Stay Tuned

March is bringing some awesome things. I have had an insane day so I am headed to bed but will be back tomorrow. Stay tuned. 

Authors Are People Too.

This post was posted on Instagram less than five hours ago. I find myself wondering how often this will be happening since the Coronavirus is spreading as it is. Travel is making many uneasy. This includes authors. I saw some people respond to the above post in a negative manner. Yes, it really stinks if you have made arrangements to see an author and they postpone their tour but they are human also. They have the right to worry about travel possibly exposing them and their people. They may postpone or cancel dates. This does not mean that they do not care about readers. They are being proactive in taking care of themselves and their families and/or staff. Please keep this in mind. 

The new book mentioned in the post above comes out March 3rd, 2020. I already have my copy preordered. It looks really good. 

May your weekend be filled with fantastic books. 

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, Follow Me by Kathleen Barber, and Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

The Warsaw Protocol - Available Now

What is the secret at the heart of Steve Berry's new thriller THE WARSAW PROTOCOL--and how does it tie into the Cold War AND relics from the Crucifixion? Grab a copy and find out--the outstanding story is now available!

BLOG TOUR - TAKE ME TO BED

I am participating in this blog tour on March 3rd. 

All proceeds will be donated to the International Network of Hearts, a non-profit organization which brings communities and governments together to help rescue women and children from human trafficking and sexual violence. 

Take Me To Bed - Available Now

The Unexpected Spy - Available Now

If you think a sorority girl can't go from her dorm room to the CIA/FBI, think again! Check out this new inspirational memoir THE UNEXPECTED SPY by Tracy Walder. Highly recommend!
https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-unexpected-spy/

Read all the books...

Hello Readers.

I should be sleeping but all I can think about is the colossal TBR list that I have going on. It is bordering on terrifying. So many books and even more being added daily. I would like to say that I was kidding but I have absolutely no self control when it comes to books. I read one book and add three more to the list. I know that I have discussed my insane TBR before but I am currently looking at stacks of books that need to be read. So many interesting books just waiting to be read. I wish that I could read them all. In a perfect world, I would. I would read all the books. That would be glorious.

InkedBookDragon


Currently reading: Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan and Cloche and Dagger by Jenn McKinlay

Author Spotlight: Adriana Mather

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: ADRIANA MATHER

"Adriana Mather is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch, with family roots that go back to Sleepy Hollow, the Salem Witch Trials, and the Titanic. She's also an actor and producer best known for her role in the award-winning Honeyglue. She co-owns Zombot Pictures, a production company that makes feature films. Her first acting scene in a film ever was with Danny Glover, and she was terrified she would mess it up. In addition, her favorite food is pizza, she has too many cats, and a deep abiding love for all things autumnal."

Published Works:

How to Hang a Witch (How to Hang a Witch, #1)    2016

Haunting the Deep (How to Hang a Witch, #2)         2017

Killing November (Killing November, #1)                2019

Hunting November (Killing November, #2)              2020 (expected)

http://www.zombotpictures.com/

Amazon

Adriana Mather surprised me. Books about witches are a weakness of mine. I had to read How To Hang a Witch. It was a book about witches written by a descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the key players in the Salem Witch Trials. I bought the book and read it pretty much immediately. I was blown away and will most likely read everything Adriana Mather writes. She is one that readers should definitely watch. I look forward to reading her future projects. 

**Bio above is from her Goodreads page and is not my personal words.

Chain of Gold - Preorder Now

Preorder Now: Chain of Gold

Publishing March 3, 2020

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London.

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…and falling in love.

Family Day

Hello Readers.

Had a fantastic but very long day today. Started some ARCs and plan to work on those this weekend so I can bring you some new reviews. Hope that you are all reading great books this week/weekend.

Happy Reading.

InkedBookDragon

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird - Preorder Now

Preorders Available Now

Ballantine Books

The Martian by Andy Weir

The Martian by Andy Weir

Published by Crown

Published on February 11th 2014

Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Space, Adult, Thriller, Humor, Survival, Fantasy

Page Count: 369

Source: Purchased

Format: Hardback

📘📘📘📘📘

Description: Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills — and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit — he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Hello Readers.

