I wasn’t sure if I would connect with this book and sadly, I didn’t. I think it was probably a good enough story, just not for me by the looks of it. I did, at least, read the last three chapters to see how it turned out. It seemed like all the high points were covered at the end and that was good enough for me.

This is the book I had in mind with the less tell and more show comment. I felt like I was being educated and it wasn’t what I was looking for.

Shadowed by a Spy (Suspicious Shores Book 2)

When Lexie Smithfield boards the early morning Long Island train to Manhattan in 1942, she feels safe having left the threat of danger behind her at Jekyll Island. Little does she know, the four men who boarded the train with her are Nazi spies sent to wreak havoc in the United States.

Did the so-called Smithfield family curse follow her to New York?

What will happen to Lexie when she innocently befriends one of the spies and gets involved in the spy ring? And with her fiance Russell overseas, who will protect her?

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This next one is the book I thought I had in mind with the too much tell and not enough show comment but at this point I don’t think so anymore. Looking back over the chapters I can tell I didn’t read the whole book although I did read the last few chapters. I do remember that much. But I gave it four stars so I must have read enough to have an opinion.

I’m surprised and sad, given the glowing endorsements, that I didn’t love the book. Maybe another time.

The Dark Guest: A Standalone Romantic Suspense novel (The Cold War Legacy Book 1) 

When Violet Lundy isn’t cleaning rooms at Happy Hills Assisted Living Facility, she loves spending her free time with resident Rainer Kopecek. Hearing his stories of the dangerous life he led behind the Iron Curtain in East Berlin makes her own life seem more tolerable. But when Rainer is found dead and his room in disarray, Violet suspects foul play.

Dr. Henry Silverton lives among his books, teaching and writing about the Cold War. A letter about an East German traitor known only as “The Wolf” propels Henry out of academia and into Violet’s life. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to uncover the truth about Rainer’s death and the traitor’s identity.

Can Violet and Henry uncover the secrets of the past before one of them ends up as The Wolf’s next victim?

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This is another one I couldn’t get into and didn’t rate. I did read the last couple of chapters with this one too, to see how it ended. I’ve read and enjoyed other books by this author so I’m not adding him to the dislike list. It is not a bad book, it just wasn’t for me at this moment. Maybe it was the archaeology element that I found boring.

Promised Land (A Chosen People Novel Book 2) 

Despite their Israeli citizenship, Hana and Daud cannot safely return to their homeland because a dangerous terrorist ring is threatening Daud. Hana is perfectly fine remaining in the United States, working for a law firm in Atlanta, especially when she learns she’s pregnant. But Daud can’t shake the draw to return home to Israel, even if it makes him a walking target.

Hana is helping her boss plan a huge summit in Atlanta when Jakob Brodsky, her old friend and former co-litigator, asks for her help with a case. His client is attempting to recover ancient artifacts stolen from his Jewish great-grandfather at the end of World War II. Because the case crosses several national borders, he needs Hana’s knowledge and skill to get to the bottom of what happened to these precious artifacts.

Meanwhile, Daud is called in to help a US intelligence agency extract a Ukrainian doctor from a dangerous situation in Egypt. While overseas, he can’t resist the call of Jerusalem and thus sets off a series of events that puts thousands of people in danger, including his wife and unborn child.

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On the bright side, there are still books I loved on the read-and-enjoyed but not-yet-shared list. I was hoping to give all of them more attention than usual but I’m falling behind faster this way, not keeping up at all. It’s a good thing I’m not reading quite as many lately as I was, the list would be even longer.

Maybe I’ll dump the whole pile tomorrow. Just a thought.

Today is my son’s birthday! He is miles and miles away from me but at least we have social media to share birthday greetings. He is also near other parts of the family so it’s still a good day for him.

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Down to business. It’s time to clear out the growing collection of read books once again. It’s not easy to buckle down and get it done because I keep finding myself hooked on true crime videos. Very distracting. I’ve split the screen, maybe that will help keep me working. Maybe, no guarantees.

Most of today’s videos have been about booking drunk and disorderly in jail but this last one is about a cult family in a traffic stop. They are pulling a trailer with a bunch of kids inside. At least it is one huge family (they think) and not a child trafficking situation, (we hope.)

Last week I watched a long interview with a woman (#2 wife) who was excommunicated from the community for a minor made-up infraction but wasn’t allowed to take her five children with her. Her biggest fear was that the group leader would marry off her daughters to older men while still at an early age. Usually age 12 – 16 or so. They gather together a bride group and move them to another place where they are chosen by someone from a group of men. Hopefully that is not what is going on here. I feel bad for the girls and their mothers if it s.

The biggest problem this group will likely have will be created by resisting police officers when asked to exit the vehicle and identify themselves. It looks like they are also breaking multiple traffic laws by having unsecured passengers. The trailer has blankets on the floor, no seats, no windows. Could be a fatal situation if anything ever went wrong with such a flimsy trailer.

It’s over now, at least they stopped sharing the video, not sure how it all ended. I’ll resist looking to see if there is a next installment.

Anyway, on to books.

Not sure which one was my favorite anymore but I will try to figure it out.

This first one (on the left) was one of my favorites, it was a five star read.

Again, the next two (also on the left) were also favorite five star reads. Amazing, because I don’t usually have so many excellent reads this close together. It’s been a good week.

I’ve been more selective lately, maybe that has made a difference too. I’m not settling for some of the less appealing books just to have something to share with you.

I’m liking this new way of doing things much better.

Looking through what’s coming next I see there are still about a dozen partially read books near the top of the list. It would be a good plan to move some of them along a little faster. Probably need to jump to the end and move on.

My current read, on the other hand, will likely turn out to be another five star read as well. I’m having a hard time staying away from it. This was yesterday’s new book and I will soon be done with it. Check it out, it’s a good book.

Cold Dead Night (Brand of Justice Book 1)

Alright, there were no more interruptions and I got it done.

As a treat I think I will make a nice salad and finish reading my book.

Happy reading!

Happy New Year everyone.

It has been a reading marathon for me in every spare moment this week and beyond.

Here are the covers for all of them. It was a good time.

Next read

A Deep Divide (Secrets of the Canyon Book #1) 

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can’t let go of the deep-rooted fear that he’s just like every other wealthy man she’s known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

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