Can't Wait Wednesday

  

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tessa at Wishful Endings which spotlights and discusses forthcoming books that bloggers are looking forward to reading. Generally it's about books that haven't been released yet. This meme is based on Waiting on Wednesday, formerly hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

There are so many exciting new books on the horizon, so without further ado, this week's Can't Wait For book is . . .

 

Publisher:  Random House Publishing Group

Publication Date:  July 17, 2018

From Goodreads:  After tragedy strikes, Annie moves into the summer cottage where her family vacationed when she was a child. Soon Annie finds herself making new friends, even developing a romance with a quiet and mysterious painter. And as she becomes part of the community, Annie learns that the surest way to heal is by making a difference in the lives of those around her.

My thoughts:  It's been a while since I've read a Debblie Macomber novel, but her stories always have a comforting, feel-good quality to them.  And the idea of spending time in a cottage by the sea is appealing also.

This Can't-Wait Wednesday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.  

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable.  The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version borrowed from the library.

  

Part I

April 2016

Los Angeles

A man sits on a patio, wrapped in a blanket and staring out to sea.  It is cold in California this time of year, though much better than in New York, which is why he winters on this coast.  He is old enough to do what he wants.  Let someone else worry about logistics at the office, who's billing what hours, and the clients they should woo.  He's sworn a hundred times he'll retire.  Soon.  Very soon.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

This novel is a fictional account of the love affair between Alicia Corning Clark and Jack Kennedy which began in 1950, years before he became president.  I have always been fascinated by the Kennedys, so am looking forward to reading this book.

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

Thursday Thoughts: Blog Tour/Review and Giveaway--Confessions of a Red Herring by Dana Dratch

 

Today I'm participating in the Confessions of a Red Herring Blog Tour.  In this post you will find book and author information along with my review.

About the Book . . . 

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Kensington (May 29, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496716569
Digital ASIN: B075C8FDT5
 

 

Synopsis . . .

As a reporter, she’s used to covering the news.

Now she’s the headline.

Alex Vlodnachek has been a reporter for 12 years, a P.R. rep for three months, and a murder suspect for all of 24 hours. When her agency’s double-dealing CEO is stabbed, scheming co-workers cast the new redhead as a compelling red herring. The story is media catnip—especially her salacious nickname: Vlod the Impaler.

Even Alex has to admit she looks guilty.

Out of a job and under suspicion, Alex is running low on cash, when she’s visited by a second disaster: her family. Soon her tiny bungalow is bursting with her nearest and not-so-dearest. To keep herself out of jail—and save what’s left of her sanity—Alex returns to her reporting roots. She goes undercover to reclaim her life, break the story, and unmask a murderer. Pretty much in that order.

What she doesn’t know: The killer also has a to-do list.  And Alex is on it.

My Review . . . Former crime reporter (and redhead) Alex Vlodnachek anticipated different experiences when she changed careers, but never imagined a scenario in which she'd be accused of murdering her new boss, Everett Coleman.  Nevertheless, when the unscrupulous public relations firm partner is found stabbed to death, Alex's competitive co-workers launch a vigorous p.r. campaign to pin the murder on her--even though she is the least likeliest suspect.  Yes, Alex had a very public disagreement with the victim shortly before his demise, but there are plenty of others with stronger motives for murder.  The vengeful wife, the conniving mistress, the peculiar business partner, the unfulfilled twin adult children, and a number of disgruntled current and former employees--any one of them would benefit with Coleman out of the picture.

Unhappy in her role as the "red herring" of the murder investigation, Alex decides to put her reporter skills to work and conduct her own search for the killer. What ensues is a hilarious series of events beginning with Alex going undercover as a cleaning woman to gain access to her former office. Along the way, she is both helped and hindered by family members who arrive unexpectedly on her doorstep.  Alex must press on, relying on her resourcefulness to restore her reputation, survive the overprotectiveness and well-meaning actions of her family, and safeguard herself and them from danger.

Confessions of a Red Herring is an engaging murder mystery made more enjoyable by snappy dialog, laugh-out-loud scenes, and a cast of quirky, lovable supporting characters.  The close-knit and humorously dysfunctional Vlodnachek clan, headed by the intrepid Baba, family pup Lucy, and Alex's friends and neighbors in her Fordham, Virginia community add the vibrant ingredients readers expect to find in a successful cozy series.  In this first installment, Dana Dratch introduces relatable characters with promising future storylines.  I eagerly await the arrival of book two, Seeing Red, and Alex's next adventure.


Giveaway . . .  Enter for a chance to win a copy of Confessions of a Red Herring by Dana Dratch by visiting this link.
 

About the author . . .  Dana Dratch is a former newspaper reporter and current personal finance writer. When she’s not finishing Seeing Red—the next Alex Vlodnachek mystery—you’ll spot her byline on a host of top news sites. You can learn more about her mysteries at ConfessionsofaRedHerring.com.


 Purchase links . . .    Amazon    B&N   Kobo   Google Play    BookBub 

 

Tour Participants . . . 

May 28 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST
May 29 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 29 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW
May 30 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, GUEST POST
May 30 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW
May 31 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
May 31 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
June 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 1 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT
June 2 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 2 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 3 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 3 –  Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
June 4 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 4 – Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 5 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 5 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 5 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
June 6 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
June 7 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW
June 7 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
June 8 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST
June 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
June 9 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 9 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
June 10 – The Mysterious Inkspot – REVIEW
June 10 – Laura’s Interests – CHARACTER GUEST POST


Note:  I received a complimentary advance copy of Confessions of a Red Herring from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Thursday Thoughts: Blog Tour/Review and Giveaway--Confessions of a Red Herring was originally published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  This post cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing on Google+ are appreciated.

