Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin review

Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is right at home among cops, criminals, and tough-as-nails prosecutors. With her sharp wit and pointed words, she has a tendency to intimidate, and she likes it that way. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but in her personal life, she’s a mess.

When a vicious murderer she once helped prosecute resurfaces and starts a killing spree to wipeout those who put him behind bars, one thing becomes clear: Brynn needs to run for her life.

When the police come up empty-handed, Brynn turns to a private security firm for protection. But when she defies advice and gets involved in the investigation, even the former Secret Service agent assigned to protect her may not be able to keep her safe. With every new clue she discovers, Brynn is pulled back into the vortex of a disturbing case from her past.

As the clock ticks down on a manhunt, Brynn’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and reignites a killer’s fury.

My thoughts: This was really hard to put down. I pretty much read it all in 1 day. Brynn is a tough woman and you do find out why. She gives the private security people a hard time but does end up working well with them. As time runs out on finding a murderer and people getting hurt and you wonder if something will happen to Brynne. But something else on this manhunt comes to light and I was right on what and who it was.

I received this from NetGalley and Gallery Books for a review.


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Boo can be bought on Amazon

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware review

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person—but also that the cold-reading skills she’s honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money.

Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased…where it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and the inheritance at the centre of it.

As this story unravels you find that Hal does not know her father was. She was told she was conceived in a one night stand. What she thought who her mother was is also a mystery. As Hal gets to know her new "family" she is also threatened. I enjoyed the telling of this story and saw some of what was happening.


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Book can be found on Amazon

Finding Family by Judith Keim review

Finding Family by Judith Keim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sheena Sullivan Morelli and her sisters, Darcy and Regan, work to complete their Uncle
Gavin’s challenge of turning his rundown hotel into a profitable operation within one year. Winning means earning a share in their uncle’s sizable estate. More than that, it determines how they’ll spend the rest of their lives. Sheena wants to stay on at the hotel, overseeing the hotel operation. But Darcy and Regan want to move on with their lives—Darcy writing a novel and Regan going into the interior decorating business with Mo. But life has other plans for them. And in the end, all three realize that the only thing that really matters is finding—and keeping—family.

This was a very good read. I liked all the characters nd getting to know them. This is the 4th book in a series but it felt like a standalone and you learned enough about their backstory as this book went on. Family relationships are tested but in the end they are there for each other.

I received the for an honest review from NetGalley.


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The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena book review

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all--a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story.

Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years.

What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family--a chilling tale of deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist.

So we know at the beginning that the detectives have the parents as the suspects. Then they aren;t sure. Neighbors see something and then another neighbor really sees something but doesn't come forward. You read what is in the minds of the parents so you also believe that they had no part of the kidnapping. But then things start coming into question and 3/4 of the way through I was right about what was going on and why.This kept me on the edge of my seat.


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The Peppermint Mocha Murder by Colette London book review

The Peppermint Mocha Murder by Colette London
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It’s beginning to look like a merry Christmas for Hayden Mundy Moore. On vacation from providing her sought-after expertise in all things chocolate, Hayden heads to snowy New England with her friend and financial advisor, Travis, for the opening of his pal’s highly-touted holiday musical. But when the show’s producer is murdered, Hayden trades sampling Chocolate Santas for finding the killer—especially since this time, Travis is the one asking for her help . . .

Soon Hayden discovers there’s more to Travis’s chic hometown than mulled wine and cocoa cookies. But that’s just the beginning. Almost no one, including Travis, is quite what they seem. Did the show’s lead have more savage motives than stardom? Could the dead producer’s husband have felt a murderous envy for his successful wife? Getting behind the mistletoe and jingle bells will take all of Hayden’s savvy—along with some super caffeinated Peppermint Mochas—if she hopes to catch a killer with a heart more bitter than the darkest truffle

I liked the storyline and getting to know the characters. I had not read the first 4 books of the series but I don't feel like I was missing anything, This authors writing had me yelling at her. So Hayden calls Travis her financial consultant and her keeper, constantly, all in one paragraph, So one sentence would have it so Travis said something to her and the next sentence it would have it say her financial consultant said it to her or her keeper. Why we had to keep getting it drilled in our her throughout the whole book that he was her friend, financial consultant and her keeper was beyond me. Also Danny was her friend but also bodyguard and so the author also did the same thing in the same paragraphs. It only had to be told to us once at the beginning. I don't think i will read anymore of this series.
I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.


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 Book can be bought on Amazon

New Year's Eve Murder by Leslie Meier book review

New Year's Eve Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After the annual parade of Christmas presents in Tinker's Cove has ended, Lucy Stone and her daughter Elizabeth are ready to ring in the new year in style. Elizabeth has won mother/daughter winter makeovers in Manhattan from Jolie magazine! But the all-expenses-paid trip is bound to have some hidden costs-and one of them is murder....

As excited as Elizabeth is to hit the Big Apple, Lucy's less thrilled to be heading straight into post-holiday shopping crowds in the middle of a flu epidemic. Then again, she has to admit-if only to herself-that her work-from-home personal style could use a bit of an update. And she is looking forward to visiting an old college friend and culture-vulturing it all over town, from museums to budget art-house flicks. Besides, how often do opportunities for sophisticated mother/daughter bonding on someone else's dime come along, anyway?

