Life of the Party

      The news called for 5-12 inches of snow, and honestly I'm here for it! We winter prepped everything for this cold Arctic blast, but nothing really resulted from our efforts. The temperature did and has dropped below 30, but at the  same time the snow was no call no show.         We were beyond blessed this year with our goat's winter coat coming in so early. We were a little hesitant when the forecast came out, but with some extra bedding and building maintenance everything has been fine. We got around 1/2 inch in snow. I wouldn't even call it snow to be honest.      The weather shift has also brought a new mood swing for my mom. She's loosing her marbles one rampage at a time. I pretty sure she should just go ahead and get checked for early onset dementia. She is driving me bananas. Raising a toddler and managing her constant shifts in mood/ demeanor is tiring. Suggestions? I cannot seem to please her in any way or ...

     I'm unsure what the goal was with writing this book. I was as if the story was written by a schizophrenic narrator who was grasping at straws to keep with a continual plot. I understand it was a collection of diary, entries voice messages, and psychiatric notes, but there had to be a better way to put all those things together to produce a story. Honestly, this book was a waste of time if I had to listen to it again I think I would probably just delete it off my phone. I would write this book a one out of five due to the fact that the story was just so out of touch even with itself.     You could tell that the author really wanted this to be a successful book. And in different circumstances, it possibly could've been one maybe if this was made into a movie and a visual went along with the story it would be a better fit.     

      Can we just go ahead and make this into a movie? Denzil's work could possibly even be turned into a mini series. There was so much mystery in one book that I could not put the book down. I was overly thrilled to be "hooked" and I look forward to reading more materials written by Denzil.      Finding family bonds, hidden pathways, and deep secrets this book has it all. Mrs. Huxley's stiff overbearing character turns out to prove a mother's love. She has to help in order to keep her autistic son in a  group home.  Will money bury the details and the killing continue or will this family finally fall.      I would rate this book a 4.9 out of 5. The beginning of the book was so slow that I almost stopped reading it several times. By chapter four I was completely in the story. The ending was even better! The struggle to find what is hidden and the demanding moment to confront the attackers is everything.  Father and son serial ...

      Childhood memories always hide the truth and we get way too caught up in a murder that was hidden by time. Don't dig up the past and expect not to find out real truths. Parents will face pure hell to protect their children.      A father went to prison to hide the murder his five year old daughter committed as a child. Will we really find out all that has been swept under the rug?      While listening to this book I was somewhat annoyed with the main character's personality. Katherine's character was so oblivious to what her father gave up for her. As a parent I thought the whole time that he was protecting/ hiding something. This was a somewhat predictable tale of horror.      I would love to read this book in the perspective of the father who went to prison. I think that side of the story would be more entertaining. Secrecy keeps so many things hidden from sight. I would rate this book a 3 out of 5 due to the plot. I'm ...

 Just, Wow! The title should have been "Secret Sisters," because Fahey soon finds out she not only has a twin, but a baby sister as well. The jealousy between siblings has always been a hot topic, but unknown siblings lurking in the background was an amazing plot twist! Denzil knows how to keep her audience's attention!      Early onset dementia is something I have a personal fear of and reading a book where the narrator is also grappling with this was actually  therapeutic. Everything shouldn't always be feared and the author left us with a possible second book with the cliff hanger at the end of this one.      My only regret in reading this book was that it ended too soon. I wanted to see Fahey reconnect with her own step son. She will always blame him for the death of her baby, but I wanted to read that she had found some sort of closure with his character.      Overall, I would rate this book a 5 out of 5. I don't usually give a...

      Am I happy that the holidays are approaching?  Absolutely!!! Count me in. To see the excitement of the holiday spirit in the eyes of a child is like reliving your childhood again. I wish my parents would have went all out for me. Christmas was usually a depressing time in our home due to lack of funds. My dad always went into a depressive episode the entire months of November and December. I didn't get to really have that movie magic moment as a child.     I plan to really make the best of it for my own child. I want to experience the magic of Christmas and all of its glory. No, my tree isn't up just yet. The down side of having a grouchy parent live with you is that you cannot do everything exactly like you would want to. She'll complain if decorations go up too early. I have decided to decorate our addition in holiday attire! So, yes before you ask.... I did buy an extra tree that was on clearance. Two trees are better than one!     I...

      So many people have differing opinions on SNAP benefits and who should/ shouldn't receive them. We had to attend a family event over the weekend, and it came up in the discussion multiple times. I'm not supposed to have an opinion and express it publicly, but I will say that people need that to survive.      As a child my family hit a "hard" moment in life where we had to use government assistance until my parents could get back on their feet. It was there to provide us a cushion and to help bridge the gap of poverty. It served its purpose and got us  through. Mom was beyond embarrassed to sign up and immediately ended it when they were both able to find additional employment. I have no idea what would have happened if my mom wouldn't have reached out for help. Local food pantries can only help so much. This is just my POV... Feel free to post yours...

      I have to revise my winter reading list because I already finished my old list.  1. Man Made Monsters by Andrea Rogers 2. The Stranger in Our House by Sarah Denzil  3. The Woman in Coach D by Sarah Denzil 4. We Play Games by Sarah Denzil 5. The Housemaid  by Sarah Denzil 6. Behind a Locked Door  by Sarah Denzil 7. Secret Sister by Sarah Denzil 8. The Girl Who Left by Jenny Blackhurst 9. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann 10. Wait for You Collection by Jennifer Armentrout      I know adding books will only add more excitement. Please feel free to read/ listen along. I would love to have a full dialogue with anyone else who loves to read or listen to books. I would also love suggestions  to add to my list as well. 

     The Hiking Trip  was a page turner from beginning to end. I couldn't predict any of the next movements in the plot. Mazi's character had be baffled the entire time. Just when I thought I had everything figured out an additional twist would jump in and change everything. Loving the way the author moved us in two different times periods also kept me fully locked in for the full story.       Blackhurst is true to her craft. A true thriller novelist who keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would love to see this novel move into the format of a movie. I would pay good money to see this in theaters along with any of her additional books.      I would rate this book a 5 out of 5! I will never think about hiking the same. Strangers in passing could potentially be my ending. I have always thought hiking as a relaxing adventure, but never again.      The narrator also deserves an honorable mention. Audible's ability to ge...