Can't Wait Wednesday

  

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tessa at Wishful Endings which spotlights and discusses forthcoming books that bloggers are looking forward to reading. Generally it's about books that haven't been released yet. This meme is based on Waiting on Wednesday, formerly hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

There are so many exciting new books on the horizon, so without further ado, this week's Can't Wait For book is . . .

 

Publisher:  Flatiron Books

Publication Date:  November 6, 2018

From barnesandnoble.com:  From #1 New York Times bestselling author Liane Moriarty, author of Big Little Lies, comes her newest novel, Nine Perfect Strangers. Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever? These nine perfect strangers are about to find out...

My thoughts:  There is teasingly little information available about Moriarty's forthcoming book, but based on how good her previous novels have been, I'm eagerly awaiting its arrival.

This Can't-Wait Wednesday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.  

Today I'm featuring my current read, Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh.  The excerpts shared are from a large print paperback version borrowed from the library.

 

Part One

Chapter One

Death does not suit me.  I wear it like a borrowed coat; it slips off my shoulders and trails in the dirt.  It is ill fitting.  Uncomfortable.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

I am still trying to catch my breath after attending Library Journal's Day of Dialog and Book Expo America last week.  The first book I gravitated toward after these events is a psychological thriller, which is a genre that always grabs my attention from the opening pages.  Let Me Lie has the qualities I look for in the genre--a complicated family situation and a mystery to unravel.  It's been a page-turner so far.

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

Can't Wait Wednesday AND Book Expo 2018**

  

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tessa at Wishful Endings which spotlights and discusses forthcoming books that bloggers are looking forward to reading. Generally it's about books that haven't been released yet. This meme is based on Waiting on Wednesday, formerly hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

There are so many exciting new books on the horizon, so without further ado, this week's Can't Wait For book is . . .

Publisher:  Berkley, a Penguin Random House Imprint

Publication Date:  August 7, 2018

From GoodReads:  Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends ever since they met at a weight-loss camp as teens. When Emerson tragically passes away, she leaves one final wish for her best friends: to conquer the fears they still carry as adults.

For each of them, that means something different. For Marley, it's coming to terms with the survivor's guilt she's carried around since her twin sister's death, which has left her blind to the real chance for romance in her life. For Georgia, it's about learning to stop trying to live up to her mother's and brother's ridiculous standards, and learning to accept the love her ex-husband has tried to give her.

But as Marley and Georgia grow stronger, the real meaning of Emerson's dying wish becomes truly clear: more than anything, she wanted her friends to love themselves.

My Thoughts:  I enjoy stories about long-term female friendships, and this one fits the bill with a mix of sadness and strength.

**P.S.  As you read this post, I'll be embarking on the event I eagerly await each year.  While its official title is Book Expo, I lovingly refer to it as "book heaven."  In addition to the activities at the Javits Center in New York City, as a librarian I get to participate in other events, mingling with publishers' representatives and authors.

This will be my last post for the week, but I will return next week with news from the book front.  It will also be a little while before I visit your posts, read your picks and posts, and comment.  Today I'll be at Library Journal's Day of Dialog, a series of panels led by publishers and authors, book signings, and sparkly ARCs.  Authors scheduled to appear include Gary Shtenyngart, M.C. Beaton, Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, Susan Orlean, Susanna Kearsley, Kate Morton, B.A. Shapiro, and Beatriz Williams. Afterwards I'll be going to the LibraryReads dinner at the Yale Club, with author speakers Marie Benedict, Barbara Kingsolver, Charlaine Harris, Walter Mosley, Casey Gerald and Andre Dubus III.

On the agenda for Thursday and Friday are a Penguin Random House author breakfast, LibraryReads lunch, and a book speed dating session.  As I said earlier, book heaven!

This Can't-Wait Wednesday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.  

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, The Girl I Used to Be by Mary Torjussen.  The excerpts shared are from a trade paperback version borrowed from the library.

Prologue

Fifteen years ago

Thursday, August 15

When I think of that night now, I remember the heat, clammy and intense on my skin, and the sense of feverish excitement in the air.  I think of the taxi ride to the party with my friend Lauren, her body soft and scented against mine as we sat crushed into the backseat with her boyfriend, Tom.  The radio was on, the windows were wide open, and "London Calling" started to play.  I remember the surge of happiness I felt then; I'd just been accepted by London University and would be there within a month.  Whenever I hear that song now, it takes me straight back there, to that taxi ride to Alex's house.  It's as though I am that girl, the girl I used to be.

But I'm not.

********************

Part One

One 

Present day

Friday, June 16

When I saw him for the first time, I didn't t think he'd be trouble.  He was tall and broad, built like a rugby player, nice enough, I suppose, but not the kind of man you'd necessarily look twice at in the street.  At first glance he looked harmless enough. That's how men like him operate, I suppose.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

The author creates an ominous feeling of suspense in both the prologue and the first chapter.  As the reader, I can sense that something dangerous is about to happen, and am urgently drawn toward these characters and their unfolding story.

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original post on Google+ are appreciated.