3 1/2 stars I would have rated this higher but I was lost between the various realities which is on me. A teenage boys falls in love over time with a g3 1/2 stars I would have rated this higher but I was lost between the various realities which is on me. A teenage boys falls in love over time with a girl who tells him that her "real" self is in a walled city. When she disappears without a word he tries to find her in this other reality where people have no shadow and he becomes a dream reader. When that doesn't feel satisfying he goes back to the other reality where he eventually leaves his job and relocates in a remote town well outside of Tokyo. He works in a library there that is very quiet and spends most of his time with a ghost and the story circles back. Short chapters and simple prose keep the illusion of nothing feeling real or permanent (especially relationships). A love of libraries is clear but the two cities - shadows, ghosts and characters are wispy and hard to grasp. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
The late 1960's were turbulent with calls to action protesting the war in Vietnam, the oppression of Black people and women's rights. What began as woThe late 1960's were turbulent with calls to action protesting the war in Vietnam, the oppression of Black people and women's rights. What began as work organizing and helping the Black community by feeding children and offering health clinics led to the rumblings of revolution and the birth of more radical groups such as the Black Panthers. They were not content to wait for scraps to come their way and sought to fight for real change in any way they could. This of course put them on the radar of police and FBI. Nettie meets Melvin as she is about to go to medical school. He is passionate about the Panthers and her so when she finds herself pregnant and he wants to be a family she joins him and the cause in Chicago. Even with the friends she has in the women in the community and her job at a clinic she still has a hole in her heart and a fear that everything is getting dangerous. Nettie must decide if Melvin is as committed to her as he is to the group or get out before it is too late. Riveting historical fiction of a violent time in our history meshed with the deep connection to family, community and friendship. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
Bristol and her sisters have led a nomadic life without knowing why but now that their parents both gone she steps up to take care of her sisters. SheBristol and her sisters have led a nomadic life without knowing why but now that their parents both gone she steps up to take care of her sisters. She strikes a bargain with an unusual group to find and close a portal and in exchange they offer her much needed money and will help her find her missing father. What Bristol is unaware of is that the deal she makes is with the fae and she goes into their world to find that she has more in common with them than she could have imagined. As she trains for a war that is surely coming and discovers her own power she falls for the king with secrets of his own. Great world building, a dangerous love affair, court politics and a smart woman who must confront the life and family she thought she knew with their true origins. Bristol is caught between worlds not knowing who to trust or where she belongs. I listened to the audiobook and it is brilliantly narrated. This will appeal to readers hungry for new worlds to explore with a healthy dose of love. My thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the advance copy....more
A one hit novelist in L.A. needs a boost to her failing career and finds it in an old flame now movie star. Zoe thought Zach was a jerk when he didn'tA one hit novelist in L.A. needs a boost to her failing career and finds it in an old flame now movie star. Zoe thought Zach was a jerk when he didn't call years ago but he seems to really want to rekindle what they started. But first - sign this NDA. Zoe intends to use everything she sees, hears and does in Zach's celebrity world as book material until a stalker begins harassing her by using scenes from her first book. Spoiler - it didn't end well for the main character. This is one of those thrillers where you don't know if any of the characters are a good guy or bad guy because they all have their own agenda. That is exactly what makes this book work - the pace is fast, the information is sketchy and Zoe isn't the most reliable narrator and trying to control the narrative while it is clear that others are firmly in control. We learn once again that you need to deal with the devil to make it in the City of Angels. Fans of BIG LITTLE LIES and MEET THE BENNEDETTOS will love this. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
By agreeing to help out fellow chef and friend Christian teach a weeklong cooking school Paul gets added to the menu and a heaping spoonful of troubleBy agreeing to help out fellow chef and friend Christian teach a weeklong cooking school Paul gets added to the menu and a heaping spoonful of trouble. While the injured celebrity Christian is supposed to pull his weight in appearances no one can complain when he turns up murdered. Each of the students as well as the staff are potential suspects and each have more secrets than a mystery meat casserole. Chapters open with recipes in this clever whodunnit that has Agatha Christie's TEN LITTLE INDIANS Michelin stars all around and will have readers sharpening their knives and appetite for more. A debut for Murrin whose seasoned background is a well paired red with this entree into fiction. This recipe for fun does for cooking shows what WHITE LOTUS did for International resorts and THE MAID did for high end hotels. My thanks to the publisher for the delicious early taste. ...more
