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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Nov 14, 2020  
Today on my blog, I have an interview with author Rob Witherspoon. Check out his satirical humor fiction novel THE SQUARE ROOT OF TEXAS: THE FIRST CALAMITY OF QED MORNINGWOOD, and enter the GIVEAWAY to win a signed copy of this book as well as the second book in the series - three winners total.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/11/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-square-root.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
QED Morningwood is a liar, braggart and teller of tall tales. When he shows up at the domino parlor with a mysterious Russian crate in the back of his pick-up truck, he confides to the players he is a ‘Shadow’ member of the NRA, not on their official membership roll, and has a load of rocket propelled grenades – all lies. The news spreads to the real Shadow NRA, the FBI and Homeland Security. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Cultural Preservation sends an agent to retrieve the crate, the actual contents known only to the Russians.

The Russian agent, an FBI team, a DHS undercover agent and a Shadow NRA hit team arrive in Heelstring, Texas looking for QED and his crate. Their convergence is followed by interrogations, seduction, lies, arrests, jailbreak, kidnapping and rescue – along with car chases and explosions. If not for Cotton Widdershins, an ancient black man with secrets of his own, who acts as QED’s mentor and savior, the Morningwood line would be doomed to end, or at best spend life in a federal penitentiary.
     
Prey (Werecats #4)
Prey (Werecats #4)
Rachel Vincent | 2010 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
187 of 200
Book
Prey ( Werecats book 4)
By Rachel Vincent

Sometimes playing cat and mouse is no game.

Play? Right. My Pride is under fire from all sides, my father's authority is in question and my lover is in exile. Which means I haven't laid eyes on Marc's gorgeous face in months. And with a new mother and an I-know-everything teenager under my protection, I don't exactly have time to fantasize about ever seeing him again.

Then our long-awaited reunion is ruined by a vicious ambush by strays. Now our group is under attack, Marc is missing and I will need every bit of skill and smarts to keep my family from being torn apart. Forever.





Yep! This book broke me a little! First poor Manx but it could have been worse! Second Kaci that kid has been through the mill too I’m hoping she becomes a force to reakon with! Thirdly I want to hate Dan but can’t as he really is bloody clueless! Fourth my god why Ethan I went from crying to have having so much anger and wanting revenge! Lastly this saga between Mark , Faythe and Jace I’m sorry I’m fully with Jace and if she don’t want him I will!!
Oh and img a baby!!

I absolutely love this series and writer for a book to evoke so many emotions it’s got to be a good one!!
  
Wintersfall (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria #1)
Wintersfall (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria #1)
Sarah Westill | 2021 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WINTERSFALL is the first book in the Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria series and the reader is introduced to a complex world where ranks are important, as well as limiting.

Following the murder of her mother and sister, Katria joins a government team on the understanding that an investigation will take place to find out who killed them. Fast forward three years and Katria has grown into a more than capable agent. With one fail to their name, the team is called back to Haven City and the intrigue really starts!

This was a great, twisted story with an amazing cast of characters, both main and supporting. I found it slightly difficult to get my head around the hierarchy and hated having to keep switching back and forth to the explanation given at the beginning of the book. In the end, I gave up and just read it as was.

The story isn't completed, by any stretch of the imagination. The focus may be moving from Katria and Sean but, make no mistake, there is so much more to come. I don't think we've even scratched the surface yet.

A great story that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read more. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Pint of No Return in Books

Jul 8, 2021 (Updated Jul 8, 2021)  
Pint of No Return
Pint of No Return
Dana Mentink | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Delicious Debut
After finding out that her ex-husband was a thrice-married embezzler, Trinidad Jones moved to Upper Sprocket, Oregon. The reason? Her ex left her a storefront, and she is going to open a shake shop there. One afternoon, she finds a neighboring store owner dead in the back of his popcorn shop. The police start to look at Juliette, one of Trinidad’s fellow ex-wives, as the killer. Trinidad doesn’t think that Juliette committed the crime, but can she trust her instincts?

I found myself at once drawn into the book as I struggled to fully get lost in the world. There were small details that we didn’t get right away that kept me from fully getting emmeshed in the story. On the other hand, the characters were wonderful, and those relationships kept drawing me in. The pacing was a little off a couple of times, but it held my interest as I read, and it led to a great climax. The book does a good job of balancing tone. At times, it’s light, but other times it gets serious. The combination makes for a richer book. I appreciated the slight twist on the cozy mystery set up. The ice cream scenes made my drool, and I appreciate the recipe at the end of the book. I can’t wait to revisit these characters when the second in this series comes out.
  
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ClareR (5603 KP) rated That Reminds Me in Books

Jul 30, 2020  
That Reminds Me
That Reminds Me
Derek Owusu | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
That Reminds Me was a book that immediately made me sit up and take notice. The language is poetic and raw, and that reflects the experience of the main protagonist, K. It’s presented as a series of memories, so some memories are clearer and easier to understand than others - and this is mostly down to the K’s Bipolar disorder, I think, but also down to how we remember our own past. The clearest descriptions seem to be when he is self-harming, drinking and his descriptions of his alcoholism.

K has a very disjointed childhood: he’s taken into care as a small child, in a largely white community, but his foster parents, and in particular his foster mother, seem to take notice of him and spend time with him. This comes to an end when his foster mother dies of lung cancer. K then goes to live in Tottenham with an aunt. Here he is able to explore his Ghanaian roots, whilst living in poverty in a community where knife crime is commonplace, Grime is the music of choice and God rules all.

There is so much in this short book that I could talk about, but then I’m sure that I’d ruin the readers own experience. I think it’s a book that’s well worth reading and experiencing, but be warned: this is not a book that is wholly comfortable or enjoyable. But is it good? Oh yes, it most certainly is.
  
Taken (Werewolf Academy #4)
Taken (Werewolf Academy #4)
Cheree Alsop | 2014 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Taken is the fourth book in the series and follows on from the previous one. Alex now knows beyond any doubt that Siale is the One for him but Kalia needs some convincing. Alex wants her as a friend but that is it. He finds himself in Torin's Pack for the year, which doesn't go very well. Let's just say, him and the toilets become very good friends. I won't say anymore than that!

Right then, so, this story... is just like the others. It is intense and fast-paced with the overall story arc but you also have Alex trying to negotiate his way through girl-infested waters. Not an easy job at the best of times. Alex proves once again he will do anything for his friends and family but not all outcomes are happy ones. The depth of emotion in one particular scene just about killed me and it was absolutely perfect.

Things are changing for Alex but his self-preservation isn't one of them. He still puts everyone else before himself, although I think he may be starting to realise just what he has with Siale.

An absolutely brilliant book, full of emotion and action, and highly recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Where Gods Fear to Go
Where Gods Fear to Go
Angus Watson | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Excellent end to a wonderful trilogy
The third and final book in the surprising West of West trilogy continues following the Wootah Viking clan and the former Calnian Owsla alchemically enhanced warriors on their mission to save the world. The secrets behind the unknown threat in the far West of what will become North America is gradually revealed as they approach and meet various clans and tribes on the periphery of the Meadows. The group meet more unusual and dangerous creatures, and some surprising new friends.
There are some shock twists spread throughout the book, a number of unexpected deaths, some long-anticipated ones and some excellent character interaction,
My favourite aspect of these books has been the wonderful narration with such with and humour. The story is not a hostage to the humour but these are books that refuse to take themselves too seriously.
There are some brilliant thrilling set piece sequences in this book and while there was something of a dip around the halfway point it really kept my engagement and enjoyment up throughout.
Given the brutal covers these books really surprised me, being touching, funny (at times just plain daft) and highly original. If ever the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" was to apply to a specific series it is this one. Fans of epic fantasy will love the story, fans of Pratchett and Abercrombie will love the wit and dialogue.
  
American Gods
American Gods
Neil Gaiman | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
14 of 230
Book
American Gods ( American Gods book 1)
By Neil Gaiman

After three years in prison, Shadow has done his time. But as the days, then the hours, then the hours, then the seconds until his release tick away, he can feel a storm building. Two days before he gets out, his wife Laura dies in a mysterious car crash, in apparently adulterous circumstances. Dazed, Shadow travels home, only to encounter the bizarre Mr Wednesday claiming to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America. Together they embark on a very strange journey across the States, along the way solving the murders which have occurred every winter in one small American town. But they are being pursued by someone with whom Shadow must make his peace... Disturbing, gripping and profoundly strange, Neil Gaiman's epic new novel sees him on the road to finding the soul of America.

This is one book that has always intimidated me it’s one of those that you so want to read but not sure you’ll get it! Well I’m glad I finally got round to it as I loved it. I have to admit I watched the tv series first but it didn’t take anything away from reading the book. It was exactly what I expected although I had a few very strange dreams while reading it. Definitely recommend especially if like me you’re a bit apprehensive.
  
The Navigator’s Daughter
The Navigator’s Daughter
Nancy Cole Silverman | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Good, but Not What I Expected
When Kat Lawson’s father gets a letter from the DOD that someone has found the wreckage of his downed plane from World War II, he asks Kat to go to Hungary and take pictures of it for him and find out what happened to the people who rescued him. Since Kat’s personal life is in a state of flux, she agrees. What she finds when she gets there are people who are almost too willing to help her. Are they up to something? What will she learn about her father’s past?

This book takes place in 1996 and the setting just after Russia had left Hungary makes for an entertaining read. It allows us to get caught up in not only what happened to these characters during World War II, but also in the decades since. Honestly, if the book had stayed focused on that, I would have been completely satisfied with it. There is a crime fiction element, but it came across more as a sub-plot, and I felt it was a little forced into the book. However, it appears to be setting up future books in the series, and I will definitely be back for them. I enjoyed getting to know Kat and watching her grow as the book progressed. The other characters helped pull me into the story. This is a promising debut that I enjoyed.
  
Crimes and Covers
Crimes and Covers
Amanda Flower | 2022 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Christmas Wedding Complicated by Crime
Bookshop owner Violet Waverly is thrilled to be marrying police chief David Rainwater in just a few days. She’s distracted, however, when a woman comes into Charming Books wanting to sell an autographed mint condition first edition of Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Violet doesn’t feel comfortable with the transaction, so the woman leaves in a huff. A few days later, the woman’s body is found floating in the river. Violet can’t help but wonder what happened to the book. Is that the reason the mystery woman is dead?

I don’t tend to read supernatural tinged cozies, but I’ve made an exception for this. Honestly, what reader can resist a magical bookstore? Between that and Violet’s pets, there is plenty to charm fans once again here. Likewise, the characters are strong, and it is great to spend time with them again. Christmas gets a light touch in this book, but I enjoyed getting to indulge my love of Christmas just a bit longer. It’s the plot where this book really struggles. I was willing to forgive the slow start given everything else happening early in the book. Once it got going, I definitely got caught up in it even though I figured out the big brushstrokes early on. However, the climax left me with a couple of rather big questions that really should have been resolved. Fans of the series will enjoy it, but I do wish this visit had been stronger.