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Hello world!

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Let’s talk about books. What type of book do you like to read? Do you stick to the same authors or are you willing to take a chance on something radically different from your norm? I have a cluster of authors that I gobble up the new books they put out like a binge eater…all in one sitting. And in between waiting for said authors to put out the next book, I have a group of “fill in” authors. And then there are the ones I read because I am so very curious about everything. It has been pointed out to me that my reading list is probably linked to Homeland Security but how can you have an opinion on anything if you haven’t fully researched it?

On my bookshelf you will find every James Patterson novel, every Laurell K. Hamilton, every Stuart Woods, Harlan Coben, Catherine Coulter, Iris Johansen, Anne Rice, Laura Childs, Tom Clancy, George R.R.Martin, Kim Harrison, Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell, Lisa Scottoline, Lisa Unger, Karin Slaughter, Don Winslow, Sara Blaedel along with all the classics. I don’t do romance books, no heaving bosoms or glistening abs for me.

Reading is a magical thing that can take you places you would never have access to in the living world. I love everything about books. The cover, the feel, and smell of the paper, it all has to come together for me.  Books are like a good friend who stays around.

So here we are going to be talking about books. What we’ve read, what we are reading and what we hope to read. I find it so interesting that two people can read the same book and have totally different takes on it. But that is the fun of books and imagination. Everyone is different and I am intrigued by those different opinions.

Stick around for some really good, new authors I have found and feel free to make suggestions and comments!  Join us on Facebook for free books, authors looking for reviewers and new releases and giveaways! On Twitter, @GaPirate  Email me at piratepatty@hotmail.com. Have your Marketing people or Publisher contact me for reviews.

Happy Valentine’s Day!! And Happy Birthday!

valentinekitchen

Happy Valentine’s Day! Or whatever event you are celebrating. Here we never do Valentine’s Day because it’s everyone’s birthday!

The first half of that day I will never forget. Mainly because the nurses asked me to “Keep it down”.  Well, that was like baptizing a cat. I’m quite sure I declared I had had enough and no watermelon was coming out today. Nope, I changed my mind. We all know how that goes, right? Me begging for drugs like a junkie and them shushing me so I didn’t upset the other women in labor. Really?? But just as I gave up, here comes this gorgeous little boy with red hair and I fell in love. But after 24 hours I was tired and hurting and just wanted to sleep.  So when they asked if I wanted to keep the said child in my room and take care of him myself instead of having him in the nursery, I may have asked if that isn’t what they get paid for. Okay, I did.

Eventually, we had three Valentine boys at our house. So, no it’s not my day. It’s their day and I love all of them and have no regrets. Or candy. Which is good.

Whatever you are doing, enjoy it! Tomorrow we are going to high tea and that is what I’m happy about.

Much Love

P

THE OTHER MRS. by MARY KUBICA

The Other Mrs.

She tried to run, but she can’t escape the other Mrs.

Sadie and Will have moved from Chicago to a small town in Maine. One, they need a fresh start. Someone had an affair. Two, Will’s sister has died and he has inherited a large home and a surly teenager. Plus there was an incident with their son Otto at school.

Imogene is the one who found her mother dead and she is not happy about Will and Sadie and their two boys showing up. She is scary!

Shortly after they move in a neighbor, Morgan Baines, is killed in her home. A neighbor swears he saw Morgan and Sadie fighting, but Sadie has never met Morgan.

This is one messed up family! Every single character had some serious issues! And the twists and turns almost gave me whiplash! What??? I was on the edge of my seat the entire book!

February 18th, 2020 by Park Row/NetGalley

 

 

 

 

TEN DAYS GONE by Beverly Long

Ten Days Gone (A.L. McKittridge, #1)

Most of the police procedurals I have read have been set in the UK. This one is set in Wisconsin with bits of Minnesota and Illinois. This is the first in a series and I am so glad I read it.

In Baywood, Wisconsin, A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have a big problem. Four women dead in forty days. One killed every ten days. All found dead, naked, with clothes folded neatly. No signs of a struggle. It is a race against time to find the killer before they find another body.

This was a twisty, evil, puzzle of a tale! The best type! I think we have a winner here and I hope we see more!

NetGalley/ February 18th, 2020 by MIRA

 

 

Been There, Married That by Gigi Levangie

Been There, Married That

When he changes the locks, she changes the rules.

