Opinion: Please Don’t Spoil It For Me

Posted January 7, 2020 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

I love a good romance – contemporary, historical, paranormal, mystery, suspense – it doesn’t matter the genre, I simply love a good love story.

I absolutely hate spoilers. I’m not afraid to admit to that one, at all.

I try very hard in my reviews of books I’ve read and enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy at all) to keep my observations, plot-wise, about what can be found in the Cover Description. The author or publishing house decided to give those spoilers away all on their own. The rest of the review contains my reactions to the story, my feelings for the characters, how well the author pulled me into their world, or how their writing flowed, hopefully, holding me in place until the end.

Once my review is published, I’ll look over other readers’/reviewers’ thoughts about the same book out of curiosity. What I often see makes me cringe. And I know if I had read some of those reviews first that I never would have picked up the book to begin with – and sometimes I’m told the entire story, including the ending, so actually, why bother buying the book now?

This little post, my small blog, isn’t going to have a huge impact on spoilers in reviews. I know that. Every reader, every reviewer is entitled to their own thoughts, their own style, their own opinion.

But for the love of books that have the words “The End” in them, please don’t tell me how it all ends. Allow me something to discover on my own, some part of this adventure that is a surprise to me, something… please. To be quite frank, this is the reason that as a reader I never, ever read reviews before I’ve finished the book. That probably sounds very strange to some people – but the ending has been spoiled for me far too many times to take that risk.

My opinion. My thoughts. My plea – Please Don’t Spoil The Book For Me By Telling Me The Ending. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, really, I don’t.

The Game Changer by Jennifer Brown

Posted January 5, 2020 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery / 0 Comments

Hollis and Daisy love podcasting about murder cases…
But can they solve one?

Hollis Bisbee used to be a big-city crime reporter. Now, she’s a small-town journalist, and she’s bored. She and a young mom, talented baker Daisy Mueller, start the Knock ‘Em Dead podcast— ”Where murder and muffins meet!” It’s all fun, games, and baking tips until murder comes to Parkwood.

After a brutal homecoming game loss, the coach of the rival football team is the victim of a hit-and-run in the high school parking lot. The entire town is on edge, and the star quarterback—who happens to be the police chief’s son—may just look the guiltiest of all.

With Hollis’s investigative skills and Daisy’s famous muffins…and in spite of the charming rookie police officer tasked with keeping Hollis out of the way…the podcasting duo sets out to solve their first real case.

A Parkwood Mystery

Twenty Years with The Bridgertons and Julia Quinn

Posted January 5, 2020 by Marsha in Discussion Post, Regency Romance / 0 Comments

Twenty years. Two decades. It’s kind of shocking to realize that it’s been that long since I first met these amazing characters and got caught up in their world. Or perhaps I should add “worlds” for this original series has branched out a bit since the original series was first published.

And, to make this reader of the Bridgertons very happy is the sweet fact that all of my favorite Bridgertons and their eventual spouses are heading to Netflix – one very happy reader to be able to see what my imagination created years ago.

Over the years, Julia Quinn has become a “go-to” author for Regency/Historical Romance for me. I’ve enjoyed the lively characters, the vivid worlds, and the intrigue that she brings to every story. I don’t see that ending any time soon. If she writes it, I will read it – it’s that simple. I began this journey long before this blog existed – but perhaps it’s time to revisit this world as a celebration of my own of a group of characters that I love and return to often.

If you haven’t entered the world of The Bridgertons yet then I would highly recommend this particular series and add those that came later and connect in some way to the original series. If you love Regency/Historical Romance I don’t see how you could be the least bit disappointed with what you’ll find within the pages.

Thank you, Julia Quinn, for the stories, the people who live within the pages, and the adventures they’ve taken me on – here’s hoping there are many more to come.

