Category: books

Book Review:  After the Plague, by Imogen Keeper

Image belongs to Mindless Muse Publishing.

Title:  After the Plague
Author:   Imogen Keeper
Genre:   Romance, fantasy
Rating:  4 out of 5

99% of the population dies due to a strange unnatural virus, leaving 1% grieving, scared, desperate, capable of anything, plunged into a world without laws, and no one to enforce them anyway.

 Frankie has zero skills to survive, but when she loses the love of her life, she discovers an untapped well of hope and courage inside herself – to find the others, the left-behind survivors who must now rebuild in the face of gathering clans, rising dictators, and everpresent danger.

 When Yorke, a lone soldier, who never wanted a family, finds Frankie, he has a single burning conviction: if anyone will make the rules in this strange new lawless world, it will be them.

 Before the apocalypse they were strangers. Now their lives will forever be entwined.

I read all three of these stories—Broken, Lost, and Found—pretty quickly. I enjoyed both Frankie’s and Yorke’s points-of-view, as well as the characters themselves. This was an interesting dystopian viewpoint, too:  far enough in the future to change daily life (like the prevalence of solar-powered homes so the characters can find one to stay in pretty easily), but not so different that the reader doesn’t feel completely at home. I’m also intrigued by what the red-haired woman who has taken over the White House is up to, so I’ll likely read the fourth volume in this series, Safe, very soon.

Imogen Keeper lives outside of Washington, D.C. After the Plague is her dystopian saga.

(Galley courtesy of Mindless Muse Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

 

Book Review:  The Witching Tree, by Alice Blanchard

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press.

Title:   The Witching Tree
Author:   Alice Blanchard
Genre:   Mystery/thriller
Rating:  4 out of 5

As legend has it, if you carve your deepest desire into the bark of a Witch Tree, then over time as the tree grows, it will swallow the carvings until only a witch can read them.

 Until now.

 Detective Natalie Lockhart gained unwanted notoriety when she and her family became front and center of not one, but two sensational murder cases. Now she’s lost her way. Burned out and always looking over her shoulder, Natalie desperately thinks that quitting the police force is her only option left.

 All that changes when a beloved resident–a practicing Wiccan and founder of the town’s oldest coven–is killed in a fashion more twisted and shocking than Natalie has ever seen before, leaving the town reeling. Natalie has no choice but to help solve the case along with Detective Luke Pittman, her boss and the old childhood friend she cannot admit she loves, even to herself. There is a silent, malignant presence in Burning Lake that will not rest. And what happens next will shock the whole town, and Natalie, to the core.

I’ve read the first book in this series, but I missed the second. I did enjoy this one, but it felt far too much like an advertisement for Wicca or I would have rated it higher. Seriously. You cannot tell me every single person in a group is good/peaceful/gets along with everyone (or, alternately, bad/racist/horrible/whatever adjective of choice) and expect me to believe you. If I leave out the pro-Wicca-all-of-us-are-peaceful-angels slant (which accounts for a good third of the book), this was an enjoyable mystery and thriller. But as is, the town of Burning Lake comes off a little too good to be true.

Alice Blanchard is an award-winning author. The Witching Tree is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: Nursing Her Amish Neighbor, by Marta Perry

Image belongs to Harlequin.

Title:   Nursing Her Amish Neighbor
Author:   Marta Perry
Genre:   Romance
Rating:  4 out of 5

Seeking a break from her nursing duties, Miriam Stoltzfus returns home to Lost Creek—and encounters her most difficult patient yet. Her childhood neighbor, Matthew King, is suffering after an accident left him injured and his younger brother dead. But he doesn’t want anyone’s help. Can Miriam guide him through his grief to prove he’s still the strong, confident man she remembers?

I enjoyed this sweet Amish romance. I’m always fascinated by reading stories set in Amish communities, and this one didn’t feature any of the sometimes harsh (to outsiders) rules that I’ve read about in the past. Miriam and Matthew are both relatable characters struggling with their own burdens, and I loved how they helped each other through their difficulties.

Marta Perry lives in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Nursing Her Amish Neighbor is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.)

 

Book Review:  The Last Dance of the Debutante, by Julia Kelly

Image belongs to Gallery Books.

