YvonneSharing my recent past, current, and immediate future, reading schedules; together with my most recent and upcoming reviews. 
This weekly meme, hosted by MizB, over at ‘Should Be Reading’, is a snapshot of where I am at in my reading schedule. To play along, just answer the following three questions… • What are you currently reading? • What did you recently finish reading? • What do you think you’ll read next? As I probably won’t be able to contribute every week, I have taken the liberty of adding in a couple more What’s?, which came to mind.
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WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
‘Hemlock Lake’ by Carolyn J. Rose
For generations only a few families held title to land in the isolated Catskill Mountain community of Hemlock Lake. But with the turning of the century one man, lured by easy money, sells his inheritance to a developer of luxury homes. As the contractor bulldozes farmland and forest, neighbors cry environmental rape, and someone threatens to burn what is built.
Hoping to stop the arsonist, but tormented by personal demons, Sergeant Dan Stone reluctantly returns to his family home on the shores of the lake. The previous autumn his wife died in its dark waters and his brother put a bullet in his brain. That tragedy sent Dan’s father drifting toward death.
Isolated by his pain, Dan is thrust into the no man’s land between newcomers and long-time residents who stonewall his investigation into threats, graffiti, theft, and a blaze that nearly kills the construction foreman. Townspeople blame outsiders, eco-terrorists, a ragged tramp haunting the woods and the mysterious creator of rock cairns that often mark the sites of crimes to come. But as summer sizzles on, the arsonist turns killer, and Dan suspects it’s someone he knows well: a firefighter, a long-time friend, or a woman with a killing in her past.
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WHAT BOOK DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
‘The Diabolist’ by Layton Green
In this gripping thriller, the bizarre murder of a Satanic priest in San Francisco draws Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, to the scene. Witnesses claim a robed figure, seemingly able to appear and disappear at will, set fire to the priest. When the leader of another Satanic cult in Paris dies under similar circumstances, the case only grows stranger… and more dangerous.
Convinced that a charismatic New Age prophet is behind the murders, the investigators undergo a perilous journey into the world of the occult as they try to penetrate the prophet’s inner circle. From the catacombs of Paris to London’s nefarious East End, from the haunted walls of York to a monastic fortress in the Sicilian wilderness, the case plunges Viktor and Grey into a vortex of black magic, ancient heresies, and the dark corners of their own pasts.
The Diabolist is a chilling novel that not only pulsates with action and suspense, but also mines a trove of fascinating historical, philosophical, and paranormal research to probe some of our closest held beliefs. From the opening pages to the astonishing conclusion, this latest installment in one of today’s most original new thriller series is not to be missed.
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WHAT BOOK DO YOU THINK YOU WILL READ NEXT?
‘Through A Yellow Wood’ by Carolyn J. Rose
Seven months after cheating death in the dark waters of Hemlock Lake, Dan Stone discovers a search dog trainer and his dogs shot down at a remote cabin in the Catskill Mountains. Only one young dog, badly wounded, survives the attack.
No longer wearing a badge and intent on rebuilding the family home and making a life with Camille, Dan feels an obligation of blood to Clarence Wolven, a distant relative. He arranges the funeral and adopts the three-legged dog he names Nelson.
When the sheriff’s investigation stalls, Dan returns to the cabin with Jefferson Longyear. They feel the presence of Clarence’s angry ghost and Nelson bolts into the forest. Trailing him deep into rugged “forever wild” land, they discover a serial killer’s dump site.
That grisly find is just the first. As summer wears on, Dan suspects the killer is taunting him and may even be someone he knows. Goaded by a ghost he only half believes in, Dan is drawn deeper into the investigation until his life and that of a young girl depend on a dog’s loyalty and a sniper’s aim.
This is the sequel to Hemlock Lake, so I have decided to read the stories back to back.
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WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU REVIEWED?
‘Night Shield’ by Nora Roberts
“I killed a woman tonight. One shot through the heart.”
Undercover as a waitress, Detective Allison Fletcher is on the case that will make her career – exposing an organised gang of robbers. Then, at the scene of one of the burglaries, she has no choice but to shoot the woman holding a gun on her.
