Hi all and Happy Friday.
We decided to make a last minute RV trip to visit our son and family. Yesterday (Thursday) morning as I was preparing for work my Dear Hubby said "By the way, I'd like to leave when you get home from work tonight." I had to rush to clear my work desk and had no time to get Friday Post ready.
I hope to get it up late on Friday or early Saturday. Have to work on it in between visits with the family. :-)
Enjoy your Friday everyone!
Friday, August 14, 2015
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Book Review: Plantation Shudders: A Cajun Country Mystery (A Cajun Country Mystery) by Ellen Byron
This is a fun, cozy mystery, with Cajun eats and Southern charm.
Check in for some Southern hospitality in Plantation Shudders, the Cajun Country series debut from Ellen Byron.
It's the end of the summer and Prodigal Daughter Maggie Crozat has returned home to her family's plantation-turned-bed-and-breakfast in Louisiana. The Crozats have an inn full of guests for the local food festival—elderly honeymooners, the Cajun Cuties, a mysterious stranger from Texas, a couple of hipster lovebirds, and a trio of Georgia frat boys. But when the elderly couple keels over dead within minutes of each other - one from very unnatural causes - Maggie and her family suddenly become suspects in a murder.
With the help of Bo Durand, the town's handsome new detective, Maggie must investigate to clear her name while holding the family business together at the same time. And the deeper she digs, the more she wonders: are all of the guests really there for a vacation or do they have ulterior motives? Decades-old secrets and stunning revelations abound in Ellen Byron’s charming cozy debut, Plantation Shudders.
Review:
Maggie Crozat has returned home to help her family run their Louisiana Plantation now turned Bed and Breakfast. She spent a few years in the big city trying to make it on her own until she realized that she didn’t like the feeling of being alone and her family could use her help.
Maggie is with the family to welcome a full inn of guests for the end of summer fete. The guests include a couple of young lovebirds, a family with two young teens, three college boys, a mysterious, handsome, but sad man, and four “Cajun Cuties” who visit plantations to share with their organization. Then the surprisingly elderly, honeymoon latecomers show up. He is a grouch while she is consistently smiley.
Things go astray when the lights flash out. When the fuse is fixed everyone is shocked to find the elderly man dead. Maggie grabs the pills for the Mrs. only to have her collapse dead too. Having dead guests is trouble of its own but it's double trouble that the local Police Chief, Rufus Durand, is a sworn enemy of the family. He is apt to gloat about a murder at Crozat rather than try to solve it.
Maggie is dreading the investigation until she meets the new detective who is handsome and appears competent and thorough. That is good until she learns that he is Bo Durand, cousin to Rufus. Now she figures she will have to uncover the true murderer herself even if it means taking on cleaning duty to sneak into their rooms. Determining the murderer becomes more crucial as the week goes on and another guest is found dead.
The setting is beautiful, complete with bayou, Cajun food and good luck charms. The characters are quirky, with hidden motives. Maggie is a strong, likable heroine and Bo is a great hero with a special son, whose situation is handled nicely. The writing flows well and makes an easy, quick read. The story is told with gracious Southern charm and I enjoyed the mystery and the sweet, slow romance. The recipes shared at the end are a bonus. (I found it amusing that I didn’t get the title, “shudders” until I started reading the book.) I recommend this to readers who enjoy a fun, cozy mystery.
by Ellen Byron
- File Size: 766 KB
- Print Length: 288 pages
- Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (August 11, 2015)
- Publication Date: August 11, 2015
- ASIN: B011IZPRR6
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Check in for some Southern hospitality in Plantation Shudders, the Cajun Country series debut from Ellen Byron.
It's the end of the summer and Prodigal Daughter Maggie Crozat has returned home to her family's plantation-turned-bed-and-breakfast in Louisiana. The Crozats have an inn full of guests for the local food festival—elderly honeymooners, the Cajun Cuties, a mysterious stranger from Texas, a couple of hipster lovebirds, and a trio of Georgia frat boys. But when the elderly couple keels over dead within minutes of each other - one from very unnatural causes - Maggie and her family suddenly become suspects in a murder.
With the help of Bo Durand, the town's handsome new detective, Maggie must investigate to clear her name while holding the family business together at the same time. And the deeper she digs, the more she wonders: are all of the guests really there for a vacation or do they have ulterior motives? Decades-old secrets and stunning revelations abound in Ellen Byron’s charming cozy debut, Plantation Shudders.
