Thursday, July 18, 2013

High Summer Read-a-Thon, July 22 - 28



I have signed up for the High Summer Read-a-Thon, hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict.  Will you join me?  

From Michelle's website:  I hope you will join me for the week of July 22. We will start on Monday, 7/22 at 12:00am CST and finish on Sunday, 7/28 at 11:59pm CST (adjust times according to your time zone). Read what you like during the week. I've decided it's not about quantity, but quality (although those who rock the quantity...I salute you!). So, if you have kids and want to read children's books, go for it! As always, this is a week long read-a-thon, but you can join in and read whenever it's convenient for you. It's all about being laid back and getting some reading done.
 You do not have to have a blog. You can sign up using your Goodreads, Twitter, or Facebook accounts.
If you are planning on joining me (I hope so), please sign up in the linky here

Cat Thursday (July 18), Cats in Christmas Trees!



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s).   Share your post in the Mr. Linky at The True Book Addict, hosted by Michelle.  It's all for the love of cats!  Enjoy!

The next two weeks will be dedicated to Christmas in July kitties. This week the theme is ....

Cats in Christmas trees!










This cat reminds me of my Maxie.  We've been fortunate that she has never attempted to scale our Christmas tree, nor did Humphrey, our visitor over the holidays.


What about you?  Have you had Christmas tree disasters caused by your cat?   








Wednesday, July 17, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday (July 17), The Iggy Chronicles



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that readers are eagerly anticipating.



This week, my pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


The Iggy Chronicles, Volume One: 

A Chet and Bernie Mystery eShort Story

by Spencer Quinn



SERIES SYNOPSIS:

Meet Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of the Chet & Bernie Mystery Series, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. Chet might have flunked out of police school (“I’d been the best leaper in K-9 class, which had led to all the trouble in a way I couldn’t remember exactly, although blood was involved”), but he’s a detective through and through.

Readers will be instantly captivated by Chet’s doggy ways and his endearingly hard-boiled voice. Full of heart and occasionally prone to mischief, he is intensely loyal to Bernie, who, though distracted by issues that Chet has difficulty understanding—like divorce, cash flow, and child custody—is enormously likable himself, in his flawed, all-too-human way. There’s genuine suspense and intrigue, combined with humor and deep insight into the bond between dog and man. From a dog’s-eye perspective, crime has never been so much fun.



I couldn't find a blurb about The Iggy Chronicles, so instead, I give you three author interviews about the book, from the blog on ChetTheDog.com:


“Last summer we had A Cat Was Involved,” Admin says. “I hear there’s another e-story in the works for this summer.”
“I hear the same thing,” says Spence.
“Do we have a title?”
“Two possibilities at the moment.”
“Yes?”
“Iggy in the Wind is one. The other is The Iggy Chronicles, Volume 1.”
“I gather the subject matter concerns Iggy.”
“Say no more.”

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“I understand there’s a new e-short story coming in August,” Admin says.
“The Iggy Chronicles, Volume 1,” says Spence.
“I’m assuming that Iggy, Chet’s best pal but a virtual prisoner in the Parsons’s house for just about the whole series, gets loose at last?”
“I’m not authorized to reveal any details.”
“Huh? Authorized by whom?”
“The IRS now has an Authorizing Division that governs the actions of authors. The accountant says not to upset them.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Admin: Is it true that Iggy is in fact the hero of this new e-story?
Spence: I really don’t want to give too much away.
Admin: But supposing, for the sake of argument, that Iggy does turn out to be the hero. I’m wondering how Chet might take that.
Spence: I really don’t want to give too much away.
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 THE IGGY CHRONICLES, the ebook short story, goes on sale August 13th.


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Teaser Tuesday (July 16), Too Much Blood



Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!




Too Much Blood, by Jane Bennett Munro


The synopsis (from Goodreads):

It is the middle of the night when pathologist Toni Day receives a call from the coroner informing her that the notoriously sleazy local attorney, Jay Braithwaite Burke, has just been found dead in his Mercedes in the middle of a snowy interstate. Unfortunately, everyone at Perrine Memorial Hospital where Toni works knows Burke. Over the years, he managed to talk nearly the entire medical staff into investing into his hedge fund. After it was revealed they had all foolishly invested in a Ponzi scheme, the feds moved in and he disappeared. Now, two months later, Toni is about to perform his autopsy.

It is no secret around town that many might have wished the attorney dead, including Toni and her husband, Hal. As she delves into Burke's autopsy, Toni already knows they have few clues to go on; when she learns the man bled to death, she suspects it was a homicide. To complicate matters further, Burke's partner also dies in suspicious circumstances, and Burke's widow and children are left homeless by a series of house fires. With a brutal schedule and doubts about her husband's faithfulness, Toni's life is already complex enough.

