Review: Good Morning, Midnight

Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Very disappointed in this book. The characters were oddly unlikeable, and I hated the ending. 2 stars because it was well-written. It could be the mood I am in, but probably not based on the mixed reviews.

View all my reviews

Review: The Orphan's Tale

The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, I should have known this would be a tearjerker. I was lying in bed crying in the middle of the night at the end.

I loved this book. The drama and strife of WWII takes a bit of a backseat to the circus life, but it's always there in the shadows. We have two unlikely women thrown together and a lovely story of love and loss.

I won't say much more because I think this book works best when you go in blind. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Culture Code: An Ingenious Way to Understand Why People Around the World Buy and Live as They Do

The Culture Code: An Ingenious Way to Understand Why People Around the World Buy and Live as They Do by Clotaire Rapaille
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lost my review! So annoying. Back later.

View all my reviews

Review: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Enjoyable end to the trilogy. Sarah MacLean writes a good historical romance.

We continue our journey with the St. John family. With Gabriel and Nicholas happily married, we can focus on their beautiful, impulsive, Italian half-sister, Juliana. She's brash, she's not accepted by the London ton, and pretty much over the whole thing. She's wildly attracted to Simon, the Duke of Leighton, after their brief encounter in the previous book. However, the heavily starched Duke can't decide if he wants happiness or honor. Spoiler, we are driving towards that HEA we all expect.

Juliana was pretty dumb in this one. For someone so confident and fiery, she disappointed me with how she chased after Simon. I would have just walked away with my head held high. But not Juliana. No, she's chasing after bonnets, falling into lakes, racing her horse, and getting snippy with his mother. Bad decision quality aside, I enjoyed the end to the series. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Trial Run

Trial Run by Dick Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another great everyman mystery by my best pal, Dick Francis. Travel back to 1978, during the Cold War with Russia. We are scared of them, they are scared of us.

Randall Drew, ex-steeplechaser and general all-around good chap, is sent over to do some spying. By the Prince, no less. How would you say no to him? The mystery is a little unclear in places, but it all comes together by the end.

If you like horses, Russian-US Cold War, mysteries, and good guy main characters, you should check this one out. 3 enjoyable stars.

View all my reviews

Review: You're Never Weird on the Internet

You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Felicia Day is funny, and real, and weird. I think we could be real-life friends. I really enjoyed the audio with her narration. If you like gaming, comics, sci fi, strange families, or just laughing when people do cringey things (I am quite the cringey person myself), check it out.

View all my reviews

Review: The Secret of Red Gate Farm

The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nancy, Bess, and George save the day again (well, mostly Nancy). This time, they help a virtual stranger save their farm. Do you know three more "do-gooder" girls out there? Because I don't.

This time, Bess buys some perfume and it kicks off a mystery. Nancy is approached on the train based on the perfume scent, which really confused me because I would never be able to identify a perfume on someone. Oh, is that sparkling waters you are wearing? No, not me. But some random dude can? Please, Miss Keene. You are better than this plot line.

Anyway, they meet a girl who needs a ride, and a job, and Nancy is there to save the day. She really is the original Mary Sue. A guy stalks them, they go to the farm, they meet a cult (yes, a cult) and then they infiltrate it. Why would you expect anything else? Guys flirt with Nancy, as usual, and she saves the day.

And they all lived happily ever after. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Mindset: Changing The Way You think To Fulfil Your Potential

Mindset: Changing The Way You think To Fulfil Your Potential by Carol S. Dweck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A bit repetitive, but it does make you stop and examine if your mindset could be holding you back. This feels a like a research paper that was optioned as a book, and she padded it out.

However, if you have a fixed mindset, you will allow your internal limiting beliefs to hold you back or derail you. If you have a growth mindset, you don't allow failure to stop you from achieving your goals. Do I believe people can do anything they set their minds to? No, and maybe that shows I have a fixed mindset, but it's true. I will never run a 5 minute mile, no matter how hard I train. Absolutely never. I will never bench press 400 pounds. I will never be an astronaut. I'm realistic in the limitations of life, and if Carol Dweck really believes she could do anything, she either has very low goals or is living a life full of disappointment.

