MBS 2021 Reading Goals

Martha's Bookshelf 2021 Reading Goals

Challenges: Goodreads, otherwise all goals are 'unofficial'.  I still think I would struggle to have time to fully participate in specific challenges for 2021. I do have reading goals again with some adjustments.

Goodreads 2021 Challenge: 124
I set my 2021 Goodreads Goal at 124. This is less than the last two years because I have some longer books and series on my TBR shelves (prior to 2021). This will require about 2-3 books per week (10 per month) which is very comfortable for reading and review posting.

TBR: 90
I still plan to read at least 90 TBR titles, consisting of audios, current NetGalley titles, current author titles, and ebooks and print books. That only leaves me 34 for 2021 titles which would include 7 NetGalley and 9 author review titles and another 18 for new titles. Titles can qualify for more than one goal.

Audiobook Goal: 64
I love audiobooks and, as noted, have some longer ones that have been waiting. So instead of planning on 100 audios this year, I plan on at least 64 with the hope it will be closer to 75.



Alphabet Goal: 26
I do plan on working on the Alphabet Goal/Challenge. I can do this with Audios and actually have two TBRs per letter already lined up. Right now the “X” picks are “x” in the title, but I do have an ebook that starts with X that I will count too just to be solid on the Alphabet.

NetGalley: 24
I have 17 NetGalley titles that will be TBR and I will plan 7 more for a NetGalley reading goal of 24; a comfortable two per month though not required to be two/month.




Author Reviews: 12
I have 3 author ebook titles which are TBR and I am planning on at least 12 author review titles (ebook or audio) for the year.

NonFiction: 12
I plan to read at least 12 nonfiction titles – likely one per month. These may (but not required) be TBR and may qualify towards Audio and Alphabet goals.

eBook/Print TBRs: 24
I plan to do better than the last years (barely 12) reading my own ebook or print TBRs. The goal will be at least 24 or 2 per month.


Seasons: 4
I enjoyed doing a book for each Season: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall/Autumn. I have thought about doing one with each month in it but I think that might be restrictive. Maybe I’ll shoot for half the months and give myself permission to read them in any month they come up. 😊

Colors: 8
I have been thinking color themes the past couple of years so I think I will see how many colors I can cover. I will plan on the four primary colors (red, blue, green and yellow) and add at least four more, making the color goal 8.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 8, 2021

Happy Friday!  The new year is already moving along at a good clip... with a disturbing first week.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the January 1, 2021 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 1, 2021 Pick:
MYSTICA gets a GC
AND
SUEF gets Murder in Plain Sight

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I wish I could read a book a day. I'm glad to manage 10 or so a month.
Illustration by Mark Stamaty found at Slate.

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

The Promise by TJ Bennett
A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
Alaskan Renegade by Kate Bridges
Killing Floor by Lee Child
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
Snowflakes on the Sea by Linda Lael Miller
Murder in Plain Sight by Marta Perry
One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
No Ordinary Man by Suzanne Simmons
The Scot by Lyn Stone
The Abducted Heiress by Claire Thornton
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Three Complete Novels by Sandra Brown (Best Kept Secrets, Mirror Image, and Slow Heat to Heaven)
Select Editions Four Novels: Safe Harbor, The Analyst, Fallen Angel and Open Season
Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
The Celtic Riddle by Lyn Hamilton
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
The Best Man by Kristan Higgins
Castles in the Mist by Jose Litton
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Thief of Hearts by Teresa Medeiros
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
Familiar Stranger by Sharon Sala
All of Me by Lori Wilde

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Senseless by Mary Burton
Indefensible by Pamela Callow
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
Final Appeal by Joanne Fluke
The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook


PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
A Little Magic (Sorry - I initially listed this as Dark Magic)
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Angel Face by Suzanne Forster
Stalking the Puzzle Lady by Parnell Hall
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)
The Warrior by Frances Richey (poetry  hardcover)


New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,348+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors, your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to faraway places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

MBS 2020 Reading Summary and Top Picks

MBS (Martha's Bookshelf) Year in Review

36,419  pages read; 155 books read Martha

NetGalley - reached 95% feedback ration (before loading up for 2021).

