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Everyone is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf

Everyone is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf is a thriller of a read.  Imagine getting invited to a reality show where the winner will get ten million dollars.  Most people would think it is a prank.  

The contestants’, the host’s,and the creator’s stories are interwoven within the games. The contestants are flown into a villa in California where all contact with the outside world is cut off.  All the contestants show up and the games begin.

Each of the characters are given a nickname and the shows are shown live via the web.      Maire is desperate and so is willing to try anything to get the money to take care of her daughter.  As the best friend, she is the main character.  The characters are pitted against each other in combat with unknown obstacles that are dangerous.  The storyline twists as the plot thickens and each character is struggling to stay in the game.  The story weaves around the contestants and the obstacles and as the reader, you are left wondering why the story is happening the way it is.  

Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf is an interesting thriller with many twists.

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My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long

My Season of Scandal is a novel in the Palace of Rogues (book 7) series by Julie Anne Long.  The Palace of Rogues is a boarding house that is carefully curated by the owners.  There are very specific rules and expectations for those who live there including family style dinners and nights in the parlor.   The rules do include - or at least expect proper behavior.  

Catherine Keating has come to London for a season.  She hopes to find someone who meets her fancy.  She has no allusions of grandeur knowing she has a small dowry and a wardrobe that is considered old by the high fashion tonne.  Luckily, despite the fact that her chaperone seems to leave her every night to play games at the ball, Catherine finds a couple of people to dance with and eventually captures the attention of Lord Dominic Kirke.  Not that he is interested in her, but he is willing to help her out here and there.  

Lord Dominic Kirke is a firebrand orator in the House of Commons.  He is also a boarder at the Palace of Rogues as his house sustained damage in a fire.  He recognizes Catherine and wants to help her out, but not get into a relationship with her.  Eventually he helps her (without her knowledge) and her season becomes more robust, except for those who are looking for victims.  

The story does drag a bit in the middle, but overall it is a nice addition to the series.  My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long is a good read.  

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New Blog: Reading a different book

We all bring our own history, our own psychology, even our own subconscious. So in a way, we’re all reading a different book.  (The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson)

My bestie sent me this quote this week as she was reading The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson.  The quote really struck me.  I think it is something that people just don’t realize.  When I read other people’s reviews, I sometimes wonder if we are reading the same book.  It is amazing what different themes and characters analysis happens based on our own lives and reflections.  This week I read two books. One of the books was set on the island of Anglesey.  I found myself reveling and abhorring the howling winds, pouring rain and raging waves.  I found myself connecting with the character over her unrelenting sorrow.  Will others? 

Perhaps there is a real attraction between people who are alike enjoying books that have similar themes.  

It’s a good thing so many new books are published each year.  In 2023 - about 1 million books were published without counting self publishing according to Rob Errera from Toner Buzz on 08/18/2023.  Such a huge number of books - no wonder why my to-read list is about the same size as the national debt.  

Elise sent in a great interview with Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson.  They are writing so many great thrillers.  Riveting and action packed novels that make you hold your breath with each new situation.  They have two new books coming out Four Minutes and Act of Defiance (Tom Clancy novel).  

Meanwhile, hope you have time to read!

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Interview with Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson

Four Minutes by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson is a new techno-thriller series.  It is different than most futuristic novels in that it does not alter the timeline completely as in the first Superman movie when Lois Lane lived instead of died.

The premise allows for intelligence gathering in the future to be used in the present to prevent an event from happening. Pat Moody leads a new elite squad, Task Force Omega to jump into the future for a short period of time, four minutes.

Another of their books is a Tom Clancy novel, Act of Defiance, to be published in May. It is a sequel of sorts to The Hunt for Red October. Instead of Jack Ryan trying to stop a Russian rogue submarine, it is daughter Katie who must put the pieces together.  

As with all their series, Andrews and Wilson never seem to disappoint their readers.  The plots are riveting and action-packed with premises that are mind boggling. Suspense is ratcheted up and the characters are compelling. 

Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for Four Minutes?

Brian Andrews/Jeffrey Wilson: It will probably be a limited series but is open ended right now. We like our stories to start with these ‘what if’ questions. Both of us have backgrounds with the military and other government services. What if someone had a crystal ball to look into the future that can say what can happen?  For example, what if days beforehand people knew about 9/11?  Then we tied it to the cover Special Forces grounded in real math and physics. We did not want it to be a sci-fi book but rather a techno-thriller.

EC:  What about the premise?