I believe her overall message is to not let your attitude get in your way, work hard, and do better. Now you don't have to spend the money for this book. You're welcome. Thank you for attending my TED Talk. 2.5 stars, but rounding up because there are some people who REALLY need to read this book.

View all my reviews

Review: The Black Echo

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book that started it all. Harry Bosch, one of LAPD's finest. A bit outside the box, runs his mouth a little too much, but almost always gets his man.

I like this grizzled Vietnam vet. I haven't let myself watch the tv series because I know they had to change too much to keep it up to date. Maybe someday.

In this one, Harry is juggling a lot. A dead body in a stormpipe that has ties to his past. A mysterious bank robbery that went unsolved. Internal Affairs meddling in his life. The FBI swooping in and messing with his case. And a huge slice of betrayal pie. Poor Harry. He's just not appreciated by his bosses. I feel you, Harry, I feel you.

3 enjoyable stars. Just read the series. It gets better with every book.

View all my reviews

Review: The Charm School

The Charm School by Nelson DeMille
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of my favorite Nelson DeMille books. It's dated, for sure, but a nice romp through cold war espionage Russia. We, of course, are on the good guys side as Americans. Prepare to wrap yourself in the red, white, and blue and give a big kiss to the Statue of Liberty.

Spoiled rich kid Gregory Fisher is traveling around the USSR in his Pontiac Trans Am he had sent over from Connecticut. Let's just rub your American salute to materialism in all of the Russian faces, Greg. Anyway, he breaks the rules, gets lost, and stumbles across a downed American flyer who has been held captive in the Charm School for 30 years. Insane, right? It's a top secret installation and Fisher is about to blow the lid right off. Or will he? Time to read the Charm School and see what happens next.

Or just watch The Americans. That might be more satisfying. Up to you. It's cheesy and ridiculous, but I love it. 4 stars even though the dialogue made my eyes rolls so hard that I might have broken something.

View all my reviews

Review: The Bargain Bride

The Bargain Bride by Barbara Metzger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, I didn't hate this as much as other people who have reviewed it, that's for sure. Maybe because the other Barbara Metzger books I have read were worse. And hey, I needed a book with a character named Penny, so here we are.

Penny has been engaged for 13 long years without any contact with her future husband. You see, that's what happened back then with arranged marriages. It's dumb, but there you have it. For some reason they both feel like they are stuck in this arrangement because of a dowry, but the viscount saves and saves to pay it back and be released from his father's promise. His offer is denied, they are forced into a quick marriage, and there are lots of misunderstanding and arguments and insta-love. This book is silly but she's definitely written worse. I also didn't want to punch anything while reading it.

If you want to really be annoyed by Barbara Metzger, read her House of Cards trilogy instead. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot

The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot by Robert Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A case involving talking parrots? Of course. Why not. These parrots sound amazing.

Jupiter, Pete, and Bob all get involved with this one, with their nemesis Skinny Norris. I was hoping Skinny would get his comeuppance but alas, he did not. Skinny reminds me of Bugs Meaney from Encyclopedia Brown. I loved those books! Anyway, back to the mystery. We have parrots who hold the secret to a missing treasure, and the boys are hot on the case.

We have a mildly scary scene in a cemetery with a lot of fog, and Hans and/or Konrad (always getting those two confused) are right there to play getaway driver, as usual.

Satisfying if you ignore a few plot holes, and I will. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy

The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy by Robert Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jupe figures it out, but not like he expected. I figured it out from the jump. Jupe - 0, me - 1.

