Althea's Reading Corner

Title: Spells Trouble Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast Narrator: Cassandra Campbell Series: Sisters of Salem Trilogy Genre: YA Fantasy Format: Audiobook Listening Length: 10 hours and 43 minutes Date of Publication: May 25, 2021 Description:  The first audiobook in the Sisters of Salem trilogy about twin witches from the powerhouse duo P.C. and Kristin Cast! Double double, twins spell trouble.... Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers - the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life. When their mother becomes the first victim in a string of murders, the devastated sisters vow to avenge her death. But it will take more than magic to rein in the ancient mythological monsters who’ve infected their peacefu...

Title: Flight Author: Laura Griffin Narrator: Terri Clark Linden Series: The Texas Murder Files Genre: Mystery & Thrillers Format: Kindle & Audiobook No. of Pages: 348 Listening Length: 9 hours and 16 minutes Date of Publication: March 30, 2021 (Kindle) & April 27, 2021 (Audiobook) Description:  When former forensic photographer Miranda Rhoads moves to the seaside town of Lost Beach, she's decided to make her living as a wildlife photographer and put crime scenes behind her. But her plans are quickly upended when one morning, she comes across a couple sleeping in a canoe, entwined in an embrace. Looking closer, she realizes the man and woman aren't asleep—they’ve been murdered. Detective Joel Breda sets out to find answers--not only about the unidentified victims in the marshy death scene, but also about the aloof and beautiful photographer who seems to know more about his investigation than he does. As they begin to unravel the motivation of a merciless serial kill...

Title: The No-Fuss Family Cookbook Author: Ryan Scott Genre: Cooking Format: Digital No. of Pages: 288 pages Date of Publication: May 25, 2021 Description:  Emmy Award–winning celebrity chef (and dad) Ryan Scott knows well that family life is wonderful, but can be a very hectic business—stressing over mealtime shouldn’t add to the madness! This heartfelt collection comes straight from his home kitchen’s regular rotation into yours. Reflecting Ryan’s colorful personality and practical approach, the recipes are kid-friendly and packed with clever hacks and pro tips for getting meals on the table (and cleaning up) quickly. There are no fussy cooking techniques or long ingredient lists; instead, the focus is on family-centered meals for even the busiest of days—irresistible recipes like Turkey Reuben Meatloaf, Broccoli-Cheddar Bow Ties, and Naturally Sweet PB&J Pancakes. Even crowd-pleasing desserts like Everything-But-the-Kitchen-Sink Cookies and Butterscotch Marshmallow Squares r...

Title: The Photographer Author: Mary Dixie Carter Narrator: Mary Dixie Carter Genre: General Fiction Format: Audiobook Listening Length:  8 hours 47 minutes Date of Publication: May 25, 2021 Description:   When perfect images... As a photographer, Delta Dawn observes the seemingly perfect lives of New York City’s elite: snapping photos of their children’s birthday parties, transforming images of stiff hugs and tearstained faces into visions of pure joy, and creating moments these parents long for. ...are made of beautiful lies... But when Delta is hired for Natalie Straub’s 11th birthday, she finds herself wishing she wasn’t behind the lens but a part of the scene - in the Straub family’s gorgeous home and elegant life. ...the truth will be exposed. That’s when Delta puts her plan in place, by babysitting for Natalie; befriending her mother, Amelia; finding chances to listen to her father, Fritz. Soon she’s bathing in the master bathtub, drinking their expensive wine, and...

Title: Bitterroot Lake Author: Alicia Beckman Narrator: Linda Jones Genre: Mystery & Thrillers Format: Audiobook Listening length: 9 hours 6 minutes Date of Publication: April 13, 2021 Description:  When four women separated by tragedy reunite at a lakeside Montana lodge, murder forces them to confront everything they thought they knew about the terrifying accident that tore them apart, in Agatha Award-winning author Alicia Beckman's suspense debut Twenty-five years ago, during a celebratory weekend at historic Whitetail Lodge, Sarah McCaskill had a vision. A dream. A nightmare. When a young man was killed, Sarah's guilt over having ignored the warning in her dreams devastated her. Her friendships with her closest friends, and her sister, fell apart as she worked to build a new life in a new city. But she never stopped loving Whitetail Lodge on the shores of Bitterroot Lake. Now that she's a young widow, her mother urges her to return to the lodge for healing. But wh...

Title: Tell No Lies Author: Allison Brennnan Series: A Quinn & Costa Thriller Book 2 Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Police Procedural Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 432 Date of Publication:  March 30, 2021 Description:  The unsolved murder of a young activist leads to the discovery of much darker crimes in  New York Times  bestselling author Allison Brennan’s latest compelling thriller to feaure the young, edgy detective Kara Quinn and the loner FBI agent Matt Costa. This time they work to uncover possible ties to a high-stakes cartel in the Southwest desert. Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the mountains just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads. Quinn and Costa find themselves scouring the desolate land...

Title: Before She Disappeared Author: Lisa Gardner Genre: Mystery & Thrillers Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 395 Date of Publication: January 19, 2021 Description:  From #1  New York Times  bestselling author Lisa Gardner, a propulsive thriller featuring an ordinary woman who will stop at nothing to find the missing people that the rest of the world has forgotten Frankie Elkin is an average middle-aged woman, a recovering alcoholic with more regrets than belongings. But she spends her life doing what no one else will--searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. When the police have given up, when the public no longer remembers, when the media has never paid attention, Frankie starts looking. A new case brings her to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who vanished from her high school months earlier. Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim's wary family tells Frankie ...

