Tag Archives: Books

Book Review & Giveaway ~ AT Last by John W. Mefford

~ My Thoughts & Review ~

While all the books in this Alex Troutt Thriller series can be stand-alone books, I believe reading all of them allows you to get to fully know all the characters better.

In this 6^th and final book of the series, John Mefford brings us back full circle in Alex’s life by filling us in on Alex’s mother. In the other books, she is mentioned briefly, but in AT Last, we learn much more about her, and I think we can understand another layer of who Alex Troutt really is.

Each book shows us how our everyday life experiences mold and shape us into who we are as a person. We have seen Alex in all her various roles and relationships in life … FBI Agent, FBI Partner, Wife, Mother, Daughter, Lover, Employer. Mefford does a great job of making his characters real and relatable to his readers.

When I pick up one of his books, I feel like his characters become my friends. Even though I know this is the last book in the series, I can’t help but wonder about my new “friends” … does Alex allow her relationship with Brad move on to the next level? Can she forgive both her parents for her messed up childhood? Does Izzy take better care of herself for her heart issues? I’ll miss them.

Read this series … you won’t be disappointed.

New Release….
Alex Troutt Thriller, Book #6
AT Last

Thirty years after losing a parent to a hit-and-run drunk driver, FBI agent Alex Troutt finally confronts the killer–the same man who just murdered the Boston police chief.

And what Alex pulls from him shatters her core.

Armed with little more than hope and a shred of decades-old evidence, Alex chases a memory from her past, hoping that she’ll find the mother she never really had. With her old buddy Archie on board –as much as ever can be — the hunt takes her deep into the foothills of West Virginia. A fanatical religious cult has created its own society. Desperate to right a thirty-year wrong, Alex must out-think and out-duel everyone in her path to right a thirty-year wrong.

Will Alex’s quest to find the truth destroy her life all over again?

Available to buy from…..
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“Alex Troutt is quickly becoming one of my favorite fictional characters. I love how she’s constantly having to balance her family life and her job, even though her job is continually threatening to take over.”
– Sonya N

“I simply love every single one of John Mefford’s novels. They keep you on the edge of your seat reading late into the night.”
– Michele B

“Intrigue and attempts at revenge for long held grudges – the twists and turns keeps your adrenalin pumping.”
– Tracy C

“I would love to see this series turned into a movie or TV series – I’d be obsessed!”
– Shelly M

above reviews from the Alex Trout Series

Also available in the series…

About the Author
A veteran of the corporate wars, former journalist, and true studier of human and social behavior, best-selling author John W. Mefford has been writing novels since he first entered the work force twenty-five years ago, although he never put words on paper until late 2009.

John writes novels full of intrigue, suspense, and thrills, but they also evoke an emotional connection with the characters.

When he’s not writing, he chases three kids around, slaves away in the yard, reads, takes in as many sports as time allows, watches all sorts of movies, and continues to make mental notes of people and societies across the land.

John lives in Frisco, Texas with his beautiful wife, three opinionated kids, and a feisty fat cat who rules the world.

“Pop on over to my Website, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ Goodreads and Amazon Author Page“

Join John’s Readers’ Group and receive the first novels in both the Greed and Booker Series
FREE for a limited time!

OTHER BOOKS FROM JOHN W MEFFORD

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I received this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

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Book Review & Giveaway ~ Hutchins Creek Cache by Deborah Garner

~ My Thoughts & Review ~

Paige Mackenzie is a reporter for the Manhattan Post. Her next assignment will take her to Colorado, not too far from her boyfriend, Jake in Wyoming. She plans to make it a ½ work trip – ½ romantic getaway when Jake agrees to meet her in Hutchins Creek, CO.

The assignment Paige is working on revolves around the history of the railroad and the Old West. Sounds simple, but nothing is simple when Paige is involved … trouble just seems to find her. She has a naturally curious personality, which makes her a good investigator / researcher for her writing assignments. Her friendly and outgoing nature puts people at ease. They are comfortable sharing info with her, helping her to put all the facts together to solve the mystery. The mystery in this case revolves around an old train car named “The Morning Star” and an unsolved gold coin robbery at the Denver Mint from nearly a century ago. Will Paige solve it? You’ll have to read it to find out for yourself 🙂

Deborah Garner is a great story teller. Because of the detailed research she puts into her books, I always learn new things. She describes her settings so that you almost feel like you are there too. You feel like you are with Paige as she talks to people and does the research for her article.