2020 Goal Summary:
COMPLETED: Goodreads Goal Read: 154 of 150 (+ Bible made 155)
COMPLETED: TBR: 104 of 100 total
COMPLETED: Alphabet on Audio 26 of 26 (using an X in title rather than starting the title)
TBR ebooks: 10 of 24
COMPLETED: Audio: 96 of 75
COMPLETED: NetGalley: 40 of 40
COMPLETED: Author Reviews: 13 of 12
COMPLETED: Nonfiction: 14 of 12
COMPLETED: Seasonal title: Winter 1, Spring 1, Summer 1, Fall 1

New to me Authors: 92

Series to Date: 90 (63 New and 27 Continued) 5 Finished

New to Me series: 63
Continuing series: 27
Series Completed: 5

Wars of the Realm -3(Chuck Black)
Bird and the Sword -2 (Amy Harmon)
Into the End -3 (Bonnie R. Paulson)
Disruption -3 (R.E. McDermott)
Metal and Men -3 (read 1 and 3) Anthony W. Eichenlaub)

Series Up ready to read next book:

Destroymen Series on final book 15
Mercy Thompson on book 12 (current)
Expeditionary Force on book 4 of 14
Commune 2 of 4
Undying Mercenaries on book 5 of 14
The Others on book 2 of 6
and more...

There is some overlap in genres but this is how I broke down the 154.
26 Dystopian and post-apocalyptic
22 Fantasy, including horror, paranormal and urban
20 Children/Middle Grade
19 Sci-Fi
14 NonFiction
13 Romantic, including Christian, Historical and Suspense
12 Mystery, Thriller
10 Cozy Mystery
9 Christian, Inspirational (plus more in NF)
6 Historical Fiction
3 Contemporary (Short Stories, not romance)

My Favorite Reads for 2020:
5 Stars = 7 Listed in the order read.

NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Deep State by Chris Hauty; Genre: Assassination Thriller, Political Thriller, Thriller; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers by Meaghann Weaver, Lori Wiener; Genre: Children, Death and Dying, Illness; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon; Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall, Story and Narration.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen; Genre: Business Management, Non Fiction, Self Help; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.

A2020- Audible Book Review: Tin Man: A Galaxy's Edge Prequel by Jason Anspac and Nick Cole; Genre: Military Space, Science Fiction, Short Stories; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Written in Red: A Novel of the Others by Anne Bishop; Genre: Shape Shifters, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

NG2020- #NetGalley Audiobook Review: A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney; Genre: Children, Family, Farm Animals; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

4.75 Stars = 8

ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Oracle by Jonathan Cahn; Genre: Christian Prophecies, Religion & Spirituality; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Southlands, Lee Harden, Book 2 by D.J. Molles; Genre: Action & Adventure, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Paradigm by Jonathan Cahn; Genre: Christian Prophesy; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.

NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: I've Never Been This Old Before by Stan Toler; Genre: Humor, Inspirational, Self Help; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Spring in Geneva by Sylvia Kelso; Genre: Fantasy, Gothic, Short Story, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: Promises to Keep: After the EMP (Disruption Trilogy) by R.E. McDermott; Genre: Alternate History, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

ATBR- Audible Book Review: After It Happened by Devon C. Ford; Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

ATBR-Audible Book Review: Thunderhead Arc of a Scythe by Neal Shusterman; Genre: Dystopian, Futuristic, Sci-Fi, Teen and Young Adult; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

4.5 Stars = 38

MBS December 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - DECEMBER

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2020
Favorites for the month:
5 Stars = None
4.75 Stars = None
4.5 Stars =  Yang Warriors

