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Killer Thrillers for the Beach

2 Comments / Adventure, Award Winner, Bestselling Author, Book List, Legal, Mystery, Nominated for Award, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Thriller

There are two kinds of Beach Reads:

Action-packed adventure/thrillers that rev up your blood pressure and provide stay-awake reading (killer thrillers)
Completely relaxing, low-key, fun mystery books that tweak your brain cells, but allow you to nod off on time

None of the killer thriller titles below are relaxing or low-key. I defy you to nod off while reading any of them. Charge your e-reader, ‘cause you won’t want to take a break – except maybe to eat. Or, you might want to eat while reading. 🙂

Warning: most deal with adult topics and/or contain sporadic adult language.

(Listed in alphabetical order by author)

"The 7th Canon" by Robert Dugoni

Standalone. Priest accused of terrible crimes.
Read review here.

"The Trapped Girl" by Robert Dugoni

Engrossing entry in the Tracy Crosswhite series. Fascinating case. Twists and turns galore. Read my review here.

"The Fixer" by Joseph Finder

Set in Boston. What a premise!
Read review here.

"The Switch" by Joseph Finder

Michael Tanner picks up the wrong laptop computer in the airport. After he finds out who the owner is, does he do the right thing? HA!!! Great story!

"Phantom Instinct" by Meg Gardiner

Gardiner always delivers edgy, complex plots. The lead character should have her own series.
Read review here.

"UnSub" by Meg Gardiner

Stay awake reading at its best. Serial killer topic. Keep the lights on!

"The Second Life of Nick Mason" by Steve Hamilton

Astonishing new series. Adult topics. Pages fly by.

"Orphan X" by Gregg Hurwitz

Excellent read. Adult topics. Another page-turner.

"Signal" by Patrick Lee

Where does the signal originate? Slam dunk great!
Read review here.

"The Heist" by Daniel Silva

Intriguing international art heist. Spies included.
Read review here.

If you have a favorite thriller not listed above, let us know in the comments below. 🙂 Happy reading the killer thrillers for the beach!

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Greatest Love Stories of All Time

Leave a Comment / Adventure, Award Winner, Bestselling Author, Book List, Cozy, General, Historical, Mystery, Nominated for Award, Paranormal, Romance, Saga, Suspense, Western, Women's Fiction

It’s the time of year when bouquets of flowers fill the stores, the gift of a box of chocolates takes on new meaning, and love songs (and movies) fill the airwaves. Swoonworthy stuff, ya’ll.

Instead of creating a post about current titles that inspire hearts to flutter, I put out an open call for men and women to name their favorite Greatest Love Stories of All Time. Thanks to Mari Barnes*, Sarah Bewley, Leah Canzoneri, Kait Carson, Peggy Clayton, Joy Ross Davis, Missy Davis, Laura Di Silverio, Saword Broyles Ellis, Terri Gault, Courtney Carter Girton, Sherry Harris, Cynthia Kuhn, Joyce Laferrera, Marj Lilley, Alice Loweecy, Gary Miller, Sylvia Nickels, Debbie York Parker, Nanci Rathbun, Jeanie Smith, Ellis Vidler, and Lynn Chandler Willis for their wonderful suggestions. *drawing winner 🙂

Books are listed in alphabetical order by title, and where available, links to the Greatest Love Stories are included. Click on the titles and read more about them.

“At Home in Mitford” by Jan Karon

“Cinderella Story” by Wendy Logia

“Come Rain or Come Shine” by Jan Karon

“Dr. Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak

“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte

“Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry

“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon

“Persuasion” by Jane Austen

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

“Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen

“Shadow of the Moon” by MM Kaye

“Somewhere in Time” by Richard Matheson

“Soulless” by Gail Carriger

“The Far Pavilions” by MM Kaye

“The Last of the Mohicans” by James Fenimore Cooper

“The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks

“The Princess Bride” by William Goldman

“The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Baroness Orczy

“The Second Coming” by Walker Percy

“The Thorn Birds” by Colleen McCullough

Are you thinking romantic, weak-at-the-knees thoughts?

Our work is done. 😉

Photo credit: Patti Phillips

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Literary Cookbooks

2 Comments / Book List, Cookbooks, Cozy, Holidays, Mystery, Nominated for Award, Non-fiction

What cook can resist a great new cookbook?

Even better, what foodie/avid reader can resist a cookbook created by his/her favorite author?

The following twelve cookbooks have been recommended by the readers of Nightstand Book Reviews as part of their literary and/or cookbook collections. The cookbooks would definitely make a fun gift to a fan of any of the authors. There are some pretty famous writers in the mix and many of the cookbooks have been nominated for awards. 🙂 If you have tried any of the recipes, please let us know in the comments.