After finally arriving at the offices of Jolie, meeting their fellow makeover candidates, and being treated to a fashion show, Elizabeth is enamored of the extreme outfits and stick-thin models-while Lucy's having some misgivings. The pampering is nice (never underestimate the transformative powers of a $500 haircut) and the glitz and glamour of haute couture is bizarrely fascinating, but bitterness and aggression lurk behind the Jolie's hipper-than-thou facade. And things turn downright ugly when self-absorbed fashion editor Nadine Nelson falls mysteriously ill and then dies.

Lucy saw first-hand some of the backstabbing going on at Jolie. And the red-hot rumor mill soon reveals that the cliquish connection among the magazine's cabal of high-style executives-fierce tempered fashionistas Camilla Keith, Elise Frazier, and Nadine herself-has stirred up plenty of bad blood over the years. Numerous staffers, from workaholic assistant Phyllis Finch to oft-maligned photo editor Pablo Prinz, have found themselves at the other end of the trio's sharp claws. To say suspects abound would be an understatement.

But this Manhattan murder mystery hits too close to home when Elizabeth gets rushed to the hospital with symptoms that are disturbingly similar to Nadine's. Now, it's up to Lucy to dress down a killer before the ball drops in Times Square...

I have always liked this series and now starting to read the rest. Again Lucy goes into detective mode to find out who killed Nadine. I had an idea who it was and had a small suspicion f the other person but not the why. I have always enjoyed Lucy Stone and her family and glad to have read this.


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Seaborn by Lena North Review

Seaborn by Lena North
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlie runs for her life, bruised and bleeding after yet another visit from her former boyfriend. The only one she can turn to is a colleague, and Carrie sends Charlie to her parents on the Islands, a safe haven where she can rest and heal. Prepared to leave, things take an unexpected turn when Charlie finds out about the legacy some of the families on the Islands share, and how she has links to it.

Joao is about to propose to his girlfriend when his uncle calls to ask for help, and he arrives at his uncle Nico and aunt Pauline’s house to find an abused girl. As the chief of police and protector of the Islands, he’s used to handling situations like this, but then the girl opens her eyes and his world shifts. The turquoise gaze is a clear indication that the girl comes from the Islands, but it also cuts straight to his soul.

This is a paranormal, romance, thriller. I was hooked from the beginning of the book and could not put it down. Charlie had a rough life growing up and shunned as a child so when she meets the people on this Island she sees how strong of a bond family is and she finds out secrets that tie her to the Island. There is supposedly another book coming out for this series and I can not wait to read it. I loved the characters in the book and I laughed out loud quite a few times while reading.

I received this free from NetGalley for an honest review,


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Book can be found on AMazon 

The Reader by Traci Chee review

The Reader by Traci Chee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sefia lives her life on the run. After her father is viciously murdered, she flees to the forest with her aunt Nin, the only person left she can trust. They survive in the wilderness together, hunting and stealing what they need, forever looking over their shoulders for new threats. But when Nin is kidnapped, Sefia is suddenly on her own, with no way to know who’s taken Nin or where she is. Her only clue is a strange rectangular object that once belonged to her father left behind, something she comes to realize is a book.
Reading is unheard of in Sefia's world. She learns how to read the book and it's meaning and she needs to keep it safe. It also may help her find Nin, who like an Aunt to her. She also needs to find out what happened the day her dad was killed and what happened to her mom. She runs into pirates and more questions are asked. Then she finds everything she want and knows the truth and it isn't always as it seemed.
I liked getting to know Sefia and Archer. The book was fast paced and seemed to have 2 stories entwining into 1.
I received the from edelweiss for review.


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 Book can be found on Amazon

Santa's On His Way by Lisa Jackson and others review

Santa's on His Way by Lisa Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are 4 stores by 4 different authors in this cute Christmas book. I connected with all the main characters in each story. They were each a fast read and entertaining. Even though in the first chapter you know they will end up by the end of the story it was still fun to see the relationships grow.

A BABY FOR CHRISTMAS * Lisa Jackson
The uneventful Christmas Annie McFarlane expected is suddenly anything but. First, there’s the adorable baby left on the snowy doorstep of her Oregon cabin. Second, there’s the extremely attractive, yet extremely angry man claiming to be the father. Liam O’Shaughnessy may be intimidating, but this is one precious gift Annie isn’t giving up so easily . . .

WHAT THE COWBOY WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS * Maisey Yates
When Meg O’Neill’s longtime boyfriend lets her down, again, on Christmas no less, she braves an Oregon blizzard to get to her best friend Noah’s comforting arms. But this time Noah’s not telling her what she wants to hear—he’s telling her the truth, from his heart. And his words just might be the gift Meg’s been wishing for all along.

SNOWED IN * Stacy Finz
Rachel Johnson has found the perfect spot for her second Tart Me Up bakery in Glory Junction, California. Except she’s in fierce competition with hunky bar owner Boden Farmer. Worse, while the icy rivals await the city’s decision, they end up catering the same Christmas Eve mountaintop wedding—and getting snowed in. But sometimes a loss of electricity generates a different kind of heat . . .

