Reading, Watching, & Listening

Hello, dear friends.  I hope that this post finds you and your loved ones well.  

It's been pretty quiet around here since our Newlyweds headed back to NYC.  We had some fabulous weather on Mother's Day, and the Mister spent most of his time piddling outside working on projects.  I took an extra-long walk and caught up on some online shopping tedious blog research.  

Thanks for all your lovely comments and notes on my last post.  I'm just happy to hear that I am not the only one having those minor quarantine issues.

Today I am linking up with Show Me Your Books.  

Stop by and hear what other bloggers are reading. 

Amazon

Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors, and she did not disappoint with The Mother-In-Law.  I treat her books with the same reverence that I do a hot fudge sundae.  I want to take my time, relish every word, and become totally absorbed in the story.  

The Mother-In-Law begins with the murder of a wealthy, philanthropic woman, Diana, who is the mother of a married son and married daughter.  From the moment her daughter-in-law, Lucy meets Diana, she tries to warm up to her.  Diana returns her affection with a cold shoulder. 

Through the pages, you learn the background of all the characters and their ever-evolving relationships with Diana.  The story kept me guessing up until the bitter end.  

Tuck this one in your beach bag.

You'll thank me later.    

Amazon

Jamie Brenner is also one of my favorite authors, and I have had the pleasure of meeting her in person.  

Jamie's books remind me of the first warm, sunny day in Spring.  Summer Longing takes place in quirky, colorful Provincetown. Ruth Cooperman, a woman in her 50's steps off the ferry with high hopes of starting a new chapter in her life.  She rents a picturesque home from Elise and Fern, who owns the town's Tea Shop. After she is settled in her home away from home, Ruth opens her front door and finds an infant on her doorstep.  Elise is contacted, and she immediately falls in love with the sweet baby girl.  Several of the women in town pitch in to take care of the baby, including Ruth.

This book tackles many topics: infertility, unwanted pregnancy, mother/daughter dynamics, and of course, love.  

I highly recommend this delightful story.

Here's another one for your beach bag.

Amazon

 In Little Secrets, the narrative is split between two female characters. As the book opens, Marin is a successful businesswoman who is happily married with one child. Kenzi is a young art student in her twenties. Her boyfriend just happens to be Marin's husband. One day, Marin is a candy store with her precious son. She looks away to pay the cashier. When she looks down on her son, he has vanished.

There are many surprising twists throughout this well-written story. The final plot twist is one that I never saw coming. The audio narration was beautifully done. I highly recommend this novel to the reader who treasures a razor-sharp thriller.

Amazon

Stories We Never Told was my Amazon First selection.  Love and obsession are the central themes of this addictive pageturner.  

Harlan and Jackie are both professors in the Psychology department in a large university. They had been lovers for five years.  After their breakup, Jackie married Miles, a talent scout for professional athletes.  Jackie and Miles are friendly with Harlan and socialize with him. Enter: Nasira, who is hired by Jackie.  Harlan starts an affair with the newbie, and it throws Jackie into a whirlwind of obsession.  As the pages are turned, the plot thickens.  Stories We Never Told is a fast read and definitely worth the time.  

Amazon

Nina is a grifter.  She was trained by the best - her mother.  Nina meets handsome Lachlan, another con artist,  through her mother. Nina and Lachlan become a con artist dream team. Their "mark" is Vanessa, a very popular beauty and fashion Instagrammer.  Vanessa also happens to be an heiress and lives in a mansion with a guest house on the property.  I'll give you three guesses who rents the cottage.  The three become quite friendly, and Vanessa radiates in the attention that Nina and Lachlan bestow upon her.  It is at this point that the story takes off with breakneck speed.

Fasten your seatbelt because there are twists and turns aplenty.  This book is a quick read and very entertaining.

Amazon

I am almost finished with this book and loving every minute of it. It is the story of a family that decides to leave their life in the suburbs and buys a boat to sail for a year.  By the way, it's the husband's idea.  Shocker! Did I mention that they have two children under five?  This book is well-written and provides a spine-tingling adventure with a side of mystery.  

Amazon

Twenty years after Mallory's family was torn apart by a scandal, she is drawn back to her childhood Rhode Island home.
I just started listening to this one.

Amazon
DNF

The author's not kidding when she put the word dark in the title.
I listened to this one.  I gave up on it when I thought I was nearing the end, but then realized I had twelve miserable hours left.

Amazon
DNF

At the halfway point, I still was not engaged with the story, so I threw in the towel.

Amazon

I can only hope that the story is as intriguing as the cover.  
I downloaded this one.

Amazon

This thriller is getting great reviews.  
This is next on my reading list.

Amazon

Magazine-worthy wedding on the coast of Ireland is interrupted by a murder.  
I hope I get an invite.

Amazon

I enjoy Liv Constantine's writing.
That fact and the stunning cover are enough reasons to crack this thriller open.

Amazon

Leo loses his best friends but gains their young daughter.  The setting is a small island off the coast of Massachusetts.  This one sounds like another heart-warming beach read which is just what I need during this trying time.  I have read Lisa's other two wonderful novels and have had the pleasure of meeting her in person.   

Amazon

Two estranged sisters and one adopted brother gather at their diseased parents' Wellfleet home to decide whether to sell it or keep it.
I smell family drama.

Amazon

I have read all of Giffin's books and enjoyed every one.   Twenty-eight-year-old Cecily meets the man of her dreams in a dive bar.  The two have undeniable chemistry, and they spend the night together.   9/11 happens, and Mr. Wonderful disappears.

Amazon

This book was chosen for Jenna's bookclub.  Astrid experiences a moment of clarity when she realizes that she wasn't the perfect mother that she thought she was.  Her three adult children seem to be suffering as a result.

Amazon

Six years after an argument ruined their friendship, the bride asks her ex-bf to be her maid of honor at the high society wedding of the Summer.  
I hope I'm on the guest list.

Amazon

I need a crash course in this to make it through the quarantine.

Trailer

We are still watching and enjoying Outlander.
Here is a cute article with some Outlander trivia.

Trailer

They're back and as intriguing as ever.

Trailer

We watched the first episode of the new season, and we're hooked again.

Trailer

No doubt that these two ladies have great chemistry.

Trailer

I loved the first season and can't wait to start Season 2.

Trailer

We've seen Jerry Seinfeld's live show twice.
We're looking forward to seeing this one.

Trailer

I didn't read the book, but I will watch the show.

Trailer

The same thing - didn't read but will watch.

Trailer

This was one of my favorite books. 
The series is phenomenal.

Be well.

Until next time...

Linking up with:
Inspire Me Tuesday
You're the Star
Tuesdays With A Twist
Lou Lou Girls
Happy Now

Your Whyms Wednesday
Keep In Touch
Wonderful Wednesday
A Little Bit of Everything
Party In Your PJs
Wonderful Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday
Keep In Touch
Classy Flamingos