The Blog

Ghastly and Good by Debby Caruso

August 31, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

When one of my favorite authors asks me if I would like to read her latest books, before it comes out, I jump at the chance. Debby Caruso, author of Crossing Lex, Merry Hanukkah, and Happy Everything, has written another book, part of the Merry Hanukkah series. If you haven’t read any of her books yet, DO IT! I’ve loved each and every one of her books for different reasons! You really can’t go wrong with any of them! Her newest book, Ghastly and Good, is part of the Merry Hanukkah series that follows our favorite character, Rhonda and her passion for everything holiday!

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

Merry Hanukkah Happy Everything (Merry Hanukkah Book 2)Ghastly and Good (Merry Hanukkah Series Short)

Ghastly and Good by Debby Caruso

This short story brings us back into the fun and entertaining lives of Rhonda and her best friend Dez. Holiday’s are a passion of Rhonda’s. Some may say she goes a bit overboard, she may even say she does, but with good reason. We find out more about that reason in this book, as Debby Caruso delves a little deeper into Rhonda and what makes her tick. Most specifically, what makes her go completely nuts at the holidays. All of the holidays! This time around, we are seeing how Rhonda and the crew get ready for a very special Halloween party. This quick read will grab your attention from the very beginning, and hold it right to the very end!

You can preorder your copy of Ghastly and Good (Merry Hanukkah Series Short). It is set to come out on September 9th.

My Thoughts

First of all, I read this book in about 45 minutes! I literally could not put it down! I really liked the book a lot (obviously since I couldn’t put it down)! Second of all, I think Rhonda is my spirit animal. I love the holidays and always wanted to decorate and go all out. Somehow I tend to keep myself reined in a bit, but reading how crazy Rhonda goes makes me sort of live out my dreams through her! I can’t wait until Rhonda has a baby. I’m sure her baby shower is going to be epic! Ghastly and Good is one of those books that I could totally see made into a TV movie. I mean, look at the cover! It’s perfect!

Giveaway!!!

How does a giveaway sound?! Debby Caruso would like to give ONE lucky reader a copy of Ghastly and Good! The book is only available in ebook for. Don’t have a Kindle or Nook? No worries! Simply download the Kindle app to your phone, iPad, or tablet and you can read the book!

Entering is easy! Simply leave a comment on THIS post telling me what your favorite Halloween costume that you or your kids dressed up as and a short why. For instance, my favorite costume my daughter ever wore was when she dressed up as an old fashion ghost (think sheet with eye holes). It was hysterical! I will randomly choose a winner on September 8, 2020 around 12 pm EST. Please be sure to leave your email so I can contact you. If I don’t have an email, I will move on to the next random winner!

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

July 31, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

Jodi Picoult is one of those authors that, when you read her books, they stick with you. That is definitely true of The Pact, Jodi Picoult’s fifth novel. The book opens up with a bang, literally, and the pace just keeps on rolling from start to finish. Once I started, I literally could not stop. In fact, there were many times I opted to stay in the car while my husband ran into a store, just so I could continue reading! This is a love story, however, teen suicide is a theme in the book. If that is a trigger for you, do not continue reading.

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

Perfect Match The Pact: A Love Story Nineteen Minutes

About The Pact

From Amazon –

From Jodi Picoult, one of the most powerful writers in contemporary fiction, comes a riveting, timely, heartbreaking, and terrifying novel of families in anguish — and friendships ripped apart by inconceivable violence. Until the phone calls came at 3:00 A.M. on a November morning, the Golds and their neighbors, the Hartes, had been inseparable. It was no surprise to anyone when their teenage children, Chris and Emily, began showing signs that their relationship was moving beyond that of lifelong friends. But now seventeen-year-old Emily has been shot to death by her beloved and devoted Chris as part of an apparent suicide pact — leaving two devastated families stranded in the dark and dense predawn, desperate for answers about an unthinkable act and the children they never really knew.

My Thoughts

Having two teenagers myself, the subject of teen suicide is always something that hits me to my core. While we have never (thankfully) experienced something like the characters in this book, it still hits close to home. All I wanted to do, after reading this book, was talk to my kids about seeking help if they or someone they knew was thinking about suicide. Jodi Picoult does an amazing job keeping the story going; bouncing between the past and present, the courtroom and the two families home life. The one thing that struck me as odd, yet also set that fire in me to talk to my own kids, was that Chris Harte didn’t seek out help. It just goes to show, no matter how smart and well-adjusted our kids seem, we don’t know what they are thinking. Ever.

