Review: Grace of the Empire State

Grace of the Empire State by Gemma Tizzard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was riveting ... see what I did there? No, seriously, it was riveting. I couldn't put this book down. We all have an idea of what the Depression was like for the common folk, but no book that I've read so far has captured it so clearly. The research that went into this book was outstanding.

The story is about twins, one a man and one a woman, their mother, a younger and ill sister, and several other families. Grace, our main character, was born to be a dancer, but circumstances intervene, and she finds herself the first Rosie the Riveter on the Empire State Building. Can you imagine working on a building like that without the safety mechanisms we have in place now? There is no net, no anything as far as safety goes. But Grace did it and even saved a life while doing so.

Life is not easy for Grace's family, nor was it easy for many other people, but horrors just keep piling up on Grace's shoulders. And just when you, the reader, think things can't get any worse, they do. But never fear; life eventually becomes better, and there is even romance in the air!

I highly recommend this book for those who like strong, capable women and like learning a bit about the era's history. This would be perfect for book clubs.

Bravo for this debut novel.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Gallery Books/Simon Schuster, the author, and NetGalley

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SYNOPSIS: "In this breathtaking debut novel, a daring dancer must take her twin brother’s place as a riveter high atop the in-progress Empire State Building to save her family from ruin.

After the death of their father, it’s up to Grace O’Connell and her twin brother Patrick to support their family as the Great Depression takes its toll on New York City. When Grace is laid off from her dancing gig and Patrick is injured at work on the construction of the Empire State Building, desperation leaves them only one Grace must disguise herself as Patrick and take his place on the half-built skyscraper.

She soon proves herself as capable as any man on the steel, and her affection for the loyal men around her—especially Italian immigrant Joe—grows by the day. But when a terrible accident happens high above the city and Grace is the only one capable of saving her stranded colleague, she must make a split-second decision to risk everything or live with her conscience forever.

Set against the backdrop of a city at a crossroads, this electrifying story is full of heart and hope, family and friendship, and the sacrifices we make for those we love."

Review: Bonded in Death

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you have been following this series since its start, you may have wondered, like I did, just what happened during the Urban Wars and who exactly fought in them. Well, this book might answer most of your questions. Maybe not all, but most.

This was a powerful book, especially considering the world as it is today. I can somehow imagine things like this happening now. It has very strong characters, some of whom don't like each other much but worked very well together. It is a great side story learning about The Twelve, who are Summersets' friends and colleagues from back in the day. And they still work well together.

Action-packed both mentally and physically, with Rourke using all of his skills, The twelve kicking in with some of their own, and the ending was just spectacular. To see the four prominent women in these books (Eve, Peabody, Reo, and Mira) completely mess with The Shark was the icing on the cake for me.

I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I feel that you can read this as a stand-alone...but if you do, be aware that it may hook you in to read all of the other 59 books.

I can't wait for the next in this series.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher The St. Martin's Publishing Group / Macmillan Publishers, the author, and NetGalley.

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Synopsis: "How do you grieve a secret? Bonded in Death introduces us to a highly specialized undercover organization of twelve elite agents from years past — after one of them drops dead.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb spins an epic tale of loyalty, treachery, murder, and the long shadow of war…

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset—fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets—may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear—because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must—not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain—and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…"

Review: Lightfall

Lightfall by Ed Crocker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars rounded down.

I came down a half-star for several reasons---sometimes the writing was repetitious, there were a lot of characters to keep straight, and, well, those are the only things I didn't really like. There were even times that I was going to give up and make it a DNF. But I kept going, and I am so glad I did. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.

This book has an interesting take on the vampire/werewolf genre since there are no humans in this world. The Vampires' needed blood sources from animals, and the larger and more vicious the animal, the more 'kick' the blood gives the vampires: that and a little magic from the sorcerers help with the 'kick.'