A COWBOY WEDDING FOR CHRISTMAS * Nicole Helm
Big city art teacher Lindsay Tyler isn’t just back home in Colorado for her brother’s wedding at the Barton Christmas Tree Farm and Ranch. She’s back for good. She just hasn’t told anyone yet—including Cal Barton, the ex-boyfriend she left behind. Will it take a Christmas miracle for him to welcome her back with open arms? .

I received this from NetGalley for an honest review


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Book can be found on Amazon

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones review

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emily thinks Adam’s perfect; the man she thought she’d never meet. But lurking in the shadows is a rival; a woman who shares a deep bond with the man she loves.

Emily chose Adam, but she didn’t choose his mother Pammie. There’s nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her son, and now Emily is about to find out just how far Pammie will go to get what she wants: Emily gone forever.

This book was sooo good. I could not put it down. I don't know how Emily put up with Adam's mom. I would have left a long time ago. Then his brother keeps wanting to meet with her. She also finds out about Adam's last girlfriend and does some snooping. What Adam's mother does to destroy Emily and their relationship was so mean. But the ending! I did not see that coming.

I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.


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  You can buy this on AMazon

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith review

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is living in his office.

Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.

Strike's secretary was hired as a temp but she proves to be invaluable through the whole investigation. As they get closer to finding out the different people involved in what they believe was murder, you start wondering who is the murderer if it was murder and not suicide. I had it pinned down to 2 people and was wrong. I liked the characters of Strike and his secretary, Robin.


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Shattered At Sea by Cheryl Hollon review

Shattered at Sea by Cheryl Hollon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Mediterranean cruise gives glass shop owner Savannah Webb a chance to demonstrate her expertise--and fire up her skills when it comes to foul play . . .

When Savannah signs on to perform glassblowing on a ship, part of the appeal is that she'll get a chance to reconnect with her boyfriend Edward's family. An added bonus is that Edward's cousin, Ian, will be joining them on board. But when Ian disappears at the beginning of the cruise, the ship's authorities initially consider it suicide.

This is a cozy mystery and is #5 in the series. Even though I didn't read the rest of the series I still was able to enjoy the story and get to know Savannah and Edward. Savannah and Edward will not give up trying to find Ian. After many attempts calling him and leaving messages they have no choice but to also call Ian's parents.



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Just Dreaming by Kerstin Gier review

Just Dreaming by Kerstin Gier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A dream traveler faces the greatest challenge she's yet encountered in this gripping third and final book of the Silver trilogy.

The course of dream travel never did run smooth—at least, not in Liv Silver's experience. Able to visit other people's dreams (whether they want her to or not), Liv has solved mysteries, unearthed difficult truths, fought madmen, and escaped life-threatening peril, all from the comfort of her own bed. But Liv's troubles are just beginning.

A rocky romance, a malicious blogger with a hidden identity, a wedding, and a classmate (or two) dead-set on revenge all await Liv in this action-packed conclusion to the Silver trilogy

Mia and Liv try to find the author of Secrecy blog. Henry and Liv's relationship gets a little rocky but then better and so many things to keep me intrigued in this 3rd book. Was a little slower going than the other 2 books.


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Book can be found on Amazon

Dream On by Kerstin Gier review

I gave this 4 stars and book can be found here

Things seem to be going well for Liv Silver: she’s adjusting to her new home in London; she has a burgeoning romance with Henry Harper, one of the cutest boys in school; and the girl who’s been turning her dreams into nightmares, Anabel, is now locked up. But serenity doesn’t last for long.

Liv's sister Mia sleepwalks. But is she being controlled? Henry keeps secrets from her. So much goes wrong and Liv feels she needs to fix it all.

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier review

I gave this 4 stars and book can be found here 

Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yes, Liv's dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially the one where she's in a graveyard at night, watching four boys conduct dark magic rituals.
Liv recognizes the boys from her dreams as classmates from school. But then she finds out more about the dreams that just can't be true can they. I loved Liv and a couple of the boys. The Boker though needs to be taught more lessons. In my opinion.

The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury

As the Sleeping Prince tightens his hold on Lormere and Tregellan, the net closes in on the ragged band of rebels trying desperately to defeat him. Twylla and Errin are separated, isolated, and running out of time. The final battle is coming, and Aurek will stop at nothing to keep the throne forever . . .

Twylla, Errin and Merek are trying to make a potion to kill Aurek. As members of the rebel are separated to find what is needed for the potion, the ones left behind are working on their fighting skills and to get the children out of camps. 
Someone you think is a traitor tris to help and someone you trust is a traitor. Love the characters and the story and the ending does wrap it all up.

I gave this a 4 star and book can be bought on AMazon

The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury review

Return to the darkly beautiful world of The Sin Eater's Daughter with a sequel that will leave you awed, terrified . . . and desperate for more.

Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures. But none of that compares to the threat of the vengeful Sleeping Prince whom the Queen just awoke from his enchanted sleep.

Errin befriends someone she thinks she can trust and then thinks she can't trust. As he tried to help her with her mother. A man using his power to get her to bend to his will. On top of the the Sleeping Prince is out for an all out war and destroying anyone and anything in his path. Errin needs to get out and find her mom and save her but also find a woman who might have answers. This book is fast paced and full of violence.

