Personal Highlights from this month:
- For the week of May 29th and May 30th (split week, see May wrap-up for explanation)
- Took Kevin (my Siamese) to the vet. He weighs 15 lbs (but is not overweight, just a big cat) and has a mild case of gingivitis. My vet told me to give him Greenies. Thankfully, he likes them (he is picky).
- For the week of May 31st through June 6th:
- Miss R had her cardiologist follow-up. Unfortunately, he is on the fence about whether she has high blood pressure. So she needs a lipid panel, and we’ll go back in 3 months for a follow-up.
- Mr. Z is one step closer to college. He got to choose his dorm at the beginning of the week. He also got to pick his move-in date in August.
- For the week of June 7th through June 13th:
- Miss R has Leadership Camp at her barn from Monday through Thursday. She is very excited about going.
- Mr. Z has an orientation on Friday. We’ve gotta be up super early (think 6-6:30) because App State is about 1 hour (or so, depending on traffic) from us.
- I am finally getting my C-Pap machine. I sent a message to my doctor (pulmonologist) because it had been a month since my sleep study. I got a callback the same day, apologizing for the delay, and a text message from the C-PAP people saying they received the order. Hopefully I’ll get it soon!!
- We went to Mr. Z’s orientation on Friday (as stated above). Except that we didn’t drive up the morning of. We ended up getting a hotel room 5 minutes from campus. Orientation itself was fine (a lot of sitting in rooms and listening to people talk).
- Miss R went to her first-ever horse show on Saturday. She loved it and can’t wait to compete.
- For the week of June 14th through June 20th:
- Miss R attended a two-day camp sponsored by the school system called CareerQuest. She had a blast.
- Miss B, my older daughter, fell down a 5-foot waterfall in Georgia on Saturday (she was having a day at a lake with her girlfriend and friends) and fractured her foot. She has to wear a boot for 6-8 weeks.
- Mr. Z got an on-campus job in the dining hall at his college. He was accepted into the work-study program, but this job isn’t part of it. And to be honest, it pays more than what he would get from work-study.
- I finally got my C-Pap machine, and man, what a difference it’s made. I am sleeping 110% better now.
- For the week of June 21st through June 27th:
- Miss R spent the week working at the barn. The barn owner messaged me to say that Miss R has really matured and is a hard worker.
- We finally got our beach week in!! We went to Bear Island, and it was wonderful. We all got sunburned (some worse than others), but overall it was a great time. And we found a new beach that we love. Bear Island is run by the Forest Service, and you need to take a ferry over to it. It was about $40 (give or take) for the four of us.
- For the week of June 28th through June 30th (split week because of the month ending):
Books I Read:
- The Hollywood Alphabet series by M.Z. Kelly: This is a 26-book series, and I didn’t expect to finish it in May. But I didn‘t expect the rest of the series to take almost the entire month of June to finish!!
- Hollywood Intrigue (book 9): Set three months after the last installment. Like the previous books, it is skillfully written with an unexpected storyline. I found The Prophet’s plotline intriguing, and I was genuinely surprised by the identity of The Prophet and the motives for the killings.
- Hollywood Jury (book 10): A few months after the events of Hollywood Intrigue, Kate’s life hasn’t improved. She is investigating a brutal case, her personal life deteriorates further, and her partner is unraveling. I was gripped by the investigation into the rape/murders, as well as Kate’s covert pursuit of a rape/murder that occurred 20 years earlier. Both cases kept me guessing, and I didn’t identify either killer until the reveal. Regarding Kate’s personal life, I sympathized with her struggles. Her adoptive mother is experiencing a mental health crisis and divulges Kate’s private matters to a despised reporter (the scene where the reporter admits sourcing information from Kate’s mother was appalling), and Kate can’t extract a clear answer about who her father is. Ted’s storyline (Kate’s partner) was devastating—I didn’t anticipate its conclusion, and I cried. Yet, there were flashes of humor. These centered on Nana’s wedding and Kate’s awkwardness. The bachelorette party (I’ll never think of pirates or whipped cream the same way) and the wedding scene (the raven shrieking ‘Fuck off! Go away!’ during the vows) were hilarious. I look forward to the next book and hope the author finally gives Kate a respite. She’s earned it.
