July 31st's Friday Post

It's been a couple of weeks, so it's time to jump into another Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three will be coming from Hell Hath No Fury by Annette Dashofy.

This is book five in her Detective Honeywell Mysteries.  And here's how the book begins:

Matthias Honeywell wanted a romantic getaway with his girlfriend. Driving three hours in a steady downpour to rescue Emma’s drug-addicted sister wasn’t at all what he had in mind.

Meanwhile, at 56% into the book, we find this quote:

“Why isn’t he calling back?” Eric demanded.

The book will be out on Thursday, but I've already read it thanks to an ARC.  I need to write my review, but I should be posting it on Thursday next week.

Meanwhile, let's check in with this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

If you had to stick to one genre forever, which would you choose and why?

I'm sure it will be no surprise to anyone that I would pick mysteries.  That is pretty much all I read as it is, so of course that would be the genre I would stick with if I had to pick just one.

Have a great weekend!

July 17th's Friday Post

Welcome to Friday!  It's time for a Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three will be coming from All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron.

This is book three in her Golden Motel Mysteries.  It's a fun series set in the California Gold Country.

I'll admit, the first sentence had my scratching my head.  And the next paragraph didn't necessarily help.

“Happy Angus Sprockles Birthday!”
Sam Stern issued the cheery greeting to his daughter, Dee, who was cleaning up the breakfast detritus left by guests in the Golden Motel’s midcentury, redwood-paneled lobby.

It doesn't take too long before we get the context - Angus Sprockles is someone important in the local area, and they still celebrate his birthday.  Maybe I was just being dense when I first read that sentence.

Anyway, on page 56 of my ARC, we find this:

Raul ended the call. He pocketed his notebook. "We have a pillar of the community who appears to be the victim of a homicide. A valuable antique someone could've stolen is un-stolen. What exactly is going on here?"

That's an excellent question isn't it?  Of course, it is answered by the end of the book.  The book comes out on July 28th, but I'm part of a blog tour for it, and my review will be up on Monday.

Meanwhile, let's move on to this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

Do you read one book at a time, or juggle a few at once?

I stick to one book.  Otherwise, I start to get plot points confused, or one book gets forgotten for a few days.  The exception is when I am listening to an audiobook.  I'll have a book I'm reading with my eyes as well.

Have a great weekend!

July 10th's Friday Post

Welcome to Friday and this week's Friday Post.  I'll be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three will be coming from Strong Medicine by Steve Hockensmith.

This is book eight in his Holmes on the Range series, featuring two cowboy brothers who have turned detectives, inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

Here's how the fun begins:

When you’re a cowboy, you learn to be both a heavy sleeper and a light one.

Meanwhile, at 56% into the book, we find the main characters trying to get some information from a cabby.  That leads to this exchange:

“My rate,” he went on, “is a dollar a question.”

“What?” Old Red said.

“Is that question number one?” the cabby asked.

“It wasn’t a question,” I clarified. “It was an expression of disbelief.”

The book will be out on Tuesday, and my review will be up then.

Meanwhile, let's turn our attention to the Book Blogger Hop for the week, shall we?  This week's question is:

What’s your biggest pet peeve about the book community?

That's a hard question.  I do have some pet peeves, but I'm not sure what the biggest is.  And what I really do like is that you can find just about every opinion represented.  So, I try to avoid those who harp on things I don't like.

I guess the one thing that stands out the most are the people who think you can only do things one way, and then tell others they must enjoy books that way or it doesn't count.  As I like to say, we aren't in school.  This is a hobby.  We can enjoy books however we want.  Physical, ebook, audio.  Multiple a week or just a couple a month.  Best sellers or indie authors.  It's all good as long as you are enjoying it.

Have a great weekend!

July 3rd's Friday Post

Welcome to Friday!  And a holiday Friday here in the US.  I'm going to kick off my long weekend with a Friday Post, where I will link up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three will be coming from The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood.

This is book five in n the Marlow Murder Club series.  It officially comes out on Tuesday, but my preorder arrived early.  So I read it, and I'll be reviewing it on Tuesday.

Here's how the book begins:

Mrs. Judith Potts looked at the woman standing outside her front door and didn't say a word. She didn't dare say a word. Her heart was racing. Her thoughts were in free fall.

