historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
There are two things you have to know about the protagonist of Stephen King’s latest novel: 1. Billy Summers is an assassin for hire. 2. Billy Summers only kills bad people. It started with the man who beat to death Billy’s little sister. Billy was eleven years old; they ruled it self-defense. At seventeen he … Continue reading Book Review: “Billy Summers,” by Stephen King
With spring approaching, my reading has slowed a bit. In March and April, I've latched on to a couple of series and discovered a new "favorite" author: G. Lawrence. Ms. Lawrence writes historical fiction, specifically focusing on royal families in the British Isles. What I enjoy most about her books is that, unlike much history … Continue reading March-April Book Recap
It's been a crazy, mixed-up week which means I've had little time to craft a proper post. The following is a list of the books I read in the month of February, with my rating and, unfortunately no description. I have, however, linked each title to its Goodreads page so if you are interested you … Continue reading February Book Recap
I'm always reading. Usually two books at a time: one for reading during the day, another for bedtime reading. So I decided that this year (you could call it my New Year's Resolution), I'm going to keep track of what I read. (the first two were started in December, but finished in 2022 so, hey, … Continue reading New Years Resolution?
"Death is my beat." ~ Jack McEvoy, in "The Poet," by Michael Connelly
At the end of Brenda Marie Smith’s novel, If Darkness Takes Us, things were looking up for Bea Crenshaw—but only in the sense that life had nowhere to go but up. Well, that’s not completely accurate. Good things happened, but I can’t tell you what they are without spoiling the story. But Bea’s Austin, Texas … Continue reading Book Review: “If the Light Escapes” by Brenda Marie Smith
Twelve-year-old Meredith Whitson and her sister, Nina don't know what they did to make their mother, Anya, hate them. Well, maybe hate is too strong a word, but Meredith and Nina believe she definitely doesn't love them. In fact, other than knowing their mother is Russian, everything about her is a mystery--the girls don't even … Continue reading Book Review: “Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah
Frankie Elkin is an alcoholic, and she's on a mission: She finds missing girls that everyone else has stopped looking for. Don't ask her why--it's a motive that isn't clear to even her. But she is driven. She started her quest long ago, leaving her home in California and her friend, Paul, the man who … Continue reading Book Review: “Before She Disappeared” by Lisa Gardner
J.D. Robb novels are my not-so-guilty pleasure. Murder mysteries set in the 2050's decade with all sorts of futuristic technology, they are quick reads and just the kind of thing I want when I don't have to pay strict attention to the details. After reading fifty-one of her books (all but the newest), I know … Continue reading Book Review: “Shadows in Death,” by J.D. Robb
Love. Friendship. Weird Birds. Thirty-one-year-old Xiomara (Xo) wants a reset on life. She ditches her job and heads to the small town of Lingen where she accepts a part-time position doing what she loves: drawing and painting local birds for an upcoming field guide. As much as she would like a boyfriend, she feels awkward, … Continue reading Book Review: “The Third Thing”, by Sirkka Smith
Susannah Willey Writes 