This is the story of our fair Samantha, a maid (unwillingly and looking for something better)in the First Lords mansion, and her cohorts, though they don't come into play till a little bit into the story. There has been a death (murder), and Samantha seems to feel like she has to solve the mystery behind it. But no, this isn't the only mystery in this novel- many mysteries are rolled into one.

Intrigue, lying, mysteries, murders, action, and adventure pepper this novel with a fine spice.

I'm looking forward to the next book and will probably be putting this on my comfort reads shelf!

* ARC was supplied by the publisher Macmillan/ St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "An epic fantasy of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers, Lightfall is the debut novel of Ed Crocker, for fans of Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Vampire and Richard Swan’s The Justice of Kings.

No humans here. Just immortals: their politics, their feuds—and their long buried secrets.

For centuries, vampires freely roamed the land until the Grays came out of nowhere, wiping out half the population in a night. The survivors fled to the last vampire city of First Light, where the rules are simple. If you’re poor, you drink weak blood. If you’re nobility, you get the good stuff. And you can never, ever leave.

Palace maid Sam has had enough of these rules, and she’s definitely had enough of cleaning the bedpans of the lords who enforce them. When the son of the city’s ruler is murdered and she finds the only clue to his death, she seizes the chance to blackmail her way into a better class and better blood. She falls in with the Leeches, a group of rebel maids who rein in the worst of the Lords. Soon she’s in league with a sorcerer whose deductive skills make up for his lack of magic, a deadly werewolf assassin and a countess who knows a city’s worth of secrets.

There’s just one problem. What began as a murder investigation has uncovered a vast conspiracy by the ruling elite, and now Sam must find the truth before she becomes another victim. If she can avoid getting murdered, she might just live forever."

Review: The Socialites: A brand new dazzling historical romance novel for 2025

The Socialites: A brand new dazzling historical romance novel for 2025 by Caroline Lamond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A compelling, fascinating look into the lives of two iconic actresses and the wife of George Orwell. This book is mainly about the lives and tragedies of Vivien Leigh and Maureen O'Sullivan. Vivien Leigh eventually married Sir Laurence Olivier, Maureen O'Sullivan Married John Farrow, and Sonia married George Orwell.

Maureen, Vivian (the original spelling of her name), and Sonia meet in a harsh convent school in England and become good friends, or so it would seem. Remember that this is a fictional retelling of their lives.

This book deals with the trials and tribulations of two up-and-coming actresses: one who goes on to win an Oscar for Gone With the Wind and the other who makes a career out of playing Jane in the Tarzan series.

Their lives were filled with lies, booze infidelities, and tragedies.

It is a captivating read, though a little boring in places. It will pull you in, especially if you like books about strong and famous women.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher One More Chapter, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "One ordinary school. Three extraordinary women …

In the 1920s, three young girls enter a strict, cheerless convent school in a quiet London suburb.

Six years later they leave, to change the world …

Maureen was the movie star, whose role as Tarzan’s Jane helped rewrite the rules of cinema censorship.

Sonia was the aspiring writer who became George Orwell’s wife and the guardian of his literary legacy.

And Vivian was the actress as iconic as the roles she played, from Cleopatra to Scarlett O’Hara.

Together their careers encompassed glamour and tragedy, triumph and scandal. From Bloomsbury to Hollywood, and from the cafés of Paris to the theatres of New York, this novel is a breath-taking epic spanning four decades in three unforgettable lives"

Review: Bad Blood

Bad Blood by Dana Stabenow
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Was My Book Missing Pages?


---------------->SPOILER ALERT AHEAD SORRY!<-------------------------------

I have never really disliked any of Ms. Stabenow's books except after she killed off Jack. Even then, after a while, I picked up the series again. I even ended up loving the series more after I got used to Jack not being around. Then we recently lost Old Sam. You expect many beloved characters to die in a series of this length, especially when most of them are quite old. But I just finished this one and feel like I can't be sure what the hell has happened.