I was given this book. I glanced at it and then put it up to read later. When the movie released in 2015, I remembered that I owned the book and decided to read it. I am honestly annoyed with myself for waiting so long. This book is worth all the hype that surrounded it. 

I was captivated by this book from the very first page. It just grabbed me and I plowed through it in one afternoon. I loved the format. I loved the characters. It flowed so wonderfully. I totally understood the love surrounding this book. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it is incredible. It has become one of my favorites and I have reread it more than once. I have read the author's other works but this one still piques my interest. I honestly could recommend this book every single day if given the opportunity. If you have not read it, do so. It is well worth the read. 

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: I have finished all the books that I was working on and am not quite sure which books that I want to start now. So many books, so little time.

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

The Idea Of You by Robinne Lee

Published by St. Martin's Griffin

Published on June 13th 2017

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Women's Fiction, Chick Lit

Page Count: 372

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

📘📘📘📘📘

Description: When Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of a prestigious art gallery in Los Angeles, takes her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band, she does so reluctantly and at her ex-husband’s request. The last thing she expects is to make a connection with one of the members of the world-famous August Moon. But Hayes Campbell is clever, winning, confident, and posh, and the attraction is immediate. That he is all of twenty years old further complicates things.

What begins as a series of clandestine trysts quickly evolves into a passionate relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s disparate worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways. And for Solène, it is as much a reclaiming of self, as it is a rediscovery of happiness and love. When their romance becomes a viral sensation, and both she and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must face how her new status has impacted not only her life, but the lives of those closest to her.

Hello Readers.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. She as absolutely raving about it. Our tastes are very similar so I knew that I had to read it. She knows me very well so this recommendation was right on the mark. 

Perfection. Yes, I said "Perfection". This book was extraordinary. Amazing characters and scenarios. I was not reading the book. I was in the book. I love when a book takes over the reader's mind in that manner. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it was incredible. I was heartbroken when I looked into the author and saw that this is the only thing that they have written so far. I would love to read any future offerings. I cannot recommend this book enough!

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan and After All by Heidi McLaughlin

Foul is Fair - Now Available

Available Here

Sunrise over Sapphire Bay - Preorder Now

Here is the beautiful cover for the new book by Holly Martin. Sunrise over Sapphire Bay. It's out on April 24th but you can preorder your copy now.

Amazon

BLOG TOUR : FOUL IS FAIR

Foul Is Fair 

By Hannah Capin

Published by Wednesday Books

Published on February 18th 2020

Hannah Capin's Foul is Fair is a bloody, thrilling revenge fantasy for the girls who have had enough. Golden boys beware: something wicked this way comes.

Jade and her friends Jenny, Mads, and Summer rule their glittering LA circle. Untouchable, they have the kind of power other girls only dream of. Every party is theirs and the world is at their feet. Until the night of Jade's sweet sixteen, when they crash a St. Andrew’s Prep party. The night the golden boys choose Jade as their next target.

They picked the wrong girl.

Sworn to vengeance, Jade transfers to St. Andrew’s Prep. She plots to destroy each boy, one by one. She'll take their power, their lives, and their control of the prep school's hierarchy. And she and her coven have the perfect way in: a boy named Mack, whose ambition could turn deadly.

Here is an excerpt:

Foul is Fair

"Fierce, vicious, and electric. If books had teeth, Foul Is Fair would have fangs. Capin's language glitters dark and her writing cuts deep. Revenge is a dish best served by this deliciously unapologetic coven." - Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Firsts and Last Girl Lied To

"Capin’s writing will seduce you with its beauty and then, when you least suspect it, slice you to the bone—just like Foul is Fair’s captivating, vicious, entirely unforgettable heroine, Jade." - Layne Fargo, author of Temper and co-host of Unlikeable Female Characters Podcast

“Vicious and beautifully brutal, Foul is Fair gives a sword to every girl who has ever been a victim and makes them a warrior. This book is pulls no punches and will make anyone think twice before uttering the phrase ‘just a girl’. An unapologetic feminist battle-cry that leaves you breathless and thirsting for vengeance.” - Sonia Hartl, author of Have a Little Faith in Me

