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

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

All I can say is "Woah." I have never read a book quite like this before.  Amber is in a coma.  She can't open her eyes, move, or speak, but she can hear everything around her.  This book was a journey of twists, turns, and surprises.  Told through present tense, flashbacks, and diary entries, you will wonder with Amber- did her husband cheat on her with her sister? How did she end up in the hospital? Is she ever going to wake up?  This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I totally did not see the end coming.  It was a dark book, to be honest, I probably wouldn't read it again, but it was an excellent story.  I highly recommend giving it a chance! 

Til next time-
Tracey

Long time no see...

Wow, I can't believe it has been over a year since I last posted!  I have thought about my blog off and on in the last year, but wasn't sure I wanted to keep it up anymore, as I have had a lot of things pulling me in different directions. Things are kind of getting in a groove now, so I want to try again.  I have been stitching more often and reading more often as well. In March, my grandpa passed away in Minnesota.  I was fortunate to be able to fly to my parents' house and then drive with them to Minnesota, kind of like old times.  It was fun, even though it was for a sad occasion. I got to see extended family that I hadn't seen in years, and since my dad did all of the driving, I had many hours for reading and stitching.   I had gotten an advanced reader copy of Crimson Lake by Candice Fox not long before my trip, so I brought it along.  Unfortunately, I left it in the first hotel we stayed at! Thankfully, my mom had loaned me a book as well so I read that one.  The people working at the hotel found my book, and my aunt went to get it and mailed it back to me. It was an excellent read, the first in a series. I plan to read the future books in the series.  Speaking of advanced reader copies, I have gotten two in the mail recently, which were a great surprise because I had forgotten I requested them/entered the giveaways!  The first was The Other Woman  by Sandie Jones.

This book was amazing- I read most of it last Sunday and finished it up on Monday.    It is Sandie Jones's first novel, and I look forward to reading more! The story follows Emily, who meets the man of her dreams, Adam.  However, Adam's mother, Pammie, seems to be blocking the relationship at every turn, no matter what it takes, and Adam doesn't seem to see it.  It's a great domestic suspense novel! 

The other book, which I am currently reading, is Sometimes I Lie  by Alice Feeney.  

This one has been "unputdownable" as well.  Amber is in a coma- she can hear everyone around her, but can't open her eyes, speak, or move. As she lies in the hospital trying to wake up, she is trying to figure out how she got there by the conversations of those around her.  The memories alternate between present day, the days right before the accident that brought her to the hospital, and pre-teen diary entries. It is keeping me on the edge of my seat! In fact I plan on reading some more when I'm done with this post.

As far as stitching, this year I am trying to finish my many works in progress and UFOs before I start anything else. I am currently working on that old LK Mystery Sampler that I was working on the last time I blogged! Pitiful, eh?  Here is a recent photo:

I have started on the third section, but not gotten very far yet.  These awesome books are keeping me away. :D  

I am still using essential oils- I have a new website just for them, though I may still post here about them occasionally, as they have made such a difference in my life! That website is www.yldist.com/traceyb . Please comment if you try it and the link doesn't work!

Well that's about it for now..  thanks for sharing your time with me! It means a lot. :)

Tracey