We have Jim investigating a possible murder at the site between two feuding villages, then another murder and another murder, an elopement of two young adults, each from opposing villages, just like Romeo and Juliet. As a matter of fact, if you think about it, this whole book is just a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, what with feuding families, politics, and deaths. You just don't have the kids dying like in the original, and you need to throw in bootlegging and massive amounts of drugs.

So both of the main characters (sort of) have been shot, and one was even shot in the chest. They were not wearing Kevlar either, or we wouldn't see blood, right? Then we hear a "golden crested bird singing a mournful song,"...so one or both of these main characters must be dead. Right? The End. Find out what happened in the next episode! IF there is going to be a next episode! Boo.

---------------------->END SPOILER ALERT<-----------------

Throughout this book, I had been thinking that it was odd that the author would add so much backstory yet not give us anything of some of the more beloved and usual characters. The only one we see in this book is Bobby, not even Dinah or Katya, no Aunties, no Bernie. I thought to myself that perhaps this was Ms. Stabenow's way of getting ready to take us in a new direction. Because this book seems so different from what she normally gives us. And as pointed out, it was significantly shorter than any but her first books. But with this ending, could it be the series has ended with us being none-the-wiser?

There is one main plot, but with several limbs off of it, and that is sometimes the norm for these books, but this one just didn't feel right; there was too much going on about politics and not enough going on about what was happening with the plot.

This can't be the last book, no matter what it feels like, since there are too many huge plot lines left open...but even still, it still feels like the end.

No matter, this is the first of her books that I found myself nibbling at instead of devouring in one huge gulp, and it still ended up giving me indigestion.

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Review: Give Her Credit: The Untold Account of a Women's Bank That Empowered a Generation

Give Her Credit: The Untold Account of a Women's Bank That Empowered a Generation by Grace L. Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am on the line about this book. I must have misunderstood the book's synopsis because I thought that this was going to be about the first-ever women's bank—it is not. There were so few banks that actually followed the letter of the law at that time period that you can see why something like this was groundbreaking, life-changing, and filled a great need for women.

I can't believe how far women have come, and reading this book has helped me understand just what women just a few years younger than I was at the time went through to get where we are today.

This book was quite interesting if you don't mind that it has extremely dry writing and too many primary, secondary, and tertiary characters. I know it was necessary, but I felt like I needed a spreadsheet to keep track of everyone.

It was a bit of a chore to keep up with everything, and it may have been more enjoyable if I had a degree in finance!

*ARC supplied by the publisher Little A Publishing, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS:"The galvanizing true story of a group of remarkable women in the 1970s male-run world of business, banking, and finance. They didn’t play by the rules. They changed them and made history.

In the 1970s, a new wave of feminism was sweeping America. But in the boys’ club of banking and finance, women were still infantilized—no credit without a male cosigner, and their income was dismissed as unreliable. If bankers weren’t going to accommodate women, then women had to take control of their own futures. In 1978 in Denver, Colorado, the opening of the Women’s Bank changed everything.

It was helmed by bank officer B. LaRae Orullian and the brainchild of whip-smart entrepreneur Carol Green, who forged a groundbreaking path with their headstrong colleagues, among Judi Foster, investment research whiz; Edna Mosley, unyielding civil rights advocate with the NAACP; Mary Roebling, renowned financial executive; Betty Freedman, a socialite and fundraiser; and Gail Schoettler, a formidable Denver mover and shaker for social justice. Coming together and facing their own unique road to revolution, they built the most successful female-run bank in the nation. It wasn’t easy.

Give Her Credit follows the challenges, uphill battles, and achievements of some of the enterprising women of Denver who broke boundaries, inspired millions, and afforded opportunities for every marginalized citizen in the country. It’s about time their untold story was told."

Review: Flirting with Alaska

Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1.5 Stars rounded up.

If you like super sweet romances, this book will knock your socks off. But when I say super sweet, I really mean saccharin sweet. Perhaps even cloyingly sweet. Everyone was just so perfect; the relationships were perfect, and even the Grandmother's dying was done perfectly and sweetly! Except for one scene at the beginning of the book, the rest of the book was filled with stilted characters, unreal interactions, forced dialogue, and pure perfection.

