Reading and Reviews (Sandford and Parrish)

I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'll share my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook at night for the last hour of my day. 

Here are some of the books I've read recently. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author. 

Holy Ghost (A Virgil Flowers Novel) by John Sandford 

Wheatfield, Minnesota: a metropolis of six hundred souls and change, for which the word "moribund" might have been invented. Nothing ever happened there and nothing ever would—until the mayor of sorts (campaign slogan: "I'll Do What I Can") and his precocious teenage buddy come up with a scheme to put Wheatfield on the map. Should something dramatic occur—say, that the apparition of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared at the local Catholic Church—the whole town would be turned into a shrine, attracting thousands of pilgrims. And all those pilgrims needed food, shelter, all kinds of crazy things. The town would get rich! What could go wrong?

Then the shootings begin. And as they—and Virgil Flowers—are about to discover, that's only the beginning of their troubles… 

My Review

As usual, John Sandford is skilled in creating an entertaining read. I’ve loved his character, Virgil Flowers, from the first book in which he appeared. He’s cool, calm, and layback, approaching law and order with his own methods. The characters populating Wheatfield are delightful. The story is unique. All around a good read. 

https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Ghost-Virgil-Flowers-Novel/dp/0735217343/

 

 

 

Southern Woman by Kathleen Parrish 

Kathy Whitaker works tirelessly to build a future for herself and her family in 1953 Cottondale, Mississippi. She’s turned Weaver Variety Store, inherited from Minnie Weaver, into a successful business, and despite her long hours, their family is thriving. Now, she eagerly waits for her husband, Towanna, to complete his last semester of medical school in New Orleans and return home to intern with a local doctor. However, two strangers arrive in town who threaten to upend her life: Richard Coswell, who claims to represent a large variety chain wanting to buy her store, and Ellen Matheson, a single mother seeking a fresh start for herself and her daughter.

Kathy rejects Coswell’s offer but soon finds herself entangled in a legal battle when Coswell discovers the probate on her inheritance was never properly closed and fabricates a claim that could force her to sell. Worse, her new salesclerk, Ellen Matheson, claims to be Minnie Weaver’s long-lost, illegitimate daughter and only surviving blood relative, entitling her to a share of the Weaver estate. 

My Review

Ms. Parrish weaves a complicated tale with enthralling characters. I love a book whose characters are vivid and well defined. She is also very adept at putting us in the time period and in the setting of the southern United States. Racism was accepted and part of life in the 1950s and even more so in the South. But not by everyone. Behind the fight for Kathy to keep her inheritance is a racial tale of love and deception. Early on, I was slightly confused at times with so many characters, but it was worth sorting it out to enjoy the read.  

https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Woman-Kathleen-Parrish-ebook/dp/B0FGBN92JM

Reading and #Reviews (Sandford, Collins, Hoornstra, and Gallant)

I'm a writer, but I'm also a reader. Each month, I'll share with you what I'm reading and some reviews. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a book or a reader at night for the last hour of my waking day.

I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. My current read is a Romantic Suspense by J L Wilson entitled Candy, Corpses, and Classified Ads. I'm not quite finished so you'll have to wait until another month for the review. But I also like detective thrillers, WWII historicals, mysteries, and some main stream character driven novels.

Here are some of the books I've read recently. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author!

John Sandford is the author of the Prey series, Crime/Thriller. I’ve read eighteen of the twenty-six books in this series. Although I didn’t start with book one, I changed directions after the first couple. They can be read out of order, but because the main character, Lucas Davenport, starts as a maverick detective and works his way up the law enforcement ladder, in order might be advised. I LOVE these books. I’ll certainly be sure to finish the series eventually. My TBR pile runneth over.

BUY LINK CLICK HERE

The Hunger Games #1 in the series by Suzanne Collins

I saw the movies first. I really didn't care about seeing them or reading the books, but my FDW came home one night with the first one from the Redbox. Wow, did I get hooked! We watched all three on consecutive nights. I then got the books. So entertaining! Books and movies differ, but I thoroughly enjoyed both.

BUY LINK CLICK HERE

On the Surface #1 in the series by Margo Hoornstra

For some reason I'm always attracted to bounty hunter stories, if there's romance involved. Margo Hoornstra didn't disappoint me with this Romantic Suspense. A wrongly convicted woman has to depend on one handsome bounty hunter to help rid herself of the slimy guy who used her and is coming back for more. She's caught between keeping herself out of his web and the law, and she needs help. The hero is a certainly the one she needs. This is good romance and suspense.

BUY LINK CLICK HERE

Hidden Secrets #3 in series by Jannine Gallant

I've read quite a few books by Jannine Gallant, and she continues to please. This Romantic

Suspense is maybe the best. It's been a long time that a book has kept me reading past my usual bedtime. An antique dealer has something that can lead to a murderer. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out who the bad guy was and never did nail it. The romance between two childhood friends was so believable. An absolutely great read.

BUY LINK CLICK HERE

Reading and #Reviews (Sandford, Anderson, Henderson)

I'm a writer, but I'm also a reader. Each month, I'll share with you what I'm reading and some reviews. My available time to read is limited because I write, but I love to curl up with a book or a reader at night for the last hour of my waking day.

I tend to read what I write, which is Romantic Suspense, but not exclusively. My current read is a Romantic Suspnse by Jannine Gallant entitled Hidden Secrets. I also like detective thrillers, WWII historicals, mysteries, and some main stream character driven novels.

I'm sharing three more books with you today. Maybe you'll discover a new book or author!

Amazon Buy Link

Sudden Prey by John Sandford

It's been a couple of years since I read this Crime Thriller, but I wanted to introduce you to the series if you haven't read it. There are a ton of Prey books. You can read them out of order, which is what I did with the first couple, but you'll enjoy them more if you start at the beginning. Lucas Davenport is the main character, a cop that is tough and is a character I fell in love with. The series follows him as he climbs the ladder of success to detective and on into the political side of law enforcement. There's a new murder to solve in every book. Sandford's secondary characters are great. And Lucas has a love life that eventually has him settling down with an equally engaging character.

Amazon Buy Link

Fear Land by Rolynn Anderson

Ms. Anderson tackles a tough subject in this Romantic Suspense...emphasis on the suspense. PTSD in children is Tally Rosella's focus as an acclaimed psychiatrist. But someone doesn't want her to tie her findings about troubled children to PTSD. Tally meets Army Major Cole Messer who won't admit his Afghanistan experience and PTSD have disrupted his life. You'll enjoy the suspense and romance and get yourself educated about PTSD at the same time.

Amazon Buy Link

Undercover Nanny by Alison Henderson

This is the 3rd book in Ms. Henderson's Phoenix, Ltd. series about female bodyguards. You don't need to read them in order. I can't begin to give a quick summary of the plot of this Romantic Suspense. It involves kidnapping, extortion, antiquities smuggling, and arson. The inexperienced Casey isn't quite prepared for her body guard duties when it turns so suspenseful. She's not too prepared for handsome Alec either. And no one knows how to handle a pesky monkey. This is a fun read. Adding the monkey was a funny touch.