Scenic Saturday

We have clouds! Yes, this is a big deal to me because we don't get clouds very often. It's usually sun, sun, and more sun. But today we have an abundance of clouds! These clouds are over the mountains near my house.

Outlander Music

For those of you who watch the Outlander television series based on Diana Gabaldon's book series, then you're familiar with the theme song. For those of you who have not watch the show. Give it a listen. It's a stunning song and fits well with the show.

A little bit of history of the theme song. The tune is The Skye Boat Song but the lyrics are from a poem by Robert Lewis Stevenson and modified for the song by composer Bear McCreary.

Here is Stevenson's poem:

Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,
Say, could that lad be I?
Merry of soul he sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye.

Mull was astern, Rum on the port,
Eigg on the starboard bow;
Glory of youth glowed in his soul;
Where is that glory now? 
Give me again all that was there, Give me the sun that shone!

Give me the eyes, give me the soul,
Give me the lad that's gone! Billow and breeze, islands and seas, Mountains of rain and sun,
All that was good, all that was fair,
All that was me is gone.

The modified lyrics are a beautiful fit to Claire and Jamie's story.  In the second season of Outlander, Claire and Jamie are in France and the theme song reflects that with some of the lyrics sung in French and the instruments are changed up a little as well. I almost think the French makes it even more beautiful.

Review: Alone in the Dark ~ Karen Rose

Alone in the Dark
Karen Rose
Romantic Suspense
Cincinnati Series/Book 2
Signet/February 2, 2016

Homicide Detective Scarlett Bishop has seen enough bad guys slip through the cracks and innocent victims go unavenged to know that good doesn't always prevail. So far she’s been able to lock away her rage and her vigilante fantasies. That lock is about to break.

Former Army Ranger Marcus O'Bannion is a fierce champion of victims’ rights. His secret past gives him good reason. He believes he’s seen the depths of human depravity, but then his investigation into the murder of a young girl who once asked for his help lures him and Scarlett down a dark, dark road—and straight into the crosshairs of a dangerous, powerful underground ring that deals in human trafficking. To stop them, Scarlett and Marcus have to be just as cunning and just as ruthless. But first they have to make it out alive.

One of my favorite romantic suspense authors is Karen Rose. She never disappoints and always freaks me out with her villians. Alone in the Dark didn't disappoint and it certainly had its freak-out moments.

If you've read the first book in the Cincinnati Series, then you're familiar with Detective Scarlett Bishop and Marcus O'Bannion. Both captured my attention in Closer Than You Think. Scarlett because she is not only a cop but a detective in a decidedly man dominated world. And, she can kick-ass. Marcus because he was hiding some secrets and I'm nosy. I had to find out what was up with this guy. He's was also an Army Ranger so you know he's had some experience in the ass-kicking department too.

Detective Scarlett Bishop walks a thin line. She has to because of what she sees on the job. Imagine some of the worst crimes of murder and then having to talk to suspects, some of whom you know are guilty and be professional. I don't think I would ever have the patience to be a cop. I'd probably end up pulling my gun too often. But Scarlett keeps her cool for the most part. She's easy to like and possible one of my favorite Karen Rose heroines.

Marcus O'Bannion runs a newspaper but he has a side gig which he keeps a secret. It's dangerous and straddles the line between the legal and not so legal. Marcus also has an attraction to Scarlett and he trusts her about as much as he can because of her profession. So when he asks Scarlett for help, it felt natural as well as Scarlett answering Marcus' late night call.

Scarlett and Marcus have this balancing act they perform through much of the story. With Marcus' secret and Scarlett trying to enforce the law, however imperfect it sometimes is, they form an interesting alliance. Their romantic interest in each other is right there, just below the surface but they push forward with their investigation into the death of a young girl. Scarlett and Marcus form a great team and their chemistry and romance is made authentic because of their physical attraction as well as how they feel safe sharing their worst nightmares with each other. The way it's written, I completely fell for their romance.