But when a mysterious illness casts a bloody pall over the holiday season, Toni must rely on her pathological expertise to unmask a killer and rescue herself and everyone she loves from a bloody death.



The teaser (page 136):

"Okay," I said.  "And we don't want to run into somebody we know because ...?"
"Because we don't want anyone to think we're having an affair."
"And we don't want to do that, do we?" I said.  "Because we're just two friends having lunch and talking about murder."  



Monday, July 15, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 15)




This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  
The participants post the books read in the past week, the current reads and the planned upcoming reads, and often find books to add to never-ending TBR lists.



I am reading Too Much Blood, by Jane Bennett Munro.


Too Much Blood, by Jane Bennett Munro
Synopsis (from Goodreads):

It is the middle of the night when pathologist Toni Day receives a call from the coroner informing her that the notoriously sleazy local attorney, Jay Braithwaite Burke, has just been found dead in his Mercedes in the middle of a snowy interstate. Unfortunately, everyone at Perrine Memorial Hospital where Toni works knows Burke. Over the years, he managed to talk nearly the entire medical staff into investing into his hedge fund. After it was revealed they had all foolishly invested in a Ponzi scheme, the feds moved in and he disappeared. Now, two months later, Toni is about to perform his autopsy.

It is no secret around town that many might have wished the attorney dead, including Toni and her husband, Hal. As she delves into Burke's autopsy, Toni already knows they have few clues to go on; when she learns the man bled to death, she suspects it was a homicide. To complicate matters further, Burke's partner also dies in suspicious circumstances, and Burke's widow and children are left homeless by a series of house fires. With a brutal schedule and doubts about her husband's faithfulness, Toni's life is already complex enough.

But when a mysterious illness casts a bloody pall over the holiday season, Toni must rely on her pathological expertise to unmask a killer and rescue herself and everyone she loves from a bloody death.




The books I will read next are for Blog Tours I am hosting in August:

Poisoned Waters, by Ermisenda Alvarez

Poisoned Waters, by Ermisenda Alvarez
Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Bloody mistakes, ugly scars, and beautiful lies. A tale of corruption.

Helen Gardener is murdered on a trans-Atlantic cruise. The Diamond Royale sails from Southampton to New York with her murderer aboard. Set in the 1950s, Poisoned Waters follows the stories of seven unfortunate characters and how they are affected by her death. Was it merely an accident? Mr Phillips, the owner of the ship, and sponsor of the cruise, rules with an iron fist, in search of something or someone.

Lies spiral out of control as the suspects try to survive the final days on board. Conflicted by their sense of morals, greed, and lust, they realise what kind of people they really are. Who will rise? Who will fall? Who was Helen's murderer?


 

and Private Spies, by PJ Nunn


Private Spies, by PJ Nunn

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

When Jesse Morgan’s boss and best friend died, she inherited Private Spies, a private investigation firm that specializes in missing persons. Unfortunately, she knew little about the business aside from her intensive work on the computer. But if Joey thought she could handle it, she felt obligated to at least give it a try. How hard could it be, right? 

So Jesse took on her first case. Very straightforward. This guy is missing, find him. Oh but wait, he also kidnapped his own daughter. Find her too. Still not that hard. Except when she ran his report, the picture she found on his drivers license is of another guy. And when she found a guy who matched the first picture, he had another name. And when she found a girl that looked like the daughter, she didn’t match anything. Not good.

Enter a retired police officer named Byron (really?) who says before Joey died, he hired him to work for them. Ok. This might be helpful. But then came a stalker, and a dead guy, a dead duck and an increasing list of incidents that all seem confusing to Jesse. Up to her eyeballs in threats and questions, Jesse’s outraged when the woman who hired her decides to fire her. Unbelievable! Unable to stop at that point, Jesse is determined to find the guy and solve the case. If only it was as easy as it sounded.




I added these eBooks to my "shelves" in the last week:






































Other People's Baggage, by Kendel Lynn, Gigi Pandian, and Diane Vallere




















Well, that's it for my Book Week.  What about you? 

What did you read last week?  

What are you reading this week? 

What did you add to your shelves? 






Thursday, July 11, 2013

Cat Thursday, July 11




Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s).   Share your post in the Mr. Linky at The True Book Addict, hosted by Michelle.  It's all for the love of cats!  Enjoy!







Bags are fun!!


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMMENTS from GOOGLE+


Anna Cade

1 day ago (edited)  -  Shared publicly
Aw that last one is so cute!

~Anna
http://www.herdingcats-burningsoup.com
 · 
Reply

Thanks! and thanks for hopping in!
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday (July 10), Artifact


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that readers are eagerly anticipating.



This week, my pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


Artifact, by Gigi Pandian

From the author's website:

Henery Press has acquired the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series! Artifact will be re-released August 6, 2013.