Title:   The Last Dance of the Debutante
Author:   Julia Kelly
Genre:   Historical fiction
Rating:  4.5 out of 5

When it’s announced that 1958 will be the last year debutantes are to be presented at court, thousands of eager mothers and hopeful daughters flood the palace with letters seeking the year’s most coveted invitation: a chance for their daughters to curtsey to the young Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society.

 In an effort to appease her traditional mother, aspiring university student Lily Nichols agrees to become a debutante and do the Season, a glittering and grueling string of countless balls and cocktail parties. In doing so, she befriends two very different women: the cool and aloof Leana Hartford whose apparent perfection hides a darker side and the ambitious Katherine Norman who dreams of a career once she helps her parents find their place among the elite.

 But the glorious effervescence of the Season evaporates once Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family. Faced with a dark past, she’s forced to ask herself what really matters: her family legacy or her own happiness.

This was such a good read! I loved reading about the debutantes, but all the pageantry sounded awful, frankly. Lily was a wonderful character. I enjoyed seeing how she went from a student to a society girl before realizing who she truly wanted to be. The glamor of being a deb didn’t enthrall her for long, and she learned to stand on her own feet and make her own decisions—and friends—as she learned the truth about her past.

Julia Kelly lives in London. The Last Dance of the Debutante is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review:  The Women of Pearl Island, by Polly Crosby

Image belongs to Harlequin/Park Row.

Title:   The Women of Pearl Island
Author:   Polly Crosby
Genre:   Fiction
Rating:  DNF

When Tartelin answers an ad for a personal assistant, she doesn’t know what to expect from her new employer, Marianne, an eccentric elderly woman. Marianne lives on a remote island that her family has owned for generations, and for decades her only companions have been butterflies and tightly held memories of her family. 

But there are some memories Marianne would rather forget, such as when the island was commandeered by the British government during WWII. Now, if Marianne can trust Tartelin with her family’s story, she might finally be able to face the long-buried secrets of her past that have kept her isolated for far too long.

I read about 25% of this but just couldn’t connect with any of the characters, so I had to stop reading. The writing is good, it just wasn’t a good fit for me right now.

Polly Crosby lives in Norfolk. The Women of Pearl Island is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Park Row in exchange for an honest review.)

Sundays are for Writing #150

I wrote two book reviews this week, and I also have my November reading post and my Best Books I Read in November post. Off to do some research for a writing project.

Happy writing!

Book Review and Blog Tour:  Snowbound with Her Mountain Cowboy, by Patricia Johns

Image belongs to Harlequin.

Title:   Snowbound with Her Mountain Cowboy
Author: Patricia Johns   
Genre:   Romance
Rating:  4 out of 5

Mountain resort owner Angelina Cunningham has her hands full with a massive winter storm. Which is exactly when her ex-husband arrives, injured and suffering temporary amnesia. Ben King has always been her weakness. Though he doesn’t remember her, he’s still as charming and sweet as ever, and Angelina is falling for him all over again. But can their rekindled love outlast the storm and the return of their past mistakes?

This was a sweet, clean read and I enjoyed it. I liked both Angie and Ben and seeing how they handled life now differed from how they handled it then. It was fun watching them fall for each other again, and wondering how they would get things worked out.

Patricia Johns lives in Canada. Snowbound with her Mountain Cowboy is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.)

 

Book Review:  Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan

Image belongs to Grove Atlantic.

Title:   Small Things Like These
Author:   Claire Keegan
Genre:   Fiction
Rating:  4 out of 5

It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.

This was a very short read–I think I finished it in about an hour. Stellar, evocative writing, but I found it very bleak and quite slow. Probably just not a good fit for me, despite how vivid and detailed it was.

Claire Keegan is an award-winning author. Small Things Like These is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Grove Atlantic in exchange for an honest review.)

The Best Books I Read in November (2021)

In November, I read 22 books, bringing my total for the year to 217 books.

Of those 22 books, I really enjoyed three of them:

The Brightest Star in Paris, by Diana Biller. I didn’t realize until at least halfway through that I’d read—and enjoyed—the previous book in this series. Ballet, ghosts, and wonderful characters made this a read I enjoyed every single sentence of.

