Kate’s 2¢: “Lance Brody. Books .5-2.5” by Robertson, Michael, Jr; Robertson, Michael.

“Lance Brody. Books .5-2.5” by Robertson, Michael, Jr; Robertson, Michael.

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

“Dark Beginnings”, a novella:   Can you imagine the fright and surprise, if, during sex in a grave yard on a dark and stormy night, there is a lightening flash and you notice many souls watching and grinning at you  as you climax? The conception of Lance was, to say the least, extraordinary.

   As a young man, Lance had seen more than just the human spirit. He’d also seen the evil beyond the veil.  The things that came from this other place, were things that no person should ever have to see.

“Dark Game”:  ‘at the age of 22, Lance sets off after his mother has sacrificed herself to give him time to start  his true journey. She stressed, embrace yourself, so you can embrace others. In a strange town, there have been three years of the football team winning the state title and three missing football players. True evil didn’t play games; it went for the kill. The universe is too smart, too calculated for us to accept the concept of coincidence.

”Dark Sun”;  Lance was sure the sheriff had dealt with  all kinds of thrill-seekers and para-normal enthusiasts in the years since the murders had taken place,  but, his defensiveness seemed to carry a personalness. Somehow, the man was connected to this ‘spook farm’.  Right time, right place; I think we can thank the universe.

   I enjoyed these stories, even though, they made me check the locks on the windows and peek behind the closed shower curtains.

Shawn Hertel did a very good job of reading this for the NLS.

From the web:

From Michael Robertson Jr, author of the Amazon #1 Kindle Horror novel ROUGH DRAFT and the LANCE BRODY SERIES, comes another collection of 3 of his most terrifying and edge-of-your-seat suspense short stories. ROUGH SEX: Marty Jenkins has planned a romantic evening at home with his wife, one full of wine, a movie, and rough, sweaty sex.

Amazon.com: Dark Beginnings (9781520326962): Robertson Jr …

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Beginnings-Michael…Actions for this site

Dark Beginnings is the prequel novella to Michael Robertson Jr’s new supernatural suspense series featuring LANCE BRODY. With a troubled young hero, mysterious foes, and plenty of paranormal action, fans of Odd Thomas, Supernatural, and the dark unknown are sure to love Lance.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Lance Brody. Books .5-2.5 DB102407

Robertson, Michael, Jr; Robertson, Michael. Reading time: 21 hours, 6 minutes.

Read by Shawn Hertel.

Suspense Fiction

Supernatural and Horror Fiction

Four books, written between 2016 and 2018, featuring Lance Brody, a man with supernatural abilities who can communicate with spirits and investigates why they are restless. Includes the prequel Dark Beginnings, Dark Game, Dark Son, and a short story Dark Deception. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. 2018.

Downloaded: June 1, 2021

Download Lance Brody. Books .5-2.5

Kate’s 2¢: “Sunflower Sisters” by Martha Hall Kelly

“Sunflower Sisters” by Martha Hall Kelly

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   At times, this story was very difficult to read, because of the cruelties people imposed on other people. Talk about man’s inhumanity to man!

   I have several friends who collect thimbles,   but, I’d never heard of cutting off the tip to use as an engagement ring. I like the idea. There are so many decorative thimbles  of varying sizes.

   Since my ancestors were Hendricus Deyo 1754-1820 born in New Paltz, Ulster, New York, USA; Died: Sep 23, 1820  His wife was Phoebe Woolsey Born Oct 1762 in Marlboro, Ulster, New YorkDied: Sep 23, 1820,  I wonder if they might be the ancestors of the Woolseys in the story?

   I like having the different voices reading the various characters. I can appreciate all the research that has gone into this book to weave  the fiction into the historical facts. Thank you.