Yes, this is a bit of a cheat.  It's from the prologue and is the same scene that ended book four.  Not that I remember if we had these exact words there.  But it is how this book starts.

Moving on to page 56, we find this:

"I've just received a complaint from a colleague of Gary Wise's at Wycombe Wanderers Football Club," he said to the women.
"Hello, Brendan," Judith said, refusing to be intimidated.

This book is full of humor, and that exchange captures that well for me.  Might not translate out of context, however.

My review will be up on Tuesday, so I hope you come back to get my full thoughts.

Let's move on to the Book Blogger Hop, shall we?  This week's question is:

What book would make a killer soundtrack, and what would that soundtrack sound like?

I'm not quite sure what to do with this one.  I don't think of books as soundtracks.  And I'm the guy who hardly notices the music in a movie or TV show, but definitely notices when it is taken out.  I know, I'm weird.

Have a great weekend!

June 26th's Friday Post

Welcome to Friday!  Time for this week's Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

The teasers for the first three will be coming from Murder at Ochre Court, the sixth Gilded Newport Mystery from Alyssa Maxwell.

Here's how the book begins:

"Take my advice, Miss Cross, and marry a rich man. Then you may do whatever you like?"

Considering the romantic storyline in the series, that really got my attention.

Meanwhile, on page 56, we find this:

"Where and when Dale Hanson is moved is entirely up to his doctor," I said while Hannah gaped at him. I couldn't blame her.
"And to the police," Griggson corrected me.

I've enjoyed this one, and I'll be reviewing it next Thursday.

Meanwhile, let's look at this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

Do you prefer writing long, detailed reviews or quick, punchy ones? 

Depends on who you ask if my reviews are long or short.  (And yes, I know I have a long one this week.)  I prefer to think of them are quick and punchy but detailed.  Hopefully, that also makes them helpful.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Juneteenth's Friday Post

It's Friday! Time for this week's Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

The teasers for the first three will be coming from The Quirky Quiz Show Caper by Sally Carpenter.

This is book four in her Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mysteries.  And here's how the book begins:

Strange that the music I'd made popular in the 1970s sounded unbearably cheesy when played on a four-manual Wurlitzer theater organ.

Definitely a bit of fun to start the book.  But on page 56, the mystery has definitely kicked in:

"Where is the knife, Dr. Farmington?" The detective said this more like a command than a question.

It had been a while since I picked up a book in this series, and I enjoyed getting to revisit the characters.  Look for my review to come on Thursday.

Meanwhile, shall we get to this week's Book Blogger Hop?  The question is:

If you could pick any fictional character to live with, who would it be, and how would they change your daily life? 

Considering I used to day dream of living with Trixie Belden and the rest of the Bob Whites, that's my  answer.  For those who don't know her, Trixie is a teen detective kind of like the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew.  The Bob Whites are her brothers and their group of friends.  And yes, they solved lots of mysteries.  Obviously, getting involved in real life mysteries would significantly change my life.

Have a great weekend!

June 5th's Friday Post

It's Friday!  Time for another Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

The teasers for the first three will be coming from Crown of Chaos by Sarah E. Burr.

This is book nine in a series that takes place on a fictional continent.  The main character is a ruler of one of the countries.  Yes, there are murders (this is me), but there's also political intrigue, especially as the series progresses.

With all that said, let's take a look at how this book begins.

The snap echoed all around, reverberating off the trunks of frost-covered trees. Duchess Jacqueline Arienta Xavier tightened her grip on the leather reins, her anxious gaze darting to the Captain of the Ducal Guard. “What was that?” Her voice was a harsh whisper.

That certainly draws you in right away, doesn't it?

Meanwhile, at 56% into the ebook, we find this quote:

Jax chewed on her lower lip, hesitant to share another theory she had been forming. But if anyone would support her, it would be Perry.

Was it a good theory?  I'll leave it for you to find out.  I really enjoyed this book in the series.  Assuming I get my review written, I'll be reviewing it this coming week.  The exact date is yet to be determined.

So, let's move over to the Book Blogger Hop.  This week's question is:

What’s the quirkiest or most unexpected place you’ve ever read a book, and why?

As I've shared on here I've read in line in amusements parks.  What else am I supposed to do while waiting in line by myself?  It helps pass the time and is productive.  I've also been known to read on my lunch hour in my car.  The passenger seat, of course.  I don't want to fight the pedals in the driver's seat.  I can't think of any other unusual places I've read.