Title: Dino Breaks the Rules Author:  Sarah Reed Genre: Children's book Format: Kindle  No. of Pages: 25 Date of Publication: August 19, 2020 Description:  Why do dinosaurs need rules?  Dinosaurs need rules to feel safe and secure. * Rules prepare children for the real world. *Teaching responsibility & values * Learn about consequences of words, actions and choices *Limits help kids manage rough emotions This story is geared to kids ages 3-5, level 1. Perfect for boys, girls, preschool, pre-K, and Kindergarten. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers. My Thoughts: I have read a few of Sarah Read's books now and think they will be quite helpful when my son is older, he is still too young for them now. As in Sarah's previous books, the illustrations were well done. They are brightly colored, simple, and fun to look at. The story itself reads and flows well. It is written in a way that a 3-5 year old would be able to understand, which is great given...

Title: The Key to Fear Author: Kristin Cast Narrator: Dascha Polanco Series: The Key Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Format: ARC audiobook Length:  9 Hours, 18 Minutes, 18 Seconds   Date of Publication:  Description:  No touching today for a healthy tomorrow. For fifty years, the Key Corporation has defended humanity against a deadly virus that spreads through touch. Lovers don’t kiss, or even hold hands. Personal boundaries are valued above all. Break the laws, and you’ll face execution.  Elodie, a talented young nurse, believes in the mission of the Key and has never questioned the laws that control her life. But Elodie is forced to break the rules when she sets out in search of a terminal patient who goes missing while under her care. From the outside, it seems like Aiden was given everything he could want from the Key—a purpose, an education, and a future. But Aiden knows more than he’s letting on, and the dark secrets he’s keeping could tear the Key’s strict so...

Title: The War Widow Author: Tara Moss Series: Billie Walker Mystery Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense Format: ARC Kindle No. of Pages: 352 Date of Publication: December 29, 2020 Description:  The war may be officially over, but journalist Billie Walker's search for a missing young immigrant man will plunge her right back into the danger and drama she thought she'd left behind in Europe in this thrilling tale of courage and secrets set in glamorous postwar Sydney. Sydney, 1946. Though war correspondent Billie Walker is happy to finally be home, for her the heady postwar days are tarnished by the loss of her father and the disappearance in Europe of her husband, Jack. To make matters worse, now that the war is over, the newspapers are sidelining her reporting talents to prioritize jobs for returning soldiers. But Billie is a survivor and she's determined to take control of her own future. So she reopens her late father's business, a private investigation ...

Title: Bending the Paw Author: Diane Kelly Series: A Paw Enforcement Novel Genre: Mystery & Thrillers Format: Paperback No. of Pages: 320 Date of Publication: October 27, 2020 Description:  Make way for the long paw of the law as police officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner Brigit investigate a baffling new mystery in  Bending the Paw , by Diane Kelly . A MURDER WITHOUT A BODY IS LIKE A DOG WITHOUT A BONE A bloodbath is a shocking new challenge for Megan and Brigit when Detective Audrey Jackson calls them to the scene of what could only be a brutal murder. But the one thing the nightmarish scene is missing is a victim. The frantic homeowner’s husband is gone, seemingly without a trace—and so is the money he was holding. Has a vicious killer committed what might just be the perfect crime? Meanwhile, it’s hailing cats and dogs all over Fort Worth, and roofing contractors have descended on the city in droves. With plenty of damage and continuing storms, work delays are buildi...

Title:  The Impatient Dinosaur Author:  Sarah Read Genre:  Children's fiction Format:  Kindle ARC No. of Pages:  22 pages Date of Publication:  June 17, 2020 Description:  Why is waiting so hard for dinosaurs? The Little Dino has no patience. He wants what he wants when he wants it. If his parents say, "in a minute," he reacts as if they have said "in a year".  This cute and funny story help kids discover that some things are worth the wait.  *It is OK to be frustrated when you have to wait  *Learn how to recognize the needs of others *Helping your child learn self-control and practice waiting *Making choices and understand consequences *Waiting can also be a lot of fun This story is geared to kids ages 3-5. Perfect for boys, girls, preschool, pre-K, and Kindergarten. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers. My Thoughts:  I picked up this book for my son, who is a little too young for the book at this time as he is ...

Title: Blood Victory Author: Christopher Rice Series: The Burning Girl series Genre: Suspense and Thriller Format: Kindle ARC No. of Pages: 329 Date of Publication: August 18, 2020 Description:  On a cross-country journey to hell, fear is the engine and vengeance is the destination as Christopher Rice’s Amazon Charts bestselling series continues. As the test subject of an experimental drug, Charlotte Rowe was infused with extraordinary powers. As the secret weapon of a mysterious consortium, she baits evil predators and stops them in their tracks. But it takes more than fear to trigger what’s coursing through Charlotte’s blood. She needs to be terrorized. Serial killer Cyrus Mattingly is up to the task. Cyrus is a long-haul truck driver, and his cargo bay is a gallery of horrors on wheels. To stop his bloodshed, Charlotte will become his next victim, reining in her powers so she can face each of his evils in turn. As much as they know about Cyrus—his method of selecting victims, hi...