I’m not sure what made me chose this book. It may have been the cover, which is upbeat and bright, but broken in a way. The title, which is intriguing and alliterated (alliteration always appeals). See what I did there? Ha! In the end, I choose to believe it may have been the book gods …
I would have finished this book much quicker if life had not gotten in my way! I really enjoyed Lonsdale’s story in this women’s fiction, magical realism crossover. While the setting was very west coast and of the ocean, the elements of her story reminded me a lot of Sarah Addison Allen’s books. There were …
There are many words I could use to describe this read from Amy Engel. Atmospheric. Claustrophobic. Creepy. Whether these were intentional on Engel’s part or not, the story of a family of women in rural, remote Kansas will elicit some strong emotion. I will be honest from the beginning, if you are sensitive to violence …
For any reader of a book series, the ultimate payoff is evolving with the characters of the books. Watching events and situations unfold over a number of tales, so that by the time you get to the eleventh book the characters, and thus the reader, are in a very different place. In Tasha Alexander’s eleventh …
I’m late to the fan base for A Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I’ve had this book on my “to be read” list for many years, along with others that I will get to soon! Recently, my high school senior shared that this is her favorite book, so much so that her …
One of the reasons I love historical fiction is how it sheds light and reality on our ancestors—that’s if it’s done the right way. We spend so much time thinking about the “good old days.” People have always been nuanced, imperfect and life has never been white and black. In the novel Hanging Mary …
The feeling I have this week must be the same feeling kids in my junior high had when they were chosen first for [insert any group sport]. I joined NetGalley and will now be reviewing books for publishers as they are published. I. AM. SO. EXCITED. The special feels. They are so great. Those of …
How do you know what is evil and what is good? Are there such distinctions? “Lair of Dreams” by Libba Bray explored some very deep issues and it made for an absorbing read. The flat out evil presented in “The Diviners” was terrifying and made for creepy late night moments, but “Lair of Dreams” presented …
It was one of those books where you let out a pleasant sigh at the end. Or maybe you’re panting from the non-stop action. Can a book’s ending ever give you both? If it can, then “City of Jasmine” is that book. I stumbled upon Deanna Raybourn’s book “Night of a Thousand Stars” late in …
It’s always a good day when you get a book in the mail. Even better when it’s an ARC you receive in exchange for a review. And on top of a free book, it’s a free Lauren Willig book! I’ve read two of Willig’s books, That Summer and The Ashford Affair, both of them stand …
Word by Word 