October 2023: Book Recommendation: The Legacy by Gail Bowen (A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery)

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Karyn Good

I hope everyone survived Thanksgiving. Our fridge is full of leftovers. I tried a recipe for waffles that used leftover stuffing that was delicious. Definitely recommend trying one of the many recipes out there.

Published: ECW Press, October 2023

Categories: Cozy Mystery / Mystery / Female Sleuths / Amateur Sleuths / Canadian Setting

Blurb:

When Joanne Shreve’s former student, Val Masluk, writes the biography of acclaimed novelist Steven Brooks, Val once again becomes part of Joanne’s life. The biography is already raising troubling questions about Brooks’s past, and the wedding of Brooks’s daughter and Joanne’s son is scheduled for the day before the biography is published.

Both Joanne and her former student are haunted by memories of the seminar that led to the deaths of two people and the murder conviction of a third. The publication of the Brooks biography poses a threat not only to the future of the man and woman about to be married but also to the futures of those who love them. Joanne is certain that the threat is rooted in either her past or in that of Steven Brooks. The collateral damage caused by exposing that link will bring pain to both families, but life has taught Joanne that the only thing worse than knowing is not knowing.

Thoughts:

The Legacy by Gail Bowen is a mix of reflection and complex family dynamics. On the cusp of Joanne’s youngest son’s marriage, fans are treated to a look into what’s happening in Joanne and Zack’s personal life. One of the best things about the Joanne Kilbourn mystery series is Bowen’s ability to make Joanne a mature, three-dimensional woman with an active life full of all the activities usually associated with much younger protagonists. The Shreve family’s day to day is intertwined with a slow burn of a mystery involving their future daughter-in-law’s father. What follows is a complex web of past and present happenings that end in a page turning resolution. Definitely recommend.

Thank you to ECW Press and Netgalley for gifting me with an ARC.

Until next time…

What’s everyone reading these days now that the nights are longer and cooler?

October 2023: Happy Thanksgiving Weekend

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Karyn Good

It’s been a dreary couple of days here on the prairies but the Thanksgiving prep has begun. The menu is set. Turkey and all the trimmings. I’m planning on making both a pumpkin and apple pie. So, fingers crossed it all turns out.

Top Five Writing Things I’m Thankful For This Year:

Our June writing retreat at St. Peter’s Abbey.
Monthly Zoom get-togethers with Annette Bower, Mary Balogh and Jessica Eissfeldt.
Dinner dates with Donna Gartshore.
Putting together a series ‘bible’ for my upcoming Whisper Creek books.
Listening to Jennifer Podemski talk about her journey as an First Nations actor and producer in the entertain industry.

I hope that wherever you are, you are surrounded by peace and kindness. And if that is not the case, may you find a few moments of respite from it all.

Until next time…

I hope this weekend you are able to take advantage of both a quiet corner and a good book.

September 2023: Round Up

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Karyn Good

September, you have been the perfect month!

Highlights have been the slightly cooler temperatures. It was a hot summer, which was wonderful, but cooler is always a relief come September. It’s also been a month of great books, of digging in flowerbeds, and getting out and about.

Highlight of the Month:

Hearing Jennifer Podemski tell her story as part of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum‘s Solistice Speaker Series was the highlight of my month. She spoke her truth about being an Indigenous person trying to find her way in the entertainment industry. Listening to how she is working to create more opportunities and breakdown stereotypes was incredibly inspiring.

Her latest project is Little Bird and you can stream it on Crave.

Bezhig Little Bird was adopted into a Jewish family at the age of five, being stripped of her identity and becoming Esther Rosenblum. Now in her 20s, Bezhig longs for the family she lost and to fill in the missing pieces. Her quest lands her in the Canadian prairies where she discovers that she was one of the generation of children forcibly apprehended by the Canadian government through a policy, later coined the 60s Scoop.

Remembering the children. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) is Saturday, September 30, 2023. You can find out more about the impact of residential schools, the children who never came home and survivors from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Until next time…

September 2023 Book Recommendation: Follow the Swallow Home by Annette Bower

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Karyn Good

For those of you who want the opposite of last week’s book recommendation. Follow the Swallow Home by Annette Bower falls solidly in the gentle romance genre.

Published: 2023 Soulmate Publishing

Categories: Contemporary Romance / Small Town Romance / Gentle Romance

Blurb:

At a crossroads, Keanna Dixon packs her car and hits the road. She stops in the small town of Regina Beach, where she pitches her tent after deciding to stay awhile. At twenty-five she’s ready to put down roots and this little town may be the perfect place to do it.

Keith Campbell, at thirty, is happy with his independent life. Computers are his playground, racquetball his sport, and his thoughts are not concerned about love or family. But with the unexpected responsibility of caring for his five-year-old deaf nephew, he finds himself on a ranch, because of a pony.

Keith knows all about apps and blogs, and he hopes his research will assist him in showing Keanna that he is her home.