Review:
Maggie Crozat has returned home to help her family run their Louisiana Plantation now turned Bed and Breakfast. She spent a few years in the big city trying to make it on her own until she realized that she didn’t like the feeling of being alone and her family could use her help.
Maggie is with the family to welcome a full inn of guests for the end of summer fete. The guests include a couple of young lovebirds, a family with two young teens, three college boys, a mysterious, handsome, but sad man, and four “Cajun Cuties” who visit plantations to share with their organization. Then the surprisingly elderly, honeymoon latecomers show up. He is a grouch while she is consistently smiley.
Things go astray when the lights flash out. When the fuse is fixed everyone is shocked to find the elderly man dead. Maggie grabs the pills for the Mrs. only to have her collapse dead too. Having dead guests is trouble of its own but it's double trouble that the local Police Chief, Rufus Durand, is a sworn enemy of the family. He is apt to gloat about a murder at Crozat rather than try to solve it.
Maggie is dreading the investigation until she meets the new detective who is handsome and appears competent and thorough. That is good until she learns that he is Bo Durand, cousin to Rufus. Now she figures she will have to uncover the true murderer herself even if it means taking on cleaning duty to sneak into their rooms. Determining the murderer becomes more crucial as the week goes on and another guest is found dead.
The setting is beautiful, complete with bayou, Cajun food and good luck charms. The characters are quirky, with hidden motives. Maggie is a strong, likable heroine and Bo is a great hero with a special son, whose situation is handled nicely. The writing flows well and makes an easy, quick read. The story is told with gracious Southern charm and I enjoyed the mystery and the sweet, slow romance. The recipes shared at the end are a bonus. (I found it amusing that I didn’t get the title, “shudders” until I started reading the book.) I recommend this to readers who enjoy a fun, cozy mystery.
I selected this through NetGalley. It is part of my NetGalley Challenge.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Audible Review: Steelheart: Reckoners, Book 1 by Brandon Sanderson
This was great listening entertainment!
Steelheart: Reckoners, Book 1
Written by: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
Series: Reckoners, Book 1
Release Date:09-24-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi Fantasy, Action
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Publisher's Summary
From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of the Mistborn Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson, comes the first book in a new, action-packed thrill ride of a series - Steelheart. Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.
But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.
Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.
And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning - and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.
He's seen Steelheart bleed.
And he wants revenge.
©2013 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2013 Audible Inc.
Review:
Ten years ago “The Calamity” struck earth in the form of a flash in the sky which left certain men and women with superhuman powers. Normal people hope that these superhumans, called Epics, will help the world. Unfortunately the super power gifts that make them strong also corrupt them by increasing their drive to rule over others, usually in tyranny and terror.
David was only eight when he saw his first two Epics. He witnessed his own father, as well as everyone else in the bank, ruthlessly struck down by Steelheart. But David saw something that no one else saw – he saw Steelheart bleed. David became the sole survivor and he lived planning his revenge. David spent the next ten years studying the strengths and weaknesses of every Epic. He also studied the skills of the Reckoners, the underground rebel group - the only ones- who dare to challenge the Epics.
David manages to get into a rebellion skirmish so he can join the Reckoners. The rebellion team isn’t looking for new recruits who just pop up. Initially they don’t know if they can trust David but slowly he convinces them that he has a wealth of knowledge, particularly knowing the vulnerabilities of the Epics, that will help the Reckoners in their battles.
Each of the Reckoners has a particular battle skill. Slowly they share their skills with David as he shares his knowledge with them. They hide in unfinished tunnels below Newcago (what is left of Chicago) as they pull together a plan to call out Steelheart. They have to get him face to face to test the several theories they have as to his vulnerability.
There is plenty of action in this story which is very reminiscent of a comic book with the good guys battling the evil super villains. The leader of the Reckoners, "Prof", is an older fellow with mysterious wisdom and inventions. There is a minor romantic element as David crushes on one of his teammates even though she tends to scorn his youthful geekiness. I enjoyed the characters, the fast-paced action and the clever plot twists. I found the total package very entertaining and will want to read more by this author. (I have the Mistborn trilogy and just have to decide if I will read those next or get more in the Reckoner series.) I recommend this to young, and older, adult readers who enjoy comic book style action and twists.
Audio Notes: This was an excellent listen. MacLeod Andrews does a super job capturing the different personalities both human and Epic. His narration made the story come alive for me and I could almost picture it as a comic book action strip. If you are a sci fi action reader who enjoys audio I highly recommend this in audio for strong entertainment.
