A New Favorite Found Family!

 

TITLE: With Love, from Cold World

AUTHOR: Alicia Thompson

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: August 1, 2023

PAGES: 400   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: 

Lauren Fox is the bookkeeper for Cold World, a tourist destination that's always a winter wonderland despite being located in humid Orlando, Florida. Sure, it's ranked way below any of the trademarked amusement parks and maybe foot traffic could be better. But it's a fun place to work, even if "fun" isn't exactly Lauren's middle name. 

Her coworker Asa Williamson, on the other hand, is all about finding ways to enliven his days at Cold World--whether that means organizing the Secret Santa or teasing Lauren. When the owner asks Lauren and Asa to propose something (anything, really) to raise more revenue, their rivalry heats up as they compete to come up with the best idea. But the situation is more dire than they thought, and it might take these polar opposites working together to save the day. If Asa thought Lauren didn't know how to enjoy herself, he's surprised by how much he enjoys spending time together. And if Lauren thought Asa wasn't serious about anything, she's surprised by how seriously he seems to take her. 

As Lauren and Asa work to save their beloved wintery spot, they realize the real attraction might be the heat generating between them.

MY THOUGHTS: I read this author's first book, Love in the Time of Serial Killers, and thoroughly enjoyed it so I knew I had to give this one a go as well.  I am really glad I did and it was a fun way to spend some quiet time over the weekend.  And little did I know I would soon have a new found family to love.

Lauren and Asa both work at a winter attraction in the middle of hot, humid Florida.  Asa has been there ten years compared to Lauren's two but despite not knowing each other than long, they've been together long enough to know they don't really like each other.  Lauren grew up in the foster care system and Asa grew up in an unaccepting family environment and neither have really overcome their personal issues.  However, they are forced to work together to come up with some new ideas to make Cold World more profitable and more marketable and in the process, just might find out they don't hate each other after all.

I'm always on board for an enemies-to-lovers trope and this book has one out in full force. It also has a touch of close proximity thrown in for good measure as well.  From the start, the reader knows Asa and Lauren don't really hate each other, they just think they do.  And by working together, and some intervention from a great set of friends, not only do they grow as a couple, but they also grow as individuals. I will mention Asa has a great set of friends he resides with, thus the found family, and the author would love to see the author write a spin-off or two on some if these side characters.

I also learned something while reading this book.  Because Lauren wants to help children with similar backgrounds as her, she becomes a Guardian ad Litem.  In all the states I have worked with, to be a GAL you first had to be an attorney.  Since it bothered me so much I looked up Florida's regulations and found that is not the case there.  It made me feel much better.

So if you like enemies-to-lovers and found families, I would definitely recommend this book.  In addition, since I did like the author's first novel just a tad better, I would also recommend it too.

RATING: 4 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - Twilight Falls (Shady Hollow #4)

 

 Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

November 7, 2023

FROM GOODREADS: It's spring in Shady Hollow, and romance is in the air. Even reporter Vera Vixen is caught up in the season as her relationship with new police chief Orville Braun blossoms. But true love is not always smooth sailing, as two of the hollow's young residents come to find. Jonah Atwater and Stasia von Beaverpelt find themselves battling their families in order to be together. And when Alan's father, Shelby, goes over the top of Twilight Falls, all signs point to Stasia being the murderer.

The evidence against Stasia appears overwhelming, and Orville arrests her. It looks like the case is closed, but Vera isn't so sure. There are almost too many clues indicating Stasia is the killer, leading her to suspect someone is setting Stasia up. Besides, what about the mysterious ghostly creature skulking around town at night? Maybe he or she was involved? As Vera investigates further, her sleuthing puts her in direct opposition to Orville, and soon she's stirred up a hornet's nest of trouble.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I recently started this series and I have to admit, I feel in love with it. I still need to read #3 and a novella but if I space them out right, I can be ready for this one when it releases. I hope we get lots more in this world!

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK?