This is part 2 of a trilogy

I gave this book 4 stars and can be found on Amazon

The Spite Game by Anna Anoekstra review

Mercilessly bullied in high school, Ava knows she needs to put the past behind her and move on, but she can’t—not until she’s exacted precise, catastrophic revenge on the people who hurt her the most.

The book goes to the past and then to the present and back and forth. It is slow and a little boring. I kept reading it because I wanted to know what Ava did to the last person. You do find out at the very end. Even though Ava was bullied in school I still never felt sorry for her. I felt sorry for one thing that happened to her but after that she kind of walked into it all.

I received this from Net Galley for an honest review.

I gave this 3 stars and will be available in October on Amazon

One Second AFter by William R. Forstchen review

A story which can be all too terrifyingly real...a story in which one man struggles to save his family and his small North Carolina town after America loses a war, in one second, a war that will send America back to the Dark Ages...A war based upon a weapon, an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP). A weapon that may already be in the hands of our enemies.
My son read this and handed it to me and said read this, you will like it. Then I read that the forward was by Newt Gingrich and thought I don't know about this. Not to fond of him. But I was hooked into this story from the beginning. I could not put this down and stayed up late into the night. I can actually see this happening and a very scary thought. The story wrecked me. Emotions were high and low and all over the place. There are 2 more books to this series and I will be reading them. I highly recommend reading this.

I gave this 5 stars and you can buy this on Amazon 

2018 Color A Longs and Readathons Updated Sept. 8

                               2018 Color A Longs  and Readathons

                                                      July
You Tube:
The Coloring Book Nook - Christmas In July - #christmasinjuly2018
Kate's Colouring Haven - Nautical Neverland - #nauticalneverland
Colour & Chat With Sammie - Nautical Neverland - #nauticalneverland
Koloraroo - Christmas
A Colorful Life - C.L. Aldridge
Zoe Archer - Hannah Lynn
Tazia Colors - Aquatic
Jazz Chaney - July - 15 - Colouring Heaven Anime

Facebook groups:
A Colorful Life - C. L. Aldridge
A Colorful Life   - Challenge- Color Something with fruit in the pic
Color With Shelleen and Friends - Christmas In July #christmasinjuly2018
Reading With Pugs coloring - Christmas in July - #christmasinjuly2018
Hanna Karlzon's Colouring Club - Pick an element - Fire or water
Molly Harrison Fantasy Art Colouring Group - any of her pics - Blue Challenge:
Tazia Colors With Friends - Aquatic
Hannah Lynn's Whimsical Adult Coloring - every week is a different pic to color
Shadow Lounge Monthly Readathon - July 13-15
A Little Splash of Colour - Fairies
Johanna Basford YOUR Pages - July 20-31 - Black & white only,any medium
ColoringKaria Official Group - July 21st 2pm Day Drinking & Arting Livestream challenge
Let's Colour Today - Animal Kingdom- any coloring book with animals
Coloring, Tips & Tutotials with Faithfulgirl1978 - Starting July 27 - Elves In Love
Coloring Time - Ends Sept 2 - Any Rita Berman
                          "                 " - Christmas in July
                          "                 " - Grayscale coloring
                          "                 " - Fairy Fun
                          "                 " - Gel Pens ONLY challenge
Finish the book - pick one coloring book to finish by the end of the year

Instagram:
Sammie - #nauticalneverland
Kate - #nauticalneverland

                                                   August
You Tube:
The Bibliophile Colorist - Fantasia - Nicholas Filbert
The Coloring Book Nook   & DollarDiva99 - Pawgust
koloraroo - Werewold double page in Mythomorphia
A Colorful Life - co host - Creative Haven
Sharon's Sanctuary - co host - Creative Haven
Grace's Coloring Corner - co host - Creative Haven
Zoe Archer - Fairie's in August
Faithfulgirl1978 - Elves In Love
Coloring F - August Ladies
Tazia Colors - Homes/Towns

Streamathon - Aug 25 & 26 - #colourlikenobodyswatching

Facebook:
A Colorful Life - Creative Haven
Color With Sharon & Friends - Creative Haven
Grace's Coloring Book Corner - Creative Haven
Coloring Time - Ends Sept 2 - Any Rita Berman
                          "                 " - Christmas in July
                          "                 " - Grayscale coloring
                          "                 " - Fairy Fun
                          "                 " - Gel Pens ONLY challenge
Hannah Lynn's Whimsical Adult Coloring - week 1 - Nelli from Mermaid's Fairies & Other Girls of whimsy'
Let's Colour Today -  Winged Wonders
A Little Splash of Color - Until Aug 11 - Elves & Goblins
Johanna Basford Your Pages - "Work you colors" - Color pallete challenge
Secret Garden Gallery - Choos the supplied color pallett & combine mediums & draw something on the page
Hanna Karlzon's Colouring Club - Aug 3- 17 = Shapes of Grey - draw a shape on a page and only color in that shape grays, including black & white'
Molly Harrison Fantasy Art colouring group - any of her pics - red, white and blue, skin tones are allowed
Read All the things - The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
Friends and Family Adult Coloring- 1 color challenge - any shade
The Pencil Ho Club - pencil of the week- color only with the brand chosen
Shadow Lounge Monthly Readathon - Aug 10 -12