We have a mysterious mummy that whispers, but only at the professor. Suspicious, no? Then crazy Jupiter disguises himself as the professor (what?) and the mummy whispers to him, too. And we have a crazy side plot about a missing cat that, of course, ties right into the story. The boys escape danger several times and if Aunt Matilda knew what they were up to they would never leave the salvage yard again.

You get a happy ending with a few loose ends tied up by Mr. Hitchcock. Classic Three Investigators - 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: A Kiss for the King

A Kiss for the King by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Amazingly, I am rating this book 3 stars. Don't get me wrong, it has typical Cartland nonsense in it. But either I'm in a decent mood or it's better than some of the rest, because I didn't want to throw my book a single time.

I think it's because the main character, Anastasia, is smart and a decent human being. So many of Dame Barbara's heroines are weak, wilting flowers with barely two brain cells to rub together. It's nice when there is a smart, confident woman in the story. She's surrounded by dummies (her mom is the worst) but it made the story bearable.

3 surprised stars. I'm sure the next one will be a huge stinker, though. Hey, when you churn out 800 romance novels in your lifetime, the majority of them have to suck.

View all my reviews

Review: Running with the Mind of Meditation: Lessons for Training Body and Mind

Running with the Mind of Meditation: Lessons for Training Body and Mind by Sakyong Mipham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've been wanting to read this for a while. Meditation and running are both great for clearing the mind, and everyone needs balance and clarity in their lives.

Some simple tips to help you be more mindful and how to connect your running to your mind. Nothing life-changing but things I can apply to both. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Out Of Range

Out Of Range by C.J. Box
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm really torn on what to rate this one. Technically, it's a good story, but I have some issues with the poor decisions everyone seems to be making, Joe included.

Joe is away from home, subbing in Jackson Hole for a colleague who, unfortunately, committed suicide. This causes issues between Joe and Marybeth, who isn't my favorite person anyway, and slipped down about 10 notches in my book. Woman, you are the worst. And Stella. What a horribly drawn character with absolutely no redeeming qualities. Joe bumbles along, nothing gets resolved anywhere, and I'm quickly talking myself into a 2.5 rating, so I'll stop.

CJ Box doesn't seem to understand women. I'm annoyed right now, and this is my least favorite book in the series so far.

View all my reviews

Review: Ace of Hearts

Ace of Hearts by Barbara Metzger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was just ok...but I'm going to round up to 3 stars because I did enjoy some of the crazier aspects of it (the mad aunt, for sure, the goose, for another).

Ace is running from love, and this is part of the ridiculousness of the plot. Really, dude, grow up. Tell the millions of paramours you have that you can't commit. Oh, wait, but you can when you find the right person, who just happens to be your cousin, or not.

The plot is silly but I did enjoy how Ace stuck with Nellie once he figured out she is his true love. The side plot nonsense about the missing sister never quite landed and I hope they get more detailed in the next book.

2.5 stars, but rounding up to 3, because I'm feeling nice today.

View all my reviews

Review: Travels with Charley: In Search of America

Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book. Can't believe I waited so long to read it. What's not to love? John Steinbeck, traveling around the country in a camper with his dog. Meeting people, seeing the country. It's like my life's dream. To just vagabond around and explore the US.

Steinbeck touches on some topics that are still relevant today - racism, acceptance, and how it is ok to think differently as long as you allow others to have their own thoughts, too. It's amazing how much things can change in a country, yet still stay the same. I'm not sure if that would make Steinbeck happy or sad. Maybe a little of both.

If you enjoy travel, dogs, interesting stories about people, places, and things, or just good writing, you will enjoy this classic.

View all my reviews

Review: Jack of Clubs

Jack of Clubs by Barbara Metzger
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I went into book 2 with lowered expectations from book 1. Alas, I was disappointed. I am now remembering book 1 a little more fondly.

Allie and Jack just don't work together. Neither personality was fleshed out enough to care about - I was fonder of Harriet and Snake, to be honest. And while this book ended on a tiny cliffhanger, I don't feel like I can journey on to book 3, at least not now. This book was boring, and took forever to read.

