BEAR is beautifully written. There are some absolutely gorgeous passages in this book. That's not the issue I had with it. The plot moved too slowly, BEAR is beautifully written. There are some absolutely gorgeous passages in this book. That's not the issue I had with it. The plot moved too slowly, and it was hard to keep my attention because there wasn't much happening. I also did not like the ending. It was a great premise with beautiful writing and still fell flat for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
THE BALLAD OF SMALLHOPE AND PENNYROYAL explores the background of the mysterious recovery agents who have played important parts in both The ChronicleTHE BALLAD OF SMALLHOPE AND PENNYROYAL explores the background of the mysterious recovery agents who have played important parts in both The Chronicles of St. Mary's and The Time Police series'. Their stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring, and I was absolutely riveted the whole time. As usual, birds provide some comic relief. In this case, it's peacocks! The villain in this story is an absolutely evil woman, and I hated her appropriately. The motivations behind Pennyroyal and why he is the way he is make sense to me now.
Without giving spoilers, parts of this novel now have me furiously investigating past books in the series, looking for clues. It is also made clear how integral these two characters are to the plots of both series.
I started this book after breakfast and finished it the same day. I could not stop reading. It is not your usual St. Mary's story, but it ties everything together and makes some big reveals. I loved that it covers the whole time period of The Chronicles of St. Mary's, and more, while also telling Smallhope's life story. Fans of this series will absolutely love this one.
I received a free copy of this book from Headline via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
Phoebe checks into a luxury hotel which she has chosen as her "happy place," in order to commit suicide. She ends up meeting the bride and is includedPhoebe checks into a luxury hotel which she has chosen as her "happy place," in order to commit suicide. She ends up meeting the bride and is included in the "wedding week" festivities.
This is an interesting premise, and the narrator does a great job, but I feel this book is too lighthearted for a suicide topic. Suicide is a dark, deep, devastating thing. I would have liked to see fewer wedding-related activities and I would have loved for the author to delve more into the reality of suicide.
Overall, though, it is an enjoyable read. I think I would have liked it better if suicide wasn't even part of it.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
This may be my favorite Time Police novel yet. We are starting to see some of Matthew's "special abilities with time" and we have a hint at a transforThis may be my favorite Time Police novel yet. We are starting to see some of Matthew's "special abilities with time" and we have a hint at a transformation for him that's going to be even bigger than I thought. There is a bit of a love triangle, but I think Jane and Grint are forever. The Zanetti train is fascinating, and Jodi Taylor's amazing take on it is a unique and wild ride through time. We see a little bit of the trauma Jane endured in her past and how she is dealing with it. I can't wait for the next book.
When scientists in Moscow decided to resurrect the Mammoth, they didn't realize they would have to teach them HOW to be mammoths. They call on Dr. DamWhen scientists in Moscow decided to resurrect the Mammoth, they didn't realize they would have to teach them HOW to be mammoths. They call on Dr. Damira Khismatullina, the top expert in elephant behavior. The only problem is that she was murdered by poachers long before. But they have her consciousness in digital form. Will what remains of Dr. Khismatullina's conscience agree to be uploaded into a mammoth?
This is a fascinating premise. The idea of putting a human conscience into a mammoth's brain brings up so many questions and possibilities. The author does a great job of explaining the plight of the elephant and the ruthlessness of the poachers. The idea of a human inhabiting the body of a mammoth is so intriguing that I wish it was explored a little more. The mammoth's senses, and how they are greater than a human's, is definitely related by Damira, but Damira's experiences of first inhabiting the mammoth and actually learning to move around and maneuver, and take leadership of a herd were not really explained. The book is very short and should have been a lot more fleshed out. This idea has movie potential, but the book is not long enough to support that.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was well narrated by Stefan Rudnicki and Gabrielle de Cuir, who handled the tough task of portraying a unique character, Damira, who is a digitized human turned mammoth. They also related the plight of animals hunted by poachers in a truthful way so the reader can realize the brutality that is going on.