- Hollywood Killer (book 11): I’m being candid: this was my least favorite book in the series. Kate faced relentless pressure from every angle. She struggled with the aftermath of what happened to Ted, while her relationship with her mother deteriorated. Her friends offered little support and consistently interfered. The case was devastating, involving the sexual abuse of a minor—adults willfully ignored it—and a series of seemingly unrelated murders that eventually connected. I appreciated that Kate and Christine collaborated and bonded. The investigation was compelling, with the author delivering a steady stream of plot twists. I did not anticipate the identity of the killer or the motive for the murders. Notably, the minor’s abuse proved incidental to the motive; it was a tragic revelation. The ending echoed previous books in the series, except for the loss of a secondary character.
- Hollywood Lust (book 12): Set a few weeks after Hollywood Killer, Kate returns to work. This was a far stronger book than the previous one. Kate’s friends have distanced themselves, which I appreciated. Undermining someone who is struggling is terrible. Kate gains clearer clues about her father, along with three letters from her biological mother. Professionally, the stakes escalate. Kate investigates a case connected to a cold case. Meanwhile, the Swarm—radical killers—begin a killing spree and kidnap Kate’s younger sister, Lindsay. The investigation into and pursuit of The Swarm felt urgent and devastating as Lindsay became entangled in it. Kate’s romantic life intensifies quickly; I’m still skeptical because of the pace. The last thing she needs is for Noah to be hiding something. I also sensed a hint that Jack might be interested in her. The book’s finale was chaotic, filled with violence and arrests. I loved how Kate unraveled the cold case and current murder, and the murderer’s reveal genuinely surprised me. The Swarm plotline wasn’t resolved; it was paused after the death of one of its leaders.
- Hollywood Murder (book 13): Again, another excellent entry in the Hollywood Alphabet series. Set a few weeks after Hollywood Lust, this book follows Kate, now assigned a cold case with her new partner, Leo, while simultaneously investigating the kidnapping of a billionaire investment broker’s family and her father’s murder, unofficially. These cases, which strain police resources, were a wild ride. The kidnapping case was so intricate that I often lost track. The cold case was heartbreaking but straightforward, and I anticipated the killer’s identity. However, Kate’s unofficial investigation was blocked by the department, and I suspect I know the reason. The ending felt typical, but the author introduced surprises in both the kidnapping and her father’s case.
- Hollywood Notorious (book 14): Set about a month after the events of Hollywood Murder, Hollywood Notorious is a relentless thriller packed with twists and turns. Kate and Leo investigate a reality star accused of murder when they are summoned to an active shooting involving the same celebrity. After securing the scene, they uncover a gruesome murder staged in the style of the Day of the Dead. Surprisingly, I found myself appreciating that the book is told from four distinct perspectives: a mysterious girl trapped in an underground cellar, Kate, a psychiatrist in a mental institution, and the killer himself. I was impressed by how skillfully the author wove these threads together. Meanwhile, Kate’s personal life spirals further: McCade (her ex) now works on her elite team; her relationship with her new boyfriend hits turbulence (he panics over her job, despite knowing about it from the start); and she faces eviction from her mobile home after being priced out of her old apartment. To complicate matters, Mo, Natalie, and Nana return to their mischief, and Kate edges closer to discovering her biological father’s identity. The ending delivers the series’ signature suspense, but with Bernie, her police dog, gravely injured. There is also a surreal experience involving a kidnapping victim, and Kate misses her chance to speak with someone who knew her biological father. I am eager to see where the series goes next!
- Hollywood Outlaw (book 15): I began reading this book expecting it to resemble others in the series, and for the most part, it did. However, the author introduced dramatic twists in both the murder investigations (two) and Kate’s personal life. I can’t fully describe what happens to Kate, except to say she’s betrayed and that someone she cares deeply for dies. I was genuinely shocked by that development. Additionally, the man she believes is her biological father disappears, which adds complexity to her already tumultuous personal life. Regarding the murders, the author introduced enough red herrings that when the murderers were ultimately revealed, I was genuinely surprised.
