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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.

NET FORCE DARK WEB by JEROME PREISLER (Series Created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik)

Net Force: Dark Web

The return of the cutting-edge thriller series Net Force, created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik and written by Jerome Preisler.

The first thing you need to know is this book is about 700 pages long! There are multiple characters, plots, sub-plots concerning our nation’s cyber safety.

The President wants to go full out on Net Force, believing we are or will soon be under attack by hackers looking to implant malware and basically cause chaos.

For me, this was a tedious read. Most of the operations were illegal but no one seemed to mind. The hunt for who was hacking and the brain behind it was exhausting and predictable.

I can’t say I would recommend it unless you are really bored and have nothing else to read.

NetGalley/ November 26th, 2019 by Hanover Square Press

Puddin’ on the Blitz by Tamar Myers

Puddin' on the Blitz

A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery

The success of Magdalena Yoder’s new Amish-Asian restaurant is threatened by murder in the deliciously quirky new Pennsylvania-Dutch mystery.

A murder mystery with an Amish/Mennonite theme.

The Story:

Magdalena Yoder is Mennonite and married to a Jew. Her mother-in-law is a piece of work and lives across the street with the other members of her apathy cult.

A woman who almost killed her is now in prison and has split her restaurant between her daughter and Magdalena, with Mags getting the 60% share. Between the daughter and Magdalena, they come up with an Asian Amish combo they call Asian Sensations.

Hiring Barbara Hostetler was a genius as she is a wonderful cook and baker. And soon enough we have a recent patron dropping dead.

Now Magdalena is being arrested for a murder she did not commit. Who is setting her up?

My Take:

I almost stopped a quarter of the way in because I wasn’t sure if this was satire or sarcasm. I couldn’t pronounce the names of anyone and I just did not care for the main character. I wasn’t sure if she was making fun of the people or if she just had a sarcastic tongue, which doesn’t really add up with the Amish.

It was less than okay, but you can read it yourself and let me know!

NetGalley/Severn House December 3rd, 2019

 

 

the last affair by Margot Hunt

The Last Affair

Love may be blind, but obsession’s a real killer.

From the title, I got the idea that this was going to be someone’s final affair. And it was.

Nora is married to a distant alcoholic and is miserable. She is sick and tired of her husband.

Josh is married to a psychopath. And he has had enough. So when he meets Nora and sparks fly, they both will begin an affair that will have deadly consequences.

So what separates this domestic suspense tale from all of the others I’ve read this year? Nothing. I figured out who was just plain crazy and who was obsessed very quickly. And the ending felt flat.

I’m not sure there was one redeeming character here. And there doesn’t always have to be, but for me, it was just okay.

NetGalley/ November 26th, 2019 by MIRA

 

 

 

 

 

BEYOND THE GATE by MARY SANGIOVANNI (A Kathy Ryan Novel)

Beyond the Gate (A Kathy Ryan Novel Book 3)

Kathy Ryan’s work as an occult investigator often leads her to the outskirts of society, law, and even reality…

This is the third book in the Kathy Ryan novels. Kathy Ryan works as an occult investigator and has seen things no one would believe. She is good at what she does and in this next story, she is hired by Paragon Corporation, a government-funded theoretical physics research facility. Someone has intentionally opened a portal to another dimension and found no beings, but some really disturbing flora!

A team of scientists goes in but doesn’t come out. A security team is Kathy and her team will do whatever they must to rescue any survivors and get out fast and close that portal.

These were some seriously sketchy researchers. They doled out information like misers. And they lied. A lot. Because contrary to what they say, this alien flora is able to pass through the portal and lead to chaos and death.

I’ve read the other books in this series. Kathy is a strong leader and her story is an excellent one!

Well Done!

NetGalley/ November 26th, 2019 by Lyrical Press

 

 

THE SHIP of DREAMS: The Sinking of THE TITANIC and the end of the Edwardian Era by Gareth Russell

The Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era

Gareth Russell has done his research. Uncovering previously unpublished sources and including photographs. Russell tells the story not just of the sinking of the Titanic, but of six well-known and well-heeled passengers and the role they played in history.
He is a gifted writer and puts the event in context with what was going on in the world. Especially the Americans and the British. With the Edwardian Era ending, war on the horizon and changes in the social norms, technology, politics, Irish Home Rule, the class system, this was a major time of change for the world.
We follow the stories of six of those passengers on the Titanic and how their lives changed.  The description of the sinking, minute by minute, the different ways Americans and the British handled the tragedy. Not everyone was chivalrous or brave. And for some that would haunt them for the rest of their lives.
For me personally, this was the best book I have read on the subject. And that was because it was so well researched and written. Myths were shown for what they were. Facts and journals told stories never heard before. The pictures were priceless in creating an image in your head of who these people were and how they behaved.
I would have no problem recommending this book as a definitive look at this point in our history.
Extremely Well Done!
NetGalley/ November 19th, 2019 by Atria Books

I am so thankful it is Friday!

Friday and the first day of November. Remember, November, you are not a winter month so please stay in your lane.

This weekend I am finishing The Borgia Confessions. I should have been done by now but halfway through the book, I had to go to Netflix and rewatch The Borgias! It is a very interesting book and a look at the Catholic Church and the Papacy.

Have a great weekend and stay warm! Day 1 of being thankful. I am so thankful for my vision. It’s something we take for granted until we lose it!

xx P

Halloween Reading! Serial Killer Time!

Halloween Party Table Decorating Ideas | Apartment Therapy

Happy Halloween! Blessed Samhain! Every one have all of their goodies ready for tonight? Arthur here is ready and waiting. I read so many horror and thriller books that it was difficult to pick a series, but if I had to, it would be this. J.D.Barker and the 4MK Thriller Series. Seven meets Dexter. I love this series and have read them all more than once. So if you just want to buy a giant bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and turn out the lights, snuggle up with one of these babies and play my favorite game… “Hallo-we-ain’t home”.

#BookReview: THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker - Quiet Fury Books   The Fifth to Die (eBook)  The Sixth Wicked Child by J.D. Barker

Personally, I will be in the gym. Riding bikes with a book. I bought candy. I ate said candy and now I have to go burn off those calories. Be Safe out there and have a wonderful, spooky Halloween.

xx P