WHAT ARE WE READING & REVIEWING IN MARCH, 2026?

WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO READ IN MARCH...OR IS IT A MYSTERY?

CAROL'S READS FOR MARCH
🍀 -★
MARCH
35/35
M/M ROMANCE
🍀The Truth of Loving You - Heather Leighson - 4.5★ (New York)
🍀The Promise of Together- Jay Hogan - 5+★ (New Zealand)
🍀Broken Wheels - K.C. Wells & Parker Williams - 5★
🍀Work Rules - Jacki James - 5★ (Texas)
🍀Splinter - E. Davies - 4.5★ (Tennessee)
🍀Nailed - K.M. Neuhold -5★
🍀Nuts - S E Jakes -4.5★ (Massachusetts)
🍀Reindeer Games - N.R. Walker -5★ (North Carolina)
🍀Counterblow - Isobel Starling -5★ (England)
🍀Glamours - Romeo Alexander - 4.5★ (Michigan)
🍀Powder Burns - Isobel Starling -5★ (England)
🍀The Rebel Candidate - Isobel Starling -5★ (England)
🍀Digging Deep - Jay Hogan -5★ (New Zealand)
🍀Bait and Switch - Elle Keaton -5★ (Island off the coast of Washington)
🍀Try - Ella Frank -5★ (Illinois)
🍀Hardwood - K.M. Neuhold -5★ (Wisconsin)
🍀Boyfriend Goals - Riley Hart -4.5★(California)
🍀Burn It Down - Julian Wray - 4★ (North Carolina) (18)
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OTHER GENERA
🍀The Seventh Plague - James Rollins -5★ (Group Read) - (Egypt & Sudan)
🍀In the Winter Woods - Isabelle Adler -4★ (Friend #5) (Vermont)
🍀Pretty Girls - Karin Slaughter -4.5★ (Georgia)
🍀What Have We Done - Alex Finley - 5★ (Pennsylvania)
🍀A Stir of Echoes - Richard Matheson - 5★ (Illinois)
🍀Dead Letter Days - Kelly Armstrong - 5★ (Canada, British Columbia)
🍀The Haunting of Blackwych Grange - 5★ Amy Cross (England)
🍀If You See Her - Ania Ahlborn -3.5★ (Michigan)
🍀Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs - ★ (Vietnam, North Carolina, Canada, Hawaii)
🍀Paths of the Dead - Lin Anderson - 4★ (Scotland)
🍀Memorials- Richard Chizmar - 4.5★ (Pennsylvania)
🍀Bless Me Father for YOU Have Sinned - Bruce Lewis - 4.5-★ (Oregon)
🍀Camp Slaughter - Sergio Gomez - 5★ - (Pennsylvania)
🍀A Rip Through Time - Kelly Armstrong - 5★ - (Scotland)
🍀The Neighbors - Ania Ahlborn -4.5★
🍀Deadlock - Tim Curran - 5★ (Michigan)
🍀We Still Live - Sara Dobie Bauer 4.5★ (Ohio) (17)
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Broken Wheels - K.C. Wells & Parker Williams
Series: CrossBow Protection Book #2
Genea: M/M Romance/Security/Protection Organization
5★
Someone wants Dr. Josh "Wheels" Malone dead...and they’ll keep trying until he’s six feet under, which means CrossBow Operations Manager Dixon Meeks has his work cut out for him. Make sure Dr. Malone, "Doc" eats...sleeps...stays alive. Not that he minds this latest assignment. "Doc" has been on his radar for a while, and Dixon will do anything to protect him, especially if it means "Doc" actually notices him. When a second attempt on his life fails, Josh has no choice but to let Gary Cross and Michael Kennedy in on the dirtiest secret project ever. One that could cost thousands of lives. A project he’d believed was dead and buried. But someone has dug it up, and now it’s deadlier than ever. Josh’s brilliant mind is struggling to keep up, and his "To Do" list is growing.
Atone for his past. Find the bad guy. Save the world. And hold onto the man, and the life, that’s come to mean everything to him.
This can be read as a stand-alone book, but as in most series, you really should read the first book to fully understand the various references to events, characters, especially Gary Cross and Michael Kennedy's situation and relationship as well as other events.

Thus far this series is a very well written, intense read, but it does have some gruesome murder details and some steamy romance scenes. That said, it is also totally rewarding. Josh and Dixon's developing relationship does a lot to ease the tension of the events that unfold. Everyone should be so lucky to have someone like Dixon in their lives.

Dixon has been looking out for Josh; aka, Dr. "Wheels" Malone' since he first met him when he started working for CrossBow Protection and its leader. Gary Cross. Josh, however, is so engrossed in his work that he's never noticed until the first attempt on his life makes him see Dixon in a totally different manner and realize what this man has being doing for him ever since they met for the first time. One by one, all the people that Josh worked with on a previous secret government project he though had been shelved, meet with an extremely gruesome end, everyone at CrossBow Protection Agency start to realize just what they are dealing with. Josh finally tells the others about the devastating project he had been working on, and the race begins to find out who is behind the murders and to discover the proof that will put the killer away for a very long time. Additional help comes from an unexpected source, and the race is on to find the detective that has gone missing and who might have some answers to what they are looking for.

This book is a very tense read. There are a lot of side characters which does help evolve the story more. I liked catching up with Gary and Michael from the first book and to see learning how Gary is coping with the injuries and trauma he received in Book #1. It would be extremely beneficial if we all had a guy like Dixon, unforgiving and tough as steel on the outside, but caring and loving on the inside, in our corner. Josh is a very lucky man.

I wasn't entirely sure about the ending, but perhaps the next book will explain it more. I look forward to seeing what these two authors come up with next!. Whatever they write...I will certainly read.

In the Winter Woods - Isabelle Adler - (Vermont) - (March "friend" - Dusty's Treasure Trove)
Genera: Cozy Mystery
4★
Declan Kensington isn’t really in the mood for Christmas. His latest mystery book sales are tanking, his finances are in a dismal state, and his spirits are anything but festive. Perhaps spending the holidays alone at his family lakeside cabin in the small village of Maplewood, Vermont, will provide him much-needed peace and quiet. Then he might finally get to work on a new book and (hopefully) jumpstart his stalling writing career. When he starts receiving anonymous letters threatening him to leave, Declan realizes his solitary writer’s retreat isn’t at all what he bargained for. And if the threats aren’t enough, a killer strikes, casting Declan in the role of the most likely suspect. Now it’s up to him and the handsome local Public Safety Commissioner Curtis Monroe to find out the truth before Declan spends Christmas (and the rest of his life) in jail. But as dead bodies pile up and dark secrets are revealed beneath Maplewood’s picture-perfect facade, Declan’s heart may yet be in more danger than his life,

The story is set in a "Hallmark Christmas" style village of Maplewood, Vermont, but you will diffidently not find it to be a sweet holiday romance. The only thing you’ll find remotely "cozy" about this book is the fire burning in the hearth, and the spirit of the mystery that plagues the town when Declan Kensington’s return to his family’s cabin for what he’s calling "a writing retreat". It isn't long before we find out that he has to leave New York City mainly because of his quickly dwindling finances. The sales of his latest book in his once bestselling Murder Mystery series are dismal and getting worse each day. If that wasn't depressing enough, he now also has a dismal case of writer’s block. If he doesn't come up with some inspiration soon, his career as an author will disappear quicker than his bank balance is.

Declan's new book is supposed to be a murder mystery that centers around a murder mystery, but he soon, unintentionally, becomes involved in a "real-life" murder mystery. When it looks like Declan is the prime suspect in the violent death of his hostile neighbor, and since the murder happened on the night that he arrived at the cabin...the very same cabin that he hasn't visited in twenty years. He's determined to see that a thorough investigation is taken place rather than the police just trying to pin the murder him...the easy target. However, Declan needs to figure out who’s writing and leaving him threatening notes, and why. A little more "amateur sleuthing" on Declan’s part, takes place. Unfortunately, Declan is not as good at sleuthing as the detective he writes about is.

I usually don't care much for "Cozies" and try to avoid them, but this one seemed a bit different than others that I've tried. The setting was perfect and there was even a budding romance happening between Declan and a "friend"... Curtis. This isn't at all, just a sweet holiday romance...but there is a "sweetness" to it despite the grisly crimes that brings them together in the days leading up to Christmas. The little town of Maplewood itself is almost as much of a character as the folks that live there. Like many small towns, it's quaint, gossipy, and carrying secrets of its own. It's usually quiet, but with an undercurrent of change that introduces the necessary tension-building needed for all the altercations to "raise their ugly heads". There are a few "red herrings", as you’d expect from a any mystery, cozy or otherwise; but when the real murderer finally tips his hand, he tips it obviously enough for readers to have that “AHA!” moment of their own.

If you’re looking to include a little murder in any of your holiday celebrations, Isabelle Adler has delivered just that with this one.

Work Rules - Jacki James - (Texas)
Series: Breaking the Rules Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
“Who or what you did before doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care how many or how often or in what way. What matters to me is what you are now. And do you know what that is? Mine, do you hear me? You are mine.” Alex Nathan: If you had to wear a warning sign, what would it say? We’ve all seen that question make the rounds on the internet. That’s easy, if I had to wear a warning sign it would say "Not Enough". That’s what my parents taught me when they tossed me out at fifteen. That’s what my long-term boyfriend taught me when he cheated on me and made it clear he never saw me as "forever material". So maybe I sleep around a bit; but sex is easy. There is no risk involved in a one-night stand, and I have to say that worked just fine for me. Until Alex. Alex:I know one thing, even though I’ve never been in a relationship with a man before, I want Nathan… and not just for a night. I thought getting him to break his rule about not dating co-workers would be my biggest problem. But convincing the beautiful man he's worthy of a forever-relationship is proving to be the greatest challenge of all. But I’m willing to try because I won’t settle for anything less than everything with Nathan, and I know he’s worth it.
Rule number one was no dating anyone that you work with. Nathan religiously followed this rule, his rule... until he didn't. Alex had never before been so interested in anyone before...especially a man, so him wanting Nathan was completely unexplored new territory for him.

The two guys manage to work their way through the beginning of them being together. Nathan was very insecure. He second guessed each and every decision he made. He was always afraid he would be hurt again. Alex counters every one of Nathan's fears, and by this he slowly starts to gain Nathan's trust. They are slowly moving closer to their "forever" happiness, when Nathan's past comes to try and tear them apart.

I really liked how strong the family dynamic...both real and chosen was. We had believable characters throughout the book, and a really well written story line making this another good offering by Jacki James. I noticed that some readers gave the story less of a rating because of the typos. I will admit that there were a lot of them, but it certainly wasn't the author's fault, and it didn't take anything away from the storyline. I will admit that they were annoying. But hey, all good. After all.... there was cat in the story!!

Tell No One
by Harlan Coben
3.5/5 stars
This is a novel of suspense and mystery. It surrounds a couple whose wife has disappeared and a note on his computer to tells him not to tell anyone. Will his wife be found or will he spend his life looking for her. Mystery

Memorials - Richard Chizmar - (Pennsylvania)
Genera: - Horror/Paranormal
5★
1983: Three students from a small college embark on a weeklong road trip to film a documentary on roadside memorials for their American Studies class. The project starts out as a fun adventure, with long stretches of empty road and nightly campfires where they begin to open up with one another. But as they venture deeper into the Appalachian backwoods, the atmosphere begins to darken. They notice more and more of the memorials feature a strange, unsettling symbol hinting at a sinister secret. Paranoia sets in when it appears they are being followed. Their vehicle is tampered with overnight, and some of the locals appear to be anything but welcoming. Before long, the students can’t help but wonder if these roadside deaths were really random accidents…or is something terrifying at work here?
The story starts off slow as the group make a slow ride through the back roads, taking polaroids and shooting VHS... (you can see how old this story is), video of crosses and balloons and stuffed animals that mark the locations where some people had died. The author uses a pretty clever narrative trick; he provides transcripts of the video footage as the little group interview the locals and the victim's families. “The camera zooms closer on his face. His brown eyes are somber but steady. He clears his throat and continues,” is how part of the transcript of Billy’s interview reads. Billy's parents had dies in a car accident in Sudbury, Pennsylvania, and when he returns home and visits their roadside memorial, and starts asking questions, is when the story really becomes interesting.

The set-up was brilliant on the author's part. It's fiendishly simple: he's given us three college students...he's set them off on a week-long journey into the Pennsylvania backroads to film a documentary on roadside memorials. Two men and a woman, Billy, Troy & Melody, are thrown together by happenstance but soon form a close, and almost in an unbreakable bond. The author does a brilliant job of letting us get to know them, and worst of all... we actually LIKE them and CARE about them. We learn so many things about each of them through their interactions with each other and the folks that they meet along the way.

The entire book is packed with intrigue, as various other characters from the town are introduced, and we learn how suspiciously they act. Billy, Melody and Troy begin to find ominous occult signs at all the memorials, and they each begin to experience strange visions...each one different...each one horrifying. While we know the point is to definitely build tension and suspense until the story ends, it sometimes comes across as a little too "heavy-handed". You can almost hear the creepy foreboding music and see in your mind the scene fading out to black.

