Thursday, March 31, 2016

What I'm Reading Wednesday On Thursday



I was so excited about meeting Alex Boyé yesterday, I had to blog about that, but I did want to tell you what I'm reading this week! I just finished with Josi Kilpack's new novella, A Lady's Favor.

Bianca's mother wants her to marry Lord Strapshire, heir to a barony, but Bianca can barely stand to be in the same room with the man. He's overbearing and self-centered, his only goal to find a pretty wife that will look good on his arm. No intelligence required, if you get my meaning.  Bianca wants to be loved and to fall in love. Her mother, however, just wants a good match and won't hear of Bianca's protestations.  Desperate, she turns to her neighbor, Mathew Hensley. She rarely talks to Mathew because of an incident in their past, but believes him to be her salvation from a loveless marriage with Strapshire. She concocts a plan, but it doesn't go as smoothly as she would have hoped. Will she ever be able to get rid of Strapshire? And is there a possibility for Bianca to let go of the past and have the future of her dreams?

I thought this was a cute romance and I really enjoyed it. As a novella, it's a fast read, yet it was satisfying. I liked that Bianca took matters into her own hands, tried different tactics, and really went after her own happiness. Still, she stayed within the bounds society had placed on her for the most part, which lent credence to the time period and character authenticity. Mathew was my favorite character, the hero who is humble and unassuming, yet has just the right combination of honor and humor to make every woman swoon. The descriptions were spot on and made the setting easily imaginable. Definitely worth staying up late for and another winner for Ms. Kilpack!

Here's the back copy:

Lord Strapshire is the most-eligible bachelor in town, and he has set his sights on the lovely Bianca Davidson. It’s too bad that Bianca finds him to be an insufferable boor. In order to deflect his attention, Bianca plans to ask Mathew Hensley to pretend to court her. The problem is, Bianca hasn’t spoken to Mr. Hensley since they were both involved in a particularly embarrassing incident years before. But he owes her a favor, and Mr. Hensley might be Bianca’s only hope.

You can buy your Kindle copy here for $3.19

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Me And Alex Boyé

I got to meet and chat with Alex Boye tonight! He was so friendly and nice and acted like I was a long lost friend. Definitely a moment I'll remember.

Here we are:


If you don't know who Alex Boyé is, here's a recent song he did, The Lord's Prayer in Swahili. It's so beautiful!



He also did a duet with Marie Osmond that just came out. (You might have seen him on America's Got Talent as well.)

I'll be blogging about why I was with Alex, but tonight, I just wanted to share how excited I was to meet him. Have you ever met someone you admired? Was it a good experience?

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Tuesday Freebie



This author, Nichole Van, was recommended to me recently and I noticed one of her books was free today (Intertwine which is a time travel romance), so I thought I'd pass it along. I'm not usually into time travel books, but I had a good experience with the steampunk regency, so maybe I'll try this one, too!

Here's the back copy:

Time is not a river. It is a vast cosmic sea. Where each life exists as rippling circles on its surface, past and future being eternally present. And occasionally, one expanding ring intertwines with that of another, weaving the lives of two people together. . . .

In 2012, Emme Wilde can’t find the right guy. She wants to feel that swept-off-your-feet dizziness of true love. But so far, her dating life has come up short. Star Trek geek? Nice but too serious. Hippy artist? Cute but too vulnerable. Instead, Emme obsesses over the portrait of an unknown man in an old locket. Granted, a seriously dreamy guy with delicious, wind-swept hair she just itches to run her fingers through. But still. Dead men may be great listeners, but they are not exactly boyfriend material. Emme travels to England, determined to uncover his history and conquer the strong connection she feels.

In 1812, James Knight has given up finding the right woman. All he wants is someone to share his love of adventure. Instead, his life has become a Shakespearean drama. His brother languishes in a tragic star-crossed romance. His beloved sister clings to life, slowly dying of consumption. But then he finds a beautiful mystery woman, dripping wet and half-dead, beneath a tree on his estate. Now if he can uncover her history, perhaps adventure—and romance—will find him at last.

You can download your free Kindle copy here 

Monday, March 28, 2016

Book Review: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast



When I first read the back copy for Nancy Campbell Allen's new book, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, I almost passed on it. I don't read a lot of fantasy stuff with vampires and shape-shifters, but I love Nancy's work and since it was also billed as a proper romance, I decided to pick it up. I am glad I did!

Lucy's cousin Kate has recently married and she's fallen ill. Since Lucy is a renowned botanist and loves her like a sister, she goes to Blackwell Manor to help.  Once she arrives, however, she can almost immediately see there is something wrong in the household.  The Earl of Blackwell is an imposing figure of a man dealing with the rumors swirling around him that he might have killed his wife and sister.  Lucy finds him secretive and yet, there's something about him that draws her closer. Someone must think she's getting too close, however, when strange happenings begin to occur. Does Lucy dare proceed to unravel the mysteries of Blackwell Manor? Or will she take Kate and run for their lives?

I was completely drawn into this world of Blackwell Manor and the fun clothing and gadgets.  I thought the author did a great job in letting the reader really imagine the steampunk world and made it fit in naturally with the story.  The mystery and romance, however, is what kept me turning pages (some parts were so deliciously creepy!) I loved Miles and how he slowly let down his guard with Lucy, astounded at how she turns to him when she is in danger. His self-realization that he's worthy of love despite his curse and flaws was so tender and sweet. Definitely a sigh-worthy hero.

Lucy was the star of the story, though. She's strong and smart and works tirelessly to find the murderer. Along the way she shows her true character of love and compassion as she starts to fall in love with the one man who doesn't seem to want it. I really enjoyed seeing her break all the rules for the ones she loves.

This is a book that will make you think, keep you guessing, and make you a fan of proper romance in a steampunk world. I loved it!

Here's the back copy:

Just like in the classic"Beauty and the Beast, "this Steampunk Romance features an unlikely love story.

The Lord of Blackwell Manor, Miles, is plagued by a family curse that changes him into a shape-shifting wolf every month during the full moon. Lucy-a smart, attractive, and well-respected botanist-travels to Blackwell Manor to take care of her sick cousin, Kate, who is married to Miles's younger brother. For Lucy, the trip is a welcomed respite from her work and recent discovery-a breakthrough serum that could eliminate the scourge of vampires from London.