Anyone interested in protecting endangered species with a little science fiction added to the story will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from the publishers. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
1982. Lydia Wienewski's Polish/American cafe, Lydia's Lakeside Cafe and Bakery, is now open in Buffalo, New York. Lydia's pierogi is hailed as the bes1982. Lydia Wienewski's Polish/American cafe, Lydia's Lakeside Cafe and Bakery, is now open in Buffalo, New York. Lydia's pierogi is hailed as the best in the area, and everyone wants her to enter the pierogi contest at The Buffalo International Food Festival. But when her former mentor, Madame Delphine, comes to town, along with some of her students, she dredges up memories that Lydia would sooner forget. And then Lydia finds Delphine dead at the cafe. Lydia and her grandmother, Mary, again team up to try to solve the murder. This is Book Two of the Kielbasa Queen mysteries.
I loved the portrayal of Polish/American culture, the 1980s Western New York setting, and the delicious descriptions of all of the food. Lydia's grandmother steals the show with her unconventional behavior, such as getting caught making out in the car with her boyfriend. At times I felt the overall mystery moved too slowly. There were plenty of red herrings, but the conclusion was a little bit predictable. However, the characters and the setting make it well worth another trip to Lydia's cafe. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Severn House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
This book was compelling from beginning to end. The author, as always, does a great job of detailing the crime and the investigation. The perpetrator This book was compelling from beginning to end. The author, as always, does a great job of detailing the crime and the investigation. The perpetrator is slowly revealed, but their horrible crimes splash across the page immediately from the beginning of the book. As Eve Dallas begins to peel away the layers of this crime, the reader will be transfixed, both by the complexity of the investigation and the potential for more crimes that would surely be coming.
The characters just flame to life, and the personalities of the victims, their friends, and the perpetrator are so well described.
I listened to the audiobook as well, and the narrator Susan Ericksen portrayed teenagers in such an authentic way. She was able to expertly portray drama, horror, grief, sadness, and love in such a powerful way.
Eve Dallas's personal life is subtly layered throughout the book, but never takes over from the crime and investigation.
This thriller is horrifying, enthralling, and captivating throughout. J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) has done it again. She has turned out another quality book that will keep you mesmerized.
I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
This is Book Two in the On Devonshire Shores series. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Book One, The Sisters of Sea View.This is Book Two in the On Devonshire Shores series. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Book One, The Sisters of Sea View. In this installment, the sisters and their mother are excited to find out that the Duke and Duchess of Kent have rented the cottage next door for the winter. The Royals will be accompanied by their young daughter, a girl who will one day be Queen Victoria. Then the sisters learn that three of the lower members of the Royal staff will be lodging at Sea View.
I loved reading about a royal visit and all the preparations, headaches, and prestige involved. Don’t you hate it when the royals use up all the eggs in town? The fun of reading a series set in a hotel, or “Guest House, as they call it, is that new residents move in with each book, so a new cast of characters arrives, blends with the established characters, and shakes things up. Add secrets and romance to this delightful mixture, and this is a winning recipe for a great story. There is also a delightful bookish storyline involving Emily that is sure to please readers. Julie Klassen has such a great talent for creating characters that we care about, and she is a master at weaving in real events from history. This book is no exception. I can’t wait to see what the Summers Sisters do next!
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Austenprose PR. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
Things are busy at Spice Isle Bakery. It's the annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival and the bakery is participating as a vendor. Lyndsay MurrayThings are busy at Spice Isle Bakery. It's the annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival and the bakery is participating as a vendor. Lyndsay Murray is looking forward to the festival, the customers, and the music. But then tragedy strikes when Camille, a well-known singer of a reggae band, dies suspiciously. It is soon confirmed that she's been murdered. Despite getting ready for the festival, Lyndsay is also looking into the murder because her cousin Manny was dating Camille.
