Inn at Last Chance by Hope Ramsay

******  6stars                      This is one Amazing Book.

I think it is the best book Hope Ramsay has ever written and they are all very good.

So to the meat of this review.

This is Jenny's story.  A story of a woman coming into her own.

Making decisions to achieve her own goals and find her own peace and contentment.

Oh and Love......

Jenny has always put others needs above her own.

A first love that led her on and physical awakened her only to find out he was married.

 A hypercritical mother she nursed thru multiple sclerosis.

A Math Teacher by profession, Jenny's hidden yearning is to own her own Inn

 cooking and caring for people.

 Jenny buys an old rundown house just outside of Last Chance and brings it back to life.


Gabe is a tortured writer experiencing writers block.

He is also a man who spent his childhood summers with his Grandparents at that very house.

A house that witnessed the tragedy that took Gabe's older brother Luke's life.

He feels drawn to the house, and maneuvers Jenny into letting him stay there

before it officially opens so he can settle in and write his next book.

The story gallops along, and the twists and turns are interesting and eventful and kept me guessing.

I kept having to remind myself to breathe.

Bravo Hope Ramsay!

Thank-You for the opportunity to review this book.

Cheers

Hope Ramsay, Inspiration

Monday, April 21, 2014

Hope Ramsay, Thank You for the Inspiration

I was on Twitter today checking out my favourite authors to see what's new.  Hope Ramsay posted a link for her new book.  I felt a frisson of excitement.  I could, I would do this.  I could hear Yoda say "Do or Do Not There Is No Try".
I am a longtime battler of depression and I had a particularly difficult winter.  The darkness of winter in the Northern Hemisphere imposes an added level of severity to the depression I fight.
This year I also had personal losses and Grief to struggle thru..
I have a cousin, her daughter has survived some very trying times. A husband who fought ALS  and lost his battle after 2 years.  She hit a roadblock this winter and was unable to move forward.  When she called me in tears unable to cope, I invited her to my home some 2 thousand miles away from her home to comfort, support and share with her the coping strategies I have developed over years of battling depression.
My Cousin's Husband sent the 3 of us to Maui for 2 weeks to help us help ourselves and heal some of the open wounds.
The Sunshine and warm weather gave me a jump start on my cycle of  coping with the setbacks the darkness imposes.
Soooo back to Hope Ramsay's inspiration.  I read as a survival tool. I had started this book blog and then life and depression shut me down for a while.
I am going to read her book and revive this book blog.
I am hopeful the structure and accountability this will attach to my reading therapy will propel me to a new level of functioning.
Watch Out World I'm-a-comin' for ya!
Hugs

I'm behind on my posts......here I go.....

Victoria Laurie---Ghoul Interrupted---Jan/2012---Obsidian/Paranormal Mystery

*****
This story is terrific.  M.J. + Heath tackle their most emotional and harrowing

entity.  A Demon centuries old has returned for revenge and is killing Heath's family.

I learned so much about Heath's family and ancestors the story was riveting.



Janet Evanovich+Dorien Kelly---Love in a Nutshell---Romance--The Gus Group LLC

****
A charming story of reinventing yourself and finding love along the way.  Kate is

spunky, witty and a clutz.  Matt is a self made man and workaholic, with

mysterious happenings at his microbrewery.

Thoroughly enjoyable.




Jayne Ann Krentz---Copper Beach---Jan 2012---Penguin

****

Another solid story, lots of suspense and mystery, and the animal magnetism

she crafts so verra well.  I read everything she writes.




Rachel Gibson---True Love and other Disasters---2009---Romance-Avon Books

****

Faith and Ty's story, with the background of a professional Hockey Team.

Another great story, I was on a beach in Maui for this one and it was the perfect

fodder for all the beach eye candy.  Moves quickly and interesting the whole

way thru.




Terry Spear---Heart of the Highland Wolf---2011---Romance---Source Books

*****

This was my first Terry Spear Book and I'll be looking for more.

Set in present day Scotland, Julia is on a mission from her Grandfather to

locate an ancient relic hidden in Argent Castle and steal it.  The relic holds a

family secret which he refuses to divulge.