The author was very vague about many parts that were important and would have contributed a great deal to the story.

I don't mind telling you that I only made it to the 70% mark before I gave up on this.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Forever/Hachette Book Group, the author, and NetGalley

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SYNOPSIS: "Can a notorious flirt prove to a small-town single mom that he’s more than his bad-boy reputation?

Caleb Stone isn’t ready to give up his Hollywood dreams. But after a disastrous run on a reality dating show paints him as an unapologetic player, Caleb needs a little time and space to regroup. Luckily, his hometown of Moose Falls, Alaska has both, plus a job helping his brothers run Yukon Cider. Even dialed down, Caleb’s flirtatious vibes are a hit at work, except for one woman who seems completely, totally, frustratingly immune to his charms—the gorgeous new photographer for Yukon Cider’s upcoming ad campaign.

Single mom Sophia Brand isn’t made of ice—resisting Caleb’s devilishly sexy grin is hard, especially when it’s so often directed her way. It’s just that she’s been burned by handsome smiles before. Now, she’s focused on setting a good example for her daughter, and that means not getting sidetracked by Caleb’s dazzling charisma . . . or his Hollywood abs. But as they work together on the campaign, Caleb and Sophia begin to let their guard down. Can he prove that beneath his playboy persona, Caleb is a leading man worthy of a starring role in Sophia’s heart?"

Review: Christmas with the Queen: A Novel

Christmas with the Queen: A Novel by Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a review of the Kindle version of this book.

This was a lovely novel set in the days of Queen Elizabeth II's first years on the throne. This book is really about how two people who met many years ago (on VE day) then lose touch with each other and meet up again when both of their jobs take them to Sandringham. Jack is one of the chefs, and Olive as a minor reporter for the BBC. The Queen and Prince Phillip really play secondary characters in this novel of love found, lost, and found again.

Olive, a single mother, has a secret, and we fret with her as she wonders if she should let the cat out of the bag. Jack is dealing with the unexpected loss of his wife yet finds that when he meets Olive again and spends time with her, he may have feelings for her.

It is a lovely, warm novel that is a tad slow in parts - especially in the first quarter of the book, but then grabs you and won't let you go until you've read every word.

*ARC was provided for review by the publisher Blackstone Publishing, Inc., the author's Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb, and NetGalley.


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SYNOPSIS: "’Tis the season! The Crown meets When Harry Met Sally in the latest heartwarming historical novel from Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, bestselling authors of Last Christmas in Paris, Meet Me in Monaco, and Three Words for Goodbye.

December 1952. While the young Queen Elizabeth II finds her feet as the new monarch, she must also find the right words to continue the tradition of her late father’s Christmas Day radio broadcast. But even traditions must evolve with the times, and the queen faces a postwar Britain hungry for change. 

As preparations begin for the royal Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk, old friends—Jack Devereux and Olive Carter—are unexpectedly reunited by the occasion. Olive, a single mother and aspiring reporter at the BBC, leaps at the opportunity to cover the holiday celebration, but even a chance encounter with the queen doesn’t go as planned and Olive wonders if she will ever be taken seriously. 

Jack, a recently widowed chef, reluctantly takes up a new role in the royal kitchens at Sandringham. Lacking in purpose and direction, Jack has abandoned his dream to have his own restaurant, but his talents are soon noticed and while he might not believe in himself, others do, and a chance encounter with an old friend helps to reignite the spark of his passion and ambition. 

As Jack and Olive’s paths continue to cross over the following five Christmases, they grow ever closer. Yet Olive carries the burden of a heavy secret that threatens to destroy everything. 

Christmas Day, December 1957. As the nation eagerly awaits the Queen’s first televised Christmas speech, there is one final gift for the Christmas season to deliver… 

Review: To Die For

To Die For by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, did I ever get lucky with this book! It was the most excitement I've had in ages. This was a fun read, and it may be the last in this series of books. I'm not sure, but the reason I say so is becuase things may be finished with the storyline of Travis Devine and The Girl On The Train!  I hope Mr. Baldacci will give us a book with Travis and Pru working together throughout the entire book. Or even make it a tiny little romance.