Click on the book title to learn more about the featured recipes.

"Cooking with Jane Austen" – Kirstin Olsen

"Food to Die For" – Patricia Cornwell, Marlene Brown

"Goldy’s Kitchen Cookbook" – Diane Mott Davidson

"Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader" – Jan Karon

"KP Authors Cook Their Books" – 11 Kindle Press authors

"Mystery Writers of America Cookbook" – Kate White, editor; famous mystery writer contributors

"The Cat Who Cookbook" – Lilian Jackson Braun

"The Cozy Cookbook" – Laura Childs & other bestselling cozy writers

"The Hemingway Cookbook" – Craig Boreth

"The Outlander Kitchen: The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook" – Theresa Carle-Sanders

"Yashim Cooks Istanbul: Culinary Adventures in the Ottoman Kitchen" – Jason Goodwin

"Winnie the Pooh’s Teatime Cookbook" – A.A. Milne

Happy cooking! 🙂

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Authors of the Carolinas

2 Comments / Adventure, Award Winner, Bestselling Author, Book List, Christian, Cozy, General, Historical, Mystery, Nominated for Award, Romance, Suspense, Western, Women's Fiction

How many of you have read about a region of the USA in a novel and wanted to travel there, in part to experience the food, in part to relax and enjoy the fabulous scenery that can only be seen in that one area of the planet? The Carolinas (both North and South) are home to fabulous shrimp & grits dishes, as well as mouth-watering other goodies. And you can’t visit either State without having a refreshing glass of world famous Sweet Tea.

The authors listed below either live in North or South Carolina, grew up here, or set their books in the region. We are treated to the cuisine of the Appalachia, the Low Country boils, the scenery of the mountains, and/or the wildlife/marshes of the coast. There is a mix of historical, paranormal, happily-ever-after, outrageous comedy, dark mysteries, and cozies – something for everyone who loves thumpin’ good fiction.

Click on the website links to find out more. J

Suzanne Adair “A Hostage to Heritage” www.suzanneadair.net

JD Allen “Grasshopper” in “Murder Under the Oaks” www.jdallenbooks.com

Maria Alonso-Sierra “The Coin” www.mariaelenawrites.com

Mike Axsom “Making Memories Down South” www.mikeaxsom.com

Jodie Bailey “Breach of Trust” www.jodiebailey.com

Kaye Wilkinson Barley “Whimsey” www.kayewilkinsonbarley.com

Cindy Blackburn “Five Spot” www.cueballmysteries.com

Heather Blanton “A Promise in Defiance” www.ladiesindefiance.com

Susan Boyer “Low Country Book Club” www.susanmboyerbooks.com

Felicia Bridges “Czechmate” www.adventuresthatinspireaction.com

Antoinette Brown “One-Cat Woman” in “Carolina Crimes”

