The Stranger In Her house by John Marrs

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

Connie connects with a local non-profit to help with odd jobs around her mother, Gwen’s home. As Gwen has dementia, Connie tries to balance her life with the time she spends with her mom and the pursuit of her career. While Connie pops in to check on her mom and to help with cleaning, some of the bigger jobs, such as yard work and home repair, are too time-consuming, and she is grateful for Helping Hands’ mission to send volunteers to assist with chores for the elderly.
Paul, a volunteer from Helping Hands, is kind, easy to talk to, and easy on the eyes, and her mom seems to like him.

But things change quickly as Paul comes to Gwen’s more often than needed, making Connie feel a little awkward, almost like she is intruding when she comes over to help with cooking and cleaning. And Gwen, too, is changing; she dresses up more, wearing makeup and laughing… laughing like Connie has not heard in years. When Paul finds himself between homes, he moves in with Gwen and begins to shut Connie out, both figuratively and literally.

When Paul tells Connie that he can handle the cooking and cleaning, and there is no need for her to stop by, and when the locks to the house are changed, Connie desperately wants to reach out for help – but it’s his word against hers as Paul has put his charm on the neighbors as well, and has not done anything legally wrong. But Connie knows… something is not right, and she has a limited time to do something about it.

Have you read John Marrs? If you like the psychological twists of McFadden, I look at Marrs as the King of the double… no… TRIPLE twist. From my experience with his books, there comes a point where he has you, and you are blown away… and really the book – the story could end there and you would be all like…. “Damn….that was amazing” –
But wait, there is more!

Marrs, from my experience, catches you in the twist where something is revealed that changes everything….
And then…
Within the same book …
He does it again.
And sometimes…. again

The Stranger In Her House, while a bit out there ( a few too many – uhhh… that couldn’t happen) was still crazy wild to read because, honestly, in this world we live in – crazy crazy things DO HAPPEN…. even when we are dumbfounded as to how.

I did enjoy this book on audio… fully engaged in how this would all work out in the end, and not once, not twice, but even a third time surprised….

Well played Marrs.

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Yes, I enjoy his style of writing
Who Should Read This: Fans of McFadden and psychological thrillers for sure, knowing that Marrs can be a bit darker (IMO). If you like your books to be crazy wild puzzles – here you go 😀


She Didn’t See It Coming by Shari Lapena

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)Leave a comment
Whiplash is a great word to describe this book. ~ Sheila

Bryden and Sam Frost have a good marriage. They both have amazing careers and are financially well off, living in a luxurious condo with their young daughter, Clara. Bryden, who works from home, admittedly is often pushing her luck on picking up their daughter from daycare on time, so when she is late on this particular day, and Sam receives a call at work from the daycare that Bryden has not shown up to pick up Clara and they cant get ahold of her – while annoying… it is not panic worthy.
But, upon arrival at home after picking up Clara, Sam finds his wife’s car, her laptop open, and her cell phone on the table. Bryden – is nowhere to be found – it’s like she has just

disappeared.


I listened to this on audio over the past few days while doing a little book room cleaning. While I enjoyed the book, I honestly found it to be too character-heavy with too many fingers pointed every which way…. just when I thought I had it, something new comes up and someone else looks guilty – while I know this is all part of the psychological suspense thriller, for me, it was too much – too many turns and in the end it wrapped up so quickly I am still not certain I understand what happened.

I would give this a 3 (average rating), as it did hold my interest and had a good flow, other than the too many red herrings.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: possibly, it looks like she has good ratings and some fun titles 🙂
Book Club Worthy: Hard to say – while there is a chance to talk about who everyone thought did it – I’m not sure I see any deep discussion out of this ( not like they all have to be ( or are, lol) deep

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

A fun little romp – I laughed out loud many times- Sheila

January Andrews is the best-selling author of happy ending romance reads. She loves things to come together and end well, and her readers love her for it.

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. His books are deep and insightful, and don’t always end well. His readership is massive.

When January finds herself in a beach house for three months trying to write her next read, despite the writer’s block that has her publicist checking it a little too often, she is shocked to discover that Augustus is in the Beach House next to hers – apparently suffering from the same thing.

One night, they make a pact. They will switch genres. January will learn how to write literary fiction under Augustus’ guidance, and Augustus, in turn, will write a rom-com. The first one to sell their book will receive public recognition from the other.

But bringing out the underlying reason that January needs things to end happily, and trying to get Augustus to lighten up and have some fun, may be a bigger undertaking than either of them bargained for.

