The Newsmakers by Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart

When Erica Sparks is offered a job at GNN in New York City it is a dream come true. When a ferry accident happens right before her eyes Erica and her crew catch it all on live TV and that event launches Erica's career. When another tragedy occurs while Erica is on air she launches an investigation into the 2 events.

Nyles Hastings, the owner of GNN, is proud of his new superstar news reporter. But Nyles isn't looking for Erica to investigate the two incidents. Nyles would rather have Erica behind an anchor desk where he can control the stories she reports.

Being an anchor behind the desk is not Erica's style. She wants to be out breaking the news stories and she can't let the two accidents go uninvestigated. Especially when someone helping her is put in the hospital in order to be silenced. As Erica's investigation brings her closer to the truth her life and those she loves are put in danger.

I've really become quite a fan of Lis Wiehl's writing and found this new book to be quite entertaining and exciting. From the beginning she keeps the reader involved in the suspense and investigation. I found that the behind the scenes information of what goes into a news story was interesting and added depth and believe-ability to the story. There was a bit of romance which helped move the story along and gave Erica's character credibility. I liked that Erica had a past and saw that that would be used against her eventually. I also liked that Erica's character was "nice" and not a barracuda like some newscasters come across. Apparently this is the beginning of a new series so I look forward to seeing what comes next.

**I received my copy for review purposes from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers**

**Warning** There are some mild curse words in this book.

Little Women Read Along: Discussion 1

Well I don't know how time got away with me but I was unable to finish all 17 chapters. I read through chapter 12. I'm going to have to catch up somewhere, but aren't these chapters LONG?! You can go to Suey''s blog at It's All About Books  to read her post about the first 17 chapters. There was also a Twitter discussion last night that I was unable to make. Here are the discussion questions and my answers:

1. What's your opinions so far about each of the girls? Do you identify more with one or the other of them? Do you like them, or do they get on your nerves in a way? Which one do you think would be your friend? Well I really like Jo, but probably would identify more with Beth. She's quiet, and shy and I tend to be that way in a large setting of people. 
2. What do you think of Mrs. March aka. Marmee? What's one of your favorite pieces of advice or lessons she's taught the girls so far? I like Marmee, she's a very wise and caring woman. I like this lesson, "My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one." and this one, "Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone. It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than money or fashion." 
3. Do you think that the characterization of these girls and this family is realistic? Explain. I imagine for the times it was very realistic. I love their innocence and their ability to entertain themselves. 
4. What's your favorite scene or incident so far? And why? Jo's cooking adventure. It amused me.
5. If this is your second (or third etc.) time reading this story, what stands out to you this time? I read it years and years ago, I didn't realize how long a book it was. I'm reading on my Kindle and it so happens to give me the pages in the book and there are over 600! Goodness, that's a lot! I'm finding the chapters rather long and some of the dialogue a little boring. 
6. If this is your first time reading this story, is it meeting your expectations? Or is it different than expected? Explain. Even though this is my 2nd time reading, I feel like it is my first because I don't remember it very well. As far as expectations see my answer to question 5. 
7. How do you feel about Jo cutting off her hair? Was this incident surprising to you? Do you think it's symbolic of anything? I didn't get this far yet.
8. What's your feeling about the inclusion of poems, letters, stories, plays and etc. into the story? Some I find amusing, some silly, some unnecessary. 
9. Any thoughts in particular on the male characters in this story? So far just Laurie and his grandfather, oh and the guests for their picnic. I'll leave judgment for later :)
10. Are you liking this reading experience? If yes, why? If not, why? I'm hoping to be able to catch up and concentrate more on the story and therefore enjoy the experience more. I do like read-alongs so am looking forward to going and seeing what everyone else is thinking about the book.

There you have it! I'm going to head over to Suey's blog and link up and go read everyone else's answers. If you have read Little Women before what did you think of it? 

Murder in the Winter by Steve Demaree

This is book 2 in the Dekker Cozy Mystery series. I have to say that this is not my favorite series. I can't really put my finger on it, but the authors constant reference to Cy and his partner Lou's girth/weight/largeness/rotundness/whatever got annoying in this book. Constantly strapping on the feed bag at the Blue Moon was over-the-top excessive. Cy's dislike for his neighbor and her dog was annoying as well. I think what the author thought as witty and sarcastic was overdone and awkward. That being said, I did like the mystery, but probably not enough to make me want to buy the next book in the series. If it ever is offered on Amazon as a free read then sure, I'll get it to add to the collection, and maybe even take the time to read it, but for now the antics of Cy and Lou will be put away and I'll move on to something a bit more mature to read.