I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to more Paige Mackenzie mysteries 🙂

NEW RELEASE….

Paige MacKenzie heads to the town of Hutchins Creek, Colorado, to research Old West railroad history for The Manhattan Post, with plans to meet up with her favorite cowboy, Jake Norris.

When a mysterious coin from the 1920’s is discovered behind the Hutchins Creek Railroad Museum, Paige starts digging into four generations of Hutchins family history.

As legends of steam engines and coin mintage mingle, will Paige discover the true origin of the coin or will she find herself dangerously close to more than one long-hidden town secret?

Available to buy from….
Amazon Kindle Amazon Paperback

“Can’t say enough about this book! Wonderful! Deborah Garner is a wonderful writer! She makes you feel like you are right there with Paige and Jake. I loved the setting of Hutchins Creek and the characters were all great. I was on pins and needles and even shed a tear or two. I can’t wait for more of this series!” – review from Goodreads

More Paige MacKenzie Mysteries

“This book held my interest from start to finish. It was beautifully written with such great descriptions that I could picture the town and landscapes.” – review of Above the Bridge

“Delightful . Loved the explorations into the old mines and the side love stories. Mist was a special person with exceptional insight.” – review of The Moonglow Cafe

“The author does a great job in vividly describing the resort, town and surrounding landscape, she makes you feel like you are actually there. She also has a gift for making her characters come to life.” – review of Three Silver Doves

Above reviews from Amazon.com

About the author

Deborah Garner is an accomplished travel writer with a passion for back roads and secret hideaways. Born and raised in California, she studied in France before returning to the U.S. to attend UCLA. After stints in graduate school and teaching, she attempted to clone herself for decades by founding and running a dance and performing arts center, designing and manufacturing clothing and accessories, and tackling both spreadsheets and display racks for corporate retail management. Her passions include photography, hiking and animal rescue. She speaks five languages, some substantially better than others. She now divides her time between California and Wyoming, dragging one human and two canines along whenever possible.

Find the author on the following sites…
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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY

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(winners choice)
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Book Review & Giveaway ~ The Girl In Black Pajamas by Chris Birdy

R&B Investigations is under attack. Their employee is shot in the back as he enters the building, and a hacker is trying to compromise their secure network. While the Boston police investigate the shooting, Bogie McGruder needs to find the culprit who is trying to put them out of business.

Bogie and his partner Rose Jones can’t disclose their internet problems to the cops since Bogie is a hacker himself.

Bogie McGruder returns to Boston with his four- year-old daughter Isabella. He joins up with Rose Jones’ uncle Walter who is fresh for Lompoc Prison. Bogie and Walter strengthen their firewalls while they try to determine who is behind the invasion. As the R&B team hones in on the culprit, they uncover several murders and discover a plot to wipe out the financial institutions in Boston.

While Bogie is in Boston, his extended family in Palm Beach becomes enmeshed in a sex scandal that threatens to ruin lives and careers in the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.

Feeling like a wishbone about to snap, Bogie tries to handle problems in both cities while Isabella continues her quest for someone to teach her the Five-Point-Palm-Exploding-Heart technique as seen in Kill Bill Volume 2.

This tale of murder, revenge and greed takes the reader on a whirlwind trip from Boston to Palm Beach and back. Buckle your seatbelt!

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the Pajamas Series by Chris Birdy, and I think I liked it even more than the first one. I think the reason is because I already knew many of the main characters … and then I got to know them a just little better in this second book. You can read my review of the first book in the series here.

Bogie McGruder is a very busy man. He is still co-owner of R&B Investigations, his security company with partner and long time friend, Rose. He is now married to Bailey and is the father of Isabella and “the Hankster”. He is also a grandfather to little Riley Rose, his older daughter, Amanda’s, baby. I say older – not grown – because she is still so very childish. Suffice it to say that Bogie’s family life has definitely changed over the past year. He has learned to juggle work and family responsibilities.