The only issue I had with this book, which may only be an issue with the ARC, is that we didn't have 50 states in the 1920s. That happened in the '50s. What can I say? I'm a stickler for details!

Other than that little thing-this was an excellent action-packed novel with a fabulous and intricate mystery, wonderful characters, and excellent dialogue. 

If this is not a trilogy but a series, you can better believe that I will be the first in line eagerly awaiting its release!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Grand Central Publishing, the author, and NetGalley

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SYNOPSIS: "From #1 New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci, the 6:20 Man returns, this time sent to the Pacific Northwest to aid the FBI in a case that gets more complicated with the more questions Devine asks—and he’s about to come face-to-face with his nemesis, the girl on the train.

Travis Devine has become a pro at adapting to any situation to accomplish the mission set in front of him. Whether it’s a high-powered corporate setting or small-town community, Devine will become the man for the job. His time as an Army Ranger and on the financial battlefields of Wall Street gave him the skills he needed, and he’s put them to good use. But this time it’s not his skills that send him to Seattle to aid the FBI in escorting orphaned, twelve-year-old Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, who’s under investigation for RICO charges. Instead, he’s hoping to lie low and keep off the radar of an enemy that he evaded on a train in Switzerland and who has been after him ever since—the girl on the train.

But as Devine gets to know Betsy, questions begin to arise around the death of her parents. Betsy is adamant that they had never used drugs, but the police in the small rural town where they died insist the Odoms died of an overdose. Devine starts digging for answers, and what he finds points to a conspiracy bigger than he could’ve ever imagined. The question is, how do Betsy, her uncle, and various government agencies all fit into it.

It might finally be time for Devine and the girl on the train to come face-to-face, and when that happens, Devine is going to find himself unsure of who are his allies and who are his enemies. And in some cases, they might well be both."

Review: One Big Happy Family

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holey Moley! I loved, loved, loved this book!

This author sure knows her way around creating a family story that combines everything. It has lies, secrets, past issues, snark, and, eventually, a ton of love.

Julia is set to have a quiet Christmas with her much younger boyfriend at home in Seattle until her kids (they are adult kids!) let her know that they miss their dad and want to keep up with tradition and have their annual Christmas at their mountain cabin. Chaos seems to reign when unexpected guests need to be included (one due to a nasty break-up and the other a gunshot, LoL!) in this event. But boy, it sure all works out for the best. There is huge happily ever afters in this book.

The only issue I had with this book was when Blair (Julie's daughter-in-law) was thrown together with her mother. They have not gotten along for years, but the Mother is trying...in her own way, to make amends. Blair sometimes comes off as a whiney teenager instead of a sensible adult. It became annoying after a while.

I adored this book, and it was just what I needed to start the holiday season off the right way. It was not too ultra-sweet, but it was also not too snarky—just the perfect amount of sass.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves good women's fiction, romance, family stories, and happily ever afters!

I was supplied an ARC for this book by the publisher Canary Street Press/HarperCollins/Harlequin, the author, and ATTL-Edelweiss. However, I loved this book so much that I also bought my own copy!



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SYNOPSIS: "Please don’t come home for Christmas…

Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.

But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.

Review: The Mirror

The Mirror by Nora Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 STARS

As other reviewers noted, this book starts at the same place that Inheritance ended - on the cliffhanger.

I am sorry to say that I expected this book to move the story forward, but I'm afraid that wasn't the case. Don't get me wrong; it was a good book, but it added little to the main plotline. We are still dealing with the seven brides, but we have done nothing about trying to find their rings if that is what actually needs to happen. Hester Dobbs, the evil witch, makes several appearances, which are the book's highlight. There is a lot of repetition and discussions about food and plenty of talk about the new cat ( and it just has to be something more than a cat to be trained that fast and easily!LOL!) and the dogs.