1983 Three college students go on an Appalachian roadtrip to film a documentary about roadside memorials. The ghost crosses that mark where tragic acc1983 Three college students go on an Appalachian roadtrip to film a documentary about roadside memorials. The ghost crosses that mark where tragic accidents happened is close to home for one of the three and they try to not only capture video of the area but talk to people who knew the victims. At first the trip is without too many hiccups but soon they are seeing strange things, getting harassed by the locals and feeling like they are being watched. When a strange symbol is found on some of the memorials they start to think that there is more to the story. Shivers up the back of your neck creepy and they don't know if there really is danger or it is their own anxiety. Racism is lightly touched on but not a major theme. It reminded me of all those classic horror movies where you are shouting - "he's right behind you!" and THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
Two soul sisters are joined by ancient magic that allowed them to transform their snake bodies into human ones. They have existed in this state for a Two soul sisters are joined by ancient magic that allowed them to transform their snake bodies into human ones. They have existed in this state for a thousand years but have not lived in the same place for much of that time. Su lives in Singapore and is the dutiful wife of a government minister while Emerald lives the wild life slithering between sugar daddies in New York City. Even though they are ying and yang, oil and water and green and white snake they are as dangerous to each other as they are protective and Su rushes to Emerald's side when she is shot in New York. Bringing Emerald back to Su's orderly and placid life does not work for Emerald or for Su's husband Paul. Based on a Chinese folktale this is an interesting look at the horror of being yourself, freedom and family loyalty. While not quite a retelling of a fairy tale or completely a shapeshifting horror story it does offer both a scare and a cautionary message. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
3 1/2 stars A complicated whodunnit filled with layers of secrets and a roster of bad people who have dirt on more bad people who preyed on good people3 1/2 stars A complicated whodunnit filled with layers of secrets and a roster of bad people who have dirt on more bad people who preyed on good people in the past. The only ones I felt sorry for were the kids that get pulled into their parent's messy past, divorce and now their father's death. Everything happens at a dizzy pace with narrated chapters from Allison (wife number 2) and the scummy husband. If you are looking for total escapism this is it. Be forewarned that you might not think much of any of the characters. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
A clever mix of fantasy and historical fiction set in 1930's America. Velma is a skilled aviatrix as well as a former bootlegger and detective of sortA clever mix of fantasy and historical fiction set in 1930's America. Velma is a skilled aviatrix as well as a former bootlegger and detective of sorts. She leaves the daredevil show along with an annoying reporter and switches to a detective hat in search of a strange machine that is wreaking havoc. The relationship between Velma and the reporter goes from irritation to much more and I enjoyed the dialogue between them but I did get a bit lost with all the side characters. This is billed as a standalone but is part of a series so that could be where the backstory for much of this has already been ironed out in a previous book. The energy level is kept high between Velma using her magic, escaping near death, flying and a bit of romance. There is a distinct Agatha Christie vibe especially at the end that is sure to please old fashioned murder mystery readers. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
Eddie is 90 and never been kissed let alone married or had a longterm relationship. That all changes the day Bella comes into the charity shop where hEddie is 90 and never been kissed let alone married or had a longterm relationship. That all changes the day Bella comes into the charity shop where he works to drop off her dead boyfriend's things. The two hit is off and Bella needs a distraction so she works on getting Eddie's lips on someone else's. Eddie did have one love from college but never acted on it since Birdie married before he got the chance and now it is too late. Will Eddie find his happily ever after? Marianne Cronin understands the special and unique friendships between young and old in a way I have not seen from any other author. Humor and compassion go a long way to remind us that love doesn't have a date stamp, expiration date or age limit. A sweet story that will have fans of her previous book, ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT applauding. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
This is a slow burn kind of spy story involving the narrator known as Sadie who is infiltrating an eco terrorist group. While living at the commune shThis is a slow burn kind of spy story involving the narrator known as Sadie who is infiltrating an eco terrorist group. While living at the commune she becomes fascinated with the group's mentor Bruno who is developing theories about early humans. Does it matter that Sadie is underhanded or uncaring or that she may be targeting a group that is basically harmless - no. I did not love Sadie who keeps herself distant and under the radar but I did eat up Bruno's findings on Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals. The area of France where the story takes place is filled with ancient caves just begging for unusual theories. Short chapters highlight Sadie's aloof manner and this makes the book work. Interesting and not your typical spy story. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