From her website:

Author Biography

I’m an author and native New Englander, still pinching myself since my debut novel Lilac Girls, became a New York Times bestseller the week it was published in April 2016. The novel is historical fiction, based on the true story of 72 Polish women who were imprisoned and experimented on at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp and how Caroline Ferriday, an American philanthropist and former actress brought them to the U.S. for rehabilitation and the trip of a lifetime.

Following Lilac Girls, I wrote two prequel novels. The first, released in April 2019, Lost Roses, takes place during WWI and tells the story of Caroline’s mother Eliza’s fight to help Russian refugees displaced by the revolution there. Like Lilac Girls, Lost Roses is a heartbreaking story of love and loss that, I believe, is remarkably relevant today — a saga of desperate immigrants, a world in turmoil, and three strong women who are pushed to the limit, determined to survive.

The second prequel, Sunflower Sisters, released in March 2021, takes place during The Civil War and tells the story of Caroline’s ancestors, the incredibly philanthropic Woolsey women, staunch abolitionists who tended to wounded soldiers on the Gettysburg battlefield.

In my blog and throughout the site, I’ve included background about my research and inspiration for both Lilac Girls and Lost Roses — hope you enjoy!

If you have questions or anything you’d like to share with me, I’d love to hear from you on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and GoodReads. For publishing related inquiries, please visit my contact page.martha_collage-14-14

Book clubs Check out Martha’s resources for bookclubs.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Sunflower sisters DB103103

Kelly, Martha Hall. Reading time: 17 hours, 52 minutes.

Read by Jenna Lamia.

Historical Fiction

Georgeanna Woolsey is a Union nurse during the Civil War whose calling leads her to cross paths with Jemma, a young enslaved girl who is sold off and conscripted into the army, and Anne-May Wilson, a Southern plantation mistress whose husband enlists. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

Download Sunflower sisters

Kate’s 2¢: “Sugarcreek Amish mysteries. Books 16-20 by Goyer, Tricia; Ludwig, Elizabeth; Lillard, Amy; Adams, Elizabeth; Thomas, Emily

“Sugarcreek Amish mysteries. Books 16-20 by Goyer, Tricia; Ludwig, Elizabeth; Lillard, Amy; Adams, Elizabeth; Thomas, Emily

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   I like the way these five authors wrote different stories using the same town and basic characters, then, adding new characters to develop their own unique narrative arc. I felt like I was visiting old friends and really got to know the town folks and the Miller family.

   Maggy Stacy did a good job of reading the story for NLS. Thank you.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Sugarcreek Amish mysteries. Books 16-20 DB101384

Goyer, Tricia; Ludwig, Elizabeth; Lillard, Amy; Adams, Elizabeth; Thomas, Emily. Reading time: 35 hours, 54 minutes.

Read by Maggy Stacy.

Mystery and Detective Stories

Five mysteries, written between 2016 and 2017, for sleuthing Cheryl to solve as she runs her aunt’s gift store in the Ohio Amish community. Includes Ludwig’s Home Sweet Sugarcreek, Goyer’s Blessed Are the Cheese Makers, Lillard’s Stranger Things Have Happened, Adams’s In a Jam, and Thomas’s A Play on Words. 2017.

Downloaded: April 1, 2021

Cornucopia: Jeanne Hoose

Jeanne Hoose

b.July 18, 1929 d.June12, 2021

   When Malcom Keith Hoose (b. June 8, 1926 -d. June9, 2015) died, Jeanne and Keith had been married 65-years. They had 4 children, Gary (Sally), Kristine Ryck, Martin (Katie) and Brian (Cathy); 12 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

   Now, Jeanne (b.July 18, 1929 d.June12, 2021) has passed on, Keith and their daughter will welcome her with open arms. Most likely, even MacIntosh will bark his welcome, too. She is survived by more great-grandchildren and even several great-great grandchildren, all of whom she took tremendous pride in.

   Each year, there would be a family reunion in the Adirondacks at a hunting lodge. As the matriarch, she was more than welcomed and feted with love and more food than she could eat.