I don't recommend this series at all, even if you need to read a book with a playing card on the cover. 1.5 stars, but rounding up because I have read worse books.

View all my reviews

Review: Love and Lucia

Love and Lucia by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Another stinker by Babs. This one is so bad.

We have a cowering young woman who can't finish a sentence without pausing to let her brain process...all...the...thoughts...and feelings! We have a bossy man who swoops in with insta-love and promises to save the day. She loses her father, conveniently to move that plot along, leaving pretty Lucia all alone in Italy. No worries, her white knight brings her home to England and a ridiculous happily ever after that is so dumb I can barely stand it.

No stars are awarded, as we are all dumber for having read this. A new low.

View all my reviews

Review: Lies for Love

Lies for Love by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Oh, Babs. This - stilted - prose makes, my brain - hurt. Seriously.

So we have the old switcheroo. Carmela is a poor orphaned girl with no options, and her fabulously rich best friend, Felicity, swoops in to save her from her plight as the world's worst governess. But Felicity, like all privileged rich girls, has an ulterior motive. Carmela must impersonate her so she can run off with her lover while his mentally ill wife dies of a brain tumor (Babs, seriously? This is a new low for you). Conveniently they look alike, mostly, and no one has seen Felicity since she was 5 except her grandmother. Some family drama...not worth describing, as it is just a plot device to get Carmela into the arms of Felicity's cousin. And the ending defies logic, so classic Cartland.

This plot is dumb, as you might expect. It's not the worst by Dame Barbara, but it's certainly not the best. 1.5 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Love in the Afternoon

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Lovely wrap-up to the Hathaways series. Beatrix got her HEA, and while it wasn't my favorite story, it was still a satisfying ending. Now I want to read it again from the beginning.

Christopher is perfect for Beatrix. I loved how he didn't waver in his love, only in his fear of being a good, stable husband for her. I hate a big misunderstanding storyline that can easily be solved by talking, and the two of them were actually very great at communicating what they feel once they got rolling.

Lisa Kleypas does a great job with historical romance. I'm giving this one 3.5 stars, but rounding up because the series is just great.

View all my reviews

Review: A Grave Talent

A Grave Talent by Laurie R. King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My first Kate Martinelli book, but definitely won't be my last. She's a bit prickly, but I liked her. And I really liked Al. Curious to see where this partnership goes.

Kate is assigned to a case with a new partner because she has the right requirements, which seems to be lady parts. We have young girls who are being murdered and dumped, which sounds awful but is oddly brushed over. We have a mysterious past, a weird cult-like community that lets me down by the end, and much less darkness than I expected. However, I still liked the story, the characters, and the potential for more.

A good start to a new series for me. Three stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Thirteen Problems

The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Miss Marple cracks me up. So no nonsense, says what she thinks, and gets a little side in on people. This time we have 13 stories, some at a dinner party, and we are left to figure them out before the ending. Not gonna lie, I rarely figured it out before Miss Marple, that saucy minx.

I'm typically not a fan of short story collections, but Agatha does everything better than the rest. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Mary Russell's War: A Journal of the Great War

Mary Russell's War: A Journal of the Great War by Laurie R. King
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not one of my favorites in the series. I think I understand why she wrote it, but I was content to leave young Mary in the past with fuzzy details. And her constant references to Holmes before she knew Holmes didn't land for me. She didn't seem star-struck when they met in the Beekeeper's Apprentice, so I didn't feel it was necessary here. In fact, that's how I feel about this book. Not necessary.

I still adore the series - it's one of my favorites. Alas, I'm giving this one 2 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am so torn on what to rate this book! I landed on 3 stars but it was really 3.5 I think I might have hyped it too much in my mind. This might be the kind of book that needs a second read through for me to fall in love.