That's it for me.  Have a great weekend!

May 29th's Friday Post

It's Friday!  Time for this week's Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

This week, I will be sharing teasers from One Final Turn, the last Electra McDonnell Novel by Ashley Weaver.

This series features a safe cracker who finds herself working for British Intelligence during World War II.

And here's how the book begins:

No one could ever say I'd lived a dull life. I was, in fact, a biographer's dream.

That makes for a fun and honest beginning, doesn't it?

Meanwhile, over on page 56, we find this:

"And you didn't notice anyone following you back form the cafe?" he asked instead.
"No. Archie was very careful about making sure no one followed us back."

I'll be sharing my thoughts on this book on Tuesday.  I hope you'll come back to see what I thought then.

Meanwhile, let's look at this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

Does the headline “Must-Read Books” grab your attention?

No, it usually doesn't.  Ironic, since I used that phrase to promote the short story I reviewed on Thursday.  But it is such an overused phrase that I don't pay any attention when someone says that.

Have a great weekend!

May 22nd's Friday Post

Welcome to this week's Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three this week will be coming from My Nightmare is Yours by Diane Vallere.

This is lucky number thirteen in a series from one of my favorite authors.  And Diane has lots of series she juggles, so her name is familiar if you spend any time around here.  This book is from her Madison Night series.  Madison is a decorator specializing in Mid-Century Modern decor.  And she is a huge Doris Day fan.

The quotes this week are short and sweet.  For example, here's how the book begins:

The photo was unfortunate on many levels.

That definitely caught my attention.  Meanwhile, at 56% into the book, we find this:

“What about Kingston?” I asked.
“For a blind date, he was very attentive.”

The book will be out on Tuesday, and I'll have a review then, so I hope you'll come back.

Meanwhile, let's hop on over to this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

What do you think about rising prices for hardcovers, paperbacks, and eBooks?

EBook prices are outrageous, especially since it is a license for the book and not actually purchasing it.  

Having said that, I do also respect that authors should be paid for their hard work.  And editors and publishers do need money as well.  I don't feel like the other book formats are rising significant above general inflation.  Still, it does hurt to see how expensive books are.  It makes me more selective at what I buy, unless I can find it on sale.

That's it for me.  Have a great weekend!

May 15th's Friday Post

We've made it through another week!  Time for this week's Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

This week, my teasers for the first three will be coming from Reckoning at the Riviera Royale by P.J. Fitzsimmons.

This is the fifth book in a series set in 1929.  And the first time we are leaving England behind for the French Riviera.  Yes, it's a mystery series, but it is highly comedic as well.  And I think these quotes really capture the tone of the book.

Here's how it begins:

It had been a little over a year since I’d seen my mother and, I assumed at the time, slightly longer since she’d last committed murder.

That's a beginning that will capture your attention, right?

Meanwhile, at 56% into the ebook, we find this quote:

“It’s not stealing, Mister Boisjoly…” claimed Mimpley.

“...it’s only cheating,” completed Biddicomb.

“You do yourselves a disservice, ladies,” I countered. “It’s both.”

I always enjoy this series, and this book was no exception.  I'll have my full review up on Tuesday, so I hope you'll come back to read it.

For now, let's move on to this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

Are you team dog-eared pages or strictly no creases? 

I bet if you looked at most of my books, you couldn't tell which ones I'd read and which ones I hadn't.  I don't bend spines back.  I don't dog-ear pages.  I don't mind buying a used book that is clearly used, but anything I buy new, I try to keep in as good as shape as I can for as long as I can.

Have a great weekend!

May 8th's Friday Post

It's Friday again, which means it is time for another Friday Post.  I'll be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three will be coming from Murder Most Trivial, the new Murder, She Wrote novel from Barbara Early.

Obviously, this book is going to have a very specific fan base, but considering this is the 63rd book in the series of novels tied into the TV show, I'd say it is a large fan base.

Anyway, here's how the book begins:

Seth Hazlitt opened the door of Riley’s for me, and I’ll admit I hesitated to look around the room. The promise of a “genuine” Irish pub experience here in Cabot Cove, Maine, was one I found intriguing yet, I feared, was doomed to disappoint (not for lack of advertising).

Okay, so that first sentence might not be suspenseful, but it does a good job of setting up the first scene.