- Hollywood Prisoner (book 16): This book opens a month after Hollywood Outlaw. Kate investigates the murder of a soap opera starlet and the on-set handyman suspected of killing her, as well as a serial killer who displays victims with a hook. The cases prove more complex than they initially appear. During her investigation, The Swarm resurfaces, using Kate’s sister as a messenger. The story is fast-paced and unrelenting. Each storyline is tightly crafted, keeping me engaged with relentless twists. Kate ultimately helps solve the serial killer case and unmasks the real culprit behind the starlet’s and handyman’s deaths (it surprised me). As for The Swarm, when one villain falls, another emerges. Also, I find myself rooting for Kate and Joe—their chemistry and shared past are undeniable. Also, Kate finds proof that Pearl knew her mother, but no proof that he is her father.
- Hollywood Quest (book 17): This book begins with Kate being reassigned to the cold case team after Section One disbands. She anticipates her time in the cold case department will be dull until one of the cases she reviews escalates unexpectedly. Temporarily reassigned to Robbery and Homicide with her partner, Charlie, Kate is tasked with investigating the mayor’s missing daughter. Meanwhile, she faces eviction from the mobile home park (due to Nat’s boyfriend, Tex), and The Swarm unleashes a devastating terrorist attack on LA. Kate is also determined to uncover her biological father’s identity. As with the other books, I was completely unaware of the cold-case killer’s identity, doubtful about the fate and whereabouts of the mayor’s daughter, caught off guard by the eviction (which felt unjust since Kate wasn’t present when it happened), and clueless about her real father. When everything was finally revealed, I was genuinely surprised. The kidnapping plot contains a major twist, and my heart broke at the revelation.
- Hollywood Rage (book 18): Hollywood Rage picks up several weeks after the events of Hollywood Quest. Kate has been evicted from the mobile home park and relocated to a haunted house in the Hollywood Hills with Mo and Natalie. She has also discovered a connection to the terrorists plotting to overthrow the government. On top of that, she is investigating a string of brutal murders, the killing of her partner and her partner’s family, and working to bring down a corrupt police chief. Kate’s hands are full, and her personal life is equally tangled. As with previous books in the series, Hollywood Rage delivers unexpected twists and sharp humor that made me laugh out loud.
- Hollywood Scream (book 19): Hollywood Scream picks up about a month after the events of Hollywood Rage. Kate is again called to assist the FBI with her partner and friend, Olivia, when the Swarm resumes their acts of terrorism (and targets Kate). The case she receives is brutal: a man identifying as Angel abducts a young woman and then streams her torture online. With limited leads, the investigation stalls, and Kate returns to LA. There, she quickly becomes involved in the murder of a prominent actor. She is also juggling personal turmoil: a mother recovering from a stroke, an older brother fleeing the Swarm, and her well-meaning but intrusive best friends, Natalie and Mo. As with the other books in the series, both murder investigations have twists and turns that kept me guessing. Kate’s personal life remains relentlessly chaotic.
- Hollywood Taken (book 20): I am not sure exactly how long after the events of Hollywood Scream Hollywood Taken occurs, but it is quite soon after. Kate is investigating a case in which an au pair is murdered, and that inquiry rapidly unfolds into sex trafficking, sexual coercion, and further killings. However, Kate is removed from the case and dispatched to Napa when The Swarm resurfaces. There, she takes on a missing-persons case that proves far from ordinary. Both investigations (as well as the persistent Swarm case) are gripping. Although I deciphered the missing woman’s case fairly quickly, the LA investigation perplexed me longer. I was genuinely shocked by the identity of the head of the criminal ring and by the conclusion. Meanwhile, Kate’s personal life remains turbulent. She is pulled into escapades with Natalie and Mo. The author introduces two more characters, both of whom are relatives of Mo and Natalie. Together with Nana, Mo, and Natalie, they offer comic relief, often at Kate’s expense. Kate’s love life takes a noteworthy turn. I suspected she would end up with that individual, and I am keen to see how their relationship evolves. Pearl also appears near the end of the book. I am eager to learn what he will tell Kate about her biological father.
- Hollywood Underworld (book 21): All I can say is that this book was both brilliant and chilling. Kate investigates a double homicide while relentlessly pursuing the terrorist who has threatened her family for years. I am growing increasingly impatient with the mystery surrounding her father, but I suspect I will be genuinely shocked. The plot involving Kate, the double murder, and the investigation was compelling. I correctly identified the killer at the same time as Kate. The storyline with Kate, Joe, Nathan, Lindsay, and the nuclear bomb plot was harrowing and kept me hooked. Kate’s personal life was less tumultuous than in previous books. I appreciated that she finally made a decision about a particular man. However, I did not anticipate the book’s ending. What a cliffhanger!