Historian Jaya Jones discovers the secrets of a lost Indian treasure may be hidden in a Scottish legend from the days of the British Raj. But she’s not the only one on the trail…
From San Francisco to London to the Highlands of Scotland, Jaya must evade a shadowy stalker as she follows hints from the hastily scrawled note of her dead lover to a remote archaeological dig. Helping her decipher the cryptic clues are her magician best friend, a devastatingly handsome art historian with something to hide, and a charming archaeologist running for his life.

Gigi Pandian's writing in Artifact has been favorably compared to that of Agatha Christie and Elizabeth Peters. Her character Jaya Jones is said to be reminiscent of Peter's Vicky Bliss.


The Vicky Bliss series is one of my favorites!  I am so looking forward to reading this book, based on the glowing recommendations and comparisons here.



Monday, July 8, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (July 8)



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  
The participants post the books read in the past week, the current reads and the planned upcoming reads, and often find books to add to never-ending TBR lists.

Last week, I read and reviewed two books.



Cedar Hollow, by Tracey Smith



Cause of Death, by Renee Benzaim



I am currently reading Emerald Isle by Barbra Annino.


Emerald Isle, by Barbra Annino


Next, I will read Poisoned Waters by  Ermisenda Alvarez, and Too Much Blood, by Jane Bennett Munro.


Poisoned Waters, by Ermisenda Alvarez


Too Much Blood, by Jane Bennett Munro



Well, that's it for my Book Week.  What about you? 

What did you read last week?  

What are you reading this week? 




Sunday, July 7, 2013

Cedar Hollow, by Tracey Smith

Cedar Hollow
Cedar Hollow, by Tracey Smith


Cedar Hollow is the first Romantic Suspense book by Tracey Smith, author of the Love Trilogy. Tracey already had the romance writing down, and she has nailed the suspense aspect with her initial endeavor in this genre.


From Goodreads:

Cassidy St. Claire still wasn't sure what she'd been hoping to find when she began the search for her birth parents, but all she’d uncovered was a bunch of death certificates and one ailing great-uncle who’d finally kicked the bucket last week. Since Cassidy is the last surviving member of the family that means his estate, a small seaside bed and breakfast in New Hampshire, has been left to her. An odd stipulation in his Will requires that she appear in person to inherit the property. Cassidy isn't very hopeful that this weekend trip will lead to anything more than a momentary distraction from her busy life, and an excuse to take her convertible for a long drive up the coast.

She certainly isn't prepared for Mr. Tall Handsome and Brooding; Ben Riley has been running the bed and breakfast for the last several years, and he is definitely less than welcoming. His instant dislike for her is staggering, but his penetrating green eyes burn with a dangerous mixture of hostility and attraction.

Within days of her arrival an attempt is made on her life and then another. Suddenly Cassidy finds herself trying to unravel the mysteries of the past, while outrunning the dangers of the present and finally turning to the strong, protective arms of Ben Riley and a future she'd never imagined.



The author's writing style is easy to follow. The story-line is fast-paced, as a good suspense novel should be. I didn't want to put it down – but I had to. Couldn't pull an all-nighter, because I had to work the next day.

Part of the suspense and intrigue is due to the periodic narratives by “The Chosen One”, a mysterious avenger whose time of reckoning has come, to right the wrongs, and let no one stand in the way. The first such narrative is at the end of Chapter One, so right away the reader is drawn in to the mystery. As I was reading, I correctly suspected a certain character as being “The Chosen One,” but this didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.

There are also gothic elements that increase the suspense in the book. Cassidy feels a sensation of coldness whenever she walks near the foot of the 3rd floor staircase. The unused rooms on the 1st floor are kept ominously dark. Even though Cassidy closes her curtains at night, they're open in the morning.

The main characters, Cassidy and Ben, are well written, and are my favorites. At the beginning of the book, Cassidy comes across as a rather cold-hearted workaholic businesswoman, in charge of acquisitions for a resort chain, which means talking people into selling their property to the resort. Ben, who has a chip on his shoulder for an unknown reason, resents her for the job she does. As the story progresses, the reader learns of Cassidy's history, and why Ben felt that way towards her. Learning “the rest of the story” makes both characters more likeable.  

Also as the story progress, several accidents occur, with Cassidy barely escaping serious injury.  During the time when the accidents were occurring, the relationship between Ben and Cassidy evolves – from Ben being barely civil to Cassidy, to Ben being intimate with Cassidy (with three explicit scenes). This romantic suspense is heavy on the romance! The mystery is finally solved, with an exciting climax to the story.

I enjoyed this book very much, and rated it four out of five kitties. It is a pleasing blend of suspense and romance. If you like Harlequin® romances, and the gothic novels of Barbara Michaels, you'll love Cedar Hollow by Tracey Smith!







Note:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, with no expectation of a positive review.