City of Time and Magic, by Paula Brackston. I’ve loved all the books in this series, and this was no different. Time travel, magic, romance, and a kick-butt (but not in an in-your-face way) heroine made this pure pleasure.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, by Nabeel Qureshi. I read this because I’d heard good things about it, and it did not disappoint. I learned so much about Islam in this, and the contrasts between it and Christianity were so clearly laid out that it destroys all arguments about similarities.

What I Read in November (2021)

Books Read in November: 22
Books Read for the Year:  217/250

Topical Books/Monthly Goal Books:

The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I ended up binge-reading this because I couldn’t put it down! And immediately bought the second one.

Loving My Actual Life, by Alexandra Kuykendall (spiritual). I really enjoyed this read.

Fierce Jesus, by Lisa Harper (spiritual). Lisa Harper’s voice is so conversational, it makes everything she writes a good read.

For Review:

A Reckless Match, by Kate Bateman. I enjoyed this read. Lovers-to-enemies is one of my favorite tropes in romance reads.

Oh William!, by Elizabeth Strout. I have no idea why I finished reading this. I liked the writing, but the two main characters were selfish and unpleasant people.

Digging Up Trouble, by Kitt Crowe. This was also a “meh” read.The dog was cute, but a little to good to be true, and the MC was pretty self-absorbed.

Eight Perfect Hours, by Lia Louis. This was such a fun read! I loved all the little coincidences and run-ins between the characters and their chemistry was so believable.

The Brightest Star in Paris, by Diana Biller. This read was such a warm, pleasant read, like pulling a fuzzy blanket around you and snuggling on the choice. Great characters that were so believable and likable. I enjoyed it immensely!

Heard It In a Love Song, by Tracey Garvis Graves. I listened to this on audio, and I really enjoyed it. I loved getting into the characters’ heads.

The First Christmas, by Stephen Mitchell. This was creative, but not biblical. And the author is into Zen, so I don’t trust him to write truthfully about anything in the Bible.

Within These Wicked Walls, by Lauren Blackwood. This was quite unique, and I enjoyed the voice. There were a few rouch transitions that I felt jumped past some needed-details. (Also, does this cover like like Natalie Portman, or am I losing my mind?)

All of Us Villains, by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman. This was very loosely like The Hunger Games…if all the characters were more or less evil and selfish.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée, by Virginia Heath. I enjoyed this so much! The characters were a lot of fun, especially Hugh.

The Dangers of an Ordinary Night, by Lynne Reeves. This was…not quite to my liking. I found all the characters just “meh” at best, if not truly unlikable (to me).

A Light in the Sky, by Shina Reynolds. I enjoyed this fantasy about winged horses (not pegasus) and the warriors who ride them—and the evil rulers who have been lying to everyone all along (of course).

Unearthly and Starcrossed, by Katie Jane Gallagher. I have to confess: pretty sure I’ve never read any human-alien romance, so this was a first for me. They were quick, fun reads, even if the aliens were basically humans with a little different appearance.

City of Time and Magic, by Paula Brackston. I love this series so much! Time travel, history, romance, and adventure all rolled into one.

Forever Home, by Elysia Whisler. This ended up being a meh read, as the author completely destroyed my trust at the 73% mark. That negated the solid writing and interesting characters.

Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan (review forthcoming). This was a very short and introspective read. A bit depressing for my tastes, but excellent writing.

Just Because:

The Harbinger II, by Jonathan Cahn. This was a fascianting read.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, by Nabeel Qureshi. I learned so much about Islam in this book, far more than I knew originally.

Left Unfinished:

Among the Hunted, by Caytlyn Brooke. I made it 10% or so before giving upon this. It seemed too superficial for me.

Another Beast’s Skin, by Jessika Grewe Glover. I think I made it 10-15%, but this felt like it just glossed over things and rushed them, without making me believe anything was truly happening.

Doizemaster, by Tony M. Quintana. This just wasn’t a good fit for me, and it seemed a bit…underdeveloped. Just my opinion.

The Left-Handed Twin, by Thomas Perry. Apparently this is a popular series, but the MC felt far too distant to hold my attention.

Hello, Transcriber, by Hannah Morrissey. I tried, but I just could not get into this. It seemed so bleak.