BOOK BEGINNINGS/FRIDAY 56

Gillian over Rose City Reader is the host for Book Beginnings.  Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for Friday 56.  Hop over and check it out.  You may find your next book to read.

My Book Beginning

Monday's Lie - Jamie Mason

This is the line that hooked me on this book.  It's a mystery I want to know about.

I was never formally introduced to the special ops agent who had come for my mother.  Technically, his was a welcome invasion of our home. He was helping her, but from what and into what, I didn't know.

My Friday 56

I fed and watered the hope that she'd hold out against him forever.  But Paul's aim didn't need to be perfect when he never ran out of ammunition.

 

BOOK REPORT.....

Summer of The Dead - Julia Keller

Product Description(Amazon.com)

It's high summer in Acker's Gap, a small town nestled in the beautiful but poverty-stricken West Virginia mountains--but no one's enjoying the rugged natural landscape. Not while a killer stalks the town and its hard-luck inhabitants. County prosecutor Bell Elkins and her closest friend, Sheriff Nick Fogelsong, are stymied by a murderer who seems to come and go like smoke on the mountain. At the same time, Bell must deal with the return from prison of her sister, Shirley--who, like Bell, carries the indelible scars of a savage past.
In the third mystery chronicling the journey of Bell Elkins and her return to her Appalachian hometown, we also meet Lindy Crabtree--a coal miner's daughter with dark secrets of her own, secrets that threaten to explode into even more violence. Acker's Gap is a place of loveliness and brutality, of isolation and fierce attachments--a place where the dead rub shoulders with the living, and demand their due. 
Series: Bell Elkins Novels (Book 3) 
Paperback: 384 pages 
Publisher: Minotaur Books (July 28, 2015) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1250044758 
ISBN-13: 978-1250044754

MY THOUGHTS:  New author for me.  Really great book, enjoyed reading this.  Lots of info to keep up with, but made the story so much better.  There are 2 murders in Acker's Gap and it seems they may have a serial killer on the loose.  But the evidence doesn't support this thought, but the clues are hard to come by.  For every clue they find, they seem to go backwards 2 steps.  It all links back to a childhood friend and a child born out of wedlock.  But it takes Bell and Sheriff Fogelsong some time before they figure it all out.  Really good book.

This book is also for my Reading Every Season Summer Reading Challenge.

MEMORIES.....

I was looking through and sorting my pictures.  I have pictures of the twins from birth through now.  I thought I'd share a few of my favorites of the twins from 2011.

This is the twins from June of 2015.....hard to believe they have grown this much.

BOOK REPORT.....

The Christmas Wedding - James Patterson

Product Description(Amazon.com)
The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill's wedding. Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby's four children have drifted apart, each consumed by the turbulence of their own lives. They haven't celebrated Christmas together since their father's death, but when Gaby announces that she's getting married--and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day--she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays.
But the wedding isn't Gaby's only surprise--she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever. 
Paperback: 288 pages 
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (November 26, 2013) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0446571768 
ISBN-13: 978-0446571760

MY THOUGHTS:  This isn't the usual James Patterson mystery about murder and mayhem.  It's a really happy book about Gaby.  She's getting married and she wants her whole family home for Christmas.  So sends them all a video telling them about this, but she doesn't tell them who she's marrying, the person she's marrying doesn't even know.  Its a mystery and I couldn't put the book down.  I wanted to find out who the mystery groom was.   Very good book. 

This is also for my Full House Reading Challenge. 

READING CHALLENGE.....

Julie over at Reading Every Season is hosting the Back to School Reading Challenge.

"1. This is a design it yourself challenge. I want you to choose your own reading goals. This is a low pressure challenge meant to be fun.
2.  The books should take place mostly at school. Young adult books will be the easiest to find but other options include Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty and Back to School Murder by Leslie Meier.
3. When you have reviewed a book, you are encouraged to come back to this post and add the link to your review in the comments.
4.  This reading challenge will take place through August and September."

I'm going to join in...here is my list of books.  This will also be added to my Reading Challenge tab at the top of the page.
1. Firegirl - Tony Abbott
2. The Murder Man - Tony Parsons
3. Paper Towns - John Green
4. A Plague of Unicorns - Jane Yolen

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY.....

on Wednesday....Anyway, Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday.  Hop over and check out her Needlework.