However, Lucy finds more than she bargained for when she arrives at the Manor. Miles, who is brash and inhospitable, does not take kindly to visitors. He is still unsettled by the mysterious death of his newlywed wife. And then there's Marie, Miles's sister, who was attacked and murdered just weeks earlier. Miles is horrified to think that he might be to blame for the deaths

And who is the ghost that haunt the halls? Lucy is convinced that the death of Miles's wife and sister-as well as her cousin's mysterious illness-are tied together, but how? 

Lady Charlesworth has her eye on inheriting Blackwell Manor for her family. Could her daughter, Candice, or her son, Arthur, have had a hand in the mysterious deaths? The clues make a vampire suspect highly likely. 

During her investigation, Lucy finds herself caring deeply for Miles, but he fights to keep his distance in order to protect Lucy from his family's secret. And, yet, he feels attracted toward the woman who is able to look past the fearsome-looking scar that has marred his handsome face. 

With no other option, Miles and Lucy must work together if they are to find the answer to the mysteries at the Manor. But that's not all Lucy wants to solve. There's a deeper mystery behind Miles. Can she solve that, too? Ultimately, she must decide if she can love the man, beast and all. 

Also includes a 15-page bonus prequel novelette, Marie s Story. Marie Blake is Miles s younger sister, and her untimely death begins the story of "Beauty and the Clockwork Beast. "Set on the eve of her murder and told in the first-person from her point-of-view readers will get to her know her as a person, and not just as the ghost who haunts the halls of Blackwell Manor. The story provides greater depth and more personal details to one of most memorable characters in the novel.

You can get your copy here 

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Don't Miss This Spring Into Cash $250 Giveaway!

Spring-Into-Cash-no date


Spring Into Cash $250 Giveaway

An awesome group of bloggers and authors have joined together
to bring you one fabulous prize!
(ENDS 4/15/16)

One lucky winner will receive...

$250 Amazon.com Gift Code 

or $250 in Paypal Cash


  Sponsor List 


 Giveaway Details $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 4/15/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Friday Freebie



Today's Friday Freebie is an historical romance called When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad.  I know it's going to be a busy weekend, so I might just make sure I have this one with me so I can steal a few moments with it!

Here's the back copy:

When romance calls, will she choose to answer?

Hannah Gregory is good at many things, but that list does not include following rules. So when she must apply for a job as a switchboard operator to support her two sisters, she knows it won't be easy. Hello Girls must conduct themselves according to strict--and often bewildering--rules, which include absolutely no consorting with gentlemen while in training.

Hannah doubts it will be difficult to keep that rule--until a handsome young lawyer starts getting under her skin.

With historic details that bring to life the exciting first decade of the twentieth century, Lorna Seilstad weaves a charming tale of companionship that blossoms into sweet romance.

You can download your free Kindle copy here 

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The First Chapter of The Captain (Griffin Force #2)


I am so excited to share the first chapter of my new novel, The Captain (Griffin Force #2) with you! I can't believe its release is just over a month away!  I really love this story and can't wait to hear what you all think about it!