The plot doesn't begin to come together until almost the final pages. The creepy “memorials” really start to become "something altogether different", genuinely giving this novel a place of honor in the horror section of the bookstore or the library. Readers will have to decide for themselves if the payoff is worth it, but it certainly was an interesting and extremely enjoyable ride.

Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs - (Vietnam, North Carolina, Canada, Hawaii)
Temperance Brennan Series Book #13
Genera; Mystery& Suspense Thriller
5★
John Lowery was declared dead in 1968—the victim of a Huey crash in Vietnam, his body buried long ago in North Carolina. Four decades later, Temperance Brennan is called to the scene of a drowning in Hemmingford, Quebec. The victim appears to have died while in the midst of a bizarre sexual practice. The corpse is later identified as John Lowery. But how could Lowery have died twice, and how did an American soldier end up in Canada?
The impossible has happened. Three different bodies have been identified as John Lowery, who died in 1968. As I said.... that is absolutely impossible. So, because it's impossible it's become a job for Dr. Temperance Brennan. The first body is found in Montreal, the second one in North Carolina, and as a result of those two bodies Temperance flies to Hawaii...and then a third body comes around and guess who?? yelp...John Lowery. The questions now arise: are ANY of these bodies actually John Lowery? If one of them is Lowery... then who are the other two bodies? If not, then who are all three bodies? While in Hawaii trying to answer these questions, our Brennan's reputation proceeds her, and the Honolulu M.E. asks for her assistance on body parts that have been found on a local beach. Was it simply a shark attack or was it murder? How many bones can Brennan juggle?

I've read a lot of this series, and I believe this is the best one I have had from it...perhaps one of the best books I have ever read...and I have read hundred's probably even thousands of books in my reading lifetime. Something I don't usually care for in a book but found pretty entertaining in this one was all the cliches and cheesy lines that Kathy Reichs wrote for her characters. I can't believe that anyone actually talks like that on a consistent basis, but it gave a totally grim subject a bit of a reprieve.

I guess by now that you have figured out that I really, really liked the storyline. It gave a taste of reality to this "bigger than life" character that this author has created for us. If you are a mystery & suspense fan and haven't yet read any of the Temperance Brennan series, you might want to give it a try, The books are better if read in order, but they can easily be read in any order.

Bless Me Father for YOU Have Sinned - Bruce Lewis - (Oregon)
Genera: Psychological thriller
4.5★
A dying man confronts a Catholic priest in the confessional, seeking revenge for his father's murder decades ago in a taut psychological thriller about justice and redemption.
What an interesting concept...the story is told from a priest's view and from a cop's view. You find yourself accepting both points of view, in spite of the evidence.

The author has managed to give us both a family mystery and a meditation on grief. At the heart of the story is the wrecked and wounded soul of a son who lost his father in an act of violence and has never fully recovered. We follow him decades later as he wrestles with the memory, the anger, and the unanswered questions that has haunted his entire life. There are honesty and depth here, and it pulls you into the realities between seeking justice and learning to live with loss.

No matter what your religious afflictions are, you will quickly see that it's the Catholic imagery and formation that shapes the story. Memories of catechism, confessions, penances, and prayers are woven into the lives of the characters, in different degrees. Passages from the scripture remind us that vengeance belongs to God alone. Even knowing that the main character feels that he is estranged from the Church, you can see how deeply that his "Catholic imagination" has formed him into the person he has become. For him priests, confessions, and the language of mercy are never far from the surface, and they give the book a moral depth that’s rare in most books of this type.

My one small compliant is that at times too much backstory slows the book down way too much...however in other ways, that adds to its charm showing how memory really works; sometimes messy and often times layered. This isn’t just a murder mystery. It’s deep thoughts on sin, forgiveness, and the hope of redemption, reminding us that there is a power that can heal what human justice never completely can.

4.5 stars for a good story, excellent writing and great characters, but at times I found myself losing the context of it.

Counterblow - Isabelle Starling - (England)
Series: Shatterproof Bonds- Book #4
Genera: M/M Romance/Agents
5★
After the devastating events in the Scottish Highlands, Sam and Declan have moved on to a new, deeper level in their romance. Their commitment to each other is unquestionable; however, there are plenty of questions that need answering about other aspects of their lives, and those who sought to end them. Sam is trying his best to deal with the day-to-day frustrations of his injuries. He’s completely dependent on Declan for everything and hates the way the scales have tipped in their relationship. Although he’s officially on leave, Sam’s mind cannot stop replaying all that happened to him and questioning why, and who is behind it all. Declan’s relief at having Sam home throws him into house-husband mode. He’s happy to take the reins and care for his partner, however, beneath the surface Declan cannot help but be drawn back to how he felt in the Highlands, and how they were betrayed by a man who was supposed to have their back. Declan had promised Sir James Aiken that he would pay if he hurt Sam, and now Declan has to decide how he can deliver his payback and put his and Sam’s world back on an even keel.

I love Sam and Declan...that's why I keep buying this series.... but I get so frustrated at the same time. Overall, the stories are all spectacular, and as I said, I really love these guys. However, I find it beyond irritating that the pace and the content of the stories from volume to volume, varies so much. This fourth instalment of the series was both irritating and wonderful, all at the same time. Sure, it was good to visit Sam and Declan in their home environment but there was hardly any "action". Sam is struggling with his injuries received in the Scottish Highlands in the last book...and he's now going to physical therapy. He also gets an opportunity to interrogate his nemesis, so he puts on a disguise and does just that. That's it.

Despite how incredibly annoyed this uneven tempo makes me, I’m completely stuck now. I HAVE to know...it's an imperative that I know; what’s going to happen, and what's happening next in Sam and Declan's lives. So obviously that says something about the stories, because I am totally obsessed! This supremely "non-agent-y" secret-agent series has hooked me hook, line and sinker. Even though I get irritated over the anti-climactic endings of these books, I still, 100% still recommend this series. Go figure???

It has great characters, be aware that they are gay characters, and hot shenanigans. It is 100% character driven, since it’s ALL about Sam and Declan and their super-hot relationship. That alone is worth the time and money spent on the four books thus far in the series. There are so MANY secrets, some are revealed, some are only partially reveled, and then we have the ones that that are just hinted at. Those are mostly the ones that keep me coming back. I believe that they might never be revealed at the speed that this series is going...and that is frustrating beyond belief. These secrets I believe, are mostly concerning Sam’s father, (you'll hate him), and his shady business spilling over and threatening Sam’s life, and some are, or may also be, about Declan’s past. We haven't gotten to all of those yet.

I highly recommend this series IF you don’t expect it to be a traditional suspense, secret spy series. IF you can tolerate to not have all your questions answered, and IF you can patiently wait for the next installment...I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed; only slightly irritated; a bit angry; a great deal frustrated...but it's so worth it when you hold Sam and Declan's next book in your hot little hands! Two more in this series and they are ON THEIR WAY!!!

** A friend of mine has been listening to the series, and she says that Gary Furlong does a fantastic job of narrating it if anyone prefers the audio version.

Camp Slaughter - Sergio Gomez - (Pennsylvania)
Genera: Horror
5★
“It’s a local legend. No one is sure if this “Camp Slaughter” place is real or not. But a group of college kids renting out a cabin deep in the woods of Pennsylvania will soon realize the truth. They’ll realize the danger, too. Or rather, the cannibal out in the woods will bring the danger to them…”

Fred and his best friend, Gavin, are planning a last fun time together before they officially become "adults". Gavin has rented a remote cabin in the Pennsylvanian woods for the weekend. They contact a group of friends...you know there's going to be trouble when one of their "friends" is their local drug dealer...but there are several girls and guys that are interested. Unfortunately, there is also Gavin’s 14-year-old brother, Wayne. But they all pile in and take off for their weekend. Fred has a few concerns...he's come across an article about a couple going missing from this same spot but the allure of one of the girls...Noelle, and the opportunity to make things "more official" between them, along with the promise of a lot of booze and drugs this weekend, pushes all those "concerns" to the back of his mind. We know right off that this group should really be worried. They’re not going to be alone in those woods. There’s "something" else out there and it diffidently intends to join their happy party!"

If you’re a fan of gory "slasher movies" then this story is a "must read" for you. From the start this is one of the best "horror/slasher" books that I have read in quiet a long time. We meet the married couple, Nadine and Stephen Lang, who have also booked a cabin...Lakewood Cabin, to get Stephen away from work for a much-needed break and to hopefully spice up their failing marriage. On the first night there they hear a strange noise that is the start of this fast-paced and really gory ride. The story now fast forwards one year to our main group of teens planning their last-minute getaway. Of course, we know that things aren’t going to go anywhere near to being what they had planned.

The pace doesn’t let up...which is why I had a really hard time putting this one down. I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next and to who it was going to happen to. The whole setting is haunting and atmospheric allowing the reader to easily picture the deserted campsite and to feel the fear the characters are experiencing. You do feel a bit sympathetic at times even though the characters producing these feelings didn't deserve your sympathy whatsoever!

I would MAYBE recommend this book, but only to a very carefully selected group of people. As I said earlier, Camp Slaughter is one of the absolutely best novels of the horror genera that I have read in a long some time. The author did a terrific job of keeping his readers on their toes by allowing his characters to do things that you wouldn’t have ever expected throughout the entire story. There are some touches of the paranormal; a well-defined backstory of another main character; and multiple ways the characters all meet their gory ends, which all contributed to a very well-written, very enjoyable (?) story...IF you like your stories to come with lots of blood, strings of guts, and gore by the truckload. The ending was a little disappointing, but I would, in a heartbeat, read another by this author. Just so readers will be aware, if you haven't figured this out already...THIS WILL NOT BE FOR EVERYONE!

Splinter - E. Davis - (Tennessee)
Series: Significant Brothers book #1
Genera: M/M/Romance/Astronauts
4.5★
After zero-gravity heroics left astronaut Nicolas Rogers injured, his new job as a park ranger seems perfect. Being a caretaker of his corner of the Smoky Mountains makes him almost okay with having to be on Earth. More importantly, this deep in the woods, Nico's practically a hermit at a remote ranger station. Sure, he has good friends in nearby Knoxville, but he's otherwise free from petty drama and broken hearts... until Deen enters his world. Caught in a compromising position by relentless paparazzi, rock star and international playboy Deen Jayse barely escaped with his career intact. He needs image rehab and a break from fame. His manager strongly suggests a stint in the Smokies, promoting national parks and being wholesome. Which would be a lot easier if Nico weren't there in his sexy park ranger uniform. Nico already has his hands full with arsonists at the park without Deen adding to his workload. He thinks he has to babysit a spoiled celebrity, but when he catches a glimpse of the man behind the persona he sees something he can't resist. They've both experienced the isolation of fame, and while their loneliness brings them together, their worlds threaten to tear them apart. Deen can't just drop everything to go live in the mountains, and Nico can't abandon them... After a taste of being together, how can they possibly face a future apart?
This is a sweet low angst love story. Nico is a park ranger trying to forget about his former life. Deen is a well-known rock star who is getting bored with his meaningless life of drinking, smoking, sex and partying. When they meet for the first time their connection is immediate. They felt drawn to each other and wanted to be with each other as much as was humanly possible.

Nico had never heard of Deen's band and therefore had no idea how famous he actually was. Deen didn't know enough about Nico to know he could Google him and find whole articles written about him. That's one of the things...maybe even the main thing... that made their relationship work. They didn't have outside influences tainting their interactions, and it was sweet and adorable, and their banter was always lighthearted and sometimes funny.

This is the perfect story to read if you are tired of, or like myself, don't care at all for "angsty" stories. I'm really looking forward to more in this series. 4.5 stars...and a big thank you, to E. Davis, the author, for giving us a warm, sweet and totally believable couple of guys with a "happy ever after" ending.

The Promise of Together- Jay Hogan - (New Zealand)
Series: Fisher & Church- Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance
5+★
I never dreamed I'd get a second chance at love. I scarcely believed in it the first time. Then Mads appeared from nowhere during one of the hardest times of my life, and everything I thought I knew about myself, about what I deserved, about who I wanted to become, was turned upside down. Falling for Mads was the easy part. Learning to trust him took longer. Having faith in myself is a battle I'm still fighting, but finding the courage to confront and make peace with my past is the only way forward. Mads sees me. The real me. Even the parts I've spent a lifetime pretending didn't matter. The broken pieces of my childhood are coming back to haunt me. Another mystery. More personal this time, but no less deadly. They say it's never too late to change and I'm determined to try. I want a future with Mads at my side, and not getting myself killed beforehand would be an excellent start.
If you have a burning fondness for bittersweet romance suspense novels, you will love these three books that make up this trilogy...and I hope, hope, hope, fingers, toes, and eyes crossed, that there is the possibility of there being even more.

Don't expect an instant "happy ever after"...it seems that nothing has ever been easy for Nick and Mads. After the first two books, I was okay with "Happy for Right Now". I probably should have expected this story to be just as complicated, with just as much suspense, as the first two, but I admit to being somewhat surprised...(pleasantly), at how much, was included in this story. That is NOT a complaint or a criticism... I have absolutely loved it all.... every single word! After everything was worked out, I was very happy to see that Nick was finally able to settle things with his mother...yes...the same mother that abandoned him. She was not a particularly a likeable character, but when you knew her whole story, it became clearer, and made you really feel for what she had been through in life. It gave Nick closure that he desperately needed and he was happier and could move on with making a life with Mads.