One of the things I especially liked was the team effort of Marcus and his newspaper employees. It was interesting to see how they all worked together not only to print the news but in their other endeavor. They understood and lived the phrase "I've got your back." The secondary characters add much to the plot and are fittingly developed for their roles.

The intricacies of the criminals and their viciousness in which they execute their business is disturbing because it is doubtful it is pure fiction. Ms. Rose gives us plenty of reasons to despise the antagonists. Which is a good when the author gives the reader antagonists who are interesting but you also hate them. I was ready for all of them to end in a bloody, painful death. I did get my wish for at least a few of them. That made me happy.

Alone in the Dark is pure Karen Rose. My only complaint is having to wait for the next book. Bring on Stone.

Rating: A

Cincinnati Series ~

Closer Than You Think
Alone in the Dark

ARC Review: The Safest Lies

The Safest Lies
Megan Miranda
Young Adult
Crown Books/May 24, 2016

Kelsey was raised to see danger everywhere. Her mother hasn't set foot outside their front door in seventeen years, since she escaped from her kidnappers with Kelsey growing inside her. 

Kelsey knows she’s supposed to keep a low profile for their own protection, but that plan is shattered when she drives off a cliff and is rescued by volunteer firefighter and classmate Ryan Baker.

A few days later, she arrives home to face her greatest fear: her mother is missing. She and her mother have drilled for all contingencies—except this one. Luckily, Ryan is as skilled at emergency rescues as Kelsey is at escape and evasion. 

To have a chance at a future, Kelsey will have to face all her darkest fears. Because someone is coming for her.And the truth about the past may end up being the most dangerous thing of all.

So this was different. It was good, overall, although I did have to suspend my reality in place of the author's reality. The unconventional life Kelsey has lived isn't easy to relate to but Ms. Miranda does well conveying Kelsey's feelings and showing how her lifestyle has affected her in her short life. 

One event can change a life. In Kelsey's case, the first time it was what happened to her mother that also shaped Kelsey's life. Then, Kelsey's life is again disrupted by a harrowing experience. This becomes the storm before the break in the clouds and beginning of something new and ultimately, the best thing to happen to Kelsey. 

Kelsey has gotten her wish. She gets to venture out of her home and attend public school. Until now, she has been home schooled but for her senior year of high school, her mother has agreed to allow Kelsey to attend public school. This is huge and Kelsey acts as if she has been given work release from prison. She still has to return every day to her prison-like home, but while she is out, she relishes the taste of freedom, no matter how scary it sometimes is.   

The guy in Kelsey's life is a genuine hero. He's a high school student who moonlights as a volunteer firefighter. Ryan is a good guy who does not understand Kelsey's life but doesn't treat her like she's a freak. He has patience with her while encouraging her to experience the typical life of a teenager.  If only it would have been typical but Kelsey's mother's past catches up with them. I would have liked to see more of Kelsey attempting to fit in but the suspense aspect was kept in the forefront. 

The over-the-top some of the situations were created some problems. This is where I had to suspend my disbelief and just go where the author lead me. There were couple of eye rolls and "good-griefs" but in the end the story was interesting although the surprise ending didn't come as a complete surprise. 

Rating: B

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATH!!!

Today is the birthday of the amazingly awesome NATH. 

You can leave her birthday congrats here or...

head over to her blog, Books, Books and More Books

and give her some fantastic birthday wishes! 

Tomorrow's New Releases ...

There is certainly a variety of new releases coming out tomorrow. Here are just a few I'm looking forward to. If you have some on your list that I missed, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!

This is second novel in this exquisite fantasy series. I loved the first book, review here, and have been looking forward to this one ever since.

A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses/Book 2

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two.

One of my all time favorite historical author, Mary Balogh is treasure to readers who enjoy historical romances. Her Survivor Club series is an excellent place to start if you have never read Ms. Balogh.

Only Beloved
Mary Balogh
Survivor Club/Book 7

For the first time since the death of his wife, the Duke of Stanbrook is considering remarrying and finally embracing happiness for himself. With that thought comes the treasured image of a woman he met briefly a year ago and never saw again.

Dora Debbins relinquished all hope to marry when a family scandal left her in charge of her younger sister. Earning a modest living as a music teacher, she’s left with only an unfulfilled dream. Then one afternoon, an unexpected visitor makes it come true.

For both George and Dora that brief first encounter was as fleeting as it was unforgettable. Now is the time for a second chance. And while even true love comes with a risk, who are two dreamers to argue with destiny?

Jo Goodman is another author I have been reading for a very long time. She's written some of my favorite western romances. Her newest release is not part of a series and is set in Pancake Valley, Colorado, which of course makes me crave pancakes!

The Devil You Know
Jo Goodman

WHAT HE DOESN'T KNOW...

After a horse drags him through the countryside, Israel McKenna awakes bruised and battered in a field in Pancake Valley, Colorado. He can recall where he came from and where he was going, but the memory of how he came to be on the Pancake homestead eludes him. He’s certain he did something wrong to deserve such a harsh punishment—and so is the beautiful woman who reluctantly comes to his aid.

. . . COULD HURT HER.

Wilhelmina “Willa” Pancake must focus on running her family’s ranch. With Israel’s hazy memory, she is unsure if she can trust him, let alone handle the budding attraction between them. And as men fight to steal her land and the truth about Israel’s past rides toward them, love is a risk she cannot easily take.

I've read two of Ms. Matson's novels, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour (review here) and Second Chance Summer. Both rated five stars and I would definitely recommend both.

The Unexpected Everything
Morgan Matson

Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks)

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing - if everything's planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where's the fun in that?

Sherrilyn Kenyon is a prolific author. I haven't read everything she has written but have enjoyed her Dark Hunter series as well as the young adult spin-off, Chronicles of Nick. It brings to mind her Dark Hunter series, but for a younger crowd.

inVision
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Chronicles of Nick/Book 7

***Spoilers ahead if you haven't read book 6.***

Think there’s a lot of pressure on your shoulders? Nick Gautier was born to bring about the end of the world . . . it’s not easy being the heir of a demon overlord.

But Nick is determined to thwart his destiny and get into a good college. To be more than his genetics and prophecy foretell. No one is ever going to tell this stubborn Cajun who and what he really is. Or how to live his life.

Not even the Fates of the Universe. But now that he and his team of ancient gods and demons have claimed the Eye of Ananke and he sees the missteps of the future, he has to battle the demons within that are far deadlier and more treacherous than any he’s battled before. All the while his arch nemesis is back and determined to reclaim his place as the harbinger for Armageddon. Even if it means killing Nick and barbecuing everyone he loves to do so.

30 Day Challenge

The wonderful Ames over at the blog Bookish Ames has started a new challenge to help those of us whose blogs have been feeling neglected. I know for me, this has been something I have been struggling with for a long time. There was a time, many eons ago, when I posted an average of every-other-day. Now, I'm lucky if I post once a month. (I blame Netflix.)

Is it crazy to go from posting so few posts to thinking I can post everyday? Well, of course it is! But are we all not a little crazy? And what's the point of being a little crazy if you don't share it?

ARC Review: Lone Heart Pass

Lone Heart Pass
Jodi Thomas
Contemporary Romance
Ransom Canyon/Book 3
HQN/April 26, 2016

Where family bonds are made and broken, and where young love sparks as old flames grow dim, Ransom Canyon is ready to welcome—and shelter—those who need it 

With a career and a relationship in ruins, Jubilee Hamilton is left reeling from a fast fall to the bottom. The run-down Texas farm she's inherited is a far cry from the second chance she hoped for, but it and the abrasive foreman she's forced to hire are all she's got. 

Every time Charley Collins has let a woman get close, he's been burned. So Lone Heart ranch and the contrary woman who owns it are merely a means to an end, until Jubilee tempts him to take another risk—to stop resisting the attraction drawing them together despite all his hard-learned logic. 

Desperation is all young Thatcher Jones knows. And when he finds himself mixed up in a murder investigation, his only protection is the shelter of a man and woman who—just like him—need someone to trust.

The third full length novel in Jodi Thomas' Ransom Canyon series is about second chances and starting over. It's a theme I always enjoy and this time is no different. The surprise inheritance sparks all kinds of fantasies. Who wouldn't be thrilled finding out you've inherited property? And when it's a place that holds wonderful memories, that's the icing on the cake. 

For Jubilee Hamilton, her inheritance comes at a most opportune time. She is unemployed with nothing and no one to keep her in Washington D.C.  Her job was her world, even though she had a live-in boyfriend. It's that focus that leaves her alone and more than willing to head to Texas for a new start.  Jubilee is very likable which may come as a surprise because she is not what I would call a "people person" except where it relates to her former job. But she is learning to be more open which is an enjoyable journey to take with her. 

Charley Collins is, thankfully, nothing like his younger brother Reid. Charley hasn't had the easiest of times in his fairly short life. He is, in part, responsible for his current situation and thankfully he doesn't whine about his life but takes responsibility for it. He has also learned from his mistakes which shows his maturity. After finding out what has happened in his short life, he's twenty-five, I was happy to find he wasn't a complainer but instead a hard worker and truly a decent person. Definitely hero material!

The relationship between Jubilee and Charley is an odd one. He's the hired help and she's a little clueless as to how to run a ranch. Charley isn't too proud to work for a woman, even if she has no experience running a ranch. The thing I liked so much about Jubilee is she is more than willing to learn and not afraid to get dirty. Charley, a hard worker, comes to respect Jubilee and the two find they enjoy spending time together. It was a romance that didn't get rushed but started with friendship and respect which strengthened it. Ms. Thomas brought two people from different walks of life together to create a bond and eventually a family. Well done Ms. Thomas. 

There is a another new character, Thatcher. I adored this kid! He not only added comic relief to some serious situations but he also gave a unique perspective on life. His view may come across as "simple" or "backwoods" but I for one found it honest and refreshing. It also worked to show how when someone is not enmeshed in the fast pace our highly technological world has become, their viewpoint becomes possibly more genuine.

Lone Heart Pass is a wonderful entry to the series. It also brought more personality to the town of Crossroads, Texas with the addition of new characters. Looking forward to the next story in the colorful world these characters inhabit.

Rating: A-

Ransom Canyon Series ~

Winter's Camp (prequel, novella)
Ransom Canyon
Rustler's Moon
Lone Heart Pass

Review: All the Truth That's in Me

All the Truth That's in Me
Julie Berry
Young Adult, Historical, Suspense
Viking Books for Young Readers
September 26, 2013

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family.

Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas.

But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever.

This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

There is no question the setting is historical but exactly where or when is never clear. It doesn't really matter. What matters is the absorbing story about a girl taken from her village only to return, changed, four years later.

When Judith returns to her village, she has changed in so many ways. The obvious is the physical. She no longer speaks and tends to keep to herself because of this. There is also the psychological changes. She comes back to a very different home life from when she left. So much for her to process and attempt to get back to something resembling her old life. She is smart enough to know that nothing will ever be the same. In a way, she becomes what others tell her she is. But there is that small part of her that is so much more than what people think she is.

Judith is such a strong character. She had to be strong to survive what she has. But there is also great strength needed for her to endure what her life has now become. Getting inside her head and seeing how she thinks was fascinating. Her life experiences have given her such a unique perspective on the world around her. Judith is definitely a memorable character.

While there is a romantic element, it is not the focus of the story. The mystery surrounding Judith and her friend's disappearance and Judith's life after her return are the focus. The mystery is well written and kept me guessing as to what really happened four years ago. The village setting is well developed, giving the reader much insight into how people and their ideas can influence how others see themselves. You do get the feeling this is possibly colonial America but it is never stated. The beliefs of Judith's community are very narrow-minded, except for a few brave souls who go against the majority.

The romance starts as friendship, which made it stronger and more believable. I loved how the friendship between Judith and Lucas developed. It's the building of trust that creates the real strength of their bond. Lucas showed such patience and kindness towards Judith. Judith in turn, reacted well to it because she had seen so little of it since returning to her village.

It's possible I enjoyed this story so much because I was in the mood for it - I am a mood reader. I should also note the story is told in second person narrative which is not my preferred POV. And flashbacks are used, again, not something I usually prefer. Even with all that, I enjoyed it because it was simply a well told story.

Rating: A

Review: Rustler's Moon

The cobwebs are thick, the dust not from pixies. The blog, my blog, has run dry for far too long. You don't realize how hard it is to get back into a habit, any habit, until so much time has passed that it no longer feels like a habit. Logging into blogger, checking for new posts from the blogs I follow. All of that fell by the wayside, little by little, until there was nothing left. The old habits were gone and without no true direction, I drifted from one thing to another, making hollow vows to return. But now I'm back. No promises, just reviews when I can. Thanks for sticking with me.

Rustler's Moon
Jodi Thomas
Ransom Canyon/Book 2
Contemporary Romance
HQN/January 26, 2016

On a dirt road marked by haunting secrets, three strangers caught at life's crossroads must decide what to sacrifice to protect their own agendas...and what they're each willing to risk for love.

If there's any place that can convince Angela Harrell to stop running, it's Ransom Canyon. And if there's any man who can reveal desires more deeply hidden than her every fear, it's Wilkes Wagner. Beneath the rancher's honorable exterior is something that just might keep her safe...or unwittingly put her in danger's path.

With his dreams of leaving this small Texas town swallowed up by hard, dusty reality, all Wilkes has to show for his life is the Devil's Fork Ranch. Though not one to let false hope seduce him, he can't deny the quiet and cautious beauty who slips into his world and changes everything.

Lauren Brigman finally has freedom at her fingertips. All she needs is Lucas Reyes's attention—a look, a touch, some sign that she's more to him than a girl he rescued one dangerous night. But now it's her turn to rescue someone, and the life-altering decision may cost her more than a chance with Lucas.

There is a sense of familiar when reading this series. The biggest one for me is the relationship between Lauren and Lucas. It plays out very much like Regan and Noah from Thomas' Harmony series. Lauren is a more vital character with Lucas keeping to the background but we are suppose to feel like they are in love or at the least falling in love. I didn't get that at all. Their relationship felt like it was more a hold-over from high school. It feels like they should let go, but they don't know how.  

The story of Angela and her move to Ransom Canyon peaked my interest from the get-go. The idea of starting over, getting a fresh start and experiencing new things has always appealed to me. (Probably why I like the mail-order bride trope so much.) Add in some mystery, romance and danger and you've got a plot that kept drawing me back. The danger from her past wasn't as fleshed out as much as I would have liked. But it did help to draw Angela and Wilkes closer, although the romantic in me would like to think they would have been draw to each other anyway. 

The subplots of the mysteries surrounding the caves and the Gypsy House really added to the history of the small town of Crossroads, Texas. Even though Crossroads is small, it has it's share of history. (Read prequel Winter's Camp.) The secondary characters of Yancy, Vern and Carter add some quirkiness to the story. I'm glad these three banded together, along with Angie and Wilkes, to solve the mysteries. 

Rating: B

Ransom Canyon Series ~

Winter's Camp (novella)
Ransom Canyon
Rustler's Moon
Lone Heart Pass (April 26, 2016)