Agnes Murphy Nash is living the life of an author and a wife to Trevor, a big name producer. Living the dream with like 13 bathrooms!

Until the day Trevor locks her out and takes his assistant and “sleep companion” and leaves. As they navigate their divorce. As they toss barbs at each other and get down and dirty over custody and every other issue. This was like a fever dream. Where nothing makes any sense.

I’m going to stop right here.

From the beginning of this book, there was a mania. Every thought that came into her head came out of her mouth. I wasn’t rooting for anyone except the daughter and the three maids. 

The rest of them were highly unlikeable and it was just sort of all over the place.

The only hilarious moments were with the three maids. And that wasn’t enough to make me like it.

NetGalley/ St. Martin’s February 11th, 2020

A Crafter Quilts a Crime by Holly Quinn

A Crafter Quilts a Crime (A Handcrafted Mystery #3)

A Handcrafted Mystery #3

Community Craft proprietor Sammy Kane must piece together a patchwork of clues when a “live” mannequin ends up stone-cold dead.

In snow-covered Heartsford, Wisconsin, folks are snuggled in quilts trying to stay warm. But with the annual Fire and Ice event the next day, even the brutal weather won’t keep everyone in town from participating.

Samantha Kane is hoping to boost business at her store, Community Crafts.
Wanting to stand out, Sammy has a brainstorm for her front window display. Living mannequins with their crafts! So far Wanda is looking the part. Sitting in the front window with her quilt square in her lap, she hasn’t moved a muscle.

That could have something to do with the fact that she is dead. Yes, dead, right in the front window of Sammy’s store. Much to the chagrin of Detective Lam, Sammy and her sister and cousin have reformed the S.H.E. club. No case too cold or too dangerous for them to stick their little noses in.

With clues all around them, and bad things bubbling under the surface, this may be the one time they can’t craft a happy ending!

NetGalley/ February 11th, 2020 by Crooked Lane Books

 

 

 

In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon

In Cold Chamomile (A Tea and Read Mystery #3)

A Tea and Read Mystery #3

Callie Aspen and her Great-Aunt Iphy run the delightful shop Book Tea, with her aunt’s mouth-watering treats and the best tea and coffee in town. Although Heart’s Harbor, Maine is not exactly a huge place.

Callie is still working to save Haywood Hall and with Valentine’s Day approaching it’s the perfect time for a different type of party. Turning the Hall into a place full of hearts and special books, music and even a book appraiser who has volunteered his time to come.

But from the start, there is a lot of tension. People are acting oddly. One of their singers backed out and the replacement has caused Iphy quite a bit of anxiety.

When the book appraiser is found dead, everyone is under suspicion and while she can’t explain it to Callie, she has to prove that the man accused is innocent. With Ace already reminding Callie she can not get involved, we know she will.

This is the third in this series and was not my favorite. Callie seemed wimpy and her aunt came off as really rather mean. For me, this one fell flat.

NetGalley/ February 11th, 2020 by Crooked Lane Books

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day Tea is Here! And it’s Chocolate! Oh, and Snow…

Harney and Sons Teas have their Valentine’s Day Tea out! I was at Barnes and Noble checking out a book when I accidentally wandered into their Starbucks. ( Okay, it wasn’t on accident.)  And lo and behold there it was. So I asked it in my nicest voice, to come home with me. So technically I ‘adopted’ it and did not ‘buy’ any more tea.

What does it smell like? Chocolate. Yep. Ingredients are black tea, chocolate flavor, and vanilla flavor and rose petals. If you followed my tea blog then you know I am not one to just steep and sip. Nope. I had a small piece of Godiva chocolate left and I plopped it in the tea and stirred. Decadent. And since the weatherman actually got the snow forecast correct for once, it was a good day for a treat like this! Yesterday we woke up to about 5 inches of snow. The good kind that isn’t slush. So it was cold and icky and chocolate tea sounded heavenly.

I am so happy that January is over. It seemed to last a year! And for us it was horrible. But February is okay so far and no one has died or given birth or started making meth. I stopped watching the news. OU boy got suspended from Twitter for angering the orange man. So proud.

Since the Coronavirus, my tea shipments from China are at a halt. Bummer. Says the lady with hundreds of boxes of tea hoarded away. Maybe now I’ll catch up on my tea reviews.

Stay warm my friends and be kind. Because aren’t we all tired of ugly?

xx P