Ross Cavins “Barry vs The Apocalypse” www.rosscavins.com

Diane Chamberlain “Pretending to Dance” www.dianechamberlain.com

C. Hope Clark “Echoes of Edisto” www.chopeclark.com

J.A. Coffey "Double Dog Dare" www.jacoffey.com

Cynthia Cooke “Going All the Way” www.cynthiacooke.com

E.B. Davis “Ice Cream Allure” in “Carolina Crimes” www.ebdavismysteries.com

Saword Broyles Eller www.amazon.com/author/saywordbeller

Nora Gaskin (Esthimer) “Time of Death” www.lystrabooks.com

Normandie Fischer “From Fire into Fire” www.normandiefischer.com

Beatrice Fishback “Bethel Manor” www.beasattitudes.net

Dorothea Benton Frank “All Summer Long” www.dotfrank.com

Marni K Graff “Death Unscripted” www.auntiemwrites.com

Jordon Greene "They'll Call It Treason" www.jordongreene.com

Leigh Greenwood “Forever and Always” www.leigh-greenwood.com

Lynette Hampton “Fiona’s Journey” www.agnesalexander.com

Rick Helms “Older than Goodbye” www.richardhelms.net

Judy Hogan “Haw” www.judyhogan.home.mindspring.com

Tom Honea “A Confluence of Rivers” www.amazon.com/dp/B009LU1X8I

Ellen Hunter "Much Ado About Murder" www.ellenhunter.com

Polly Iyer “Indiscretion” www.pollyiyer.com

Regina Jeffers "Angel Comes to the Devil's Keep" www.rjeffers.com

Sabrina Jeffries “Stormswept” www.sabrinajeffries.com

Linda Johnson “Trail of Destruction” www.lindajohnson.us

Kieran Kramer “Trouble When You Walked In” www.kierankramer.com

Vicki Lane “Under the Skin” www.vickilanemysteries.com

Linda Lovely “Lies” www.lindalovely.com

Cynthia Luhrs “First Knight” www.cluhrs.com

Margaret Maron “Long Upon the Land” www.margaretmaron.com

Jamie Mason “Monday’s Lie” www.jamie-mason.com

Karen McCullough “Wired for Murder” www.kmccullough.com

Heather McGovern "A Moment of Bliss" www.heathermcgovernnovels.com

Ruth Moose “Wedding Bell Blues” www.ruthmoose.com

Katy Munger “Desolate Angel” www.katymunger.com

Nancy Naigle “Every Yesterday” www.nancynaigle.com

Heather Newton “Under the Mercy Trees” www.heathernewton.net

Kathryn O’Sullivan “Neighing with Fire” www.kathrynosullivan.com

Gail Oust “Cinnamon Toasted” www.gailoust.com

Kate Parker “Deadly Scandal” www.kateparkerbooks.com

Britni Patterson “A Thousand Deadly Kisses” www.britnipatterson.com

Leigh Perry “The Skeleton Haunts a House” www.leighperryauthor.com

Ashantay Peters “Reading Between the Lives” www.ashantay.com

Patti Phillips “Kerrian’s Notebook, Vol. 1” www.pattiphillipsbooks.com

Karen Pullen “Cold Feet” www.karenpullen.com

Kathy Reichs “Trace Evidence” www.kathyreichs.com

Jennifer Riley “Jerk Alert” available at Amazon

Sarah Shaber “Louise’s Chance” www.amazon.com/Sarah-R.-Shaber/e/B001HMPB9U

Nancy Simpson “B.O.Q.” www.authornpsimpson.com

Regina Smeltzer “Retribution” www.reginasmeltzer.net

Jennifer Hudson Taylor "For Love or Liberty" www.jenniferhudsontaylor.net

Ellis Vidler “Prime Target” www.ellisvidler.net

Kathryn R. Wall “Jordan Point” www.kathrynwall.com

Tamara Ward “Concealed Suspicions” www.authortamaraward.com

Lynn Chandler Willis “Wink of an Eye” www.lynnchandlerwillis.com

Bonnie Wisler “Count a Hundred Stars” available at Amazon

Caleb Wygal "Blackbeard's Lost Treasure" www.calebwygal.com

See any new-to-you names on the list of Authors of the Carolinas?

Happy reading! 🙂

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Three Summer Vacation Quickie Reviews

Leave a Comment / Bestselling Author, Book List, Christian, Dystopian, Fantasy, General, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Young Adult/Teen

In a rush to pick out your summer vacation ‘beach-reads’? This may help with the ‘run-in-and-grab’ non-thought process. Categories are listed in no particular order of favoritism or warning…

Dragons:

“Brisinger” by Christopher Paolini.

More complex than the previous two books in the trilogy. Eragon is more developed as a character, but this has resulted in less time spent on adventures/conversations with Saphira, his dragon. Still great fun for dragon/fantasy fans. 🙂

Rated PG-13 for war and violence.

Faith-based fiction:

“Night Light” by Terri Blackstock.

A world-wide power outage has kicked the earth back into 19^th century technology. No cell phones, no computers, no AC and people have to ride bikes and grow their own food. Fascinating look at how one Christian family chooses to deal with the challenges of a more primitive life, including digging a well to obtain potable water. The young children in the book have dialogue that is developmentally inaccurate, but the overall story made me wonder how I would cope – and what kinds of vegetables I would be able to grow so that I could barter with someone who raised chickens.

Rated PG-13 for a murder, a kidnapping and scenes of drug usage.

YA Fiction:

“I am Number Four” by Pitticus Lore.

An alien teenager, who has been hiding out on Earth with his protector, must deal with saving the world from nasty beings from his home planet that aim to wipe out his species. Made into a movie, but the book is MUCH better. There are sequels, but “I am Number Four” is the best. Filled with teen bits like first love, outsiders that don’t quite fit in, but are smarter than the ‘cool kids,’ blowing up the high school, etc. Written for teens that are into intense action stories.

Rated PG-13 for alien invasion, intensity, and violence. Adults should look this over to assess its appropriateness for their teen.

Do you have a favorite summer vacation book? Let us know in the comments below. 🙂

Check out three quite different Beach Reads from last summer's list here.

Whatever you decide to read, enjoy!

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Happily Ever After – 2016

4 Comments / Bestselling Author, Book List, Christian, Cozy, Debut Author, General, Nominated for Award, Romance

Summer is almost here, when there is lots of talk about weddings and romantic getaways.