   My husband and I first met Jeanne and Keith when we attended Holy Cross Anglican Church in Webster, NY. We developed a special bond and began to go out for lunch once a month. After Keith died, we continued to go out for what became known as ‘First Friday Fish Fry’ or FFFF. Jeanne was an avid diarist, so , she’d write down what restaurant we went to and what each of us had to eat. It became the high-light of the month for each of us, as we tried to eat in a different restaurant each month.

   Jeanne’s background was in nursing and even after retiring, she never stopped keeping up-to-date. The doctors had to keep on their toes when she developed breast cancer, because she questioned everything. She’d be quick to recognize a side-effect of her medication and bring it to their attention.

   The shut-down from the Covid-19 Pandemic brought our lunches to an end, but, we kept in touch via phone and, especially, her ipad. Keith’s e-mail address began with KHOOSE, so my screen reader would say: kuice.  After he passed, her e-mail became: JHOOSE, which my computer pronounced: juice. That was our nickname for her. She loved to watch the Safari programs with exotic animals on her device. She’d bring us up to date on which ever animal had been featured that week as we ate our lunch. As her body began to fail, her mind was as sharp as ever and made arrangements, with discussions with her children, to move into the Friendly Home. She never wanted to put any burdens on her children, although, they were all very attentive to Jeanne.

   Fare thee well, Juice. You are beloved, cherished,  and shall truly be missed.

God speed, my friend.

Kate’s 2¢: “Every Last Fear” by Alex Finlay

“Every Last Fear” by Alex Finlay

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   It was interesting how the teenage daughter and her father kept the search going  for who-ever murdered the girlfriend, and eventually provided the clues to how th family died  in Mexico, exonerating Matt’s brother.

ISBN: 9781250268822

“Alex Finlay’s jaw-dropping Every Last Fear, about a family found dead years after their true-crime Netflix documentary makes them infamous, is a powerful, standout thriller. Finlay is a masterful storyteller, seamlessly shifting perspectives and timelines to add layers of emotional depth and suspense to this fast-paced, expertly plotted, utterly engrossing novel.

https://alexfinlaybooks.com/books/every-last-fearActions for this site

“Alex Finlay delivers a gripping debut in ‘Every Last Fear,’ a thriller that derives its action from a compelling family drama touching on unconditional love, obsession, and betrayal…. ‘Every Last Fear’ introduces a new talent.”

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Every last fear DB102224

Finlay, Alex. Reading time: 10 hours, 59 minutes.

Read by Jon Lindstrom.

Suspense Fiction

Psychological Fiction

College student Matt Pine receives a devastating call. His parents and younger brother and sister have died in Mexico of an apparent gas leak. But appearances may be deceiving. The family’s deaths may be connected to Matt’s older brother Danny–in jail for the murder of his girlfriend. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

Download Every last fear

Kate’s 2¢: “A murderous tangle” by Sally Goldenbaum

“A murderous tangle” by Sally Goldenbaum

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   The silent partner of the murdered bar owner adds another layer to the mystery. A stranger being the murder was far better than thinking it was someone they knew. What seemed relatively easy – the time, a place, and maybe even witnesses–  isn’t turning out that way.

https://www.freshfiction.com/author.php?id=21644Actions for this site

Jun 11, 2012 · Sally Goldenbaum Sally Goldenbaum has written thirty or so published novels between the time her children began toddling—and now, when those now-grown children are busy with their own toddlers. And that’s the part of her life she is proudest of–three wonderful adult kids. And four amazing grand-kids

   Sally Goldenbaum is the author of more than three dozen novels, most recently the USA TODAY best selling Seaside Knitters Society Mystery Series, including the Thorpe Menn nomiated How to Knit a Murder. The series is set in the fictional town of Sea Harbor, MA. She also write the Queen Bees Quilting Myster y Series .

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

A murderous tangle DB103097

Goldenbaum, Sally. Reading time: 9 hours, 27 minutes.

Read by Julie McKay.