Meanwhile, at 56% into the ARC, we find this quote:

“Are we going to play the game?” Maureen asked.
“What game?” Mort said.

The book is coming out on Tuesday, but I was able to read an ARC, so I'll be reviewing it on Tuesday.

Let's switch over to this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question of the week is:

If you designed a cover for a beloved book, how would it look, and how would it reflect the story? 

I'm am so not a visual arts person.  You should see what I cam up with when I had to do something liek that in school.  But I can appreciate a well done cover.  I'm not sure how I would improve on those.  So I think I will leave it to the visual artists and just enjoy their work.

(Yes, I know I am just dodging the question.)

Have a great weekend!

May 1st's Friday Post

Happy May Day!  Let's celebrate with a Friday Post, where I will link up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

This week, my teasers from the first three will be coming from Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Linda Reilly.

This is book seven in her Grilled Cheese Mysteries.  It came out a couple of weeks ago, but with the short turn around (this publisher always announces stuff last minute), I wasn't able to work the ARC into my reading schedule before now.

Here's how the book begins:

Carly Hale Mitchell’s gaze flitted all around the elegantly appointed parlor. She could easily imagine she’d been dropped into an episode of Downton Abbey.

So, the question on my mind was where is our main character?  Of course, we find out exactly where Carly was within the next few sentences.

Meanwhile, at 56% into the eARC, we find this:

Emotion clogging her throat, she hurried out and closed the door.

Just what has upset her?  I'll leave it for you to find out.

I've finished this one, and I enjoyed it.  I'll be reviewing it on Tuesday, so I hope you'll come back then to read my full review.

Meanwhile, let's take a look at this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

Is there a book you've been meaning to read forever but haven’t gotten to yet?

So many books!  I did read one of them back in January, The Big Boat to Bye-Bye by Ellis Weiner.  I'm sure if I spent much time looking at my shelves (or my Kindle collection), I'd find many that fit the bill.  But one that sprang immediately to mind is Baby Crimes by Randall Hicks.  I read the first in the series and bought the trade paperback of this book when it came out almost 20 years ago.  But I still haven't read it.  I really should fix that, should I?

Have a great weekend!

April 24th's Friday Post

We've made it to Friday!  Time for this week's Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginning
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

This week, my teasers for the first three will come from In the Spirit of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge.

This is book four in the American in Paris Mysteries.  It features Tabatha Knight and her neighbor...Julia Child.

Here's how this book begins:

"It was an absolute disaster!" Julie cried, gripping my arm in desperation.

That grabbed my attention.  I needed to know what the disaster was.  Meanwhile, on page 56, we find this:

"You, too, have the energy around you. But it is different.  It is quieter, but not weaker. You have...It is death, I see."

What could that mean?  I'll leave it for you to find out.

The book comes out on Tuesday, and I'll have a release day review.  So I hope you'll stop by to find out what I thought.

Meanwhile, let's close things out with this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

Imagine creating a book-themed board game. What kind of gameplay would it have? 

I think I'd do something about trying to read your to be read pile.  Maybe you are on a quest to lower your list by 20 books.  But your opponents can sabotage you by adding to your to be read pile.  I'm not completely sure how exactly it would work, but this basic idea sounds fun.  Lots of kinks to work out and rules to create, right?

Have a great weekend!

April 10th's Friday Post

We did it!  We've reached another Friday.  Let's celebrate with this week's Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

This week, my teasers will be coming from The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian.

This is the fifth novel in her Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries.  I finished it up last week, and I enjoyed it.

Here's how the book begins:

I'm better at finding lost treasures than a phone buried in the bottom of my bag. Handwritten notecards for my lecture. A granola bar squished nearly as thin as a hand-pressed sheet of parchment. A magnifying glass. But no phone.

If she's that desperate to find her phone, I'm sure the phone call she needs to make is important.  Right?

Meanwhile, on page 56, we find this:

"What's the deal with his accident. Was it sabotage as well?"
"I don't think so," Sanjay said.
I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn't.
"What happened" I prompted.
"You don't want to know."

My review of this book will be up on Thursday, so I hope you'll come back and see what I thought.

For now, let's jump over to the Book Blogger Hop.  This week's question is:

 If you could revisit one of your past reviews, what would you change, and why?

Well, I actually did that just about 5 weeks ago.  I've been wanting to go back and update my review of Scream VI, so I did that after watching Scream 7.

