Category: awesomeness

Book Review: Firebrand, by Sarah MacTavish

firebrand

Way back in…March, I think…I went to a local author event, mainly because Rachel Caine was going to be there, and I love her writing. I’d heard her speak before, and was pleased to have another opportunity. There was another author there, Sarah MacTavish, and I really enjoyed her talk as well. So, I ended up buying her debut novel, Firebrand. And it’s been sitting in that particular TBR pile until last week. Yes, I stockpile books…and then don’t have a chance to read them for months. I have a problem, okay?

When I did pick it up, I finished reading it in less than 24 hours. It was that good. It’s set right before the Civil War, and its about two young abolitionists and the struggles they face. I like historical fiction, but I thought this YA historical was extremely well-written, and I found myself rooting for the characters. (Also, I’m from Texas, not too far from where part of the book is set, and I had no idea about some of the things in the novel.) This book deals with difficult events and topics, but it’s history: if we don’t learn from it, we’re doomed to repeat it.

Saoirse Callahan and her family are struggling to survive on their small Texas farm that’s a far cry from their home in Ireland. Tempers are short, and after the death of one of her brothers, the whole family seems on the verge of collapsing. Then a series of fires sweep the region, and rumors of a slave uprising spread, leaving vigilante justice in their wake. Saoirse is desperate to find out what really happened, but her questions land her family in even deeper trouble.

Westleigh Kavanagh is safely an abolitionist in Pennsylvania, until he realizes his father’s new boarder is a runaway slave. Westleigh is determined to keep the man’s secret, even from his father, who, as sheriff, is bound to uphold the law, no matter what his personal beliefs are. Then Westleigh finds an old journal, and uncovers secrets his father has long kept hidden from him, secrets that lead him to the Callahans in Texas.

What I Read in October

I read 19 books in October. I know, right? Not sure where I found the time. But…some of these were REALLY good, and I finished them in less than 24 hours. Especially the last two…and the first one I read in November. 🙂

the indigo girl

The Indigo Girl, by Natasha Boyd (read to review). Fascinating historical fiction about the early efforts to produce indigo in colonial America. Eliza Lucas is a sixteen-year-old left in charge of the family’s estates while her father chases his military dreams. This novel also talks about the early slave uprisings and Eliza’s efforts to teach slaves to read. A very engrossing read, with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.

merry and bright

Merry and Bright, by Debbie Macomber (read to review). Debbie Macomber is always a good author to turn to for feel-good, uplifting stories, and this one is no exception—even for someone disgusted with the commercialization of Christmas. Merry is so busy she has no time for herself, until her mother and brother set up an online dating profile for her, which leads her to someone she never expected.

select-cvr_large

Select, by Marit Weisenberg (read to review). I’m not sure what to say about this novel. The cover is beautiful, and the premise sounds intriguing, but the execution didn’t live up to the promise. A reclusive group of beautiful people with special traits prepares to separate themselves from the rest of the world, while the leader’s daughter learns there’s a lot more going on than she’s ever been told.

the house at 758

The House at 758, by Kathryn Berla (read to review). Loved this! YA fiction about Krista, still grieving the death of her mother, while her father wants to move on and Krista is obsessed with the mysterious house at 758.

Midnight-Dance

The Midnight Dance, by Nikki Katz (read to review). Penny and eleven other girls are students at an elite ballet school, hidden away from the world by the Master, a reclusive wealthy man who only wants the best for them. Until Penny’s memories no longer add up, leaving her to wonder if what she remembers is the truth or not. Beautiful cover!

His Majesty’s Dragon, by Naomi Novik (from the TBR pile). This has been on my shelf for years. I’m not sure why I waited to read this, but I loved it! Dragons as military fighters in the war with Napoleon.

