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Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman

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Reading is a huge passion of mine. If I didn’t have something to do the next morning, I could totally stay up all night long to finish a book. In fact, I have done that before. One of the things I enjoy is to all the books a particular author has. When I saw that a Brian Freeman book was  one of the options on the Amazon First Reads list for the month of January, I jumped all over it. I really enjoy other books by Brian Freeman. Thief River Falls most definitely did not disappoint. This book was one that I stayed up until 3 am reading. I could not even fathom going to sleep until I read the end.

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thief river falls

*Image used with permission

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About Thief River Falls

Description from Amazon:

Lisa Power is a tortured ghost of her former self. The author of a bestselling thriller called Thief River Falls, named after her rural Minnesota hometown, Lisa is secluded in her remote house as she struggles with the loss of her entire family: a series of tragedies she calls the “Dark Star.”

Then a nameless runaway boy shows up at her door with a terrifying story: he’s just escaped death after witnessing a brutal murder—a crime the police want to cover up. Obsessed with the boy’s safety, Lisa resolves to expose this crime, but powerful men in Thief River Falls are desperate to get the boy back, and now they want her too.

Lisa and her young visitor have nowhere to go as the trap closes around them. Still under the strange, unforgiving threat of the Dark Star, Lisa must find a way to save them both, or they’ll become the victims of another shocking tragedy she can’t foresee.

Doesn’t that sound intriguing? From that description, I was hooked. I wanted to know more.

 

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My Thoughts

I literally could not put the book down. In fact, we went to see Star Wars…actually my husband and kids went to see Star Wars, I went to eat popcorn (not a Star Wars fan…don’t hate me). I took a blanket with me and put it over my head and read Thief River Falls on my phone. People probably thought I was crazy, but I didn’t care! I was that into the book. In fact, I ended up staying up until close to 3 am that night just so I could finish the book. The best part was when I audibly gasped towards the end. I thought I had figured the book out, but not fully. The ending was excellent!

Why Kindle Paperwhite?

Um…why not?!? The best gift I ever got was my Kindle Paperwhite. My husband got it for me a few years ago and I have been reading on it ever since. I spend a lot of time sitting at kids sports, so the Kindle Paperwhite is something I can slip into my purse and since it is backlit, I can read in my car in the dark while I wait for them to end practice. Adding the Kindle app to my iPhone allows me to continue reading on my book when I’ve forgotten my Kindle at home.

Other Books You Must Read

If Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman sounds interesting to you, other books you may want to add to your list are:

The Voice Inside (Frost Easton Series) by Brian Freeman

Alex Cross Series by James Patterson

Serial Killer Book Series by Brenda Novak

Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry

I am always looking for books to add to my “must read” list. Please let me know if there is a book you read that you think I would enjoy!

Merry Hanukkah Series: Happy Everything

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Reading is one of my passions. I would read all day, every day, if I could. There are a few things I look for when I am looking for a book to read. First, I look for books by authors I have read before; second, I look for series books; and third, I look for books with serial killers. Happy Everything, part of the Merry Hanukkah series by Debby Caruso has two of those three things! I’ll let you guess which one it doesn’t have! When I was asked if I would like to receive a copy of this book for the purpose of this review, I jumped at the chance.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

merry hanukkah series

About the Merry Hanukkah Series

So like I mentioned above, I love series books. I get super invested in the characters, almost like they are my friends, and I want to read more and more books with those same characters. The first book in the Merry Hanukkah series (Merry Hanukkah) introduces us to Rhonda and James and the joys of blending their two lives and families together. When I finished that book, I truly hoped that Debby Caruso had another book started with Rhonda and James. She did not disappoint!

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Happy Everything by Debby Caruso

From Amazon

Happy Everything is the ongoing story of Rhonda and James,following them from Merry Hanukkah directly into the much anticipated second installment in the Merry Hanukkah series. Everyone’s favorite newlyweds have settled into married life, but now it’s Dez and Jack’s turn to make it official. In typical Rhonda fashion, she’s determined to give her best friend Dez the best bridal shower ever, all while juggling yet another work crisis and still trying desperately to fit in to her new family situation. Unfortunately, Aunt Bunny is diagnosed with cancer, and the entire family starts coming apart at the seams. Rhonda and James step in to help support Uncle Ben any way they can, but it’s never enough for Rhonda’s incorrigible mother-in-law, Vivian. Will Vivian’s constant meddling finally cause Rhonda and James irreparable damage? Is there any way that Rhonda can pull the family together by hosting both Passover and Easter on the same weekend? Why is Rhonda’s Dad suddenly dating someone much younger than him? And how can Rhonda come up with a new and exciting way to sell protein bars? Follow Rhonda into this new chapter of her life, where success hinges on the latest and greatest ad campaign, and her personal triumphs are determined by how much she can do for others. Journey with her as she begins to slowly realize that she can’t be all things to all people; even the ones you love the most.