Dog Days of Summer Challenge

 

Although I'm sure I've missed the last year or so, since I'm back to blogging, I'm excited to once again participate in Dog Days of Summer hosted by La La in the Library.  She is making a wonderful donation of $5.00 per book read and reviewed to her local Humane Society and that's something I can get on board with.  So please visit her website for more information and here are the books I'm hoping I can get to this month!

Do you have any great dog book recommendations?  Let me know in the comments so I can add them to my wishlist.

Farm News - August 6, 2023

 

I can't believe that it is August already!  It seems like Summer is just flying by.  Oh well, I am a tad anxious to smell pumpkin spice in the air so I guess I'm not too upset.

So Mr. Barb's back flared back up this past week so he's back in physical therapy.  Luckily it wasn't as bad as it was in May and his therapist said some minor set-back was to be expected.  He has not had to take off work yet and has still been able to do some moderate activities, including walking Apollo, so we hope those are all positive signs.  

Apollo met a new doggy in the neighborhood named Maynard.  We are not quite sure which house he lives in yet, but he saw him twice this week while walking and seeing other dogs always perks him up.  He also got a special trip to the City Park Friday morning before work which he loved.  The park always has lots of squirrels and Apollo lives for squirrels.  

Movie wise, we broke down and bought Insidious: Red Door when it came out as an early release for home theater on Tuesday.  I was actually pretty disappointed with it and felt that the scariest parts of the movie were highlighted in the trailer.  

I am actually reading on three different books right now.  I'm usually a one-at-a-time reader but over the past year or so have branched out a bit more.  I still primarily focus on one more than the others though. With Love, From Cold World is an ARC that released this week, and I really liked the author's first book, so I started it Thursday night while watching the Hall of Fame Football game - YAY FOOTBALL SEASON!  I've been reading Night's Edge for about two weeks now as it's something I pick up when my Kindle is charging or when I want to read a physical book.  And finally, Finders Keepers is one of my 3 buddy reads with Stormi this month.

This book also saw a trip to one of my local libraries to pick up some holds that came in.  I've read one other book by Samantha Downing and thought it was just okay, but the premise of A Twisted Love Story sounded too good to pass up. I've seen some good reviews for Star Bringer and although it's not something I would normally pick up, when I saw my library had it, I grabbed it.  And finally, I'm still on the search for a 5-paw thriller so I grabbed Bad Parts to check out.

I also had an author each out to me about a horror short-story collection he was publishing, and he was kind enough to send me a copy which I received this week. Thanks Jack!  You can find more details here.

And finally I will leave with a puppy pic because who doesn't want to see a cute puppy?  Here is Apollo in all his glory. 

What Have We Done - Please Just Tell Me!

 

TITLE: What Have We Done

AUTHOR: Alex Finlay

PUBLISHER: Minotaur Books

PUBLISHING DATE: March 7, 2023

PAGES: 320   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: 

A stay-at-home mom with a past. 

A has-been rock star with a habit. 

A reality TV producer with a debt. 

Three disparate lives. 

One deadly secret. 

Twenty-five years ago, Jenna, Donnie, and Nico were the best of friends, having forged a bond through the abuse and neglect they endured as residents of Savior House, a group home for parentless teens. When the home was shut down―after the disappearance of several kids―the three were split up. 

Though the trauma of their childhood has never left them, each went on to live accomplished―if troubled―lives. They haven’t seen one another since they were teens but now are reunited for a single haunting reason: someone is trying to kill them. 

To survive, the group will have to revisit the nightmares of their childhoods and confront their shared past―a past that holds the secret to why someone wants them dead. 

It’s a reunion none of them asked for . . . or wanted. But it may be the only way to save all their lives. 

MY THOUGHTS:  I have read a book from this author in the past and found it pretty enjoyable so when my Libby hold came in for this one, I decided to give it a go. 

Basically, you have a group of friends who were in the same group home as teens.  When the book opens, you see them doing something pretty dramatic and pretty illegal, you just don't know any details. We then move to present day time and see what the kids are doing now and let's just say, life hasn't been good to some of them and it's about to get worse.  Someone wants to systematically take out each and every one of them and can they visit the ghosts of the past and find out who before it's too late?