Their relationship was so very well written. It, over the course of the story, became very real and at times extremely raw. Our Nick has an extremely traumatic past and it seemed as if it was bound and determined to come back and cause as much havoc and pain as possible before finally turning into healing and recovery for everyone concerned.

"The bad guys" were determined to do things without feeling a single touch of remorse. They happily threw Nick and Madigan into another "twisted and tangled" situation seemingly without much hope. I kept the pages turning. almost with a felling of desperation to find what would/could possibly happen next. It's the perfect combination of action and drama, sweet and spice, with a strong and growing relationship for our two wonderful, mature men who totally love each other unconditionally. I highly recommend this trilogy which has become one of my "go-to, reread" favorites by this absolutely amazing author.

Pretty Girls - Karin Slaughter - (Georgia)
Series: Pretty Girls Book #1
Genera: - Mystery & Suspense
4.5★
CLAIRE: A glamorous trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire. LYDIA: A single mother dating an ex-con, who struggles to make ends meet. JULIA: The sister whose devastating disappearance more than two decades earlier shattered their family. When the shocking murder of Claire’s husband brings the horror and heartbreak of the cold case of her sister’s disappearance roaring back, she is forced to form a wary truce with Lydia, whom she has not spoken to in decades. Two crimes, nearly a quarter century apart: What could connect them? Haunted, the surviving sisters begin to unearth the dark family secrets that destroyed their family all those years ago … and find the astonishing truth where they least expected it. Powerful, poignant, and an utterly gripping crime thriller, packed with indelible characters and dark, unforgettable twists, The secrets connecting a brutal murder to a decades-old disappearance are about to be unearthed, but will the truth save them, or bury them forever?

The story was interesting, as well as sinister with well-developed characters. It also had more secrets than "Pandora’s box". Claire had had multiple affairs, which had included her husband’s best friend and his business partner. Lydia and Claire’s father continued investigating Julia’s disappearance even though everyone else had given up. He went as far as going to visit a serial killer on death row numerous times to get information about his daughter. Lydia and Claire’s mother had continued to see their father even after she remarried. And then there was Paul. He was almost two entirely different people. He was Paul, the loving husband, and he was Paul, the serial killer. Even the cops in this one, had secrets. You couldn't trust anyone. Then there was Lydia. We learned that she had had a drug addiction and a very unfortunate past. She tried being honest with her sister about Paul’s attempt to attack her, and as a result to that, her sister cut her completely out of her life. This book is incredibly detailed; almost too much so. This might be seen as a strength, but I found it to be more of a weakness. Also, the reader should be aware that they need to have a very strong stomach, since there are some very graphic details about the murders. The murders were all recorded and the tapes hidden, Lydia finds them...watches them and graphic details, shares the contents with the readers. I didn't mind that, but some readers diffidently will. This book is for those with very strong stomachs.

I had to know what was going to happen. Every chapter leaves another question unanswered. If you can make it through the murder tapes and the descriptions, you will be captivated and intrigued to the very end. The author did a really good job of wrapping everything up. I would definitely recommend it to mystery lovers but remember it is graphic.

The Price of Glory by Alistair Horne (Verdun, France)
5 *****

Note: despite the subject matter, this book is a favorite of mine. It also depicts warfare with much graphic detail, so trigger warning.

Yowza. It is a doozy. Reading this book takes a lot of courage? insight? foolhardiness? and it's best to read it in a few weeks rather than pick up and put down. But gosh how rewarding it is to read it again.

It was originally assigned in my freshman year of college and I only made it through the seizure of Fort Douaumont before I stopped. Could not handle the deaths and the description of the devastated landscapes, and those only got worse as the war progressed.

Re-read it in 1990-91 and just mourned the horrendous loss of life that happened day after day during this longest battle of World War I. I had also visited one of the smaller soldiers' graveyards in Verdun as a result of this book and that certainly changed me.

This book was written with great insight into the thinking on both sides, German and French, and how the generals' flawed way of viewing warfare as a way to settle scores or to reclaim their nation's past glory was what led to a this ten-month long battle.

For the Germans, General Falkenhayn's indecisiveness lost several chances for successful German victory during key advances. The idea of l'Attaque à l'outrance of Colonel de Grandmaison was the drumbeat the French side: to attack without a care for the munitions on the other side, let alone one's own life, as a way to purge the shame the French retreat in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War.

Alistair Horne wrote this detailed book in 1962 and added to it in the early 1990's after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The details he brings to his research span from the French HQ at Chantilly and the disconnect of the generals from the trenches, to the letters home from soldiers detailing the harsh conditions under which they lived during the 10 months of fighting.

There were times I would take a moment from reading and think about 40 shells falling in that minute or two of respite, such as happened on 21st February on the first day of fighting. Then there were the runners who could maybe advance 300 yards before enemy shells killed them or they found shelter in a shell hole full of water and corpses. Descriptions of the aftermath included finding remains of 3 people in the undergrowth, even as late as the 50's and 60's: a wounded soldier and his two stretcher bearers killed by a shell. Horne does not hold back from describing the realities of war, nor should he.

The maps were key to understanding what and where, and I can only wish there were more authors and publishers who would add them to their works.

What we can learn from The Great War is vast. This book is one of the pillars of that study.

The Truth of Loving You - Heather Leighson - (New York)
Series; - Unframed Art, Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance /Dom/sub dynamic
4.5★
A grieving widower and a young man with a dream promotion find themselves in a passionate, forbidden love affair, risking their hearts and reputations.
This is not a book about an art gallery as the title of the series may make you think. "Unframed Art" is a New York City tattoo shop. I loved the name and it makes perfect sense when you think about it. A small word of warning...several losses of life mates weave throughout the novel's storyline as Shane and Cole gradually learn how to accept and make their relationship work. This may be disturbing to some readers. I didn't list it as a "trigger" since the author handles it with a great deal of sympathy and tact.

The dynamic between a Dom and his sub is the main character focus throughout the story and the dynamic is very well presented. the two men follow their awakening as a BI, along with the complexity of a family dynamic...a bit of corporate intrigue...and several invading ghosts from the past. The author has skillfully and beautifully blended all these things together to create an intriguing tale.

Heather Leighson is a new author for me, but I will be looking forward to reading more by her.

Nailed - K.M. Neuhold - (New York)
Series: Four Bears Construction Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
Dare feels like he has the neighbor from hell. Every weekend the guy manages to wake him up way too early with some sort of intrusion, whether it’s mowing his lawn at the crack of dawn, or bringing in a petting zoo for his friend’s daughter's birthday party. For his part, Stone enjoys winding his grumpy neighbor up. He doesn’t know why the man took such an instant dislike to him the moment he moved in but paying him back gives him a strange pleasure. The fact Dare is hot has nothing to do with it. Really. Even when the misunderstanding that caused Dare to angrily refuse Stone’s friendly introduction as his neighbor is cleared up, the idea that the two could be friends, or more, just doesn’t seem realistic to either of them.
As in the first book of this series, "Caulky", “Nailed” follows the somewhat unusual, and in this case rocky, start of a relationship. You could probably classify this as an "enemies-to-lovers" story. Both Stone and Dare come across as average guys. They’ve reached their 40s without having any long-term relationships but are now in a place where they find the idea of “settling down” to be very attractive.

The point of view alternates between these two main characters. Stone was introduced in the first book, along with all four of the partners of the "Four Bears Construction Company", but he didn’t really play much of a role in that story. You can read this book without having read the first one, but then you’d miss out on some of the running jokes between the four partners.

Our Stone seems to be a natural joker. It's just part of his winning personality, but his humor is never mean of vindictive. He just enjoys getting an emotional response from people, which is exactly why Dare seems to be an irresistible target for him. Other than his habit of in a fun way, annoying those that he likes, Stone was a very likable, lovable guy. He’s easy-going and very determined to try and always do what's right, even if, or perhaps especially if, he can annoy Dare.

It’s crystal clear from our very first encounter with Dare that he has some anger management issues. He admits to it and has been in therapy to try and work through them. The story tries to show us the reason why Dare is like he is. I didn’t quite agree with the reasoning, but that's probably has more to do with not having any personal experience, and not any shortcoming in the story itself. Dare does, absolutely come across as a believable character, and you will want to root for him and Stone.

There is a rather weird sort of chemistry between Dare and Stone causing them to sometimes drive one another crazy, but mostly in a good way, and Rusty, the dog???... he steals the show. Rusty could have a book of his very own. 5-big stars for another delightful addition to this wonderful series.

The Haunting of Blackwych Grange - Amy Cross - (England)
Series: Mercy Willow Book #3
Genera: Paranormal, Haunted House
5★
For almost a century now, Blackwych Grange has been left locked and abandoned. But when a team of researchers gains permission to enter the house and monitor for ghosts, a dark presence begins to stir. Paula is thrilled when she's invited to join the team. Soon, however, she starts to regret her choice. Something lurks in the dark rooms of Blackwych Grange, something that seeks vengeance. Many years ago, a young woman named Elizabeth Marringham lived in the house with her vicious uncle. Today, more than a century and a half after Elizabeth's death, does her vengeful spirit still roam the house's corridors? And if so, what does she want?
The story begins in the present day. Paula and three of her colleagues are about to undertake a visit to Blackwych Grange to try to prove, once and for all, if ghosts really exist there. Soon afterwards we are taken back to the past and learn the history of the house before we are returned back to the present day.

I've read several of Amy Cross's books and have thus far, enjoyed them all. She does horror so well, leaving the reader with the recommend number of "goose bumps":) I'm a "ghost story junkie" and Amy Cross, thus far, has provided well for my "addiction". I really enjoyed this story. The owner of the house wasn't a very nice guy, and I really felt sorry for Elizabeth. She was almost a prisoner, having come to live there after her parents had died. Elizabeth was a great character. She was strong in her beliefs, and it seemed that she got a lot of pleasure in "breaking the rules". Her uncles didn't approve of much that Elizabeth did. It was the time when it was believed that the little woman should be seen and not heard. I found myself rooting for her hoping that she would come out on the winning side.

The story is told in past and present timeline. The parts taking place in the present are absolutely chilling. You can feel the tension and suspense mounting as to whether the paranormal team is going to find any answers.... or if they are even going to survive. That definitely had me hooked.

The Haunting of Blackwych Grange is definitely one you will want to read with the lights on and the doors locked. Of course, what now "lives" in Blackwych Grange doesn't care if there are doors locked or unlocked...the light may be a different story. This is certainly guaranteed to spook you and leave you on edge, especially towards the end. Amy Cross truly knows how to do horror! This is a very chilling read, and I recommend this one, or any other of Amy Cross's books, for any ghost stories enthusiast.

Nuts - S.E. Jakes - (Massachusetts)
Series: Aces Wild Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance
4.5★
Jagger’s the son of a bookmaker and fixer. Now, he’s the owner of an exclusive, underground club…and he’s also been put in charge of the family business. Preston’s the son of a wealthy, powerful, blue-blood Boston family…or he was, until he was disowned for choosing his friendship with Jagger over his family. Ten years later, he’s a Special Forces Operator—and he’s still best friends with Jagger. But things are about to change, for both men. Because after a long year of no contact, Preston’s coming home to Jagger for the first time since they shared a surprising kiss. One night, one poker game, and one hand finds Jagger lucky—and skilled enough—to win a chance to fix things with Preston. But what’s at stake is far more than their friendship—it's everything…and both men are all in to fight for what's theirs.

I can only describe this one as being super-hot and very kinky. However, it also had undertones of some serious angst, which I really don't care much for in my stories. I like my characters super happy. In spite of the unwanted angst, you can't help but love the relationship between Jagger and Preston. They had "history" that you could feel every time that they came together. It can only be described as "hot".

I do not understand why these people in these stories, can't seem to ever be able to simply talk to one another. Sometimes I just want to shake them and yell at them to please, please, just talk to each other and stop avoiding all the issues! In spite of that, I did enjoy the ride. I wish the book had been longer. I'd definitely recommend this one to any M/M romance reader who doesn't mind a little kink and are happy to sometimes suspend their disbelief to some things. Overall, it was a good story even though it was, of course, too short. Seems all my books suffer from a shortness syndrome:) I would still recommend it to any M/M Romance reader that likes "friends to lovers" stories along with a little BDSM thrown.

Reindeer Games - N.R. Walker - (North Carolina)
Series: Aces Wild - Book #6
Genera: M/M/ Romance
5★
What are "Reindeer Games"? No, it's not a herd of reindeer playing tag, as entertaining as that might be. It's a term used to describe activities to exclude outsiders. You learn something new every day it seems.
SIDE NOTE FROM THE BOOK: REINDEER GAMES is part of a multi-author series of books that take place in the same fictional town. Each story can be read in any order. The connecting element in the Ace's Wild series is an adult store owned by Ace and Wilder. The main characters from each book will make at least one visit to Ace's Wild, where they'll buy a toy to use in their story! The only characters who crossover to each book are Ace and Wilder. And with various heat levels, there's sure to be something for everyone!

