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jbarr5

jbarrett5 book reviews, etc

I read a lot and post my reviews
Promise Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 4) by C.J. Carmichael This story starts out with Amy and she's just become owner of the B&B in Marietta. She's been educated enough to run it but finds problems with the help all quits because of some changes she wants done. So now we find her doing it all, maintenance, housekeeping, baking, bookkeeping. Story is also following Chet and he is in the rodeo, that is having events this week. The documentary film crew is also staying at the B&B. Love to hear how friendly some of the neighbors are and their offers. Chet and Amy get to spend most sunset time together on the proch talking over their troubles. His father is back in town.... and mostly wants money, but something else. She is concerned that her father will turn her dwon after she informs him who she is. Learned so much from this book, especially baking tips due to altitude change and a lot more about rodeo and events that take place. Love the community and hearing of all the charity work. Such tragic moments and there are even more romantic and down earth caring. Love setting and learning how to ride a horse, something I've done just once myself. Never saw it ending as it did, things could've gone sideways at many times during the book. About the author, her other works, and how this series came about are all enclosed at the end. Don’t recall ever reading a book from this author and look forward to them all now. A KEEPER!
Promise Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 4) by C.J. Carmichael This story starts out with Amy and she's just become owner of the B&B in Marietta. She's been educated enough to run it but finds problems with the help all quits because of some changes she wants done. So now we find her doing it all, maintenance, housekeeping, baking, bookkeeping. Story is also following Chet and he is in the rodeo, that is having events this week. The documentary film crew is also staying at the B&B. Love to hear how friendly some of the neighbors are and their offers. Chet and Amy get to spend most sunset time together on the proch talking over their troubles. His father is back in town.... and mostly wants money, but something else. She is concerned that her father will turn her dwon after she informs him who she is. Learned so much from this book, especially baking tips due to altitude change and a lot more about rodeo and events that take place. Love the community and hearing of all the charity work. Such tragic moments and there are even more romantic and down earth caring. Love setting and learning how to ride a horse, something I've done just once myself. Never saw it ending as it did, things could've gone sideways at many times during the book. About the author, her other works, and how this series came about are all enclosed at the end. Don’t recall ever reading a book from this author and look forward to them all now. A KEEPER!

Marry Me Please, Cowboy

 

Marry Me Please, Cowboy by Sinclair Jayne

 

Marry Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 3) by Sinclair Jayne
Starts with how this series came about.
Story starts with Willow and her brother Jace grew up on the farm. She’s a barrel rider for the rodeo..
She's pregnant and she's not sure still what to do...What I love about this story is you get to hear what’s in her mind as she’s thinking it. Same with other characters, you learn about their past and all little details of how they grew up.
Story also follows Jake who's a bull rider at the rodeo. So financially unstable they discuss flowers and wedding dress and she had plans for those already, with her money... Jake heads off to do his promotional work to earn more money.
The cowboy that's left behind is the best man of Jake, Huck and he served with her brother Jace in the war and will be escorting her down the aisle...
Lots of twists and turns and issues they all need to work through.
Love romantic gestures, caring for elders through thick and thin, to coming up with solutions to their own problems in a loving way.
Love all explicit descriptions of the locale, places I'm familiar with and the little things that matter the most.
Adult situations.
First time reading this author and I can't wait to read more.
About the author and her works are listed at the back of the book.
A KEEPER!

Growing Up American by Rafael Polo
What I like about this story is the boy is transported from Cuba to his relatives house in NY where he lives with many others. Everybody has jobs, he has school. Takes you through his full life, when his parents arrive, they become naturalized citizens and then further. Love parts of how they didn't want to live off welfare like other immigrants. Really made a name for themselves and their families. Fascinating read. to hear from their side. Great read.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

 

Pericles & Aspasia by Yvonne Korshak
This story is political and historic along with a lot of other genres all mixed in.
Very entertaining read. Love the old times of Athens, 400 BC. There is so much strategic information about how they battle, how they fight-as in Olympic games, and moves they make politically.
Fascinating read. Details are very descriptive, you can see what they are seeing.
How love strong Aspasia is from when she escapes the ships and swims to the shore... Philosophers are enlightening in this book. Pericles is an all around leader and a man who leads a life that is admired.
Construction of the Parthenon was mazing to say the least and what was included and what had to be changed... Don't let the size of the book keep you from reading this. so many other secrets you will discover.
Cast of characters is attached at the end, note from the author and the changes they made, resources are listed also.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy

 

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy by Megan Crane

 

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 2) by Megan Crane
First time reading this author and I am familiar with the locale and the town, enjoyable read.
This book starts with acknowledgements and then the story.
Starts with Sydney as the bartender at her family’s saloon: Grey's, just starting there.
She was a data analyst in the DC area and usually only came back to Marietta for a quick trip for a holiday or wedding. Handed a 'mandatory don't return to work til the next new year with pay' she heads back home. There is so much that troubles her there. Her grandparents raised them and there's always been talk that she's cursed like others in the family. It haunts her.
Story also follows Jackson who was once a football player but then returned to Marietta for a different career. We learn about them both, how and where they were raised and all their relatives. Like how he wants to really get to know her besides the sex parts. Love the new words I've learned, more about the rodeo and events that take place in town and what makes them tick and about the nature scenes.
Never see them together as a couple, they have so much to work through. Adult situations.
Story ends with other books in the anthology and an except from book 3 in this series.
A KEEPER!

