Flare-Up by Felicity Young – BOOK SPOTLIGHT 

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  

Flare-UpBy Felicity Young

Genre: Fiction / Crime

Publisher: HarperCollins Australia 

Outback murders, dodgy thieves, organised crime and arson – a small outback community is crackling with nerves, as Cam Fraser investigates.

Sergeant Cam Fraser’s letter of resignation is signed sealed but as yet undelivered. It’s sitting in the car when he travels out to help the wife of an old acquaintance with a bit of shearing. Rita’s husband Pizzle has gone missing so Cam is lending a hand, but there’s a stench around the shearing shed that he can’t ignore. What Cam finds when he searches inside will derail his plans for retirement and set a rural community — already on alert for an arsonist lighting bushfires — on edge. 
Author Bio

  

Felicity was born in Germany and attended boarding school in the UK while her parents travelled the world with the British army. She thinks the long boring plane trips home played an important part in helping her to develop her creative imagination.

Felicity settled with her parents in Western Australia in 1976, became a nurse, married young and had three children. Not surprisingly, it took ten years to complete an Arts degree (English lit) at UWA.

In 1990 Felicity and her family moved to a small farm 40 kilometers NE of Perth where she established a Suffolk sheep stud, reared orphan kangaroos and embarked upon a life of crime writing.

 

https://www.facebook.com/felicityyoungauthor/

http://www.felicityyoung.com/

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Felicity_Young_Flare_up?id=TnkkCwAAQBAJ 

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/isbn9781460706251?at=10l7rh

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On a nonfiction kick!! 

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Reecaspieces

I guess it is good to have diversity.  I didn’t even realize I was doing this!!! I bought these two books at The Southern Festival of Books and I just put them on my TBR shelves to be picked up later….well…I guess it’s later!! 
 

As most of you know I am a huge baseball fan. I enjoyed this book immensely. Doc Graham was a generous, smart, and talented man. This is a very well written and informative book. Well researched and it covered his medical career as well as, his baseball career. 

  
  

This touches on the many haunted places in different souther states. It is not limited to hospitals as the title says. This is a unique read. I enjoyed reading about the many haunted places in the south, especially Mississippi.  However, this is not well written. I wanted more information…or something was missing. 

  

Thanks for stopping by!! 

 

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Senior album progress!! 

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  These are just a few of the pages I have done for the senior album. I have so much more to do!!! Sorry about the shadow on some of these….didn’t get out of the way….oops. 

The bottom left…..was when she found out the band won the state championship…completely unexpected!! 

Most of the letters are rub ons and the top left I have stickles on the polka dots. Does not show up well….

Thanks for stopping by!!! 


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Happy People Read and Drink Coffee by

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  

Overview

Diane seems to have the perfect life. She is a wife, a mother, and the owner of Happy People Read and Drink Coffee, a cozy literary cafe in Paris. But when she suddenly loses her beloved husband and daughter in a tragic car accident, the world as she knows it instantly vanishes. Trapped and haunted by her memories, Diane retreats from friends and family, unable and unwilling to move forward. 

But one year later, Diane shocks her loved ones and makes the surprising decision to move to a small town on the Irish coast, finally determined to heal and rebuild her life alone—until she meets Edward, the attractive yet taciturn Irish photographer who lives next door. At first abrasive and unwelcoming, Edward initially resents Diane’s intrusion into his life of solitude . . . until he can no longer keep her at arm’s length, and they fall into a surprising and tumultuous romance. But will it last when Diane leaves Ireland, and Edward, for the home she once ran away from in Paris? At once heartbreaking and uplifting, Diane’s story is deeply felt, reminding us that love remembered is love enduring. 

Review

First of all let me start with saying I LOVE THIS COVER!! 

Diane has suffered a terrible loss. She is struggling to even get out bed! Through a determined will to live and survive, she moves to the coast of Ireland to heal. She realizes that life is worth living and she is worth giving life a chance. 

Now,  if you need a good book for one sitting, this is it. This is an uplifting tale about survival. 

I immediately connected with Diane and her plight. I wanted her to overcome, succeed and learn to love again. She is a tough woman, she has some very depressed moments but, overall she pulls herself through. 

Edward is her next door  neighbor.  I absolutely HATED Edward! I am completely shocked Diane develops a relationship with him. He is unapproachable, crass and downright scary at times. I feel like there is more to the story….you know…left for the sequel.  I also understand he is a different character seen in a romance novel. He is NOT a knight I shining armor. So, kudos to the author for stepping out on a limb with this character.  I am not saying he worked but, it was very different for a change. 

I will definitely want to read the next installment just to see changes(if there are any) in Edward. 

Good, quick read! 

  
PURCHASE HERE 

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Amazon

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New obsession!!!

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  
Let me start with saying….I am going to Kill my friend Susan!! She started me on this and now I can’t quit….I have to buy all the stuff!!!!! More stuff!!! She is dead meat!!!

Thanks to my friend (which I am going to disown). I now have a new obsession. I can make ribbon book marks and they ARE SO MUCH FUN!!! AND EASY!!!

Thanks to a you tube video…the fun never stops!!!

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!!! 