My Thoughts:

The story revolves around Gerry, a young boy who has lost his hearing and who is grieving the loss of his father. When his mother is called back into service and sent overseas, his Uncle Keith steps in to look after him. He meets Keanna, who has experience within the deaf and hard of hearing community, when his nephew starts to feel overwhelmed and she offers to help them adjust to new circumstances.

The main characters, Keanna, Keith and Gerry are well developed and you really get to know who they are. Keanna and Keith have different approaches to solving challenges. But they listen to each other and they find a way to work together. The quaint resort town of Regina Beach is the perfect setting and a lovely look at life in a rural Saskatchewan. You are introduced to many examples of this as Keanna and Keith get to know each other.

Follow the Swallow Home fits perfectly into the gentle romance genre. You find tenderness in the timely arrival of a little teddy bear that gives Keanna someone to talk to as she searches for connection within the small town. You find it in sticky notes Keith places around their rooms to help his little nephew. You find it the baking of cakes, and the offering of apples to horses, and in all the little things this community does to take care of each other. It’s what you find within the pages of an Annette Bower book. Gentle stories about real people connecting with each other and their surroundings. Definitely recommend.

Until next time…

It’s the first day of fall! Who’s happy to see the season change? I’m definitely looking forward to slightly cooler temperatures.

September 2023 Book Recommendation: When I’m Dead by Hannah Morrissey

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Karyn Good

I haven’t read many thrillers lately. But I was offered this ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press and because I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump I decided to mix it up.

*This isn’t my usual book recommendation. This is definitely a thriller/mystery. It involves an investigation into a teenager’s murder. So, if that’s not your thing…

Published: October 31, 2023 by St. Martin’s Press

Categories: Thriller / Suspense / Mystery

Blurb:

One girl murdered…another one missing…and a medical examiner desperate to uncover the truth in When I’m Dead, the latest Black Harbor mystery by acclaimed author Hannah Morrissey.

On a bone-chilling October night, Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp investigates the death of her daughter’s best friend. Hours later, the tragedy hits even closer to home when she makes a devastating discovery—her daughter, Chloe, is gone. But, not without a trace.

A morbid mosaic of clues forces Rowan and her husband to question how deeply they really knew their daughter. As they work closely to peel back the layers of this case, they begin to unearth disturbing details about Chloe and her secret transgressions…details that threaten to tear them apart.

Amidst the noise of navigating her newfound grief and reconciling the sins of her past, an undeniable fact rings true for Rowan: karma has finally come to collect.

My Thoughts:

I was immediately absorbed by this atmospheric page turner. Holy Moley. Black Harbor reminds me of Gotham City. It has that kind of vibe. The story is told from three points of view: Rowan who’s the medical examiner; Axel, a homicide detective and Rowan’s husband; and Libby, the awkward teenager who lives next door.

The night of the high school play, a teenage girl is found murdered. Rowan and Axel are called to the scene only to find the victim is their daughter’s best friend. Things escalate when they realize their daughter is also missing. What follows is a desperate search along a twisted path for their daughter as well as answers to unexpected revelations that come to light.

This book never lets up. Rowan and Axel are thrown into crisis mode and become unreliable narrators of sorts. That’s where Libby comes in. You never know what’s up with her but her perspective gives you a different take on the action and gives you a break from the turmoil enveloping Rowan and Axel.

Overall, it’s a gripping thriller with lots of dark twists and turns. The setting sets the tone. The well done characterizations bring the drama. It’s the perfect book to read come October 31st. Definitely check it out if it’s your jam.

Until next time…

What is it about fall that makes you want to read something a little more atmospheric?

September 2023: Whisper Creek, Book 1, Story Vibes

Posted on September 8, 2023 by Karyn Good

Quick little check in today. Time has gotten away from this week. I’m trying to get some kind of fall routine going.

I wanted to share some of my inspiration for my hero, Ridge Bennett. A landscaper with a heart of gold and a troubled past who’s looking to reconnect with his teenage daughter. The hero and heroine in this book are forty years old and have been around the block, so to speak. Both of them are starting over from very different places. It’s been fun finding a middle ground where they can be together.

Click here for inspiration I’ve shared.

Until next time…

Any exciting plans for the weekend?

September 2023: What I’ve Been Watching

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Karyn Good

Romance Book Movie Adaptions

I’ve actually been in a reading slump lately and I can’t seem to find my way out of it. I don’t think it’s so much the books as it is my ability to concentrate. That’s because the writing is going well and when that happens I don’t really have room in my head for anyone else’s story but mine. Which is a could thing. That’s part of my process. I’ll likely switch from reading romance to something entirely different. Until then I did watch some movie adaptions of romance books in August.

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center. I LOVED this book, which means, you guessed it, I did not love the movie. I liked the movie. But compared to the book, it’s just okay. Of course, there was no way to bring all the book had to the screen but they tried. It’s a nice, easy watch. You can find it on Netflix. But definitely pick up a Katherine Center book if you haven’t already. She’s my new auto buy author.