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy

 

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy by Megan Crane

 

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 2) by Megan Crane
First time reading this author and I am familiar with the locale and the town, enjoyable read.
This book starts with acknowledgements and then the story.
Starts with Sydney as the bartender at her family’s saloon: Grey's, just starting there.
She was a data analyst in the DC area and usually only came back to Marietta for a quick trip for a holiday or wedding. Handed a 'mandatory don't return to work til the next new year with pay' she heads back home. There is so much that troubles her there. Her grandparents raised them and there's always been talk that she's cursed like others in the family. It haunts her.
Story also follows Jackson who was once a football player but then returned to Marietta for a different career. We learn about them both, how and where they were raised and all their relatives. Like how he wants to really get to know her besides the sex parts. Love the new words I've learned, more about the rodeo and events that take place in town and what makes them tick and about the nature scenes.
Never see them together as a couple, they have so much to work through. Adult situations.
Story ends with other books in the anthology and an except from book 3 in this series.
A KEEPER!

 

 

What I Wish I Said by Jaime Watt

 

What I Wish I Said: Confessions of a Columnist by Jaime Watt
I like that the column writer has done their job with research and given their view on various topics of conversation.
Not only Canadian politics but from all other countries around the world. Like their take on our presidential elections and what went wrong and how to learn from it so mistakes aren't made again.
Same with topics like Covid and how to get rid of it and also female equality issues.
Lots of references at the end and also a chat with a Toronto newspaper at the very end.
Enjoyed all the topics brought up and interesting to learn how they made it to Canada.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

 

 

 

 

The Peculiar Vanishing Act of Mr Ralph…

 

 

 

The Peculiar Vanishing Act of Mr Ralph Herriot: A Victorian Cozy Mystery (The Mrs Imogene Lynch Series Book 2) by Hannah Ivory This book starts out when Imogene has returned to her home in England and her housekeeper has exciitng news to share. Imogene is persuaded by her and the doctor that she needs the trip to Egypt with her cousin Catherine and it'd be healthy for her to go. Love the travel as I picture in my mind the modes of transportation back then and the countries they travel through. so exciting for me to go along with them. Catherine is not so forthcoming with exactly why they are going to Egypt. Love hearing of all the traditions and culture in each of the countries. They mysteries are laid out in front of you and it's up to Iomgene to figure them all out with others input. Love that it's NOT so straight forward. I can never guess who did it. Love how she is very resourcesful and even sends a telegram to a friend in England.... Can't wait to find out other books from thsi author.

"take me please, cowboy"

Take Me Please, Cowboy ebook by Jane Porter

 

 

 

 

 

Take Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo, Book 1) by Jane Porter
Story starts with a note from the author, a dedication page.
Rye is on his way to the rodeo (to compete and earn money for the family) when he truck overheats so he rests by the side of the road after checking on his horses. He is a roofer by trade and runs the family’s business. With helping the girls to get college educations he's frazzled. He is there for all of them financially and with moral support.
Jackson pulls up and offers help but Rye can only see the blonde woman in the truck... So much character development in this story, love getting to know the characters past and present lives.
Story also follows Ansley, a painter and works at her uncles barn while tending to his needs as he's frail now.
Their paths cross again during events for the 85th rodeo and they share some time together. She agrees to go to the rodeo to cheer him on.
To her Rye is the salt of the earth because of everything he does for everybody else but himself.
At times I had tears in the corners of my eyes because the dialogue is threatening to break them up, they may not have a choice together. Communication is key, listen…
Love how she is able to grow with her career. Ends with a note from the author how this new series has started and who it involved. Many more books will be coming out. Love hearing of the events and how the rodeo works. Love that everyone can share time to help others, that’s what neighbors do.
Author throws her heart into this one. Love older set of people in this story also and follow their well being and health and how it all synchs.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Murder at the Elms

 

 

 

 

 

Murder at the Elms by Alyssa Maxwell
Story starts out with Emma at the newspaper office in Newport, RI 1901.
She heads out to the Elms for a story she's covering. She finds the workers want to strike to get a day off and not have to work 18 hours a day with only Sunday service as their time off.
She is able to talk to a maid who doesn’t mind the hours and she's Portuguese.
The others talk to the owner and they are fired, but not Annette as she wasn't in the group that wanted more time off.
Emma and her spouse Derrick attend an event there later and find the place well-staffed and she learns they got time off every day-things those who were fired complained about.
I have been to the Elms and have gone through all the rooms they are discussing and find it fascinating as there are some things I didn't learn on our tour. I do recall the downstairs where they take deliveries and the kitchen area...
Fascinating to learn of honey from Portsmouth and coal tracks on Dickson...
Many more murders that are all related and some sketchy characters. Could be anyone there are SO many opportunities.
Love gems found in this one and can't wait to read more from this author of local places to me. Ends with notes from the author about the setting and about tour at the Elms.
I received this review book from The Kensington Books and this is my honest opinion.
#MurderattheElms #NetGalley