This is a fun cozy starring the Murray family and their very outspoken customers. It is great fun to watch every aspect of the case be discussed in detail at the bakery counter, whether Lyndsay wants to discuss it or not. The book is also filled with delicious descriptions of wonderfully spicy baked goods and a tempting recipe at the end. The mystery is interesting, even if it is not too hard to figure out. The special treats in this series are the family, their wonderful community of customers, and the way they interact with each other. Highly recommend to Cozy Mystery fans.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
Mariah, Charlotte Pitt's grandmother, is invited to stay with a friend for Christmas, but when she arrives the friend is missing and her invitation isMariah, Charlotte Pitt's grandmother, is invited to stay with a friend for Christmas, but when she arrives the friend is missing and her invitation is rescinded. Finding other lodgings, Mariah begins to look into the disappearance of her friend Sophie, and many secrets begin to rise to the surface.
This is a fine mystery, but did not transport me to the Christmas season. It's also fairly slow-moving for a novella. The mystery, the secrets, and the characters are all interesting, and I liked 80-year-old Mariah very much. This is a good, but not a great, mystery. The theme of forgiveness is very strong throughout the book.
I received a free copy of this book from Random House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
I enjoyed this one from Danielle Steel. This is historical fiction set in 1958, mostly in France during the first "Le Bal des Debutantés," a ball for I enjoyed this one from Danielle Steel. This is historical fiction set in 1958, mostly in France during the first "Le Bal des Debutantés," a ball for American and French debutantes held in Versailles. We follow four girls from America who are invited to France as part of this ball. Caroline has little interest because she's already in love, but her movie star parents think it will be fun. Brilliant Felicity is constantly battling her weight and her verbally abusive sister, so a night in the spotlight is not appealing to her at all. Amelia and her mother Jane once had money, but are now in dire financial straits. How can they afford to go? Samantha has problems with her balance due to an accident years ago, and she is a bit worried about falling during the ball. Her very protective father has the same concerns.
This is set in a time when women had fewer rights and some families still thought that their daughter's best "career" would be finding a rich husband. The financial struggles of Amelia's mother Jane are very real, as her late husband came back from the war a different person and had left her with little money when he died. Her career struggles are very true to the time period, as women were passed over for promotions and paid much less than men. In some of Ms. Steel's previous books, someone with money might come in and rescue her, but I was pleased to see that did not happen in this one.
I loved the setting in Versailles, the decadence of the ball, and the descriptions of France. Steel has a tendency to "tell" instead of "show," but she's sold a billion books that way, so who am I to judge? Sometimes her style works for me and sometimes it doesn't. This time it worked. The character Felicity was my favorite. Despite the fact that she is a brilliant student at MIT, all her mother and sister can see is her weight. That's very true even today, and I loved that one of the characters did not have a "perfect figure." So few of us do.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys books set in France and in the 1950s.
I received a free copy of this book from Random House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
The Porcelain Maker is a heartbreaking dual timeline novel set in both World War II era Germany and in the U.S., 1994. In Germany, Bettina is a GermanThe Porcelain Maker is a heartbreaking dual timeline novel set in both World War II era Germany and in the U.S., 1994. In Germany, Bettina is a German artist and Max is a Jewish architecture student. They fall in love, but with the rise of the Nazi party, their relationship and very lives are threatened. Max ends up in the Dachau concentration camp and is forced to work in the Allach Porcelain factory run by the S.S. In 1994, Clara is trying to find out the name of her father and is searching for clues, including special porcelain pieces made at the Allach porcelain factory.
The story is so sad throughout, and is a more realistic look at WWII Germany. Anyone looking for a completely happy ending will not find one, but that makes this version a bit truer than some of the other WWII fiction out there. The audiobook is well narrated by Kristin Atherton.
Readers of WWII fiction will appreciate this look into the sad history of the very real Allach Porzellanmanufaktur.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from St. Martin's Press. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
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