"Foul is Fair delivers the story of a girl who snatches control back from a world that stole it away, through whatever means necessary. Hannah Capin deftly combines stunningly lyrical prose with the raw power of engulfing fury, sending a message written in blood. In a world where too many are forced into silence, this book roars back." - S. Gonzales, author of The Law of Inertia and Only Mostly Devastated

Buy here: https://wednesdaybooks.com/the-real-deal/foul-is-fair/

Author bio:

Hannah Capin is the author of Foul is Fair and The Dead Queens Club, a feminist retelling of the wives of Henry VIII. When she isn’t writing, she can be found singing, sailing, or pulling marathon gossip sessions with her girl squad. She lives in Tidewater, Virginia.

Author’s Twitter/Instagram: @tldaaollf

Virtually Perfect by Paige Roberts

Virtually Perfect by Paige Roberts

Published by Kensington

Published on September 26th, 2017

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Women's Fiction

Page Count: 352

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Format: Kindle

📕📕📕📕

Description: Not so long ago, Lizzie Glass had a successful TV show, a cookbook deal, and a social diary crammed with parties and events. But fame doesn’t stay fresh for long. Her show fizzles, her magazine column is canceled, and Lizzie’s only option is a summer job as personal chef to the Silvesters, a wealthy and eccentric family.

Their beach house is a lavish, beautifully decorated palace on the Jersey Shore, and Lizzie gets to work catering to Kathryn and Jim Silvester’s fashionably restrictive diets. But it’s their twenty-something daughter who presents Lizzie with her biggest challenge—professionally and personally. A self-proclaimed “wellness warrior,” Zoe Silvester has a hugely popular website and app that promotes healthy living and organic, unprocessed foods. Yet Lizzie soon realizes that The Clean Life site has a dirty little secret. In fact, Zoe’s entire online persona is based on a dangerous hoax that runs deep and will damage lives. Exposing Zoe won’t just jeopardize Lizzie’s job and a promising new relationship—it may expose the cracks in her own past.

Sharply observed, witty, and thoughtful, Paige Roberts’ debut novel is a compelling look at one woman’s journey toward reinventing herself—and seeing through the façade of others—to discover the imperfect but sometimes wonderful truth. 

Hello again.

I came across this book not long ago when perusing the options on Kindle Unlimited. For those of you that are not familiar with Kindle Unlimited, it is a subscription service where you pay a fee every month to have access to thousands of kindle books.  I love it. I have been introduced to a number of fantastic authors through Kindle Unlimited. I have "checked out" so many books that I might not have come in contact with otherwise. Wrapping up this Kindle Unlimited advertisement now. Back to this review.

Virtually Perfect was a fun debut. It captivated my attention and I found myself rooting for the main character. Some of the characters made me actually cringe. That was not for poor writing but rather excellent writing. The characters were so similar to some that I have encountered that I wanted them to immediately fail. I admit that I can be salty at times. It happens. This book was a great look at how "the other half lives" and that money does not necessarily imply intelligence. Fantastic imagery. I pictured the layout of locations and people with ease. When food was described, I would sometimes start daydreaming about it and wondering how difficult it might be to create. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because I truly enjoyed reading it. There were some points that did not flow as well as other points and that is really my only reason for deducting a book. At the time of this review, the author has one other book out and I will be reading it soon. Definitely someone to watch. Recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: After All by Heidi McLaughlin  and Pretty Reckless by L. J. Shen.

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Published by Point

Published on July 26th 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Page Count: 336

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

📕📕📕📕

Description: Signed, sealed, delivered…

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out… 

Hello Readers.

Kasie West is an author that pretty much fell into my lap. I picked one of her books when I had a gift card because I thought it might be a fun read. I knew absolutely nothing about her or her work but I thought I would give the book a shot. I absolutely loved the book and moved on to other ones by the author.

