Review: Reconstructing Jackson

Reconstructing Jackson by Holly Bush
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, well, well. Some interesting twists and turns here.

Meet Jackson. He's recuperating from his Civil War injuries. He's lost one leg and can't use the other one, so he's in a wheelchair. He has done his best to stay independent and stubborn, though. He also has some long held ideas he needs to let go to make it in post-war Missouri.

Meet Belle. Man, her life is pretty bad. Her family (especially her brother) is crap, she can't read, and she is basically their slave. But speaking of slaves, she befriends some former slaves who love her for who she is, teach her to read, and show her that she can have a different life.

Now throw these two together. Yes, you guessed it; love at first sight. And he's got a reason to live, and she has a reason to stand on her own two feet. And in the end, a very satisfying HEA, because what else would you expect?

3.5 stars. Holly Bush has a formula, but it's a good one.

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Review: Silver Storm

Silver Storm by Cynthia Wright
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not bad, not bad. Came for the pirates, stayed for the romance. What? I can't help that I'm a marshmallow inside. Shut up.

This book combines things I love. The Revolutionary War. A fiesty heroine. A strong male with a soft side hidden deep inside. Pirate ships. Battles. And the HEA wrapped up with a bow. I know this makes me cheesy, but I don't care.

Three stars. I'll read the next one.

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Review: The Cat Who Moved a Mountain

The Cat Who Moved a Mountain by Lilian Jackson Braun
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Qwill and the kitties are away from Moose County again, and it falls a little flat.

Qwill is officially a milllionaire. He stuck it out and has his hands on the Klingshoen fortune. What does this fool of a pompous ass do? He decides to rent a house in a the mountains for the ridiculous amount of $1000 a week to reflect on what his next move should be. Now, please keep in mind that this book is like 30 years old, so with inflation that makes this all the more ridiculous. Qwill is dumb. He waits until the middle of the night to make his long distance calls so it will be cheaper, but spends $1000 on a huge house for him and the 2 cats. Remember when long distance rates were a thing? Remember when we cared about stuff like that instead of using our cell phones with unlimited minutes? Or even made phone calls at all? Also, Qwill does no real reflecting, gets caught up in a mystery, and tries to put his mack down on multiple younger women. Polly is way too good for you, dude. You sicken me. In the end, he heads back to Pickaxe, as he should. With a tiny cliffhanger that I'm sure will be dropped by the time I roll into book 14.

2.5 stars, but I am rounding down because Qwill gets more insufferable by the day. He's an ass, but I stay for the cats and the colorful cast of characters in Moose County.

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Review: The Wife Between Us

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lots of twists and turns here. I confess I was completely thrown for a loop at the end of part 1.

You get a tale of obsession, jealousy, and messed-up relationships. I can't say much because I want you to go in unspoiled. In fact, don't even read the book description, just go in blind. I though it was good, obviously, so go get yourself a copy and dive in. Then let me know what you thought once you are done.

Beware, though. There are some pretty unlikeable characters here. Not to the extent of Gone Girl, which I hated with the fire of a thousand suns. Those characters were the WOOORSSSTTT and got less than they deserved in the end. The mystery hung together well and I was surprised a few times enough to stop and say, "What???" so well played, book. Well played.

3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 because I like being surprised.

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Review: Romancing Olive

Romancing Olive by Holly Bush
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Just what I have come to expect from Holly Bush. An unconventional love match set in the West. Slow burn. Strong hero, but sensitive inside. He doesn't fall for her immediately. Oh no, but just you wait. They'll get there in the end. There will be drama. Misunderstandings. And some tears. But the heroine is made of steel. Soft on the outside, but strong inside. Yin and yang, folks.

This one is a little different. Olive is a spinster who comes to take her brother's children home to raise. Poor little orphans. Luckily they were taken in by the hot young widower who is raising three children of his own. You can guess the rest, and add in some surprises for spice.

Three stars, as you might expect.

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Review: Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a pleasant surprise! I went into this book knowing nothing but it was recommended to me by friends. And they were right. Of course.

It hits all the right boxes for me. Historical fiction, check. Family drama, check. A dash of romance, check. We meet a family living on the river near Memphis during the Great Depression. The unthinkable happens, and then happens again, and the family is torn apart. We alternate between past and present, and you get to see the mystery of what happened unfold slowly, yet mostly satisfyingly. Not all questions are answered, and since this is based on true happenings in Memphis in the 1930s-1950s, not everything should be tied up with a bow at the end.

Highly recommend. 4 stars.

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Review: Tell No One

Tell No One by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harlan Coben, you write good stuff. It fits a pattern, but I like it.

This one begins with a grieving widowed doctor. It's been years, so he's not maudlin all the time, but you can tell he hasn't put his heart away. His wife died in super weird, terrible attack and he was lucky to come out alive himself. But now someone is stalking him with the past and making him doubt his sanity.

Intriguing, right? It's a fast-paced journey with lots of twists and turns. There were times when I couldn't put the book down. But if you have read other Harlan Coben books you can probably guess at some of the the twists, and that's ok. I was still entertained.

4 stars. Good stuff.

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Review: Murder in a Mill Town

Murder in a Mill Town by P.B. Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book just as much as book 1. Why did I wait so long to read it? No clue, because I love everything about the series.

First, Nell is my favorite type of heroine. She is strong, yet still vulnerable. She isn't perfect--there is quite a past to this lady--but she has come through the flames and made her life her own. Will is my favorite type of man, too. Strong, brave, yet very flawed, with a gooey marshmallow center.

Anyway, in this one Nell continues to be a kick-ass governess and even better amateur sleuth. She's called in to help a friend of the family, gets reunited with black sheep Will, and saves the day. And the ending made me immediately want to get book 3. But you know I will wait, because I can't seem to read 2 books in a row by the same author. I have challenges to finish, people!

Good stuff, and a solid 3.5 stars that I will round up to 4 because Goodreads refuses to listen to reason.

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Review: Death and Judgment

Death and Judgment by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Boy, oh boy, do these books make me want to visit Venice.

Guido dives into the dirty underbelly of Venice's sex trade and saves the day. This one stayed with the same successful formula, with interesting twists and turns, and just the right amount of family interactions.

Really looking forward to book 5.

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Review: The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal

The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal by Lilian Jackson Braun
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Qwill and the kitties save the county again! So many bodies following him around, I'm starting to question Chief Brodie's talents.

Anyway, same formula that my gal LJB always follows, and it mostly works. Qwill gets a taste of his own medicine when Polly steps out on him in her own independent, yet innocent way. You saucy librarian minx, you. She buys a bright blue dress, and doesn't tell Qwill. Egads! And she attends a wedding without him and dances the night away, and goes out on a secret brunch date. But all is resolved by the end, as you would expect. And Qwill is happily living in the renovated Apple Barn, which sounds kick ass, and I'm a bit jealous.

As always, 3 solid stars.

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