We hear mainly about Sonya and Cleo's mundane everyday activities, though we do find out if Sonya got the big job. They did have their "event," which was mundane with no surprises, which surprised me!

In my opinion, this book almost fell into the boring category, but enough exciting things happened to prevent that. I must say that I am thoroughly intrigued by the 'good' ghosts!

I AM looking forward to book three. I need to find out if/how the curse breaks and if Cleo will become one of the cursed!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Publishing, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS:"#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts continues the hauntingly spectacular Lost Bride Trilogy with book two, The Mirror.

When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets.

Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, into the past—and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again—a centuries-old curse that must be broken—and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse."

Review: The Amish Quiltmaker's Unattached Neighbor

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unattached Neighbor by Jennifer Beckstrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is part of a series but can be read without reading the preceding books.

If you love feisty female characters, strong yet flawed male characters, enemies to, well, not lovers, but you know what I mean, stories, then this one is going to be a perfect book for you. It had it all: stubborn main characters, an evil mother, a fight about property rights, and a learning experience where both learn, grow, and accept. There were also a lot of surprises, as well as a few laugh-out-loud episodes.

It's a fantastic read that will have you frustrated at times but thinking hard about life and your place in it at other times.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Zebra/Kensington Publishing, the author, and NetGalley.


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SYNOPSIS: "Irrepressible Colorado Amish quiltmaker Esther Kiem is delighted to help the four Yoder sisters stitch together their beloved great-grandmother’s birthday quilt…especially when it means putting her matchmaking talents to use! Infused with her signature humor and heart, award-winning, USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Beckstrand blends quilting, mischief, and matchmaking for the sixth Amish Quiltmaker romance – perfect for fans of Amy Clipston, Wanda Brunstetter, and Linda Byler.

At thirty-two, Ada Yoder is resigned to caring for her three sisters, her ever-impractical father, and their prosperous, but demanding, farm. The last kind of trouble she needs is Enos Hoover claiming that six acres of their land actually belongs to him—and taking steps to prove it. But Ada soon finds that battling Enos' clever strategies is delightfully intriguing—and lighting an impossible spark . . . Enos is determined to make his mater proud by turning difficult acreage into a successful farm. Legally, he is in the right to reclaim the land from the Yoders. But Ada's hard-working stubbornness and refreshing honesty are proving to be more of an irresistible challenge than an obstacle. Now, can Enos and Ada find enough faith and understanding to reconcile family, duty, and love—and stake their claim on a forever happiness together? Sometimes the greatest blessings come in disguise . . ."

Review: The Starlets

The Starlets by Lee Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

This was a light, fast read, but it was written large - if you know what I mean. Prominent characters, a large and interesting plot line—everything just screams old-time Hollywood Epic of the inexpensive kind!

I loved the enemies to best friends/sisters trope, and added in the fact that I was busy trying to figure out which Hollywood star of that generation the authors were describing; well, that just added the cherry to the top of my ice cream sundae!

At times, this book just screamed slap-stick comedy, and at other times, it shouted that it was an old-time Mafia movie. Murder mystery one minute, then slap-stick the next.

I really loved this book.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Harper Muse/Harper Collins, the authors Lee Kelly, Jennifer Thorne, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "One perfect island. Two rivals. A star-studded cast.

But underneath the glitter, disaster is brewing.

Summer, 1958. Vivienne Rhodes thinks she’s finally landed her break playing Helen of Troy in Apex Pictures’ big-budget epic, A Thousand Ships, an anticipated blockbuster meant to resurrect the failing studio. Naturally, she’s devastated when she arrives on the remote Italian island of Tavalli and finds herself cast as the secondary character, Cassandra—while her nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Lottie Lawrence, America’s supposed “sweetheart,” is playing the lead role instead.

The tension on set, though, turns deadly when the ladies discover that members of the crew are using the production as a front for something decidedly illegal—and that they are willing to kill to keep their dealings under wraps. When the two women find themselves on the run and holding key evidence, Vivienne and Lottie frantically agree to work together to deliver the proof to Interpol, hoping to protect both their lives and their careers.

