New from Patricia Sands.

A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes by Patricia Sands

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Fabulous book. The sights, sounds, and even smells jump off the page into your heart. The descriptions of the Carnival and the mimosa flowers is outstanding. One can believe they are in France as they take this journey with the characters. The side stories are wonderful and engrossing. There is mystery and romance. This is a wonderful escape from a rainy Ohio.



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Moody and the Ghost: Hoist the Jib by Kim Hornsby

Moody & The Ghost - Hoist the Jib by Kim Hornsby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Story is fantastic and so clever. The liberties Kim Hornsby took with the paranormal are priceless. The ending is a shocker and leaves so much room for more of the life of Bryndle and Caspian. Even if you aren't interested in ghostly stories, you will adore this book. Too be published soon. Check out all the other books by Ms. Hornsby if you haven't already.



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Wired Truth by Toby Neal

Wired Truth by Toby Neal

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This series of Paradise Crime Thrillers by Toby Neal is fast paced, well thought out, and the characters are real. Sophie has been one of my favorite characters since she appeared in the Lei Crime Series. Ms. Neal has made her an enigma. When you think you have figured Sophie out, things happen and life for her goes crazy. One has to read the whole series . I personally want more and I don't want to wait for the next installment. I can imagine what will happen next, but I bet I am wrong. That is what makes this book and series so interesting and entertaining.



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The Road She Left Behind by Christine Nolfi

The Road She Left Behind by Christine Nolfi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Christine Nolfi has written an engaging family story about love and betrayal. The characters are delightful, even the mean ones. They are real in how they act and think. The setting is very familiar and accurate, especially since I have been to all these spots. In places the book is humorous, sad, and fraught with angst. Once started, it is a page turner. I couldn't put it down and as usual, wished the book took you through birth to old age. I never want any of this authors books to end. It is a must read.



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Lovers Like Us by Mary Campisi

Lovers Like Us by Mary Campisi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received this book as a gift. This being the third in a series of novels I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Sometimes series disappoint and don't keep true to the context, but this one doesn't. Mary Campisi takes the reader on a unique read. The story line is delightful; full of mystery, romance and just enough twists and turns to keep one interested. The author has also developed the previous characters in the earlier novels to become a more well rounded and even more realistic. There is a plot twist that you don't see coming. One must read to find out how these lovers make up part of the Donavan and Alexander families and create havoc within the family.



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Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands Release Day is Oct. 1st

Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is my first book that I have read of Patricia Sands, although I connect with her through her newsletter and Facebook page. I needed tissues to get through the story. It isn't in the least bit depressing, but sad in parts and very hopeful in others. One can travel the area of France that the book is set in through the main character. You can smell the flowers and the food in reality, I swear. The descriptions are enlightening. The characters are real. The book is '"magnifique'" or would that be "tres magnifique"? One can't put it down. You will enjoy this novel.



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Blueberry Hill

Another book by Bette Lee Crosby that I read just today in one sitting. I rated it as five stars.  

Here is my review:

This is a tear jerker.  Do not read without several boxes of tissues.  As usual Bette Lee Crosby writes a book that is honest, heart-warming, happy, yet sad, and one I couldn't put down.  I actually wished I had a sister, even if it was one like Donna, who wasn't a bad person; just one who was full of life.  Donna had no fear, and I think, some of that lack of fear, in the end, rubbed off on her sister.  One can definitely see the life lessons the author wishes to share with the reader.  Thank you, Bette Lee Crosby for sharing with us this story.

 Buy on amazon

Time to Blog Again

I have decided to update my blog and start using it.  Been doing a lot of reading and have come across a bunch of new favorite authors besides my original favorites of Nicholas Sparks and Nelson DeMille.

Here is my list in no particular order:

Toby Neal

Christine Nolfi

Bette Lee Crosby

Mary Campisi

Kim Hornsby

Nely Cab

Julie Gilbert

I also have been reading the Lei Crime Series Kindle World.    These are fantastic and there are a bunch of other authors that one can discover.  Actually that was how I found Christine Nolfi.

Additionally, I found some of the authors from Face Book parties hosted by BookRhythm  There, one can discover additional details about the writers and their books, win free stuff, and learn a whole bunch of knowledge about the book world.  

I am sure I left some authors out.  Try some of their books.  A few of them can be found at your local library or on Overdrive.  I hope you like at least a few of them.

Check out the Lei Crime Series by Toby Neal

Lately I have been reading more.  Must be the new glasses.  Lei Crime Series is by far an interesting mystery with just about the right amount of romance thrown in.  I like the fact that you could pick up one of the books in the series and actually read it without getting lost.  Each of these books stand alone in a sense, but one should start at the beginning to see how Lei's personal life unfolds.  Kathy Beber lent me the first four books. Thank you very much, Sis.  I am trying to get the 5th book at Booklending.com, but so far I haven't had any luck.  Buying books on a fixed income is sometimes impossible.  For some unfathomable reason, the library doesn't buy her books.  I tried to tell them that their patrons would enjoy them. I will keep working on this. It helps sometimes to have a daughter that is a librarian.

Here are some excerpts from the private messages I have sent Toby Neal as I have finished each of the first four: (excluding her replies for privacy reasons)

Just read Blood Orchids. Fascinating read. Couldn't guess the killer until Lei killed him. Ray was predictable, but only after he quit showing up at class. Thanks for the diversion from everyday life.

Do your other readers get their days and nights mixed up from reading your books? Waiting for my friend to lend me Book 4. Can't wait. It is fun getting to know Hawaii from your books. Glad you offed those two evil ones in Black Jasmine and had to laugh at the situation they got themselves into believing they actually knew each other from their phone sex conversations. I am sorry though that there is actually an unsolved murder on the island. Makes one sad that such a beautiful paradise also has evil. Thanks again for the diversion.

Posted on my Facebook page: Just finished Book 4 in the Lei Crime series, "Broken Ferns" by Toby Neal. It did not disappoint. I did leave me wanting more. The author has a real handle on reality from both Lei and the criminal's point of view. The acknowledgement at the end of the book outlined how the author added more details about the "evil-doer" and that she had to rewrite the character several times because there was too much information included. I, myself, would like to see a book based on the criminal's life and the redemption of said life. I think it would be fascinating to explore that aspect of this particular character.

So if you are looking for a good read, check out this series.