Book Review ~ Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

 

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 Blurb:

 

 In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger’s memories . . . before they cost her everything.

Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.

But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks—and vivid dreams of being strangled—she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor’s murder.

Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked—by a man she’s only met in her nightmares.

The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent agrees to help her: Agent Marc Everton.

Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there’s no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her—before she remembers too much.

My Thoughts:

 

Colleen Coble does not disappoint!  This book was so interesting.

I always love revisiting places I've read about in prior books of a series.  This is the 3rd book in the Hope Beach series and I loved them all.

There was an interesting plot of  "cell memory", where the recipient of a transplant has memories that belonged to the organ donor.  I don't know how much credence I give this theory but it made for interesting reading.

There were times throughout the story where I just couldn't believe that the main characters weren't more scared or leery.  There many threatening notes but the characters kept plugging away like it was nothing.

I enjoyed the plot twist that dealt with Josie, Elin's daughter.  I'm glad things came together the way they did.

This was a great romantic/suspense/mystery.  I can't wait to see what is next from this author!



Colletta

Book Review ~ Gabriel's Atonement by Vickie McDonough ~ 12/11/18

 

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 Blurb:

 

 All Gabe Coulter ever wanted was to live a comfortable life as a successful gambler, but a confrontation with a disgruntled cowboy who’d just lost to Gabe leads to a family man dying in his arms. Even though it was self-defense, the only way Gabe knows to get rid of his guilt is to return the money he won to the man’s wife.

Lara Talbot sees Gabe as a derelict like her husband and wants nothing to do with him. But as she struggles to provide for her family and makes plans to claim property in the upcoming Oklahoma land rush, she wonders if God might have sent the meddling gambler to help.

My Thoughts:

 

As the first book in the Land Rush Dreams series, this book was just OK for me.

It was rather slow-moving and dry.  The author kept introducing new characters and it got a bit confusing keeping them all straight especially when I wanted to be reading about the main characters.

I really liked the idea of a gambler who changes his ways because of a death-bed promise he made to his mother.  Gabe was a likable character despite his profession.

I wanted to like Lara's character but she just fell flat for me.

I have book three of the series on my shelf but I might just gift it to a reader friend of mine along with this one.  Hopefully, she'll enjoy it more than I did.

Sorry for the bummer review, but I had to be honest :(

 



Colletta

Book Review ~ A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter ~ 11/28/18

 

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 Blurb:

 

 Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned.

When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.  

My Thoughts:

 

Wow!  Finally, a book review!

 

I've been in a serious, I mean serious, reading funk.  I've started I don't know how many books only to get bored within the first 50 pages.

 

I should have known to go back to the genre where my love of reading started all those years ago:  Regency.  My favorite!

 

I grabbed this book up on Black Friday at Ollie's and read it over the weekend.  I wish I could have read it all in one day but time just didn't allow it.

 

The mystery and intrigue where there along with plenty of romance.  Even though some things were a bit predictable, it didn't bother me at all :)

 

I loved the main characters and their unconventionalness.  ( is that a word??)  I don't want to give too much away because there are a few surprises along the way.

 

I enjoyed learning the characters of Hawthorne House and am so excited that there are 3 more books in this series!  I've already added them to my wishlist :)

 

 



Colletta

Book Review ~ Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills

 

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 Blurb:

 

 Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston's airport. What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man's motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a 747.

 

Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted.

 

As a health emergency endangers Stacy's community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter. 

My Thoughts:

 

I can't quite believe I'm finally writing a book review!  I think the last one I wrote was in the beginning of August.  Close to 2 months ago!

 

Anyhoo...  This is the first book in the the FBI Task Force series by DiAnn Mills.  I always love getting my hands on the first book of series!

 

This book was an amazing read.  I was on the edge of my seat (or bed) the entire time, especially once the action really got going.  And the action was there in spades.

 

I loved how Alex and his partner Ric would "talk through" their discoveries and the ins and outs of all the people and work that goes on behind the scenes of an investigation.

 

At first, Stacy seemed a bit flaky.  I mean, she found a dead guy and was more worried about a dog's paw that needed stitches.  But, as I got to know her character more, she had really deep emotions and depth.

 

Whitt's character was outstanding!  I don't want to give too much away but he was absolutely brilliant for a 12 year old :)

 

There was just enough of a hint of romance that was to come.  I liked how the case took precedence over the romance.  It made for a great romantic suspense.

 

I hope to get my hands on the rest of the series soon!

 

  



Colletta

Race to the Finish ~ My 2018 Goodread Reading Challenge

 

 

According to the Goodreads 2018 Reading Challenge page there are exactly 103 days and 7 hours left until the Challenge is over.

 

That is just a little over 3 months!  Yikes!

 

If you're like me, you either are on schedule or a little behind schedule to finish.  Some of you may be ahead of schedule (GO YOU!). 

 

Me:  I'm 5 books behind schedule and that is even after knocking 12 books off my goal.  I had started out with a goal of 52 books but that just wasn't going to happen.  If I wanted even the smallest hope of finishing the Challenge, I had to cut back my goal.  I hated to do it but there you have it.

 

I have 17 books to read in 14 weeks.

 

The way I've been reading lately, it is going to take every. last. minute.

 

To hold myself accountable and try to get psyched for the final 17 books of the year, I decided to use this post to keep track of my "Race to the Finish".

 

 

 

I plan to link up reviews as I write them as I head to the finish line.

 

1.  Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills - 9/21/18

 

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 How are you doing on your Race to the Finish?  I'd love to know how many books you have left to reach your goal.  If you'd like to join in with me to finish strong, write a blog post and leave a link in the comments. 

 

 

Colletta