Author: CMash

An avid reader for many years. Married for 31 years with 2 fantastic adult sons who I am so very proud of with great gfs. Am disabled. Found this wonderful community of book blogging in approximately December 2009 and have loved every minute of it. Am now a reviewer for authors, publishers, publicists, etc. And am also a partner in a Virtual PR tour company, Partners In Crime Tours for authors of novels of mystery, suspense and crime (www.Partnersincrimetours.net)

Fall Into Reading (2 of 2)

Photobucket
 Hosted by Katrina at CALLAPIDDER DAYS
This Week’s Question:
And now, for question #2…
What do you think about e-books? Do you engage in e-reading or do you prefer to stick to good ol’ physical books?
My Answer:
I had wanted an EReader for awhile, even before finding this neighborhood of book blogging/reviewing.  And around November/December we found out that I needed another back surgery,  hubby felt so bad that he bought me one.  He is a Sony fan so he ordered the Sony EReader.  At first it was a little hard getting used to but I learned quickly.  It was so much easier and less cumbersome taking it where I went compared to a PB/HC, easier holding it while reading in bed.  Other pluses, in my opinion, are the prices of EBooks and the fact that we live in a world of “instant” technology.  If I see great reviews from many bloggers, I just open the EReader and within seconds, have the book.  The only thing I don’t like, if I am reading a really good can’t put down book, the battery needs to be recharged often.  However, I do like the smell of a new book, the noise of turning a page, the look of books in a bookcase.  So as of today I would have to say that I am a 50/50.
Photobucket

The Chill Of Night by James Hayman
Published by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 978-0-312-53271-0
At the request of Pump Up Your Book, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis (borrowed from book’s jacket): Beautiful, Brilliant, and ambitious, Lainie Goff has overcome a nightmarish past to achieve remarkable success as a young attorney on the fast track to a partnership at one of the more respected law firms in New England. Then one cold night, the secrets of her past come hurtling back when she’s found stabbed to death, her frozen body discovered in the trunk of her own car abandoned at the end of the Portland Fish Pier.
  The only witness to the crime is a mentally ill young woman named Abby Quinn, who tries desperately to tell police what she has seen. Because of Abby’s illness no one in the department believes what she says. Until she, too, disappears.
  As Portland homicide detective Michael McCabe begins his investigation he learns there may be more to Goff than meets the eye. Not only had she been having an affair with a partner of her firm, she had also been creating enemies closer to home.
  Struck by a remarkable resemblance between Goff and his own ex-wife, McCabe is forced to grapple with memories of his failed marriage as he races to fine Lainie’s killer before Abby Quinn is slain.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I now have read both books written by this author where Michael McCabe is the main character, but both books can stand on its own. I read this book during a very bad reading slump but was able to pick it up and continue reading without having to reread past chapters. The author introduces characters, which could have the motives and/or a history to have killed Lainie Goff. And the story fluctuates between these characters. I was able to figure out “who did it” through omissions after the introductions made (anything more said would be a spoiler). The plot was fast paced at times then it would drag a bit and continued in this mode throughout the book. My opinion, and this is just my opinion, I felt that Abby Quinn, the witness, was in the background for most of the story and, after reading the synopsis, assumed a lot of the attention would have been about her. I felt that it was an easy mystery read.

Photobucket
Photobucket
DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.

Musing Mondays (1 of 3)

MONDAY
Photobucket

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Today’s Question:
This week’s musing asks…

What’s your favorite “cozy” book — and, by that, I’m meaning “curl-up-on-a-cold-day comfort read“? Or, if you don’t have a particular book, what genre do you most feel like reading when the weather starts to turn colder?
My Response:
I don’t have a particular “cozy book”.  The majority of my reading is Mystery/Suspense year round, so I can’t even say that my genre changes with the seasons.  But I do enjoy sitting, curled up in an afghan, a cup of tea and/or hot chocolate and my current read, especially if it is snowing out, is a perfect setting for reading.  I can honestly say that my genres don’t change with the seasons, only the scenarios change.