The robbers’ psychotic, controlling brother knows who killed his beloved sister and he’s out for revenge. When he breaks into Allison’s flat, writing blood-red words on the walls, Allison knows she’s in terrible danger. And her cop’s shield won’t be enough to protect her from a madman …
Read My Review Here …
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WHAT BOOK REVIEW ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
Mags And The AARP Gang’ by Nancy Lynn Jarvis
Mags and her gang of renegade octogenarians have a deadline. They have to rob Bayside Community Bank, the bank about to foreclose on the mobile home park where they live, by a week from Friday so they can pay off the mortgage and save their homes. They’ve cased the joint, planned carefully, assembled their disguises, rehearsed their every move — what could possibly go wrong? Plenty.
Some people think they can take advantage of the elderly. They haven’t met Mags and the AARP gang or they’d know better. Sure, they’re older, but not too old for the adventure of a lifetime or to risk everything for the sake of friendship.
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Stop by and leave a link to your own reading schedule, I can’t wait to visit and check them all out!
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You’re obviously enjoying Carolyn J. Rose! 😉
I just finished reading “The House at Riverton” by Kate Morton.
I’m currently reading “The Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka
Next book? I won’t know until I start it! I have a couple of ideas but might change my mind at the last minute.
Hi Kelly,
I like the idea of life being like it used to be, when I would simply browse the shelves and pick a book to read at random. However, I do have a very large backlog of author review requests to clear and those I tend to work my way through in the order in which they were received, which seems to be the fairest way to everyone.
Whilst I don’t think that ‘The Buddha In The Attic’ would probably be my cup of tea, it does sound like such an interesting book. I had no idea that what amounts to Japanese slavery was so prevalent in the US, although the war-time internment as described in ‘When The Emporer Was Divine’, which I imagine you have already read, is very much the same as what happened here in the UK to German immmigrants living here when war broke out.
I do hope that you are enjoying your book and have a good rest of the week.
Actually I have not read her first book. This is one I would never have chosen on my own, but was sent to me a couple of years ago by a friend. It got buried on my shelf and I just now found it! I’ve been totally surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed it. Written in a way I can’t really describe – it’s almost like poetry – I find it beautiful and heartbreaking. I’m not sure I’ll review it on my blog since the copy she sent me is an ARC, therefore not allowing for quotations. Maybe if I see a “real” copy somewhere I can…..
I have gone from thinking that this book wouldn’t be at all my thing, to having already added it to my TBR list. I love writing which is descriptive enough to evoke emotions in me as a reader, rather than simply a story to be read, enjoyed and so often forgotten about. I am so pleased that you stopped by with your extra comments which so changed my mind.
You’ve mentioned some interesting books in this post – Carolyn J. Rose is seeing some love from you at the moment. It’s nice when you find an author you want to read multiple books from.
I recently reviewed A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin. I hadn’t really heard a lot of Ira Levin’s work before purchasing a collection of three of his novels, however I now know he has received a lot of acclaim for his writing – quite rightly so. Upon completion I wanted to delve straight in to the other two books written by him on my unread shelf, however I decided to save them.
The book I finished recently was The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain. It was my second reading experience of Diane Chamberlain’s work and I enjoyed it just as much as the first!
Lined up next, I have no idea! I’ve been very finicky in terms of picking a book since completing The Midwife’s Confession – many a book has been started, and abandoned. I don’t know if I just need to get the book out of system, perhaps after writing a review I will be able to read on. I should probably do that soon seen as June is fast approaching and I already have my TBR planned for that month.
🙂
Hi Jade,
I have become somewhat addicted to Carolyn’s books just lately. The two books featured in this post are a series, so I decided to read them back to back, to keep the plot fresh in my mind, although Carolyn has now thrown a spanner in the works by announcing that she is starting work on a third ‘Dan Stone’ book! Also, Carolyn has become so much more than an author whose books I review. We talk by email on a regular basis and when a new book is published I will find my Kindle download there and waiting almost simultaneously, without any pressure to commit to a review.
I enjoy a shared Kindle account with my mother-in-law and she has become rather addicted to Diane Chamberlain. Consequently I have several of her books in my archives, although whether I shall ever have the time to get to read them, remains to be seen!
