MONDAY MEMES: MAILBOX & WHAT ARE YOU READING? — AUGUST 15

LET'S CURL UP AND READ!

Welcome to another edition of our Monday Memes.

Mailbox Monday is hosted this month by Life in the Thumb; and What Are You Reading? is hosted by Book Journey.

MAILBOX MONDAY:

This week, I received books I purchased.  Two print books and one for Sparky, my Kindle.

1.  Watch Me Die, by Erica Spindler

In Spindler’s thrilling new psychological drama, one woman’s journey to recovery becomes her worst nightmare…

Before Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, stained-glass restoration artist Mira Gallier had it all: a thriving business doing work she loved and an idyllic marriage to the perfect man. But the devastating storm stole her beloved husband – his body swept away by floodwaters, never to be found.

Now, after years of pain and turmoil, it looks as if Mira is finally on the verge of peace and emotional stability. But her life, like the magnificent windows blown to bits by Hurricane Katrina, is about to be shattered once again. And this time, it’s not a killer storm she faces, but a psychopath who will stop at nothing until he possesses her, body and soul…

First, church windows that she restored are vandalized, and the priest who looked over them brutally murdered. Spray-painted across the glass are the words: He Will Come to Judge the Living and the Dead. Then, New Orleans is rocked by a terrifying chain of murders that all seem to be linked to Mira. The police, led by homicide detective Spencer Malone, are following a string of clues left by the killer on each victim – and beginning to wonder if the murderer isn’t Mira Gallier herself.

As Mira begins to unravel under pressure from all sides – and fear for her life – it’s unclear whom she can trust. And when a man from her past appears out of nowhere, sparking something long forgotten in her heart, he quickly becomes the police’s new prime suspect. One by one, the people in Mira’s life are targeted, until it’s clear that the killer has been saving her for last . . . and that there’s nowhere left to run.

2.  Darkness, My Old Friend, by Lisa Unger

“Darkness, My Old Friend is deeply plotted and complex and carries an undeniable momentum. Lisa Unger’s enthralling cast of characters pulled me right in and locked me down tight. This is one book that will have you racing to the last page, only to have you wishing the ride wasn’t over.”—Michael Connelly

“Lisa Unger is one of my favorite authors.  She gets better and better with each book.”—Karin Slaughter, New York Times Bestselling author of Fallen

“A satisfying story with an eclectic and interesting cast of characters and believable dialogue. Unger shows her usual deftness at intricate plotting and explores the mother-child relationship from multiple angles…Sure to be another hit with Unger fans.”—Kirkus Reviews

3.  The Bodyguard and the Show Dog (e-book), by Christy Tillery French

“A wonderful cast of colorful characters, Striker is a perfectly yummy hero…rollicking good fun.” — Myshelf.com

French excels at creating very human characters, intense action, provocative story lines, and sizzling romance. — Laurel Johnson, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review, June, 2006

I laughed till I cried and still chuckle when I muse back over this riotously entertaining book. — Donna Zapf, Single Titles.com, May, 2006

Ms. French creates a wonderful cast of characters … Frankly, The Bodyguard and the Show Dog is rollicking good fun. — Myshelf.Com, Tara Manderino, Reviewer, June, 2006

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IT’S MONDAY!  WHAT ARE YOU READING?

This has been a pretty productive week for me.  Not so much in my reading, but for my writing.

Here’s my ROW 80 Update

And here are some of my writing thoughts at Snow Chronicles

My book totals were pretty unimpressive, but the books themselves were enjoyable.

Here’s what happened:

Books Read and Reviewed-Click Titles for Reviews:

1.  Distant Shores, by Kristin Hannah

2.  Names My Sisters Call Me, by Megan Crane

Still Reading:

Burnt Mountain, by Anne Rivers Siddons (Just Finished – REVIEW)

What’s Up Next?

1.  I’m Just Sayin’, by Kim Zimmer

2.  Northwest Corner, by John Burnham Schwartz

3.  Little Black Dress, by Susan McBride

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Now I do plan to keep working on my writing challenge, since I’ve received input from Beta readers and I’m excited about finally finishing up two WIPs….but I also hope to read most of the books on my list.

We’ll see how I do!  What about the rest of you?  Just stop on by and share….