Throne of Jade, by Naomi Novik (from the TBR pile). Still loving this series.

the breathless

The Breathless, by Tara Goedjen (read to review). A creepy gothic read about a family with dark secrets struggling to deal with the loss of their oldest daughter–and the secrets she was keeping. I enjoyed this read a lot. Very creepy, but I did not want it to end like it did (yet the ending was very appropriate).

Black Powder War, by Naomi Novak. (Just because.)

the beautiful ones

The Beautiful Ones, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (read to review). This was a Regency-ish read with hints of steampunk…maybe magical realism set in a Regency-type society? Nina is used to country living, but she comes to town for the Grand Season and her ice-cold aunt tries to mold her into a society girl. Except Nina keeps forgetting the rules and speaking her mind. Then there’s the telekinetic performer she meets and falls in love with, Hector, who’s hiding dark secrets.

Stay with Me, by Ayobami Adebayo (cultural book of the month.) Okay, I love reading books set in Africa. I’ve felt drawn to it as long as I can remember, and ironically, my boyfriend is from Cameroon. Go figure. This book, set in Nigeria, is about a wife struggling to get pregnant and keep her children alive, and the secrets she and her husband have hidden from each other. It was an emotional read, and I’m still not sure what I think of it.

Lilac Lane, by Sherryl Woods (review forthcoming). A romance about an Irish woman who falls in love with the pub chef, but the problems from their past are great enough to shadow everything around them. I may have to read the rest of this series.

Murder over Mochas

Murder over Mochas, by Caroline Fardig (read to review.) I’m sad that this is the last of the Java Jive series. Funny, light mystery that reminds me quite a bit of the Stephanie Plum books.

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, by Emmie Ruth Lang (review forthcoming.) I’m still digesting this read about a boy who was raised by wolves, and the man he grows up to be…with powers. A bit of an X-men feel to this one.

The Reason for my Hope, by Billy Graham (spiritual book of the month.) Great read.

Passing, by Nella Larsen (classic book of the month.) I’d never actually heard of or seen this book on any list of classics, but it showed up on a Goodreads search, and I thought it would be an interesting choice, considering the conversations about racism going on. I’m not quite sure what I think about this. I found one of the characters almost unlikable, and the other so conflicted I never got a true sense of her.

Firebrand, by Sarah MacTavish (Just because.) This has been sitting on my TBR pile for WAY too long. About abolitionists just before the Civil War. There was a lot here that I didn’t know about, which is sad, since half the book is set not too far from where I live/grew up. I cannot imagine having lived in such dark times. Wonderful characters, and I’m looking forward to more from this author.

The Dark Intercept, by Julia Keller (Review forthcoming.) I found this version of the future disturbing (but not completely farfetched), and I loved the characters and their conflicts. I enjoyed this immensely and recommend it! Read it in one day.

Rosemarked, by Livia Blackburne (Review forthcoming.) Hands down the best book I read all month! About a healer who catches the illness she’s fighting, and is given an opportunity to help others who suffer from it, while secretly trying to learn more about the enemy that conquered her people, before they can be destroyed by war. Fantastic read! Even better, it’s the first of a series! I blew through this in less than a day.

Linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy.

Book Review: The Goblins of Bellwater, by Molly Ringle

Kit is the local mechanic in tiny Bellwater, Washington and an artist. He’s also the liaison to the goblins who live in the woods. But Kit doesn’t talk about that. Most people have no idea the goblins even exist, much less that Kit does his best to keep them protected from the goblins and their twisted temptations.

When Sky, a barista and an artist, falls victim to a goblin curse one winter’s night, she is rendered almost mute and in danger of drifting away. Her sister Livy is desperate to find out what’s wrong with her sister, but has no idea where to turn. When she starts dating Kit, the two of them are soon drawn into a web of magic that has ensnared everyone they love. Livy is the only one with a prayer of freeing them, but she’ll have to travel a magical path of her own to do so.