I've started a Crazy Quilt.  I made one last year that was a 6" block.  This time I'm doing a 12" block.  I found this site over at Heather's place, it's called Pintangle.  Sharon does some beautiful embroidery work.  She also hosts Take A Stitch Tuesday.  She gives you a new embroidery stitch to learn or experiment with.  I've been doing the stitches and I'm hooked.  Sharon also has a Crazy Quilt she's working on.  Hop over to Pintangle and check it out.  This is my Crazy Quilt Block...

I have started putting some embroidery stitches on it...

My embroider isn't good but I'm still learning....so hopefully it will get better.  I've also started using some wool embroider thread....the first time I've used it...and I like it lots.  I got this bag full of wool thread on E bay for 12.00.  I've also got some lace and Pearl Thread coming.  I want to pick up some Velvet and Satin fabric too.

Plus I've put the final row on the Wiener Dog Quilt.  Now I just need to put it together.  I'm debating on whether to actually going to Joann Fabrics or ordering it on line.  It's so much easier ordering on line.  I don't have to fight traffic and it doesn't take me 20 to 25 minutes to drive there.  So I have to do some comparison shopping.

What have you been working on?  Leave a link and I'll visit you. 

BOOK REPORT.....

The January Corpse - Neil Albert

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Disbarred lawyer Dave Garrett enters the insular Pennsylvania Dutch community to search for a man who disappeared seven years ago and is presumed dead. 
Hardcover: 195 pages 
Publisher: Walker & Co; First Edition edition (October 1991) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0091734983 
ISBN-13: 978-0802732064

MY THOUGHTS:  This is a first time author for me.  This book has lots of characters that are intermingled and they all relate to the story line.  Dave has to figure out what happened to Daniel seven years go so he can testify in court.   Did Daniel die that night or did he just disappear?  Lots of possibilities for Dave to figure out.  The Mob is also interested in this case and gives out warnings to anyone that gets too close to proving who done this.  But all Dave needs is the information, is he alive or dead.  I didn't see the ending coming, very well written and mysterious.  I'll be reading this author again.

This is also for my Read The Months....Perpetual Reading Challenge.  This is hosted by Julie over at Reading Every Season.

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY.....

Ashley over at Ramblings & Photos is the host for Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  Hop over and check out all the photos everyone is sharing.  Here are my interruptions of the words this week.

Selfie....

I don't like my picture taken, so Selfie's of myself are usually like this.  Me on the computer.

Rows.....

is an Afghan I'm working on.  There are 61 rows so far.

One Word.....

The top of our Trash can.  Not very imaginative but it works.

I Love This....

Sunsets can be beautiful but and orange sky is really beautiful.

White on White....

An Easter Quilt I made.  The background block is white on white.

BOOK REPORT.....

It's All About Life - Harvey E. Lazarus

Product Description(Amazon.com)
A memoir of my personal and professional life, it's all about the tragic effect that multiple suicides have on a family, and the inner redemptive powers that enable us to go on in the face of adversity. It's about my family of clients, too, and their stories. I have had several careers. First a pharmacist, I then went in to the remaindered book business for 25 years, followed by real estate development, finally finding my true passion as a financial advisor. All during this time, I had to deal with an overly intrusive mother-in-law--until she committed suicide, followed by my wife the next year, and lastly my youngest son. The life lessons learned from all of my years of experience and those of my clients has taught me much about the world and people. We must not be afraid to face life's challenges head on. Always look forward to a better day. 
Paperback: 144 pages 
Publisher: Lazarus Publishing (June 4, 2015) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0996412107 
ISBN-13: 978-0996412100

MY THOUGHTS:   Although I don't usually read memoir books, this one grabbed me when I read the description.  The author takes you through his life of family and his business life.  He has ups and downs in both.  Along the way, he has learned lots about himself and has used that in his life.  This book is woven around three family suicides.  But the book is not depressing, as you would expect.  The author describes a series of life experience of his personal and business successes.  It is woven  around three family suicides.  Very good book and I couldn't put it down.  I wanted to find out what happened. 

This is an ARC and this is my own opinion of the book.

BOOK BEGINNINGS.....

Gillion over at Rose City Reader is the host for Book Beginnings.  I'm also linking up with Friday 56 hosted by Freda over at Freda's Voice.  Hop over and check it out, you may find your next book to read.

My Book Beginning

On a cold December morning in 1946, my mother took me by the hand on the number 48 bus from Hillside, New Jersey, into Penn Station, Newark.

It's All About Life - Harvey E. Lazarus

My Page 56

Back in the business world, Amos and I had put a rather large deposit on a significant piece ofland at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Shurtleff Street in Chelsea.