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien; Genre: Children’s Folk Tales, Fairy Tale Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Jingle Bell Pop by John Seabrook; Genre: Christmas, Music, Nonfiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
3. ATBR- Audio Book Review: An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham; Genre: Christmas, Mystery, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
4. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Survive the Fall (EMP: Return of the Wild West Book 1) by Grace Hamilton; Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
5. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Yang Warriors by Kao Kalia Yang Genre: Children, Immigration, Refugee; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
6. NG2020- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Megge of Bury Down by Rebecca Kightlinger; Genre: Coming of Age, Historical Fantasy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
7. ebTBR- Book Review: Cold Feet: A Short Story for Christmas (Hand-Me-Downs Book 2) by Meggan Haller; Genre: Christmas, Young Adult, Short Story; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
8. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Pupcakes: A Christmas Novel by Annie England Noblin; Genre: Animals, Women's Divorce, Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.
9. ebTBR- Book Review: Thomas & the Christmas Orange: Storybook Advent Calendar Singles by Lewis Brech; Genre: Children, Christmas, Classic; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.
10. ebTBR- Book Review: Book Review: Message in a Bauble (Big Honey Dog Mysteries #3) by H.Y. Hanna; Genre: Children, Christmas, Dogs, Mystery; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz; Genre: Crime thriller, Suspense; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
12. ebTBR- Book Review: Miss Kane's Christmas by Caroline Mickelson; Genre: Christmas, Holiday Romance, Romantic Comedy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
13. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Snowbound at Christmas by Jennifer Ryan, Maisey Yates, Lia Riley; Genre: Christmas, Holiday Romance; My Rating: 3.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.25; Narration 3.25.
14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Solitude by Dean M. Cole; Genre: Alternative History, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
15. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Murder on New Year's Eve (A Ridgeway Rescue Mystery Book 1) by P. Creeden; Genre: Cozy, Animal, Mystery; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.

Total read = 15; TBR = 12; New to Me Authors = 13
Audio/Audible = 9 (8 TBRs)
eBook = 4 (4 TBR)
NetGalley = 3 (0 TBR)
Review books (other than NG) = 0
Print = 0 (0 TBR)
• Series: 7
• New to me Series: 7 (2 very likely to continue)
• Continuing for me Series: 0
• Finished for me Series: 0

See MBS 2020 Reading Summary and Top Picks for Goal Completion.

Audible Book Review: Murder on New Year's Eve, A Ridgeway Rescue Mystery, Book 1, by P. Creedan

The mystery is fine but the character seems like a teen.
Murder on New Year's Eve
A Ridgeway Rescue Mystery, Book 1
By: P. Creeden
Narrated by: Shaniese Reyes

Length: 1 hr and 11 mins
Release date: 08-15-19
Publisher: Pauline Creeden
Genre: Cozy, Animal, Mystery
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.

Publisher's Summary
Ridgeway Rescue Mysteries can be enjoyed in one to two hours. Perfect for when you're waiting for an appointment or just want a fast listen. Don't miss out on this quick, clean, cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end!
It's New Year’s Eve, and 20-year-old Emma Wright has a date with her crush - well, not a real date, but she can dream! Colby Davidson, the K9 search and rescue deputy, is allowing her to accompany him while he’s on patrol at the Ridgeway Illumination Festival. Though they are just friends, she’s still hoping for a possible kiss at the end of the festivities.
When a stranger asks them to help take some pictures at the event, Emma and Colby are happy to oblige. But their assistance turns them into alibis for the man’s whereabouts while his girlfriend was killed. Most of the clues point to a robbery gone bad, but Emma doesn’t believe all of them point that way. Was it really a robbery, or was it murder?
©2018 Pauline Creeden (P)2019 Pauline Creeden

Review:
Emma, a twenty-something, is the daughter of the local Sheriff and has a crush on the K9 search and rescue deputy, Colby. Colby has a well-trained K9 Shepherd, Gabby, while Emma is struggling to train her new foster dog, Molly, an exuberant Saint Bernard puppy.

Colby has agreed to have Emma accompany him on the New Year’s Eve patrol at the Ridgeway Illumination Festival and she is hoping for a kiss. As the lighting event proceeds the lights will spell out Happy New Year. A stranger steps up and asks that Colby and Emma take his picture with the lights. Before the last lights are lit, Emma’s father arrives to question the man about the death of his girlfriend. As alibi witnesses, Emma and Colby join the Sheriff and the suspect as the crime scene is investigated. Initially the clues indicate a robbery gone bad but Emma spots details that challenge that theory.

I did enjoy the mystery even though I struggled with Emma’s character. She is sweet and very observant, but her crush is expressed much more like a teen than a twenty-year-old. The story writing also seemed a juvenile style. Still, this is an easy, quick listen with a fun mystery to enjoy especially on New Year’s Eve.

Audio Notes: Shaniese Reyes is a new narrator for me. Her young voice certainly fit the story which she delivers more as a read rather than giving unique voices to the characters. This contributed to the ‘young’ sound of the book.

Source: Sale at Audible November 2019 $5.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.