Steelheart: Reckoners, Book 1
Written by: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
Series: Reckoners, Book 1
Release Date:09-24-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi Fantasy, Action
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Publisher's Summary
From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of the Mistborn Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson, comes the first book in a new, action-packed thrill ride of a series - Steelheart. Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.
But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.
Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.
And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning - and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.
He's seen Steelheart bleed.
And he wants revenge.
©2013 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2013 Audible Inc.
Review:
Ten years ago “The Calamity” struck earth in the form of a flash in the sky which left certain men and women with superhuman powers. Normal people hope that these superhumans, called Epics, will help the world. Unfortunately the super power gifts that make them strong also corrupt them by increasing their drive to rule over others, usually in tyranny and terror.
David was only eight when he saw his first two Epics. He witnessed his own father, as well as everyone else in the bank, ruthlessly struck down by Steelheart. But David saw something that no one else saw – he saw Steelheart bleed. David became the sole survivor and he lived planning his revenge. David spent the next ten years studying the strengths and weaknesses of every Epic. He also studied the skills of the Reckoners, the underground rebel group - the only ones- who dare to challenge the Epics.
David manages to get into a rebellion skirmish so he can join the Reckoners. The rebellion team isn’t looking for new recruits who just pop up. Initially they don’t know if they can trust David but slowly he convinces them that he has a wealth of knowledge, particularly knowing the vulnerabilities of the Epics, that will help the Reckoners in their battles.
Each of the Reckoners has a particular battle skill. Slowly they share their skills with David as he shares his knowledge with them. They hide in unfinished tunnels below Newcago (what is left of Chicago) as they pull together a plan to call out Steelheart. They have to get him face to face to test the several theories they have as to his vulnerability.
There is plenty of action in this story which is very reminiscent of a comic book with the good guys battling the evil super villains. The leader of the Reckoners, "Prof", is an older fellow with mysterious wisdom and inventions. There is a minor romantic element as David crushes on one of his teammates even though she tends to scorn his youthful geekiness. I enjoyed the characters, the fast-paced action and the clever plot twists. I found the total package very entertaining and will want to read more by this author. (I have the Mistborn trilogy and just have to decide if I will read those next or get more in the Reckoner series.) I recommend this to young, and older, adult readers who enjoy comic book style action and twists.
Audio Notes: This was an excellent listen. MacLeod Andrews does a super job capturing the different personalities both human and Epic. His narration made the story come alive for me and I could almost picture it as a comic book action strip. If you are a sci fi action reader who enjoys audio I highly recommend this in audio for strong entertainment.
This was from 2013 in my Audible library. This qualifies for my Audiobook challenge as well as being part of my TBR reading.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Sunday Post August 9, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 10, 2015
Sunday Post - It's Monday! is still not up and linking while Sheila finds her way after her family tragedy.
Kathryn at Date Book suggested linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
This meme starts at Book Journey!
What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.
I still have an ugly cough but I am getting more sleep - thank goodness. Work is steady.
I am enjoying my reading. I only finished two books, one ebook and one audio, although I am pretty far along on two more books. I posted four reviews and posted the usual memes.
I do have my new computer set up so this week has been quicker online - yay!
I got to visit blog friends early last week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.
These were last week's posts:
- Book Review: A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris; Fantasy, Steampunk, Fairy Tale; my rating 4.5.
- Audible Book Review: Double Whammy: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 1 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.25.
- Audible Book Review: Double Dip: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 2 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.0.
- Friday Pick Giveaway August 7, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 8/13/2015.
- Audible Book Review: Double Strike: A Davis Way Crime Caper, Book 3 by Gretchen Archer; Modern Detective; my rating 4.5.
- Sharing Beyond Books #214 Comment Giveaway for August 8, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 8/15/2015.
1. eBook/Kindle
Plantation Shudders: A Cajun Country Mystery (A Cajun Country Mystery)
by Ellen Byron
This was an enjoyable cozy.
Click on book title for full description.
Plantation Shudders: A Cajun Country Mystery (A Cajun Country Mystery)
by Ellen Byron
This was an enjoyable cozy.
Click on book title for full description.
2. Audible
14
Written by: Peter Clines
Narrated by: Ray Porter
This had some surprising twists!
Click on book title for full description.
Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle
Dark Horse
by Michelle Diener
I really like the characters and this story.
74% complete.
Click on book title for full description.
Dark Horse
by Michelle Diener
I really like the characters and this story.
74% complete.
