Since I’m in the middle of a read-a-thon, I have books on the brain. I finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks yesterday afternoon and immediately started The Help, but today, I’ll put down the books and go to the movies with my husband. We’re seeing Contagion, if you’re interested.
Speaking of books, I’ve made a final decision on which one I’ll publish next. It will be a short story collection. I hope, before too long, to whip into shape the stories I’ve written so far, plus the one I’m working on now, and the one I plan to write next. They make an eclectic grouping, so I made a list of appropriate book titles, but then searched Amazon and found out most of them have already been used … some more than once. I’m sure something will come to me when it’s time.
Speaking of books again, if you’re looking for a thriller with a heart, check out Monarch, a new release by Michelle Davidson Argyle. This is the blurb:
Nick’s life as a CIA spy should be fulfilling, but it has only given him unhappiness—a wife who committed suicide, and two daughters who resent everything he has become. Now, stuck in the Amazon on the last mission of his career, he must track down Matheus Ferreira, a drug lord and terrorist the U.S. has tried to bring down for years. If he succeeds, he’ll have the chance to start his life over again.
Just when Nick is on the brink of catching Ferreira, he’s framed for a murder that turns his world upside down. His only chance of survival lies in West Virginia where Lilian Love, a woman from his past, owns the secluded Monarch Inn. He’s safe, but not for long…
I rarely read thrillers, but I’m glad I read Monarch. My fear that the CIA agent storyline would bore me and possibly be hard to follow was groundless. The characters were well fleshed out, warts and all. The author deftly entwined the action story with a love story, switching back and forth, without any confusion and the breaks were just long enough to build the tension, but not make me want to skip anything to get back to the other story. I found both stories satisfying. As a bonus, I learned a bit about Monarch butterflies. 🙂
Find out more on Michelle’s blog, including a list of giveaways you can enter to win a copy: MONARCH giveaways!
Linda Cassidy Lewis 
What do you think of The Help? It’s on my reading list. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
LikeLike
I’m only 50 or so pages into The Help, 1storyeveryday, so I can’t say what I think yet, but I’ll give my thoughts here or on Goodreads after I finish reading. Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙂
LikeLike
The Help‘s yet another one that’s been on my to-read list since I heard about it on NPR, just like Henrietta Lacks…one of these days. I’ve got lots of books to read, really.
I hope you and the hubby enjoy Contagion! It looks really good! And so does Monarch. Which might need to be added to the list, too, siiiigh.
Releasing a collection of short stories sounds like a great idea! And I’d be interested to hear some of your potential titles…titles are always fascinating for me.
LikeLike
Realizing there are far more good books than I’ll ever have time to read is why I quit forcing myself to finish a book I wasn’t all that interested in, L.S. There’s no reading time to waste.
IMHO, Contagion wasn’t worth the money. Interesting and horrifying premise, good acting, but poor story construction.
Maybe after I decide which title to use, I’ll discuss the rejects.
LikeLike
Wow, thanks for this shout out, Linda!
LikeLike
You’re always welcome, Michelle.
LikeLike