The Bridgertons series includes — The Duke and I – The Viscount Who Loved Me – An Offer From A Gentleman – Romancing Mr. Bridgerton – To Sir Phillip, With Love – When He Was Wicked – It’s In His Kiss – On the Way To The Wedding — and all the #.5 titles are in The Bridgertons: Happy Ever After — Anthologies: Lady Whistledown Strikes Back – Further Observations of Lady Whistledown

If you want more (in a way) of the Bridgertons and their neighbors, the Rokesbys then you’ll want to check out — The Rokesbys: A Bridgerton Prequel series — Because of Miss Bridgerton – The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband – The Other Miss Bridgerton – First Comes Scandal

Thank Goodness This Week Is A Wrap! #4

Posted January 5, 2020 by Marsha in Discussion Post, Thank Goodness This Week Is A Wrap / 0 Comments

Wow! 2020. Let’s hope it’s a year of clearer vision for us all. I know that it’s been a crazy, busy week it’s been around my house – I’d bet probably yours, too.

This post has been shared on The Sunday Post, a weekly recap from so many amazing blogs hosted by Kimberly over at Caffeinated Reviewer.

Well, we survived the Holiday Season once again. The tree is down and carted away to become mulch for the boro, the last of the leftovers have been either devoured or *sniff* tossed, and now comes the fun of finding places for all those goodies that were under the tree waiting to be the center of attention once again as putting the gifts away becomes a priority. We, as a family, had fun – but now it’s time to go back to the everyday world.

The Wish Maker by Melissa McClone

Posted January 1, 2020 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

At Christmas, sometimes even impossible wishes come true…

One word changed Wes Lockhart’s life forever. Cancer. Fighting for his life completely flipped his priorities, making him realize he wanted—no, needed—to use his billions to help others find the kind of second chance he’d been given. The first person he intended to help? The beautiful, kind, and dedicated oncologist who got him through his treatments and ushered him into remission. And what better time than the holidays to become her not-so-secret Santa?

Dr. Paige Regis has spent her entire career helping others, often at the expense of her personal life. She’d love to start a family of her own—but with her current patients and her plans to open a brand-new cancer center, it seems like an impossible dream. It’s not until she reconnects with the charming Wes that she realizes he might be the man to make all her Christmas wishes come true.

Can Wes and Paige open their hearts to the magic of the season—and each other—to get a shot at their very own Christmas miracle? Or will past hurts and doubts end their happily ever after before it even begins?

Titles in The Billionaires of Silicon Forest include – The Wife Finder – The Wish Maker – The Deal Breaker –

Nursing the Newcomer by Kit Morgan

Posted January 1, 2020 by Marsha in Multi-Author Series, Western Historical Romance / 0 Comments

A woman with the face of an angel.
A man with the grace of … well, he could use some.

Maxwell Donovan has the chance to prove himself as a Pinkerton detective. Unfortunately, he’s not very good at being one. In fact, its not that he’s short on brains, just balance, which lands him in more trouble than he’d care to admit. Then along came an angel …

Angel Thorne came to Creede to escape the matrimonial wiles of her aunt. But being a nurse in a place like Creede has its own trouble. Like everywhere else, no one can see past her pretty face, which makes Angel figure on a lifetime of spinsterhood. After all, she wants a man that will love her for her mind as well. Will she ever find such a man?

Nursing the Newcomer is the 47th title in the multi-author series, Cowboys and Angels For a complete list of titles and authors in this series please visit the Cowboys and Angels page.

(Now that the Cowboys and Angels series has ended with the 49th title – I need to binge read to catch up – be sure to look for the spin-off The Matchmaker’s Ball series)

2020 A Fresh Page Turned

Posted January 1, 2020 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 3 Comments

2019 had been… a year. In so many ways – good, bad, and ugly. At this moment I “could” dwell on those last two (bad & ugly)… but No, not going to do that because today is a blank page, an exciting brand-new decade beginning, a new year begun anew so why drag last year’s garbage into this pristine, clean place, right?

Two weeks ago I “had” a grand new plan for Keeper Bookshelf — and then some of that bad & ugly hit and that tossed me for a loop even though I wasn’t directly involved. I started questioning just about everything I do here on the blog(s), places that are in many ways a safe haven for me, places where I can allow my love of really good stories to take flight. I “could” let events that had nothing to do with me directly try to steal my joy in this place of mine – it would be so very easy to do that… and for about a week I did allow that. But no more. My blog might be small with a not very large audience (now) but that does not mean the uglies get to take it from me. No, not gonna happen.