Ian Mac Niell is the Laird and a Werewolf.   There's lots of adventure and intrigue,

and the action is constant.  I loved it!




Kasey Michaels---A Midsummer Nights Sin---2011---Romance---Harlequin

****

This book has it all!   Grreat characters, Puck and Regina--Her father is a self

made man with a cruel streak.  Her mother is a blue blood sold to pay her

fathers gambling debts.  It shows the white slavery trade going on in Regency

England.

It moved at a good pace, and I enjoyed the story.




Susan Sey---Money Shot---2011---Romance---Berkley Sensation

***>

Engaging characters with the kind of relatable flaws that are witty, humourous

and oft times uncomfortably real.  The story was fast moving,suspenseful and

a great read.  I'll read another of her books.




Kelley Armstrong---Hidden---2011---Fantasy---Subterranean Press

*****

Armstrong's stories are so layered and compelling that the characters

jump off the page and into my heart.  I am completely absorbed and my

surroundings vanish.

As ever, the interplay between Elena and Clay is scintillating.  The inclusion

of the eminently precocious 4 year old twins are such a lively addition they

all but steal the show.

The twin's interaction with their parents had me laughing out loud and I

found myself smiling broadly during their interplay.

A serious subject is tackled with real human emotions and reactions.

Hidden is by turns intimate, exciting, suspenseful, and filled with humour.

Another Platinum effort by Kelly Armstrong.




Darynda Jones---First Grave on the Right---2010---Fantasy---St. Martins Press

****** the 6 star rating goes for all three of her books.  (Keep on reading...

WoooHooo!  What a Ride!!!

This book proves Sarcasm is Sexy.   Hell, Satan's Son is Sexy.  Pun fully intended.

Charley Davidson is The Grim Reaper.

There are dead people everywhere and Charley's attitude is witty,fun and

sassy.  She also let's you in to the sad and dark sides of her life.

This book starts with a bang and it's a steeplechase right to the finish.

I read this in one night, it was riveting and un-put-downable.


Second Grave on the Left---2011---Fantasy---St Martin"s Press

******

Another Home Run!!!  Charley and her entourage give more heart stopping

action and mysteries that defy my every attempt to puzzle them thru.

Another stay up and read all nite book




Third Grave Dead Ahead---2012---Fantasy---St. Martins Press

******

Wow!  Another roller coaster ride of murders and mysteries and family drama.

Charley's signature witty, sarcastic and always heartfelt dialogue is

compelling.

The story continues in it's complexity and swept me along at mach 10 with

my hair on fire.

Nobody get's in more tight spots than Charley and I want to be there for

for all of them!

Hell to the Ya!!!




Anya Bast---Dark Enchantment---2011---Paranormal Romance---Berkley

*****

I have always liked Anya Bast's Stories.  This Book kicks it up to a whold

new level.

The conflicts and mysteries are multi-faceted and the characters have a

depth the made the story compelling.

I was hooked, and read as fast as I could.

Well done and looking forward to the next one!




Diana Rowland---Mark of the Demon--2009---Fantasy---Bantam

*****

Introduced to Kara Gillian an orphan Demon Summoner-Police Detective,

newly appointed to Homicide.

There's delightfully offbeat Aunt Tessa, Rhyzkahl(Reeze-call) and FBI agents

Ryan and Zack.

Demon's are not evil.  They are supernatural beings from another plane.

Rhyzkahl is powerful and sexy, and very cagey.

Kara's first case is a serial killer that has returned The Symbol Man.

I loved the characters, compelling dialogue, and the story rocketed along.

I read her first 3 books 3 days in a row.  Oh Ya!




Diana Rowland---Blood of the Demon---2010

More in depth info of othersight and demons.  Murders where essence has  been

wrenched from humans, some while still alive.  Their souls have been eaten.

Kara, Ryan and Zack are on a Task Force. Aunt Tessa and Ryan fall into peril and

Kara makes a deal with Rhyzkahl to save Ryan.  She must summon him

monthly for 3 years.  Oh Oh....




