Weekly Reading Wrap Up (SP/IMWAYR?

Where It Hurts by Reed Farrel Coleman (audio) #1

Gus Murphy is a retired cop working two jobs and living in a hotel room. He lives alone with his grief not caring what happens. What has caused his circumstances and grief are a major part of the story. A man he arrested years ago comes to him for help. His son was killed and he believes the police are mishandling the case and he asks Gus to help him. Helping is the last thing Gus wants to do, but the cop in him is still there. He asks a few questions and suddenly he has the attention of law enforcement and criminal, and is encouraged repeatedly to move on and let it go. When Tommy is killed Gus knows that he is on to something and wants to uncover the truth. The tension and suspense built up leaving me fearing a bit for Gus. Despite Gus' grief and anger he is easy to like. The case helps him to work through his grief and leaves a hopeful feeling for this character. Chris Andrew Ciulla did a great job with the narration. He gave a distinct voice to the many characters in the story. The author and narrator were new to me and I made a great decision to accept this review copy. I look forward to what Gus finds himself involved in next!

*Thanks to Chris Andres Ciulla and Blackstone Audio for this review copy*

Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson

Alice has been asked to go to California and help Mimi the reclusive M.M. Banning as she writes her second book. She figures that she will be more of an assistant to the author, but soon after arriving she realizes Frank, the authors nine year old son, is to be her main focus. Mimi hides herself in her room working, at time frantically, on the book. Frank is extremely smart, quirky and loves old movies. Alice soon figures him out and tries the best she can to keep him from getting himself into too much mischief. Frank tends to find trouble many times, some hilarious, some heartbreaking and some head scratching. I loved Frank and Alice and enjoyed their story. 

Hold Your Breath by Katie Ruggle (#1)

Lou (Louise) left her family expectations to move to Colorado and become a search and rescue diver.  During a training exercise in frigid water - as she attempts to pull out her dive partner she kicks something and a body floats to the surface.  She becomes invested into investigating what happened with the help of Callum, her boss.  Meanwhile, she is fighting an attraction to her boss and has been experiencing some seemingly random vandalism. When the vandalism ratchets up to serious proportions it becomes unclear if she has a stalker or someone doesn't want them investigating the body found.  Lou and Callum are opposites but it works! The final conflict was edge of your seat with a twist that I didn't see coming. A great start to a new series that I felt was more suspense than romance.  

*Thanks to Sourcebooks for this review copy*

Indiscreet by Mary Balogh (#1)

Catherine is very pleased with her life in the country.  She has a nice cottage, teaches music to children and is well respected.  Rex comes to stay with his brother for a few weeks and is looking for a diversion.  Catherine mistakes him for his twin brother Claude which leads Rex thinking she is interested.  As a widow Catherine has a bit more freedom, but still must remain above reproach and immediately turns Rex's offer down.  He is intrigued as he is not used to being turned down.  Rex pursues Catherine and she struggles with her feelings, but does not want to become a "possession".  I liked her spirit and determination and was frustrated when circumstances forced her to do what she was trying to avoid.  Rex was harder to like at first, but as he gave up his arrogant attitude and realized that there was more to Catherine he grew on me. The last half of the book was wonderful.  Looking forward to the next book in this series that has been reissued.

Beautiful Sacrifice by Jamie McGuire (#3)

Maddox Brothers book three. Falyn has left her parent's world behind (we find out why later) and is working hard as a waitress for a specific goal (also revealed later).  She is smart, snarky and can be a bit mean. I went back and forth between liking her.  Taylor is a hotshot firefighter temporarily assigned to Colorado Springs to fight fires. He's a charming heart breaker and Falyn knows to avoid him.  Taylor is not used to being shot down and she intrigues him so he keep coming into the restaurant. Falyn had no problem avoiding him until she learns where he's from, which is terrible of her.  It is a place she is desperate to get to soon. Taylor is more than willing to help her out without knowing her secret. She is surprised by this and begins to see him a whole new way. However not allowing herself to love and be loved got a bit tired, and Taylor does something stupid that strains the relationship.  They work it out with a twist that was a bit over the top.  I will finish the series with Tyler's story.

Despite being sick I was able to get some reading done.  I am better and just in time to leave for vacation.  We choose a good week to be gone with cooler than normal temps expected here.

Up Next:
Along The Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams
My American Duchess by Eloisa James
Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell

Listening to:
Cold Barrel Zero by Matthew Quick
Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren
The Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lupton

March Reading Wrap Up

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.