Industrial-art student Leif Caldwell and his best friend win tickets to the hottest party in town, the annual masquerade Christmas gala at the upmarket nightclub, Evoque. Not a gig they could ever afford to attend or buy costumes for, so Leif makes their masks. Given the holiday theme and the play on words, he makes a set of striking reindeer antlers and intends to have the night of his life. Vintage Ridge’s resident millionaire and owner of Evoque, Russ Quarrington, hates the holiday season because it reminds him of everything he’s lost. All the money and success in the world can’t fill the void in his heart, and this year he’s particularly bereft. With the gala looming, his personal assistant insists Russ attends and that he wear a mask that offers anonymity and hopefully find some festive cheer. Bored with the guys in town and tired of men only wanting him for his money, he reluctantly agrees. But when Russ sees a mysterious man with a magnificent reindeer antlers and mask, he’s instantly intrigued. Even when their masks are removed, Leif has no idea who Russ really is, and what Russ discovers is a man who understands him. For the first time ever, a man who doesn’t want what Russ has. This time, it’s Russ who wants what Leif has, what money can’t buy. Russ and Leif are about to learn that sometimes "Reindeer Games" are the only games worth playing.

This author, N.R. Walker, is one of my very favorites and I believe I own everything she has ever put on paper between two covers:) This one was short, it was supposed to be, and certainly not the exception, and it's a sweet, charming little story.

We have Leif, an industrial art student, and Russ, who is the richest man in town finding each other at a costume party for charity. Leif doesn't know who Russ is. That in itself was a fresh and endearing approach...both to me as well as to Russ. The two men start a relationship based on just the two of them. Money and social class never even occurred to them so the two things that usually separate characters and cause a 'boatload of angst, never reared its ugly head and interfered. It was just a perfect story, and you won't be able to NOT fall in love with them and all the delightfully wonderful people in their lives.

I am happy to give this one 5- big bright stars for a wonderful addition to my N.R. Walker collection.

Fluff Dragon – Platte F Clark
2**

Book two in the Bad Unicorn Trilogy continues the adventure. The children are beginning to understand the parameters of their magic powers and come across a few additional “friends.”

Clark has developed a fantastical world that appeals to children. His imagination runs wild creating scenarios and creatures that are decidedly other-worldly.

Take the fluff dragon, for example. If a dragon accidentally gets turned inside out, the “fluffy” interior of his scales becomes the outer layer. Yes, he can still breathe fire, but he looks like a little kitten. And speaking of which, there are fire kittens who can shoot flames from their tales hot enough to burn through the toughest iron works.

It’s a bit much for this reader who is long past middle-school. But I can see the appeal for the target audience.

Pretty Girls - Karin Slaughter - (Georgia)
Series: Pretty Girls Book #1
Genera: - Mystery & Suspense
4.5★
CLAIRE: A glamorous trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire. LYDIA: A single mother dating an ex-con, who struggles to make ends meet. JULIA: The sister whose devastating disappearance more than two decades earlier shattered their family. When the shocking murder of Claire’s husband brings the horror and heartbreak of the cold case of her sister’s disappearance roaring back, she is forced to form a wary truce with Lydia, whom she has not spoken to in decades. Two crimes, nearly a quarter century apart: What could connect them? Haunted, the surviving sisters begin to unearth the dark family secrets that destroyed their family all those years ago … and find the astonishing truth where they least expected it. Powerful, poignant, and an utterly gripping crime thriller, packed with indelible characters and dark, unforgettable twists, The secrets connecting a brutal murder to a decades-old disappearance are about to be unearthed, but will the truth save them, or bury them forever?

The story was interesting, as well as sinister with well-developed characters. It also had more secrets than "Pandora’s box". Claire had had multiple affairs, which had included her husband’s best friend and his business partner. Lydia and Claire’s father continued investigating Julia’s disappearance even though everyone else had given up. He went as far as going to visit a serial killer on death row numerous times to get information about his daughter. Lydia and Claire’s mother had continued to see their father even after she remarried. And then there was Paul. He was almost two entirely different people. He was Paul, the loving husband, and he was Paul, the serial killer. Even the cops in this one, had secrets. You couldn't trust anyone. Then there was Lydia. We learned that she had had a drug addiction and a very unfortunate past. She tried being honest with her sister about Paul’s attempt to attack her, and as a result to that, her sister cut her completely out of her life. This book is incredibly detailed; almost too much so. This might be seen as a strength, but I found it to be more of a weakness. Also, the reader should be aware that they need to have a very strong stomach, since there are some very graphic details about the murders. The murders were all recorded and the tapes hidden, Lydia finds them...watches them and graphic details, shares the contents with the readers. I didn't mind that, but some readers diffidently will. This book is for those with very strong stomachs.

I had to know what was going to happen. Every chapter leaves another question unanswered. If you can make it through the murder tapes and the descriptions, you will be captivated and intrigued to the very end. The author did a really good job of wrapping everything up. I would definitely recommend it to mystery lovers but remember it is graphic.

Paths of the Dead - Lin Anderson - (Scotland)
Series: Rhona MacLeod - Book 9
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
4★
It was never just a game . . .When Amy MacKenzie agrees to attend a meeting at a local spiritualist church, the last person she expects to hear calling to her from beyond the grave is her son. The son whom she'd only spoken to an hour before. Then the body of a young man is found inside a neolithic stone circle high above the city of Glasgow and forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is soon on the case. The hands have been severed and there is a stone in the victim's mouth with the number five scratched on it. DI Michael McNab is certain it's a gangland murder, but Rhona isn't convinced. When a second body is found in similar circumstances, a pattern begins to emerge, of a killer intent on masterminding a gruesome Druidic game that everyone will be forced to play.
Rhona is a forensic expert. She is an intelligent, feisty lady...but also a professional who loves her job.

She was called to examine the body of a man that has been found inside a Neolithic stone circle near Glasgow. The body is face down and its hands have been removed which, according to Rhona, suggests some type of ritual killing, furtherly reinforced by the stone that is found inside his mouth, with the number 5 written on it. Then D.I. MacNab enters the scene. He has just been promoted and is anxious to prove himself. He believes that the victim is part of a gang and probably in the drug scene but, then when another body is found in another stone circle, he has to rethink the whole case.

Rhona is working closely with several of the men in her life and there is plenty of tension between the guys as they circle around her like vultures, trying to get her attention. They become a bit aggressive and jealous with each other, which I thought was a bit overboard and unnecessary in what had begun as a really interesting story. I guess it was meant to show that Rhona could keep them all in their place and still manages to be professional, even when not all of the others weren't. That also lost the story a star. I have loads of romance books and don't need so much of that in my mysteries.

As the body count increases, MacNab is forced into realizing that the killer may have something to do with his own past. He puts his promotion, as well as his life, on the line as he goes in search of the man responsible for all the deaths. Rhona is left to wonder what he is up to and, as she puts the pieces of the puzzle together, is forced to witness something that could change her relationship with MacNab forever. At this point I was ready for them both to just "get a room".

I've read other books in the Rhona MacLeod series and liked them a lot more than this one. I'll still give it 4 stars for "old times sake".

Powder Burns - Isobel Starling - (England, Germany, Austria)
Series Shatterproof Bonds Book #5
Genera: M/M Romance/Agents
5★
One book...Two Missions, and a memory-key full of secrets! After a series of terrorist attacks on fracking sites owned by a Gas multinational named Drilsink, Sir James Aiken’s agency is bought in to find the radical Eco-terrorist group responsible. He sends Sam and Declan to work undercover at Imperial College where Intel suggests the group are recruiting. While Sam works behind the scenes, Declan takes on the identity of Geologist Dr. Tobias Hunter and soon makes an enemy of a fellow science geek- a man who Declan comes to despise more than Sir James Aiken! When the operation moves from London to Munich and then Vienna, Sam, and Declan are thrown headlong into a spy scenario straight out of the thriller novels they love to read—but with a distinct and disturbing sexual twist! Sam meets an old friend and uncovers shocking information about James’ past. With Erik Madsson still imprisoned inside the A.L.L. HQ, James comes to realize that he should have listened to his son. Keeping the enemy inside his own home is about to be the biggest mistake he has ever made.

This series as a whole contains a wonderfully complex cast of characters that keeps this incredible mystery smoothly moving along. I’ve been continually amazed by all the twists and turns that Ms. Starling has managed to produce. It's also a series that absolutely MUST be read in order, so you will need to start with As You Wish, where the "fun" all begins.

If you’re going to join Declan and Sam, you might want to consider doing it in audio. I have a friend that listened to it and she said that Gary Furlong did a fantastic job with the voices. I've have listened to this narrator before, and I know he would diffidently do these stories justice. With all the incredible variety of accents, dialects, and languages that Isobel Starling writes into this series, I can't help imagining that perhaps she wrote the Shatterproof Bond series just for Gary Furlong to present it.

If you are a reader that likes to try to figure where the story will go next, you may be slightly disappointed and greatly frustrated, as you can never tell where these stories will take off to. The smallest details often turn out to have huge impacts, and things come back to haunt our two agents. The stories are filled with unexpected events that usually take the story in a completely different direction than ever expected... making it an incredible experience.

In addition to the unique and clever plotlines, the author has gifted "over-the-top" chemistry especially between Declan and Sam. There are so many different personalities in this group of character.... along with all the secrets that everyone is keeping. There just seems to be no end to the depth of their depravity.

The relationship between Sam and Declan is the stuff that M/M romances are built on and why we readers read them. She gives us a few BDSM scenes, some erotic power exchanges, and some playful games. Declan and Sam are simply amazing together.

I had thought that Powder Burns was going to be the last book in the Shatterproof Bonds series and I was more than excited to learn that there was one more book.... which, thanks to my good friend, "Mr. Amazon", I now have in my "hot little hands". Powder Burns, leaves us with a brilliantly devised cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see where the adventure goes from here. Maybe Ms. Starling will take pity on her readers and will give us books #7, 8, 9...???? Oh well, guess I can always start over.

What Have We Done - Alex Finley - (Pennsylvania)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense Thriller
5★
A stay-at-home mom with a past. A has-been rock star with a habit. A reality TV producer with a debt. Three disparate lives. One deadly secret.
Twenty-five years ago, Jenna, Donnie, and Nico were the best of friends, having forged a bond through the abuse and neglect they endured as residents of Savior House, a group home for parentless teens. When the home was shut down―after the disappearance of several kids―the three were split up. Though the trauma of their childhood has never left them, each went on to live accomplished―if troubled―lives. They haven’t seen one another since they were teens but now are reunited for a single haunting reason: someone is trying to kill them. To survive, the group will have to revisit the nightmares of their childhoods and confront their shared past―a past that holds the secret to why someone wants them dead. It’s a reunion none of them asked for . . . or wanted. But it may be the only way to save all their lives.
Twenty-five years ago, Jenna, Donnie, Nico, Ben, and Arty lived at Savior House, a home that takes in kids whose parents have either died or otherwise abandoned them. In some ways Savior House had saved them and gave them a place to live when they had nowhere else to go. It was also their biggest nightmare. Girls at Savior House seem to disappear. Sure... they might have been placed with families like the people in charge said, but that seemed unlikely. We learn about Savior House and their time there through small parts of the story and the children's memories. Savior House is a character in this story, an almost living, breathing entity... a very dark entity. Even before we learn exactly what had happened at Savior House, it’s crystal clear that this was not a happy home.

Our five main characters come together as adults...but they haven't been in touch as much, now that they're adults. Jenna is our main character...the one that we hear the most from. Jenna had been “recruited”. I found this a bit questionable because she was definitely not old enough to give her consent. She became a part of a shadowy organization known as "The Corporation". The many skills that Jenna learned here, prepared her well to become an assassin.

When the book begins, Jenna is retired from her life of "crime and adventure". She's now married to a good man and has a teenage daughter. She’s happy. And that makes the events of the story particularly terrifying. Jenna receives a calling card from "The Corporation".

Jenna’s story was entirely unrelatable...something that can be frustrating, but in this case, it actually worked, as Jenna herself was relatable. She’d do anything to protect her family and the quiet, contented life she has finally found. She was never naïve though, she has many, many safeguards built around her life that will trigger if any threat gets too close...and now they all are triggered...every last one.

The narration was written to be given by a third person, and though I was at first skeptical...it worked well, and we could get glimpses from a few different characters. Donnie and Nico were less developed than Jenna, but equally as important to the story. They hold pieces of the story we wouldn’t get if we had only heard it from Jenna.

It's a fast-moving book and it becomes clear early on that someone is targeting this little group from Savior House. Jenna is not your average former-assassin. Donnie may be a washed-up musician, but he has more going on than you first think. And Nico has a lot more details to uncover about what is going on in his life and with his gambling addiction. The history of how he became the person he is now, was fascinating.

Most of the book occurs in present time, but these characters stories are all grounded in the past. A lot of what we are being asked to figure out is not just who is behind this, but what had happened those years before. We all know that the past always comes back somewhere, somehow...and that secrets have a way of rearing their heads when lest expected. Overall, this story was entertaining, fast acting, and heart-pounding. I've read many of Alex North's novels and I found this one to be a bit different from his other books but that wasn't in any way a bad thing. If you are a mystery/thriller fan, you will more than likely like this one.