The premise for P.S. I Like You was so great. I was one that would finish assignments and assessments early so I would be sitting there, bored out of my mind. Some teachers allowed us to read when we were done and I was golden in those classes. Some teachers did not allow us to do anything but wait and I ended up with a lot of time on my hands. I used this time to write on the back of the paper or on my desk. I often wrote song lyrics. You can see why this book called to me, right?

The characters were relatable. I would have been friends with some of them in high school. They were fun and approachable. I like the complexity of some. People are usually not one dimensional and this book encompassed. The characters grew and developed beautifully. I cannot stand to read a book with stagnant characters. This story was truly refreshing. 

I am rating this book Four Red Books because some of the mystery component was fairly easy to guess. I figured it out early on but I wanted to see how it was executed. The author did a wonderful job with tying the story together. It was a very enjoyable read. Definitely recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: After All by Heidi McLaughlin and Pretty Reckless by L. J. Shen

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: JENNY HAN

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: JENNY HAN

"Jenny Han is the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series; Shug; the Burn for Burn trilogy, cowritten with Siobhan Vivian; and To All the Boys I've Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You. She is also the author of the chapter book Clara Lee and The Apple Pie Dream. A former children's bookseller, she earned her MFA in creative writing at the New School."

Published Works:

Children's books

       Snug (2006)

       Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream (2011)

Burn for Burn trilogy

       The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)

       It's Not Summer Without You (2010)

       We'll Always Have Summer (2011)

To All the Boys trilogy

       To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2014) 

       P.S. I Still Love You (2015)

       Always and Forever, Lara Jean (2017)

Short Stories

       "Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me" in My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

        (2014) 

                            

https://www.jennyhan.com/

Amazon

Jenny Han has become one my favorite Young Adult writers. I was given a copy of "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" and absolutely loved it. She writes in a way that pulls the reader in. Her characters are fantastic. The ones that you love, you really love. The ones that you hate, make your skin crawl. 

With each book, I have grown to love her work more and more. If you have not read any of her work, I recommend that you do so immediately. She has become one of those authors that I will preorder without even knowing what the book is about. That is a huge deal for me. Give her books a chance, you will not be sorry. 

**Bio above is from her Amazon Page and is not my personal words.

Long week...

Hello again,

I wish I had something profound or entertaining for you tonight but I do not. I am about five seconds away from being unconscious. This week has hit me hard. I did get an ARC of a very anticipated book so that is pretty cool. Otherwise, it has been crazy. I promise there will be more content tomorrow.

Happy Reading.

InkedBookDragon


Currently reading: Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham & After All by Heidi McLaughlin

BLOG TOUR : FOUL IS FAIR

VERITY - FREE NOW

Verity by Colleen Hoover 

Currently FREE (Feb.11, 2020 - ?)

GO NOW! FREE!

Description: Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. 

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night their family was forever altered.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

Due to graphic scenes and mature content, this book is recommended for readers 18+.

The Betrothed - Preorder Now

Releasing May 5, 2020

HarperTeen

Preorders Available

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

Published by Graydon House

Published on December 30th 2019

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

Page Count: 336

Source: Publisher

Format: Paperback

📘📘📘📘📘

Description: Imagine that your husband has two other wives.

You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.

But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket—an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.

You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then, Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.

Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you go to find the truth? Would you risk your own life?

And who is his mysterious third wife?

Hello Readers.

"What in the world did I just read?" I frequently asked myself this as I read The Wives. This is the second book by Tarryn Fisher that I have read. The first one was Never Never that she co-wrote with Colleen Hoover. I was not sure if I would like her writing style. There was a lot of talk about this one. Those of you that have been around a while know how I feel about hyped up books. I usually shy away from them. An ARC of this book was delivered to my house. This meant, hype or not, I was going to read it. 

Where do I begin with this one? Complex characters. Some likeable and some were not. The reader is thrown curve balls throughout the story. There were multiple times that I stopped and thought, "Whoa...what?" It kept me guessing. I love that. I do not care for books that I can guess within the first few chapters. I like books that keep me wondering what is about to happen. This one was great for that. 