Staying one step ahead of corrupt cops and looming mobsters, the archrivals flee across the seas. Their journey leads them into Monaco’s casinos, Grace Kelly’s palace, on a road trip through the Alps—even onto another film set, before a final showdown back on Tavalli, where the lives of the entire cast and crew hang in the balance. Vivienne and Lottie finally have the chance to be real heroines—to save the day, the film, maybe even each other—but only if they can first figure out how to share the spotlight."

Review: The Witches of El Paso

The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I hate to say this, but I'm just not loving this book like most others. While the different timelines were interesting in theory, they just kept pulling me in a direction that I don't think the author meant for me to go. The differing timelines are not about the same person either. In one, you have a very young Nena; in the modern timeline, you have an over 90-year-old Nena and her grandniece Marta. Sounds confusing? Maybe, maybe not. I suppose it's all about how you cope with all of this. And let me tell you the last couple of chapters confused me even more!



The author tried very hard to explain how one becomes a witch, how one can time jump, etc., but I think he tried just a little too hard (at least for me). The explanations just kept making me more confused and frustrated.

I loved the 1700s timeline and learning about life in a convent, even if nefarious practices were taking place there!

This was a fast read that even if it weren't my glass of wine, it would most likely be yours!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Atria/Primero Sueno Press/Simon and Schuster, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss. My thanks to all.

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SYNOPSIS: "A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this richly imagined and empowering story of motherhood, magic, and legacy in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.

If you call to the witches, they will come.

1943, El Paso, teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.

In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.

“Sexy, smart, and soulful, Luis Jaramillo’s The Witches of El Paso pulls us across borders and time to get to the essence of what it means for families to survive this beautiful, fractured world” (Mira Jacob, author of Good Talk).

Review: The Magnificent Ruins

The Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up.

This is a typical generational/family book filled with lies and secrets. The author's analogies are quite descriptive and lyrical, even poetic at times. However, sometimes, they are just a tad too much.

The main character, Lila, seems to have split personality disorder. One minute, I feel I should be totally on her side, and I love her. The next, she seems to have a personality turnaround, and I dislike her immensely. She also cannot seem to get over her feelings of dislike/hatred for her mother. However, her mother seems to have the same sort of disorder that Lila has. The author does a great job dealing with all the different types of hate throughout this novel. But it does get a bit depressing at times.

Several storylines were unnecessary to advance the plot, in my opinion. We didn't really need romantic interests when this was a novel about family. We also didn't need the death of a family member, and I thought it was a little too much, but because of who it was, I can see why it was necessary. I would have liked to see a little more of Lila deciding what to do about the house and why she chose the path that she did.

I did find it interesting to learn about India, its different factions, and political parties. However, I had a difficult time with the language. Kindle can't seem to translate this form of Indian into English, so I feel like I missed out on a lot.

It was a very good read, and I would recommend it to those who want something different, educational, historical, and, at times, fiendish.

This ARC was supplied to me by the publisher Algonquin Books/Hachette Book Group, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "Vikram Seth and Thrity Umrigar meet Rebecca in this sweeping multi-generational debut novel by accomplished television executive Nayantara Roy, about a young Indian American book editor from Brooklyn who returns to Kolkata when she learns that she has inherited her family’s enormous ancestral home, and the secrets that lie within it.

It’s the summer of 2015, and Lila De is on the verge of a breakthrough in her career as an editor at a prestigious New York publishing house. But when she gets a call from her mother in India, informing her that she’s inherited her family’s sprawling estate, she must confront the legacy of an extended family she thought she left behind sixteen years ago. Returning to Kolkata reunites Lila with her mother after a decade of estrangement, and then there are her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom still live in the house, all of whom resent her sudden inheritance. To make matters more complicated, her first boyfriend seeks her out when she arrives, and her star author— and occasional lover— is suddenly determined to make things more serious.


