Kindle pre-sale right now for only $2.99. See my review from 9/21. You don’t want to miss this one!!
Pre-Sale Low Price: One Dark Night
New Links for Readers
Not huge news, but I have become an Amazon Affiliate. What does this mean to you, my readers? On my book reviews, you will now be able to click on the cover of the book, and it will take you to the Amazon page for that book. Obviously, you are under no obligation to do so, but if a book catches your eye, please use my link to purchase. I’ll also post any sales, reduced prices on books I’ve reviewed, or discounts that I find!
I am hoping to go back and update all of my past reviews, especially since some of them have come down in price. So I apologize in advance if you have subscribed and get a bunch of updated posts. (If you haven’t subscribed, what are you waiting for?!?)
As always, thanks for reading!
BOOK REVIEW: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
I love science fiction. I love Downton Abbey. Did I ever think that I would find a book that would meld the two together in a plausible manner? No. Did I actually find such a book?
Yes.
This is probably the most unique book I have read in a long time. I don’t even know how exactly to classify it. It’s mostly mystery, but there’s more to it than that. I don’t know how to describe it without giving major plot points away, because just the story arc itself is unique. The writer keeps the reader as off balance as the characters are, and that’s no easy feat. If you’re looking for something out of the norm that will take up a few days of reading and make you forget about other stuff, find this book. It will draw you in and hold you until the end. My Goodreads review is below:
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Every once in a while, there comes a book that forces you to slow down your reading and really savor the story being told. This is that book. It’s Downton Abbey, as written by Agatha Christie, starring Sam Beckett (from Quantum Leap). And it all works. Ultimately a mystery, this book is also a stunning tapestry of the lives of the characters, both the rich and the servants. In that regard, I suppose it’s a little bit like Upstairs, Downstairs as well. Regardless, it is a highly atmospheric book with very vivid characters. The author does a fantastic job of creating a feeling of foreboding that the reader shares with the main character as the plot progresses. I really can’t go into the plot, because it is truly a book that needs to be discovered and unraveled slowly. Which brings me to another point: clear time to read this. It is not a fast read. You’ll need to take your time to really get all of the nuances (and to keep all of the characters straight). Highly innovative and intriguing, I hope this author writes more like it! Definite five stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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BOOK REVIEW: Traded (Cliffside Bay Series #1)
Out now
A couple of days ago, I mentioned the happiness in finding a good thriller that sends the reader on a wild ride. For me, that same excitement comes when I find a series that I enjoy – especially when there are multiple books in the series. This is especially true of a “new-this-year” series by author Tess Thompson. Cliffside Bay is a small town on the Northern Coast of California, and this series follows the residents of the town, using five male friends (known as “The Dogs”) as the main characters. The descriptions of the town invoke every little town on the coast of Marin and Mendocino Counties. The characters are fun, from the business woman who has a tough exterior, but soft interior, to the quirky granola gal who bemoans any development of the area. I’m pretty sure I grew up with these people! Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun, light romance (with no sex scenes (another refreshing aspect)), I highly recommend checking out this series! My Goodreads review is below.
Traded: Brody and Kara by Tess Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The first in a “new-this-year” Cliffside Bay series by author Tess Thompson, “Traded” has everything a reader could want: romance, intrigue, and characters who are unique, likeable, and relatable. The author knows how to build a story in such a way that the reader becomes invested in the characters’ happiness, even if the reader has an idea of how things will turn out. I was hoping that there would be a little bit more of a wrap up for Kara’s story, but maybe that will be addressed in future books in the series. I liked how the author wove the importance of trusting one’s instincts and living life while one can throughout multiple plot threads. However, what I especially loved about this book, and what I’m sure I will continue to enjoy in the rest of the series, is how Ms. Thompson has captured the beauty of the Northern California coast and the quirkiness of the small town inhabitants. I am a born and raised NorCal girl, and Cliffside Bay brought back wonderful memories of growing up in the area. A solid 4.5 stars, and I am definitely looking forward to following “The Dogs” through the rest of the books in the series. I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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BOOK REVIEW: One Dark Night
(Low Pre-Sale Price)
Every once in awhile, a book really leaps out at you, grabs you, and takes you on a crazy terrific ride. You know what I mean? There are the books that are fun outings, where you progress leisurely and finish with a happy sigh. Then there are the books that say “screw that” and careen through the action, keeping you off balance, where you’re practically gasping for breath and thinking, “what the hell did I just experience?”. This is solidly in the latter category. A page-turner by any definition, “One Dark Night” explores how a reaction to a simple, every-day occurrence can have far-reaching and (very) unintended consequences. Trust me, you’ll re-think being angry at the next person who cuts you off on the highway! A smart author also knows that it is difficult to credibly sustain a particular action for an entire book. Tom Bale recognizes this, and changes up the story to give the reader little breaks and shifts in focus. This works wonderfully to keep the tension level high, but not with pointless filler. If you’re looking for an action movie in book form, look no further. This one is for you!