I liked Laia, but she was a bit of a wilting flower, always comparing herself to her mother. Who, quite honestly, sounds terrible to me. I loved Elias, and I was a pretty big fan of Heline's as well. Laia did redeem herself by the end, and I will definitely read book 2, but I was let down with how predictable it was. Really, I'm making it seem like I didn't like it, but I did. I definitely did. I just wanted more somehow. Hoping I fall completely in love with book 2.

View all my reviews

Review: Once Upon a Winter's Eve

Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Definitely not my favorite Spindle Cove. Maybe because it was so short? I wasn't really feeling it.

I mean, I am giving it three stars, but it's a low three for me. I wanted to better understand Violet and Christian and their journey, but it was all rushed into basically an hour or two. Yes, yes, it was a novella, but I think even 50 more pages would have gotten me further invested.

On the bright side, it did get me to want to re-read the series, so there's that. 3-ish stars.

View all my reviews

Review: O Jerusalem

O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More adventures with Holmes and Russell, but in this installment we jump back in time to events in the first book that were not shared with us. We know they spent time in Jerusalem but we don't get to see what happens there. This book takes to the events they shared while they were hiding out.

It's a pretty good story. I like their companions, especially Mahmoud. Something was missing for me, however, and I just can't put my finger on it. I think it was because Holmes and Russell didn't really seem to be partners on this one. There was a distance between them and you just couldn't see that spark. But overall still an enjoyable read.

View all my reviews

Review: Cold Days

Cold Days by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harry's back! And the gang is (mostly) back together.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I run out of these books. Jim, please get to writing more Harry. More Murphy. More Thomas. More Mouse. I need them. All of them.

If you are up to book 14, you probably don't need my recap, but here goes. Harry is back, he's stuck wearing the mantle of the Winter Knight, and things go wrong. He gets his ass kicked numerous times, goes on a wild hunt, and celebrates another birthday. Oh, and finally talks to Karen, but I don't get a resolution to all of my hopes and dreams. Yet.

Very curious where we are going to go in the next book. Molly, Butters, Karen, even Mac. These books are perfection, and James Marsters IS Harry. If you aren't reading this series, you should. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: A Monstrous Regiment of Women

A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mary meets women's lib. Well, actually Mary was already plenty liberated herself, but she joins a feminist church / cult and works to solve a case. Now an Oxford graduate and coming into her inheritance, she begins to figure out what she wants for her adult life, and where Holmes might fit into it all.

I love this series so much. Holmes has mellowed in his old age, but not lost that arrogant intelligence. Mary is the perfect match for him, as a partner and an equal.

Lots of good disguises and red herrings in this one all leading up to a very satisfying ending that left me eager to read book 3.

View all my reviews

Review: Ten Things I Love About You

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore Julia Quinn's books. There, I said it. I'm a big fluffy marshmallow inside. Bridgertons, Smythe-Smiths, now Bevelstokes. She can do no wrong with me.

Sebastian Gray, who I dearly loved in book 2, gets his chance at love in book 3. We knew he was a cad. We knew he was an author writing under a secret pen name. And now we know he's just as big of a marshmallow inside as I am. And he's just what Annabel needs in her life. She tries to do the right thing for her family, of course, but love conquer's all and we race towards that HEA that I demand in my historical romances.

I'm sad there isn't another book in this series, but I guess this means I move onto Agents of the Crown. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Beekeeper's Apprentice

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore everything about this book! Sherlock Holmes has finally met his match in young Mary Russell.

I simply love Mary. Her independence, her awkwardness, her ability to be ok in her own skin despite, or perhaps because of, her tragedy. I love Holmes. I love how he stays somewhat true to character but softened by time and retirement. And I love Mrs. Hudson. She's the best.

It's a different take on Sherlock Holmes, but still a fun, engaging mystery. You will find yourself rooting for Mary as she grows over the years, and the little adventures throughout showed how their partnership grows over time. One of my favorite series. I can't wait to read more.