Mailbox Monday (2 of 3)

Photobucket

This is one of my favorite memes.  It was created by Marcia from The Printed Page but has now gone on a blog tour with a different blogger hosting each month.  October is being hosted by Avis at She Reads and Reads.  So before I share with you what was delivered to my house this week, I want to give a big Thank You to Avis.   Thank You!!
09/29  Wednesday….Won from Vicki at Reading At The Beach
Photobucket
09/30  Thursday….Won from Gina at Hott Books
Photobucket
10/01   Friday….For Review from Author
Photobucket
     
                          

Meet Me On Monday (3 of 3)

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

From Java’s site:
“Meet Me On Monday!”

  Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
  Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!
  “Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better….one Monday at a time!!!”….as quoted by the Chacogirl!!
Questions:

1. What is the best dish you can make?
          With many different gravies/sauces
Photobucket
2. How often do you change your sheets?
          Every week
Linens 'n Things Bedding - Nate Berkus Maharani

3. What is the longest car trip you have ever taken?
          7 hours
Car Driving Red Sportscar Smiley Smilie Emoticon Emoticons Animated Animation Animations Gif
4. What is your favorite fruit?
Orange
5. Would you rather have breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast?
          Can eat breakfast for any meal
Breakfast

Photobucket

The Chill Of Night by James Hayman
Published by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN 978-0-312-53271-0
At the request of Pump Up Your Book, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis (borrowed from book’s jacket): Beautiful, Brilliant, and ambitious, Lainie Goff has overcome a nightmarish past to achieve remarkable success as a young attorney on the fast track to a partnership at one of the more respected law firms in New England. Then one cold night, the secrets of her past come hurtling back when she’s found stabbed to death, her frozen body discovered in the trunk of her own car abandoned at the end of the Portland Fish Pier.
  The only witness to the crime is a mentally ill young woman named Abby Quinn, who tries desperately to tell police what she has seen. Because of Abby’s illness no one in the department believes what she says. Until she, too, disappears.
  As Portland homicide detective Michael McCabe begins his investigation he learns there may be more to Goff than meets the eye. Not only had she been having an affair with a partner of her firm, she had also been creating enemies closer to home.
  Struck by a remarkable resemblance between Goff and his own ex-wife, McCabe is forced to grapple with memories of his failed marriage as he races to fine Lainie’s killer before Abby Quinn is slain.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I now have read both books written by this author where Michael McCabe is the main character, but both books can stand on its own. I read this book during a very bad reading slump but was able to pick it up and continue reading without having to reread past chapters. The author introduces characters, which could have the motives and/or a history to have killed Lainie Goff. And the story fluctuates between these characters. I was able to figure out “who did it” through omissions after the introductions made (anything more said would be a spoiler). The plot was fast paced at times then it would drag a bit and continued in this mode throughout the book. My opinion, and this is just my opinion, I felt that Abby Quinn, the witness, was in the background for most of the story and, after reading the synopsis, assumed a lot of the attention would have been about her. I felt that it was an easy mystery read.

Photobucket
Photobucket
DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.

Musing Mondays (1 of 3)

MONDAY
Photobucket

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading
Today’s Question:
This week’s musing asks…

What’s your favorite “cozy” book — and, by that, I’m meaning “curl-up-on-a-cold-day comfort read“? Or, if you don’t have a particular book, what genre do you most feel like reading when the weather starts to turn colder?
My Response:
I don’t have a particular “cozy book”.  The majority of my reading is Mystery/Suspense year round, so I can’t even say that my genre changes with the seasons.  But I do enjoy sitting, curled up in an afghan, a cup of tea and/or hot chocolate and my current read, especially if it is snowing out, is a perfect setting for reading.  I can honestly say that my genres don’t change with the seasons, only the scenarios change.

Mailbox Monday (2 of 3)

Photobucket

This is one of my favorite memes.  It was created by Marcia from The Printed Page but has now gone on a blog tour with a different blogger hosting each month.  October is being hosted by Avis at She Reads and Reads.  So before I share with you what was delivered to my house this week, I want to give a big Thank You to Avis.   Thank You!!
09/29  Wednesday….Won from Vicki at Reading At The Beach
Photobucket
09/30  Thursday….Won from Gina at Hott Books
Photobucket
10/01   Friday….For Review from Author
Photobucket