Not my typical go-to read, but after finishing Wally Lamb’s new book that ripped me up in so many ways – I needed a palate cleanser, and this one, with a fun cover and a subject line I enjoy ( books that talk about books are almost always a plus!) was the one I picked up.

This book did the trick. Not heavy and appropriately titled, I enjoyed the fun engagement between the two protagonists… several times while listening, I laughed out loud.

“New phone… who dis?” 😛

If looking for an easy, enjoyable read, don’t hesitate to pick this one up.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: I have and recently!
Great Big Beautiful Life
Funny Story
Read Author Again: most likely 🙂



Morning Meanderings: 50+ Beautiful Books and The Past and Present Giveaway!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

So much to share! Where to begin!

First – I am at 52 books for the year! I have not reached such numbers in 10 years. I usually start the year strong… motivated by the Annual First Book tradition, having a little more time on my hands during the colder months in Minnesota, and, of course, vacation.
Then, as the grass begins to turn green and my Event Coordinator job kicks into high gear, it gets harder and harder to pick up a book.

This year, I think an extended time away (by RV, no less!) gave me a nice start to the year with a lot of books read while traveling. Then, for whatever reason, it stuck, and here I am over my Goodreads goal of 50 for the year.

Let me get to the topic at hand, as I imagine I have about a cup of coffee’s worth of time with you ( possibly even a half cup)

The pics above are some gorgeous reads that have graced my doorstep recently…
The Ghost Writer by Julia Clark ( released June 2025)
A Curse Carved In Bone by Danielle Jensen ( released May 2025)
Every Sweet Thing Is Bitter by Samantha Crewson ( released January 2025)

The Man No One Believed by Joshua Sharpe ( released August 2025)

Immortal Consequences by IV Marie (released July 2025)

Check out the pages of Immortal Consequences!

Another giveaway coming – however, the Boleyn Traitor Giveway has sat too long so using Random.Org this morning….

Our winner is….

Angie Simmonds! WOOT WOOT! Angie, I will get the book to you! ENJOY! 😀

More to come, so many topics I want to chat about….

Audio Snobs
Judging the book by the cover
My Reading Room update
Kids’ books… glorious kids’ books
Upcoming Fall Used Book Sale
….

Have a fabulous Thursday – what are you reading????

The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

Corby Ledbetter has been a stay-at-home dad for the past 9 months. Since losing his job, taking care of his 26-month-old twins, Niko and Maisie, while his wife, Emily, worked, has become Corby’s world.

What starts out as an ordinary day turns into an unthinkable tragedy under Corby’s watch. As underlying secrets begin to be revealed, the family is shattered into a new reality.

Corby is sentenced to prison, where he witnesses unbelievable acts of cruelty, as well as glimpses of kindness – all the while not giving up hope that, if he just follows the rules, he will be able to return to his family and piece together a life again.


It is so hard to write a review when the first word that comes to mind is – Heartbreaking. But, Wally’s Lambs’ incredible writing here is so much more, and while yes, this one’s going to hurt…. There is also so much more – so much humanity, so much of honesty – it could be any one of us.

A split-second lapse changes the Ledbetter family forever, and what is packed into this page turner is everything one can imagine and written in such a way that you are right there with them – seeing all the sides, and the ways they are affected.

I would recommend this book to everyone, and at the same time, I know it is not for everyone. Topics of addiction, death, suicide, and rape are all here – some more pronounced than others, but in full disclosure, there it is. On the flip side of that, there is also hope, faith, remorse, and kindness.

I want to talk about this book. One of the best books I have read this year, and if you can give it a try – even though it is hard – I hope you do.

Rated: 5 out of 5
Read Author Before: Here’s a sad truth- I thought I had, but looking at his books this morning, I dont think that is true.
Read Author Again: Yes – looks like I have some catching up to do

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

Pleasantly surprising! Sheila

Ella Durran had a set plan for her life ever since she was a young girl. Study at Oxford. When she receives her ticket to her dream through a Rhodes Scholarship, she is on her way to England! At the same time, incredibly so, she is offered a chance to work alongside a rising politician with the plan to work remotely until her year is complete at Oxford and then move full-time into her position in DC.
Of course… You know what happens when one makes plans….

A confrontation with a cocky young man upon Ella’s arrival doesn’t start her off in the right direction – nor does it when it is discovered that this same man. Jamie Davenport turns out to be her English Literature Teacher. Yet, as time goes on, Jamie’s cockyness turns to charm, and a romance starts between the two.

But – Jamie has a secret one too big to hide forever, and one that will cause Ella to make hard decisions not only regarding her future plans, but also on what to do about her heart and how much she is willing to give.