View all my reviews

Review: Mail Order Cowboy

Mail Order Cowboy by Laurie Kingery
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Interesting take on the mail-order bride genre. This time we have a mail-order groom. From England. Who is an absolute saint with a checkered past. It actually made for a somewhat entertaining story. Not quite 3 stars...but really close.

Honestly, what kept it from being a 3 star read was a combination of really poor editing (one character's name switched from Walters to Waters to Walters so many times I can't figure out which one was correct), the too good to be true townsfolk, and heavy-handed "friend from the past" being a cartoon villain. The last little bombshell wasn't necessary, unless it fuels the plot in future books.

It really was better than the 2 stars indicate. Let's call it 2.75 stars and call it a day. I will read book 2, because I just can't help myself.

View all my reviews

Review: A Night Like This

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another grand adventure with the Smythe-Smith family, and this time we get to spend time with Daniel. Long-lost Daniel, who has been traveling on the Continent, has finally returned home.

You get the Smythe-Smith musicale, as you might expect. In this one, the lovely Miss Wynter, governess-extraordinaire, has a dark secret. That's ok, though, because she's lovely and perfect and it's love at first sight...for both of them. They have their obstacles, they have witty banter, they have passion, and then culmination to the HEA I demand from my historical romances.

Julia Quinn is a favorite, and if you read her books this one won't disappoint. Can't wait to read another in the series. 3.5 stars, but rounding up because it was so cute.


View all my reviews

Review: Horus Rising

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this on the recommendation of my son. I would have never picked up on my own, not being a Warhammer player, but I have to say, I did enjoy it quite a bit. You have marines. Not just any marine, though, space marines. You have some magic/alien races/things not of our world. You have the lore of old Terra, our Earth, and you have a world rich with details and interesting characters.

Like most of you, I'm sure, Loken was my favorite character, with Sindermann as a close second. I'm looking forward to my next journey with the Luna Wolves and the Sons of Horus. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Dad Is Fat

Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jim Gaffigan is a funny dude. His books are funny, and his standup is even funnier. But what I like most about him is how he takes very real situations and finds the humor in them. He's relatable. Crazy life, 5 kids, a wife he clearly adores? He turns it into funny "slice of life" stories. A little on the exaggerated side, to be sure, but that's part of his charm. And he pokes fun at himself most of all, so you can't get upset with him.

Dude, I seriously can't stop laughing. He's ridiculous. Jim, can't wait to see you again in Vegas!



View all my reviews

Review: Death in Four Courses

Death in Four Courses by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not terrible. Probably on par with the first book. And Key West as a setting gives it a different flavor.

Haley is what is keeping me from loving these books. As a main character, I find her annoying. She reads as immature and not confident, and I just want her to grow up. The mystery is fine in this one, and while I guessed whodunit I was off on the why, but that's ok. Honestly, I don't read cozies expecting to be blown away by the plot twists and bad guys. I have a whole stack of thrillers waiting for me that can do that. But I do need to enjoy the main character. Haley and her grumpy gus love interest, Bransford, seem mismatched. Will we have to deal with her sticking her nose into things and him getting mad in every book? Seems that way.

I'll be back to give book 3 a shot. 2.5 stars, but rounding up to 3 because I am in a good mood.

View all my reviews

Review: Talking God

Talking God by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Another great mystery with Leaphorn and Chee - this time we all leave New Mexico and head to Washington D.C. to investigate a John Doe found along the train tracks, interview an activist who seems to have ties to a Navajo family, and spend some time with Janet Pete.

Joe Leaphorn seems to be doing better after his Blessing Way. Glad Chee was able to help him. Jim, however, still is torn between two worlds. I can see these books are leading us towards a relationship with Janet, and I don't know if I like that, but she's better than Mary. Hopefully we've seen the last of her.

I actually enjoyed this mystery a lot even with the huge coincidence of getting Leaphorn and Chee in D.C. at the same time to partner up. And everyone is back home in the Navajo Nation so we will be driving the dusty roads of NM for the next one. 3.5 stars.