BA/JW: If someone could look forward and anticipate consequences then in the present it is possible to act. It is about gaining intelligence and coming back to the present to stop the event. They do not get a do over and do not know if the mission will really work. This technology could be invented soon. The questions we want to ask: can there be technology that goes into the near future; if so, how could someone manipulate it; what would the limits be?  We put these limits where the team could go into the future 28 days and only stay for four minutes. They must use that information in the present to solve the problem.

EC:  What did you mean by the book quote, “everyone wants to see us fail?”

BA/JW: It was not meant to target a real-world administration or political organization. Yet, the powers external to the US: China, Russia, and Iran, want to see us fail.  They want to tear us down piece by piece, trying to destroy us from within, and trying to destroy us from outside. America needs to be united because when we are divided, we are weak, and our enemies realize it. They cannot beat us in the Cold War, economically, and militarily so they are trying philosophically and politically.

EC:  How would you describe Moody?

BA/JW:  Confident, charming, smooth, secretive, and the rest of the team do not trust him. When we first started writing him, we were not sure if he was a bad guy or good guy. He is apologetic for lying to his team, but not when it will help them complete the mission, safeguarding the country. He sees the need to make compromises and hard choices. 

EC:  Is this where your personal experiences come in?

BA/JW:  Yes.  This is what it is like when in command.  Some people must put themselves in danger. Brian says, for instance, as a submarine officer, I had to wear a radiation monitor. This team is making a big physical sacrifice. Our combined military service is what drives the engine of a lot of our work including the missions. 

EC: Can you describe each member of the team starting with Tyler?

BA/JW: Man of action, direct, and intuitive. He embodies the Special Operations officer being dedicated and committed. He is a natural leader and motivator. He is like Dempsey in our “Tier One series.”  He has courage, honor, and integrity.

EC:  Zee?

BA/JW: She is a perfectionist and takes her intelligence analyst role very seriously. She feels as an outsider.  Moody wants her to be a “spy.”  She immediately tells Tyler because she wants to be a part of the team, not considered an outsider.  Zee is the moral compass, the emotional glue, to keep the team grounded and not dysfunctional. 

EC:  Ben, Martin, Stan, and Adela?

BA/JW:  We wanted to create a colorful cast. They are all dynamic.  Stan is the fact checker and the researcher. Ben is the optimist.  Adela is the Devil’s Advocate.

EC:  Not harping on the math and physics but what is Spooky Time?

BA/JW:  Conservation of time. When the team jumps the present is still moving by four minutes.  When they return from their jump, they will always return to the present four minutes after they left. But what if they jumped two minutes into the future?  The present would have moved by four minutes. We put in the Einstein quote, “The past, present, and future is an illusion.”  There is a diagram in the book that explains it.    

EC:  You are now writing Tom Clancy novels so can you talk a little about your premise in Act of Defiance? This book was “Clancyesque.”

BA/JW: This, our first installment in the Clancy Universe come on the 40th Anniversary of The Hunt for Red October. We feel Tom Clancy invented the techno-thriller genre with that book. We are updating this story with the new technology and the new warriors. 

EC: Were you able to use “real life” military technology?

BA/JW: The navy gave us unprecedented access to the modern submarine force. We were able to go on the USS Indiana, a Virginia class submarine, and toured the Black Fish. We were able to see what a day is like for this current submarine officer. We are indebted to the navy and the admiral in charge of the submarine force. The US Navy should have been listed as a co-author since they supported this project.

EC: Do you agree that the Russian submarine captain, Ramius, would not have been able to disappear today considering social media and drones?

BA/JW: We agree completely.  This is why we went in another direction.  Konstantin, the new Russian submarine captain, has motivations completely different and far more dangerous.

EC:  You included that very famous scene, getting Jack Ryan on the submarine, only this time it was his daughter Katie. Please explain.

BA/JW: This scene was not in the book but was in the movie. We wanted to play homage to the book and the movie by picking out some key, super cool incidents that we wanted to replicate in this story. This was an iconic scene in the film. We used a tightrope to put just enough of the nostalgia without alienating people who never read the book or saw the movie. 

EC:  How would you describe Katie, the female Jack Ryan?

BA/JW: This series has two dozen books.  She is an original character, but readers do not know much about her.  We can build up her character. Katie is sensitive, confident, thoughtful, analytical, and she has studied Konstantin just as her father studied Ramius in the first book.  She is literally Jack Ryan’s DNA because she is his daughter, very similar to her dad.  Yet, she does not see it. Just like the hilarious commercial that says, ‘you turned into your parents.’