Instagram:
Sammie - #colourallthemisfits
ColoringF - #augustladies

                                              September
You Tube:
The Bibliophile Colorist - Fantasia - Nicholas Filbert
The Coloring Book Nook - Jade Dragonne
koloraroo - School inspired pages
A Colorful Life - Jennifer Stay from Coloring Bliss
Grace's Coloring Corner - Magical Sept.
Zoe Archer - Adorable Animals by Jane Maday
The Modernist Colourist - Kerby Rosanes

Facebook:
Color With Shelleen and Friends - Jade Dragonne
The Pencil Ho Club - pencil of the week- color only with the brand chosen
Hannah Lynn's Whimsical Adult
            Sept 3- Tinkerbell- Fairytale Princesses and Storybook Darlings
Grace's Coloring Book Corner - Magical September
A Colorful Life - Jennifer Stay f Coloring Bliss
Let's Colour Today - Fabulous Faces
Tim Jeff's Art - Color For Awareness Contest
Coloring Time - ALL Sept 3 - Nov 2
             Spooky Stuff/Day of the Dead/Halloween
             Creative Haven/Dover
              Autumn Theme or Autumn color palette
              Any pic with food
               Any Jasmine Beckett Griffith
Molly Harrison Fantasy ARt Colouring Group - Green, blue, pink, yellow and skin tones
Shadow Lounge Monthly Readathon - sept 14-16


Instagram:
Sammie - #colourfaefantasyandfairytales
NotnowI'mcoloring - #wowsept = work on WIPs

                                                 October
You Tube:
The Bibliophile Colorist - A Million Cats by Lulu Mayo
The Coloring Book Nook - cohost - Karla Magana  Halloween - #karlaween
Kate's Coloring Haven - cohost - Karla Magana  Halloween - #karlaween
A Colorful Life -  co host Day of the Dead
Zoe Archer -co host Day of the Dead
Sharon's Sanctuary - Vampires
Victoria's Colors -co host - Hannah Lynn Halloween
Samantha Oswald - cohost - Hannah Lynn Halloween
Jessica's Coloring Corner - Owltober
Dream In Color - Hannah Lynn Halloween

Facebook:
Color With Shelleen and Friends - Halloween
The Pencil Ho Club - pencil of the week- color only with the brand chosen
Jessica's Coloring Corner - Owltober

Instagram:
Sammie - #bewareyourinforacolourscare
Shelleen - #karlaween
Kate - #karlaween

                                                  November
You Tube:
The Bibliophile Colorist - artist Fabiana Attanasio
The Coloring Book Nook - cohost - Bennett Klein
Sharon's Sanctuary - cohost - Bennett Klein
koloraroo - Fall Inspired
A Colorful Life - Falling Colors - Fallseason
Zoe Archer - Disney Delights
Grace's Coloring Corner - Mardel Rubio
Dream In Color - Hannah Lynn Christmas

Streamathon - Nov. 17 & 18 #colourlikenobodyswatching

Facebook:
Color With Shelleen & Friends - Bennett Klein
The Pencil Ho Club - pencil of the week- color only with the brand chosen

Instagram:
Sammie - #colorandgetcosyintofall - autumn and warm colors


                                                      December
You Tube:
The Bibliophile Colorist - The Inspired Room by Melissa Michaels
The Colorng Book Nook - artist Tanya Bogema Stolova
koloraroo - christmas/winter pages
Zoe Archer - A Christmas Celebration
Grace's Coloring Corner - Finish Those WIPS
A Colorful Life - 12 Days of Giving (International Included)
Colour & Chat with Sammie - ANy pic with a Christmas Tree
Kate's colouring Haven - Fairytale - Emelie Oberg

Dec 8th Happy Holidays Cozy Colouring Night
11am-2pm EST Colour & Chat with Sammie
3pm-6pm Jen Reading With Pugs

Dec. 21 - Colour Me Festive Coloring Night
6pm-8pm EST Nick & Tina Colors
8Pm -10 Pm EST Dream In Color

Facebook:
Color With Shelleen & Friends - Tanya Bogema Stolova
The Pencil Ho Club - pencil of the week- color only with the brand chosen

Instagram:
Colour & Chat With Sammie  #HollyJollyChristmastreealong
A Colorful Life #Showthatcoloringbooklove2018 - color in books you haven't yet

Small Town Rumors by Carolyn Brown review

Everyone is talking about Jennie Sue Baker and the mess she made of her life in New York. The former high school queen bee—and wealthy darling of Bloom, Texas—has returned home after all these years, riding on a common bus and bearing two bounced alimony checks. In a town that thrives on gossip, Jennie’s fall from grace has shamed her mother, set the town buzzing, and caused old, jealous enemies to whisper in delight. They say she’s taken a job as a housekeeper, gotten a garage apartment, and might be crushing on Rick Lawson, a simple farmer with modest dreams.

Jennie Sue just can't get away from the rumors. She is supposed to be the perfect obedient daughter to her controlling mother. All she wants is to work in the family oil business but her mom won't let her. She is supposed to be part of the hoity toity Belle group that her mother is in. She just wants to be her own person. 

After a tragic accident Jennie Sue puts herself first and what she wants for the first time.