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because it kept me on my toes. It was a roller coaster read and I loved it. I will be looking more into the author's body of work. Highly recommend.

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, Repeat by Kylie Scott, and Space Between: Explorations of Love, Sex, and Fluidity by Nico Tortorella

Jane Anonymous - Available Now

Available now from Wednesday Books

Check Out: Jane Anonymous

Vox by Christina Dalcher

Vox by Christina Dalcher

Published by Berkley

Published on August 21st 2018

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Feminism, Dystopian

Page Count: 336

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

Description: Set in an America where half the population has been silenced, VOX is the harrowing, unforgettable story of what one woman will do to protect herself and her daughter.

On the day the government decrees that women are no longer allowed to speak more than 100 words daily, Dr. Jean McClellan is in denial—this can't happen here. Not in America. Not to her.

This is just the beginning.

Soon women can no longer hold jobs. Girls are no longer taught to read or write. Females no longer have a voice. Before, the average person spoke sixteen thousand words a day, but now women only have one hundred to make themselves heard.

But this is not the end.

For herself, her daughter, and every woman silenced, Jean will reclaim her voice.

Hello again.

I read this book a while back and thought that I had already reviewed it. It was sitting there in my drafts folder. Whoops. I guess that I got distracted and did not finish it. That happens sometimes. Life.

I bought this book after reading about it. I had read dystopian books and had liked many of them so I thought I would give this one a read. If I summed this book up with one word, it would be "Wow". I am not sure I was prepared for it. There were moments where I was genuinely uncomfortable. In fact, the next book that I read, I read out loud...just to speak.

The characters were well written. The way that they interacted did not feel forced when there were times where they could have been. The situations were terrifying. The ending felt setup for another book so the readers may be waiting for a sequel.

I am rating this book Four Red Books because it was a good book but the ending did not quite have the flow of the rest of it. I read it one afternoon with no breaks so that you should tell you something. Parts of it still haunt me. Recommend. 

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum, The Wives by Tarryn Fisher, The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Nanny By GIlly Macmillan

The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan

Published by Willam Morrow

Published on September 10th 2019

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

Page Count: 400

Source: Purchased

Format: Kindle

📕📕📕📕

Description: The New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew conjures a dark and unpredictable tale of family secrets that explores the lengths people will go to hurt one another.

When her beloved nanny, Hannah, left without a trace in the summer of 1988, seven-year-old Jocelyn Holt was devastated. Haunted by the loss, Jo grew up bitter and distant, and eventually left her parents and Lake Hall, their faded aristocratic home, behind.

Thirty years later, Jo returns to the house and is forced to confront her troubled relationship with her mother. But when human remains are accidentally uncovered in a lake on the estate, Jo begins to question everything she thought she knew.

Then an unexpected visitor knocks on the door and Jo’s world is destroyed again. Desperate to piece together the gaping holes in her memory, Jo must uncover who her nanny really was, why she left, and if she can trust her own mother…

In this compulsively readable tale of secrets, lies, and deception, Gilly Macmillan explores the darkest impulses and desires of the human heart. Diabolically clever, The Nanny reminds us that sometimes the truth hurts so much you’d rather hear the lie.

Hello Readers.

I bought this book as a treat for myself. I read the synopsis and had to read it. I had never read a book by Gilly Macmillan but was quite interested. It felt like a book that I would really enjoy.

This book was everything that I was wanting. Intriguing, complex, deep, and with strong characters. It was intoxicating in a way. I hated to stop reading to sleep. I had questions and I wanted answers. That is a sign of a well written mystery. I was hanging on every word.

I am rating this book Four Red Books because it was a great read. It is getting four books instead of five because there were some parts that were a little wordy and some parts that I guessed early on. Definitely worth a read. Fantastic. 

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: Tell Me Three Things by Juliie Buxbaum, The Wives by Tarryn Fisher, and The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Diamond City - Available Now

Available Now. 

This book looks fantastic. I can’t wait read it. Diamond City keeps moving up my TBR. Will be reading it soon. 

Happy Reading!

InkedBookDragon 

January's Reads

Hello Readers.