EC:  How would you describe Konstantin?

BA/JW: A warrior, stoic, unyielding, motivated, tenacious, and is a Russian patriot who hates America. He is also an angry guy and bitter about his father’s past, his wife’s illness, and his own disease. He is seeking vengeance and is self-destructive.

EC:  Next book?

BA/JW:  The next Four Minutes Book is dependent on the screenplay because it is optioned for television or the movies. Since the first book is left with a cliffhanger our intention is to figure out what happens to Moody and some of the other characters.     

The next Clancy book is titled, Defense Protocol, coming out in November/December of this year. The plot has a what if with China making moves on Taiwan.  Katie is trying to prevent having American and China in a shooting war. 

The next “Tier One” book is titled Ember, coming out in July of next year.  John Dempsey is back with his team. But the team must handle another new threat.  There will be more of the team dynamics.

Sons Of Valor IV will come out in summer of 2025.  It has not been written yet.

THANK YOU!!

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The Rival by Maisey Yates

The Rival by Maisey Yates is the newest in the Four Corners Ranch (book 7).  It once again brings us into the work of the ranch and focuses on Quinn Sullivan and a nearby rancher, Levi Granger.  The novel really highlights the building of trust and seeing things with positive intent. 

Levi’s parents died when he was only 16.  He ended up taking over the ranch and the raising of his brother and sisters.  Learning to build up the ranch and raising his siblings was his whole life for almost 20 years.  It didn’t help that Quinn’s father tricked him into making a deal that was not necessarily fair.  The grudge he holds against the Sullivans is larger.  

Quinn needed to convince Levi and the other local farmers and ranchers to allow a new road to come to the farm and their brand new farm stand.  She was determined to make Levi see things her way.  Unfortunately, her reasoning was not what was needed to change the opinion of the neighbors.  Her determination to work with and understand Levi was what was needed more than anything else.  

The Rival by Maisey Yates is another great installment in the Four Corners Ranch series.

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Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea

Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea is a book that can wring out your emotions and drive you to a tissue box.  The aching loneliness of the main character is palpable and the setting just highlights the wretchedness of the situation. Jude is a complex main character. Certainly, learning that you move through life even when it’s hard, is a lesson in this story.Somehow the author, Caroline Young even evokes the mournful beauty of the island with the use of the Welsh language.

Having said all that, the book is uplifting as well.  It is a story about love and second chances and being given your dream.    The island of Anglesey with its quiet beauty and wildlife was almost another character in the novel.    Perhaps the best part of the island were the people of the island, strong and practical, full of independence and life.    I fell in love with the island, the people and with Jude.  

Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea by Caroline Young is a wonderfully poignant read.

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New Blog: The Week Before The Week Before

It was the week before the week before spring break!  Enough said, if you work in a school. If you don’t, it is like a tornado inside a hurricane.  Meanwhile, that means I have not had a lot of time to read!  

I did fall into a new hole on the internet.  There are apps that have books within them written by various people.  You start reading thinking it is free and just when you’re hooked, you need to follow the prompts to read more…SIGH. Usually requiring you to watch ads or buy coins to continue.  Unfortunately I did get dragged into two books.  One I have cut off, but one I am waiting at the end of every chapter to the next day to read the next chapter…blah.    

I did have a chance to read Chris Keniston’s newest book called Paxton.  Another hit book in the Faraday series, for sure.  A sexy, thoughtful man who can build and fix things AND is part of the Faraday clan is always hot.  The other book I read this week was a disappointment, so I am not going to mention it by name.  I do wish books would all attempt to curb the need to have too many high points or at least to make sure the last one is the largest one, otherwise it feels like a let down.  

My library list of books to read is still a list in a queue.  I feel like I am slowly crawling up a hill waiting for the books.  Luckily NetGalley and Amazon Kindle Unlimited keep me in books to read.  

Elise sent in an interview with Lisa Black.  Her newest book The Deepest Kill has a riveting plot and includes cool forensic information that will capture your attention.   

I hope the extreme weather is missing you and you have time to read.

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Guest Interview: Lisa Black and The Deepest Kill

The Deepest Kill

Locard Institute Book 3

Lisa Black

Kensington Pub

Feb 20th, 2024

The Deepest Kill by Lisa Black brings back forensic investigators Dr Ellie Carr and Dr Rachael Davies of the Locard Institute.  Once again readers get a glimpse into the forensic world as Black uses her own experiences as a forensic scientist to intertwine information within the riveting plot and readers will not be disappointed.