The Thinnest Air by Minka Kent

July 2, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

I have written about this author before. Minka Kent is one of my favorites. I have read so many books by her and each one has me on the edge of my seat, literally. The book, The Thinnest Air, was no different. I think I read that book in two days. In fact, I woke up randomly at 4 am, couldn’t fall back to sleep, so I started reading. I read until 6 am. Yes. I was a little tired today!

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

About The Thinnest Air

From Amazon –

Meredith Price is the luckiest woman alive. Her husband, Andrew, is a charming and successful financial broker. She has two lovely stepchildren and is living in affluence in a mountain resort town. After three years of marriage, Meredith’s life has become predictable. Until the day she disappears.

Her car has been discovered in a grocery store parking lot—purse and phone undisturbed on the passenger seat, keys in the ignition, no sign of struggle, and no evidence of foul play. It’s as if she vanished into thin air.

It’s not like Meredith to simply abandon her loved ones. And no one in this town would have reason to harm her. When her desperate sister, Greer, arrives, she must face a disturbing question: What if no one really knows Meredith at all? For Greer, finding her sister isn’t going to be easy…because where she’s looking is going to get very, very dark.

The Perfect Roommate The Thinnest Air The Stillwater Girls

My Thoughts

If you have seen any of my other book reviews, you will know that I am good at figuring the book out. For some people, that may be annoying, but I love it! I currently read on a Kindle Paperwhite, but when I was reading actual paperback books, I was the type of person that would skip to the last chapter, read it and then read the book. I know. So terrible! With this book, however, it wasn’t until the last few chapters that I started to figure it out. Nevertheless, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this author. I’ve liked every single book she’s written that I’ve read.

Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

Is A Kindle Worth It?

Well…I read on one, so I obviously think it is! If you get one or have one, definitely check out the Kindle Unlimited plan. You can read as many books as you want in a month, for only $9.99 a month! Best part…your first month is FREE! This book, The Thinnest Air, is free with a Kindle Unlimited membership!

Mary Torjussen – Gone Without a Trace

June 25, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

Over the last few days, I read a book that ranks up there as one of my favorites. I can’t tell you how many nights I stayed up well after my husband fell asleep, just so I could read a few more pages. Normally I am able to figure out what is about to happen, and I like that. With this book, that wasn’t the case. I had theories, but boy was I wrong. In fact, one of the quotes about the book says, “…with a twist so sharp it will give readers whiplash,” and boy does it ever. I never saw that ending coming! Mary Torjussen, author of Gone Without a Trace, is one author I hope to read more books by!

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

The Closer You Get Gone Without a Trace The Girl I Used to Be

About Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen

From Amazon –

Hannah Monroe’s boyfriend, Matt, is gone. His belongings have disappeared from their house. Every call she ever made to him, every text she ever sent, every photo of him and any sign of him on social media have vanished. It’s as though their last four years together never happened.

As Hannah struggles to get through the next few days, with humiliation and recriminations whirring through her head, she knows that she’ll do whatever it takes to find him again and get answers. But as soon as her search starts, she realizes she is being led into a maze of madness and obsession. Step by suspenseful step, Hannah discovers her only way out is to come face to face with the shocking truth…

CoBak Kindle Paperwhite Case – All New PU Leather Smart Cover with Auto Sleep Wake Feature for Kindle Paperwhite 10th Generation 2018 Released, Sky Blue Kindle Paperwhite – Now Waterproof with 2x the Storage – Includes Special Offers Amazon 5W USB Official OEM Charger and Power Adapter for Fire Tablets and Kindle eReaders – Black

My Thoughts

I was hooked on this book from the moment I started reading it. The idea of a boyfriend or spouse disappearing without a trace, as if they never even existed, was mind boggling to me. In the beginning, I thought that possibly Hannah was crazy and this boyfriend never really existed. However, I was quickly proven wrong when she spoke with her friends about the situation. I don’t want to give anything away. Like the quote on the top of the cover, the twist in this book is epic. I truly did not see it coming. What happened at the end was not even a blip on my radar. I may have even said “oh my gosh” out loud when I realized the twist. It was that good! Definitely add this book to your reading list.

Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Unlimited

My absolute favorite thing I own is my Kindle Paperwhite. I read on that thing every single day, multiple times a day. I opted to use a Kindle Paperwhite (and also the Kindle app on my iPhone) over reading a book, because it’s so easy to throw in my purse and the charge lasts for weeks! Since I spend so much time sitting in my car waiting on kids, having my Kindle with me to read is great! Along with my Kindle, I also have a Kindle Unlimited membership. For just $9.99 a month, I have access to TONS of books. I can read as many as I want in a month! Click the link above to see the membership plans AND get your first month for free!

Other Books You May Like

I’ve read a lot of books while stuck at home. Shoot, who am I kidding…I read a lot of books, regardless if I have a governor telling me to stay home or not! A few books I’ve read recently, that I totally recommend are:

Women’s Murder Club – 20th Victim

Hunger Games Prequel

Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

What books should I add to my “must read” list? Have you read any books by Mary Torjussen?

Salvation Station by Kathryn Schleich

June 17, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

I really get excited when new (to me) authors reach out to me to read their book. What also excites me is when this new (to me) author agrees to an author interview (go read it)! Kathryn Schleich is the author of the new crime novel, Salvation Station. This page turning novel will have you on the edge of your seat, anxious to get to the end!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The author of this book provided me with an ebook for the purpose of this review*

After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology Salvation Station: A Novel Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and other Images

Salvation Station Synopsis

When committed female police captain Linda Turner, haunted by the murders of two small
children and their pastor father, becomes obsessed with solving the harrowing case, she finds
herself wrapped up in a mission to expose a fraudulent religious organization and an
unrepentant killer.

Despite her years of experience investigating homicides for the force, Captain Linda Turner
is haunted by the murders of the Hansen family. The two small children, clothed in tattered
Disney pajamas, were buried with their father, a pastor, in the flower garden behind a church
parsonage in Lincoln, Nebraska. But Mrs. Hansen is nowhere to be found—and neither is the
killer.

In St. Louis, the televangelist Ray Williams is about to lose his show—until one of his
regular attendees approaches him with an idea that will help him save it. Despite his initial
misgivings, Ray agrees to give it a try. He can’t deny his attraction to this woman, and
besides, she’d assured him the plan is just—God gave her the instructions in a dream.

Multiple story lines entwine throughout this compelling mystery, delving into the topics of
murder, religious faith, and the inherent dangers in blindly accepting faith as truth. While
Reverend Williams is swept up in his newfound success and plans for his wedding, Captain
Turner can only hope that she and her team will catch the Hansens’ cunning killer—before
more bodies surface.

About the Author

Kathryn Schleich has been a writer for thirty years. Her most recent publications include the short story “Reckless Acts,” featured in After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology, and her story “Grand Slam,” published in The Acentos Review in May 2017. She is the author of two editions of the book Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images, which evolved from her master’s thesis. Her guest posts have been featured on the Women On Writing blog, The Muffin, and she writes for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s volunteer newsletter. When she’s not writing, Schleich is likely volunteering in the education and arts communities in the Twin Cities, where she lives. Friends, family, good food, wine, and traveling are important aspects of her life. Salvation Station is her first novel. It is available for sale on on Amazon.

Connect with Kathryn Schleich on Social Media

If you are like me, you probably liked to connect with authors you like on social media. You can find Kathryn Schleich on the following social media platforms:

You can also visit her website for more information about her and the books she has for sale right now!

My Thoughts

Typically, I like stories that have multiple storylines. This novel was no different. There were many storylines intertwined throughout the book and getting invested in each one quickly, was very easy! Go ahead, read it for yourself. Find out what I mean!

The Blog

Ghastly and Good by Debby Caruso

Ghastly and Good by Debby Caruso

My Thoughts

Giveaway!!!

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

About The Pact

My Thoughts

Other Books You Must Read

The Thinnest Air by Minka Kent

About The Thinnest Air

My Thoughts

Is A Kindle Worth It?

Other Minka Kent Books to Read

Mary Torjussen – Gone Without a Trace

About Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen

My Thoughts

Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Unlimited

Other Books You May Like

Salvation Station by Kathryn Schleich

Salvation Station Synopsis

About the Author

Connect with Kathryn Schleich on Social Media

My Thoughts