This is an ARC I got from Kelley & Hall.  So far it's very interesting.  It's all about the life of the author and the people he meets during his journey.

BOOK REPORT.....

Fearless Fourteen - Janet Evanovich

Product Description(Amazon.com)
The Crime: Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars. Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money, and did the time. His family couldn't be more proud. He always was the smart one.
The Cousin: Joe Morelli. Morelli is Dom's cousin. He's also a cop. Less than a week after Dom's release from prison, Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. Meanwhile, Dom has gone missing…
The Catastrophe: Moonman. Morelli hires Walter "Mooner" Dunphy, stoner and "inventor" turned crime fighter, to protect his house. Morelli is low on cash. Mooner will work for potatoes.
The Cupcake: Stephanie Plum. Stephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship that involves sex, affection, and driving each other nuts. She's a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she's involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster from day one.
The Crisis: Ranger. Security expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie's evening activities. 

Series: Stephanie Plum Novels (Book 14) 
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages 
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Reprint edition (June 23, 2009) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0312349521 
ISBN-13: 978-0312349523

MY THOUGHTS:   Stephanie is up to her eyeballs in trouble again.  She's gone after a bond skipper, which leads to a 9 million dollar old bank robbery, which leads to dead bodies and a kidnapping.  All Stephanie has to do is figure out who the elusive 4th partner is.    And of course there are all the other people that want to find the 9 million dollars.  People are digging up Morelli's yard looking for it.  Grandma Mazur is one of them.  This is another great Stephanie Plum book.

ABC WEDNESDAY.....

The letter this week is......

While going through my pictures I've found several of them that start with "B".
Birds...these are English Sparrows, building a nest in the bird house....

Bats...Indiana Brown Bats.  They are on the endangered animal list.  We have a colony of them living in our attic.....

Bella...the oldest of the twins by 6 minutes.....she loves the camera....

Bub, that's what we call him, his name is Luke.....

Check out the ABC Wednesday that everyone is sharing.

BOOK REPORT....

Pop Goes The Weasel - James Patterson

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Detective Alex Cross is back-and he's in love. But his happiness is threatened by a series of chilling murders in Washington, D.C., murders with a pattern so twisted they leave investigators reeling. Cross's pursuit of the killer produces a suspect, a British diplomat named Geoffrey Shafer. But proving he's the murderer becomes a potentially deadly task. As Shafer engages in a brilliant series of surprising countermoves, Alex and his fiancee become hopelessly entangled with the most memorable nemesis Cross has ever faced. 
Series: Alex Cross (Book 5) 
Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages 
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 1, 2000) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0446608815 
ISBN-13: 978-0446608817

MY THOUGHTS:  This is book 5 of the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.  And as always a "on the edge of your seat" suspense.  This book has Alex Cross in love and planning on getting married.  But someone has kidnapped Christine, she has been missing for a year.  Alex has just about given up on finding her.  And it all has something to do with Alex's newest case.  Someone is killing young girls from the streets of Southeast Washington.  No seems to care about this except Alex.  Does Alex solve the case?  Does he find Christine?  You well have read the book to find out.

This is the last book for my I Love Library Books reading challenge.  My list of books follows.  You can check out my reviews.  They are all listed and linked by author in My Library.

 

1. Kiss The Girls - James Patterson
2. Helsinki Blood - James Thompson
3. Human Trafficking - Margaret Haerens
4. A Duke of Her Own - Eloisa James
5. Prey - Linda Howard
6. Night of The White Buffalo - Margaret Coel
7. The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen
8. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
9. The Little Fir Tree - Margaret Wise Brown
10. Along Came A Spider - James Patterson
11. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer - John Grisham
12. The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise - Julia Stuart
13. Dog Days - Jon Katz
14. Mozart: A Life - Paul Johnson
15. Soul of A Dog - Jon Katz
16. Zoo - James Patterson
17. Bad Boy Brawly Brown - Walter Mosley
18. Jack & Jill - James Patterson
19. Lean Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
20. Deeply Odd - Dean Koontz
21. Saint Odd - Dean Koontz
22. Field of Prey - John Sandford
23. Cat & Mouse - James Patterson
24. Pop Goes The Weasel - James Patterson

WINE......

Daughter-in-law Heather likes a glass of wine now and then.

READING CHALLENGES.....

I was over at Julie's place, Reading Every Season.  She hosts lots of Reading Challenges.  I found a couple I would like to work on. 

Read The Days of the Week Challenge, here's how it works...