View all my reviews

Review: Lock In

Lock In by John Scalzi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a POFM in January, and I am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it once I got used to the setting.

A terrible disease has swept the globe, causing people to be "locked in" to their bodies, essentially unable to do anything. However, technology finds a way, and now these people can transfer their consciousness to a robot-type device to interact with the world. Or they can join a virtual world and be what they want. Or they can hire someone to let them take over the bodies. Scary? Yes. And now you have the premise of the book. One of the most famous victims of Haden's Syndrome is now an FBI agent, and day one on the job he is assigned a case involving a Haden.

Once you get into the weird future/not future setting and the Haden technology, you have yourself a pretty good mystery with interesting characters. I'll probably read book 2, although the ending left me pretty satisfied and I think this could have just been a standalone. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Love You More

Love You More by Lisa Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really love all of the twists and turns in this book. Every time I think I have it all figured out, bam. A new twist!

This is another great book with D.D. Warren and Bobby Dodge, but it is also listed as #1 in the Tessa Leoni series. She's the victim/MC/state trooper, and the entire book I found myself rooting for her. She's tough, she's a good mom, and I can see her being best friends with D.D. Alas, it's not meant to be. It asks you, how far would you go for love? For your child? And for Tessa, no length is too far.
There are a couple of places where I questioned her decisions, for sure, but as a raging lioness mother I get it. Plus, it's fiction, so we can all live happily ever after. Or as close as you can get in a crazy thriller.

Really great plot and characters. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: After The Ending

After The Ending by Lindsey Pogue
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It's official. I just don't like New Adult. Even if it is a post-apocalyptic setting. I must be turning into a grumpy old woman. It took me like 3 weeks of reading a few chapters here and there to get through this hot mess of a book.

Both main characters bugged me, big time. Everyone around you is dying, yet you can do nothing but dream about love and nonsense. I guess I would hope to be tougher in this scenario. It's a good thing this book was free. Everyone dying of the plague? Oh, boo hoo, this boy hooked up with someone else and then he didn't pick me for his scouting team. I wish I was making this up, but I'm not. Grow a backbone and focus on what is most important, ladies. You all sucked.

Angst and bad decisions all-around. I hope everyone dies in book 2, but I will never find out, because I can only take so much nonsense.

View all my reviews

Review: I'll Give You the Sun

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adored this book! I've had it on my shelf to read for several years and finally got around to reading it. So glad I did.

It's young adult, but it isn't. It deals with complicated issues and while the two main characters are teenagers, everything happening around them is drama. Adult drama. We have some heavy themes here with Jude and Noah. Death. Discovering your sexuality. Addiction. Infidelity. Ghosts. And wrestling with your own demons. You have peer pressure, teen angst, and whole host of bad decisions.

I can't say enough about how much I liked this book. Give it a read. Can't wait to hear what you think. 4.5 stars. If I keep thinking about it, I might bump it up to a rare 5 star read.

View all my reviews

Review: The Little Book of Lykke: The Danish Search for the World's Happiest People

The Little Book of Lykke: The Danish Search for the World's Happiest People by Meik Wiking
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wish I worked for the Happiness Institute. It sounds awesome. Imagine researching happiness all day long.

Lykke is a sense of happiness and fulfillment. The Danish seem to have it mostly figured out, but the book shows how it happens all across the globe. Lots of great statistics and research to back it all up, and ideas for small changes you can make right now to impact your life in a positive way.

Just what I needed for the first month of the new year. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Whose Body?

Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this so much, but I'm afraid I went in expecting Agatha and no one can hold a candle to her.

Lord Peter is annoying. There, I said it. He drove me nuts with the way he spoke, too. But you know who I did enjoy? Bunter. He's going to make me read book 2. The mystery was ok, with Lord Peter creating a bunch of red herrings, mostly in his mind, and the characters are all pretty well drawn.

