historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
Let me start by saying that I love Lisa Gardner's novels. Before She Disappeared, the first of Gardner's "Frankie Elkin" series, was no exception. I really bonded with Frankie; I can't say why because I am not a wanderer, nor an alcoholic, nor am I haunted by the ghosts of my past. But Frankie is … Continue reading Book Review: “One Step Too Far” by Lisa Gardner
Boy, I sure have read some awesome books this summer. The kind of books that make me wish I was "that good" at writing. I've added a couple of authors to my "read every one of their books" list. Some have been short, quick reads, others very long but they kept my interest. In all, … Continue reading June-August Book Recap
I first met Erin Litteken as a member of a small critique group of women's fiction writers. I was working on what I now call my "practice novel," Hope, and Erin was working on the as yet untitled story of a young woman who survived the Holodomor, Stalin's veiled attempt to eradicate the Ukranian people … Continue reading “The Memory Keeper of Kyiv” by Erin Litteken
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
Susannah Willey Writes 