1. Read books with the names of the weekday in the title; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. etc.
2. Try to read all 7 days of the week. You can finish there or start all over!
3.  When you have reviewed a book, you are encouraged to come back to this post and add the link to your review in the comments.
 This challenge is perpetual.

 Julie also has a Read the Months Challenge.

1. Read one book a month with the name of that month in the title; January, February, March, etc.
2. When you have reviewed a book, you are encouraged to come back to this post and add the link to your review in the comments.
3.  This challenge is perpetual.

I will put my list of books for these challenges in my Reading Challenges tab at the top of the page.

BOOK REPORT.....

Cat & Mouse - James Patterson

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Alex Cross is back-and so is a raging and suicidal Gary Soneji. Out of prison and dying from the AIDS virus he contracted there, he will get revenge on Cross before he dies. In addition, we are introduced to a new pair of rivals whose paths cross that of Alex and Soneji. Thomas Augustine Pierce has been chasing his demon, Mr. Smith, since the savage murder of his fiancee. Mr. Smith is a unique monster, with actions toward his victims so insane-so unimaginable-that he is thought of as "not of the earth." Pierce, known in the business as St. Augustine because of his track record for catching killers and his invaluable status to the FBI and Interpol, may even be better than Cross.When things heat up and Alex is in a near-death coma following an attack in his own home, Pierce goes to Washington to help with the investigation. But just as he begins to piece together the mystery of how Gary Soneji could have mortally wounded Cross after he was believed to be dead, he is summoned to Paris with a postcard from Mr. Smith inviting him to a very special killing.The body count is high, the tension the highest, and the two killers on the loose are watching every move their pursuers make. Who is the cat, and who is the mouse? What and where is the final trap? And who survives? 
Series: Alex Cross (Book 4) 
Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages 
Publisher: Vision; Reissue edition (November 1, 1998) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0446606189 
ISBN-13: 978-0446606189

MY THOUGHTS:  This is book 4 of the Alex Cross series.  This one was really good.  An old "friend" comes calling for Alex this time, Gary Soneji.  He has broke out of prison and out for revenge.  He wants to kill Alex and his whole family.  But Alex can't figure out what he's up to.  What is his plan?  Soneji seems to not have a plan, but does he.  Alex has to figure it all out.  The new person that Alex is after is even better than Soneji and he wants to get caught.  But Alex is having trouble trying to figure out what the heck Mr. Smith's plan is also.  He seems to be killing people randomly.  Does Alex solve both of these cases?  You will have to read the book to find out.

This book is also for my Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge.

  I read 21 books last year.  I put my goal at 10 more than last year.  This is book 31.  Here is the list of books I read.
1. Cat & Mouse - James Patterson
2. Everything I Never Told You - Celeste Ng
3. Field of Prey - John Sandford
4. Deeply Odd - Dean Koontz
5. Lean Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
6. Jack & Jill - James Patterson
7. Kiss The Girls - James Patterson
8. Helsinki Blood - James Thompson
9. A Duke of Her Own - Eloisa James
10. Prey - Linda Howard
11. Night of the White Buffalo - Margaret Coel
12. All the Bright Places - Jennifer Niven
13. Velocity - Dean Koontz
14. The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen
15. Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
16. The Little Fir Tree - Margaret Wise Brown
17. Along Came A Spider - James Patterson
18. The Midwife of Hope River - Patricia Harman
19. Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah
20. Attachments - Rainbow Rowell
21. The Reluctant Mid Wife - Patricia Harman
22. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer - John Grisham
23. The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise - Julia Stuart
24. Dog Days - Jon Katz
25. Mozart: A Life - Paul Johnson
26. Soul of A Dog - Jon Katz
27. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry - Gabrielle Zevin
28. Zoo - James Patterson
29. Bad Boy Brawly Brown - Walter Mosley
30. Human Trafficking - Margaret Haerens
31. Saint Odd - Dean Koontz 

BOOK BEGINNINGS......

Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillion over at Rose City Reader.  

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name."

This is a book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.  The series has been on my TBR list for years.  I've finally started reading them.  This is book 4 of the series.

My Book Beginning

The Cross House was twenty paces away and the proximinty and sight of it made Gary Soneji's skin prickle.

Cat & Mouse by James Patterson

If you have read any of the Alex Cross books you know that Gary Soneji is a bad guy.  Alex put him away in prison before, but he escaped and now he's after Alex and his family again.  He's a really bad man!  And Alex has to catch him again before he gets to his family. 

I am really enjoying this series of books.  They are very fast paced with lots of action and mystery.  If you like a good murder mystery these books have that and more.