Click on book title for full description.
2. Print
Double Exposure (The Justice Agency Book 1)
by Susan Sleeman
I am enjoying this romantic suspense. I won this in 2012 so it is from my TBR shelf. 60% complete.
Photographer Jennie Buchanan unknowingly captures a drug-cartel meeting on film. And now she has become a killer's next target. Even worse, her only protection from the danger that threatens her life is the man who threatens her heart. Dodging bullets almost seems safer than facing the feelings stirred up by seeing former FBI agent and ex-boyfriend Ethan Justice again. Ethan vows to safeguard Jennie from the deadly men on her trail. And for a second chance at Jennie's love, he's willing to risk anything to expose the truth—about the drug smugglers, the past and the future together he still wants.
3. Audible
Written by: Margaret Brownley
Narrated by: Jaimee Draper
I wanted a lighter listen after 14 so I selected this one from my Audible library.
I just started this.
Publisher's Summary
I just started this.
Publisher's Summary
Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne is no stranger to undercover work. But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. She’s finally landed a high-profile case and is on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls essential to her investigation meets an untimely demise. Only a handful of people are in the house at the time of her death, including handsome Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger determined to clear his brother’s name. Amy has many reasons to suspect Tom of murder - and one very personal reason to hope that she’s wrong about him.
©2014 Margaret Brownley (P)2014 Barbour Publishing, Inc.
4. eBook/Kindle
Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime)
by Rebecca Raisin
I am looking forward to this book that looks like light romance adventure.
I selected this at NetGalley.
Maple sugar kisses
Lucy would do anything for her mom…but she never expected to end up promising to leave her. After her mom got sick, Lucy dropped everything to take care of her, working all hours in a greasy diner just to make ends meet and spending every spare moments she had by her mom’s hospital bedside.
Now, Lucy is faced with a whole year of living by her own rules, starting by taking the first bus out of town to anywhere...
Except she didn’t expect to find her next big adventure just around the corner! Especially when on her first day in town she bumps into grumpy, but oh-so-delicious Clay amidst the maple trees. Surrounded by the magic of Ashford, Lucy has the chance to change her life forever and finally discover a life she wants to live!
Fall in love with Ashford, Connecticut in this dazzling and beautiful romance from bestselling author Rebecca Raisin.
June 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning.. I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.
I posted four reviews last week which left three plus two new for this week. So I still need to work hard on reviews.
I finished one and am reading two NetGalley. I added one new book so that my shelf has six NetGalley titles.
I have pulled in some TBRs which makes me glad.
Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
I added just one NetGalley title this past week. I am still trying to decide on my two Audible choices - which I will have to select this week.
I downloaded the free Audio pair from SYNC and I added more free kindle titles to my library.
(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?
Review Titles
I selected one title at NetGalley this week.
Children of the Comet
by Donald Moffitt
In the far future, on top of a gigantic tree rooted in the ice ball of a comet, a young man’s journey leads to unexpected encounters.
This sounded interesting from a well respected sci fi author.
Won
None.
Purchased
None.
Free
Free Downloads from AudioFile SYNC 2015 for week Fourteen.More good titles conclude this summer's pairings of free audiobooks
Under a War-Torn Sky
by L.M. Elliott
Read by Elizabeth Wiley
The Old Brown Suitcase
by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz
Read by Sofia Bunting Newman
Over the past week I again added 44 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.
Sunday Words of Encouragement August 9, 2015
We attended an early service with our daughter, son-in-law and the grandkids. The pastor shared a good message praising and acknowledging the need for all gifts within the body of believers: preaching, music, teaching, missions and prayer warriors. The Spirit gives us discernment to become a Gospel team. 1 Corinthians 12. We are called to relationship - with God through Christ and with other Christians. We are called to acceptance - to welcome each others strengths without a power struggle. We are called to unity - to be cordial, congenial, cooperative and compromise when appropriate; always working together as a team to give God the glory We are called to action - we are each to impact our surroundings. God called and equipped us to do His work. God gives us the work and, while we rely on His guidance, He tells us “do it yourself”. We are to share the Hope we learn in His word. What are we waiting for?
Romans 12:4-8 NIV
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Lord please guide me to use whatever gifts and whatever blessings You have given me to share Your hope with others.
I went to my song list and saw this song that I thought would fit so well with this message.
Do Something!
Verses for Today:Romans 12:4-8 NIV
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Lord please guide me to use whatever gifts and whatever blessings You have given me to share Your hope with others.
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