This is an example of where I didn't really like any of the characters in the novel but it didn't ruin my enjoyment.  I kind of liked the "washed-up" rock star (if you've read the book, you'll see what I've done here) the best but I couldn't tell you why exactly.  The plot kept me engaged and I sort of figured out what was going on by the end so there were no real big reveals. The twist at the very end made the conclusion better for me though and I didn't see it coming.

Overall, this was a decent thrilled and I will continue to pick up books from this author.  I just haven't read too many thrillers this summer that I consider stand-out, and this is just one of the many that I will add to that list.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - The Sight

 Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Kill at Breaking the Spine. 

September 5, 2023

FROM GOODREADS: In the tradition of Camilla Sten and Victor LaValle, Melanie Golding’s newest thriller is a chilling carnival-set suspense, perfect for fans of Stranger Things .

Look into her eyes—she can tell you how you'll die . . .

As a child, Faith acquired the ability to see when and how people would die—a “gift” she neither wanted nor could get rid of.

After foreseeing a family tragedy and being ostracized, Faith learns to control her visions, and returns to perform in her family’s traveling carnival. But when an unruly customer attacks her, she has a vision in full view of a crowd.

She is banned from the carnival she loves—and loses her only source of income to support her dying mother. Desperate to support her mother and with only one friend standing by her, she sees no reason to continue hiding her ability and goes to dangerous lengths to earn money. But when she sees herself in a man’s future death, Faith must face her own fears of her powers and tune into her gift to fight against a future that would ruin her life—and end someone else’s.

With The Sight, celebrated author Melanie Golding delivers another suspense-driven masterpiece with unforgettable characters and an ending that will leave you stunned.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I love the traveling carnival setting and am always on the lookout for a good thriller.  I also think the cover is kind of eerie and even though I've not read from this author yet, I have a book or two by her on the good old TBR.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK????

This Is Just So Cute!

 

TITLE: Shady Hollow (Shady Hollow #1)

AUTHOR: Juneau Black

PUBLISHER: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard

PUBLISHING DATE: January 25, 2022

PAGES: 222   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: 

The first book in the Shady Hollow series, in which we are introduced to the village of Shady Hollow, a place where woodland creatures live together in harmony--until a curmudgeonly toad turns up dead and the local reporter has to solve the case. 

Reporter Vera Vixen is a relative newcomer to Shady Hollow. The fox has a nose for news, so when she catches wind that the death might be a murder, she resolves to get to the bottom of the case, no matter where it leads. As she stirs up still waters, the fox exposes more than one mystery, and discovers that additional lives are in jeopardy. 

Vera finds more to this town than she ever suspected. It seems someone in the Hollow will do anything to keep her from solving the murder, and soon it will take all of Vera's cunning and quickness to crack the case. 

MY THOUGHTS: I would definitely consider this book a hidden gem.  I believe it was actually published around 2015 but has recently been talked about some on Booktube and other arenas and I'm so glad I decided to seek it out.  And seek out I had to.  I only found one of my 5 library systems I regularly use have these books on Libby and the wait for each installment has been rather long.

So Shady Hollow is a quaint woodsy town where lots of animals live together in harmony - for the most part. A raven owns the local bookstore, law enforcement consists of two bears, the local coffee shop is owned by a moose and his son, and the paper is run by a skunk named B.W. (Black and White). In this first book, Otto Sumpf, a curmudgeonly toad, is found face death is the local pond.  Vera Vixen, ace reported for the paper, takes it upon herself to investigate the death because she has little faith in the police chief, who would rather fish than work.  During her investigation, she engages lots of the townsfolk and teams up with the Deputy to uncover what really happened to Otto.

I've seen this book described as Zootopia meets Gilmore Girls and that's pretty accurate.  It's a wonderful cozy mystery, only with animals which you all know I am totally down for. I'm not sure the covers do this series justice, but I found some older ones for it, and I can say these are definitely an improvement over the originals. I would highly recommend this book to readers who love mystery, animals and cozy settings.  

RATING: 5 PAWS