Ms. Ringle wrote The Goblins of Bellwater inspired by Christina Rossetti’s poem, Goblin Market. The novel has the same spooky, sensual feel as the poem does. The setting is magical and almost dreamy, but brimming with life. Readers who ever imagined that there was something else out there—like Sky and Livy’s “Teeny-tinies”—will understand the lure of magic in the woods. This story is full of magic and mystery, wonder and love, and tinged with darkness. A must-read for anyone looking for a story about the unseen things hovering at the edge of your vision.

Molly Ringle writes novels that mix half-familiar stories from legend and fairy tales with the real word. The Goblins of Bellwater is her newest novel.

(Galley provided by Central Avenue Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

What I Read in September

I read fourteen books in September. Not bad, considering I’m back to work and grad school full-time.

The Long Ride Home, by Tawni Waters

The Long Ride Home, by Tawni Waters. (Read to review.) I enjoyed this novel that dealt with some difficult topics: the loss of a parent, and unexpected pregnancy and the decisions to be made concerning it. Harley hasn’t dealt with the death of her mother and her resulting cross-country move, but it’s summer now, so she decides to take a trip to scatter her mother’s ashes. With Dean, her only friend, and the boy she slept with one night while drunk. But soon Harley realizes she’s pregnant, throwing her feelings for Dean into more turmoil, and she must decide what to do with the choices before her. Excellent read.

end of the world running club

The End of the World Running Club, by Adrian Walker. (Read to review.) After the sky fell, Edgar’s whole world—the entire world—changed, but he’s still not the greatest father. Until he’s separated from his wife and kids, and must make it all the way across the country to them before the rescuers leave him behind forever. Running is the only answer. This is not your typical dystopian thriller. It has shades of literary fiction, and the characters are complex and troubled, with overwhelming problems. I enjoyed it very much.

Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse. (Classic book of the month.) I know this is supposed to be really inspiring, but I was not a fan.

Power Thoughts, by Joyce Meyer. (Spiritual book of the month.) Good, solid read.

Blindness, by Jose Saramago. (Cultural book of the month.) Eh. I’m not even sure what the point of this book was. Possibly something was lost in translation?

Full Dark, No Stars, by Stephen King. (From the TBR pile.) I used to read everything King wrote. Not sure why I stopped. I’m not a fan of short stories, just because I like longer tales, but this is standard King fare: by “standard” I mean solid writing, creepiness, and compelling stories. That’s standard for King, because he’s a talented writer.

AFewMinorAdjustments_Memoir_Cover_Kephart_hr

A Few Minor Adjustments, by Cherie Kephart. (Read to review.) A memoir of healing from an unidentified illness. Cherie has been sick for a long time, and no one has been able to tell her why. From her days in Africa in the Peace Corps, to her struggles in the American medical system, this is her story.

ots

On the Spectrum, by Jennifer Gold. (Read to review.) I really enjoyed this read, about autism and eating disorders and Paris. This wasn’t the typical “she never eats” eating disorder, either, and it was an intriguing look into the mindset of a girl obsessed with healthy eating (No bread? No carbs…ever?!). The addition of a bit romance made it appealing, and her efforts to help her autistic brother were heartwarming.

murder magic

Murder, Magic, and What We Wore, by Kelly Jones. (Read to review.) A Regency-era mystery/coming-of-age tale with a light, witty tone as a girl tries out her spying skills in an effort to find who killed her father and earn a job in her father’s footsteps.

blackbird season

The Blackbird Season, by Kate Moretti. (Read to review.) Okay, this book sucked me in from the very beginning, and I couldn’t put it down! The setting had a very Southern/small-town feel (complete with everyone knowing everybody’s business, and “I always knew there was something funny about him!” statements.).

hanna

Hanna Who Fell from the Sky, by Christopher Meades. (Read to review.) The setting of this novel was disturbing to me: an isolated settlement where the teenage girls become fourth or fifth wives to men old enough to be their fathers and the teenage boys are run out of town. Hanna herself was a fantastic character, conflicted about wanting to leave her family and sacrificing herself (to becoming a fifth wife) to save her family. The family relationships are complex, and there’s a lot going on here emotionally. A very good read!

ash

A Short History of the Girl Next Door, by Jared Reck. (Read to review.) Not what I was expecting. At all. Loved the voice of the story, but it made me cry.

goblins

The Goblins of Bellwater, by Molly Ringle (Review forthcoming.) This book was magical. I love the premise of a hidden world that only a few are aware of, and the goblins were creepy. Very evocative of Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin market,” which inspired it. Fantastic read! (And the cover is beautiful!)