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Always with You by Andrea Hurst

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  
Always With YouBy Andrea Hurst

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Overview

1977 is a glorious time to be alive in the beautiful wine country of Northern California, and Cathy has everything she thought she wanted – from a thriving health food café to loyal friends. 
Since the devastating failure of her short-lived marriage, Cathy has buried herself in her work and kept men at arm’s length. But when an old high school friend, Pam, brings her family for a short stay, Cathy’s stone walls begin to crumble when she meets Jamie. Jamie, whose compassion and warmth slowly break down her defenses. Jamie, whose devotion to his four-year-old daughter melts Cathy’s heart and makes her desperate for a family of her own. Jamie… who is married to Pam. 
A profound love that transcends time and place is impossible to resist. But is love more important than friendship? Are loyalty and fidelity an anchor or a chain? In the end, it’s all about choices – tough ones that can break hearts. Now Cathy must make the most difficult choice of her life. 

REVIEW

The setting is wonderful! We visited Sonoma County this summer and it is superb. The author hit the nail on the head with this part of the country. 

Cathy is a hard working, lovely woman. She is content with her life until……Pam, Jamie and their daughter move in. This changes her out look! She wants more! 

I enjoyed Cathy. She is a tough woman and like I have said before, I love strong female leads. Pam is NOT my favorite character. She is mean and witchy at times. 

This is a love story with a happy ending. However, it is a little stilted in the conversations and story is rough around the edges. However, it moves quickly, especially when the reader gets vested in the characters. 
Author bio

  

    

When not visiting local farmer’s markets or indulging her love for chocolate, Andrea Hurst is an author and literary agent. Her passion for books drives her to find and write stories that take readers on a journey to another place and leave them with an unforgettable impression. She is a developmental editor for publishers and authors, an instructor in creative writing at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, and a webinar presenter for Writers Digest. She lives with her dachshund in the Pacific Northwest, on an island much like the fictional Madrona, with all of its natural beauty and small town charm. 

Her published books include The Guestbook, Tea & Comfort, and Always With You, The Lazy Dog’s Guide to Enlightenment and Everybody’s Natural Food Cookbook, and she co-authored A Book of Miracles. To learn more about Andrea and her books, visit http://www.AndreaHurst-author.com or http://www.andreahurst.com.

Join her on Facebook for book giveaways and more delicious recipes and scenic photos from Madrona Island at http://www.facebook.com/andreahurstauthor

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaHurst_
On Amazon: amzn.to/1PL98Sv 

Website: http://www.andreahurst-author.com/

Giveaway
 

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Last Ride to Graceland by Kim White #XOXperts

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  
Overview

Lauded for her “astute and engrossing” (People) writing style imbued with “originality galore” (RT Book Reviews), Kim Wright channels the best of Jennifer Weiner and Sarah Pekkanen in this delightful novel of self-discovery on the open road as one woman sets out for Graceland hoping to answer the question: Is Elvis Presley her father?

Blues musician Cory Ainsworth is barely scraping by after her mother’s death when she discovers a priceless piece of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia hidden away in a shed out back of the family’s coastal South Carolina home: Elvis Presley’s Stutz Blackhawk, its interior a time capsule of the singer’s last day on earth.

A backup singer for the King, Cory’s mother Honey was at Graceland the day Elvis died. She quickly returned home to Beaufort and married her high school sweetheart. Yearning to uncover the secrets of her mother’s past—and possibly her own identity—Cory decides to drive the car back to Memphis and turn it over to Elvis’s estate, retracing the exact route her mother took thirty-seven years earlier. As she winds her way through the sprawling deep south with its quaint towns and long stretches of open road, the burning question in Cory’s mind—who is my father?—takes a backseat to the truth she learns about her complicated mother, the minister’s daughter who spent a lifetime struggling to conceal the consequences of a single year of rebellion.

Review

Cory is an wayward adult looking to discover who she is and where she is going. Cory discovers Elvis’ Blackhawk car in her dad’s shed. She decides to drive to Graceland via a circuitous route. What she discovers about herself and her family lead to a great story! 

I love Cory! She is such a misguided individual with a kind heart. Very few characters touch your soul, Cory touched mine. She is a REAL person and her struggles pull your heart strings. I think it is because she has such a low expectation out of life, when she succeeds at anything, the reader CHEERS! 

This is an engrossing read from start to finish. The mystery surrounding the Blackhawk, Cory’s adventure to find out about her mother and Elvis! This combination envelopes the reader and never lets go! 

Being an hour south of Memphis and 45 minutes from Tupleo, this book was like reading about home. The stories about the life inside Graceland had me completely fascinated. And I am not a huge Elvis fan. I actually had misgivings about this book. No way could the author do Elvis or Graceland justice.   I praise the author for a fabulous job. What a huge undertaking and to do it correctly- KUDOS!!! 

  

  

Purchase Here 

Barnes and Noble

Amazon


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Favorite Romance Novel Roundup! #XOXperts

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  I have never been just a one genre reader. If you follow my blog, you know I read almost anything, historical fiction, romance, literary fiction, biographies, mystery, suspense,chick lit, just to name a few. I just love to read!! 

One of my projects as an XOXpert this month is to do a favorite romance roundup.  As I was contemplating this post, I thought, this is impossible.  There is no way I can narrow this down to just one post!! But then I realized, there are a few novels which stand out in my mind. I can even remember the title and author. And a lot of these….I remember where I was as I was reading them. 

So…..here goes!! And these are in no particular order….

  
Who doesn’t have a Danielle Steel book in their romance library. She has been an icon in the romance world FOREVER! She was a mainstay for me all through my high school years. Sometimes a book hits you just right…right time, right place, right story.  This is one of the few books (and I can name them all, and there are only a few!) I stayed awake all night to read. I have actually had a quick thought to re-read this novel and I never, ever re-read….too many good books I have not read yet!

  
Julie Garwood is another mainstay….to say I loved this novel is an understatement.  This was the first book I ever read by this author.  This started me on a quest to read all of her books. Julie Garwood is one of the few romance authors whose books I purchase on release day! 

  

ALASKA!! This was the first novel about Alaska I ever read and it made a huge impact. Plus, the characters are amazing! I loved the Sheriff!! Then, it was made into a lifetime movie….sort of good,sort of not! 

    
Who could have a romance post without this book. An amazing read to say the least. This started me on my Henry VIII kick. He is such a unique historical character. After I finished this novel, I started to devour any books written in this time period.  I even read several non fiction books. 

  

Last, but not least.  Ancient Rome!! I learned so much in this read. Just like all of Barbara Wood’s  books, she touches on different civilizations and their unique idiosyncrasies.  Not only is this an amazing romance, it is an amazing historical fiction novel.

As I was writing this post, I have had a million and one books and authors float through my mind. Kathleen Woodiwiss, Johanna Lindsey, Diana Gabaldon  and of course, Margaret Mitchell’s ultimate Gone With The Wind, among many others, need to be included. There is so much talent in the genre. 

Happy Reading!! 

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Girl Soldier by T.R.Horne Book Spotlight 

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  

Girl Soldier by  T.R. Horne

Genre: Suspense

OVERVIEW  

Rain Wilson thought she knew where she came from. A small farming town, forgotten and missed by everyone. After learning that her estranged mother is missing, she embarks on a harrowing journey to find her. Rain uncovers a trail of lies and deceit that makes her wonder…how far will she really go to save her mother? In this Bourne Identity meets Salt style suspense novel, T.R. Horne weaves an unforgettable story of love, loss and determination.

 

Author Bio

  

T.R. Horne is an avid reader, reviewer and all around critic of things written and non-written (just ask her husband…). She writes suspense novels for the most part but flirts with her first love, Poetry, from time to time. Between studying for her doctorate and dreaming of retiring early and moving into a tiny house, she carries on with a pretty lackluster life filled with a 9-5 job, sore feet and a perpetual smile. She resides in Virginia but calls Atlanta, Georgia home when people ask. Thank her husband, son and two dogs for keeping her mildly sane and writing.

http://www.facebook.com/authortrhorne
Twitter: @authortrhorne

http://www.trhorne.com 

Book Giveaway For Girl Soldier: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/170881-girl-soldier
 

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Deep Cover by Leslie Jones 

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Reecaspieces

  
OVERVIEW

On a secret assignment for MI-5, British SAS soldier Trevor Carswell is deep undercover with The Philosophy of Bedlam, a home-grown anarchist group responsible for several museum bombings. He’s on the brink of unearthing their motives when Scotland Yard foils their latest attack. Desperate to escape, the Bedlamites take civilian hostages — among them, a woman Trevor never expected to see again.

American political analyst Shelby Gibson is stunned when she recognizes Trevor, her one-time lover, brandishing a shotgun in the lobby of the August Museum of Modern Art. He’s the last man she’d ever trust, but Trevor is no criminal, and he may be her only hope of getting out of the building alive.

With the woman he once loved in serious danger, Trevor will risk everything to get Shelby to safety, even if it means blowing his cover. As they search for the truth behind the bombings, Shelby and Trevor expose the powerful, desperate man pulling the anarchists’ strings… and the half-century-old secret he’ll kill to keep quiet. 
REVIEW

Trevor is an undercover SAS agent and Shelby is a political analyst.  Trevor’s assignment is to infiltrate a group responsible for a rash of museum bombings. During one of the museum bombings, hostages are taken. This is where Trevor and Shelby reconnect and this book takes off and never lets go! 

Shelby is a wonderful female character. I love strong female leads and the author did a fabulous job making her human. She is spontaneous and does not always think about the outcome of her actions….exactly like me!! 

 She and Trevor have some heated exchanges, on and off the bed! This is basically because their chemistry is SOOOO magnetic.  And to say Trevor is hot is an understatement!  

This book took off like a rocket and I was hooked. Between the chemistry, the quirky friends and the chase, it was difficult to put it down for a second!

This is Book 3 in the Duty and Honor series.  I have not read the first two of this series and I did not even relize I was reading the third book until I was writing the blog post. Now I have another series I am behind on!  I must get busy!! 

I received this novel from the publisher for an honest review.  

  
PURCHASE HERE 

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

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