Book Recommendation - I Think I was Murdered

 

Though Colleen Coble is a name I've known for a bit and have thoroughly enjoyed, I was introduced to Rick Acker earlier this year in their first collaborative work. I enjoyed that one so much, I immediately jumped at the chance to read this next one. Though I was somewhat disappointed that this was not part of the same series as their first collaboration, I was nonetheless excited for this book. Here's a bit about it:

A grieving young widow. The AI program that allows her to continue to "talk" to him. And a message she never expected: "I think I was murdered."

Just a year ago, Katrina Berg was at the pinnacle of her career. She was a rising star in the AI chatbot start-up everyone was talking about, married with an adoring husband, and had more money than she knew how to spend. Then her world combusted. Her husband, Jason, was killed in a fiery car crash. Her CEO was indicted and, as the company's legal counsel, Katrina faces tough questions as the Feds take over and lock her out of her office. The final blow is the passing of her beloved grandmother.

Her most prized possession is the beta prototype for a new, ultra-sophisticated chatbot loaded onto her phone. The contents of Jason's email, social media backups, pictures, and every bit of data she could find were loaded into the bot, and Katrina has "talked" to him every day for the past six months. She has been amazed at how well it works. Even the syntax and words the bot uses sound like Jason. Sometimes, she imagines he isn't really dead and is right there beside her. She knows it's slowing her grief recovery, but she can't stop pretending.

On a particularly bad day, she taps out: Tell me something I don't know. The cursor blinks for several moments and seems frozen before the reply flashes quickly onto the screen: I think I was murdered.

Distraught, Katrina returns to her cozy Norwegian-flavored hometown in the northern California redwoods and enlists the help of Seb Wallace, local restaurateur and longtime acquaintance, to try to parse out the truth of what really happened. They must navigate the complicated paths of grief, family dynamics, and second chances, as well as the complex questions of how much control technology has. And staying alive long enough to do that is far more difficult than either of them dreamed.

I Think I Was Murdered:

Features a unique look at grief through the lens of technology
Deals with current topics and themes
Will appeal to fans of Ruth Ware, Laura Griffin, Laura Dave, and Sarah Pearse
Includes Discussion Questions

This is an interesting look at some of the modern technologies we're seeing in this day and age. Though it felt like a science-fiction story in some places, all of the technologies included are actual, which made it a tad bit scary instead! This book releases November 12th wherever books are sold. For more information, check out the following links:

Colleen Coble's website: https://colleencoble.com/

Rick Acker's website: https://rickacker.com/

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6846164535

Book Recommendation - Mistletoe Season

 

During the holidays (which are fast coming up!), I enjoy diverting my reading to encompass Christmas reads. This year, several have come out prior to the holiday season and so I've started reading my Christmas stories early this year. Though I'm of a mind that it's never too early to think about Christmas! When I spotted this one with a story by Pepper Basham in it, I knew I needed to snag a copy for myself. And getting to read stories by 2 new-to-me authors? Just a bonus! These 3 stories had a bit of a Hallmark movie feel to them, which I adored and I enjoyed this early foray into the holiday season. Here's a bit about the book:

This Christmas, three couples find themselves under the mistletoe . . . whether they want to be there or not.

Say No to Mistletoe by Sheila Roberts--Mistletoe is Hailey Fairchild's kryptonite. Every time she's kissed someone under the mistletoe it's led to love disaster. Not a good thing for a romance writer! When she was a gawky high school girl, her hunky neighbor, Carwyn Davies, star of the basketball team (and her dreams) kissed her under the mistletoe on a dare. But the kiss wasn't a dream come true. It was a mortifying moment she's never forgotten, and now she's about to go home for the holidays, unengaged and . . . determined to say no to mistletoe. Especially if Carwyn is anywhere around.

Return to Mistletoe by Kathleen Fuller--Emmy Banks has always loved Christmas. How could she not when she lives in Mistletoe, Missouri? Kieran O'Neill has spent years abroad, renovating an old Irish castle, but returns to Mistletoe for his mother's seventieth birthday. He reconnects with Emmy, his sister's close friend, and spends time with her in her charming antique shop. When the weather turns colder, things start to warm up between Emmy and Kieran. But can Emmy risk her heart when she knows he'll never stay in Mistletoe, and she will never leave?

The Mistletoe Prince by Pepper Basham--Prince Arran St. Clare has lost his freedom and fairytale life in exchange for a three-month "punishment" in the small town of Ransom, North Carolina. To prove he is ready for the royal life for which he was born, Arran must engage in the Christmas charity fundraiser, The Mistletoe Wish. But when kindness, authenticity, and hard work prove more appreciated in Appalachia than a royal pedigree, Arran must face the mirror and find out who he is beyond the crown. Add a beautiful and intelligent woman who doesn't recognize her own worth, some mistletoe, and a little Christmas magic and it all might be enough to help the rebel-prince understand what truly matters most.

This book releases October 8, 2024 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out if you enjoy contemporary Christmas romance stories! For more information, check out the following links:

Sheila Roberts' website: https://sheilasplace.com/

Kathleen Fuller's website: https://kathleenfuller.com/

Pepper Basham's website: https://pepperdbasham.com/

My full 4-star review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6833860845