I apologize for the delay in this post. I wanted to get it to you earlier this month but I guess the fourth of that month is not that bad. January was a good month for reading. I read twenty-four novels and eleven comics. I read some intense books and used the comics as a buffer. It was definitely a fun month. 

Books read in January

Reputation by Sara Shepard

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

The God Game by Danny Tobey

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

The Assistants by Camille Perri

Carrie by Stephen King

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkakan

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufmann and Jay Kristoff

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling

Pines by Blake Crouch

She Died Famous by Kyle Rutkin
The Reeducation of Savannah McGuire by Heidi McLaughlin
The Overdue Life Of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms

Comics read in January:

Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #1

Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #2

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Rey

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Kylo Ren

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Rose Tico

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Finn

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - General Hux

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Age of Resistance (Special)

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Snoke

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Poe Dameron

Star Wars: The Age of Resistance - Captain Phasma

InkedBookDragon

Currently reading: The Wilder Girls by Rory Power

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: KAREN M. MCMANUS

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: KAREN M. MCMANUS

"Karen M. McManus is the author of the New York Times and international bestselling young adult novels One of Us Is Lying and Two Can Keep a Secret. Her work has been translated into 40 languages worldwide. Karen lives in Massachusetts and holds a master's degree in Journalism from Northeastern University, which she mostly uses to draft fake news stories for her novels."


Published Works:
One of Us Is Lying     2017
Two Can Keep a Secret     2019
One of Us Is Next     2020
The Cousins (expected publication date: December 2020)


https://www.karenmcmanus.com/
Amazon


Karen M. McManus surprised me. I had heard the hype surrounding One of Us Is Lying and wasn't sure I wanted to read it. I tend to ignore overly hyped books unless something about them jumps out to me. I'm not sure if this is a good way to approach books but it is what it is. I finally broke down and read One of Us Is Lying and loved it. I read Two Can Keep a Secret and One of Us In Next and I'm still intrigued. She writes characters that the reader roots for. They are complex yet seem approachable. I look forward to reading more of her work.


**Bio above is from her Goodreads page and is not my personal words.

Mary Higgins Clark: The Queen of Suspense

Mary Higgins Clark (December 24, 1927 - January 31, 2020)

Hello Readers.

I knew that I would one day be writing this post. I knew that this day was coming. This knowledge did not make the news from January 31st any easier. One of my favorite authors has died and I am hit with emotions. I knew that this was coming but knowing did not make it any less upsetting.

I remember as a young child that my parents enjoyed reading. My dad would read random things. I was never quite sure what he would be reading. He really liked to read. My mom was different. She loved reading so much. I remember looking at the beautiful books in her bookcases. So many books.
She was open to a lot of books but she had genres that called to her. Her favorite genre was mystery.

My mom did not just like a good mystery, she loved them. Needless to say, Mary Higgins Clark was all over those shelves. She adored her work and shared it with me. She would read some of the books out loud and I would just listen. My mind would play the movie being presented to me. I would ask questions. I was a kid after all. I did not always understand the book but I loved how excited my mom would get as she shared them with me.

Before long, I was a fan. Then I started reading the books myself. In fact, I managed to get copies confiscated in school. I was "reading above my appropriate level". My mom would come to school and basically go off on the teacher for trying to extinguish my passion for reading. I still remember her words. "Yes, I am aware that she has that book. I gave it to her." The book would be returned and the teacher would ignore me any time I brought out a book that was not "age appropriate" from then on. There were a lot of Mary Higgins Clark's books taken in those days.

Some times, when having a slump, I would read one of her books. I knew that her way with words would take me right out of that slump. I would leave my world and enter into the ones she had written. I had the immense privilege to get to meet all these characters and learn about all these places. It was amazing. Life could get so crazy and I knew that I could read one of Mary's books and escape even if just for a moment or two.

Then my mom died. The person that understood my love of reading was gone. I was lost and did not know what to do. I did not pick up a book for months. Part of me wanted to read but I could not do it. It just hurt too much. One day, I was going through a box of my mom's things and I found a copy of Remember Me. It had seen better days. It was old and well loved. I set it aside and continued what I was doing. A few days later, I picked it up and sat down with it. I read it in one afternoon. Mary's words had brought me comfort in a time when I thought I would never have comfort again.