As far as book reviews go, a lot of my older reviews are shorter now and don't reflect my current reviewing style.  But I think I'd have to reread the book to really be able to do justice to a new review, or even an updated review, of the book.  And, with so many new books calling my name, I just don't have time for that.  For the most part, I'm okay with them, although I don't go back through them very often.

Have a great weekend!

Good Friday's Friday Post

Welcome to Good Friday.  It's time for this week's Friday Post.  I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three will be coming from Murder, Local Style by Leslie Karst.

This is book three in her Orchid Isle Mystery series, and comes out on Tuesday.  But I was fortunate enough to get an ARC, so I've already finished it.

Here's how the book begins:

Paradise isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

That sets a tone, doesn't it?

Meanwhile, at 56% into the eARC I read, we get this quote:

“You’re so welcome. Happy to be able to help in any way I can.” And this way I’ll get a chance to see all the suspects together at the same time, was Valerie’s unspoken thought. Just like in a TV mystery.

Will Valerie learn anything by having all the suspects together?  You'll have to read the book to find out.

I'll be reviewing the book on Tuesday, so I hope you'll come back to see what I thought.

For now, let's just over to this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

Which book really showcases your favorite author’s style, and what makes it stand out?

You assume I have a favorite author.  That alone could be an entire ramble from me.  But I'm going to go with a bit of an obvious choice, Dorothy Gilman.  (I stole Carstairs from her Mrs. Pollifax series.)  But I'm going to go with The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax, which is the second in the series, instead of the obvious first book.  This second book really cemented the series for me.

This book finds Mrs. Pollifax, a part time spy for the CIA, heading to Turkey on assignment.  Along the way, she starts talking to her seat mate.  Yep, he turns out to be very important to the story.  We still get humor in the narration and Mrs. Pollifax's out of the box actions.  And, of course, things go very wrong very quickly, leading to a wild journey across the country while Carstairs, back in Langley, Virginia, tries to figure out where she is.  To me, this is the set up for the best stories in the series.  The details vary, but those elements keep me hook and the pages turning.

That's it for me.  Hope your weekend is great.

March 27th's Friday Post

Welcome to this week's Friday Post.  As usual, I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

For the first three, my quotes will be coming from Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer.

This is book seven in the Jane Wunderly series.  This book finds Jane and her husband Redvers on a belated honeymoon.  Of course, murder is an uninvited companion.  Anyway, here's how the book begins:

With a salt breeze ruffling my bobbed hair and a gondolier crooning in a language I didn't understand as he piloted us toward a piazza where Redvers and I were about to have a quiet, romantic dinner, I was in heaven.

Such a nice start.  And Jane and Redvers are still oblivious to what is about to come.

Meanwhile, on page 56, we find this:

Redvers didn't have a chance to answer before a pounding on our door interrupted us.
We exchanged a look, and I sighed again. I already knew who it was, without so much as opening that door.

The book comes out Tuesday, and I hope you'll come back that day since I'll have my review up.

Now, let's jump over to this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question of the week is:

What’s your favorite bookish scent, and why does it appeal to you?

I think it's that new book smell.  The promise of adventure to come is pretty intoxicating.  Old paperback smell is right behind it.  Again, I think it's the promise of fun and adventure to come.

Have a great weekend!

March 20th's Friday Post

Welcome to this week's Friday Post.  I'll be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

My teasers for the first three will be coming from Broken Trust by Liz Milliron.

This is book three in her Laurel Highlands Mysteries.  They lean more traditional than what I typically read, but I really enjoy them.

Anyway, here's how this particular book begins:

Pennsylvania State Trooper Jim Duncan climbed out of his cruiser to see the EMT crew walking, almost strolling, toward the parked ambulance. The blue bar lights were still on, but there was no gurney. No frenzy. No shouted words.

That doesn't sound good.  But at the beginning of a murder mystery, is it really that surprising?  And yes, that's how quickly we jump into the mystery.

On page 56, we are in the head of our other viewpoint character, Sally.  She and Jim are working toward starting a relationship.  With that context, here's the quote:

No reason to trouble Jim, especially with his family in town. Begin on vacation, he most likely would never hear about Ethan Haverton. Why stir things up unnecessarily?

How much do you want to bet that isn't true?

I enjoyed this book.  I hope you'll come back Thursday to see my full review.