SOD

Sea of Doubt, by Jeremy D. Holden (Review forthcoming.) Apart from the very concept of someone pretending to be the Second Coming of Jesus, which appalled me, there are so many levels of deceit in this book that it made me sad: because people really are that evil (some people). Loved the concept of the Hug Challenge, though.

Books I Read in July

I had an excellent reading month in July and read 16 books.

the mourning parade

The Mourning Parade, by Dawn Reno Langely. (Read to review.) Wow. Just wow. I loved this book! It’s a bit sad, about a veterinarian who goes to Thailand for a year to work with rescued elephants. She’s dealing with PTSD from the loss of her sons, and needs the escape.

Ship Breaker, by Paola Bacigalupi. (Just because.) Very different distopian set in a future American where the seas have risen, and some have to scavenge items from the past to survive. Nailer rescues a rich girl after one of the city killer hurricanes, and finds that his life will never be the same.

trust

Trust, by Kylie Scott. (Read to review.) I LOVED THIS! From the opening scene all the way to the very end, I couldn’t put it down. Can I tell you how much I loved Edie? Her sass and way of looking at life was fantastic. Bonus points for not being the typical gorgeous and skinny main character. Her interactions with John were so real, and I felt like I was her, experiencing every second. (Speaking of John Cole…I may have made a new collection in my reading bullet journal after reading this book, called Book Boyfriends, just to put him on it…allegedly. He was THAT appealing.)

awkward

The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky, by Summer Heacock. (Read to review.) Another book I loved! (I’ve had fantastic luck with books lately.) This book made me laugh, cringe with embarrassment, and crave a cupcake (several times simultaneously). The scene when the ladies come running out of the kitchen with…toys…clutched in their hands was the greatest!

Gather the Daughters, by Jennie Melamed. (Read to review.) I only read half of this, then I had to stop. The writing is great. The setting–dark dystopian–is believable and realistic. But some of the cultural details…were too disturbing for me to continue reading.

all things new

All Things New, by Lauren Miller. (Read to review.) The MC lives with panic attacks in this novel that deals with serious issues in a relatable way, and Marshall, the love interest, is so quirky and fun that I wanted to hang out with him!

kissing max holden

Kissing Max Holden, by Katy Upperman. (Read to review.) Boy and girl grow up next door to each other. Boy turns rebellious and troublesome, girl’s father catches them making out and forbids her from seeing him ever again….That’s the basic premise, but there’s so much more to this story. From Max’s struggles in the aftermath of his father’s stroke, to Jillian’s about-to-arrive sibling and her parents fighting all the time, this story is full of real-life struggles, along with the tension between Max and Jillian.

Ash and Quill, by Rachel Caine. (Because I love this author. And this series.) The ending of this book emotionally broke me. Jess and his band of friends are so amazing together, in a world where books are both treasured and burned outside the all-powerful Great Library.

emma

Emma in the Night, by Wendy Walker. (Read to review.) This is a disturbing book. Actually, the family it’s about is troubling. When Cass and Emma disappeared 3 years ago, they left no trace. Now Cass is back, desperate for help to find Emma. Not what I was expecting.

the innkeeper's sister

The Innkeeper’s Sister, by Linda Goodnight. (Read to review.) A sweet Southern romance about characters dealing with the sins in their past while trying to solve a Civil War-era mystery.

holding

Holding, by Graham Norton. (Read to review.) A cozy mystery set in rural Ireland. At first, the characters do not seem all that interesting, but they definitely grow on you.

Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. (Cultural book of the month.) I’ve been meaning to read this for a while. Now I kind of wish I hadn’t, since I found it pretty sad.

The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James. (Classic book of the month.) I’m not really a fan of this. I never really figured out what was going on–probably because I wasn’t intrigued enough to care.

One in a Million, Priscilla Shirer. (Spiritual book of the month.) Great read, and Shirer is a fantastic speaker, because I’ve heard her speak at my church.

The List, by Particia Forde. (Review forthcoming). It’s hard to imagine a world where there’s only 500 “approved” words that people can use, but Forde does a fantastic job with this dystopian story about a girl who finds out the truth of her world—and the man who wants to take language away from the human race forever.

Lifeblood, by Gena Showalter. (Just because.) This gets all the stars! I’m a huge fan of Showalter’s work, but this trilogy has such a unique set-up and premise. Loved this!

***

Linking up with Quick Lit at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

Book Review: Kissing Max Holden, by Katy Upperman

Jillian Eldridge has lived next door to Max Holden for years. They grew up together, going through life as friends who just happened to live close. But lately, they haven’t been so close. Not since Max’s dad had a stroke, and Max took a dark detour as he struggled to deal with the way his life has changed. When Max climbs through her window one night, lost and looking for a friend, Jill just can’t turn her back on him, and her dad catches them kissing.

Jillian knew it was a terrible idea even before her dad caught them. Max has issues. And a girlfriend. But the lost look in her friend’s eyes made her forget all of that. Her parents are fighting all the time and she has a new sibling on the way, so Jillian needs someone she can turn to. She’s not sure Max is the right person for that, but she’s not sure she can resist finding out.

A lot of people think YA books just deal with romance and popularity contests, but that just isn’t the case. Kissing Max Holden does have romance, of course, but it deals with deep issues: family tragedy, troubled marriages, hard decisions. Jillian is a great character, driven and determined, who faces obstacles to her dreams that she never imagined. Max is struggling with almost losing his father and the immense changes in his family, and he copes by turning to things he knows he shouldn’t. Max and Jillian help each other with the battles they face, as their friendship turns to something more. Sweet with the spice of adversity, Kissing Max Holden is a great read that will keep you turning the pages long after you should be sleeping (ask me how I know).

Katy Upperman is a writer who loves country music and Instagram. Her debut novel is Kissing Max Holden.

(Galley provided by Swoon Reads via NetGalley.)

Book Review: The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky, by Summer Heacock

Running a successful bakery takes time. Lots of time. So much time that Kat is astonished to realize it’s been almost two years since she’s had sex with her boyfriend. It isn’t that she doesn’t want to, but last time they tried, it proved physically painful and impossible. And Kat’s been so busy, she forgot to follow up with her physical therapy. Oops.

With their anniversary looming, Kat gives Ryan a break from the relationship, while she works on her physical therapy, with a little—okay, a lot—of advice from her best friends/business partners. Their best customer is Ben, who just happens to be a physical therapist, so Kat enlists his help in her crusade. But Ben isn’t interested in just being a means to an end, and Kat has to figure out what is really important to her (besides cupcakes).

The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky is a hilarious romp of a novel, filled with awkward—of course—moments, lots of friendly banter, and cupcakes. So. Many. Cupcakes. I laughed so hard at Kat’s escapades with her friends: she has a knack for open-mouth-insert-foot, usually loudly and when Ben can overhear. If you need a laugh, a dose of friendship, or an appetite stimulant, this is the book for you.

Summer Heacock writes contemporary women’s fiction. Her newest novel is The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky.