- Hollywood Vendetta (book 22): This book is set about a month after the events of Hollywood Underworld. Kate is handling a new case involving cults, corrupt officers, sex clubs, and serial killers. Her investigation connects to an old unsolved crime and to the killing of a fellow officer. This case leads her deep into Hollywood’s most dangerous corners and back. I appreciated how the two plots intertwined and resolved. The conclusion genuinely surprised me. Meanwhile, Kate’s personal life remains turbulent. She grapples with the fallout from Joe’s situation, navigates a new relationship with Hud, attempts to close a cold case at home, and sidesteps Natalie and Mo’s antics. Though I suspected what might happen on the personal front (book 24’s synopsis offers a major clue), I was still caught off guard.
- Hollywood Wanted (book 23): Hollywood Wanted picks up immediately after Hollywood Vendetta. Kate, her best friend and partner Olivia, and Leo investigate the murder of a high-profile attorney. As they pursue the case, the ongoing investigation into the Swarm and the Caine brothers intensifies. The attorney’s case addresses highly controversial subjects: sexual and physical child abuse, incest, and gender transition (female to male). I initially expected the narrative to be sidetracked by these issues, but the author skillfully refocused the plot on the murder, relegating those elements to the background. The terrorist storyline grows more violent and unsettling, with Issac Caine exhibiting an obsessive fixation on Kate. Personally, Kate’s life remains chaotic. Her father’s badge is confiscated by a captain with a 30-year vendetta. She lives with a former TV detective who is a part-time nudist and exhibitionist. Natalie and Mo continue to cause her stress, and she has doubts about her engagement to Joe. The resolution of the attorney’s story was predictable, as I identified the culprits early. The terrorist plot becomes more complex when Issac reveals a shocking secret to Kate that genuinely surprised me.
- Hollywood X (book 24): Hollywood X picks up directly after the events of Hollywood Wanted. Like the previous books, it is skillfully written and fast-paced. The story follows Kate as she investigates a series of murders committed by the Red Queen. The narrative delves into the Red Queen’s psychological motives and her reasons for targeting people who harmed her or her sister in the past. As Kate pursues the case, her work environment becomes increasingly hostile. Her boss is aggressively trying to force her out because of speculation about her father’s identity and a 30-year-old cold case involving a murdered six-year-old. The Red Queen plotline was poignant and included an unexpected twist. The subplot about Kate’s work remains unresolved, although the chief’s actions are further illuminated. There is also a major revelation about Kate’s father, and Joe faces a troubling turn of events.
- Hollywood Yesterday (book 25): Hollywood Yesterday continues the storyline from Hollywood X. As with the other books in this series, it is a twisty, unpredictable thriller that kept me guessing. What I liked was that the author didn’t wrap up all the storylines and actually misdirected readers toward others. There are two major storylines in this book: the Reaper storyline and the terrorist/Kate’s quest. The Reaper storyline was very eerie, and the visuals were so eerie that they kept me up at night. I liked how the author resolved it, and the unexpected twist broke my heart. The terrorist/Kate storyline was partially resolved. I say partially because the author threw in two major twists (one I didn’t see coming, and the other one was discussed a lot in the book and confirmed). I cannot wait to see how the series ends!
- Hollywood Z (book 26): Finally, the last book in the series, Hollywood Z, doesn’t disappoint. While Isaac is planning the end of the world and killing Kate, Kate is investigating the disappearance of a famous actress and the murder of her boyfriend and best friend. But, as with all of her cases, this is anything but ordinary. I did figure out who one of the kidnappers was early on, but I was surprised by the other. I was also very surprised by the two twists that seemed to come out of nowhere. The other storyline, with the terrorist, Kate, Joe, and their wedding, kept me on edge. The section of the storyline with the terrorist ended as I expected. As did the wedding storyline. I liked that the author wrapped up all the storylines and gave everyone an HEA. I also liked how all of Kate’s friends/family who died or were murdered showed up in spirit. It made for an emotional end to the series.
- The Mob Boss Series: I started Ruthless the day before I published this post. So I will be including it in my July Wrap-Up
Monthly Playlist (I use songs featured in the book, if there are any, along with a playlist generated by ChatGPT).
Featured Song of the Month
Escape Into Reading 