Then he is called away to Boston to stop a hacker that is trying to break into R&B’s secure networks. The police can’t really help because Bogie isn’t exactly “law abiding” in his computer work. He brings Isabella along on the trip, giving his wife a bit of a break.

Meanwhile, back in Palm Beach, his daughter’s friends along with some of the officers in the Palm Beach Sheriff’s office are involved in a big sex scandal making “movies”.

Never a dull moment for Bogie while he’s trying to “handle” everything at the same time. I look forward to the next installment of the Pajamas Series 🙂

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Also available

The Girl in White Pajamas

When Officer Bud the PR face of the Boston Police Department is gunned down, his brother, Bogie McGruder, returns from Palm Beach for the funeral. Since the BPD is investigating the death of one of their own, Bogie believes his trip to Boston will be a short condolence visit and a chance to meet his secret love child.

But interacting with a family fueled by alcohol and mired in scandals, Bogie is reminded why he does investigations for his Boston based company from a computer in Florida. Although Bogie wants to contact his ex-lover, Bailey Hampfield, he’s reluctant to do so since Bailey dumped him four years earlier. Knowing that Bailey had his child after she cut him loose, Bogie ponders how he can establish a relationship with the three year old daughter he’s never met. While he thinks about it, Bailey gets in touch with him and asks for protection. Someone is trying to kill her.

By the time Bogie meets Isabella, it’s apparent that he still loves the mother and adores the child. Bogie tells himself that he’s not interested in the BPD investigation into Bud’s death, but he continues to be drawn into it while trying to discover who is attempting to kill Bailey. The investigations seem to parallel each other, then intersect and become intertwined. As the story develops, Isabella, a precocious child obsessed with martial arts, slowly becomes the focus.

The underlying theme of this mystery is lies. Everyone seems to be running on lies and half truths. The only pure and true character is The Girl in White Pajamas.

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About the Author

Chris Birdy was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, she did a four year stint in the Middle East. When she returned to the States, Chris settled down in the Boston area and became a true Bostonian by collecting college degrees while raising a family.

For more than twenty years, Chris has been a member of the legal community performing investigative work for Boston law firms conducting business in rough housing projects and crack house neighborhoods. Several years ago, while sitting in a courtroom with a client, Chris watched as a police officer was lambasted by an attorney. The attorney was defending a young woman who crashed her car into two other vehicles before she passed out drunk behind the wheel. The occupants of the other cars were seriously hurt and the cop, a former EMT, tried to assist the injured while waiting for ambulances to arrive. The attorney questioned the cop’s every move, shredded his testimony and made him seem inept.

Embarrassed, the cop returned to his seat beside me and muttered, “Everybody lies. The judges lie, the lawyers lie, the witnesses lie..” Chris wanted to tell him not to worry that in about five years he’d be just as good a liar as they were.

The seeds for The Girl in White Pajamas were planted in that courtroom.

Chris lives outside of Boston and in Palm Beach, Florida with her husband.

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY

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Ending on Sunday 26th October at 11.59pm EST Open Worldwide

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Getting Organized ~ Kids Toys Storage Tips & Ideas

Back in the old days, a.k.a. when I was a little kid, toys storage was a wooden toy box … all or most of my toys fit in it. To be truthful, I had a little cradle where my dolls “slept” when I wasn’t playing with them and a small bookcase.

In the 90’s, when my kids were little, they each had a big, plastic Little Tykes toy box. Both my children were a little spoiled (ok … a lot spoiled) by very generous grandparents. If I remember correctly, they had more toys than they knew what to do with. The toy boxes were always so jam packed, that the lids wouldn’t fit. I started supplementing the storage space with square laundry baskets. I noticed that they mostly played with the toys in the baskets, and not with the toys in the toy box. I finally figured out that the toy box was overwhelming for them … they couldn’t find what they were looking for without pulling everything out. Continue reading →

Book Review & Giveaway ~ On The Inside by Kim Cano

When Kristen is sentenced to seventeen years for committing a white collar crime, she’s forced to leave her husband and two sons behind.Life in prison is a shock. She discovers that people aren’t always what they seem, love wears many faces, and friendship can make life worth living.But as she struggles to survive on the inside, Kristen must face something even more frightening than her fellow inmates. . . herself.On the Inside is based on true events, written from the authors own family tragedy.