January Thaw by Holly Schindler

This is the 2nd book in the Finley Short Story Cycle series. There will be one story each month throughout 2016. I actually like the idea of the series cycle, especially with this one since each story will be able to stand on it's own. In January Thaw Annie returns to Finley for an art show. Her friend Justin is a newspaper writer and has just given her art show in another town a bad review. Justin thinks Annie has lost her sparkle in her art. Annie and Justin spend a snow-bound evening helping each other rediscover their first loves. I am definitely a fan of the town of Finley and the cast of characters found there. Looking forward to each installment.

Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Park ranger Griffin McCray finds a body buried in a Gettysburg cemetery. Unfortunately that body is not part of the Civil War bodies that are buried there. This body is more recent. Finley Scott is called in to identify the remains. 
The person who hid the body does not want the remains identified and will do anything within their power to keep evidence from pointing to them, including kill again.

Griffin recognizes the bullet wound in the body as the work of an assassin. Griffin has no desire to work with Finley. She is too attractive and Griffin refuses to let anyone inside of his heart. Finley has a way of winning people over though. Griffin appoints himself as her protector while the murder investigation is underway, it is hard to keep up barriers while spending so much time with Finley.

Both Finley and Griffin have pain in their past that makes them vulnerable and has hurt past relationships. The chemistry between them though is hard to deny and soon those barriers begin to break down. Will Griffin be able to protect Finley from their unseen foe before it is too late?

I think this is a solid start to a new series for Dani Pettrey. I did think that the romance between Finley and Griffin moved too quickly. It seemed like one minute Griffin was stand-offish to Finley(yet attracted to her), and then in the next moment they were so in love there was nobody else on the planet! I felt like I missed a chunk of the story somewhere. I was like, "What? When did that happen?" Other than that I think I am going to like all of the characters in this new series. Looking forward to seeing what happens with Parker, Declan, Ashley, Kate and maybe even finding out what has happened to Luke, the missing "pirate" of the group.

Miles Left Yet by Holly Schindler

Jim, Norma and Mildred are all residents in a retirement community. All of them have led different lives before arriving at this stage of their lives and each of them have miles left yet.

Jim is full of mischief and making the best of his life in the retirement community. When Norma moves in Jim makes it his mission to bring her out of her shell. Determined to live life to the fullest Jim throws himself into the task of capturing Norma's affections.

Norma has recently sold her home in order to bail her daughter out of debt. Struggling to find herself and her place in this life she has no desire to even leave her apartment at the retirement community she has moved into. At first she resents Jim and his attempts to get to know her, but soon they become inseparable.

Mildred is a retired school teacher/spinster who shows up at the retirement community and immediately gives the wrong impression. The one regret in her life that has defined who she has become is about to catch up with her.

Setting out on an adventure to right some wrongs, make some mischief, have some fun, and find some romance proves to a couple of young people that just because people get old doesn't mean that their lives are over.

One of the things I have found about Holly Schindler's books is that they are hard to put down once you start reading them! Miles Left Yet kept me turning the pages, laughing and crying along the journey. Being in the retirement stage of my life made the reading much more poignant. While I couldn't relate with the loss that the characters experienced I could relate with the feelings of irrelevancy, of being set aside by the younger generation but yet feeling also that there are so many things left to do, say and experience. That feeling that I still have...Miles Left Yet!

**Warning** I always put a warning on any book I read that contains curse words or sexual scenes or references because my blog mostly represents Christian literature. Miles Left Yet does contain cursing including the "f" word(2x). The author does not use cursing throughout the read, in other words it is not overly full of profanity, but it is present. If cursing offends you then this probably would not be the book for you.

News:  The author is continuing on with new characters set in a town mentioned in Miles Left Yet in monthly installments of stand-alone short stories throughout 2016 beginning with Come December which I reviewed HERE.

Come December by Holly Schindler

What a sweet short story about a girl who feels invisible to the world around her but then finds purpose and meaning in her life through the kindness of a stranger.

Short stories usually leave me unsatisfied because I want to read "more" of the characters. While I wouldn't have minded COME DECEMBER being a longer story I thought the author quite satisfactorily told the story without leaving me hanging or unsatisfied about where the characters were heading in the end.

COME DECEMBER left me with a smile on my face and a happy feeling in my heart.