If you know me, romance novels are not my thing. What drew me to the book was the fun literary references and an interesting synopsis. Digging in – I found more (pleasantly so) than I had planned, which was enjoyable about this book. Someone had said the essence of Jo Jo Moyes, and I agree – you are getting more than a fluffy romance, you are getting into a book that delivers hard realities with engaging characters.

I listened to this on audio and LOVED the narration. I have been listening to Julia Whelan narrate books for many years – in fact, she is one of my favorite narrators. This being her first book authored, AND she narrated it was double amazing!

I didn’t know going into this that is was also a Netflix movie – I watched the movie last night and it was good, but of course – the book is better – more details, more diving in)

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: nope- but have listened to her narrate audiobooks way more than I can count!
Read Author Again: Oh yeah!

Where listened to: around the house and while driving
Book Club Worthy: Yes, topics of plans made when we are young and how they change woudl make for a good discussion as well as reviewing the choices that Ella makes, and for that matter, the hard choices that Jaimie makes.



Morning Meanderings… My Garden may not be like your Garden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

So for reals… I wish I were good at gardening. As my friends post photos of their mega crops – my little deck garden consisting of 3 cucumbers (despite all that I planted) that look like one of those long skinny clown balloons blown up on one end, one glorious pablano, one green peppers, a splattering of tomatoes ( actually they did all right – and this as pictured… my one squash. 😀

It’s all good. Between the FULL work life, scraping out time for the occasional weekend camping, hanging with friends, keeping up with yard and house, a deck garden fits my world.

Every morning this time of year, I get up, grab my COFFEE, and head out to the deck to check on the status of these plants, water and prune, and take a little breather before the laptop becomes my all-consuming world.

I will for sure – do it again.


In reading news – I have stumbled across a gem that is breaking me like a book has not done in as long as I can remember. Wally Lamb’s The River Is Waiting is crush-worthy to say the least…. its a book (at least this far in) I want everyone to read – while it’s a crazy hard topic, this book will bring amazing discussion on grief, addiction, and forgiveness. More on that to come.

Enjoy your day – It’s Friday morning… my day is chalk full of wedding walk-throughs, phone calls, wedding tastings, emails, and a few things in between.

Thankful for a quiet end of the day plan, a not-so-full Saturday, and a meet-up plan with friends on Sunday morning.

Death Row by Freida McFadden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

“She is a short read… but a deadly one….” Sheila

Talia Kemper has sent in appeal after appeal – only to be denied time and again to be pardoned from her Death Row sentence for killing her husband. Coming to terms with the inevitable is hard enough, but catching sight of her supposedly dead husband in a visiting area takes her over the top…
With the clock ticking down, Talia knows without a doubt her husband is alive – but who will listen?


Ok. I know, I know, I know. And I know that you know that I know that I said I was on a break from McFadden and not only broke that statement once… but now twice.
I can’t be trusted.
In my defense… I listen to a lot of audio when driving and working outside – often struggling to find my next listen as I am on my way out the door to the next thing. Seeing a new McFadden and knowing it’s going to be engaging – I went for it.

I did not catch when I selected this listen that it was a short story. I am not drawn to short stories – I like to really get to know the players in a book and most likely would have passed on this if I had caught that… but I didn’t and I listened.. and here we are.

Color me impressed. For a much shorter read/listen than your usual McFadden, she was able to put together a fully played out storyline that did not feel rushed, and still left me with that twisty surprise in the end that you expect from this author. As you may know from my review here that she does not always hit the mark – I feel she did this time.
Death Row is the perfect little mini read – enticing, and although a quick listen, it did not feel rushed.

Rated: 3.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Even if I said no, you know I would be lying 😉
Where Read: Gardening
Book Club Worthy: Too short for that, but if you are looking for just a little tie over listen for a drive – here it is 🙂

Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

It is so good to be back in Court ~Sheila

Jane Boleyn served as a Lady in Waiting – almost a right hand- to five of Henry VIII’s wives. After the first, Catherine of Aragon, Jane’s role began to change. As she was often one of the closest to the Queen, she also knew secrets, overheard conversations, and was privy to many things that most were not. This also put Jane in a perfect position to pass important information to assist her in her position in Court and to the most powerful people in England.