It's a 2.5 star start for me, but I will round up because Bunter is one of my favorite new characters.

View all my reviews

Review: Iron Lake

Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

New series for me. I'll definitely read the next one.

Meet my new friend, Cork O'Connor. He's the former sheriff, separated from his wife and trying to figure out his new normal. But you know how it is with these rugged, lawful good types. He can't seem to leave the badge behind. Doing someone a solid, he goes looking for a boy who didn't come home from his paper route and stumbles on a dead judge. It looks like suicide, so he calls it in. And what he uncovers next is a tangled web of deceit and bad decisions all-around.

I liked Cork enough to continue seeing him. I have a thing for lawmen, and he while he doesn't rev my motor as much as my one true love, Walt Longmire, it was still enjoyable. 3.5 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Marshland Mystery

The Marshland Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another adventure with Honey & Trixie. I have to say, this marginalization of Miss Trask and Regan is not sitting well with me.

This time we have a child prodigy who is misunderstood, and a little spoiled. Trixie, of course, isn't having it, as you might expect. Come on, Trixie, and grow up a bit, ok? She's a child, and you are a teenager. We also have a mystery involving treasure, some dried plants, and an old woman who lives alone on the edge of the marsh. It barely hangs together, folks. I promise this is one you can skip if you'd like because it kinda stinks and Trixie is a little mean.

I'm still giving it three stars but it is close to being 2.5.

View all my reviews

Review: By Book or By Crook

By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not a particularly strong start to a series, but I will probably read the next one.

It wasn't that I hated the MC, but she has serious family issues. It made her annoying, and I wasn't really rooting for her at any point. To keep her job, to find love, to stay in town. I just didn't like her enough to care. Plus the mystery was loosely held together and I didn't believe the motive for the cartoonish villain.

But...like I said, I'll probably read book 2 someday, because I just can't stay away from cozy mysteries. 2 stars. Well, 2.5 stars because of Charlie.

View all my reviews

Review: The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What's your love language?

I'm Acts of Service mixed with Quality Time. My husband is Physical Touch. After over 2 decades of marriage, we have figured out how to make it all work, but it helps knowing how people need to receive love. I'm not sure how much is nurture vs nature, but in the end, if you care about someone you should be able to show them how they need to hear it. Or maybe that's my Acts of Service showing. Anyway...some good take aways here that can apply to all sorts of relationships. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Gatehouse Mystery

The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More adventures with Trixie and Honey. What a charmed life they lead!

Seriously, though, how large is the Wheeler's estate that they have a deserted Gatehouse on the grounds that people have forgotten about? I'm trying to picture a world where her mother and father didn't immediately tear it down. Deserted, dirty, holes in the roof...definitely a surprise that they let that stand. Anyway, the girls decide it will be their clubhouse, naturally. And then Trixie finds a diamond (Honey immediately can tell it's real, because the girl is overflowing with diamonds, yo). Bad guys are on the prowl, and the mystery is on. Oh, and we get a new chauffeur because my boy Regan hates anything that doesn't run on 4 legs and Miss Trask is busy being a total boss babe.

What will happen with the diamond? Guess you will have to read for yourself. This one is especially stretching the bounds of imagination, but I still gave it 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Light Between Oceans

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've had this one on my list absolutely forever and finally got around to it. I did the audio and the narrator was decent, if a bit hard to understand in parts. I was hoping for so much more in this book.

I have to admit, I went in knowing nothing but it was a romance set in Australia and it was made into a movie. I didn't know the plot, and I think that actually helped. I loved the intrigue around Lucy, how the secrecy impacts everyone's lives, and the back and forth perspectives. And while it wasn't the best book I've ever read, I did enjoy the story. It drives home how secrets are damaging and sometimes no good comes from the truth, too. Be careful what you wish for.

I liked the ending but wanted to have more the blanks filled in for the missing years. 3 solid stars.

View all my reviews