Mary Higgins Clark was an amazing writer. She knew how to draw the reader into her work. She was passionate about writing and loved her fans. She wrote until the end of her life. What an incredible mark this woman has had in the literary world. Her work lives on and she will be deeply missed.


InkedBookDragon



Here is a list of her work. It is extensive. She was called "The Queen of Suspense" for a reason. Some of the books were co-authored through the years but most were written solely by Mary.

Mount Vernon Love Story – 1968
Where Are The Children? – 1975
A Stranger Is Watching – 1977
The Cradle Will Fall – 1980
A Cry In The Night – 1982
Stillwatch – 1984
Weep No More, My Lady – 1987
While My Pretty One Sleeps – 1989
The Anastasia Syndrome And Other Stories – 1989
That’s The Ticket – 1990
Voices In The Coal Bin – 1990
Loves Music, Loves To Dance – 1991
All Around The Town – 1992
Milk Run – 1993
Stowaway – 1993
I’ll Be Seeing You – 1993
Death On The Cape And Other Stories – 1993
Remember Me – 1994
The Lottery Winner And Other Stories – 1994
Let Me Call You Sweetheart – 1995
Silent Night – 1995
Moonlight Becomes You – 1996
My Gal Sunday – 1996
Pretend You Don’t See Her – 1997
You Belong To Me – 1998
All Through The Night – 1998
We’ll Meet Again – 1999
Before I Say Goodbye – 2000
Deck The Halls – 2000
On The Street Where You Live – 2001
He Sees You When You’re Sleeping – 2001
Daddy’s Little Girl – 2002
Kitchen Privileges: A Memoir – 2002
The Second Time Around – 2003
Nighttime Is My Time – 2004
The Christmas Thief – 2004
No Place Like Home – 2005
Two Little Girls In Blue – 2006
Santa Cruise – 2006
Ghost Ship – 2007
I Heard That Song Before – 2007
Where Are You Now? – 2008
Dashing Through The Snow – 2008
Just Take My Heart – 2009
The Shadow Of Your Smile – 2010
I’ll Walk Alone – 2011
The Magical Christmas Horse – 2011
The Lost Years – 2012
Daddy’s Gone A Hunting – 2013
Inherit The Dead – 2013
I’ve Got You Under My Skin – 2014
The Cinderella Murder – 2014
The Mystery Writers Of America Cookbook – 2015
Death Wears A Beauty Mask And Other Stories – 2015
The Five-Dollar Dress – 2015
The Melody Lingers On – 2015
All Dressed In White – 2015
As Time Goes By – 2016
The Sleeping Beauty Killer – 2016
All By Myself, Alone – 2017
Every Breath You Take – 2017
I’ve Got My Eyes On You – 2018
You Don’t Own Me – 2018
Kiss The Girls And Make Them Cry – 2019

Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkesan

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Published by St. Martin's Press

Published on January 8th, 2019

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

Page Count: 375

Source: Gift

Format: Hardback

📘📘📘📘📘

Description: Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave.

Question #1: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt?

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking… and what she’s hiding.

Question #2: Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about?

As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

Question #3: Should a punishment always fit the crime?


Hello again.

After being blown away by The Wife Between Us, I was greatly looking forward to this book. I started it as soon as I could and had trouble stepping away from it when I had to "adult". Being responsible can be annoying at times. I love when books make me feel this way.

This book stayed in my thoughts when I was away from it. I loved some of the characters. I absolutely hated some of the others. They were wonderfully written but they were so infuriating that I wanted to throw my book. I would daydream about physically harming them. I assume that was what the authors were going for with this book. They did a great job.

I am rating this book Five Blue Books because I loved it. It kept my interest and I hated to see it end. I felt invested. Highly recommend.


InkedBookDragon


Currently reading: The Overdue Life of Amy Byler & Lucky Caller by Emma Mills, and She Died Famous by Kyle Rutkin