Carr and Davies are asked by billionaire Martin Post to investigate his pregnant daughter’s death.  Ashley had taken out her boat into the Florida Gulf, and just disappeared until her body washed ashore.  Both scientists determine that her death was not accidental but murder. Her husband, Greg, is considered the number one suspect. But because Greg, Ashley, and Post were working on a revolutionary defense initiative for the US military, some think that foreign agents might be involved. Thus, FBI agents Michael Tyler and Luis Alvarez are brought into the investigation. 

Also adding to the storyline is the coast setting and the weather that appear as a character. Not to mention that Black gives more details of Ellie’s backstory whose mother died under suspicious circumstances and her death was also ruled drowning. 

Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the story?

Lisa Black: Throughout the series readers will discover more of Ellie’s history that is relevant to what is happening. This story popped into my head as I was thinking about defense contracting and the Laci Peterson case. I describe it as the Laci Peterson case if her father was Bill Gates, although I never worked on it.  I did watch a documentary about it. 

EC:  Do you like switching off from featuring as the main character, Ellie, and Rachel?

LB:  I want both in the story.  It depends on what needs to be done because their expertise is in different areas. It depends on what they are investigating.  If it deals with pathology and anatomy Rachel will be featured more, but if it is about fingerprints then Ellie will be featured. It depends on what is called for with the investigation.

EC: Deception, detection, and body language are mentioned.  Does it play a role in forensic analysis?

LB:  Not really, it was what a detective does.  But a class was offered for the police officers in detection and deception.  I was allowed to attend it. It was a two-day class which I found interesting.  I got a lot of ideas for this story. For example, what was told about people’s feet.  I put a scene in about it.  People know that they should cover their faces, but a person’s feet can betray them. There must be a baseline that should be interpreted.

EC:  Did the setting play a role in the story? I laughed when I read what you said about your husband and moving to Florida. 

LB: I live in Florida now. I have accepted the move he wanted to make, but still would rather have stayed where I was because I loved Cleveland where my job and family are.  I wanted to present how I felt when I first came here.  It was a shock. I hoped to have a little fun presenting an outsider’s view of Florida.  There are hurricanes, and in summer it is hotter than heck and very humid.  Florida has two seasons, raining season and not raining season. 

EC: What about the boat scenes?

LB: When I was a child in Lake Erie, we had a boat, so I am comfortable around boats. I love boats. This was also inspired by the Laci Peterson case because they think the husband dumped her body in the water.

EC:  You put in the forensics about the water?

LB: Yes, being in the water changes a body. The way it decomposes and what happens to it after death. A body is affected greatly after being submerged.  This helped me to keep the mystery going.

EC:  Was the father’s dead wife presented like a hologram?

LB: No.  I was basing it on smart phones, Alexa, and Siri, all the artificial types.  He just gave it his wife’s name so when he asked a question he referred to her name.

EC:  How would you describe Ellie?

LB:  Someone who wants to fit in, committed, athletic, and does not handle change very well. She does have insomnia.  Having to move around a lot as a child has made her a little insecure. Having her adjust to new living situations made her crave stability. She was always raised by aunts, uncles, and cousins.

EC:  How would you describe the husband, Greg?

LB:  Energetic, amiable, rich, shallow, and arrogant. Picture a spoiled frat boy. He is used to women giving him what he wants because he is cute and the rest of the world giving him what he wants because he is rich. He was born rich.

EC:  What about your next book?

LB:  It is titled Not Who We Expected. The plot has this aging rock star trying to make a comeback.  He calls the Locard Institute because of his missing daughter and is very worried after the boyfriend turns up dead. 

THANK YOU!!

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Paxton by Chris Keniston

Paxton by Chris Keniston is the newest book in the Faraday family.  He works on renovation projects on the Construction Cousins reality TV show.  However this newest renovation project just took a positive bent.  

His old friend Sandra Lynn Hammond has just moved back into town.  Together with her son, they moved in with her mother to start again and raise her son in a safe place. Paxton finds Sandra as interesting as he did when they were young.  He also discovered he really liked her son as he played with him  while wooing his mom.  

Another wonderful love story by Chris Keniston that highlights the joys of small town living and being surrounded by the Faraday clan.  Paxton is generous and sexy.  How could Sandra resist? (How can anyone?)The Faraday Clan is on full display and led by Aunt Eileen.  Paxton by Chris Keniston is a fun, flirty read!