Whilst I have watched the film adaptations of many of Ira Levin’s books, I have to confess to never having read one. We are now back to the age old argument of whether you should watch the film adaptation of a story first then read the book, or vice versa.
Thank you so much for such an interesting comment post. I hope that you enjoy whatever you decide to read next and enjoy the rest of your week.
I like the Catskill Mountain setting of Hemlock Lake. It sounds like an intense read. And I’m curious about your Mags review!
I’m currently reading Jane’s Melody a contemporary romance by Ryan Winfield. I just finished listening to The 19th Wife and I think I’ll read Joyland by Stephen King next.
Hi Naida,
I am not sure whether intense would be the right word to describe the Catskill Mountain books, perhaps suspenseful would be more appropriate. I wasn’t sure whether the insular, rather inward looking nature of the characters in the books was indeed completely authentic, however Carolyn, who lived in the area, assures me that it is. Whilst we do have some rather similar communities not too far from my own home in rural Somerset, the town where we live is much more cosmopolitan and vibrant, so I was having trouble in relating to the Hemlock Lake community.
It isn’t very often that you come across a male author, writing in what is so traditionally a female dominated genre and for that reason alone, I may well be tempted to try one of Ryan Winfield’s books, although I am not a huge fan of contemporary romance novels.
‘The 19th Wife’ is already added to my TBR list, from my recent visit to your site, where you mentioned it. However, I think I shall pass on the Stephen King book, although of course, I hope that you enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your week.
What a great selection.
I’ve just finished reading The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared. Alas another ‘international best seller’ that wasn’t my cup of tea.
Hi Tracy,
Looking back at the post now, I have to agree that there is certainly a very eclectic mix of genres and storylines, which really does reflect my eclectic reading habits. I will always have certain genres that I favour over others, however I do like to mix things up, which makes author review requests so enjoyable, as no two books are ever the same!
I am not sure that ‘The One Hundred Year Old Man …’ is a book I would go out and buy for myself and the average 4 star ratings and reviews it has received might be a little deceiving, as there are those who clearly loved it and those who obviously absolutely hated it. I guess you fall into the 1 or 2 star category, but rest assured, you are not alone! None of us can love, or even like, every book we read!
I hope that your next book is much more to your liking and thanks for taking the time to comment, I always appreciate it.
Your books look really interesting this week Yvonne! I particularly like the look of The Diabolist. I hope you enjoy your books this week! 😀
It’s been a while since I last stopped by. I hope you’re well.
Hi Chrissi,
Time passes so quickly, doesn’t it? I keep meaning to spend an evening blog hopping and catching up with everyone, but somehow it just never happens!
I am very well thank you, although the weather here right now, is more akin to Winter, rather than Summer!
‘The Diabolist’, like the first two books in the ‘Dominic Grey’ series, was fantastic and far exceeded my expectations. You need to be interested in the occult and all things satanical to get caught up in its fervour, then Layton’s intense narrative will surely hold you in thrall!
I hope that you are well and enjoying life. It has been good to speak again and I appreciate you stopping by.
I’m interested to see what you think of the Carolyn J. Rose books. Happy reading 🙂 Here is my WWW http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/www-wednesday-may-28/
Hi Cleo,
I have recently read and reviewed a couple of Carolyn’s books and still have at least three more in my review pile!
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews/an-uncertain-refuge-by-carolyn-j-rose-3/
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews/sea-of-regret-by-carolyn-j-rose-2/
I love her style of writing and her storylines, whilst not always full of non stop action, are very high on the mystery and supense factors, which keeps me turning the pages.
If you enjoy a good mystery / suspense story, then you certainly won’t be disappointed with both Carolyn’s individually written books and those she has written in collaboration with her husband, Mike Nettleton.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment, it is lovely to hear from you.
Happy reading! 🙂
here is my WWW – http://dreamzandclouds.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/www-wednesday-vol-25/
As much as I might be enjoying whatever book I am reading, I always have one eye firmly on the next book on top of the pile, although unlike so many other bloggers, there is no way that I could be reading more than one book at a time!
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your visit and comments.