A heartbreaking and heartwarming memoir of one family's journey through their child identifying and changing genders. Abi Maxwell gives us all the fruA heartbreaking and heartwarming memoir of one family's journey through their child identifying and changing genders. Abi Maxwell gives us all the frustration, insight and joy of witnessing their child find who they were meant to be not the gender that was picked for them at birth. This is a memoir that should help all of us be more patient and open to understanding. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
4 1/2 stars Estranged siblings attract and repel each other as they try to solve their father's sudden death. Falling from a cliff near his hideaway ca4 1/2 stars Estranged siblings attract and repel each other as they try to solve their father's sudden death. Falling from a cliff near his hideaway cabin is so out of character for their dad so Nora and her brother Sam mend fences and follow the hidden trail that leads to so many secrets. Expertly paced between Liam's past relationships and the current sibling's detective work this is a thriller that is on many most anticipated lists. Just goes to show you how little you know of your parents' lives. This is a family drama of the first order and all of the kids have relationship issues in their lives with their dad and the empire he built as the only connective tissue between them. Thriller fans as well as readers who enjoy sibling squabbles and family drama will enjoy this. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
A beloved children's book seen through the eyes of an unlikely character - Toto. When Toto and Dorothy land in OZ killing the witch it turns them bothA beloved children's book seen through the eyes of an unlikely character - Toto. When Toto and Dorothy land in OZ killing the witch it turns them both into heroes of sorts but also sets off a sibling war. The crooked wizard snags Dorothy into doing his evil business with the promise of getting them home and Toto leads a small revolution of his own among the animals in OZ. We see OZ in a different shade of green with the familiar and new characters added to the storyline. Wonderfully witty with normally "good boy" Toto acting out and putting on his "bad dog" fur to protect his human and his new friends from dirty dealings in OZ. The transition of bit player animals to the main stage worked well for me but I wish the ending had more punch. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
Shake runs off to help retrieve a kidnapped friend in Cambodia and gets buckshot from Gina left behind in Indiana (to enjoy the quiet life) and from tShake runs off to help retrieve a kidnapped friend in Cambodia and gets buckshot from Gina left behind in Indiana (to enjoy the quiet life) and from the local thugs in Cambodia. He is joined in the search by a drug addled Armenian version of The Hulk who is desperate to find the kidnapped woman. Shake must use all his skills to find Lexi before Dikran decides Shake is not able to get the job done. What the kidnappers don't know is that the woman they kidnapped is the queen of the Armenian Mafia and they are in deep doo doo. Gangsters with a golden heart are Lou Berney's specialty and this latest addition to the Shake stories will make his old fans very happy and earn him new fans as well. Readers of crime with a spot of humor like those of Benjamin Stevenson or Carl Hiassen will enjoy. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
An accidental car crash transports pro hockey star Tucker Taylor back in time to Regency England. Luckily he is rescued by a very open minded and mode An accidental car crash transports pro hockey star Tucker Taylor back in time to Regency England. Luckily he is rescued by a very open minded and modern Lizzy who sees Tuck as a way out. Lizzy is in the market for a quick marriage to a husband who will not be around long making her a widow with independence instead of being auctioned off on the marriage market. What they don't count on is an attraction neither of them can ignore - marriage of convenience or not. Tuck wants to go back to his time and Lizzy doesn't want a husband controlling her life right? Add to this Regency romp the not yet famous Jane Austen along with a carriage full of spice and sizzle and you have a clever historical tale of modern romance. While the time travel science seems a bit loosey goosey the love scenes will leave Bridgerton fans weak in the knees. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
A well researched debut that explores one woman's fight to be the physician she was meant to be amidst superstition, religious radicalism and men in pA well researched debut that explores one woman's fight to be the physician she was meant to be amidst superstition, religious radicalism and men in power of the 1300's France. Eleanore (Elea) was an apprentice to her midwife mother but saw how the same villagers who called her friend turned their back when others branded her a witch making Elea careful of hiding her gift. Now the dreaded Black Plague has reached Avignon just as Elea's knowledge of herbalism is called upon to heal Pope Clement. Her abilities surprise the Pope's physician and he agrees to take Elea on as an apprentice. As they get closer to understanding how to treat the plague Elea is called to become a midwife to an exiled Italian Queen. They work round the clock to try to find the answers that will stop the trail of death decimating Europe. The plague is not the only thing that Elea must fear as there is a fanatic priest who has her in his sights. Based on a true woman this is a fascinating look at early medicine and the many ways women worked to heal even as they were persecuted as witches. Fans of Arianna Franklin, Geraldine Brooks A YEAR OF WONDERS and Chris Bohjalian's HOUR OF THE WITCH will have a hard time putting this down. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy....more
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