Fallen by Linda Castillo

 It's been a while! I have a book review for you today.  Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book! Kate Burkholder books never disappoint.  When a murdered young woman is found in a hotel room, Kate finds that she once knew the victim, and she, also, was formerly Amish. Her name is Rachael, and she no longer had many friends in Painter's Mill. Why was Rachael back in town? Who did she meet with. Kate must re-open old wounds and bring back bad memories with some of the townspeople to find out. I really enjoy this series, and they can be read out of sequence without too much confusion. I am going to continue to read the rest in the series! 

Book review: Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald

I had read Christina McDonald's book - The Night Olivia Fell, and it was very good, so when I was invited via NetGalley to read her newest book, I did, of course! I wasn't disappointed.  Eva wakes after being struck by lightning, to find out her mother is dead, and she is a suspect. She flees to London to dig deeper into her mother's past, unearthing her mother's hidden secrets, and having the distinct feeling she is being watched.  The story is told alternating between her and her mother's perspectives, and is very easy to follow.  Definitely a page turner! Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced copy. I can't wait to read more of Christina's work in the future. 

Hello friends! Got a new computer so going to try blogging again! The MacBook makes it a whole lot easier to bring the photos I take on my phone into my blog. :) It will make life easier. I am still stitching- mainly trying to finish UFOs/WIPs.  Been working on a Dimensions kit I got from a friend when she got rid of her stash. 

It's going to be for my daughter when it's finished.  I haven't worked on it in the last week or two- I need to carve out more time for stitching.  It's hard when you have so many things you love to do in your spare time! 

I am loving this cooler weather! It's always a long time coming in NC.  Trying not to have to turn the heat on too much so we got the space heater out and Ginger liked it.

Our girl was 8 years old last month! Time flies. She is still as sweet as ever.

Back in September we took a trip to visit family in Frederick, MD.  It is such a lovely town! We were able to stay right downtown so we walked everywhere.  We had great weather and had so much fun visiting with family and visiting all the quaint shops, one of which my brother-in-law and his wife own!

I took so many more photos than this- such a fun, beautiful town. I will have to post more another time. Will write again soon!

Abandoned by Allison Brennan

I don’t think I have read any of the Max Revere books until now, and I think I will now have to go back and read the others! I was provided an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in return for a honest review. This was a great story and can be read as a stand-alone ev3n if you haven’t read the other Max Revere books, even though it will make you want to!  The story was fast-paced, with likeable, believable characters.  There wasn’t much bad language, and though there was mention of sex, the reader isn’t given all the details, which I appreciated.  I would recommend this to anyone who likes suspense with a strong female lead, and some romance that doesn’t rule the story.

A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo

I know, not much stitching lately but I have been on a roll reading books!  I was recently given the opportunity to read this awesome novel, which will be published July 10.

I have read the first and second book in this series, and really enjoyed them.  I also like that you can read them out of order and not be lost. Linda Castillo never disappoints. 

    An Amish teen commits suicide. A few months later, another Amish teen is dead.  Chief Kate Burkholder knows someone knows something, and no one is talking. This was a great read, full of twists and turns.  This one kept me guessing and I was totally surprised at the end.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this page-turner!

Two more great books!

No new stitching progress as these two books have had me wrapped up- two more that I did not want to put down!

Received this from NetGalley and the publisher as an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review!  It's hard to let you know what this is about, without giving any spoilers.  Erin and Mark are newlyweds on their honeymoon.  While snorkeling, they find something in the water that will change their lives and their relationship forever.  I will be honest, when I first started reading this book, I was not sure I was going to like Erin.  When you read the book you will understand.  As I kept reading though, I slowly started to understand where things may be going.  She did very frustrating things at times, but due to those things, the book kept me on the edge of my seat.  Although in my head I said I would never do those things, or my husband wouldn't, if you really put yourself in their place you start to wonder..

I would hope that I would do the right thing.  Highly recommend this book for fast-paced suspense! And for those that like their books without bad language and detailed sex scenes, this is also a book for you.  I missed neither.   I can't guarantee no bad language but I don't recall any.

On to the second.. 

Another ARC from NetGalley! I had read B.A. Paris's Behind Closed Doors, and loved it, so I was excited to read this book.  It did not disappoint.  Finn and Layla had a whirlwind romance.  One night, on the way hope from a trip to France, the couple stops at a rest area. Finn goes to use the restroom and when he returns, Layla has disappeared.  After an exhaustive search, she is presumed dead.  Finn meets Layla's sister, Ellen, and during their mourning of Layla, the eventually fall in love and get engaged. Suddenly, after the engagement is announced, people say they have seen Layla, and Finn and Ellen start receiving memoirs from Layla and Ellen's childhood that only a select few know about. Is Layla back? Where has she been for 12 years?  This book kept me intrigued throughout, and there was a twist at the end that I did not see coming.  Although I was a bit disappointed in the ending, I would still highly advise reading this book, especially if you are a lover of suspense!

Wonderful book read and a little progress

This book... ohhhh this book.  First, I must apologize to the author and the publisher- I received an advanced copy of this in 2016 via NetGalley and I never read it until now. I don't know why, but oh, I am so glad I finally did read it.   Based on actual people and events, it is the story of three very different women and the effects World War II had on them, and how eventually their paths intertwine.   Caroline (one of the real people represented in this book) was a former actress, working at the French Consulate in New York City.  Kasia, a Polish teenager, and Herta, a German doctor(the other real person represented.)  The author, Martha Hall Kelly, did extensive research for this book and it shows.  It is a window into that time and such a moving story.  This is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

Here is some recent progress on my LK sampler- I don't get to it every night, but trying manage my time a little better, so I find time stitch.

My mom recently sent me a bird feeder to attach to our kitchen window- I have wanted one of these for so long! So far, not many birds have found it though.  This is the first one I saw, although the window was too foggy to see it clearly! I haven't had many and have heard it takes some time for them to find it.  I hope they do soon!

'Til next time-

Tracey