The Captain

Copyright 2016 Julie Coulter Bellon
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Chapter One
Captain Colt Mitchell pressed his back against a low mud brick wall baked hard after years of relentless summer days in Afghanistan. As he crouched in the darkness, he could still feel a bit of warmth coming from the bricks, as if they didn’t want to release their heat, even at night.  The sun would be up soon, though, and the bricks would be fired in the scorching temperatures all over again.
Leaning forward a bit, he made sure to blend into the shadows, his black tactical gear and camo face paint like a second skin to him now.  With one more look at the non-descript two-story house they’d been watching for the past forty-eight hours, he silently let out a breath.  They had credible intel that Nazer al-Raimi was using this house as a hideout tonight. This was the first whisper they’d heard on the whereabouts of the AQIM terrorist leader in three months, so they’d jumped on it.  And while Colt had wanted this man put away before, the attack on the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, made it personal for him. The sooner this guy was in custody the better, even if they had to come to the outer reaches of Afghanistan to do it.
Colt pulled back the Velcro strap covering the illuminated face on his military-issued watch.  0200 hours. The guards had changed shifts at midnight and they’d switch again any minute. That’s when they’d make their move. 
“Check in.” Commander Jake Williams’ voice came over Colt’s comms and he quietly tapped his throat mic twice to signal he was in position.
Jake was intense and thorough, both things that made him a good team leader. It had been interesting to see how Jake’s Navy SEAL training was similar to Colt’s JTF2 training. Apparently Canada and the U.S. had very similar practices for their elite teams. In their hunt for Nazer these past months, though, Jake’s ability to root out details and make educated guesses had gotten them closer to Nazer than they’d ever been before. If all went well, tonight was the night they’d have him in custody.  They had two minutes to get in, grab Nazer, and get out. The extraction site was in the foothills just outside of town and Colt was ready to get this done, especially if it ended with Nazer on a helo headed to whatever black ops site waited for him.
Colt took another peek over the wall.  Even though it was two a.m., lights blazed from the front windows and five heat signatures still patrolled the house. Pulling back, he heard Jake’s voice in his comms. “Incoming.”
Colt pulled his tactical face mask down and got his night vision monocular in position.  An SUV rumbled up the road and turned down the driveway toward the house. This was it.  He watched as four men exited the vehicles.  “I have a visual on our target.” His pulse picked up. The second man was definitely Nazer.
Their leader’s arrival caused some excitement in the house. More lights went on, and agitated voices carried through the night air toward them.  “Hold your positions.” Jake said quietly.
His voice sounded strained and Colt could relate. They all wanted this to work. Nazer had hurt so many people, caused so much damage and heartache. All for what? A position in the ISIS leadership?  Acting out some sort of vendetta on Westerners? 
Nazer’s latest attack in Ottawa had killed one of Colt’s closest friends from his time with Joint Task Force 2, the Special Ops team in Canada. David Reeves was one of the bravest men he knew. They’d served together in some of the most dangerous countries in the world, but when David was ready to settle down, he took the offer to be on the security detail for the Prime Minister. Not two weeks later he’d been killed at the attack on the Parliament buildings and all the evidence pointed to Nazer being the mastermind behind it. Canada’s sense of security was shaken, his friend dead.  Colt’s hand clenched around his semi-automatic. He needed Nazer to pay and he wanted to be the one to capture him.
The more he thought about what was at stake, the angrier he became and that wouldn’t help on this op. He used his tactical breathing― slow breath in, hold for four, then counting to four as he let the breath out. After a few times, Colt was focused.
Ready.
The Griffin Task Force had carefully plotted out this op, and he needed to be calm and in control. No emotion. That was one thing he’d learned being part of JTF2. Execution was easier when your prep, training, and self-control backed you up. Of course he still felt a healthy surge of adrenaline on any op, but that was easily channeled into getting the job done.
A bead of sweat rolled down his back and he adjusted his position a little further away from the brick wall. Not even the warm breeze rolling in every now and then offered any relief from the suffocating heat.  Colt rolled his shoulders to shake it off.  For just a second he let himself imagine breathing in the chill air of an ice rink and lacing up his skates for a game. That was one thing he missed about his home country and was high on his to-do list when Nazer was taken care of and Colt was back home.
He brought his attention back to the task at hand.  Two men were coming out of the front door, and Colt focused on the scene through his night vision monocular.  Squinting, he leaned forward. It looked like they were carrying several laptops. 
“You s-s-smell that?” Elliott’s stutter came over the comms, a bit more pronounced under stress.  Colt sniffed the air.  He did smell something. Smoke.
“They’re cutting and running,” Jake said in Colt’s ear.  Colt turned to look at his team leader, waiting for that go signal. Jake’s hand cut through the air. “We’re moving in. Go.”
Colt pushed forward, staying to the left side of the perimeter.  His job was to secure the back entry with Nate Hughes, his partner on this op.  They were about six feet apart, both moving through the shadows, making sure they didn’t call attention to themselves. Smoke was starting to billow out of the house now and it covered their position even more.  Their window of time to grab Nazer had always been short, but with the house on fire, it was even shorter. They hadn’t factored that into their contingency plan.
Just before they reached the rear entry, a window on the second floor shattered, and a chair landed with a thud on the ground near Colt. He raised his rifle to the ready, and looked up to see a woman leaning out, screaming, “Help me! Help me!” before being yanked back inside.
“I’ve got a woman screaming for help on the back side,” Colt said into his comms.  No one had guessed from the heat signatures that they had a woman in the house. Where had she come from?
“Could be a trap. Stay on target,” Jake’s voice was firm.  “We’ve got to get in and get out.  Move inside on my count.”
Colt bit the inside of his cheek.  He knew Jake’s order was best for the mission, but that woman’s scream was desperate and this house was going up in flames.  Maybe once they had Nazer wrapped up, he could go after her. 
“Three, two, one. Move!”
Colt and Nate moved in through the back door, and gunfire met them immediately. Colt kept low, which also made it easier to breathe with all the smoke coming from the front of the house.  From a quick glance, it looked like they’d made a bonfire with furniture in the living room.  Jake and Elliott were pinned down and under fire so Colt and Nate quickly shifted from room to room, looking to spot Nazer. 
“Not on the main,” Colt said into his comms. “Heading upstairs.”
With Nate covering him, Colt led the way up the stairs.  The crackle of the hungry fire was moving toward them, as if it knew what it wanted to devour next.
They needed to hurry. 
The hallways were clear, but there were four closed doors.  Colt started with the first, staying high while Nate stayed low. They opened the first door. Empty.  Before they could go any further, a scream pierced the air. It came from the room at the end of the hall.  With a nod to Nate, he headed that way.  The door was locked, so Colt raised his leg and focused all his adrenaline to kick it open.  The woman was being held, a gun to her head, and Nazer behind her. 
“One step closer and the woman will die.” The smoke was obscuring Nazer’s face and the floor underneath them was starting to groan. Time was nearly out.
“Don’t let me die,” the woman sobbed in broken Pashto. “Please.”  Her eyes darted between Colt and Nate as she pleaded between coughs. 
            “Let her go,” Colt ordered. “You’re coming with me.”  He tried to catch Nate’s eye. Did he have a shot? Could they risk taking Nazer down with a hostage in front of him?
“Not interested in a deal?” Nazer crouched a little lower and looked out the window.
“No deal.” Colt inched forward.
“I’ll trade her for you.” Nazer smiled, an evil little smirk that made Colt want to punch it off his face. “I’d prefer Commander Williams, since we have unfinished business, but you’ll do.”
I’ll bet. Jake had been a thorn in Nazer’s side for too long and it was practically a vendetta for Nazer now, but there was no way he would get near him. Not if Colt had anything to say about it. “Just give us the woman and come quietly. I promise not to kill you.” Colt kept his gun trained on Nazer. If the woman would just move a smidgen to the left he’d have a shot.
“Don’t bargain with him, Colt. Get out of there. Retreat. Now.” Jake’s voice over comms was commanding, nearly angry, but Colt didn’t take his eyes off Nazer. Not now. Not when they were this close.
“Do you really think I’d be so foolish not to be prepared for your pitiful attempt to capture me?” Nazer moved slightly, making sure his victim was shielding him. He pressed his gun to her temple, his eyebrow raised as if he expected Colt to answer.  The air in the room was being sucked out by the fire and the smoke swirled around their feet.  When the floor underneath them started to hiss like a warning, Colt took a step forward. They didn’t have time for bargaining. This fire was coming for them.
 “We’re on our way,” Colt heard Jake say, but it was too late. If the fire didn’t get them all, Nazer had the advantage in this standoff.  If only the woman wasn’t between them.
The floor groaned again and Nazer straightened. As if realizing they were out of time, he raised his gun. In that split second, Colt saw an opportunity to at least wing the guy, and he pulled the trigger.
A scream rent the air as the woman twisted out of Nazer’s grasp and fell on the floor. She scrambled to the window and Colt felt a moment of relief that he hadn’t hit her. He rolled toward the door, finding a bit of cover behind a table, but not enough. A shaft of pain went through his arm. More gunshots popped through the air and he heard Nate’s cry of pain echoing through his ears.  “Nate!”
His partner was on the floor holding his leg.  Blood was everywhere. “I’m okay, Captain. Let’s get out of here.”
The woman was crawling around the perimeter of the room, trying to get away from the window and Colt could see why. There was a man silhouetted in the window frame motioning for Nazer. They must have a ladder for the second floor.  “Nate, can you get her out of here?” he yelled to his partner. 
Nate shook his head. “I’m not leaving you.”
Gunfire erupted again, both Nazer and the man at the window shooting at them like fish in a barrel. Colt returned fire. “That’s an order. Now! This whole floor is about to collapse. Get her out!”  With his position, there was no way he could make it to the door on the opposite side of the room.
“I’ll cover you,” Nate said as the woman reached him. He pulled her to his side. “Come on!”
“I’ll be right behind you.” But Colt knew he wouldn’t. He was going to die in this room, but not before he took Nazer with him.
The moment Nate and the woman were through the door, Colt rubbed his bloody arm on his cargo pants to make sure he had a grip, then popped up from his cover position and opened fire. His arm was going numb and his shots were off, but it gave him some satisfaction when Nazer had to duck. He was starting to lose consciousness, his lungs burning from the heavy smoke, but he had enough juice to make one more shot.
This was it.
At the last second, Nazer did a bob and weave and Colt ended up shooting the guy at the window.  With a grunt of satisfaction that he’d at least gotten one of them, he let his gun fall to the floor, his body following. The edges of his vision were going dark and he embraced it now. At least he’d provided enough distraction that Nate and the woman could get away. His death wouldn’t be for nothing. 
He looked up, a little jolt going through him as he realized Nazer was standing above him. Colt lifted his chin.  “Go ahead. Finish it.”
“Oh, I have plans for you.” Nazer hunched over him on the floor, his face inches from Colt’s.  “And I think I’m going to enjoy this.” 