I received this from netGalley for an honest review.
I gave this 4 stars and book can be found on amazon

One Perfect Kiss by Jaci Burton review

Josie Barnes has always craved a sense of home. She's found that in Hope, Oklahoma--she bought a house, has a new job as an English teacher at Hope High, she's made wonderful friends, and she's taking in stray animals that no one else wants. Now she's flirting with fellow teacher and hot high school football coach Zach Powers. But he's almost too good to be true, and Josie learned long ago not to trust in the too-good-to-be-true, because it has always let her down.
Josie come from a home with a drug addicted mother and never knew who her father was. She had a cheating fiance and comes to this town for a new beginning. She ends up spending more time with Zach and getting to know him but she has major trust issues.
This was a quick read and i received it from NetGalley for an honest review.

I gave this 4 stars and can buy it at Amazon

Tough Love by Aalia Lanius review

All that glitters is not gold and this is hitting home for Aleyna as struggles between her traditional family desires and being unhappy in a marriage with her less than faithful husband, Kyle. Being a public speaker on confidence and success, Aleyna feels she isn’t being honest with herself or the world as she learns that the cancer she once beat has returned, bringing her face to face with a choice; her life or her marriage
Aleyna is learning she needs to let go. Fighting for a marriage that her husband is not wanting. How will the kids deal and what will finally be the straw that breaks the camels back?
I love the relationship between Aleyna and her best friend and another friend through her cancer.
This was a qick book as there was about 200 pages.
I received this from NetGalley for a review.

I gave this 4 stars and book can be found here on Amazon

The Mermaid by Christina Henry review

Once there was a mermaid who longed to know of more than her ocean home and her people. One day a fisherman trapped her in his net but couldn't bear to keep her. But his eyes were lonely and caught her more surely than the net, and so she evoked a magic that allowed her to walk upon the shore. The mermaid, Amelia, became his wife, and they lived on a cliff above the ocean for ever so many years, until one day the fisherman rowed out to sea and did not return.

P. T. Barnum was looking for marvelous attractions for his American Museum, and he'd heard a rumor of a mermaid who lived on a cliff by the sea. He wanted to make his fortune, and an attraction like Amelia was just the ticket.
Amelia agrees to play the mermaid but the crowd isn't always so nice about it. She falls for a new love and their love is put to the test. How long will she stay with the museum?

Quick and fun read . 
I received this from NetGalley for review.

I gave this 4 stars and the book can be found on Amazon 

The Date by Louise Jensen review

Her Saturday night started normally. Recently separated from her husband, Ali has been persuaded by her friends to go on a date with a new man. She is ready, she is nervous, she is excited. She is about to take a step into her new future. 

By Sunday morning, Ali’s life is unrecognisable. She wakes, and she knows that something is wrong. She is home, she is alone, she is hurt and she has no memory of what happened to her. 

Worse still, when she looks in the mirror, Ali doesn’t recognise the face staring back at her. She can’t recognise her friends and family. And she can’t recognise the person who is trying to destroy her… 

I could not put this book down. How would you deal with not recognizing your own face or anyone that you know? The to be told it will stay that way? Then there is a couple of twists. I thought I had it figured out halfway through the book.

I received this from NetGalley for review.

You can buy it on Amazon

The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews review

When ninety-nine-year-old heiress Josephine Bettendorf Warrick summons Brooke Trappnell to Talisa Island, her 20,000 acre remote barrier island home, Brooke is puzzled. Everybody in the South has heard about the eccentric millionaire mistress of Talisa, but Brooke has never met her. Josephines cryptic note says she wants to discuss an important legal matter with Brooke, who is an attorney, but Brooke knows that Mrs. Warrick has long been a client of a prestigious Atlanta law firm.
As we get to know Josephine we find out some mysteries in her past and something that her friends did. We also meet a character who isn't so nice. This was a quick read and I enjoyed the characters and what they brought into the story. I received this from NetGalley for a review.

I gave this 4 stars and you can buy it on Amazon 

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier review

Georgina, known as Geo, is a 30-year-old rising executive when her world comes crashing down. Her high school boyfriend has been identified and arrested for a series of serial murders, including Angela, Geo's best friend in high school. Angela disappeared without a trace at 16 and her body has just been found. Now Geo is under arrest for helping her then-boyfriend cover it up. And it's one of her other close friends from high school, Kaiser Brody, who arrests her.
Geo spends 5 years in prison. When she gets out there are more murders but now children are being killed too. That isn't like her ex boyfriend's MO. The neighbors don't like Geo living in her family home again and things happen to the house and her car. 
I was surprised a little bit by the ending. 
I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.
I gave this a 4 star rating and you can buy the book on Amazon

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks review

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous wife and her obsession with her replacement.
You will assume you are reading about a woman about to enter a new marriage with the man she loves.
You will assume the first wife was a disaster and that the husband was well rid of her.
You will assume you know the motives, the history, the anatomy of the relationships.

That is all of what I thought. You meet the husband, his sister and who you think he is marrying. About 3/4 of the way in I had an idea who was playing the pranks and there is 1 character in the book that I didn't like and didn't trust. I could not put this down. 
Received this from NetGalley for review.