Mystery and Detective Stories

Charming environmentalist Tess Bean has taken Sea Harbor by storm, especially Birdie’s granddaughter and Izzy’s Irish Setter, but not everyone is charmed by her questioning the “clean” practices of local small businesses. When a bar owner is murdered, Tess is suspect number one. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Download A murderous tangle

Kate’s 2¢: “Jackpot” by James Swain

“Jackpot” by James Swain

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   I’ve been to Las Vegas and played Black Jack and, of course, the slot machines. I knew going into the casino that there would be not clocks nor windows. I also knew I had a set amount of money to bet. When that was gone, I’d watch other people play. I won some and out it back into the pot until the funds were gone. I had a lot of fun, but, now I wonder if it was all rigged for the house to win!

   I liked how to catch a thief, Jerry was a former thief and was able to think like Bronco to out-wit him.  

   Ray Foushee is one of my favorite readers. Good job. Thank you.

James Swain (born June 7, 1956) is an American crime fiction author and magician.

Swain has written at more than fifteen fiction and non-fiction books. Many have been translated into twelve languages.[1] He has used two main characters in most of his crime related and mystery books. These are Tony Valentine, a private eye and Jack Carpenter, an ex-cop turned child rescuer. Swain is lesser known for his “Magic” non-fiction books which are self-published. Swain’s recent books have been declared “Mysteries of the Year” by Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.

He has received two nominations for the Barry Award. In 2006, he was awarded the Prix Calibre 38 for best American Crime Fiction for his Tony Valentine series. He has received an award for his fiction from “Florida Book.”[2][3]

The “Tony Valentine” rights were purchased in 2009 by Langley Films for theatrical purposes.[1] An agreement allows Swain to write the first screenplay adaptation.[3][4]

Swain was researching a story about poker hustling for Men’s Journal in 2009 and the team of hustlers he found agreed to let him write a series of novels based on their experiences after a five-year delay, leading to the “Billy Cunningham” series.[5]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Jackpot DB102684

Swain, James. Reading time: 9 hours, 57 minutes.

Read by Ray Foushee.

Suspense Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

Ex-cop Tony Valentine heads to Nevada to settle a score with the last of the ruthless con men who gunned down his brother-in-law. With his son Gerry, they track down the cold-blooded Bronco Marchese, while also helping the police figure out who’s remotely stealing jackpots. Strong language and some violence. 2010.

Kate’s 2¢: “ How To Knit A Murder” by Sally Goldenbaum

“ How To Knit A Murder” by Sally Goldenbaum

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   This fascinating story about several friends, who share a love of knitting, set about to solve the murder of a man no one liked. The author planted numerous seeds of doubt in our minds, but, the actual perpetrator might surprise you, as the ‘back story’ doesn’t surface until near the end.

   Bullying  has its ugly theme deeply woven into this plot. The narrative arc is well-done through the dialogues the good friends and their neighbors, mostly their spouses, have with each other.

https://www.freshfiction.com/author.php?id=21644Actions for this site

Jun 11, 2012 · Sally Goldenbaum Sally Goldenbaum has written thirty or so published novels between the time her children began toddling—and now, when those now-grown children are busy with their own toddlers. And that’s the part of her life she is proudest of–three wonderful adult kids. And four amazing grand-kids

   Sally Goldenbaum is the author of more than three dozen novels, most recently the USA TODAY best selling Seaside Knitters Society Mystery Series, including the Thorpe Menn nomiated How to Knit a Murder. The series is set in the fictional town of Sea Harbor, MA. She also write the Queen Bees Quilting Myster y Series .

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

How to knit a murder DB103095

Goldenbaum, Sally. Reading time: 8 hours, 48 minutes.

Read by Julie McKay.

Mystery and Detective Stories

Rose Chopra befriends the Seaside Knitters when she rescues a yarn shipment in Izzy’s shop from water damage. Unsuprisingly, the knitters have their doubts when the enigmatic handywoman is accused of murdering controversial entrepreneur Spencer Paxton, a man whose company threatened to bulldoze Sea Harbor’s art district. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2018.