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

What Am I Watching Wednesday--Movie Review Come Unto Me


Today I'm reviewing the new short film, Come Unto Me, directed by John Lyde.  We watched it as a family and I was surprised at the range of reactions I got.

We are introduced to Samuel and Mary, two children who are on the banks of the Jordan River, where John the Baptist is baptizing people. They don't really understand what is going on, but take the chance to steal from those gathered there.  The children are on their own, struggling to survive, when they meet a woman named Mary on the road.  Mary is waiting for her son and while they wait, she invites them to share her meal.

With a mother's touch, she washes their faces and talks of her son. It was sweet, and the actress who played the little girl named Mary did a fantastic job.  Of course the son they are waiting for is Jesus. He also has some sweet interaction with the children, but the thing that stuck out to me the most was the conversation he had with his mother regarding the beginning of his mission on earth and doing his Father's will.  I imagine those sorts of conversations really did take place, and as much as Mary knew what her son was sent to earth to do, her mother's heart couldn't help but be anxious for him. Those scenes were hands down my favorite of the movie because it made them seem so real.  There is a tender storyline for the children that is wrapped up and ends the film with a sweet message and a satisfied audience.

I thought the cinematography was really well done and the storyline was just enough to bring home the message without feeling over the top.  I liked how emotional the scenes were at times and how the characters brought the story to life in a way that made them feel real and relatable. My smaller children were asking questions about who the soldiers were, why the children were on their own, and had several questions about the baptism scenes. (A great springboard for children preparing for baptism!) My older children thought Mary gave a little too much backstory to the children about Jesus's young life, but liked the actor who played the Savior.  I was happy that the movie started several discussions in our family and that it touched them in different ways.

So, if you're looking for a tender short film that can bring the spirit into your home at this Easter season, I would definitely recommend Come Unto Me. Here's the trailer for it:


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Castle Review: Back To The Academy

Well, I thought I had the murderer figured out but the show got me last night. It was nice and twisty!

We start out with Castle making coffee for Beckett and trying to get up the guts to tell her he knew about the ridiculous LokSat and had his memory wiped so it's allllll his fault the FBI team died. Um, yeah. I still don't get why he's feeling responsible. They were FBI agents. Trained. What could he have done to save them? But, okay.  He doesn't get the chance because Martha comes home to show Castle an ARC of her new book and the dedication that because of his problems, she had advice to give. Kate hides and slips away.

She's called down to a murder scene where the killer dug his bullet out of the victim's body. The dead man's fingerprint reveals that he was a police academy recruit named Bardot. One of their own. The team goes down to the academy and the boys remark on all of Beckett's still unbroken records in a trophy case. She is modest about it and tells the boys to search the victim's dorm room while she goes in to talk to Commissioner Malone and Sergeant Ortiz. She has a lot of great memories of Sergeant Ortiz's tough love and he remembers her fondly as well.

Lainey finds a bullet fragment during the autopsy and it reveals that the gun was issued to the academy, so one of the recruits was probably the killer. Beckett comes in as a guest instructor and tries to psychologically break them with interrogation techniques class and a shooting range demonstration. They find a threatening note in Bardot's shooting range locker and track it all back to a fighting ring where steroids are being peddled.  One of the recruits makes a run for it, but claims he didn't kill anyone.  Bardot needed money, fast, so he said he would keep quiet about the steroids the guy bought if he got $5000 out of the deal. Why would Bardot need $5000?

Of course the one girl whose been acting weird the entire time, Decker, is outted as Bardot's secret girlfriend. She says Bardot was coming back late at night smelling like fish. He lied and said he stepped in garbage, but the team tracks him to a mob boss's territory. Bardot bought illegal black market technology with his $5000 and met with Irish mob boss Flanagan.

With that information, the team theorizes that Bardot hacked into police files and was a mole for Flanagan. Beckett goes to rattle Flanagan's cage, but the (creepy) guy has been dealing with the cops for twenty years and isn't scared. Well, until the boys dig into his financials and realize he funded a scholarship so Decker could go to the police academy. Uh oh. Decker finally comes clean that she is Flanagan's secret love child and Bardot was probably trying to make a deal to get her free from her father. Flanagan wanted her to be the mole, but Bardot probably offered himself in her place. They put a wire on her and send her in to talk to her dad, but she goes over the edge and pulls a gun on the guy. The team bursts in and talks her down, but Flanagan does spill that he made a deal with Bardot, but didn't kill him. After he left, a black sedan followed Bardot and that's the last he ever saw of the guy.

