiobooks a week. Sometimes, like now, I have audiobook reviews scheduled quite a way in advance of my print books. This week I need to try to concentrate on print books to try to balance my calendar. I have reviews scheduled until December 1 and audiobook reviews scheduled until December 15.

With snow on the ground and very cold weather, it is a perfect time to bundle up and read. That's my plan for this coming week.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)
  • Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca (Review; December 6) -- Entertaining contemporary romance. My review will be posted on November 29.
  • Summit Lake by Charlie Donlea (Kindle & Audiobook) -- Excellent thriller told from two perspectives - the murder victim and the PI who is hired to solve the case. My review will be posted on December 8.
  • What Meets the Eye by Alex Kenna (Review; December 6) -- Excellent contemporary thriller told from multiple perspectives. My review will be posted on November 30.
  • City of Fortune by Victoria Thompson (Review; December 6) -- Very nice historical mystery/heist story. Sixth in a series but stands alone very well. My review will be posted on November 29.
  • Bone Canyon by Lee Goldberg (Kindle & audiobook) -- The second in the Eve Ronin series was an excellent audiobook. Lots of action. My review will be posted on December 13.
  • Death in the Margins by Victoria Gilbert (Review; December 6) -- This is the seventh book in the series and was a great story. I enjoy the characters. My review will be posted on December 1.
  • Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (Kindle since 10/31/2009; audiobook since this July) -- This is the first in the Toby Daye urban fantasy series. I really like it, but I don't have any more of this 16-book series on TBR mountain and want to finish some series before starting another. My review will be posted on December 15.
Currently
  • A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones (Review; December 6) -- I'm loving this one so much that I've preordered the Kindle and Audible.
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Saturday, November 19, 2022

Book Review: Sudden Death by David Rosefelt

Sudden Death

Author:
David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter Book 4
Publication: Grand Central Publishing (June 26, 2009)

Description: Following the success of Bury the Lead, David Rosenfelt delivers a "wise cracking legal thriller" featuring Defense Attorney Andy Carpenter (Publishers Weekly).

Kenny Schilling is the new star running back for the New York Giants. Troy Preston was a wide receiver for the Jets, until his recent murder. Could rivalry have turned Kenny Schilling into a cold-blooded killer? The police say yes. And now the football hero needs a good lawyer--quick. Still basking in the glow of his last successful case, Andy Carpenter is called to defend Kenny's innocence. Then it's revealed that Troy wasn't the only murdered player Kenny was in contact with. Now, amid a collapsing personal life and death threats from a drug king--who may or may not have a hand in things--Andy must keep his eye on the ball during what could become the media trial of the century.

My Thoughts: In this fourth Andy Carpenter mystery, Andy is hired to defend Kenny Schilling who is the new star running back for the New York Giants. He is accused of murdering Troy Preston who is another player for the Giants. 

Things don't start off well for Andy or for Kenny. They meet when Kenny is holding off the police from entering his home where Preston's body is found stuffed in a closet. 

As Andy and his team investigate, they learn that Preston was not only using drugs but selling them. In order to prove reasonable doubt, Andy explores the possibility that Preston was killed by a local drug dealer which angers the dealer enough to put a hit out on Andy requiring him to seek protection from Marcus and his dog rescue partner Willie. 

But Preston's death is not the only one with a possible link to Kenny. He was in Wisconsin at a hunting party composed of fellow football players when one of the players died in an accidental shooting. As a young man named Adam who came to New Jersey to write a potential movie script about Andy's role in Willie Miller's successful trial begins helping Andy investigate this case, he soon learns that that wasn't the only death that happened near Kenny. And when Adam is murdered in Andy's office the first thought is that he was killed by the drug dealer in a case of mistaken identity. But the fact that his notes were stolen leads to a different conclusion.

Is Andy defending a possible serial killer?

And, while all of this is going on, Andy is dealing with personal life difficulties. His girlfriend Laurie has an opportunity to move back to her hometown in Wisconsin and get back into law enforcement. She spends the whole book making up her mind about what she wants for her future. 

This was another excellent episode in the Andy Carpenter series. 

Favorite Quote:
I go downstairs to pay Sofia Hernandez, the owner of the fruit stand, enough money to take care of the damage and aggravation. She's amazingly calm about it, as if thugs falling from the sky are an unfortunate but expected part of doing business.
I bought this one September 7, 2022. You can buy your copy here.