 

Final Steps

The Final Steps by Mark M Bello In this story we find Tyler the president of the school and he's being accused of killing a professor of law. His friend Rosaline is no longer a judge and hasn't practiced law in years and she agrees to look over the violence and help him out. She was in midst of her book signings and she was so excited to be doing it. Living in her RV she is capable of getting to locations for further clues to help Tyler's case. Love how she works her way into others houses to gain information she needs. Rosaline gets others to help her gather the clues. The story also takes a twist and we hear from the killer them self. Survival of the fitness who will the trio target now to be the killer? Love hearing the author has written many more books, I need to read them, they kept me focused on smaller details. Great read didn't see it coming down as it did. Twists and turns and different methods of killing... Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

The Book of Silver Linings by Nan Fischer

This story starts out with Constance and her friend Mars going to yoga where you are positioned with the males on the other side. The idea is to get to know them and go on a date.
Love the scramble games and all the superstitious omens that arise during the book.
Contance has a lot of hidden secrets and so does Hayden. They clash one day when hes on the phone with his parents and they’ve been investigating her past...
She is upset that he never even stuck up for her.
Feel like this is two different stories in this book because of the ring he had given her she wants to din out where it came from, who and how she ended up with it, for a bit.
Love the idea of the collections under control where you can read the contents but not check out the book.
Constance is also a paralegal til one day she comes home tee Mars with someone she disapproves of. She ends up quitting her job, has no boyfriend and just works and lives at the dog shelter. She does strive to get a job, one more in her line of work...
Like the turn of events as her father reached out for help fo when he gets out of prison, things take a different turn and she sticks to her gut feelings. She’s also dealing with her grandfather who raised her as he’s going into dementia and love the things she does to keep it all straight for him. Love how she and others put everything into the auction to keep the dog shelter going…
Never saw the book ending as it did, great read. There's a lot to this book but it all comes together.
Received this review copy from Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheBookofSilverLinings #NetGalley

 

Murder at Ochre Court (Gilded Newport Mysteries #6) by Alyssa Maxwell

Murder at Ochre Court (Gilded Newport Mysteries #6) by Alyssa Maxwell This story is about the event Emma is back in Newport reporting on. a debuatant ball at Ochre Court. The descriptions of the rooms and gowns are so precise and sparkling with electric lights... The murder occurs right in front of all their eyes. Jessie and Dale both go to reach for the woman and are electrocuted but are able to break the arc. Emma has a lot of people to talk to and finds out clues that she collects There are so many components to this story, so exciting. Lots of discussions of those who fought in the war, the debs fiancée and the contractor who was in charge of the electricity in the mansion...Love hearing about tunnels of Fort Adams, I know family members have visited them, back in the day of 1970s. Emma is staying in Newport now but Derrick heads to Providence to make amends with his father. You wonder if they will ever get together as they are separated so often... I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Murder at Chateau Sur Mer (Gilded Newport Mysteries #5) by Alyssa Maxwell

 

 

Murder at Chateau Sur Mer by Alyssa Maxwell

 

Murder at Chateau Sur Mer (Gilded Newport Mysteries #5) by Alyssa Maxwell
This story starts out with a murder of a prostitute at the bottom of the stairs of a family that is well known in Newport.
Emma gets involved with this murder and is able to frequent the polo fields where the gambling startgs. It's amazing how the murders are all linked together. What a story.
So much of Newp[ort comes out in this book, had to look at up the state parks. Story also follows her intended and she is in dire need of a job.
Love ending where author brings yuu up to date on where the polo fields are now. Spouse lived in the city and knew of the fields and parks mentioned in the book .
Love how the author links the goings on at the polo field and events to the first murder of the prostitute.
Emma's got a quick eye, notices others eyes and where she's seen them in others before....Haven't visited this mansion yet but hope to this fall.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Murder at Rough Point (Gilded Newport Mysteries, #4) by Alyssa Maxwell

 

 

 

 

 

Murder at Rough Point by Alyssa Maxwell

 

 

Murder at Rough Point (Gilded Newport Mysteries, #4) by Alyssa Maxwell
This story follows Emma as she's been selected to help the caretaker run the event. The artists will arrive later, some from the theater, painters, actors, and other mediums of the craft.
They each have their own room at Rough Point, a place we've driven by often int he past 30 years.
Love the locations as they are described, fashion, food and jewelry, all so thrilling.
There is a death and then others are wondering how it all happened. The artists are now aging and are not as good at their craft as they used to be....
There is a surprise guest which Emma did not see coming.
Love all the speculation as to who killed the fellow artists. Just when they arrest one Emma has second thoughts... So many twists and turns and a really bad storm that leaves the island roads as mud.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).