The guys track the black sedan and realize it was checked out to Sergeant Ortiz. Of course Beckett is meeting with Ortiz at the shooting range at the time when they tell her. She pulls a gun on him and he seems genuinely surprised and before she can take him in, he's shot. By Commissioner Malone! I really thought it was Ortiz.

Malone has been skimming funds and Bardot found out so he had to kill him. He also kills the lights and begins hunting Beckett in the shooting range. Cutouts are popping up everywhere and Beckett puts her coat on one to lure him in. He falls for it and she takes him down. Thankfully, Ortiz just has a flesh wound and will be okay.

Back to the Caskett issues. Hayley counsels Castle to come clean with Beckett, but he's afraid she won't forgive him. Which is seriously outrageous because if anyone should be begging forgiveness it should be Beckett for how she's treated Castle, but I digress. He tells Beckett everything and she says she needs to process and comes over to get drunk with him. I hate how they've written these two now. All character growth seems to have been forgotten. By the end of the episode, though, Beckett says they can work together on finding LokSat. Won't that be fun? .

But overall, this episode had a nice twisty case and a glimpse into Beckett when she was driven and knew what she wanted.

What did you think? Did you watch?

Monday, March 21, 2016

Book Review: Puzzle Pieces



Today's book review is Puzzle Pieces by Betsy Brannon Green. I've been a longtime fan of hers since Hearts in Hiding came out many years ago. That book introduced us to Miss Eugenia and the residents of Haggerty, Georgia.  Now, here we are revisiting those same people and Miss Eugenia is embroiled in another murder mystery.

The book starts off with Presley DeGraff undertaking a daring escape from a mental hospital. It drew me right in and kept me turning pages to see why Preley was running and who she was running from. The pace slowed down after the initial escape and answers are drawn out through the entire book as Presley makes it to her aunt's house in Haggerty. There is definitely an eclectic cast of characters to greet Presley after she arrives, but nothing surprises her more than when Miss Eugenia's dog, Lady, finds a skeleton on her aunt's property.  As the press descends on the murder scene, Presley knows her past won't stay a secret for long. But can she count on her new Haggerty friends to keep her safe? Or has she put them all in danger?

I loved how each of Ms. Green's books are true to the southern spirit and traditions. Miss Eugenia hasn't changed much, and her character is as colorful as ever.  Presley was a nice addition to Haggerty and it was heartwarming to see how much she came to love everyone.  Mac was a different sort of hero, a hard-working repo man that gets beat up a lot, and has a few secrets of his own.  The romance in the story was subtle and understated, but had a good buildup.  I definitely closed the book with a smile.  This is an entertaining mystery that will leave you with all the feels of southern hospitality and charm.

Here's the back copy:

Presley DeGraff is a young woman on the run. With nothing but the clothes on her back, her escape from the ruthless manipulations of her former fiancé leaves her with little time to hide. There is only one person to whom she can turn, only one place she may be safe . . . Haggerty, Georgia, is known for its Southern hospitality and quirky inhabitants. For Presley, her Aunt Violet’s home in the tiny town is a lifesaving haven. Her aunt, along with a cast of delightful friends and neighbors, warmly welcomes her. For the first time in so long, she feels hope—a hope that hinges on hiding her past. But the dreams of solitude that she had envisioned quickly fade when a disturbing discovery is made in her aunt’s backyard: a human skeleton. At the first hint of crime, Haggerty’s own amateur sleuth, Miss Eugenia, is on the case. Along with handsome Haggerty resident Mac and sprightly ninety-nine-year-old Loralee, Presley is quickly drawn into a mystery spanning generations of Haggerty’s history. But when news coverage of the investigation digs up Presley’s own secrets, it’s up to her new friends to come to her aid, by whatever means necessary.

You can buy your Kindle copy here 

Friday, March 18, 2016

Friday Freebie!



Today's Friday Freebie is a dystopian romance by Rebecca Belliston called Life (Citizens of Logan Pond).  It's got some fantastic reviews and looks like a great book to start off your weekend reading!

Here's the back copy:

Her home. Her parents. Her freedom. Gone.
His dreams. His sister. Himself. Lost.
Two people.
One future.


The economy crashed, the country is floundering, and Carrie Ashworth struggles to keep her siblings alive. She has two jobs in her newly-formed, newly-outlawed clan: grow crops to feed thirty-six people, and maintain contact with Oliver Simmons, their local patrolman. Carrie's life is almost content when Greg Pierce shows up. A man with the ambition to help them survive. A man determined to hate her.

Greg sets to work devising systems to protect the clan from the new regime, but it doesn't take long to realize the true reason behind their safety. Patrolman Simmons has fallen for Carrie. When a government raid nearly wipes out their clan, Greg takes it upon himself to give the socially-awkward patrolman what he wants. Only Carrie doesn't like Greg throwing her in Simmons' path, especially when Greg's brusque exterior melts, and she catches a glimpse of the real man underneath. Carrie is forced to choose: follow her heart or save her clan.

Life won't let her choose both.

You can download your free Kindle copy here 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers--
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours--
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

What I'm Reading Wednesday



Today I'd like to tell you about a non-fiction book I'm reading. It's called Unstuck and it's written by Robert Reynolds, the manager of the rock band The Killers. He had some really interesting insights about how we can be free of our favorite sins and use the Savior's atonement more effectively.

The book is broken into three parts. The first part starts off with a definition of what sin and weakness is and why we get stuck in the rut of a habit that leads to sin. He goes on to say how weaknesses can become strengths. The thing that stuck out to me, though, was how Mr. Reynolds uses real-life experiences to illustrate the point he's making. For example, he talks about how Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, handles temptation on the road. He talks about his brother's very difficult mission, and his own experiences as a father. I thought he had a very down-to-earth style that is a good mixture of a fireside feel and talking to the author one on one.

The second part is how to obtain a mighty change of heart.  In discussing the difference between faith and humility, he mixes scripture, quotes from church leaders, and his own real-life experiences. He's come in contact with so many people that needed help---from people in prison to drug addicts to homeless people, and he's learned something from each one of them.  It's really inspiring and even thought the chapters are short, they are full of a lot of food for thought.

I'm just about to read the third section on maintaining a mighty change of heart. I love that it's a sort of how-to book in a way that can speak to anyone, young or old.

Here's the back copy: 

This book was not written by a General Authority. In fact, it was written by a run-of-the-mill sinner. Are you going to keep reading?'' Robert Reynolds, an entertainment attorney and manager of Grammy-nominated band The Killers, refreshingly tackles the why-did-I-do-it-again? cycle that entraps many of us. Reynolds explains that whether we find ourselves reluctant to let go of our ''favorite sin'' or exclaiming in frustration, ''Dang it! I did it again,'' the Savior and His Atonement can change our desires and set us free to become better and stronger. With a fresh, relatable voice, Reynolds provides insights into the why behind the things that tempt us. He also shares the hope we can have in overcoming even the most alluring of sins through reliance on the Lord s grace. Learn how to find and maintain a mighty change of heart and discover a rich increase of spiritual power, joy, and peace in your life.

You can get your own copy here 

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Sometimes I Scare Myself

A suspense writer spends a lot of time researching and imagining worst case scenarios. This is always great for the book and writing stories that keep people on the edge of their seat, but in real life, I prefer NOT to be on the edge of my seat. At all. Especially at the grocery store. 

So, here's what happened. I headed out to my local grocery store at 8:00 at night, which, you know, is generally no big deal. But when I got there, my normally stuffed-with-cars store parking lot was nearly empty.

Very strange.

When I went inside, I seemed to be the only customer. Where was everyone? The teens that hung out to get Kong Kones and the people who shopped after work were conspicuously missing. I wandered the store, every squeak of my shoes on the tile echoing in the deserted aisles. It was weird, like one of those movies where something bad always happens to the one person who didn't get the memo about danger lurking and is all happy-go-lucky until the killer appears and chases them around the frozen section.

With that thought in mind, I might have crossed a few things off my list and just hurried to the front of the store. But when I was checking out, the bagger didn't offer to accompany me to the parking lot to help load my bags into my car. Another strange thing because they ALWAYS do that. Why wouldn't he want to go out in the parking lot? Was there something he wasn't telling me?

I put on my brave face and walked out to the dark parking lot alone and started loading my car with the groceries, but I kept an eye out. You know, just in case. Then, I kid you not, a black sedan sped into the parking lot and screeched to a stop just two spots away from me. To my credit, I did not scream, but threw the rest of my bags in the back and jumped in my car.

This, my friends, is the downside to being a suspense writer. Trips to an empty grocery store become sinister! Black sedans are always bad! And you have to drive home with a jolt of adrenaline rushing through your veins and explain to your husband and children what happened. Oh, the mortification of sitting through the head-shaking. The repressed laughter. The "my mom is so weird" looks.

All because I'm a writer and sometimes I scare myself.


Monday, March 14, 2016

Book Review and Giveaway!



I'm excited to be part of the blog tour for Love At First Note, the new novel out by Jenny Proctor.

The little town of Asheville, North Carolina, is about to add two musical stars to its population. Emma Hill, an amazing violinist and concertmaster, leaves her position in Cleveland to come back to Asheville and take care of her ailing mother. It's a big step down, but Emma is willing to make the sacrifice for her family. She tells herself she's happy about it, but she doesn't examine things very closely deep down.

In order to make her life just a bit more complicated, YouTube sensation and pianist extraordinaire Elliott Hart moves in next door. She has a love/hate relationship with his music, loving the more purist, classical side of him, and not finding much to like about mashups with contemporary pieces. They get off on the wrong foot (she accidentally tells him she loves him at their first meeting. He thinks she's a stalker.) But once they get past their misunderstandings about the other, the sparks start to fly. But are their worlds just too different for them to ever have something real?

I really enjoyed the character of Emma in this story. She gets tongue-tied around guys, she is a bit over-bearing when it comes to her family, and she feels music so deeply she cries. With all her flaws, she was so lovable and relatable. She was definitely the heart of the story. Elliott is a great hero, also with flaws. He starts out a bit arrogant, but as you slowly come to know him and his background, it's more understandable. His interactions with Emma were fun and sweet.  The secondary cast was also well-drawn, delving into more emotional issues for Emma from her ex-boyfriend to her bratty sister.

The author has obviously done her homework when it comes to the music scene. It added a very realistic thread to the entire novel and swept the reader away with all the ins and outs of orchestra and agents and truly loving music as opposed to appreciating it.

This was a fun romance, perfect for someone who wants a sigh-worthy hero, a sweet heroine, and some sour notes to overcome on the way to the perfect melody of true love.

Be sure to scroll all the way down to enter the giveaway!

You can buy your copy of Love At First Note here

Here's the back copy:

Emma Hill was practically born with a violin in her hands. She lives for the life of the piece, for each song's story, for the perfect stillness after the endnotes when the vibrations of sound are still humming through her body. If only her love life were that harmonic. But she knew her chances at love would take a hit when she decided to leave her prestigious concertmaster position in the Cleveland Orchestra and move back home to Asheville, North Carolina. She justifies her actions with the fact that being concertmaster for the Asheville Symphony is better than no dates and no job.

But when Emma's world collides with piano-playing YouTube sensation Elliott Hart, she finds herself falling for the way he plucks at her heartstrings. Despite a—ahem—not-so-good first impression, the two soon develop the beginnings of a rhythmic relationship. But when Elliott insists they can't be together, it's up to Emma to strike up a little romance . Will she be able to bring their two worlds into harmony, or will she only manage to get herself in trouble?

Here's the rest of the blog tour schedule for you to check out!






Friday, March 11, 2016

Cover Reveal For The Captain!

I am so excited to show you the beautiful cover for my next romantic suspense novel, The Captain (Griffin Force #2) coming out in May 2016!


Isn't it fantastic?! I really love this one.  Here's the back copy for it:

Captain Colt Mitchell is part of the elite Griffin Force team hunting down terrorist Nazer al-Raimi. After an attack on the Canadian Parliament buildings, the team gets good intel on Nazer’s whereabouts. They plan to grab him, but when the mission goes wrong, Colt is captured and dragged away. Bruised, restrained, and disoriented, Colt is stunned to see Brenna Wilson, the Canadian intelligence officer who broke his heart years ago, standing next to Nazer. But how deep is she in the operation and can she help Colt escape?