I gave this a 4 star rating and can be found on Amazon

Color A Long Ideas

These ideas are for any You Tube channels, Instagram and Facebook groups:

Oriental color a long
Daria Song
Kervy Rosanes
Mardel Rubio
Julia Spiri
Misfits March Madness - Misfits by White Stag
Whimsical Wonders - Julia Spiri
Fabulous February Fairies
Fantasy February
Out of Your Comfort Zone - Color in a coloring book or use a medium you wouldn't normally color with
Jade in January - Jade Summer
Amazing Animal April
December Desserts
Neon November
December Dragon Dreams
Color With a Buddy Month
Swedish September - color out of any swedish artist's books
#WIPWednesday
ColourCreateSpace
#springintocolor
Merry Markova March
Frogging Hopping February
Outstanding Owl October
Jumping Johanna June

Bring Me Back by B. A. Paris review

Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A young British couple are on holiday when they stop at a rest stop. He goes into the restroom and she stays in the car. When he returns to the car she is gone.
10 years later he is engaged to her sister when he starts receiving emails that she is alive. A lot of going on and who is sending the emails and why. I had an idea about 3/4 of the way through on what was happening. I read this real quick and really enjoyed it.
I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.


View all my reviews

Something In the Water by Catherine Steadman review

Erin and Mark seem to have it all: he's a successful banker, she's a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough; they're young and in love, about to embark on their dream honeymoon to Bora Bora. But when, after a blissful day of scuba diving, they discover a mysterious bag filled with incalculable riches, their subsequent choices trigger a sequence of events that will change their lives--and their marriage--forever.
The first part of the book is Erin burying her husband. Then it goes back a couple of months and leads up to this part. Erin is in over her head as the storyline progresses. I could not put it down because I had to know who is really the bad person and why.Erin is maybe trusting the wrong people?
I received this from NetGalley for a review.
I gave this a 4 star rating.  Book can be found here on Amazon 

The Ex Wife by Jess Ryder review

Newly married Natasha has the perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl called Emily. She’d have it all if it wasn’t for Jen, her husband’s ex-wife who just won’t leave them alone …

Then Nick and Emily disappear. Natasha turns to Jen, Nick's ex to get help. But can she trust Jen? I really loved this book until the very last page. It leaves you hanging, You don't really know what is going to happen, so I am not sure if this is the first book of a series. If it is ok, if not then the ending sucks.

I received this from NetGalley for a review.

I gave this a 3 star rating

The Exe's Revenge by Jo Jakeman review

No cover for this bok yet. Doesn't come out until Sept. 2018.

Divorces are often messy and Imogen's is no exception. Her husband, Phillip, is abusive, controlling, and determined to make things as difficult as possible. And now he has given Imogen an ultimatum: get out of the family home in two weeks or I'll take our son away from you.
The book starts out with a funeral and then the days that lead up to it and some of the years before. Phillip abuses his power as a police officer and has the other cops on his side everytime Imogene had filed a complaint. Now seeing how he treats his new girlfriend she is out for revenge and including his first wife. Some things were funny but most of all I really despised Phillip and he had what happened coming to him. Now the 3 woman have come together .
I received this from NetGalley for review.

I gave this 4 stars

Everytime You Go Away by Beth Harbison review

Don't go by the synopsis in Goodreads. story and character name is all wrong.
Willa has never fully recovered from the sudden death of her husband, Ben. She became an absent mother to her young son, Jamie, unable to comfort him while reeling from her own grief.

Now, years after Ben’s death, Willa finally decides to return to the beach house where he passed. It’s time to move on and put the Ocean City, Maryland house on the market.

While cleaning up and remodeling the ghost of Ben appears. It seems he is there to help her move on.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters. They seemed to have loved each other a lot. 
I received this from NetGalley for a review.

I gave this 4 stars 

When Dawn Never Comes by Kim Carter Review

Jordan Maxwell, a twenty-seven-year-old freelance journalist, ventures to New York City to make a name for herself. With both of her parents dead, she struggles to get by living in one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. In a twist of fate, Jordan finds herself the sole heir to her great-uncle’s estate in Solomon Cove, Maine. 
Then murders start to happen and the police are looking into a serial killer. I had an idea who the killer was but I didn't know why. I could not put this down and read it in one day. 
Received this from NetGalley for an honest review.

I gave this a 4 star  book can be found on Amazon 

Close Your Eyes by Darren O'Sullivan review

Wow, I did not see that coming. The twist at the end that is.
He doesn’t know his name. He doesn’t know his secret.
When Daniel woke up from a coma he had no recollection of the life he lived before. Now, fourteen years later, he’s being forced to remember.

A phone call in the middle of the night demands he return what he stole – but Daniel has no idea what it could be, or who the person on the other end is. He has been given one warning, if he doesn’t find out his family will be murdered.
Daniel goes on a hunt to find out about his past and what it was that he took. As he is looking memories start coming back and he wasn't the person that he thinks he is. I started this book in the morning and finished it late afternoon. I could not stop.

I read this in one dya
I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.

I gave this a 4 star rating and you can find the book on Amazon

Feared by Lisa Scottoline Review

I was reading the synopsis of this book on Goodreads and it is not what the book is about at all. This is the 6th book of this series and just as good as the others. 
When three men announce that they are suing the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm for reverse sex discrimination—claiming that they were not hired because they were men—Mary DiNunzio and Bennie Rosato are outraged. To make matters worse, their one male employee, John Foxman, intends to resign, claiming that there is some truth to this case. The plaintiffs’ lawyer is Nick Machiavelli, who has already lost to Mary once and is now back with a vengeance —determined not to not only win, but destroy the firm. Then one of their own is murdered and dealing with that on top pf everything else. Very fast paced and still love the characters in this series. Received this from NetGalley for an honest review.