As Lila tries to come to terms with both past and present, long-suppressed secrets from her family emerge, culminating in an act of shocking violence, and she must finally reckon with her inherited custom of keeping everything under the surface. For fans of Mary Beth Keane’s Ask Again, Yes and All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews, The Magnificent Ruins is an utterly addictive read."

Review: Identity Unknown

Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Publication date is October 8th.

Wow, just WOW! But I can say that this was a great book. Unfortunately, some of it was a tad repetitive. I could overlook that for the action and suspense that Ms. Cornwell so aptly wrote. The book starts with the death of a child, so if that is a trigger for you, be warned, but it quickly switches over to the death of an old friend of Kay and her husband (more Kays, really). This death is very suspect, and since he was called the ET Whisperer, you can imagine just what everyone thought when they found the naked body in an abandoned theme park with a crop circle around him!

The theme of the book makes me wonder just what our government is doing out there and how much of what Ms. Cornwell writes is the truth.

A wonderful read that really makes you think.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "Autopsies can reveal the secrets of the dead.

And this victim is sending Scarpetta a message…

Summoned to an unnerving, abandoned theme park to retrieve a body, Dr Kay Scarpetta is devastated to learn that the victim is a man she once loved. While teaching in Rome during the early days of her career, Scarpetta had an intense love affair with Sal Giordano that led to a lifelong friendship.

The murder scene is bizarre, with a crop circle of petals around the body, and Giordano’s skin is strangely red. Scarpetta’s niece Lucy believes he was dropped from an unidentified flying craft. Scarpetta knows an autopsy can reveal the dead’s secrets, but she is shocked to find her friend seems to have deliberately left her a clue.

As the investigators are torn between suspicions of otherworldly forces, and of Giordano himself, Scarpetta detects an explanation closer to home that, in her mind, is far more evil . . ."

Review: The House at Watch Hill

The House at Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have no clue how to rate or review this book. On one hand, it was a great book with a killer cliffhanger for the ending. It was enough to really have me looking forward to the next book. On the other hand, I really disliked the main character Zo ( and yes, that is what she prefers to be called). I found her to be childish in the extreme; as much as she was an adult taking care of her ailing mother, she was selfish when it came to other things. She never wanted to listen to anyone who might know more about what was happening; she never wanted to hear what was good for her. I did, however, love a lot of the other characters in this book.

The chapters were filled with Zo's angst, sexual thoughts, and long-winded ramblings, which I found annoying to the extreme. However, when there was someone else there or some action going on, it was a great book that allowed me to get lost in it. Unfortunately, those sections were few and far between. It was still enough for me to 'like' this book and to want to see what happens next.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NetGalley. My thanks to all.

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SYNOPSIS: "#1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning is back with a gripping, imaginative, and seductive new series in which a young woman moves to Divinity, Louisiana, to inherit a large fortune and a Gothic mansion full of mysteries and ominous secrets...

Zo Grey is reeling from the sudden death of her mother when she receives a surprising call from an attorney in Divinity, Louisiana, with the news she has been left an inheritance by a distant relative, the terms of which he will only discuss in person. Destitute and alone, with nothing left to lose, Zo heads to Divinity and discovers she is the sole beneficiary of a huge fortune and a monstrosity of a house that sits ominously at the peak of Watch Hill—but she must live in it, alone, for three years before the house, or the money, is hers.

Met with this irresistible opportunity to finally build a future for herself, Zo puts aside her misgivings about the foreboding Gothic mansion and the strange circumstances, and moves in, where she is quickly met by a red-eyed Stygian owl and an impossibly sexy Scottish groundskeeper.

Her new home is full of countless secrets and mystifying riddles, with doors that go nowhere, others that are impossible to open, and a turret into which there is no visible means of ingress. And the townspeople are odd…

What Zo doesn’t yet know is that her own roots lie in this very house and that in order to discover her true identity and awaken her dormant powers, she will have to face off against sinister forces she doesn’t quite comprehend—or risk being consumed by them."