Survival in Court meant wearing many masks- a loving wife, a devoted sister, a friend, as well as a confident. Spy was never a role she wanted, but being one gave Jane power, and power gave her access to a front-row seat as history unfolded…

It was in April of 2008 that I read The Other Boleyn Girl with my book club. That book was the start of a deep dive into historical fiction, a genre I knew little about at the time, but fell head over heels into the incredible world of Henry VIII, this era also brought the widespread distribution of the English Bible, and got to court activities such as music, dancing, masquarde balls, sports, and feasting. Honestly if not for the whole “off with your head” thing – I may have enjoyed Court!

Instead, I live vicariously from the safety of these pages about a King who could turn on you in an instant. The brilliance of those who surrounded his world, the names that stayed close, hoping to rise – The Boleyns, Howards, Seymours….to name a few.

I loved this book and having the opportunity to once again pop into Henry’s world and learn more about the names that were hopeful to be next in line, the continuing story of the Boleyns, and this incredible person, Jane, whose own story was that of a pawn, playing her role in a dangerous and fascinating world all the while holding her own moves close to her heart.

Save the date – The Boleyn Traitor will be released to the public around October 14th, 2025. While Author Philippa Gregory has many books on the Tudor Court as well as others of the Era, you do not need to have read any before this book – while I have enjoyed much of the series, The Boleyn Traitor can easily be read as a standalone.

Want a chance to win my copy? Leave a comment here – next Monday, I will announce a winner and email them to send the book to that person.

Rated: 5 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes – recommended author!
Read Author Again: Yes
Where Read: Camping and at home
Book Club Worthy: Yes – there is much to discuss about this era, Jane’s life, and of course – Henry.


Morning Meanderings Returns (maybe)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

So…. for anyone who has followed this site for a gazillion years – Morning Meanderings might just spark a memory.
A little history (grab your coffee)…
I started this blog in 2009. I wrote book reviews – I chatted bookish conversations – and met a lot of book lovers by doing this. This dusty little blog not only made me lifelong connections, but it also brought me closer to my Local Library, to the Book Expo in New York every year between 2009 and 2014 – and then once more in 2016. I made connections to publishing houses. Publishers, and of course, amazing authors and numerous fellow book reviewers that I know well online and some I have also met in person.

However, I feel this site really took off when I created something called Morning Meanderings. Does anyone remember this? I called it me, unplugged. I talked books – of course! But I also talked about life… and if I remember correctly, that is when conversations here really popped and my readership grew. If you go through the history here on Book Journey – or use the search bar and type in Morning Meanderings – you can see the fun Meandering conversations and, of course, the not-so-fun ones that took place in spring 2015, after Justin’s accident.

It has been 10 years, and this is the first year that I have consistently been posting reviews and talking about books again. It feels good to bring that piece of me back – and lately I have been thinking about the Meanderings as well.

That all said, let’s try this.

The picture above is my deck on this overcast Sunday morning in Central Minnesota. Phillipa Gregory’s upcoming book, The Boleyn Traitor, is absolutely fantastic, and in a season where I do waaaaaaaay more audio than sitting down to read a book, refreshing. I had the pleasure of a quiet evening last night, where I had dinner on the deck while enjoying this book.
The book on top – The Feminine Mystique, is on deck for after I finish TBT. This book was mentioned in our recent book club read, The Bookclub for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, so of course…. I had to check it out. By the way, Marie’s book – also fantastic. Our book club discussion is still coming up on the second Tuesday in August, so stay tuned for more on that… I have some ideas 😀

In other news, this is the first year in a long time that I have attempted a bit of a garden. It’s a deck garden – because I know me…. if this were out in the yard, I would not get to it (my husband and son would agree here)- but… I am on the deck this time of year every single day that the sun is shining 😉
I’ve learned a bit…
1) I don’t need this many tomato plants 😀
2) Cucumbers have male and female flowers – if the female flowers are not pollinated, the baby cucumber withers and dies. You can pollinate the female flowers yourself with a paintbrush. I learned this too late this year ( I have two semi-sort of cucumbers) – but I am locked and loaded with wisdom for next year.
3) My deck can get windy – ties to the deck so my potted creations do not tip over is a must.

4) It’s therapeutic. Something is amazing about watching things grow and change day to day.

So – that’s me today. Hopefully I continue to check in… and someday…. someday… I may go back myself and read those early Morning Meanderings…. admittedly, I am a bit scared of them as I know they hold a “Me” of before... and she … she does not exist anymore.

This is the After Me. I am definitely broken, but also put back together like a mosaic. For sure, more in tune with the precious gift of life. And absolutely keeping myself busy because that is… my drug of choice.
Enjoy your Sunday. Do something fun and real and make time for Joy.
Looking forward to connecting again.
~Sheila