My Thoughts:

I found it quite interesting to “see” life, on the inside, from a prisoner’s perspective. I liked getting to know the different inmates and how they relate to each other. Knowing their stories doesn’t excuse their crimes, but it does humanize them and makes me empathize with them. We all make mistakes, and most mistakes have consequences, these ladies are now paying the penalty for the choices they made.

As a mother, I felt sorry for Kristen having to miss seeing her kids grow up, but was happy that her sister in law kept her updated with her family through letters. I also liked getting to know the prison warden and her staff members. It seems like a hard job having to spend so much time “On the Inside” and then coming home at the end of their shift to a totally different reality.

While this book is a work of fiction, I think that because it is based on the author’s real life situation, that I now have a “feel” for how life behind bars is … and that I never want to experience it.

I’d definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more books from this author.

Review for On The Inside…..

This book will hook you from the very first paragraph, as you meet Lakeisha, a mail scanner for a women’s prison. She reads the prisoner’s correspondence, checks it for drugs and dangerous devices, and delivers the mail.Lakeisha is drawn into the correspondence Kristen has with her husband. And in this way, the reader is also drawn into the story about life inside a correctional facility for women. Kristen is the main character. She’s in jail for bilking her employer out of a huge sum of money. In the process, she lost the trust of her husband and children and virtually bankrupted them. They are bitter and wary of her, but she continues to send letters to her husband telling him how sorry she is. The only family member to write back is her sister-in-law, Olivia, who extends a lifeline to her with family pictures and events.We also meet a panoply of colorful characters from the flashy inmate, Lupe, to the prison psychiatrist, Megan, the warden, Laura, Kristen’s antagonist, Jess, and many others. Each person has their story, their trials, and triumphs, and you’ll find yourself rooting for all of them.

Ms. Cano expertly weaves in multiple points of view to make you understand and empathize with all of these people. Each has his or her own pain and sorrow as well as aspirations for a better future. Necessarily, some of the stories end tragically whereas others move on as best they can. But Kristen and the others learn to take happiness in small places and to accept what can’t be changed.

The story is uplifting and poignant. You won’t want to miss this. I read this in a single evening because I not just wanted to find out what happened to the characters, but I felt for them and laughed and cried and wished so much for them to be victorious in their lives.

Everything was resolved and there were no loose ends. Even though there was sadness leavened into the book, the overall message is joyful and shows the power of love, devotion, and forgiveness. You won’t be disappointed with this wonderful story. ~ Clare Chu

Buy the book from….

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About the Author

Kim Cano debut novel was A Widow Redefined, which tells the story of a young woman’s journey through grief and the transformational power of friendship

Kim has also written two animal books: For Animal Lovers, a short story collection for kids ages 9 to 12 (also appeals to adult readers who are young at heart) 10% of the sale price is donated to the ASPCA® to help homeless pets.

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY

2 LUCKY WINNERS !! 1 Winner will receive $20 Amazon Giftcard – Open Worldwide 1 Winner will receive a Signed Book from the author – Open US/CA

Ending on Thursday 3rd April at 11.59pm EST

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Books I Recommend Reading – “The Yada Yada Prayer Group”

I love reading. I’ve always been a bookworm. My idea of a perfect quiet afternoon is curling up with a good book, and escaping into the story 🙂

For the last decade or so, between homeschooling my kids, and more recently, starting my Tracy Helps You business, I’ve allowed myself to get out of the habit of reading for pleasure. I feel like I spent so much time reading textbooks and making lesson plans, that the only pleasurable reading I got to do was whichever classic my kids were reading for Literature. I’ve got nothing against the classics, but I like lots of different genres … from historical fiction to contemporary lighthearted romance 🙂 Continue reading →

photo by: the bbp

~ My Thoughts & Review ~

~~~ My Thoughts & Review ~~~

My Thoughts:

My Thoughts:

~ My Thoughts & Review ~