A Stir of Echoes - Richard Matheson - (Illinois)
Genera: Supernatural/Horror
5★
Tom Wallace is happy with his suburban lot Until an evening of casual entertainment turns reality into nightmare Tom sees himself as a pragmatist. and when his brother-in-law challenges him to undergo hypnotism. He obliges to prove a point. So, no one is more surprised that Tom when it works. But this cheap parlor trick unlocked something that now threatens his sanity, his way of life and his marriage. Suddenly he can sense his neighbor's darkest desires. and some are dark indeed. When shadows from the past and glimpses of the future are revealed to him. Tom tries to deny what's happening. But as his existence becomes increasingly unbearable. the biggest revelation of all awaits...a message from beyond the grave.

I saw the movie starring Kevin Bacon when it came out and I thought it did a great job without "modernizing" this already well-done story. They kept some of the same elements, although they did change the person who was murdered and the reason why. Although this book was published the late 1950's, actually in 1958, and you can feel that the women in the story, as it usually was in this time period, are entirely dependent on their husbands. It gives "2026 you", a claustrophobic feeling. The reader is also "dropped" into a quiet suburban community where everyone knows everyone and sees everyone at the same dinner parties and other social events.

Our story follows Tom Wallace. Tom is happily married to Anne. They have a small son, Richard, and are expecting another baby very soon. Tom works at a plant in town and seems to be content with his life. Then Tom's brother-in-law comes to visit, they go to visit with one of the neighbors. Over the course of various friendly discussions, the subject comes up about hypnosis and Tom agrees to be hypnotized. His brother-in-law tells him to "let his mind be free” and that seems to awaken "something" in Tom that he had never experienced before. Tom is now seeing ghosts and is able to sense and see what other people are feeling and doing. Tom is getting sicker and more disturbed by his newfound and unwanted abilities. He desperately wants to rid himself of the ghost that are now calling on him every night. Things are really getting stirred up in this once sleepy little community and all is not what it seems to be.

Tom told us his story, and he was a great narrator. We learned how much he loved his wife and how he feels about most of his neighbors, which was mostly ambivalent or simply indifferent. His mind becomes “free” and he becomes more attuned to them, and he finds that he is actually oftentimes sickened by their behavior. He feels trapped when he is close to any of the women in the community, especially if it seems that they might be okay with the idea of having an affair. He learns that many of his neighbors have disturbing, and even toxic, marriages. Richard Matheson does a really great job of contrasting Tom with them.

It seemed a bit odd that Tom’s wife Anne was a willing partner in this. She seemed to change quickly from what she appeared to be at the start of the story. She quickly became angry and resentful of what this new "ability" is doing to Tom, and she seemed to "abandon" him at times. You can put yourself in her place and begin to understand the "why" after a while as this whole thing with Tom has been alien to her. Tom was supposed to provide for their family and protect them and now she fears what he sees and what he chooses to tell her or worse yet...NOT to tell her.

The tone of the writing was perfect and "right", for this period of time...the 1950's. The story flowed from beginning to end, and I had no problem with the direction the author chose to take us. The setting of the late 1950s and early 1960s was perfect also as well as, believable. There is also a definite surprise at the end. A good 5-star worthy read.

>32 Carol420: I like Matheson and I read that book years ago!

The Rebel Candidate
Series: Shatterproof Bonds #6 - (England)
Genera: M/M Romance/Agents
5★
Sam Aiken is done with being a field agent. He was trained up in his youth and sent out into the world alone. But Sam isn't alone anymore. Deeply in love and married to fellow agent Declan Ramsay, the couple have been trying to extract themselves from the clutches of their boss, Sam's father, Sir James Aiken. James always told Sam that nobody really leaves the secret services, and although that may be true, Sam and Declan are determined to give it their best shot.
Their successful Vienna mission ended with a little bonus - a memory key that contained compromising material about James. The plan was to use it as a bargaining tool to extract them both from A.L.L... but fate had other ideas. Returning to London Sam and Declan walk into their HQ and find a massacre and James is missing. Neither man will be leaving A.L.L until James is found, dead, or alive. They get to work, digging into James's past. Who are "The Alphabet Club"? Why was James not killed during the assault? Where in the world is he being imprisoned? Can they save him…and do they really want to?

I would have answered the last question in above book description as "leave old James wherever he is and GOOD RIDANCE"! I never liked this character, but he fit perfectly into the storyline and gave us so much understanding about Sam. I can't imagine growing up with this man. Anway...the end has come, and I am so glad that I bought and own all 6 of these outstanding books.

We finally learn about James's past and learn that he was once a loving father. He is now a cold, vile, bigoted...I can't say what he is as it would cause the censors to have a heart attack! He was horrible to Sam and let him be kidnapped, not once, but twice...and just like that...there went his "Father of the Year" trophy!

We finally learned everything about "The Alphabet Club" and how all that has ever happened was connected and tired up in a big, beautiful bow. I really felt bad for our Sam, especially when he finally got to confront his father. I really wanted to dispose of "dear old Dad" in the nearest dumpster.

Sam and Declan are the warmest, absolutely "made-for -each-other" couple. Their love is still as strong and beautiful as it has been ever since we met them in the first book. They are a lovely couple and they truly understand each other. It is sure to make you smile seeing them together, and some of their other "activities" are "hot off the page" also. Finally, Sam gets some truths from Sir James. Overall...this has been a great series that I will diffidently read over and over again.

If You See Her - Ania Ahlborn -(Michigan)
Genera: Mystery/Supernatural
3.5★
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: suicide of several characters and their deaths are rehashed many times.
The house on Old Mill Road has stood in an open field for longer than Jesse Wells has been alive, its crooked windows and jutting turret tormenting the kids of Warsaw, Michigan the way only a haunted house knows how. Everyone imagines that something terrible lurks within the house’s abandoned rooms—especially Jesse and his two closest friends, Casey and Reed. But when Reed chooses the house as a backdrop for his own suicide, childhood ghost stories are transformed into a nightmare that sends Jesse into a downward spiral of grief. Nearly twenty years later, Jesse stands on the collapsing steps of the house that snatched away his best friend. Casey has asked him to revisit their old demons, if only to help them find closure that’s long overdue. But tragedy finds them once more, and Jesse is left forever changed. Now, left to cope with the disaster that had become his life, Jesse must unravel the mystery behind the house that has terrified him since he was a boy. To fail is to lose everything he has left. But success might come at an even a higher price.
The main character, Jesse, is unlikeable and pretty difficult to root for right from the start. We first meet him on the night when he and his friends, Casey and Reed go into the abandoned house on Old Mill Road. Reed jumped to his death, and Jesse and Casey coped in their own ways and soon drift apart. Jesse becomes an alcoholic, while Casey had numerous sexual encounters. Almost twenty-years later, Casey is a famous You Tube star and Jesse is a teacher at the local high school.

Jesse says that he is happy with his job and his family, yet there is a trace of bitterness there. His friend’s death and Jesse’s alcoholism helped in destroying his dreams of becoming a famous author. It took his girlfriend...and later, wife, Lou Ellen, to help him to recover. Still he resents Casey’s wealth and also the fact that he’s still stuck in the same small town with no means to escape.

He eventually goes back to the abandoned house with Casey and begins to have dreams about a girl and her family that used to live there. He becomes convinced that he has to write a book about that house. Soon, he’s having trouble sleeping and functioning, but he still doesn’t believe there’s anything wrong. Whatever inhabits that house is affecting his psyche, his mind, and turning him into an angry, obsessive man. The entire book is basically him and his continuingly worsening bad behavior...which made for a lot of dark, bleak reading. Jesse’s despair, passivity and struggle to write his book felt slow and repetitive. It became difficult to relate to Jesse or to even care about what happens to him. It's also what brought the rating down. You can only stand so much of that type of behavior even if it is only on paper.

There is background snippets of the "girl" in Jesse’s dreams and I found that I was more interested in her than any of the other characters. Unfortunately, her story also plays on very familiar themes of possession and exorcism. The haunting appears to move from person to person, but the "how" and "why" was not fully explained. Certain scenes when she is haunting Jesse were quite spooky, but I need to know more about the link between her story and Jesse’s obsessive "need" to write that book.

The story is very good and the writing is engaging. There were also many times when I could sense or expect what the author is trying to go for...but despite a very strong start, I was left wanting more at the end. I know that I'm overly "picky" about my paranormal stories, so I'm sure that this one will more than merely appeal to those ghost story, paranormal junkies out there. Just be warned that parts of it are very grim.

March Group Read

The Seventh Plague - James Rollins - (Egypt, Sudan)
Series: Sigma Force Book #12
Genera: Mystery /Adventure
5★
If the biblical plagues of Egypt truly happened--could they happen again--on a global scale? Two years after vanishing into the Sudanese desert, the leader of a British archeological expedition, Professor Harold McCabe, comes stumbling out of the sands, frantic and delirious, but he dies before he can tell his story. The mystery deepens when an autopsy uncovers a bizarre corruption: someone had begun to mummify the professor's body--while he was still alive. His strange remains are returned to London for further study, when alarming news arrives from Egypt. The medical team who had performed the man's autopsy has fallen ill with an unknown disease, one that is quickly spreading throughout Cairo. Fearing the worst, a colleague of the professor reaches out to a longtime friend: Painter Crowe, the director of Sigma Force. The call is urgent, for Professor McCabe had vanished into the desert while searching for proof of the ten plagues of Moses. As the pandemic grows, a disturbing question arises. Are those plagues starting again?
There have been several various attempts over the years trying to explain some of, or all of, the biblical "Plagues of Moses", and here we have James Rollins closely managing to do it in a way that I had never encountered before. He threw in several wide-ranging, eye-opening myths as well. Anyone that reads much of this author's books knows that this is what he does so very well. While the main theme here is the "Plagues of Moses"; one in particular, we can also see Nikola Tesla and some of the mysteries surrounding his life. We visit the mystery of the elephant graveyard, and we are also treated to appearances by both David Livingstone and Mark Twain. There is other "cutting edge" discoveries such as a strange new...never before seen, variety of bacteria.

This is all rolled into an exciting, globe-trotting adventure with our "heroes" trying to save the world before the forces of…misguidedness, for lack of a better word; can try to destroy it along with every living thing. I wondered what their own 'survival" plan was going to be when everyone and everything was destroyed? Had they even given that any thought? It certainly would have been my FIRST thought if I had gotten up one morning and decided to destroy the world.

Overall...It was a good read, and it was even more fun because it was being read with a group of friends on the Mystery & Suspense site. It was an entertaining as well as a thought provoking read...one that I may at some point revisit. I recommend this one to any reader that likes adventure and intrigue. A 5-star rating for an interesting adventure.

Digging Deep - Jay Hogan - (New Zealand)
Genera:M/M Romance/Crohn's Disease
5★
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: Crohn's Disease/Loss of a Baby
DRAKE PARK: He has a complicated life. As a gay male midwife, he's used to "raising eyebrows". Add Crohn's disease to the mix, and things get interesting-or not, considering the sad state of his love life. Experience has taught Drake that most men are "fair-weather" sailors when it comes to handling his condition and gone like dust when things get rough. Staying healthy is a full-time job without adding in any heartbreak, so a little loneliness is a very small price to pay. If he says it often enough, he might even start to believe it. One thing for sure, the cop who arrested him isn't about to change that.
CALEB ASHTON: He doesn't have a complicated life. He's a senior detective with the Whangarei Police Department; he likes his job and he is good at it. He works hard and he plays hard. He's happy to enjoy as many men as he can while he's still young enough; or at least he was. These days he feels adrift for the first time in his life, and the only thing sparking his interest is a certain prickly young midwife. But can Drake find enough faith to risk opening his heart again? And does Caleb have what it takes to cope with the challenges Drake's condition presents?

First of all, I have to give this author, Jay Hogan, the highest praise for how honest she was with the readers about the chronic debilitating effects that some people suffer from Crohn's Disease. She didn't "sugar coat" it or keep it, or the young man that suffered from it, behind "closed doors". This by itself gave this entire book and its two main characters so much more credibility. I know they are fictional characters, but when a book is this well written those fictional characters can and will, soon become very real and vivid to the reader.

Drake was an incredible character. His Crohn's made him uncontrollably vulnerable; his personality was beautiful and, for lack of a better word...pure. The book is highly emotional throughout and there could/may/will be potential triggers due to the impact the disease has on Drake, and his relationship with Calab, and there are also pregnancy complications, and the dangers associated with Caleb's job as a police detective. These all bring some angst to the story. Anyone that has ever lost a baby may want to approach this part carefully or skip it entirely.

The characters are wonderful, even the secondary ones. They all add a lot to the story. We get to move along with Drake and Caleb's relationship. I loved the ending, although this was one that I wished could have gone on and on. But "all good things must come to an end". This ending, was "swoon-worthy", beautifully done, and a "happy ever after." I know that this story is going to stay with me for a long time, as it had a massive impact. It is without any question, a 5-star read. And again, I can't say it enough, please, pay attention to the trigger warning.