Diana Rowland---Secrets of the Demon---2011---Fantasy

A new enemy--and arcane construct similar to Golem's-- inanimate

matter powered by arcane energy.  Insider trading scandal, Rock and Roll and

Murder.  New allies, Sarge Crawford-Knight and NOPD officer joins the

task force.???New Talents...Another grrreat ride.  looking forward to the next

one.  Sins of the Demon,  soooooon.


That's all for now folks.

Cheers

Sharing my take on books, it's a good thing

Hey Y'all--Book Blog #3--Here we go..

RACHEL CAINE---WORKING STIFF--I rate ****=4stars

New Series--Book #1--A Revivalist Novel

Published--August 2011--Penguin Group

Genre--Fantasy

First let me say this book is Dynamite.  It starts with Bryn Davis our protagonist

starting a new job as a Funeral Director.  Ex-Army, sooo dealing with death

was a daily duty, and it wasn't pretty.  This is the kinder gentler side of death.

Very quickly things go downhill, her third appointment's daughter slashes her

wrists in the bathroom.  Annnnd we're offf and running, I read as fast as I could.

There's experimental drugs that can revive the dead, and the boss is running

an extortion racket.  

A big pharmaceutical company "Pharmadene" is trying to shutdown the 

extortion racket, but has bigger troubles on the homefront..

She's in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up literally being the

working stiff.

She works with corporate security chief Patrick Mcallister to take down the

baddies.

The story is intricate and well written.  

It has a darkness and a sense of dread filled me as I read and hoped

 for my HEA.....  No Spoiler here.

For Me, this is a read it as soon as you can get your hands on it book.

I don't know where it goes from here, but I'll be going too!

HEATHER BLAKE--IT TAKES A WITCH--I rate ***^=3.5stars

New Series--The first Wishcraft Mystery

Published--January 2012--Signet

Genre--Mystery

I throughly enjoyed this lighthearted mystery.  The characters are enchanting

and interesting as they maneuver the obstacles of finding out, after their father 

has died, that they are Wishcrafters.

They move in with their Aunt Velma, and set about learning to wield their 

new skills.

Theirs some romance, murder, magic hijinks, and lots of genuinely warm

and funny story.

I'll read the next one!

JENNIE BENTLEY--FLIPPED OUT--****=4stars

Book 5 A Do-it-Yourself Mystery

Published--October 2011--Penguin Group

Genre--Mystery

I love these books.  More of Avery and her beau Derek renovating a house.

This time for a cable T.V. Show 'Flipped Out' that has been plagued with

personnel and production problems cum sabotage.

Derek's ex is her usual annoying and troublemaking self.

There's dead bodies, the story is solid and these characters are real and

there foibles and tribulations are relatable.

Can't wait to see what happens next.

JAYE WELLS--SILVER TONGUED DEVIL--*****=5stars

Book 4 Sabina Kane Series

Published --January 2012--Orbit

Genre--Fantasy

This series just keeps getting better with each book.  I don't know what

comes after 5 stars, but I'm sure gonna stick around and find out.

In this book Sabina Kane is living with her beau Adam Lazarus and they

are exploring a relationship and a life where war is no longer imminent.

Her sister Maisie,is still in emotional withdrawl after her capture and torture

at the hands of her estranged grandmother who she was forced to kill.

Maisie has secluded herself and Sabina is torn apart that she is unable 

to reach her.

Giguhl, fifth level mishief demon and Sabina's minion, with a Shopping

Channel addiction to rival Simi's in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter Series.

Giguhl is the best sidekick since Rachel/Jenks in Kim Harrisons Series,

The Hollows.

Okay, enough name dropping, back to the story.

There's murder, double crossing, lovers misunderstandings, women's Roller 

Derby in a Vampire Club and the list goes onnnn.

There's a Summit planned to sign the first ever Peace Accords between the 

Dark Races.  But bodies are turning up, and Sabina's ex-lover is the suspect.

Sabina is charged with solving the murders.  Her tryst with her ex is exposed

and her beau Adam withdraws.

Sabina tries to convince the powers that be that Cain, the first Vampire

is somehow involved, but no one believes her.