Here is my Goodreads review:
Sit down, buckle up, and get ready for one heck of an adrenaline rush! This book starts off fast and never really lets up. From the opening event to the wrap-up, I was enthralled and couldn’t read fast enough. What made this book unique was that the author zigged when I thought he was going to zag, and every time I thought I had a bead on what was happening, the author switched gears. No matter what the setting, the descriptions were so vivid that the atmospheres felt very real. The action is at times thriller, crime, suspense, mystery…but it is fluid and morphs naturally from one to the other. This was the first book I’ve read by this author, and I will certainly be looking for his other ones! An excellent entry in the Mystery/Thriller genre. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK REVIEW: Perfect Girls (Detective Rachel Prince Book 3)
As you’ve probably been able to tell, I don’t stick to one genre of books. I read whatever strikes me (or whatever is up next on my NetGalley list). As a result, I sometimes end up with a book that is part of a series. I usually don’t like to read these for two reasons: 1) it can feel like reading the end of something to know what happens before reading the rest or 2) there’s so much detail from the previous events, it’s not worth going back and reading the others. I get happy when I find a series that doesn’t do either. This is one of those. However, don’t be me: find the first one and start from the beginning. Below is my Goodreads review.
9/18/2018
Perfect Girls by Alison James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a cracking good crime thriller! The third in the Detective Rachel Prince series, it’s the first one I’ve read, and I will definitely be going back to read the first two. Det. Prince is a flawed heroine; she apparently has a tendency to think romantically about people she works with (according to references to previous events), tends to be obsessive, and seems off-balance in some of her familial relationships. All of this makes her more human, and not the usual “superhero cop” who solves a case easily. The story unfolds in “real time,” with the actions of Rachel and co-workers interspersed with brief perspectives from the perpetrator of the crimes. This lends authenticity to the story, and the glimpses of the criminal mind slowly draw the reader deeper into the investigation. The author has researched well; the description of travel and locations are accurate and vivid. The time constraint that Rachel is working under compels the reader to keep up with Rachel’s sense of urgency. The crimes at the heart of the story are timely, especially in the age of social media saturation. Not really a spoiler, but you probably won’t look at a certain growing trend in travel the same way ever again. A great read, and I look forward to adding this series to my “follow” lists. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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BOOK REVIEW: Meet Me in San Francisco
Meet Me in San Francisco by Shana Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The second in the “Girls Weekend Away” series, this book is as breezy as the first one. Half girlfriend road-trip, half wonderful guy sweeps woman off of her feet, there is plenty for everyone to like. Celia is the focus of this one, and moms of all types will definitely be able to relate to her desire to re-discover herself after a divorce. The only thing that disappointed me a little bit about this book is that there was too much focus on Landon impressing Celia. These scenes came at the expense of detailing other events. I understand the author’s focus for Celia, but I would have liked to have had a little more of the girl-talk between the four friends (because the author does it well), and a little less of the inner monologues of Celia and Landon. As in the first book, the conflict is fleeting, although I do hope the author follows Celia’s story through the next two books because the storyline with the ex is interesting. The ending was also a little abrupt; it almost seemed like an afterthought. I will give the author credit for doing her research on San Francisco and the California Coast. I’m a born and raised California girl (SF Bay Area), and reading the descriptions of Northern California brought me to the beautiful parts of the state that I miss the most. Looking forward to seeing what happens with Fredi and Ava! 3.5 stars, but bumped to 4 for the nostalgia that the scenes in Monterey and Napa Valley invoked. Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing LLC, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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BOOK REVIEW: Consumed
Release Date
10/02/2018
This was a really good book. It could have been set in a police station, because first-responder attitudes are very similar, but then the title wouldn’t have made any sense. And the title is very cleverly chosen in this case. Fire, passion, life…how easy it to be consumed by any or all of these things? Even the heroine’s name (Ashburn) is a nod to the fire theme of the story. This is not your typical romance, but it is one heckuva story. Below is my Goodreads review.