Meanwhile, it's time to jump over to this week's Book Blogger Hop.  The question is:

If you could write the sequel to a classic book, which one would it be? What new characters or plot twists would you bring in? 

That is an excellent question.  I'm not sure I've read enough of the classics to really have a good answer.  Most of the ones I'm thinking of immediately really don't need a sequel.  Maybe a follow up to Lord of the Flies exploring how the boys' lives are impacted when they return to England.  Although it's been so long since I read the book, that might not be a feasible sequel.

Have a great weekend!

Friday the 13th's Friday Post

Welcome to Friday the 13th!  I'm celebrating with a Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

For the first three, my teaser will be coming from Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien.

This is book seven in her Noodle Shop Mysteries.  Yes, I still have some catching up to do since the thirteenth comes out later this year.  Anyway, here's now this book begins:

"If you tell anyone about this, I'm gonna have to kill you," I said, staring my best friend squarely in the eye.

And just what is the main character's secret?  I'm not telling (here).  Meanwhile, on page 56, we find this exchange:

A few minutes later, Megan poked her head out the door, waved, and jogged to the car.
She hopped into the passenger seat. "Kikko was going bonkers as I was heading out, so I left her with a bone. I think she knows something is up."
I chuckled. "Most likely. She was doing laps around the apartment this morning. I'm feeling kind of jittery myself."

I enjoyed this book.  I'll be reviewing it on Thursday, so I hope you'll come back and read what I thought.  (And my teaser just might spoil that secret from the opening sentence.  You just never know.)

Meanwhile, let's turn our attention the Book Blogger Hop for the week.  The question is:

Are there genres you read that you feel a little shy about?

I can't think of any.  Then again, I usually stick to mystery with the occasional middle grade book.  And I've reviewed every book I've read for years.

February 20th's Friday Post

Welcome to Friday!  I'll be celebrating with a Friday Post, where I'll be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

The teasers for the first three will all be coming from Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Matthews.

This is the second in her series set in at a B & B in an Irish themed touristy town in Massachusetts.  Here's how the book begins:

“Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, come around. Something’s lost and can’t be found.”
My seven-year-old daughter Bliz, occasionally known as Mary Elizabeth, squeezed her eyes shut in concentration, rocking in her green jelly sandals as she repeated her singsong chant.

What's missing?  Will it be found?  I'm not giving that away!

Meanwhile, we find this at 56% into the eARC I read:

For once Ian’s silence was a blessing. He knew I’d tell him when I was ready.
As soon as I found that note.
Maybe it had fallen out somewhere at the Buckley House. And hopefully no one would find it before I did. But I had Mass, dinner, and dance practice to get through first.

I've finished this one, and I enjoyed it.  It's coming out on Tuesday, and I will be reviewing it that day, so I hope you'll come back to see what I thought.

Let's move on to the Book Blogger Hop.  This week's question is:

When writing reviews, do you align your text to the left, center, right, or justify it?

I left justify.  Anything else just looks weird to read, at least to me, so I wouldn't do that to anyone else.

Hope you have a great weekend!

February 6th's Friday Post

It's Friday!  Time for another Friday Post, where I will be linking up to:

Book Beginning
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

This week, I'll be pulling quotes for the first three from Burdened Bloodline by Sarah E. Burr.

This is book seven in her Court of Mystery series.  It's a bit different since it is set on a fictitious continent and feels a bit like a fantasy series, although there are no fantasy elements.

Anyway, here's how this book begins:

Someone tried to kill me.

That will get your attention, right?

Meanwhile, at 56% into the book, we find this exchange:

“Greetings, Duchess. Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m fine,” Jax said, moving closer to the court physician. “I actually wanted to speak with you about a strange episode I witnessed the Duke having this morning.”
Lenora’s amber eyes widened. “Episode? What do you mean?”

What does she mean?  I'll let you to find out yourself.  But my review will be up Wednesday next week, so I hope you stop by to see what I thought.

For now, let's move on to the Book Blogger Hop.  This week's question is:

What drives you to read books? 

That's a really good question.  It's been part of who I am for so long, I had to think about it for a minute.

Ultimately, I think it goes back to I have always enjoyed a good story well told.  I love escaping into a new world and getting caught up in twists and turns with characters I love.  I'm always looking for that, and I've found it with so many great authors, so I keep going back to their stories.

Have a super weekend!