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston. Another very popular book. I knew Amazon Prime was making the movie so I decided to read the book first. Confession: I didn’t finish it. Not because it wasn’t a great book but because it’s very much got a new adult feel to it and that’s just not my jam. But I enjoyed the movie version. Definitely check it out, if you’re interested.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. So…another new adult story. I didn’t bother trying to read the book this time. Also, I remember when it came out in 2011, some had problems with the nature of the main characters’ relationship.Travis was a real jerk and Abby kept forgiving his bad behaviour. I’ve read that the movie version makes significant changes that improve their relationship’s dynamic. I have to say, it worked. I really enjoyed it. Out of the three movies I’ve listed, it’s my favourite when I expected the opposite. Both the main actors did a great job. It was funny. Sometimes, cringingly. But it had some serious moments too. I would recommend it. Amazon Prime.

Here’s to romance book movie adaptions! We need more of them while we wait impatiently for Bridgerton Season 3.

Until next time…

What’s everyone else been watching? I need recommendations!

August 2023: Round Up

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Karyn Good

August is winding up, which is giving me have all the end of summer feels. But it’s not pumpkin spice season yet. Don’t get me wrong, I love autumn. But I’m not ready to embrace all the wonders autumn brings. So, here’s hoping for a lovely September.

Not included is a photo of the best ice cream cone I’ve had in a long, long time. It was Raspberry Macaroon (Vegan) in a waffle cone from Village Cream in Calgary. Oh my word. Delicious.

I spent a few days in Calgary visiting my sister and her family. We packed a lot of goodness into our visit. From a visit to a delightful boutique romance bookstore, Slow Burn Books, to a Fibre Arts Exhibit, Entwined and Entangled, at the Leighton Art Centre, We dined at Merchants in the Marda Loop area. My nephews are fifteen and twelve and they have a family tradition of playing a simple but lively card game called Anomia when they go out for dinner. No one looked at their phone once. Of course, we fit in a game of Scrabble.

We went the theatre to watch the Barbie movie. it was as awesome as everyone is saying! Highly recommend. We watched Red, White and Royal Blue based on the popular romance novel by Casey McQuiston. (Amazon Prime). Loved it. Recommend. We watched Fisk (Netflix). So funny! Definitely check it out and see if it might appeal.

Harvest is in full swing, kids are getting ready to go back to school. It’s the time of cooler evenings and backyard fires. Tan lines will begin to fade and the leaves will start to turn. Until then, I’ll be soaking up the last month of summer. Going to the pool, golfing, eating all the market garden produce, and praying the frost holds off for a few more weeks.

Until next time…

How are you filling the last days of summer?

July 2023: Round Up

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Karyn Good

July round up, even though it’s August. Here we are on the brink of the August long weekend so stopping in with a quick update.

My Quick Top Five Round Up From July:

Being able to host family from away for a week always gets the win.
Being able to see Beyond Van Gogh with my Mom and my sister. Definitely recommend. It was like being inside a painting.
Going to the Regina International Fringe Festival for the first time and seeing Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life by Keith Alessi. Highly recommend.
Eating things I somehow managed to grow in our garden. Keeping a garden alive is hard. Then there is the weeding…Not sure I recommend. (Do people lol anymore?)
Soaking up the lovely, warm, slow days of the warmest month of the year.

Until next time…

What’s your July highlight?

July 2023 Romance Book Recommendation: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Karyn Good

Not gonna lie, I read it because of the hype. Never would have picked it up otherwise. But I’m so glad I did.

Fourth Wing, Book 1 The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros

Published: May 2023

Categories: Young Adult / Fantasy Romance

Blurb:

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

My Thoughts:

Look, if you’re looking for pure entertainment and escapism, this is the book for you. The action starts on page one and doesn’t let up until the last page. Also be warned, it ends on a cliffhanger. There will be five books in this series with the next one coming out in November this year. Thank goodness!

I loved it. I wish I could erase it from my memory and have the chance to read it again for the first time. I’ll probably read it again anyway. And I don’t do that often. There’s just something about this damn book. I don’t read young adult or new adult at all anymore. I avoid books written in first person point of view. (I’ve got to narrow things down somehow. There’s a lot of books out there.) This book is both those things. Like I said, I read it because of the hype.

But I love Violet. She’s smart and kind. She doesn’t blindly follow the rules. She doesn’t break them without cause either. Xaden. He’s ruthless. But he’s fair. And he’ll do anything to protect the people entrusted to his care, which is the sexiest thing ever. Also, anyone who knows me well, knows my favourite trope is enemies to lovers. Check. Violet and Xaden don’t like each other, they don’t trust each other. For very good reasons. But their chemistry is off the charts.

The dragons. There’s nothing kind or gentle about them. Their loyal to each other first. The place second. Their rider third. If the rider manages to earn it. If they don’t, they die. But there are a lot of ways to die in this book. Too many to count. Just like the tagline states: Ride…or die. It’s got strong Hunger Games and Divergent vibes. So, if you don’t enjoy that kind of thing…well, this might not be the book for you. But if you want to take a chance and have a summer fling with a book you might not normally read, this would be the book to pick. If you can find it. It’s selling out all over the place. Highly recommend!

Until next time…

What’s a book you’ve read because of the hype?