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My Thoughts

Debby Caruso is a writing genius! The best part of the Merry Hanukkah series are the characters. Each character in this book makes you feel like they are your friend or someone you want to make your friend! I literally can see someone in my real life, in each of the characters. Especially Rhonda’s mother in-law, Vivian. I think everyone has a Vivian in their life! This was one of those books, just like Merry Hanukkah, that I could not put down. I can’t tell you how many nights I stayed up longer than I should, just so I could get my Rhonda fix!

I’m really hoping there is a third book coming in this series. I would really love to know more about some of the other characters. For instance, why is Vivian the way she is? What is her backstory? Everyone has a backstory. I’d also love to see Rhonda and James have a baby. Although, I suspect they are waiting to further their careers a bit more before that happens…but I’d still love to see it happen.

 

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The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson

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When I find an author I like, I read everything that author writes. I can’t help myself. The first two authors I remember obsessing about like this are James Patterson and Dean Koontz. I was constantly checking their books out of the library. Now, my obsession is with Christopher Greyson. All of his books grab me from the very beginning and keep me interested the entire way through the book. When I read he had a book out called, The Girl Who Lived, I immediately added it to my Kindle. I didn’t even read the description. The title said all I needed to hear.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

the girl who lived

*image used with permission

About The Girl Who Lived

Imagine you witness your sisters murder. Not only that, but three other murders occurred that same day, but the same person. You were meant to be the fifth murder, but you got away. Fast forward a few years, the anniversary of the murders is approaching and after being released from the psychiatric hospital you were put in, you spiral out of control, getting drunk as much as possible. And then it hits you…the police don’t believe what you are telling them; your therapist thinks you are a suicidal mess; so you do the one and only thing. You hunt for the killer on your own.

The Girl Who Lived: A Thrilling Suspense NovelThe Girl Who Lived: A Thrilling Suspense NovelThe Girl Who Lived: A Thrilling Suspense Novel

Anyone that knows me and my reading likes/dislikes, knows that I always MUST read the back of the book. I even go as far as to read a few reviews on Amazon before adding it to my Kindle Paperwhitethe girl who lived. Which, speaking of the Kindle Paperwhite, it’s the best best e-reader! If you love your Kindle as much as I do, definitely give Kindle Unlimited a try. Not only is The Girl Who Lived book FREE with Kindle Unlimited, but so are other Christopher Greyson books! Give Kindle Unlimited a try, free for 30 days!

Other Christopher Greyson Books You MUST Read

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice, I love series books. I get so invested with the characters and the style of writing. When I first got introduced to Christopher Greyson, it was with his Jack Stratton series. They are quick reads and the characters are very likable.


As always, please leave me a comment letting me know if you read these books and what you think of them! I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also, if there is a book you think I must leave, drop the title in the comment! Feel free to follow me on GoodReads to see what I’m reading.

Best E-Reader: Kindle Oasis vs. Kindle Paperwhite

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My birthday was last week and my husband and kids got me a new e-reader. They know how much I love to read. The e-reader I had before my birthday literally went everywhere with me. So getting me something to do with reading is really the perfect gift to give. So my husband and kids got me the Kindle Oasis. A definite step up from the e-reader I was previously using. Or was it? Continue reading to find out the best e-reader from Amazon.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

best e-reader

A New E-Reader

My previous e-reader, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhitebest e-reader, was about four years old and something I used daily. It went everywhere with me. Since I spend most of my time (it seems) in car lines or at sports practices, having something to do, that I enjoyed, was important. My old Paperwhite was still in very good condition. The battery would stay charged for about three weeks (instead of five or six weeks), but it did lag a bit when I was trying to turn pages. I mentioned it to my husband in passing and he got it stuck in his head that he wanted to get me a new e-reader for my birthday.

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Amazon Kindle Oasis

I’ve always looked at the Kindle Oasisbest e-reader. Mainly because it had buttons that you press to turn the pages. However, I never could justify spending all that money extra just for buttons to turn the pages. My husband, on the other hand, is a firm believer that gifts are just that…gifts and you don’t need to justify a gift. As you can guess, he and the kids got me the Kindle Oasis. The buttons aren’t the only great thing about the Oasis. A few other notable features are:

  • It’s waterproof
  • Has bluetooth to use with Audible
  • Auto-Brightness feature

But…do those features make it the best e-reader?