Glamorous - Romeo Alexander (Michigan)
Series: Club Nocturne Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance/Gay Nightclub
4.5★
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: Some recounts of past abuse:
Aidan: A fresh start, far away from my old life, is exactly what I need. A new town, new people, new job, the works. Yeah, I jump at my own shadow, who wouldn’t after what I’ve been through. My ex and his fists are behind me, and believe it or not, working at Club Nocturne is exactly what I need to get back on my feet. Performing always gives me confidence, and stripping is just acting, right? The huge security guy reminds me of my ex, and at first, I can’t even look him in the eye. But my body is telling me a completely different story…I just don’t know if I can afford to listen.
Axel: Everyone at Nocturne calls me "Glam", but there’s nothing glamorous about me. I’ve got a pretty good life, which is saying something considering how it used to be. I’ve got a house, a great job running security at Club Nocturne, four sisters who drive me nuts, and two cats who I’m sure are trying to kill me. Then a hot new dancer shows up at the Club. I can’t decide if he’s just shy or if there’s more to his story…then I watch him dance, and I suddenly want a whole lot more. But I know I’m going to have to take it slow…Shy and scared meets a safe pair of hands in this tale of new beginnings. Can Aidan embrace his fresh start, and even more importantly, can he bring himself to embrace Axel?
Despite appearances, Aidan and Axel (Glam), have a lot in common. They’re both good, kind, and deeply intuitive guys who have both survived physical and mental abuse.

There are differences also; Aidan is a sunny extrovert and Axel’s grumpy introversion gave the story a great “opposites attract” vibe. The real heart of the story, however, is the patience and understanding that the two guys show to one another. Axel was the genuine source of everything that was good in Aidan’s life. With Axel's help Aidan finds ways to be himself, and to finally be happy, and especially happy with his new job and his new boyfriend. Aidan never allowed himself to believe that his life could ever be like this.

There are some dangers and a little bit of suspense in the story, but there is also genuine friendship, happy laughter, and so very much love. Fans of this series will see some familiar faces among the supporting characters...but all of this series can be read as a standalone. Just a sidenote: I choose to read the book because i love this author, not because I, in ANY WAY, liked this cover.

Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston
Digital audiobook performed by Ramon de Ocampo
3***

From the book jacket: When his mother became President of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. His image is millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There’s only one problem: Alex has a beef with an actual prince, Henry. And when tabloids get hold of an Alex/Henry altercation, US/British relations take a turn for the worse. Heads of family and state devise a plan: stage a truce between the two rivals.

My reactions
Just a lovely MM romance! Follows the typical trope of enemies-to-lovers, but with a political twist. Because an outed romance between these two scions of important families could derail their respective family’s plans, and cause an international scandal.

I really liked both these characters. Henry was, as he was trained, much more reserved and cautious. Alex is reluctant at first but embraces the ruse to help his mother and his own political ambitions. Their initial emails and texts are typical of a budding friendship … beginning with basics as they play along with the ruse, but then getting more personal as they learn more about each other.

Of course the path to true love is not always easy, especially when wrapped in the political and international-relations hoopla these two must endure. But that all adds to the tension. Still these two face the world with the confidence that comes from truly loving one another.

Ramon de Ocampo does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. He sets a good pace and has clear diction, and he’s able to give each character a sufficiently unique voice so there’s no confusion about who is speaking.

Two Truths and a Murder
Colleen Cambridge
4/5 stars
I picked this up at the library not knowing it was a series. However, I found it enjoyable. Phyllida Bright is the housekeeper for Agatha Christie and she becomes involved in the murder of Ethel, one of the party members. Mystery

Dead Letter Days - Kelly Armstrong - (Canada, British Columbia)
Series: Haven Rock Series Book # 0.5; Rockton Series Book #8
Genera: Mystery/ Novella
5★
POSSIBLE TRIGGER: Domestic Abuse
Eric Dalton spent most of his life in Rockton, a hidden town in the Yukon for people who need to disappear. Now that sanctuary is gone, and he’s holed up in a wilderness lodge with his girlfriend, Casey Duncan, and their friends, as they scout for a place to build their own Rockton. When Eric and Casey find a literal message-in-a-bottle, it leads them to the mystery of a woman who went missing decades ago, having never received that vital message. As they investigate that cold case, Dalton must finally lay to rest the ghosts of his own past and make some overdue decisions before he’s ready to step forward in his new life with Casey. Note: This is not a full-length novel. It’s a novella set between the end of the Rockton series and the beginning of the Haven’s Rock spinoff.
This is set near a wilderness lodge in British Columbia. Casey Duncan and Eric Dalton, along with some of their friends and staff from Rockton, are planning where to build their new refuge and what they need. It’s going to be a sanctuary for those that are trying to escape from whatever in their lives that they need to escape from. Eric and Casey find a message-in-a-bottle while they are out walking with Casey’s dog, Storm. This discovery leads them to a cold case Thirty years ago a woman went missing. As they investigate this cold case, we learn about Eric’s past and his need to make some decisions.

Casey and Eric are wonderful characters with lots of depth. Casey is almost what you would conder to be "driven". She a great investigator and, as in my mystery novels, frequently finds dead bodies. She’s listens to what her friends and co-workers have to say. She's empathetic and understanding. However, she often doesn’t feel competent within herself. Eric is a sweetheart. He's a fantastic tracker who sometimes needs some "alone time" in the woods. He's very truthful...sometimes that gets him in trouble...he can sometimes be too assertive. He also can be short-tempered and blunt, which annoys people at times, and he doesn't care much for "small talk". We also got a better feeling for Casey’s sister April.

While investigating and solving this cold case, we learned more about Eric’s background and saw him make decisions that were long overdue. A great deal of this story is told from Eric’s point of view rather than from of Casey’s. Some of the themes in this story may be triggers for some that include domestic abuse,

Overall, it's well-written and entertaining. It's a solid mystery with likeable and complex characters. It can be read as a standalone, but the reader will gain a better understanding of the main characters and their backgrounds if they read the Rockton series first. If you are already a fan of Kelley Armstrong and/or the Rockton series, you will most likely thoroughly enjoy this novella.

Bait and Switch - Elle Keaton - (Island off the coast of Washington)
Series Subtle Deceptions/Bait and Switch, Book #2
Also, Karne and Lundin series Book # 2
Genera: - M/M Romance/Mystery & Suspense
5★
Gabriel Karne is back. The plan: He's going to lie low on Heartstone Island and wait for the dumpster fire that is his past life to burn itself out. Gabriel has avoided "Ranger Man" for days, made a few important repairs to his sailboat, and put a dent in the stack of dime-store mysteries Elton loaned him. Life is at least okay. Eight days in, and his strategy crumbles like a wet cookie.
The Reality: His ex-partner-in-crime returns, but this time he is very dead...and wearing a baby blue tracksuit, which somehow makes his murder even worse. Is his body a message from the crime family they mutually pissed off? Did Peter have connections to Heartstone? If he didn't, how the hell did he know he'd find Gabe there? With yet another exceedingly ill-timed murder, Gabe's luck is once again not the "Good Kind". Then there's his simmering attraction to Casey, which he's actively sweeping underneath his" mental throw rug". Lundin is definitely not Gabe's type. He's a walking-talking "moral compass" that never seems to cease pointing out everything he's sure is wrong about Gabe. But damn, that man's uniform fits him like a custom glove. Adding to it all, snow is in the forecast, there's a missing brush worker up the valley, and Calvin Perkins is still on the loose. Gabe's not even going to think about all those creepy spiders. Everything will be fine. Yeah...FINE.
I have read this author for many years and have never been disappointed with anything that she turns out...especially about these two guys. This one is a great follow up to the first book in the Bait and Switch series. Although the slow and simmering romance between Gabe and Casey is the central theme of the story, there is so much other stuff going on around them.

It all starts out with Gabe stumbling on a dead body which just happens to be his ex, and you just know that the crooked sheriff, that we met in book #1, and his not so law-abiding deputies are going to try and pin this on our Gabe. The fact that they have not one grain of evidence is just a slight "inconvenience" to them. It seems that everything in this little town revolves around the sheriff, and he seems to have a lot of influential people going along with him. As Gabe, Casey and the Elton, sweet old guy that we met in the first book and has lived in this small town his entire life and knows everyone and everything, try to solve the murder before they can pin it on Gabe, many things start to unravel. It seems Elton has taken Gabe and Casey "under his wing".

I really liked that this story is told in a duel "point of view", and we "get into the heads" of both the main characters. Gabe admits his feelings in his head, for the sometimes overly prickly Casey, but Casey is still fighting his feelings. It takes a little time and another event that I won't give away, to finally unleash the budding romance.

There is a lot to unravel in this plot line of this one, everything from some missing hikers on the mountain, a missing man related to the sheriff, a couple more dead bodies, arson, the jailing of Casey’s brother 20 years ago for murder, and did I mention those crooked law men??? It’s all related. This one is indeed a genuine "page turner". I couldn’t put it down. We even get the wonderful, and warm Clarabel, along with Shay and Niall Hamarsson from Piedras Island series close to the end of the book, along with a stray cat that Gabe calls "Keith", doesn't matter at all to Gabe that it’s a girl, Gabe owes his life to that cat.

I seldom recommend M/M Romance books except on the two M/M Romance sites on Goodreads, but I have to give this little series high recommendations if you don't have any qualms about two guys that love each other being together... but you really need to read book one first. I hate that someone can't seemed to decide what actual series it is part of, so we have three to choose from. I found it in the Subtle Deception series.

A Rip Through Time - Kelly Armstrong - (Scotland)
Series: Rip Through Time Book #1
Genera: Time Travel/Mystery & Suspense
5★
MAY 20, 2019: Homicide detective Mallory Atkinson is in Edinburgh to be with her dying grandmother. While out on a jog one evening, Mallory hears a woman in distress. She’s drawn to an alley, where she is attacked and loses consciousness.
MAY 20, 1869: Housemaid Catriona Mitchell had been enjoying a half day off, only to be discovered that night strangled and left for dead . . . exactly one hundred and fifty years before Mallory is strangled in the same spot. When Mallory wakes up in Catriona’s body in 1869, she must put aside her shock and adjust quickly to her new reality: life as a housemaid to an undertaker in Victorian Scotland. She soon discovers that her boss, Dr. Gray, also moonlights as a medical examiner and has just taken on an intriguing case, the strangulation of a young man, similar to the attack on herself. Her only hope is that catching the murderer can lead her back to her modern life . . . before it’s too late.

This is the first book in this series. Canadian detective Mallory is visiting her dying grandmother in Edinburgh when she stops to investigate a woman’s cries from a dark alley. When Mallory is attacked, she thinks that sees a strange optical illusion, but she quickly passes out when the unknown assailant strangles her. When she wakes up, she’s in a strange house, in very add clothing, including a corset, which she has never owned. Everything is strange...but true. It's hard to believe, but it seems that Mallory has been stuck into the body of a housemaid, Catriona, who herself had been attacked and strangled in that same alley as Mallory... but it had happened 150 years ago!

Mallory soon figures out the truth and quickly believes the whole thing is the result of her head injury. She decides that it's responsible for everything...for her memory loss and her change in personality. The housemaid who was previously literate can suddenly read and write, and what’s even more strange, now takes an interest in her master’s forensic work that’s very new and different. As Mallory spends more time as Catriona, she realizes that while she doesn’t have an obvious way back to her own life and time, she can make a contribution where she is by applying her knowledge of 21st century police procedures to help solve the case of a potential serial killer that is haunting Edinburgh. Unfortunately, Mallory also discovers that Catriona was not anywhere close to being the sweet, innocent 19-year-old. She was a woman with a "gift" for thievery and deceit, with absolutely. zero, zilch, no moral compass. As Mallory struggles to make sense of her new life, she also is confronted by the mistrust and dislike earned by the woman whose body she now inhabits.

The story is fascinating and completely immersive. It's like exploring a "fish-out-of-water" situation through the eyes of a strong, accomplished 21st century woman who has been forced into a life where she has none of the qualities necessary to fit into this life or time period. Mallory is a fantastic character who confronts her bizarre circumstances with intelligence and determination, while applying her years of experience as a detective to both help her employer solve the mysteries he sees in his line of work as well as well as solving the "unknowns" about her own case.

Mallory is not only in the wrong century and in the wrong body, but she’s being targeted by a killer. As her time in the Edinburgh of the 1860s continues, she learns that she as herself and as Catriona is in danger. There’s a mystery to solve...a killer to catch, and the action is fast-paced and totally fun to follow along. It all sounds like an unbelievable theme for a story, but it's not at all surprising that Kelley Armstrong weaves a story about crime, women’s roles, time travel, connections, independence, and family, into this story and made it all simply...work! The writing throughout is fresh and fun.

I've always look forward to anything written by Kelly Armstrong...so I look forward to exploring future books in the series. I'm not sure, but it seems that this series should be read in order.

Try- Ella Frank - (Illinois)
Series: Temptations Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
"Try" a verb: to make an attempt or effort to do something or in this case…someone.
Sex. Logan Mitchell loves it, and ever since he realized his raw sexual appeal at a young age, he has had no problem using it to his advantage. Men and women alike fall into his bed, after all, Logan is not one to discriminate. He lives by one motto, if something interests you, why not just take a chance and try?
And he wants to "try" Tate Morrison. Tate is Just coming out of a four-year marriage with the "ex-wife from hell", so a relationship is the last thing on his mind. He’s starting over fresh and trying to get back on his feet with a new job at an upscale bar in downtown Chicago. The only problem is, Tate has caught the unwavering and unwelcome attention of Logan Mitchell, who is a regular at the bar and a man who always gets what he wants. Night after night Tate fends off the persistent advances of the undeniably charismatic man, but after an explosive moment in the bar, all bets are off as he finds his body stirring with a different desire than his mind can fathom. As arrogance, stubbornness and sexual tension sizzles between the two guys, it threatens to change the very course of both their lives. Logan doesn’t do relationships. Actually, Tate doesn’t do men.... but what would happen if they both just gave in and…tried?

I didn't especially like either of these main characters at first...but it didn't take long before they "grew on me". By the end I was totally in their corner and rooting for them. This is the first in a series composed of six books, (lucky me!), that follows the budding relationship of Logan and Tate; two men in their mid-thirties as they come together and try to move toward a deeper commitment. I won't rehash the premise, you can read that in the description above, but I can't say enough wonderful things about the characterizations in this book, or how wonderfully the presentation of this story is done. These people came alive on the pages. Ella Frank has a way of writing both the character and the plot so that it carries the reader completely right into the world of the story.

I liked the matter-of-fact way the main characters, Tate and Logan approached each other and their possible relationship. They approached it as something between them as individuals where genders are not the first requirement, or actually ever a requirement at all. Tate and Logan are both very diffidently the definition of "male characters". they did very little circling around each other from the beginning and that was a bit of surprise seeing as how this was all new to Tate having never been with man before. It was fascinating to see how Ella Frank wrote the scenes where their expected more "masculine" behaviors clashed and how quickly the clashes are then resolved. You can expect scorchingly hot scenes, but the genuine, growing love is also sweet and absolutely beautiful.

Yeah!!! 5 more books in this series, and I know I will be collecting them as I can hardly wait to return to Tate and Logan's stories.

Hardwood - K.M. Neuhold - (Wisconsin)
Series: Four Bears Construction, Book #3
Genera: -M/M Romance
5★
I’ve spent forty-four years of my life telling the world I’m a carpet man. Is it too late to admit to myself and everyone else that deep down I’m really all about the Hardwood? It took me over thirty-five years to admit to myself that I’m gay, another seven to find the courage to say it out loud to anyone else, and exactly thirty seconds to develop a massive crush on my daughter’s music teacher. It’s really not my fault, have you even seen those cute bowties he wears? After everything it’s taken to get here, am I going to work up the nerve to come out to my ex-wife and my best friends? Am I ready to shake up my comfortable, simple life and take a chance on Watson? Or am I going to throw a wrench in my own chance for happily ever after?

It might have taken Everett thirty-five years to even admit to himself that he was gay, and another seven years to actually say it out loud, but it only took a few seconds for him to fall for his daughter's music teacher. Now he just has to work up the courage to tell his friends and the rest of the world.

This book was a wonderful "coming out" story. Everett is a quiet man who spends the majority of his time taking care of his daughter and working. He doesn’t have a dating life, nor does he fool around with anyone. He's the kind of man that doesn't handle change or confrontation well at all. The man was married for 14 years before he actually even admitted that he was gay...obviously he was bi, but he probably didn't even know what that meant. Coming out to his friends and family was a long hard process for him, Having Watson around helped him to stop hiding which was diffidently something that he needed.

Watson was just... adorable, and sweet. Someone that most folks, male or female, would not hesitate to "take home to meet their mother". He was a perfect match for Everett. He was so understanding of Everett’s need to go slow after "coming out". He never pushed and never forced the issue. I loved Watson. He was a big flirt and owned a lot of cute bowties. You can't help but instantly love him. He did have a lot of insecurities left over from his own bad track record with dating, but he and Everett managed to work it out. They were simply the most adorable couple you would ever meet.

As you can see, I was hooked from the very start. It thought that it was nice to have the story featuring older characters. Most of the time we have much younger folks; usually in their early 20s....these two were in their 40s. Being honest with yourself is hard and not always quick....so it was actually nice how the author handled these two guys.

I have really liked this series so far...this is book #3 in the Four Bears Construction series. K.M. Neuhold’s writing style and characters work together perfectly and I know I have thus far, found this delightful... as well as everything else that this author has written that I currently own. K.M. Neuhold is diffidently one of my "go to" authors. I know that I can always count on her.

There is one small thing that I must admit bothered the "wildlife educator" in me. I spent 30 years of my life at a local zoo presenting education programs to visitors and going into schools with animals and also presenting programs there. I loved the little hedgehog that was Watson's little pet. However, I would have had to discourage him from ever getting it to begin with, but he seemed to be giving it the proper care...but please give a cat or a dog a good loving home and not an animal that has had zero years of domestication. Also, a hedgehog is NOT a rodent as the story said. A hedgehog is an insectivore and belongs the mammalian order called Eulipotyphla, the same order as moles.

There is one small thing that I must admit bothered the "wildlife educator" in me. I spent 30 years of my life at a local zoo presenting education programs to visitors and going into schools with animals and also presenting programs there. I loved the little hedgehog that was Watson's little pet. However, I would have had to discourage him from ever getting it to begin with, but he seemed to be giving it the proper care...but please give a cat or a dog a good loving home and not an animal that has had zero years of domestication. Also, a hedgehog is NOT a rodent as the story said. A hedgehog is an insectivore and belongs the mammalian order called Eulipotyphla, the same order as moles.

The Daisy Children – Sofia Grant
1.5*

From the book jacket: In this novel, inspired by true events, a young woman peels back the layers of her family’s history, discovering a tragedy in the past that explains so much of the present.

My reactions:
Meh.

I would really have liked to learn more about the actual explosion in 1937 that flattened the New London School and killed nearly 300 people (mostly children). But instead, this is a typical historical fiction / family secrets / dual (or triple) timeline story.

I had some sympathy for Katie, whose husband is increasingly distant, and who leaps at the chance to escape Boston for a short while to deal with her recently deceased grandmother’s estate. On the other hand, I pretty quickly lost patience with Scarlett. Yes, I realize she has limited education and limited opportunities, but her “devotion” to a ne’er-do-well boyfriend made me want to shake her. On the other hand, she was kindness personified. And I liked how her relationship with Katie developed, despite their being virtual strangers at the outset.

The back and forth timelines though, really threw me. Maybe because I really didn’t care about any of these people (Katie’s mother, grandmother and great grandmother). I’m sure part of my disappointment was because I kept expecting more information about that 1937 disaster, and never got anything but the fact that it happened and that a lot of couples had “replacement” babies within the next year.

Well, it fit a couple of challenges, and it’s off the tbr now.

The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg―and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema
Paul Fischer
4/5 stars
A wonderful and interesting book about the modern-day kings of cinema which include Stephen Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. A must read for movie fans!

The Neighbors - Ania Ahlborn
Genera: Horror
4.5★
Andrew Morrison sacrificed everything...his childhood, his education, and the girl of his dreams to look after his alcoholic mother. Enough is enough, and now he's determined to get out and live his own life. That means leaving the home he grew up in for a rented room in the house of an old childhood friend...neither of them is in what could be called in "good shape" by any stretch of the imagination. The only thing worse than Drew's questionable shabby new place is his attraction to the neighbors next door
I love a great chilling horror story, and this one may make you a little wary of your neighbors.

Andrew Morrison is moving into his new home. He has been desperate for a fresh new start. He's lost everything in his life...his education...the love of his life...and perhaps the worst thing, he lost his childhood because of his alcoholic mother. But he believes that he sees a brighter future ahead. He moves in with a friend from high school and everything seems to be going his way, for once in his life. He meets the Wards, his new neighbors. As is the case in most horror stories, they seem to be the absolutely perfect couple, living in the perfect suburban home with the white picket fence and the well cared for lawn... but we find out that Mrs. Ward is hiding a dark, dark secret.

This is another eerie read from Ania Ahlborn. The reader gets that constant feeling of looming dread throughout the story...something that all horror stories should have. The characters were simply crazy. you never knew what was going to happen next. You'll be pulled into their instantly and you will just HAVE to know what Harlow Ward’s secrets are and why she has captured so much of Andrew’s attention. I like "scary", but this one wasn’t nearly as scary terrifying as some of this author's other books...Brother and Seed, to name two... but fans of the horror genera in general, will still like this one. It’s definitely a book that will make your skin crawl and remind you that you might want to keep your neighbors at a distance. A perfect read for a creepy night.

Boyfriend Goals - Riley Hart - (California)
Genera: M/M Romance
4.5★
Milo: Unusual. Quirky. Different. I’ve heard it all. I’ve accepted I’m not for everyone. Maybe not anyone. When I find out I inherited a bookstore and apartment on a small East Coast island, I jump at the chance for a new life. Turns out, I’ve also inherited a sexy, tattooed guy who not only rents the space next to my store for his tattoo parlor but my apartment too. Did I mention he’s really hot? And surprisingly sweet?
Gideon: I wasn’t looking for a roommate, but it’s not like I can stay at Milo’s place while he’s banished to a hotel. Our unlikely friendship is instant. According to Milo, we’re bestie goals. And if he doesn’t wear pants at home, who am I to complain? Milo’s not like anyone I’ve ever known. I like laughing and flirting with him. He’s adorably honest, eager, and sexier than he realizes. Now I just have to figure out how to convince him that maybe it’s time for an upgrade from bestie to boyfriend goals.

I have a good friend with a son that has autism, so I was glad to see something that presented a positive representation of those with autism. I saw a few reviews on another site from some autistic people who didn't feel it was a realistic representation. I thought it perhaps was an incomplete picture, but I didn't feel like it was incorrect at all. I have learned that one of the crazy things about autism is that it looks and is experienced differently by everyone who has it. My friend's son has many similar characteristics as the character of Milo had. Certainly, some of these symptoms are stereotypes, and stereotypes occasionally exist for a reason. There are going to be, I'm sure, much more complex behavior with "real people" than a character in a novel. In this type of book.

That being said, I do think it would have been better if there were more uses of the word "autism" in the story. For someone who isn't familiar with the behaviors, it would be easy to read the entire book without even knowing that Milo was autistic. His character did talk openly about his autism and how it affected his relationship. He was a blunt, rigidly organized man with strong determination. I believe that he was one of the most unique characters that I have ever encountered, and I was surprised at the depth of his feelings despite his own communication shortcomings.

Gideon on the other hand has a more chilled relaxed attitude and openness to others. They were perfect for each other and watching their friendship blossom and grow into such an earnest love was incredibly beautiful.

Overall, I liked the story and both characters. Milo getting his happy ending was wonderful. These two guys had some of the sweetest and heartwarming moments that will absolutely melt your heart. They were opposites who couldn't be more different, but they are surprisingly so very compatible. They both have an instant understanding of each other which only grows and intensifies their feelings.

The Seventh Plague by James Rollins
4****

A fast-paced and intriguing drama that combined archeology, research into the possible reality of the Biblical plagues, and of course lots of action from the Sigma Force group.

This book starts in a long ago time, when a priestess is preparing for her mummification inside of a giant, human-made tomb. Only this tomb is not like one would expect: it is a sandstone replica of a human body, complete with organs and ribs buried under the sands in the Egyptian Sahara.

Meanwhile, Dr. Harold McCabe comes stumbling out of the desert near the confluence of the White and Blue Niles in a partially mummified state himself. When he is autopsied, his body releases a plague that infects the scientists performing his autopsy. And the doctor leading the medical team is known to Painter Crowe of Sigma Force and needs his help.

Part of the plot involves the journeys of Livingstone and Stanley, the friendship between Stanley and Mark Twain, and the friendship between Twain and Nikolai Tesla. To bring matters to the modern era, Tesla's exploration into engineering and self-generating power are given new life above the Arctic Circle.

What thrilled me beyond measure was Rollins' mention of one of my favorite books, "The Terror" by Dan Simmons in his Epilogue. Because yes, part of the action takes place near the famed Northwest Passage, as well as in a seldom-explored National Park on the border between Rwanda and Tanzania.

The madness of the evil scientist seems quite timely, and the desire of former child soldiers to forget their past is also a part of this story. I was glad that Gray and the members of Six Sigma, as well as the son and daughter of Dr. McCabe, acted in quite human ways and the action was more believable.

The Healer's War by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
4****

I'm giving this book a solid 4 stars. It is strongly geared towards survivors of the Vietnam War, both those who fought in it and, in my case, those who grew up seeing images of the soldiers and war dead. Which is why it has been on my shelves for so long: this war is one I have never been able to read or study. The images I saw as a child were that traumatic.

And the author seems to have written this book as a way to purge her own memories and tell the tales of the patients she served. The first part details Kitty's work on the wards as a nurse during the Vietnam War, not knowing what would happen ultimately, but being in the thick of things after the My Lai massacre. Her patients are both American GI's and Vietnamese wounded.

I applaud Scarborough for giving the stories of her Vietnamese war wounded. And my heart aches for what they went through, both as patients and after a less generous hospital commander comes on board. Scarborough writes with great feeling about the heat, the casual sexism, her thoughts about life stateside and what brought her to the battlefield, and life on base. We get a glimpse into what life as a war nurse was all about.

Kitty, her narrator, falls for a helicopter pilot and their time together has its coming together and breaking apart. But finally, when the new commander orders all of the Vietnamese wounded to go to the less sanitary and less safe Vietnamese hospitals, and what happens is what one would expect. My heart broke.