After the devastating attack on Canadian soil, Brenna is recruited to go undercover to find out what Nazer is planning next. She’s close to her goal until her former flame Colt Mitchell is taken hostage. Walking away from him has always been her biggest regret and she knows she has to save him, even if it blows her mission. Taking matters into her own hands, she pulls off a daring escape, but Colt and Brenna must learn to trust each other again if they want to stay alive. With their hearts and their lives on the line can they survive long enough to stop Nazer from ravaging another country’s sense of security?

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Book Review And Giveaway!

if we were a movie

I am so happy to be a part of the blog tour for Kelly Oram's If We Were A Movie. It's part of the Matchmaker series, but is definitely a stand alone story.  I can't tell you how much I loved this book. I have been reading it every chance I could get and the ending brought tears to my eyes. Such an amazing love story. For all you romance-lovers out there, you've got to grab this one.

Nate Anderson is a triplet, but he's ready to take some time off from his brothers. After they trash his laptop he leaves, just needing to get as far away as possible. Finding himself in a little cafe, he meets a Chinese woman who seems to know exactly what he needs. (I loved that Pearl had quite a big role in this one!) She helps him find a new roommate---someone unique and quirky and totally lovable. But Nate isn't looking for love, just somewhere he can be himself and do his music.  Yet Jordan quickly becomes a part of his life that he looks forward to because she understands him in a way that no one else does. She looks at life through the lens of movies and has a movie quote for almost every situation. It's really endearing actually. But when Nate's life starts falling apart, can his relationship with Jordan be his one saving grace?

I thought the author did an incredible job writing characters that were so realistic and believable. The issues facing the characters were something everyone has gone through when they're trying to figure out life after high school and where we all fit in the world.  The strands that tie the characters together were so subtle and I really enjoyed the movie quotes and finding a favorite song.  So sweet, yet not cheesy. It was like the writer truly was able to give us a peek into someone's real life and that can be difficult to find in books.  I thought her secondary cast was imaginative and fun, her villain had good motivation and wasn't a caricature. The setting made you feel like you were there. But the hero and heroine were where the author truly shines. Jordan and Nate were adorable and their story was so heart-wrenchingly sweet. I will definitely be looking for more titles from this author.  If you love romance, you will really enjoy this one.

Be sure to scroll all the way down to enter the giveaway!

Here's the back copy: 

Music meets Movies in this sweet college romance from the bestselling author of Cinder & Ella. NYU freshman Nate Anderson is a triplet who is desperate to escape his wild and crazy brothers. After they screw things up for him one too many times, Nate flees his housing situation and takes the first available room for rent as far from his brothers as he can get. Enter his new roommate Jordan--a quirky LA girl who believes that everything in life has already been done in the movies. In this heartfelt tale of love, friendship and family, Nate learns how to deal with his new adult life using Hollywood films as a guide.

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Kelly Oram


Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen--a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat, Mr. Darcy.
 
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Giveaway

V & A
Signed copies of V is for Virgin & A is for Abstinence (1 winner, 2 books)
Open Internationally
Ends 3/18/16

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Singing With Angels Movie Review


Last week I mentioned how cool it was that I got to go to the VIP screening of Singing With Angels. All I'd heard about the show was that it was about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but honestly, it was so much more than that. It was a show about family, about reaching for your dreams, and about the love you find when you need it the most. I wasn't lying when I said I cried about five times. It was entertaining, but is also a show that will pull at your heartstrings and stay with you long after you've left the theater.

We start out with a baby who isn't thriving and whose parents are told she might not live. Her older brother begs to see her and the parents finally relent. He sings to her and a miracle occurs---she lives. Cue our introduction to our heroine Aubrey Larson. Aubrey is married with two children and she has a dream to join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She's tried once before, but the audition process was so vigorous she didn't make it. This time, she is determined and driven to follow her dream.  I enjoyed seeing behind the scenes of the audition process for the choir (and I know now I would never be able to get in!), but I am glad that wasn't the main focus of the movie. I loved that it was a personal look into Aubrey's life and how she dealt with her disappointments and yet still kept trying.

When I interviewed the screenwriter, Brittany Wiscombe, I asked her what her first thoughts were when she started on this project. She said originally they'd thought the film would be more focused on the audition process, but after a lot of thought and conversations with the director, Brian Brough, they realized they had to change it. They asked for choir members to submit events from their own lives where the choir had touched them in some way and then decided to work those events into a narrative of one woman's life. By making this about Aubrey, and having it be inspired by true events, the filmmakers were able to really draw the audience in emotionally and connect with them in a way that goes far beyond the audition process. Definitely a good call on their parts.

Aubrey faces a lot of trials and yet the film also documents her triumphs, both in her personal life and during her journey with the choir. I thought the actors did a great job with the twists and turns and there was one in particular near the end of the movie that I wasn't expecting. It gets you in all the feels, I'll tell you that.  I was thoroughly entertained, uplifted and invested in these characters. It's definitely a perspective-changer and whatever you think you know about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, well, this movie will make you see it in a different light.

I do have to give a shout-out to Michelle Moore. She is an amazing person and publicist and makes my job so much easier. It's a joy to work with her. If you ever need a publicist, she's your woman!

Here's me with the star of the show, Sarah Kent. She was incredibly nice and did a fantastic job in the movie. So believable!


The filmmakers had unprecedented access to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and it showed. The attention to detail was phenomenal and I know the LDS church will be proud of its portrayal. Elder D. Todd Christofferson was at the screening and sitting about four rows behind me. I was trying to take secret selfies with him, but none of them turned out that great. Thankfully, I was able to chat with him after the show. Here we are!


I also got a few pictures of the cast on the red carpet. Here's one of them:


And here's one of me:

'

I just want to thank the cast and the screenwriter for taking the time to talk to me and be a part of their opening. It was a great night for an inspiring film that you don't want to miss.

You can see the official website for the movie and the trailer here


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Castle Recap and Review: The Missing Time

Well, we are back to Castle's "missing time" and I, for one, wish I could erase my memory of this storyline and anything to do with LokSat. But let's talk about last night's show.