At times haunting and poetic, this book is a masterful crime story wrapped in a tale of loss, sorrow, and renewal. It opens with a tragic fire, and this event drives all facets of the plot. When it comes to the lives of firefighters, the author writes with precision. From the descriptions of the gear and machinery, to the procedures, and even the thoughts and attitudes, everything is accurate. I especially appreciated the voice in which the author wrote. No matter what the character, the “inner thoughts” matched the “outer voices.” There are several moments of dark and/or sarcastic humor, which is how first responders often cope with the issues they face. (One passage about “non-conforming conformists” was especially funny). The characters are real; their motivations and reactions are organic and not contrived for dramatic effect. I actually felt like I was reading a story that could have been told about any real-life firehouse and the members who inhabit it. I was slightly disappointed in the heroine at one point, because she veered into a stereotypical reaction that seemed out of character. But that moment was actually small enough that it didn’t affect her overall character. All in all, this was an excellent story and I would definitely recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK REVIEW: “Petals and Stones”
9/06/2018
Guys, this is one you don’t want to miss! The catalysts for the story are two things a woman hopes to never have to deal with in her marriage, and the main character, Uma, has to deal with them both in a short amount of time. Her journey as she deals with the emotions brought about by the events, while trying to recover and rediscover herself, is poignant but also thought-provoking. I know that it made me take a step back and answer some of the same questions Uma asked herself. Fortunately for me, my answers were different…but it definitely made me recognize some important things I had overlooked. My Goodreads review is below.
This exploration of what happens when two different life-changing events collide into one big maelstrom of emotion is hauntingly beautiful. Joanne Burn has created a story that is both reflective and thought-provoking. As Uma recovers from the one-two punch of events, she is forced to re-evaluate her life choices. Through Uma’s journey, the author explores issues such as the emphasis on image over truth in a marriage, whether something built on a lie is sustainable, and why it sometimes takes a tragedy to recognize the reality of a situation. The author also uses symbolism effectively, specifically the lighting of fires (for cooking or warmth) to illustrate Uma’s inner fire being relit. I especially liked that she used the four elements (air, fire, water, earth) as a basis for Uma’s healing: the way Uma was swept along by the breeze of her marriage (and the winds that signify change as she comes to her realizations), the previously mentioned fires, the ocean that calls to Uma and invigorates her, and the spices, stones, and flower petals that finally give her the answers she has been looking for. An excellent book that should be at the top of anyone’s TBR list! Thank you to NetGalley, Legend Press, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK REVIEW: “All That Was Lost”
9/06/18
If you have a secret, do you have to lie in order to keep it a secret? Or is it possible to be truthful and still keep your secret? Can keeping a secret and lying about it negatively impact your well-being?
This was a fantastic book that explores these questions in an approachable and thought-provoking manner. Patrice is a well-known psychic who hires Leo to ghostwrite her autobiography. Through Patrice’s flashbacks to 1967, the reader gains insight as to her motivations. Leo has his own story that intertwines with Patrice’s, as does Louise. These three main characters’ points of view intertwine nicely without the reader feeling jarred when a perspective changes. There are a couple of minor twists, and a few major ones, but this isn’t a thriller. It’s more of a reflection on how life can throw us curveballs, how we deal with those curveballs, and how our actions can affect others. A really great read from Alison May.
(For more on this book, see my review on Goodreads!)
