reading – Pretty Colors Unabridged

January 14, 2026

2026 – Book 1

A breakthrough novel that pits young kingpins against a Mexican drug cartel, Savages is a provocative, sexy, and sharply funny thrill ride through the dark side of the war on drugs and beyond. Part-time environmentalist and philanthropist Ben and his ex-mercenary buddy Chon run a Laguna Beach-based marijuana operation, reaping significant profits from their loyal clientele. In the past when their turf was challenged, Chon took care of eliminating the threat. But now they may have come up against something that they can’t handle–the Mexican Baja Cartel wants in, and sends them the message that a “no” is unacceptable. When they refuse to back down, the cartel escalates its threat, kidnapping Ophelia, the boys’ playmate and confidante. O’s abduction sets off a dizzying array of ingenious negotiations and gripping plot twists that will captivate readers eager to learn the costs of freedom and the price of one amazing high. Following “the best summertime crime novel ever” ( San Francisco Chronicle on The Dawn Patrol ), bestselling author Winslow offers up a smash hit in the making. Savages is an ingenious combination of adrenaline-fueled suspense and true-crime reportage by a master thriller writer at the very top of his game.

Main Characters

Ben (Ben Leonard): A brilliant botanist and philanthropist who develops a highly potent strain of marijuana. He is an idealist and part-time environmentalist who wants to use his wealth for good, often in third-world countries. He is the more pragmatic of the two male protagonists when dealing with the cartel’s demands.
Chon (John McAllister Jr.): Ben’s best friend and business partner, a former Navy SEAL who provides the “muscle” for their operation. He is pragmatic, tough, and has a “post-traumatic lack of stress disorder,” a hardened warrior with a soft spot for Ben and O.
Ophelia (“O” Sage): The beautiful and free-spirited woman whom both Ben and Chon love and share in an unconventional, intimate relationship. She is kidnapped by the Baja Cartel, which acts as the main catalyst for the plot.

Antagonists

Elena Sanchez Lauter (“La Reina”): The formidable and ruthless leader of the Baja Cartel, a powerful figure with a strategic mind who wants to take over Ben and Chon’s successful business.
Lado (Miguel Arroyo): A cold and brutal enforcer for the cartel who carries out Elena’s orders without question, including the abduction and torment of O.
Dennis Cain: A corrupt, double-dealing DEA agent who is involved with the cartel and tries to play all sides for his own profit.

I love Winslow’s writing style and unconventional flow. The chapters are sometimes two sentences. The tongue in cheek is amazing. I love the dry humor tucked in between the drug running and murders. It’s honestly brilliant, as are all of Winslow’s works that I’ve read. Lots of explicit sex and language. Don’t say no one warned you. This book is not for the faint of heart. Despite the roguish nature of the book, it has a light air and is a good palate-cleanser after a heavy read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I expected. It doesn’t really end happily ever after, but I think the characters were ultimately content.

Don Winslow’s Website

July 11, 2025

What I’m Reading: What Lies Beneath — by J. G. Hetherton

J.G. Hetherton was raised in rural Wisconsin, graduated from Northwestern University, and lived in Chicago for the better part of a decade. Along the way to his first novel, he dabbled in many different day jobs before moving to North Carolina for a girl. They live in Durham, North Carolina with their twin daughters, and when he’s not writing, you can find him on the hiking trail or sitting down with a good book.

Perfect for fans of Jeffery Deaver and J.A. Jance, in this thrilling second book in the series, Laura Chambers finds herself caught in a deadly web of small town secrets.

Hillsborough, North Carolina is a town with a dark history that is bubbling to the surface. Twenty years ago, Laura’s friend’s family was slaughtered in their beds, and the sole survivor, Laura’s eight-year-old friend, was whisked away to distant relatives. That was the last time Laura ever saw her best friend.

Twenty years later, a woman runs onto the interstate, directly into the path of a truck, and the gruesome accident leaves behind a mangled corpse. Her very last phone call was to Laura, just before she was killed, but her face is disfigured beyond recognition. Identification seems impossible, and the victim was barefoot and in a state of undress. The only thing in her possession is an old photograph depicting Laura, Laura’s father—and standing next to them, her lost friend from childhood.

Laura’s father passed away when she was eight, and she thought she understood why he vanished from her life in the year before he died, but the photograph and the corpse begin to cast doubt on everything she thought she knew.

As the lines between fact and fiction blur, Laura digs into the history of the deceased, and her own family, determined to discover what lies beneath…

Laura is an interesting bird. She has been emotionally abused by her mother her entire life and lied to by both her parents, among others. Over all, I like her character. She’s flawed and I like that, but also stays in her own head a little too much. I found myself irritated with her more than once.

The author’s website

Email the author directly at jghetherton@gmail.com

October 15, 2024

What I’m Reading: The Perfect Marriage — by Jeneva Rose

Jeneva Rose is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including the multi-million copy bestseller, The ~~Perfect~~ Marriage. Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages and optioned for film/tv. Originally from Wisconsin, she now lives in Chicago with her husband, Drew, and her English bulldogs, Winston and Phyllis.

Photo Credit: Katharine Hannah

Historically, I love everything Jeneva Rose writes, so I absolutely was looking forward to reading this one. The story is told through Sarah’s and Adam’s point of views in alternating chapters. The characters are well developed and the story kept me guessing until the very end. It wasn’t too heavy, but heavy enough to keep me invested. I can count on Jeneva Rose for a solid story with great characters and a satisfying end. This novel empowers women. It lets the strong female lead, Sarah, rise to the top. Her achievements are celebrated, regardless of the way she wraps up the ending. We are left questioning her sanity and ethics, as intended. I really enjoyed the book.