June is the biggest month for weddings in the United States – or so all the bride magazines would have you believe. In fact, while June may be the most popular month to tie the knot, it’s only by a small margin. 10.8% of yearly weddings are performed then, followed closely by August, at 10.2%. But, that’s still over six thousand weddings a day, explaining why wedding venues must be booked months in advance.

For those of us not getting married or traveling to a romantic destination anytime soon, we can get lost in a ‘Happily Ever After’ book and be transported via heart and mind.

Below is a list of titles suggested by readers that enjoy more sweet romance in their stories than the murder mysteries usually reviewed or listed here at NBR. These books got raves from the readers that made the suggestions. 😀

No dead bodies to be found among the pages – or so I’ve been told – just romance in many forms. Think Hallmark Channel on Saturday and Sunday nights during June.

If you’ve read any of the titles from the authors in this genre, let us know in the comments below.

Click on the author names for the links to their websites.

Rachael Anderson: “Not Always Happenstance”

Tamie Dearen: “A Rose in Bloom”

Shannon Guymon: “Free Fallin’ ”

Liwen Ho: “Drawn to You”

Melanie Jacobson: “Always Will”

Stacy Juba: “Fooling Around with Cinderella”

Sophie Kinsella: “Shopaholic Takes Manhattan”

Jane Lebak: “Honest and For True”

Debbie Macomber: “Love Letters”

Catherine Maiorisi: “Matters of the Heart”

Jill Mansell: “The Unpredictable Consequences of Love”

Jules Nelson: “Shadows”

Jenny Proctor: “Love at First Note”

Ann Roberts: “Complete Package”

Curtis Sittenfeld: “Eligible”

Heather Sutherlin: “Loose Ends”

Debbie White: “Finding Mrs. Right”

Susan Wiggs: “Summer by the Sea”

Sherryl Woods: Chesapeake Shores series

Is there a swoon worthy title in the list? Happily Ever After reading! 🙂

*Photos by Patti Phillips

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Texas Fiction – 2016 List

Adventure, Award Winner, Bestselling Author, Book List, Cozy, Debut Author, General, Historical, Mystery, Nominated for Award, Romance, Short Stories/Collection, Suspense, Thriller, Western

Every once in a while, it’s fun to focus on regional fiction. It’s a chance for readers to concentrate on stories that take place in their favorite part of the world or an area that has aroused their curiosity. Sometimes, fans like to search for books written by authors that live in that region.

The Texas list of 36 authors is a mix of:

Authors who live there, but write books set elsewhere
Authors that have written novels set in Texas, but live elsewhere.
Authors who live in and write about Texas.

Click on the names to take you to the author sites.

Kathleen Rice Adams: “Prodigal Gun”

Susan Wittig Albert: “Blood Orange”

Linda Bingham: “Skyscraper Caper”

Parris Afton Bonds: “Blue Bayou” box set

James Lee Burke: “House of the Rising Sun”

Valerie P Chandler: ‘Rota Fortunae’ in “Murder on Wheels”

Caroline Clemmons: “Angeline”

Catherine Coulter: “Nemesis”

Bill Crider: “Between the Living and the Dead”

Stephanie Jaye Evans: "Safe from Harm"

Ann Everett: “Say You’ll Never Love Me”

Kay Finch: “The Black Cat Knocks on Wood”

Kinky Friedman – series about a Texan living in NYC

Meg Gardiner: “Phantom Instinct” (reviewed here)

Kaye George: Imogene Duckworthy series, “Broke”

Linda Kozar: “Weighty Matters”

Billy Kring: “Tonton”

Liz Lipperman: “Chicken Caccia-Killer”

Nancy Martin: “Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything”

Larry McMurtry: “Lonesome Dove”

James Michener: “Texas”

Golden Keyes Parsons: “His Steadfast Love”

Mark Pryor: “Hollow Man”

James Reasoner: “The Last War Chief”

Catie Rhodes: “Rest Stop”

Rick Riordan: “Rebel Island”

Terry Shames: “The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake”

Leann Sweeney: Yellow Rose Mystery Series

Livia Washburn: “Peach of a Murder”

Nancy G. West: "Smart, but Dead"

George Wier: “Cold Rains”

Lori Wilde: “Love of the Game”

Lynn Chandler Willis: “Wink of an Eye” (reviewed here)

Manning Wolfe: "Dollar Signs"

Reavis Z. Wortham: “Dark Places”

Celia Yeary: “Annalisa”

Have fun choosing from this great list of Texas fiction. 🙂

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