You can buy the book here Amazon 

What My Sister Knew by Nina Laurin review

This was a fast paced read and had me on the edge of my seat for the whole truth and why? Eli and Andrea are twins. They are very different though. Eli keeps many secrets. He has been found guilty of their mom and stepfather's death in a house fire. Now his 13 year sentence is up and he is free and looking for Andrea. Setting her up at every turn. I received this ebook from NetGalley for an honest review.

May Coloring and reading challenges

I will post this every month and will be full of links for:
You Tube channels
Facebook Groups
Instagram

Readathon:
Shadow Lounge Monthly Readathon May 11 6pm - May 13 6pm

Color A Longs and Challenges:

You Tube:
Zoe Archer - Gel Pen Jamboree
Sweetnightingale1973 - Anne Manera Colo A Long
TheBibliophileColorist - Creative Haven Spring Scenes
Ann Hatfield - Deborah Muller Mermaids
Colour & Chat with Sammie - 48 Hour Color a thon May 26 & 27
Shelleen Toland - Hidden Paradise by Cris Lopez
Koloroo - MerMay

Facebook Groups:
Color With Shelleen and Friends - a whole year - finish a color book
Deborah Muller Coloring Group - MerMay
Pencil Stash - Family Friday   - Marker Monday
Reading with Pugs coloring - Budget Friendly Pencil challenge
Jessica's Coloring Corner - May Flowers
Johanna Basford YOUR PAGES - May 6 -20  Quart coloring on your page
Coloring, Tips and Tutorials with Faithfulgirl1978 - Oceanic and a color palette
Simple Art For Adults -
Cosy Coloring - until May 20th - Neon Color Challenge

Instagram:
#Mermaycoloralong
#colorsofsweden
#anyfishtail
#MonsterMay
#themanymiceofmay
#colorlikenobodyswatching

Reading Marathon weekend

I belong to a facebook group called Shadow Lounge Monthly Readathon  and we read from Friday night through Sunday night. So I pulled out my tablet as I have a bunch of eArcs on it from NetGalley. I finished The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz .

I gave this a 3 star.
It gets published on May 8th.
My thoughts:
Jane Hawk knows she may be living on borrowed time. But as long as she's breathing, she'll never cease her one-woman war against the terrifying conspiracy that threatens the freedom--and free will--of millions. Battling the strange epidemic of murder-suicides that claimed Jane's husband, and is escalating across the country, has made the rogue FBI agent a wanted fugitive, relentlessly hunted not only by the government but by the secret cabal behind the plot. Deploying every resource their malign nexus of power and technology commands, Jane's enemies are determined to see her dead . . . or make her wish she was.
Jane has a son who she is keeping safe with people. As she goes on this hunt to rid the world of these bad people. It was fast paced and intriguing. I kept cheering her on and hoping something would happen to the bad people. Then it ended for the next book lol. I received this from NetGalley for a review.

Then I started and finished a book from the library The Wife by Alafair Burke.


I rated this a 4 star.
My thoughts:
When Angela met Jason Powell while catering a dinner party in East Hampton, she assumed their romance would be a short-lived fling, like so many relationships between locals and summer visitors.
But they ended up getting married. Angela had a past she didn't want people to know about so she thought it would be perfect to move away to be with Jason. After 6 years Jason had become a small celebrity. Then 2 women come forward with sexual allegations. Then one of the women disappears and Angela takes a look at the man she married and what she doesn't know about him. She is afraid that old secrets will resurface.
This book had me from the beginning and I did not see some of the ending coming. Very good book.
You can buy it on Amazon The Wife 

Then I started and finished Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough.
 
I gave this 4 stars and you can buy the book on Amazon Behind Her Eyes 
My Thoughts:
Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.

Then Louise goes to work on Monday and finds out he is the new doctor where she works. The Very married man she met. Then she bumps into Adele, who wants to be friends but who is also David's wife. As she gets close to both of them she begins to question things in their marriage. And as things unravel she is caught in the crossfires of what she has no idea.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had an idea of what happened, the end just throws you for a curveball. I loved this book!!!

This morning I also colored on a Sherri Baldy pic for St Patrick's Day. I didn't finish it. 
Tonight is Live chat in my Facebook Group Color With Shelleen and Friends  and we always have fun.

For those who don't know. I babysit my 2 grandon's while their parents work. Amber had lost her job last week but she has 2 job interviews tomorrow so it looks like I will be busy babysitting tomorrow. I had just planned on going grocery shopping tomorrow so now that will have to wait. 

Let me know what you are reading or what other hobbies you have.

Does anyone read my blog?

Thinking about posting daily. What I am reading and coloring. I do still cross stitch once in awhile but I really would like to get this blog going again. Even if only posting once a week. I read books from my physical shelf, the library, my e books and what I get for review. I normally only do reviews on Goodreads but would like to do them here as well. Also to share what I am coloring as I do have  a You Tube channel dedicated to all of this but sometimes I think this would be a great platform for me as well to open back up. Just some thoughts I have.