(Galley provided by Harlequin/MIRA via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: Trust, by Kylie Scott

Edie’s just your normal, everyday, shy, overweight teenager picking up snacks for a late-night movie marathon with her best friend, when a man with a gun takes her hostage at the gas station. In an instant, Edie’s life changes and everything takes a sharp left turn. Edie and John are the only ones left standing. In the publicity hype that follows, Edie walks away from her best friend and fights back against the girl who’s been bullying her for years. Shy, quiet Edie chucks her private school career to go to public school, where she hopes she’ll fit in better.

Of course, the hype follows her to her new school, but this time it’s because of her connection to John, school bad boy and now-former weed dealer. Edie makes new friends, but finds it hard to open up. With no one else who understands, Edie and John are drawn together and become friends, bonding over that fateful night. Soon Edie finds herself wanting more than friendship with John, but someone like him could never be interested in her.

I loved this book! Read it straight through in one sitting. Edie is a kick-butt heroine. Smart-mouthed and droll, she stands up for what she believes in, no matter what, and her wry observations frequently had me laughing. Her friendship with Han was fantastic, with none of the petty jealousies and insecurities I’ve come to expect in YA. John is beyond fantastic. The way his character grows in this story is enthralling, and seeing him evolve as he and Edie grew to trust each other showcased just how much people can change. Tons of witty banter, joking, and hijinks here, but there’s a serious side to this novel, too. I give this 5+ stars!

Kylie Scott is a NYT and USA Today best-selling author. She lives and writes in Australia. Her newest novel is Trust.

(Galley provided by author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: The Mourning Parade, by Dawn Reno Langely

the mourning parade

Natalie DeAngelo is grieving the loss of her two sons in a school shooting. Even after a year, she still finds herself the focus of far too much attention, and lives with her memories and her despair. Then she hears about a sanctuary for elephants in Thailand, and decides on a change of scenery for a year to help with her healing.

As soon as she arrives, Natalie is caught between the animosity of a fellow vet and the rampages of an injured elephant named Sophie. Everyone else sees the elephant as a danger, but Natalie knows she’s just hurt and scared. Natalie puts all her effort into healing Sophie’s body and mind—and hopes that she just might do some healing herself.

The Mourning Parade is a fascinating book focused on enigmatic animals. The setting is rich with detail, and so vivid you can almost smell the steamy climate. The elephants are just as much characters in the novel as Natalie is, and the bond between Natalie and Sophie is incredible. I loved this book. It was emotional, but healing and inspirational, too. Highly recommended!

Dawn Reno Langley loves to write novels, essays, poetry…she just loves to write. The Mourning Parade is her newest novel.

(Galley provided by Amberjack Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: Dream Me, by Kathryn Berla

Babe is always the new girl in town. Always. So, when her family moves to Florida one summer, she doesn’t expect much, just a regular life working for the local country club and its upper-class members. But she makes friends and starts to imagine a life there. Then the headaches start, terrible, blinding ones that seem to be caused by the dreams she has every single night.

Zat is a dreamer from a far distant future where people no longer dream and Earth is dying. In his dreams, he sees red-haired Babe and longs to experience the life she embraces. Instead of leaving Earth with his family, he chooses to travel back in time and live in Babe’s dreams, but he never imagines those dreams will cause her so much pain. While Babe clings to their dream life together, Zat tries to pull away so he no longer hurts her. Soon they must make a choice between dreams and reality.

I’ve read some great books lately, and Dream Me is one of them. The whole premise is unique, since Zat only exists in Babe’s dreams, but the characters are so vivid they feel like I know them personally. Zat’s bleak existence made me feel sorry for him, and I could relate to Babe’s tough exterior, caused by her challenging life. These characters are deep and compelling, and the novel blends YA with fantasy seamlessly, with an added does of mystery—what is Zat hiding? Will they find a solution? Even the setting—the steamy Florida coast—lives and breathes on the page. If you love YA, fantasy, romance, or sci-fi, you should read this!

Kathryn Berla lives in San Francisco. Her newest novel, Dream Me, hits shelves on July 11^th.

(Galley provided by Amberjack Publishing in return for an honest review.)

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: