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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 30, 2022  
Have a listen to the awesome playlist for the #contemporary #suspense novel PAPER TARGETS by Patricia Watts on my blog. Then be sure to enter the fantastic giveaway for a chance to win autographed copies of "Paper Targets", "The Frayer" by Patricia Watts, and "The Big Empty" by Stan Jones and Patricia Watts!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-paper.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS FOR PAPER TARGETS**
Everyone knew that Roanne never got angry—until the night she killed her ex-husband and herself.

Roanne, a nice, suburban lady in her sixties who works at a Hallmark shop and volunteers at the Food Bank in Round Rock, Texas, calls her lifelong friend, Connie, confesses to murder, then puts the gun to her own head. Connie, spurred by Roanne’s last words about a lifetime of unspoken rage, sets aside her work as a cozy mystery writer and cupcake shop owner to confront the men who have stolen her dignity while she remained silent, including a bully brother, a rapist, and an ex-spouse. On a journey to reclaim her inner power and to make peace with the loss of her treasured friend, Connie’s mission is to avoid the same tragic path as Roanne, but she takes along a gun, just in case.

With pathos and humor, Paper Targets, by Patricia Watts, calls us to speak our own narratives, even when it is uncomfortable or risky, and shows us the magnificence of a friendship that transcends time.
     
Gamble of Hearts
Gamble of Hearts
Virginia Barlow | 2023 | Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ok, but not pushing any buttons.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Lady Amora finds herself sold by her brother, to more than one person, but Lord Alexander takes her in, to keep her safe. Finding her a husband is the safest way to do that. He never expected to be drawn to her. Amora has a secret though, and that might cost her dearly if Alexander finds out. When Amora's life is threatened, Alexander pulls out all the stops.

This is one of those books that I cannot find another word for, other than NICE. It was a nice book.

Yes, some of the storyline is dark: sibling abuse, kidnapping, murder and suicide. Yes, it's a bit steamy and smexy, but not overly so. Yes, it's somewhat proper for the time portrayed, with all the rules and customs of the time. I liked that both Amora and Alexander have a say, in the third person. Another has a short say, but I really didn't see the point of him!

BUT

There are some typos, which should really have been picked up before publication: spelling your main character's name wrong is really rather unforgivable. In a few places, I was confused by the continuity of scenes. I had to double back a couple of times to clarify things.

So, all in all, a NICE book, but one that didn't really push any buttons.

3 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
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ClareR (5911 KP) rated Cat Lady in Books

Aug 14, 2023  
Cat Lady
Cat Lady
Dawn O'Porter | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this! We meet Mia at a pet bereavement group - but her cat, Pigeon, is alive and well. She lives with her husband, his son and her beloved house cat. Oh, and the ex-wife comes and goes as she pleases with her own key!

Mia’s life is very regimented, and this is apparent in every aspect. Especially work. She works for a socialite jewellery maker, who seems to have no business sense and asks Daddy for money for the business all the time.

And then everything seems to start going wrong at the same time, and Mia makes a lot of questionable, yet understandable, decisions.

There’s some graphic sex scenes (not a problem for me, but fair warning, as some of my fellow readers on The Pigeonhole didn’t appreciate them), and scenes where Mia struggles with her mental health, culminating in suicidal thoughts.

On the outside, Mia is all business and appears to be emotionally detached. On the inside, it’s clearly a maelstrom of feelings which are mainly caused by a terrible childhood and a stupid husband (I couldn’t think of a more appropriate word, and he is stupid).

I’ve read a couple of Dawn’s books now, and I should stop being so surprised at how thoughtful, emotional and funny they are. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I’m no cat lady (dogs all the way - but I do like cats too, so perhaps I’m a bit of both).
  
Logged On
Logged On
Barbara Ross | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Does Julia Have a Suspicious Neighbor?
This Christmas, Julia has become obsessed with creating a perfect Yule Log cake to impress her boyfriend's family when they come for Christmas, but her efforts aren't turning out well. She is so desperate that she goes to a neighbor, Mrs. St. Onge, since her cakes were legendary. Mrs. St. Onge is an older lady, but as Julia begins to spend more time with her, Julia begins to wonder about the many people from Mrs. St. Onge’s past and present who seem to disappear from her life around the holidays. Is Julia in any danger herself?

The mystery on this one really drew me in. It is on the shorter size for a novella, but it had me turning pages quickly to find out if my suspicion on what was happening was true or not. As always, the characters are wonderful. We only see quick glimpses of some of the regulars, but they are still charming. And the new characters are great. As a bonus, there’s a recipe for a Yule Log cake at the end.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.