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

Posted December 31, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Meg Mackworth’s hand-lettering skill has made her famous as the Planner of Park Slope, designing beautiful custom journals for New York City’s elite. She has another skill too: reading signs that other people miss. Like the time she sat across from Reid Sutherland and his gorgeous fiancée and knew their upcoming marriage was doomed to fail. Weaving a secret word into their wedding program was a little unprofessional, but she was sure no one else would spot it. She hadn’t counted on sharp-eyed, pattern-obsessed Reid . . .

A year later, Reid has tracked Meg down to find out—before he leaves New York for good—how she knew that his meticulously planned future was about to implode. But with a looming deadline, a fractured friendship, and a bad case of creative block, Meg doesn’t have time for Reid’s questions—unless he can help her find her missing inspiration. As they gradually open up to each other about their lives, work, and regrets, both try to ignore the fact that their unlikely connection is growing deeper. But the signs are there—irresistible, indisputable, urging Meg to heed the messages Reid is sending her before it’s too late . . .

The Intended Victim by Alexandra Ivy

Posted December 31, 2019 by Marsha in Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

ONCE, SHE GOT AWAY
The body lying on a cold steel slab bears all the hallmarks of the Chicago Butcher. There’s a cruel slash across her throat, deep enough to sever the carotid artery, and a small crescent carved into her right breast. Her delicate features are painfully familiar to Ash Marcel, once a rising star in the Chicago PD. But though the victim resembles his former fiancée, Remi Walsh, he knows it’s not her.

BUT THIS TIME
Though Remi escaped a serial killer five years ago, her father died trying to save her. Grief and guilt caused her to pull away from the man she loved. Now Ash is back in her life, insisting that Remi is still in danger.

IT’S A DEAD END . . .
Someone is targeting women who look just like Remi. With or without a badge, Ash intends to unmask the Butcher. But the killer isn’t playing games any longer. He’s moving in, ready to finish what he started, and prove there’s nothing more terrifying than a killer’s obsession . . .

Titles in The Agency series include – Pretend You’re Safe – What Are You Afraid Of? – You Will Suffer – The Intended Victim –

Risk It All by Katie Ruggle

Posted December 29, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Five bounty-hunting sisters
Deep in the heart of the Rockies
Fighting to save each other
…and the men who steal their hearts

Cara Pax never wanted to be a bounty hunter. She’s happy to leave chasing criminals and tackling skips to her sisters. But if she wants her dreams of escaping the family business to come true, she’s got one last job to finish… Only problem is, she doesn’t think her bounty is guilty.

Henry Kavenski is a man with innocence to prove. When he realizes that Cara believes him, he’ll do anything to keep her out of harm’s way. Escaping criminals and dodging cops might not be the best time to fall in love, but Henry and Cara won’t give up, not when there’s a chance at a new life ahead–if they can survive the fall.

Titles in the Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters series include — Any Means Necessary (Prequel in anthology Turn The Tide-which I have read but not reviewed on KB) – In Her Sights – Risk It All –

A Reader’s View of the RWA Implosion

Posted December 29, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

Before any other words are typed: I am a reader above everything else, a reader of many genres but mostly Romance in one form or another. I’m not “Just” a reader for my thoughts have as much validity as anyone else’s. And, yes, I am a book review blogger – a small blog where I get enjoyment from sharing my thoughts about the various books that I read. But, today, I’m writing this post as a reader for, at the heart, that is what I honestly am.

December 23rd/24th is a time that will live on in my memory for it was the beginning of such eye-opening experiences that I’m still grappling to put them into some order. At that time author, Courtney Milan was handed down a harsh sentence by the RWA (Romance Writers of America) because simply put. she dared to call out the racist mess that was another author’s book written in the 1990s and reissued recently. Ms. Milan has been a champion of/for marginalized authors as she is bold, brave, and tireless in calling out people on their BS. You can (if you somehow have missed this implosion) look over the events from the beginning by logging onto Twitter and going to @CourtneyMilan. An excellent post about The Implosion of the RWA can be found at this text link, the timeline says it all really. Or do a simple Google search, it will not be difficult to find.