Download How to knit a murder

Kate’s 2¢: “Rough Waters” by S. L. Rottman

Rough Waters” by S. L. Rottman

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   This was a well written story for middle and high school students. It tapped into the parent/adult conflict about authority issues. The title has a double meaning, that’s for sure.

www.bookrags.com/biography/s-l-rottman

Susan Lynn  Rottman

Authors and Artists for Young Adults on S. L. Rottman The author of several award-winning novels for young adults, S. L. Rottman was initially inspired to write novels, as she told Pamela Sissi Carroll in the ALAN Review, by the negative response her students always gave …

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Rough waters DB47054

Rottman, S. L. Reading time: 7 hours, 50 minutes.

Read by Phil Regensdorf. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Young Adult

After their parents die in a car crash, Scott, fifteen, and Gregg, seventeen, are shocked to learn their guardian is an unknown uncle who doesn’t seem thrilled to get them. The boys move to his small Colorado town where they are immediately immersed in their young uncle’s white-water-rafting business. For junior and senior high readers.

Download Rough waters

Kate’s 2¢: “The wolf and the watchman a father a son and the CIA” by Scott Johnson

“The wolf and the watchman a father a son and the CIA” by Scott Johnson

Not to be confused with Natt och Dag, Niklas “The Wolf and The Watchman”

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   Before I wrote my own auto-biography, I read as many other biographies and auto-biographies as I could. There are many different ways to write one and, it usually depends on if you’ve had a plain vanilla life or one chock full of trauma, heart-break and drama. 

   Johnson’s life is full of strife, doubt and near death experiences as he travels around the world’s hot spots on assignment for Newsweek, while trying to parse the duplicity of his Father and the father’s life of a CIA spy.

   The men in my life, who served over-seas, don’t talk about their experiences in the hot spots. my father with the Navy  during WWII, my brother with the Army in Vietnam, my nephew as an Army Airborn and then UN Peace unit, and currently my 21-year old grandson who is a Marine are mum about their experiences. I thought, at first, that it was a guy thing, but, even my aunt, who was in the Navy, never talked about what she did. Apparently, it takes a journalist to tell the tale when the warriors won’t or can’t. As Johnson’s father told him: …These tribal/religious/cultural wars have been going on for generations and our intervention isn’t going to make it stop.

   The take away from all this is that war is a lose/lose situation.

   I liked this book, because it was a fast paced personal account that shed some light on several dark times in our country’s history.

   Peter Johnson, the narrator I listened to, does a good job. I don’t know if he’s related to Scott C. Johnson, but I’ve enjoyed other books Peter has narrated.

From the WEB:

Growing up, Scott C. Johnson always suspected that his father was different. Only as a teenager did he discover the truth: his father was a spy, one of the CIA’s most trusted officers.…

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The wolf and the watchman: a father, a son, and the CIA DB78454

Johnson, Scott C. Reading time: 10 hours, 3 minutes.

Read by Peter Johnson.

Biography

Former Newsweek foreign correspondent contemplates his childhood abroad and describes the sense of betrayal he felt when he learned that his dad was a spy. Discusses his own career as a journalist in hot spots such as Afghanistan and Iraq–and occasionally crossing paths with his father. Strong language. 2012.

See www.KateChamberlin.com/BLOG

The wolf and the watchman DB95349

Natt och Dag, Niklas. Reading time: 13 hours, 43 minutes.

Read by Caspar Rundegren.

Mystery and Detective Stories

1793. A year after the death of King Gustav III, paranoia and whispered conspiracies fill the land. Mickel Cardell, a disabled ex-soldier and former night watchman, finds a mutilated body. He teams with lawyer Cecil Winge to find the perpetrator. Translated from the original 2017 Swedish edition. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.