Yet she seeks assistance with her helicopter pilot to bring one young boy, who has been a less than model patient, to another base where he might be able to heal from his partial leg amputation. As she plans this, a healer among her Vietnamese patients gives her his amulet and she finds that her senses are sharpened and her gifts as a healer amplified.

The second half of the book involves Kitty, her young patient Ahn, and an American GI, William, whose aura she now sees with its various colors thanks to her amulet, as they travel through the jungles looking for Ahn's village. Or any village where he might be able to grow to adulthood and they, as the Americans, would be relatively safe.

It's dark, it's painful to read, and it's not until now that I've been able to get more than a few pages in because of the subject matter. This book is about the scars that war leaves on those who fight a war in their own country and in another's for less than ethical reasons.

Deadlock - Tim Curran - (Michigan)
Genera: Horror
5★
Charlie Petty is a man known for having ice water in his veins. He never backs down and is never shaken but unfortunately has stirred up the wrong crowd. As a degenerate gambler, his luck has run out, and his debt has now come due. Charlie is offered a chance to clear his debt: simply stay alone on a ship overnight to prove to its owner and potential crew that it’s not cursed or haunted. Never mind the ship’s history of suicide, violence, mutiny and murder. Or how the ship’s past crews have all gone missing or insane. The fact that no one has set foot on deck in the darkness for years doesn’t faze Charlie one bit. It sounds like easy money to bust up a superstition or two. Charlie thinks his luck is returning. Little does he know it’s about to run out completely.
Charlie is a gambling addict as well as a womanizer, He finds himself deeply in debt to a loan shark, and to make matters worse, he's secretly sleeping with the loan shark's girlfriend. It seems, at least for now, that the "cheating" appears to have slipped under the loan shark's radar. The shark, Arturo, is only concerned with the fifty-thousand dollars. Actually, he's ready to forgive and forget the entire lump sum, if Charlie will agree to spend the night in the haunted captain's cabin of the Yvonne Addams. Oh ...did I mention that the cursed ship is has been sitting at anchor for the last year? I thought there had to be a good reason for that and Charlie might be better off with the loan shark:)

The ship's history would make a "best seller" by itself. Can you say, "spooky night around the campfire"? The Yvonne Addams is full of holes and also filled with "assumptions" about the long since dead, or missing crew members...100% creepy. However, our Charlie believes that fifty-thousand dollars just to survive one night on board seemed "too good to be true", and this reader totally shared Charlie's doubts...and wondered what Arturo really knows, and what his true intentions might be. That question results in a clever little "flourish" at the stories end, but it has been very successful in at least getting Charlie to at least wonder if he has made the wrong decision and again setting him yet again adrift on the sea of doubt. Charlie says on the sea a lot in this story,

On board the Yvonne Addams, along with Charlie, we encounter the dim, gloomy, cold, claustrophobic atmosphere. Even if this ship wasn't said to be haunted, Charlie's below decks exploration would be unsettling all by itself. Sneaky author Tim Curran now begins messing with our minds almost immediately with the suggestion of things heard, seen, and felt . . . and the intimation of what those things might actually be. Very carefully he builds up the fear and horror, escalating the story to the point where we're prepared to accept Charlie's strange, bloody dreams as memories of what has happened before. By the time Charlie starts to explore the ship, challenging those dreams, we know in our very hearts that things are not going to end well.

There's a monster at the heart of this story. A monster worse than any mere spook or poltergeist, and it's exciting to watch as it's ever so slowly revealed. This is the type of story that leaves the reader picking at invisible spiderwebs as you creep across the room to turn on just one more light. This is not a story that is in anyway subtle. It's so chillingly methodical as it builds and then explodes in intensity. A fantastic read...but best not done in the dark:)

A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 - 642 p.

When 43-year-old Michael Lobb takes his wife Maiden on a cruise, he has no idea what he's started. He becomes obsessed with Kayla, the 19-year-old dance instructor on board the ship. He later begins an affair with her and sets her up in a village near his Cornish home and business. Kayla pushes for more and Michael eventually divorces his wife, implodes his family, and marries Kayla. Thirteen years later, he's dead on the floor of his workroom. Who killed him? Was it Bran Udy - the long-time worker who quickly tired of Kayla's manipulation? Bran's son Goron - a simple young man who is smitten with Kayla? Merritt or Gloriana - Michael and Maiden's children who have cut off contact with their father? Sebastian - Michael's hedonistic, new age inspired brother? Or Kayla herself - who says she only wants to go back to South Africa once Michael died? Thomas Lynley finds himself in Cornwall once again - this time to deal with his family's aging Howenstowe Manor. He has ordered Barbara Havers to come with him, as she needs time to deal with her mother's death. Also in the picture is Daidre Trahair - the veterinarian who holds Lynley's interest and is the estranged daughter of Bran Udy. A complex plot and delightful read!

This took just a bit to get into, but once I did, it was worth it! Havers and Lynley don't appear in the first 100 pages - instead, we meet Michael, Kayla, Bran and the other residents of the Cornwall region. A satisfying catch up with old friends.

Burn it Down - Julian D. Wray - (North Carolina)
Series: Bring the Heat, Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance
4★
THE PERFECT LIE MEETS THE MESSY TRUTH:
He’s a billionaire living in a golden cage. I’m the mechanic who just handed him the key to freedom.

JACOB: I was bred for success. As the CFO of my family’s empire, I play the part perfectly: the cut physique, the designer suits, and the "perfect" girlfriend on my arm. But it’s all a lie. I’ve been living in a closet built by my controlling father since I was a teenager, suffocating under the weight of expectations and a legacy I never asked for. I thought I could keep pretending forever—until one look across a grocery store checkout line shattered my resolve.

DYLAN: I wear my truth on my skin. Tattooed, Mexican American, and struggling to keep my family’s auto shop afloat amidst increasing crime, I don’t have time for games. I’ve worked hard to be comfortable in my own skin; despite the judgments I face. When a Maserati crashes into my life...literally, I expect just another wealthy, entitled client. I don't expect the man behind the wheel to look at me with a hunger that could burn the city down.

THE COLLISION: It starts with a wrecked car and a desperate excuse to meet. It turns into stolen moments that risk destroying the carefully constructed façade of a life. But Jacob’s father holds the purse strings to a billion-dollar future, and he won’t let his son go without a fight.
Now, he has to choose: the safety and security of his lie, or the fiery, terrifying freedom of loving Dylan.

It was a good start as Jake spots his "dream guy" and sets out to meet him in an accidental way. Jake was gay but couldn't be "out" in public because he had to act the way his parents' thought that he should. This is not a child or a young teenager. He's 30 years old and he has worked at his family's financial management company and also has secretly worked at the fire station. So, he's very much an adult that should be able to make his own decisions, be they right or wrong.

Dylan is 27 years old and was a mechanic that worked in his family's business. The business was having some problems and had been receiving some unwanted, unwarranted racial attention. I thought at 30 Jake would grow up and stand up to his father's demands, his prejudice, and "good old Dad" has A LOT of them all. Of course, you've probably guessed that his parents, especially his father is also homophobic...SURPRISE! Our Jake thinks that he's got a lot to lose if he ever crossed them.

Jake and Dylan start out just being friends with a lot of dramatic incidences rearing up in the storyline. I found myself being reluctant to even turn the page. How much more could be thrown into this man's life? I did like how both our characters pondered the question…"Am I gay"? To complicate matters more, Jake had a girlfriend. But we all know that secrets rear their ugly heads at the most inopportune times and have always have a way of coming out.

The story progress and Dylan get to meet his dream idols. Sexy scenes with a lot of hot moments take place. It was a well written story but way too much turmoil for me. As for the whole reveal at the end, even if it was somewhat predictable, it’s always rewarding to see the rotten characters have to face the consequences of their actions at the end. I'll give it 4 stars and I'm willing to try another one in this series.

We Still Live - Sara Dobie Bauer - (Ohio)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/M/M Romance
4.5★
Trigger Warnings: Detailed adult content, Graphic violence, Hurt/comfort, and Mental illness.
Running from a scandal that ruined his life, Isaac Twain accepts a teaching position at Hambden University where, three months prior, Professor John Conlon stopped a campus nightmare by stepping in front of an active shooter. When John and Isaac become faculty advisors for the school’s literary magazine, their professional relationship evolves. Despite the strict code of conduct forbidding faculty fraternization, they delve into a secret affair—until Simon arrives. Isaac’s violent ex threatens not only their careers, but also John’s life. His PTSD triggered, John must come to terms with that bloody day on College Green while Isaac must accept the heartbreak his secrets have wrought

I really liked both the main characters. Isaac and John’s bond just kept growing in spite of their individual pains. "Admirable" would be a good word to describe it. When the book begins, we find that both John and Isaac have and are living with their own demons and secrets. The author did a magnificent job of slowly letting us see them revealed making this a more than merely interesting read. That being said, I found that Isaac’s pain felt very different; almost "simpler" than John’s, but it quickly ignited into what felt like a footnote by the end of the book. I believe that may have been why I never quite felt as invested the Isaac’s character, or it may have been the secrecy that followed his appearance on the campus.

Once Isaac dealt with his past, the story quickly morphed into a book predominantly focused on the aftermath of a school shooting, mostly how John processes the events of that day. Subjects like these are always difficult to navigate, but I appreciated the author’s sensitivity to the traumatic events and the characters’ reactions. I was also impressed with how this author represented a wide variety of individual responses to the tragedy, validating the range of emotions. I can't imagine how the survivors may have felt, but I thought the way Sara Bauer gave life to those conflicting feelings through use of the journal was really a fantastic and successful undertaking.

While I liked the main characters and thought their individual stories were very well done, it was the entirety of the experience of all the characters that really made this book interesting for me. The secondary characters that surround John and Isaac added additional depth to the story and to the main characters, giving a wider scope of the university shooting and its effects, while providing a read that caught and held my attention.

If you’re looking for a raw, vulnerable hurt-comfort romance, We Still Live is definitely worth the reading time.

Into the Green by Charles de Lint
5*****

Oh, did I need this book right now. It is pensive and thoughtful and kind and while there is plenty of evil, there is also a stronger good.

The book begins with a visit to young Angharad's tinker home, a visit that leaves her vaguely uncomfortable. It seems that the stranger has seen into her soul where she keeps her connection to her gift at bay. In this land that de Lint brings to life, some folk have a touch of the Green, allowing them to stay connected with Nature and feel more deeply its many paths. And also in this world are those who mistrust this gift, either in themselves or in others, and those ramifications.

Early in Angharad's life her extended tinker's family is wiped out by plague, taking with them her love, Darrow, and leaving her devastated. She tends their graves until a visit confronts her that she is among the living, still, and needs to continue with her life.

This book is truly a piece of fantasy and wonder, of self-discovery and seeing beyond what is a mundane life. De Lint keeps his descriptions brief, which helps move the story along, and Angharad's struggles and eventual triumphs at several spots along the way show her growth.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith
5 ***** ❤️

I read this so many times as a child after buying it because of the Disney movie. I mean, animals! Puppies! Adventure! England! What's not to love?! What I remember are the 15 puppies, the two parents traveling through England to find them, and an elderly Cocker Spaniel feeding them toasted bread behind a fire screen from his elderly master. And the conveying of news through the Twilight Bark.

And I read this as a challenge, half dreading the thought of re-reading it because not every child's book translates well into adulthood. But lo and behold, this one did! There were even parts that I had not really understood in my 7 year old self: calling on the Splendid Vet at midnight, how Mr. Dearly earned his living, how Pongo and Missis made their travels (the Golden Retriever was particularly well-written). The honeymoons that both couples go on, and how Perdita tried to marry her beloved, Prince.

Including elements like these are what have helped this book stand up from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. I finally understood how Cruella De'Vil's need for constant warmth was indicative of her, um, origins. The change in travel plans that Pongo and Missis make during their journey lend a bit more credence to it, and the so very kind Great Dane who helps start their Twilight Bark messages was just a delight. All in all, a remembered favorite that remains a current favorite.

Watership Down - the Graphic Novel by Richard Adams, James Sturm, and Joe Sutphin
5 *****❤️

A truly great retelling of this classic story about rabbits. And their journey to find a safe place to call "warren." I am not a fan of graphic novels so enjoying this version as much as I did was a pleasant surprise. And from the back cover, "this spectacular graphic novel will delight old fans and inspire new ones, bringing the joy of "Watership Down" to the next generation of readers."

The illustrations are evocative of the English countryside, with great detail given to individualize the rabbits themselves. There are several nods to the animated movie in the depictions of the rabbits and what distinguishes one from the other. What makes this novel work well are the expressions of the rabbits: narrowed eyes, the suggestion of movement, and a few scars on Bigwig and Captain Holly.

With a graphic novel, of course, one has static pictures, not moving pictures. So as a reader, I saw Blackavar's torn ears, the blocked runs of the Sandleford Warren when it is destroyed, but also a view of trees or the River Enborne that I could look at for as long as I wanted.

The artists and adapters are candid about which characters they meld into one another, and for the sake of storytelling in this format it makes sense. So while I was a bit hesitant because of the format of a graphic novel, I am so very glad I took the chance and added it to my collection. And it was a good pick up and put down book, again, due to its format.