This story is rock and roll on paper.  

Love--Love--Loved it.  

Want More--more--more.

Oooookayyyy!!!! My first blog was a bust...argh...

I will blurb about books and rate on 5 star system.

I had it all evenly spaced out for legibility and when I published it (without previewing)
it all ended up in one big paragraph.

Soooo, here's the second try.
A deep breath for inspiration, and awayyyyy we go. (Jackie Gleason)

I want to state for the record that I buy all my books or read them at the Library.
I abhor Piracy in all it's many incarnations.

Sooo ...there I was...(heeheehee)

MARY WINE---My Fair Highlander---*4*--compelling characters that had me from word one and took me    on a great ride.  Desire sparking from 2 main characters, navigating the Great English? Scots Divide in geography and religion.
 Thouroughly enjoyable!

SHERRILY KENYON-The Guardian-*2.5*-Firstly, I read everything she writes.The Dream Guardian
 series are some of my least favourite of her stories.  This one spent to much time in  hell being tortured and left me feeling blah for the first two thirds.  Last third picked up the pace and the action finally made me feel like the story was going somewhere.
So I'll confess that I sped read thru the draggy parts.
Not one I would gift to another reader.

Devon Monk--Magic on the Line--*3.5*--I am a big fan of her protagonist Allison and she is one gutsy
independent thinking woman, these stories all have great momentum and high stakes.
a solid good read everytime.

RICHELLE MEAD--Succubus Revealed--*3.75*--I have read this whole series and I really enjoyed it.  
The action hums along in this final installment and a lot of questions and issues get wrapped        
up.  Verra satisfying, with her usual great skill in weaving the threads of the stories.
SHADOW HEIR--Dark Swan Book 4--Published January 1st 2012. WoooHooo, I want it now!!

Well Folks this is Blog # 2 and hopefully comes out more legible than the mess of one huge blobby paragraph that was the inaugural attempt.
Which you may all witness at your leisure.

Feedback much appreciated.

Cheersmar
  

I have been a reading machine

I've read like a demon, no pun intended, over this holiday season. I'll give you the first few tonite as I launch this inaugural post on the Discerning Dish Book Blog. Ready or not Here I come. Yesterday read, Kaitlyn Dunnett's--Scotched-- It was a good mystery moved along fine, but now that Liss has made Dan her fiancee, there's no anticipation of what could be. Vick Lewis Thompson--Werewolf in the North Woods was a verra good romp thru the woods. Lighthearted and very entertaing. Whipped thru it. Candace Havens--She Who Dares, Wins-- I really enjoyed the characters and the plot kept me guessing. I like her writing overall. and this was no exception. Kat Martin--Magnificent Passage--I read it in one go last nite. I loved it, I love her writing and her characters, this was her first book reprinted from 1988 and it still stood up for me. I've read her "AGAINST" series and loved every minute of it. I'll be looking for anything she puts out. Melissa Mayhue is a new Favourite of mine.I've read 3 of her books and have A Highlander's Homecoming to entertain myself with tonite. There"s Fairy Magic-- Time Jumping(I luvvs it)--The women are strong, smart and gutsy and the Guys, Welll they don't get better than this. Eileen Wilks--Death Magic, World of the Lupi book 8--Absolutely terrific. This is one Talented Lady. Her books rip and have so many levels you need to be really thinking and keeping track, This series just gets better all the time. Janet Evanovich's Explosive Eighteen-- Terrific, Stephanie Plum reigns supreme. And a little more Ranger in this one,and some ups and downs with Joe Morelli. Great characters and her stories are compelling and laugh out loud funny. Super! Chloe Neill"s Drink Deep--I luvs Merit, and The Chicagoland Vampires are interesting, well written and keep me on my toes. Well Done! Carla Neggers--Saint's Gate-- There's just nothing this woman writes that I don't luv. It's always a wild ride and suspense and mystery I keep trying to unravel. She's da bomb! Okay that's it for first post, gonna clik over to healthquester and do my online therapeutic, help me get healthy blab. Cheers everyone I'm a gonna like this talkin' about books ting