We start out with a murder in a cemetery. The guy's throat was cut and he's holding his own heart. Ew. Why do people go to cemeteries at night? Especially people who should know better.

Cut to Castle with Hayley and Alexis in a swank hotel. They're in L.A. to see if Castle can remember anything else about when he was there during his "missing time." While he's deciding what to do first, he gets a card from the GDS or Greatest Detectives Society that there's been a murder and they need his help.  Of course Castle and Hayley head down to the murder scene and Hayley sweet talks the detective into letting them have a look-see. The detective tells them the victim had just flown in from New York, so Castle offers Espo and Ryan's services in New York for interviewing the next of kin.

Ryan claims Castle, calls him "good people" and they agree to interview the victim's sister. She says her brother was on the hunt for a serial killer that he called the Phantom and had a break in the case. (Which is exactly why the guy shouldn't have gone to a CEMETERY at NIGHT! It's just asking for the serial killer to well, kill you.)  The team figures out the victim was right and they are looking at a bi-coastal serial killer. They start looking at the victims who all have distinctive knife wounds. Lainey also asks Ryan to do a background check on her new boyfriend and not to tell Espo. Of course Ryan is a terrible liar and can't keep the secret, so Espo and Ryan think it would be funny to mess with Lainey and tell her the guy has a fetish with clowns and is a bedwetter. She confronts the new boyfriend and ends up breaking up with him, but turns the fire extinguisher on Ryan and Espo for being jerks about it. Meh. I felt sorry for Lainey that she couldn't trust Ryan to do that for her and be a grown up about it, but that's just me.

Castle does go to the restaurant he saw in his memory flash from last week and the owner recognizes him. Says Castle couldn't pay for his meal so he traded a watch and the guy still has it! Castle buys it back and as they're leaving, a strange man appears out of nowhere with another card from the GDS. Castle is being summoned to their lair. Which is actually a dark old house with some expensive furniture. And Gerald McRaney. (Who I really wish would have had a bigger role in the episode somehow!) They tell Castle that the victim was part of their society and his death creates an opening. But he'll have to compete for it with some blonde chick named Kendall. He is totally up for the challenge. (And I didn't know who Summer Glau was, but a lot of people were excited for her to be in this ep.)

The boys tell him that the victim was working undercover at Zenith Films, the same company that tanked the Nikki Heat films. Castle meets with Trevor the executive that provided "notes" on the script and he tells them the victim was investigating this film director named Austin. Hayley and Castle go over to his set, but Kendall is already there. Hayley distracts her and wrangles an invitation to Austin's home that evening with Kendall. The plan is for Castle to use the time to sneak in and search Austin's house. (He's terrible at sneaking. This isn't going to turn out well.) Kendall says she has the plans to the guy's house and there's a secret room which she points out to Castle. She's lying and takes the first chance she has to find the real secret room herself. Castle catches her and he finds the knife used as the murder weapon, right before Austin catches them all and kicks them out. Apparently that knife is one of five from a horror movie show. Back to square one.

While Hayley and her father are out investigating, Alexis is gleaning a lead from the watch and the tracker that was in it. She traces it to a Special Forces guy, but Hayley tells her to just forget about it. Alexis can't do that, though, and heads to the guy's mother's house in Pasadena. The lady is showing her pictures of her son and she comes across a picture of the guy with Hayley. Uh oh. Alexis leaves and Hayley is sitting creepily in the back seat and I really thought she was going to do something to Alexis. But no, she's genuine in her friendship for Castle and Alexis and finally comes clean. (Too bad. That would have been awesome if she worked for LokSat and was evil. Oh well.) Hayley has worked with Castle's father and a year and half ago got a message from him to keep an eye on Castle. She used the tracker, but he still got away from her and when she caught up, Castle had been shot and wanted his memory erased. Castle believes her and initially decides to let his "missing time" go. For the love can we all let it go! (Are you singing that song now? I am.)

Meanwhile, Lainey has figured out that two victims were killed at the same time on different coasts so they're really dealing with two killers. Now they just have to figure out where the last two prop knives went. The GDS aren't happy with how things are going after the Austin incident, and, in order to win, Castle throws Kendall off the scent with a fake address of who he thinks has the knife. She takes the bait hook, line, and sinker and is out of his hair while he brings in the killer.  The boys track down Jordan the screenwriter and he flips out saying they'll never catch his partner. He takes a hostage and the boys are forced to kill him. Now to find the partner. Hayley tracks down Jordan's screenplay called Gemini Killers and it has notes on it that remind Castle of the guy who left notes on his Nikki Heat script. It's the executive guy, Trevor. Castle and Hayley go to him and he is babbling the whole time about finding someone who could pull this bi-coastal killing thing off. He admits everything and is taken into custody. I totally called that one.

Castle is offered the spot in GDS but he gives it to Kendall since he already works with the greatest detective. Who sadly, did not make an appearance in this episode. It's just not Castle without Beckett. Sigh. But as they're packing, Castle tells Hayley he can't let the missing time go and so she shows him a video he made before he erased his memory. Apparently, after his Thai adventure and being lost at sea, etc. etc., Castle also had time to track Bracken's partner and get involved in the LokSat mess deeply enough to get shot for his trouble. Of course, if he didn't erase his memory then Beckett would find out and be killed. Castle is stunned and takes the blame for the FBI team that was killed. Seriously? How would it be his fault that highly trained government agents were killed? Okay. But that's the end of the ep this week.

So, the murder mystery was good with lots of twists and turns, but missing a crucial element with no Beckett and no signature Caskett banter. It's just not as good when they're not together.  Castle's missing time and being involved in the LokSat mess isn't making a lot of sense and I think the episodes that feature this storyline just go too far down the rabbit hole. For me, it would have been so interesting to have Hayley be a LokSat operative watching Castle than just a spy for Castle's dad, but I guess it does give her more of a connection to the show to be a friend to Castle's dad. I don't know. It wasn't my favorite episode, but it wasn't horrible either.

Best line of the night was when Castle said he already works with the best detective. Awww. Love how he loves Beckett.  Best moment was Lainey turning the fire extinguisher on the boys. Go Lainey!

Did you watch last night? What did you think?