My Thoughts on the Kindle Oasis

I’m not going to lie, I was pretty geeked to open up and charge the new Kindle Oasis. However, my excitement pretty much ended right there. From the moment I started using the Kindle Oasis, it was a nightmare. The battery was draining like crazy. We’re talking, down below 40% after only two days. This is a device that Amazon says will stay charged for weeks and weeks. I read online that you need to have it in airplane mode to preserve the battery. So I charged it back up, turned on airplane mode, and it STILL was draining very quickly. We went to the Amazon Pop-Up that my husband bought the Oasis at and exchanged it for another one. Guess what? Not only did that battery drain too, but the auto-brightness was screwy too. UGH. Back to the Amazon Pop-Up we went.

What Now?

So, like I said, we went back to the Amazon Pop-Up. I opted to get the new Kindle Paperwhite (10th generation). I figured I had good luck with the Kindle Paperwhite in the past, why change just for buttons? Not to mention, with my previous Paperwhite, I never turned on airplane mode. Why would I? If I keep airplane mode on and I forget the Kindle at home, then I will not be able to take advantage of the Whispersync capabilities of the Kindle and use the app on my phone to continue reading the book. That just seems stupid that Amazon would have the Whispersync capabilities, but then be like, “oh yea so you need to choose between keeping it charged for weeks or having it sync to the app”. That makes zero sense to me. I’m happy to report that the battery is still fully charged after multiple days and several hours of reading. Ding, ding, ding! I think we have the best e-reader from Amazon winner!

If you are getting a Kindle Paperwhite (the best e-reader) or some other tablet that you can use the Kindle app on, I HIGHLY recommend the Kindle Unlimited subscription. Simply click on the box above and get your first month absolutely free! I’ve had the Kindle Unlimited membership for the last four years and I love it! The Morgan Dane Series by Melinda Leigh and A Shade of a Vampire Series by Bella Forrest are two of my favorite series that I’ve read, thanks to Kindle Unlimited.

What is your favorite book that you think I should read?

Morgan Dane Series by Melinda Leigh

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If someone were to ask me what my biggest passion in life is, I would have to respond with reading. I’ve had this passion for reading since I was a kid. My favorite books are those that are in a series. I get so invested in the characters, that sometimes, when the book is over, I’m sad. Add in a little suspense and maybe a serial killer or two and I’m in heaven! Not even kidding. The Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh has the suspense I like and has become one of my favorite book series!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

morgan dane series

About the Morgan Dane Series

After losing her husband while he was in Iraq, Morgan Dane moves her three daughters back to Scarlet Falls to be with family and seek the comfort they so desperately need. As a former prosecutor and coming from a long line of police officers in her family, making the decision to play for the other side, was a difficult one for Morgan Dane.

Say You're Sorry (Morgan Dane Book 1)Say You’re Sorry (Morgan Dane Book 1)Say You're Sorry (Morgan Dane Book 1)Her Last Goodbye (Morgan Dane Book 2)Her Last Goodbye (Morgan Dane Book 2)Her Last Goodbye (Morgan Dane Book 2)Bones Don't Lie (Morgan Dane Book 3)Bones Don’t Lie (Morgan Dane Book 3)Bones Don't Lie (Morgan Dane Book 3)What I've Done (Morgan Dane Book 4)What I’ve Done (Morgan Dane Book 4)What I've Done (Morgan Dane Book 4)

Each book within the Morgan Dane series is about a new case that Morgan Dane and her team of investigators take on.

Books in the Series

Right now, there are four books available in the series. Those books are:

But don’t worry, the series doesn’t end there! Book five, Secrets Never Diemorgan dane series, is due out in March of this year and book six, Save Your Breathmorgan dane series, is due out in September of this year! I’ve already marked my calendar so I can be sure to download the books as soon as they come out!

morgan dane series

Kindle Unlimited

I absolutely LOVE the library. The smell of the books is intoxicating. It really is. However, I don’t have the room in my house to store all the books I read. Nor do I ever really re-read books. Being that I am always on the run with the kids and sitting in my car waiting for them, I read on a Kindle Paperwhitemorgan dane series. It’s compact and fits in my purse. Perfect to take in the car with me wherever I go.

Since I am constantly reading, having a subscription to Kindle Unlimited is a no brainer. For a low monthly fee, you have have access to sooooooo many books! You are allowed to borrow up to 10 books at a time and you can take as long as you want to read them! Give it a try right now and get your first month for free! I’ve had a membership for several years now! ALL of the books in the Morgan Dane series are FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership!