Rebecca's Write Inspirations

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Karin Slaughter:

"Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed storytellers. Published in 120 countries with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her 21 novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated COP TOWN and the instant NYT bestselling stand-alone novels PRETTY GIRLS, THE GOOD DAUGHTER, and PIECES OF HER. Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta. Her stand-alone novel PIECES OF HER is in development with Netflix, starring Toni Collette, and the Grant County and Will Trent series are in development for television." ~Amazon

www.karinslaughter.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/AuthorKarinSlaughter/

Instagram www.instagram.com/karinslaughterauthor/

Twitter @SlaughterKarin

“The Good Daughter is like Law and Order meets The Good Wife.” —theSkimm

Instant New York Times Bestseller

theSkimm Book Club Pick!

The stunning new novel from the international #1 bestselling author — a searing, spellbinding blend of cold-case thriller and psychological suspense.

"Two girls are forced into the woods at gunpoint. One runs for her life. One is left behind…

Twenty-eight years ago, Charlotte and Samantha Quinn's happy small-town family life was torn apart by a terrifying attack on their family home. It left their mother dead. It left their father — Pikeville's notorious defense attorney — devastated. And it left the family fractured beyond repair, consumed by secrets from that terrible night.

Twenty-eight years later, and Charlie has followed in her father's footsteps to become a lawyer herself — the ideal good daughter. But when violence comes to Pikeville again — and a shocking tragedy leaves the whole town traumatized — Charlie is plunged into a nightmare. Not only is she the first witness on the scene, but it's a case that unleashes the terrible memories she's spent so long trying to suppress. Because the shocking truth about the crime that destroyed her family nearly thirty years ago won't stay buried forever…

Packed with twists and turns, brimming with emotion and heart, The Good Daughter is fiction at its most thrilling." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it

2: it was okay/it wasn't for me

3. liked it/worth a read

4. really liked it/loved it

5. it was amazing/must read!

A Second Chance

*Spoilers could be present.*

So, if you've read any of my blog reviews or know me personally, you'll know I like to give things a second chance. Books, people, new flavored coffees, etc. With my review of Girl, Forgotten completed, I decided that Author Karin Slaughter was someone I wanted to give another chance. I've heard of her Will Trent and Grant County series, I love mysteries, her book Pieces of Me has been launched on Netflix, and a colleague says she's a fabulous writer. Unfortunately, we didn't have any of her series, so I picked up another standalone/book one of one novel and decided to give it a go.

I'm not certain that it was a good choice.

Please let me explain.

For those of you who love Karin Slaughter, I commend your iron stomachs and true grit. You are able to read these psychological thrillers with the authentic passion that they deserve. The author certainly gives readers a vivid exploration of her characters and their crimes. She's blunt, raw, visceral, and startling in her details, and she's a great tale-weaver.

Really, Slaughter is a bold and provocative writer who knows how to add twists and bring on the trauma. I appreciate her dual points of view, the past and present being explored, and the character development. I do have to say that I felt a little more in touch with these sisters, Charlie and Sam, than I did with those in her previous book.

Charlie is a contradiction. Independent but reliant on her father. Angry but understanding. Fearful but courageous. She's trying to mend her broken marriage and still be the person who's right. She has secrets and is unwilling to share them. Those secrets build walls, strengthen anger, turn to bitterness and hostility, and come out in a rather blunt fashion.

Sam is a contradiction as well. She hides her own secrets. She has a whole other life and relationship of which her sister and father are unaware, and it breeds resentment. For her own part, Sam has moved out of the town where she and Charlie grew up, has had her own adventures, and didn't want to stay in a place that reminded her of the tragedies and murder of her mother.

Both are great characters. They make you happy, angry, and sad. You see some eventual development from them both, and their introductions are unconventional in a sense, and I give kudos to the author for how she introduces them. By the end, you hope the best for them both, and you grieve for the loss of their story. All in all, those are positives for me.

Rewinding a bit, I have to state that overall, I enjoy a good psychological thriller. Characters are always my favorite place to start and end. If I have a connection with them, if there's growth to their storyline, if they're interesting or quirky, I can be caught up in their world. And this did happen in The Good Daughter. I really appreciated the characters, especially knowing what they both had gone through.

However, that was up until the point where I really found out what happened to both sisters.

I'm sorry, but I think I mentioned in my last review that certain topics are very hard for me to read about, and when I don't see them coming, they're a lot worse. So, while I'm cheering the author on for her use of subterfuge and contrivance to get the character's stories told, I'm not thrilled either. As with the last review, I indicated making sure that if rape, human trafficking, abuse, etc., are not your thing, then you might want to be careful with this story. While I won't point out which was on display - beyond graphic murder and language, I will mention that it was very explicit and caused me to skip over several sentences and paragraphs and pages trying to get the gist but not actually read it.

While the scenes I mentioned are pertinent to the characters and their personal stories, they're a bit much for me - one scene in particular. The whole resolution of these past traumas and current tragedies felt a bit insufficient for me. A bit empty in a sense, leaving me with a very sad and bereft feeling.

A good book certainly makes you have a heightened sense of emotion and to relate and care, but as much as feel Author Karin Slaughter to be a powerful and purposeful writer, I'm not certain that she'll be one I stick with for the long-haul. Again, I can see her writing skill and reader attraction, but for me, I'll stick to a milder dose of psychological thriller and leave her fans to it. They are much braver than me. Therefore, I'm giving this book a 2/5 rating because it was okay, certainly well-written, but definitely not for me.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Karin Slaughter:

www.karinslaughter.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/AuthorKarinSlaughter/

Instagram www.instagram.com/karinslaughterauthor/

Twitter @SlaughterKarin

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

“It’s Slaughter’s prodigious gifts of characterization that make her stand out among thriller writers.” — Washington Post

From the New York Times bestselling author of Pieces of Her, comes an electrifying thriller featuring newly minted US Marshal Andrea Oliver as she investigates a cold case with links to her father’s past.

A small town hides a big secret…

Who killed Emily Vaughn?

A girl with a secret…

Longbill Beach, 1982. Emily Vaughn gets ready for the prom. For an athlete, who is smart, pretty and well-liked, this night should be the highlight of her high school career. But Emily has a secret. And by the end of the evening, that secret will be silenced forever.

An unsolved murder…

Forty years later, Emily’s murder remains a mystery. Her tight-knit group of friends closed ranks; her respected, wealthy family retreated inwards; the small town moved on from her grisly attack. But all that’s about to change.

One final chance to uncover a killer…

US Marshal Andrea Oliver arrives in Longbill Beach on her first assignment: to protect a judge receiving death threats. But, in reality, Andrea is there to find justice for Emily. The killer is still out there—and Andrea must discover the truth before she gets silenced, too…

~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A Cruel Cold-Case: Friends = Enemies

Spoilers could be present below.

It's the eighties, but more precisely, it's 1982. This is the year that everything goes wrong for Emily Vaughan. Her life takes an unexpected turn, and then, it spirals into a cruel and unexpected end.

Emily has a secret, but unfortunately, she doesn't even know the full extent of it herself. Her friends have abandoned her, classmates mock her, and her parents are angry with her. Yet, the trials aren't going to have a happy ending.

After being attacked and left for dead in an alley a few blocks from her high school, Emily survives for two more months and is held on life support before she contracts septicemia and dies shortly afterward. However, this grisly end is complicated by the secret that changed Emily's life and her future.

The attack and murder become a focal news piece in the town since Emily's mother was lobbying for the position of judge. The skeletons this family houses begin to erupt as everyone weighs in on Emily and her secrets. However, there are many more obstacles hidden behind the scenes of this family, and any one of them might bear on the murder of this seventeen-year-old.

Fast forward about 40 years...

Girl, Forgotten is the second book in Andrea Oliver's story, and even though there were probably gaps, I was able to read it without having read the first book. In the beginning, we learn that Andrea's mother, Laura, had turned state's evidence against Nick Harp, Andrea's father, to put him away, but it looks like he might get an appeal. She and her mother have been in the Witness Protection plan for a long time, and it took a huge incident involving her father almost trying to kill them to get her mother to reveal the whole truth.

Andrea Oliver has just made it through the last big race in becoming a US Marshall, and before she has time to bask in her victory, she receives a visit from her wealthy and influential uncle right after gradation. He comes to meet her with the hope that she can find out who really murdered Emily Vaughan. That hope consists of a possible conviction of her biological father Clayton Morrow, aka Nick Harp, as the lead suspect in Emily Vaughan's murder. She'll need to go about finding clues while on the assignment.

The man she's always called father, Jasper - who helped raise her, continues to cheer her on when she becomes a US Marshall. However, her mother isn't happy about it. Their own secrets will build as Andrea goes undercover to find out more concerning Emily's death.

So, Andrea is put on the protection detail of Judge Esther Vaughan, after the judge received death threats, and is partnered with "Catfish" Bible. Esther Vaughan is Emily's mother, and this is the perfect opportunity for Andrea to figure out what's going on and dig in the dirt for some details.

While in the course of her investigations, she meets Jack Stilton, the son of the previous police chief, and who is the current police chief and was a friend of Emily's. Besides Clay, there were three other people in the Clique that made up Emily's immediate friends: Blake and Ricky (twins) and Nardo. Melody Brickel attempted to remain friends with Emily but through letters and never face to face. Dean Wexler was a teacher at Emily's school and an abusive jerk, who has a lot to hide.

As the names find faces, secrets unravel, lies linger, and old nemeses continue to show their evil sides, Andrea has a lot at stake. She has to prove who the real murderer is and protect a judge who might have motives of her own. Then, it becomes clear that her psychotic father isn't the only one who could have had a reason to murder an old friend.

Will Andrea solve the crime, prevent new ones, and keep her dad behind bars?

Read to find out!

First, I loved the different points of view offered. We get to see Emily's pov and Andrea's pov. This brought some suspense and uncertainty into the telling. It was nice to see both perspectives and get Emily's account about what her secret entailed and what happened to her on the night of her attack.

Second, I liked the pacing. It was consistent, moderately-paced for the most part which I can appreciate. The main storyline with the judge being threatened and the interweaving of the clues and the search for Emily's killer provided links to both cases as well as balance between the facts being collected and followed up on.

Third, there were some surprising updates about "Catfish" Bible that I enjoyed. He provided the role of mentor and comic relief. It was pleasant to have him interject his own thoughts, rules to abide, and personal truths within the story as well. He was such a great character that I hope he makes another appearance in one of Slaughter's future books.

If there were some things I didn't love, I'd have to say that it lacked a real hook for me. Perhaps it's because I haven't read the first book, but I didn't feel invested in Andrea and her story. It was interesting, but it didn't really hold my attention or build a bridge of connection. It was difficult to sympathize and really grow to love the character. Bear with me, but the best way I can explain it is if you think of a person in real life who's standoffish, not very friendly, possibly controlling, and ignores you unless you're important to her - that's the character that came across to me. Now, it can be argued that Slaughter created her that way because she is in law enforcement, because she has to be careful who she trusts, because she's focused on her job, because of whatever happened in her past and book one, etc. I can appreciate that. I can definitely say Slaughter created a great character in that aspect, but I just didn't feel enough of a three-dimensional personality shining through to allow me to find some way to connect to her or really like her.

On the other hand, I liked Emily's story and stuck with the book to find out what happened to her. Somehow, there was more revealed about her that caused her to be a sympathetic character. She had difficulty with her parents, she loved her grandmother, her grandmother had health issues, she was trying to be brave despite her circumstances, she wanted to figure out the truth even if it wasn't pleasant, etc. Although her chapters were snapshots of what happened right before and leading up to her attack, you develop a real sense of the character, her hopes, her fears, etc. Emily's emotional pulls were more apparent and stronger, but her family and friend incidents opened up the door for readers to really care about her and her secrets.

Although, I did feel the world Emily inhabited with the betrayal and distancing of so many friends was a bit unrealistic. Maybe it was truer of the area she grew up in, prejudices can always permeate and stick anywhere, but it felt a little bit more of a throwback to some era before the 1980s in terms of all the open hostility. Maybe I'm wrong, but I felt it wouldn't have been as polarizing during that time period.

I suppose the other part I didn't love was the language, but also, some of the pieces of storyline which aggravated me. This has nothing to do with the author's writing, but the content itself began to take its toll, so to speak. If rape, human trafficking, abuse, and other topics like these are triggers for you, then I would suggest you think before reading. There isn't anything graphic, but these are topics that are touched on or understood that they have happened/are happening, and it can be upsetting.

While I appreciate Author Karin Slaughter's no-nonsense writing style, her forthright way of covering topics, and her ability to weave a thought-provoking plot, I'd rate it a 2/5 for the characters, language, content, conflict/resolution, etc. It was a solid plot but just not for me.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Kate Moore:

"Kate Moore is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Radium Girls, which won the 2017 Goodreads Choice Award for Best History, was voted U.S. librarians’ favourite nonfiction book of 2017, and was named a Notable Nonfiction Book of 2018 by the American Library Association. A British writer based in London, Kate writes across a variety of genres and has had multiple titles on the Sunday Times bestseller list."

~Short Bio via Author Website

From the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Radium Girls comes another dark and dramatic but ultimately uplifting tale of a forgotten woman hero whose inspirational journey sparked lasting change for women's rights and exposed injustices that still resonate today.

"1860: As the clash between the states rolls slowly to a boil, Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is facing her own battle. The enemy sits across the table and sleeps in the next room. Her husband of twenty-one years is plotting against her because he feels increasingly threatened―by Elizabeth's intellect, independence, and unwillingness to stifle her own thoughts. So he makes a plan to put his wife back in her place. One summer morning, he has her committed to an insane asylum.

The horrific conditions inside the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, are overseen by Dr. Andrew McFarland, a man who will prove to be even more dangerous to Elizabeth than her traitorous husband. But most disturbing is that Elizabeth is not the only sane woman confined to the institution. There are many rational women on her ward who tell the same story: they've been committed not because they need medical treatment, but to keep them in line―conveniently labeled "crazy" so their voices are ignored.

No one is willing to fight for their freedom and, disenfranchised both by gender and the stigma of their supposed madness, they cannot possibly fight for themselves. But Elizabeth is about to discover that the merit of losing everything is that you then have nothing to lose...

Bestselling author Kate Moore brings her sparkling narrative voice to The Woman They Could Not Silence, an unputdownable story of the forgotten woman who courageously fought for her own freedom―and in so doing freed millions more. Elizabeth's refusal to be silenced and her ceaseless quest for justice not only challenged the medical science of the day, and led to a giant leap forward in human rights, it also showcased the most salutary lesson: sometimes, the greatest heroes we have are those inside ourselves."

Praise for The Woman They Could Not Silence:

"Like Radium Girls, this volume is a page-turner."―Library Journal, STARRED review

"A veritable tour de force about how far women's rights have come and how far we still have to go...Put this book in the hands of every young feminist."―Booklist, STARRED review

"In Moore's expert hands, this beautifully-written tale unspools with drama and power, and puts Elizabeth Packard on the map at the most relevant moment imaginable. You will be riveted―and inspired. Bravo!"―Liza Mundy, New York Times bestselling author of Code Girls

~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Strength, Persistence, Endurance

It's amazing to read about a woman who personified those adjectives. I'm fascinated by women of history, especially those little talked about in depth. When a colleague suggested I read this book, I was interested but not overly eager. The first few chapters changed my mind.

Written in an informative but conversational manner, you're introduced to the life of Elizabeth Packard. An intelligent woman who loved to learn and wished to converse candidly about topics of the era - politics and religion, Elizabeth's voice was unwelcome in her home. Her husband was the model-type of man who adheres to the "don't speak unless spoken to" and "better seen than heard" notions of the day.

Taking journal excerpts and historical facts to bring them together in a memoir patterned biography, Elizabeth comes alive on the page, and so does her story. A woman whose only crime was to disagree with her husband leads her to a life sentence at the insane asylum in Jacksonville, Illinois. Charged with mental illness and shoved into the ward, Elizabeth finds she isn't the only one who seems to have been placed there by a husband who grew tired of his wife's contrary beliefs, or really, just tired of her.

Beyond the conditions, which weren't great but became worse depending on where you were taken in the building, those who worked there weren't trustworthy. Elizabeth's experiences are shared about her lack of protection, her unjust imprisonment, and the doctors and attendants who abused their privilege while in charge of those who needed the most help. It's shocking and beyond sad to see how many women were locked away simply because their husband wished it to be so. The fact that the evidence of mental illness was based on common and everyday occurrences was horrifying. Reading was considered an offense. Disagreeing with your husband, screaming, throwing a tantrum, having depression or anxiety (often known as female hysteria), lack of morality (or a preceived lack), dementia, epilepsy, ambitious, etc., were all causes for a woman to be placed into an insane asylum.

Once there, the levels of care - or more like cruelty - were given to those who could pay versus those who could not. Abuse was as easily placed on the iternerum as medicine, if there was anything beyond laudanum or morphine or something to dull the wits and voice of the women. It's where they were treated by doctors who were considered brilliant men of their time, like Dr. Andrew McFarland. He was in charge of the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois where Elizabeth had been taken. Elizabeth attempted to work with him over the conditions of her fellow inmates, tried to reason with him, followed his directives, and considered him a friend and protecto; but unfortunately, she was wrong in her trust and regard of the selfish man who betrayed her just as her husband had.

However, despite the indignities and losses, Elizabeth didn't give up. She didn't allow her voice to be silenced and didn't forget the women she was locked up with for years. Upon her own release, she sought counsel and justice. Working hard, she tried to bring anyone and everyone over to her cause and to see the lack of care and concern that emanated from those working in the mental health profession. Creating pamphlets and talking to those who would listen, she shared her struggles and tried to promote an understanding of change.

Seeing Elizabeth's past revealed and her actions highlighted has been an eye-opening and auspicious read. I learned quite a bit about this time period, marriage, mental hospitals, and more during this critical time of history, and I learned from a bright and courageous woman about what it meant to stand up for yourself and others, for justice, and for common decency. It's definitely a book worth reading, and I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about integrity, decency, honesty, and helping others.

Thank you, and as always, Happy Reading!

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

The Club by Ellery Lloyd

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Authors Ellery Lloyd:

Ellery Lloyd is the pseudonym for London-based husband-and-wife writing team Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos.

Collette is a journalist and editor, the former content director of Elle (UK) and editorial director at Soho House. She has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Sunday Times.

Paul is the author of two previous novels, Welcome to the Working Week and Every Day is Like Sunday. He is the program director for English Literature with Creative Writing at the University of Surrey. ~Amazon

A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“Are you ready for the roller coaster ride that is The Club? . . . A beautifully written, densely plotted murder mystery that takes place at a private club off the coast of England. Read about a luxurious, celeb-only island during a weekend of partying and ultimately murder.” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club March ’22 Pick)

From the author of People Like Her comes a smart and sinister murder mystery set in the secretive world of exclusive celebrity clubs.

Everyone's Dying to Join . . .

The Home Group is a glamorous collection of celebrity members' clubs dotted across the globe, where the rich and famous can party hard and then crash out in its five-star suites, far from the prying eyes of fans and the media.

The most spectacular of all is Island Home—a closely-guarded, ultra luxurious resort, just off the English coast—and its three-day launch party is easily the most coveted A-list invite of the decade.

But behind the scenes, tensions are at breaking point: the ambitious and expensive project has pushed the Home Group's CEO and his long-suffering team to their absolute limits. All of them have something to hide—and that's before the beautiful people with their own ugly secrets even set foot on the island.

As tempers fray and behavior worsens, as things get more sinister by the hour and the body count piles up, some of Island Home’s members will begin to wish they’d never made the guest list.

Because at this club, if your name’s on the list, you’re not getting out. ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Meet Adam, Nikki, Annie, and Jess. They each have a story to tell, and by the end, you'll find out who ends up murdered and who is the murderer.

Ned Groom has inherited his grandfather's business along with his brother Adam. His share of the hospitality company is much larger, and as a result, he takes his role as the face of the company very seriously. This leadership position gives him access to the most famous clientele as he takes his the business of Home to a whole new level.

Celebrities want an invite to the exclusive club. Private getaways all over the world that have security but no cameras and where cell phones aren't allowed. It's a wonderful place to relax, enjoy like-minded individuals, and maintain all the comforts of home without actually being there. Hence the title of Home that each club is given. Island Home is no exception.

Given the royal treatment, Island Home's grand opening caters to the wealthy and elite. Those who have enough clout to make it onto the invited list, and those who don't end up on the "waiting list." A list they could be sitting on for quite a long time. Anyone who's anyone will be there, and everyone wants their name to be on the list. However, those who get into the club might find it more difficult to get out.

Ned might be the face of the company, a wine-and-dine personality with a playboy grin, but he relies on a staff of individuals who help keep the ship afloat. Like his brother, Adam, who helps smooth ruffled feathers and makes all the right connections. Or Nikki, who's been his assistant for years. She keeps him informed, talks down the staff, and organizes everything. Then there's Annie, the head of membership, who spots the up-and-coming talent, has an instinct for those who will make it, and keeps tabs on everyone. Last is Jess, the newest addition, who has taken over the lead housekeeper role. Her job is to make sure everyone has exactly what they want or need.

This weekend proves to be the tipping point for each of these individuals. Tempers flare. Mistakes are made. And the dead bodies tend to add up.

Secrets are revealed as the story unravels. Reasons and backgrounds and personalities erupt off the page. This story brings its own unique twists, and what I appreciate the most are the character's rotating points of view. Another part of this story that I love is how you see the murders from the eyes of these four characters. Each twist is unexpected and quite brilliant in its buildup and execution.

I really enjoyed the progress of this plot and the transformation of each character. It was wonderful to see how they perceive themselves and how they perceive each other. There were a lot of sneaky revelations which keep you interested throughout the later half of the book.

And while I appreciated all of these things, it took me quite a few chapters to feel hooked. I knew all of the characters had secrets, but although I appreciated seeing each of their perspectives, I didn't connect to any of them for a long time. It was more than halfway through that I finally started to feel more interested into Nikki and Jess's lives in particular. Annie and Adam didn't strike any chord with me. I'm afraid that this lack of partiality for either of them led me to check-out on their sections a bit.

All in all, I thought this was a decent introduction to Ellery Lloyd. My rating/review reflects the good build-up, the character development, and the interesting twists along the way. The ending is satisfying in a sense, and it does make you think twice about what you think you know along the way. My rating/review also reflects the language and slow start to the story as well as the characters I couldn't relate to or like. Hopefully, the 3/5 "liked it" will allow readers to read it and decide for themselves.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Nine Lives by Peter Swanson

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Peter Swanson:

"Peter Swanson is the author of five novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, and Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year. His books have been translated into 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine.

A graduate of Trinity College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Emerson College, he lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with his wife and cat." ~Amazon

“[A] smartly entertaining reimagining of Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None… Swanson cunningly plays with readers’ heads as we hope so-and-so gets it next.”— Washington Post

If you’re on the list, someone wants you dead.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Eight Perfect Murders comes the heart-pounding story of nine strangers who receive a cryptic list with their names on it—and then begin to die in highly unusual circumstances.

Nine strangers receive a list with their names on it in the mail. Nothing else, just a list of names on a single sheet of paper. None of the nine people know or have ever met the others on the list. They dismiss it as junk mail, a fluke—until very, very bad things begin happening to people on the list.

First, a well-liked old man is drowned on a beach in the small town of Kennewick, Maine. Then, a father is shot in the back while running through his quiet neighborhood in suburban Massachusetts. A frightening pattern is emerging, but what do these nine people have in common? Their professions range from oncology nurse to aspiring actor, and they’re located all over the country. So why are they all on the list, and who sent it?

FBI agent Jessica Winslow, who is on the list herself, is determined to find out. Could there be some dark secret that binds them all together? Or is this the work of a murderous madman? As the mysterious sender stalks these nine strangers, they find themselves constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering who will be crossed off next… ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it

2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

This author doesn't play fair... ;)

First, I must state that I love when an author rotates between main characters. It sets them all up on equal footing, so to speak, and gives you a glimpse into several different lives. Sometimes, this can lead to a little bit of confusion, but for me, it adds intrigue and suspense and kicks things up a notch. Author Peter Swanson adds the drama and builds upon each of the nine lives he includes in his story. This is the highlight for me. I love learning about each character because it gives me more opportunity to love, hate, or feel indifferent to each in turn.

So, this is my first Peter Swanson read. I have to say, I'm impressed. He kept me guessing the entire time, and although, I didn't feel as if anyone stood out as the "hero" or resolver of the murders that arose, I still felt satisfied in a sense with how the action and craziness spread itself out on the page.

I admit, my well deserved impression of this book comes from the author's referrals to Agatha Christie and a main detective's enjoyment of her books. I have to say, as far as all the characters are concerned, Detective Sam Hamilton was my favorite. I loved the background shared on his character, his determination to find connections and figure out what the nine strangers had in common, and of course, because of his love and addiction to reading Agatha Christie. I learned some things about her work I hadn't known previously. The fact that I could like a male character so much, to the point that he rose to being my favorite character, is a plus in the author's favor.

Nine Lives pleasantly surprised me. To me, it didn't quite fit any pattern. I know it had the same shape as other books I've read, but even to that end, it still had its own flavor, tone, and ending which threw me for a loop. I did have an inkling of what might develop because of the parallels being made within the plot. However, it still felt surprising when the whole story played out. I was shocked by who died and why. It wasn't a reason I ever would have suspected, but again, there were those parallels, weren't there?

At this point, you're probably asking what parallels? How did you know? What did you figure out?

Thank you for your questions.

My answer: Read The Book. It's an intense and engaging read that keeps you hooked until the end. I appreciated the connections it made to one of my favorite mystery authors.

With that said, you know I rate the whole book on personal perspectives and opinions and engagement. While this book held a 5 on plot and mystery, it lost me a bit with some of the characters - who I couldn't connect to or enjoy, and frankly, didn't feel that sad when they died as well as some language and content. These just revolve around personal preferences and in no way diminish my interest in the story or in reading this author's other books. However, I have to be true to my original thoughts.

Therefore, I recommend this book to mystery lovers and fans of the Christie. My rating reflects my reflection on the content as a 3/5 "liked it - worth a read!" I hope you'll give it a try and see if it fits your suspense standards. I'm always eager to hear other bibliophile's thoughts and perceptions.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

One Step Too Far: (A Frankie Elkin Novel Book 2) by Lisa Gardner

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Lisa Gardner:

"New York Times #1 bestselling crime novelist Lisa Gardner began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure, criminal minds and twisted plots into a streak of bestselling suspense novels. Her 2010 novel, THE NEIGHBOR, won Best Thriller from the International Thriller Writers. Most recently, she was honored with the Silver Bullet Award for her work with at-risk kids and homeless animals. Lisa loves to hike, travel the world, and yes, read, read, read!

Readers are invited to enter the annual "Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy" Sweepstakes, where they can nominate the person of their choice to die in Lisa's latest novel. People have nominated themselves, spouses, bosses. It's cheaper than therapy and twice as much fun! For more details, visit Lisa's website.

Lisa's latest novel BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED, is available January 19, 2021. Meet Frankie Elkin, an everyday average woman who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. Her latest mission has brought her to Mattapan, Boston to find a missing Haitian teen. Eleven months later, Angelique Badeau's disappearance remains a mystery. What happened to the quiet, studious teen? Frankie learns quickly the dangers of asking too many questions, but that won't stop her from discovering the truth behind what happened BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED." ~Amazon

"From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner, a chilling thriller about a young man gone missing in the wilderness of Wyoming…and the secrets uncovered by the desperate effort to find him.

Timothy O’Day knew the woods. Yet when he disappeared on the first night of a bachelor party camping trip with his best friends in the world, he didn’t leave a trace. What he did leave behind were two heartbroken parents, a crew of guilt-ridden groomsmen, and a pile of clues that don’t add up.

Frankie Elkin doesn’t know the woods, but she knows how to find people. So when she reads that Timothy’s father is organizing one last search, she heads to Wyoming. Despite the rescue team’s reluctance, she joins them. But as they hike into the mountains, it becomes clear that there’s something dangerous at work in the woods…or someone who is willing to do anything to stop them from going any further.

Running out of time and up against the worst man and nature have to offer, Frankie and the search party will discover what evil awaits those who go one step too far…" ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Creepy, and oh-so-enjoyable!

Tim, Scott, Josh, Miggy, and Neil went into the woods for a bachelor party and left them one-man-down. Tim never made it out and was never found. However, on this last hike into Ramsey Wyoming's Popo Agie Wilderness, Author Lisa Gardner takes readers on a convincing and life-like adventure through a fictional setting. Where the forest isn't the only thing to dear.

Tim's father, Martin O'Day, is giving the woods one last search. It's the most important search in the five years since Tim's disappearance because Mrs. O'Day has cancer and won't make it much longer. As a promise to her, this search is to cover new territory, and hopefully - finally, bring their son home and lay him to rest beside her. With Martin is a group of people who are ready to find Tim and put this ordeal behind them for the rest of their lives.

Nemeth is an ex-Shoshone National Forest district ranger and knows the area of Ramsey as a local guide. He has skill, strength, and fortitude to get through another search. Original to the team, he was on the scene when three of the men tripped out of the woods half-coherent and terrified. Once he gained their story and rounded up the locals for a voluntary search, he and Sheriff Kelley made a thorough and unrelenting exploration. Their efforts didn't locate Tim.

For twenty-three days, searchers and canine teams combed the wooded area and hoped to find signs of life. They were unable to spot a shoe-print, and eventually, they all wandered home and back to their lives. However, Martin O'Day wasn't ready to give up on his son and recruited teams time and again for expeditions into the mountains. Tim's mother and fiancé kept on top of getting the word out and asking for help, but in the end, the search for Tim's body became their last hope.

College buddies, Scott, Neil, Josh, and Miggy attempted to join the search party whenever possible. This time, though, they had agreed it would be the last. They needed to get on with their lives and put this entire nightmare behind them. The bad dreams and guilt would never go away, but this had to be the last forage into the hostile and secretive forest.

Enter, Frankie Elkin. An experienced searcher of the lost, Frankie reads the story of Tim's disappearance and decides to lend her assistance. She feels she's up to the task of a hike through the woods, and she inserts herself into the newest search group. However, it doesn't take long for Frankie to second guess her decision and for the entire outing to turn into a nightmare.

Because whatever happened to Tim is about to happen again. The woods have a secret, and a secret can be kept if all of them are dead.

I liked this second installment of the Frankie Elkin series better than the first. It held a little more interest for me plot-wise, and I liked trying to figure it all out. Although at first you seem to have too many suspects, it kinda becomes apparent what's happening, and I figured it out really quickly. Still, I appreciated the chills and thrills of getting to the end, Frankie's strength and determination, and the solving of a five year mystery.

Overall, I enjoyed the plot and the setting. It kept my attention from the beginning, and even when I knew who had done it, I liked figuring out if I was right and piecing all the answers together. It was nice, and I appreciated the commadrie and friendships Frankie developed. I liked seeing her interactions and the kind heart and excellent listening skills she possesses. She's certainly an original character, and I have to say I really enjoyed her focus on the case and the lack of distraction with romantic entanglements. Except for some language that I personally had a problem with, I'd rate my experience a 4/5 - really liked it!

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

There There by Samuel Orange

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Samuel Orange:

"TOMMY ORANGE is faculty at the Institute of American Indian Arts MFA program. He is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. He was born and raised in Oakland, California, and currently lives in Angels Camp, California." ~Amazon

"NATIONAL BESTSELLER • PEN/HEMINGWAY AWARD WINNER • One of The New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year • A wondrous and shattering novel that follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize.

Among them is Jacquie Red Feather, newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind. Dene Oxendene, pulling his life together after his uncle’s death and working at the powwow to honor his memory. Fourteen-year-old Orvil, coming to perform traditional dance for the very first time. Together, this chorus of voices tells of the plight of the urban Native American—grappling with a complex and painful history, with an inheritance of beauty and spirituality, with communion and sacrifice and heroism.

Hailed as an instant classic, There There is at once poignant and unflinching, utterly contemporary and truly unforgettable." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Must Read!

There is the occasional moment when I read a book and wonder how I will review and rate it. This could be for numerous different reasons. Sometimes, the material is so in-depth or touches a chord within me that can't be entirely explained. There There is such a book.

To say this book is "worth a read" is an understatement. If I were to tell about the different characters being tracked within the book and their personal grief and struggles, the recurring theme of displacement and how it intertwines with the character's cultural and personal identities, the traditions and memories being vividly enacted before us, and how the Native Americans located in the Oakland setting are ultimately interconnected, none of this would fully explain the total importance of the message being shared. Its exceptional storytelling puts you in the minds of each character - Dene Oxendene, Orvil Red Feather, Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield, Tony Loneman, and Blue just to name a few.

Author Tommy Orange doesn't hold back or sidestep the feelings and issues his characters face. He reveals their internal and external conflicts through some raw and uncomfortable scenes. Their generational trauma is confronted and depicted through a layer of resolute stories and undiluted emotions. The author shares nonfiction essays interspersed between the prologue, and at different intervals, amidst the chapters. This gives context and historical weight to the narratives provided by each character.

I think the meaning behind his work and its efforts is stated best through Lit Charts. Their theme analysis of generational trauma within this novel pinpoints exactly what I want to say:

"As Orange demonstrates the ways in which generational trauma

influences the cast of characters within There There, he makes a

larger statement about the pain Native communities have been

forced to bear over the years. Orange ultimately suggests, however

bleakly, that until there is a wider reckoning with the history of

colonization, extermination, and assimilation Native peoples have

been forced to endure, Native communities will become trapped in

a vicious cycle of more pain and suffering."

(online https://www.litcharts.com/lit/there-there/themes/generational-trauma)

There is an unbearable heaviness to this understanding, and it's tragedy cannot be ignored. Picking up this book inherently makes me a witness to the brutality of the Native American history and its modern implications. It feels like a dare. Because if you read this book and don't have your perspective and understanding and sympathies completely awakened and altered, then you aren't reading the same book I did.

I suppose my next question is: What do I do with this information?

Like the author, I feel that something more must be accomplished. The cycle the Native American culture is trapped within needs to be investigated. Resources need to be developed, shared, and acted upon. Reading There There made me realize that actions need to follow, and I can't ever picture their world without seeing this book and its characters' lives spread out before me. I don't think I can live with any more devastation being enacted without protest. Today seems like a good day to put this book's message to better use.

To find out more:

https://www.bia.gov/bia

https://www.usa.gov/tribes

http://www.nativepartnership.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pwna_home

https://www.narf.org/support-us/

The above sites are ones which I've researched but have no personal affiliations. I include them to encourage others to learn more and see what difference can be made for our Native brothers and sisters. Hopefully, you'll be as inspired as I am.

To end, I'd like to share my 5/5 rating for an eye-opening, veracious, and well-written story. I hope to read more from Author Samuel Orange.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Andrea Bartz:

"Andrea Bartz is a Brooklyn-based journalist and the author of the forthcoming WE WERE NEVER HERE. Her second thriller, THE HERD, was named a best book of 2020 by Real Simple, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, CrimeReads, and other outlets. Her LA-Times bestselling debut, THE LOST NIGHT, was optioned for TV development by Mila Kunis. It was named a best book of the year by Real Simple, Glamour, Marie Claire, Library Journal, Crime Reads, Popsugar, She Reads, and other publications. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Martha Stewart Living, Elle, and many other outlets, and she's held editorial positions at Glamour, Psychology Today, and Self, among other titles." ~Amazon

"NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • “This book is every suspense lover’s dream and it kept me up way too late turning pages. . . . A novel with crazy twists and turns that will have you ditching your Friday night plans for more chapters.”—Reese Witherspoon

A backpacking trip has deadly consequences in this “eerie psychological thriller . . . with alluring locales, Hitchcockian tension, and possibly the best pair of female leads since Thelma and Louise” (BookPage), from the bestselling author of The Lost Night and The Herd.

A Marie Claire Book Club Pick • Named One of the Best Books of the Year by NPR and Marie Claire

Emily is having the time of her life—she’s in the mountains of Chile with her best friend, Kristen, on their annual reunion trip, and the women are feeling closer than ever. But on the last night of the trip, Emily enters their hotel suite to find blood and broken glass on the floor. Kristen says the cute backpacker she brought back to their room attacked her, and she had no choice but to kill him in self-defense. Even more shocking: The scene is horrifyingly similar to last year’s trip, when another backpacker wound up dead. Emily can’t believe it’s happened again—can lightning really strike twice?

Back home in Wisconsin, Emily struggles to bury her trauma, diving headfirst into a new relationship and throwing herself into work. But when Kristen shows up for a surprise visit, Emily is forced to confront their violent past. The more Kristen tries to keep Emily close, the more Emily questions her motives. As Emily feels the walls closing in on their cover-ups, she must reckon with the truth about her closest friend. Can Emily outrun the secrets she shares with Kristen, or will they destroy her relationship, her freedom—even her life?" ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Unexpected

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz is a standalone novel revolving around the friendship of her two main characters Emily and Kristen. Having met in college, the girls formed a solidarity to their friendship and kept in touch long after graduation. Even after Kristen moved to Australia for her job, they kept in contact and managed to plan fun vacation getaways together. Now, they're on another trip, and this one isn't turning out the way either of them thought it would - especially Emily.

When we first meet Emily and Kristen, they're in Chile for their annual get-together. Clinking glasses and admiring the mountain view, the reader is introduced to a beautiful setting and two best friends who seem to be having the time of their lives. However, it doesn't take too long for things go downhill and old wounds haunt Emily.

For Emily, it's a struggle to not to tell Kristen about her new relationship. Her boyfriend Aaron has passed all her tests, and she thinks he'll even stand up to Kristen's scrutiny. Hesitant, she waits until the last night to bring him up to her bff, and it turns out to be a mistake.

Kristen doesn't take the news well and abandons Emily to chat up a handsome backpacker. A few hours later, Emily finds a nightmare awaiting her in their shared rooms. It takes her back to their last trip in Cambodia. When an accident of this magnitude had last happened, and she's not sure she can go through it all again. Yet, Kristen isn't going to let Emily distance herself from this problem and its many ramifications.

As Emily tries to be there for Kristen, she begins to note subtle inconsistencies. Kristen doesn't seem at all bothered by the events and begins showing up everywhere Emily is. As the story escalates, Emily finds out things about Kristen that she didn't know. Her new information makes her wonder if Kristen can be trusted, and the end result turns tragic.

The story is eerie and familiar. It reminds you of buried secrets and truths from which you can't hide. And it begs the question, do you really know the people to whom you're closest? Thrilling, creepy, with notes of panic and disbelief, We Were Never Here gives a startling plot, incredible escapes, inconceivable horror, and a plethora of sympathy. Its ending left me wondering one question: Did I get it all wrong?

Author Andrea Bartz does a great job of making the reader second-guess themselves, creating a resolution that doesn't feel quite as satisfying as it should, and making a story you can't forget. I recommend giving it a read and give it a 4/5 for panache and perplexity.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Meet the Author:

"Marjane Satrapi was born in 1969 in Rasht, Iran. She grew up in Tehran, where she studied at the French school, before leaving for Vienna and Strasbourg to study decorative arts. She currently lives in Paris, where she is at work on the sequel to Persepolis. She is also the author of several children's books." ~Amazon

"Here, in one volume: Marjane Satrapi's best-selling, internationally acclaimed graphic memoir.

Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.

Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom--Persepolis is a stunning work from one of the most highly regarded, singularly talented graphic artists at work today." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

An introspective, layered, and compassionate read.

I'm not big on graphic novels. I've never been one to head into a bookstore and march right up to that section. In fact, unless it's for my niece, I don't usually search for graphic novels among the latest and greatest in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Half-Price Books. It isn't my go-to genre, and although I've flipped through some of our newest releases here in the library, I'm not one to pick up and read the whole book. I'm sorry, but I don't.

However, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi was chosen as the Fall 2021 Common Read on my campus. As a new member of the committee, a lover of reading, and a supporter of books, I decided it was time to take on this newest reading challenge. So, I checked-out a copy of the whole novel (the Common Read was focused on Book One only) and got started reading.

To say the least, it is an endearing autobiography of Marjane's childhood through adulthood. It takes us through those formative years where we see an innocent, observant, and soul-searching look of growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution. We're privy to the author's remembrances, inner thoughts, and the duality of knowledge and misinterpretation of how the changes will affect her and her world.

We see Marjane leave her home behind and head to Vienna at the wishes of her parents. They wish for her to be safe and away from the turmoil being carried out in her homeland. We're there for her high school years abroad, growing up, and trying to find her own identity far from her family. We see her struggle with wanting to fit in and deny who she is and where she's from while being proud of her heritage and the family who supports her. Readers are given a view of the prejudice she faces, the loss of her apartment, and the realization that the people she thought were her friends weren't really.

It's a candid and heart-touching look at a life that knows sacrifice. Marjane's eventual return home and resulting second departure give us insight into her life, floundering, and evolution as a person. There's so much commiseration and sensitivity to her plight as well as a fresh understanding. I wish there had been even more to this story and the gaps I feel it left in its telling.

However, I see this as the book Author Marjane Satrapi wanted to share. It lends itself to much discussion on the themes, symbols, and revelations about life in another country, its revolution, and Marjane's internal and external acceptance/rebellion of that life. The pictures were a perfect medium for her story. They packed a punch that a novel or nonfiction book couldn't compare to achieving.

My rating for this wonderful work is a 5/5. I feel it's a "must-read" for its honest and eye-opening perspective. It's an emotional and raw depiction that I encourage everyone to give a try.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Meet the Author:

"Welcome to my Amazon author page. It's strange to think that when I wrote my first book, there was no Amazon - in fact there was no internet, no computers. That doesn't make me particularly old. It just shows how quickly times have moved.

In fact I wrote my first book when I was ten, stuck in a miserable, north London boarding school where reading and telling stories were my only lifeline. Every time I write a new book, I have the same sense of urgency that I had then. I knew without any doubt that I would be an author. Perhaps it helped that I wasn't much good at anything else.

Cut forward to the present and now I have over forty-five published novels to my name. The game changer for me was Stormbreaker, the first Alex Rider adventure, published in 2000. There were eleven more books in the series - the latest, Never Say Die, was published in 2017 - and they are now being developed for TV. I have plenty of other children's books out there - I was delighted to discover my Power of Five series (Raven's Gate, Evil Star etc) on sale in a tiny bookshop in Elounda, Crete only a few days ago.

But as I grew older (and my original audience entered their twenties) I felt a need to move into adult writing. This began with two Sherlock Holmes continuation novels, The House of Silk and Moriarty, followed by my entry into the world of James Bond with Trigger Mortis. A second Bond novel is on the way. An original thriller, Magpie Murders was published last year and got some of the best reviews I've had. One of the joys of Twitter, incidentally, is that it allows readers to contact me directly and these 140-character exchanges are as valuable to me as what the professional critics have to say.

I also write for TV. After cutting my teeth on the hugely popular show, Robin of Sherwood, I moved on to work with David Suchet and his brilliant portrayal of Hercule Poirot, writing about nine or ten episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot. I was the first writer on Midsomer Murders and then went on to create Foyle's War which I worked on for the next sixteen years. Somewhere along the way, I also created a five-part series for ITV called Injustice which very much influenced the book I'm publishing now.

The Word is Murder is hopefully the start of a long-running series. It introduces a detective by the name of Daniel Hawthorne - a rather dark and dangerous man whom I actually met on the set of Injustice. At least, that's my version of events and that's what counts here because, very unusually, I actually appear in the book as his not entirely successful sidekick; the Watson to his Holmes.

The whole point of being an author is that you're in control. But here I am, writing a book in which I have no idea what's going on, following in the footsteps of a character who refuses to tell me anything. What I'm trying to do is to give the traditional whodunit a metaphysical twist. I hope, if you read it, you'll enjoy all the clues, the red herrings, the bizarre range of suspects and the occasionally violent twists. With a bit of luck you won't guess the ending (nobody has so far). But at the same time, The Word is Murder offers something more. It's a book about words as much as murder, about writing crime as well as solving it.

Do let me know what you think. I really hope you like the book. If you do, you can tweet me your thoughts at @AnthonyHorowitz. I hope to hear from you!" ~Amazon

SHE PLANNED HER OWN FUNERAL. BUT DID SHE ARRANGE HER OWN MURDER?

"New York Times bestselling author of Magpie Murders and Moriarty, Anthony Horowitz has yet again brilliantly reinvented the classic crime novel, this time writing a fictional version of himself as the Watson to a modern-day Holmes.

One bright spring morning in London, Diana Cowper – the wealthy mother of a famous actor - enters a funeral parlor. She is there to plan her own service.

Six hours later she is found dead, strangled with a curtain cord in her own home.

Enter disgraced police detective Daniel Hawthorne, a brilliant, eccentric investigator who’s as quick with an insult as he is to crack a case. Hawthorne needs a ghost writer to document his life; a Watson to his Holmes. He chooses Anthony Horowitz.

Drawn in against his will, Horowitz soon finds himself a the center of a story he cannot control. Hawthorne is brusque, temperamental and annoying but even so his latest case with its many twists and turns proves irresistible. The writer and the detective form an unusual partnership. At the same time, it soon becomes clear that Hawthorne is hiding some dark secrets of his own.

A masterful and tricky mystery that springs many surprises, The Word is Murder is Anthony Horowitz at his very best." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Brilliant!!

Even though I didn't know it, I've been a fan of Anthony Horowitz's work for a long time. An admirer of Agatha Christie's Poirot series starring the estimable David Suchet, I've already witnessed Horowitz's hand in the creation of scripts based on Christie's most popular detective. Add to this my having watched a few of the Midsomer Murders and having Foyle's War listed on my to-watch queue, and I feel very confident that I'm at least familiar with some of this author's work.

Although I haven't read any of his Alex Rider books, I did watch the first series which premiered on Amazon Prime, and I'm eagerly awaiting the second series arriving this December. Despite these multiple introductions to his work, I've only added Author Anthony Horowitz to my to-read list, and I had not yet tackled any of his written work. This changed about two weeks ago, now, while I was at work.

His third installment for the Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery series had just arrived in our library. My supervisor requested having it checked-out to her once it had been processed in our system, and it was then that I was able to read the blurb of this new book. Immediately, my interest was sparked. I recalled writing this series down on my never ending list of to-reads. I'd watched an interview with the author months ago discussing his first or second book in the series, and that's when I wrote it down. However, between then and now, I've added at least fifty more books. Hence, the "never ending" list.

However, with the introduction of this latest book, I promptly searched the shelves to see if they housed his first two books in this series. Of course, they did. I checked out the first book, The Word is Murder, immediately. It was a Friday, and I knew I'd have the chance to read it over the weekend. Excited to get started, I began reading it that Saturday.

I couldn't put it down.

I finished it the same day I started it.

I checked out book two posthaste!

First, I commend Author Anthony Horowitz for putting himself literally into his book. This mix of autobiography and fiction makes me think of a narrative nonfiction or true crime novel. I'm impressed and amazed at how the whole story flows. You'd think it was all based on true life events, and while a lot of it does center on Horowitz's life and "inner thoughts," the murder itself is fictionalized.

Anthony Horowitz has "worked" with ex-detective inspector Daniel Hawthorne on the set of Injustice. A mini TV series (this is one of his actual shows) that centers around a defense barrister who has to decide what to do when faced with the knowledge that his client is guilty. Hawthorne was the guy they have on set to let you know if their officers and detectives would say and do the things Horowitz had written out for the characters. He's sharp, detail-oriented, and in Horowitz's opinion "menacing, borderline racist, chippy, and aggressive." Although, Horowitz does state after his initial onslaught of feelings that, "to be fair," Hawthorne is "none of those things."

Yet, as they dive into Hawthorne's proposition - for Anthony to write about him and the crimes he solves and split the money 50/50, our valiant author begins to gain new insights into who Hawthorne is, but he's still miles away from actually knowing anything about the guy. Horowitz has to pull every single word out of Hawthorne. The PI won't give the author any information about his private life very willingly, will skip subjects if he doesn't want to discuss them, lies about where he lives and possibly on other pieces of personal data, and doesn't let Horowitz know who the killer is. He works it out and keeps the answer to himself or until he's ready to reveal it.

This is definitely a Holmes and Watson relationship if I've ever seen one. I love how accepting Horowitz makes his character be about not having all the answers, being kept in the dark, making mistakes, and putting up with Hawthorne's not-too-public-friendly-personality. I would explain more of the story here and about how a woman goes to plan her funeral and ends up dead the same day, but I feel as if you MUST read it yourself. The humor, idiosyncrasies, the love/hate relationship you feel toward Hawthorne's character, and how incredibly human the characters are is exquisite.

There is a feeling of captivation and respect building in me as I read about Horowitz's life: his script writing for Foyle's War, the deliberations he has to make with changes, his marriage, his exasperation pairing up with Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne, and how writing a story about someone you know and something that really happened is so much harder than writing fiction. Basically, his entire book has me hooked from beginning to end, and I love getting this glimpse into his world even as its set in a fictional plot. Sometimes, it's difficult to know where the truth ends and the fiction begins.

He's a master of story-telling. Horowitz's portrayal of himself on the page and his relationship with the grumpy Hawthorne is sensational. I don't even know how to describe it or what to say in order to do it justice. The author's inner conflict as he works with the private detective to solve the murder that Hawthorne was brought in on is equal parts hilarious and relatable. The ending isn't what I expected, and it's more creepy than I would have suspected.

If you want a fun-filled, adventure-leading, humorous, empathetic, and character-driven plot, then you've come to the right place! Give The Word is Murder a try and see how you feel about this new duo-team of Horowitz and Hawthorne! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and give it a 5/5 too.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety: Nourish Your Way to Better Mental Health in Six Weeks by Drew Ramsey, MD

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet the Author:

"Drew Ramsey, M.D. is a psychiatrist, author, and farmer. He is a clear voice in the mental health conversation and one of psychiatry’s leading proponents of using nutritional interventions. He is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

He founded the Brain Food Clinic in New York City, offering treatment and consultation for depression, anxiety and emotional wellness concerns. The clinic incorporates evidence-based nutrition and integrative psychiatry treatments with psychotherapy, coaching, and responsible medication management. Using the latest in brain science, nutrition and mental health research, and an array of delicious food, the clinic helps people live joyful, fulfilled lives. His recently launched ecourse Eat To Beat Depression helps patients and families boost mood and their brains nutrition.

Dr. Ramsey is a compelling keynote speaker and conducts workshops nationally. His media work includes three recent TEDx talks, a video series with Big Think, and the BBC documentary Food on the Brain. His work and writing have been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Atlantic.com, Prevention, Lancet Psychiatry, and NPR, which named him a “kale evangelist.” He is a member of the Well+Good Wellness Council, the editorial board of Medscape Psychiatry, the advisory board of Men’s Health, and the co-founder of National Kale Day.

He is the author of three books, most recently the award-winning cookbook Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss and Transform Your Health (HarperWave 2016). His recent bestseller 50 Shades of Kale (HarperWave 2013) made this superfood accessible to thousands. The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood and Lean, Energized Body (Rodale 2011) explores the impact of modern diets on brain health.

Dr. Ramsey is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He completed his specialty training in adult psychiatry at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, received an M.D. from Indiana University School of Medicine and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Earlham College. He lives with his wife and two children in New York City and on their 127 acre organic farm in rural Indiana." ~Amazon

Find Him Here:

Drew Ramsey Website

Blog

"Five Key Takeaways from Dr. Drew Ramsey on How To Nourish Your Mental Health"

"A revolutionary prescription for healing depression and anxiety and optimizing brain health through the foods we eat, including a six-week plan to help you get started eating for better mental health.

Depression and anxiety disorders are rising, affecting more than fifty-eight million people in the United States alone. Many rely on therapy and medications to alleviate symptoms, but often this is not enough. The latest scientific advances in neuroscience and nutrition, along with our understanding of the mind-gut connection, have proven that how and what we eat greatly affects how we feel—physically, cognitively, and emotionally.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Drew Ramsey helps us forge a path toward greater mental health through food. Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety breaks down the science of nutritional psychiatry and explains what foods positively affect brain health and improve mental wellness.

Dr. Ramsey distills the most cutting-edge research on nutrition and the brain into actionable tips you can start using today to improve brain-cell health and growth, reduce inflammation, and cultivate a healthy microbiome, all of which contribute to our mental well-being. He explores the twelve essential vitamins and minerals most critical to your brain and body and outlines which anti-inflammatory foods feed the gut.

He helps readers assess barriers to self-nourishment and offers techniques for enhancing motivation. To help us begin, he provides a kick-starter six-week mental health food plan designed to mitigate depression and anxiety, incorporating key food categories like leafy greens and seafood, along with simple, delicious, brain nutrient–rich recipes.

By following the methods Dr. Ramsey uses with his patients, you can confidently choose foods to help you on your journey to full mental health." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

This book should be on your shelf.

I love learning new information. Especially when that information can be applied to my physical & mental health. Having the opportunity to read Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety was an excellent experience and provided updated facts and details about food consumption and its impact on your mental status.

Growing up, my mom became even more interested in the body & mind and how to maintain vital health. Part of this was due to her father being diagnosed with cancer. She began researching alternative diets and how supplements, vitamins and herbs, could be helpful with someone struggling with their health. Her research included what brands were the best and contained the most essential and organic ingredients, which supplements were best to take and why, and how your diet can impact the nutrients you're gaining from the food you eat.

Basically, this book contains a large part of what she investigated and the crucial understanding that what we eat does affect our bodies and our minds. In this respect, I felt as if she had wrote some of the parts of this book as I read along with Drew Ramsey, MD. It was impressive to see so much of what she learned and self-taught making its way into a book that looks even deeper into the mental well-being of those who eat a healthier and more well-rounded diet.

Drew Ramsey, MD does an admirable and thorough job of giving readers an easy-to-read format for the "new" science that is behind how you eat to promote positive mental health. He looks specifically at studies which center on how eating differently affects depression, and often in congruence with it, anxiety. He gives a chapter by chapter breakdown of the most essential twelve nutrients for brain health, how eating right can grow new brain cells, how your gut affects your mental health and how to improve it, and what the optimal food choices are to beat depression and anxiety.

As a nutritional psychiatrist, he specializes in mood and anxiety disorders with his patients. Although he'd never been taught to include eating habits within his patient backgrounds, it had always given him pause. He attributes this consideration to growing up on a farm and being surrounded by fresh, homegrown food. Over time, he began to reevaluate his own diet and considered the question: "Are there foods that can better help promote brain and mental health?" (XI of Introduction)

Within his field, the focus for treatment among his patients who suffered from depression and anxiety were to utilize talk therapy and medication to alleviate or control the symptoms. These practices, while helpful and necessary to some degree, were not getting to the root of the problem. Instead, in some cases, relief was minimal or short-lived, and the side effects of the medication only added to the struggles and created their own issues. These were not effective treatments on their own.

So, Dr. Ramsey began wondering what else might be contributing to their depression and anxiety. His desire to help, and decision to consider other approaches, led to his exploration of how eating habits were influencing his patients' mental health. This consideration opened up a dialogue about what his patients were eating, what healthy foods were included in their diets, and what nutrients they might be missing.

This book includes several studies on the effect of food on the brain, how food can connect to elevated levels of toxins resulting in depression and anxiety, and how the microbiome in your gut contributes to brain health and connects with what you're eating. The author shares the twelve essential supplements you should be getting from your food: B9, iron, omega-3 fats, magnesium, potassium, selenium, B1, A, B6, B12, C, zinc, choline, and monounsaturated fats. He provides food examples that are a good source of those nutrients as well as how much should be a part of your daily diet. In fact, Dr. Ramsey promotes the Mediterranean diet as an example of what constitutes a well-rounded and nutrient rich diet.

His information on how inflammation can be both good and bad for your body, and the interactions between your gut and brain are fascinating. At the end, he even adds in some delicious looking recipes. It's a plethora of information, ideas, and encouragement to make the changes you need in your diet. There's so much more important and enlightening info that I'd love to share, but really, you should read the book for yourself.

As a side note, I'd like to mention that there are a few things I don't necessarily agree with completely in this book. I add this with the intent of being entirely honest and to encourage you to read and think over the content for yourself and what works for you. For me, I'm not convinced of the health benefits of pork. I've seen its negative effects in the lives of people I know and love. Also, I abstain from pork (to the best of my ability) for personal and religious reasons. I can't say I would include it as part of my diet as mentioned within this book. The good thing about that is the author does offer other food alternatives as examples, and I don't have to eat it if I don't want to.

Another final word from my personal perspective is how I'd try and utilize farm-fresh, home-grown, organic, non-GMO resources to gain these good nutrients. I'm not saying that the author isn't saying this - he grew up on a farm after all, but I want to make a point of noting this. You need to know where your food is coming from and what they're spraying it with. I'm, also, a huge proponent of taking enzymes when you eat to help with food digestion. Although I agree with the author that nutrients gained from the food source are much better than supplements in vitamin and herb form, I still take them. Some of those are suggested by a health official.

Overall, I have to say I appreciated this book. It added to my own knowledge and supported information I'd already been taught by my mom growing up. It helped clarify a few considerations and gave some wonderful in-depth examples. The illustrations were another favorite part and helped to break up the text and info overload in a fun, eye-catching way.

I'd definitely rate it a 5/5 "must read" because it contains content valuable for everyone. The impact it could make on your mental & physical health can't be understated. It's such an excellent resource that I plan on purchasing my own copy and keeping it on hand to refer back to and reread as necessary. I hope you'll do the same.

Thank you for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Bruce Goldfarb:

"Bruce Goldfarb is the executive assistant to the Chief Medical Examiner for the state of Maryland, US, where the 'Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death' are housed. He is the public information officer for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and trained as a forensic investigator.

Bruce began his career as a paramedic before becoming an award-winning journalist reporting on medicine, science and health. Through his work with the Nutshell Studies, Bruce earned the trust of Frances Glessner Lee's family and caretakers of her estate, and was designated Lee's official biographer." ~Amazon

Bruce Goldfarb Website

Twitter

"Eye-opening biography of Frances Glessner Lee, who brought American medical forensics into the scientific age...genuinely compelling."—Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating portrait of a feminist hero and forensic pioneer." —Booklist

"A captivating blend of history, women in science, and true crime, 18 Tiny Deaths tells the story of how one woman changed the face of forensics forever.

Frances Glessner Lee, born a socialite to a wealthy and influential Chicago family in the 1870s, was never meant to have a career, let alone one steeped in death and depravity.

Yet she developed a fascination with the investigation of violent crimes, and made it her life's work. Best known for creating the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, a series of dollhouses that appear charming—until you notice the macabre little details: an overturned chair, or a blood-spattered comforter. And then, of course, there are the bodies—splayed out on the floor, draped over chairs—clothed in garments that Lee lovingly knit with sewing pins.

18 Tiny Deaths, by official biographer Bruce Goldfarb, delves into Lee's journey from grandmother without a college degree to leading the scientific investigation of unexpected death out of the dark confines of centuries-old techniques and into the light of the modern day.

Lee developed a system that used the Nutshells dioramas to train law enforcement officers to investigate violent crimes, and her methods are still used today.

The story of a woman whose ambition and accomplishments far exceeded the expectations of her time, 18 Tiny Deaths follows the transformation of a young, wealthy socialite into the mother of modern forensics..." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Frances Glessner Lee is a remarkable role model. She took her resources and did something for the betterment of mankind. Reading this book took me from interested to impressed in no time.

Author Bruce Goldfarb gives an excellent presentation of facts and historical context within 18 Ting Deaths. He covers a good amount of background information for Frances Glessner Lee, and he shares insights into Lee's childhood, marriage, and adulthood. Goldfarb, also, gives us details of those around her, and how one man in particular helped to set her on a new course in her life.

Her brother's friend, and someone who became her own friend as well, was George Burgess Magrath. A medical examiner, one of the first in the country, Magrath gave Lee a peek into his world and the medical field, and she was hooked. Spending time in the same recovery hospital at the same time, Lee and Magrath began speaking about Magrath's profession as a medical examiner. The history and illegal activity of the coroner system was brought to Lee's attention through this discussion and continued learning. Magrath told Lee "'I have always contended that the organs of the human body were the most decorative things in the world, and would make wonderfully effective murals for a medical school or doctor's club.'" (pg 113-114) This concept of "the beauty of human organs" (pg 114) sparked her interest and lead her through a 20+ year odyssey of making a difference in the medical field.

George Burgess Magrath was on call twenty-four hours a day every week. At that time, there wasn't any established medical examiner career option across the United States. His funds, material on legal medicine, and appropriate training weren't offered. In fact, by 1908, there were only four medical examiners within Suffolk County. Dr. Magrath and Dr. Timothy Leary split the jurisdiction in half. Dr. Magrath took the northern half of the division while Leary was appointed the southern division.

Dr. Magrath's medical history included a year in Europe where he studied every part of legal medicine available. London and Paris held systems pertaining to death investigation and were highly observed as the most advanced professionals of that field throughout the world. Once he became a medical examiner for Suffolk County, he took what he learned and implemented the principles and practices within his own work. This addition of knowledge was included in his teaching and curriculum with Harvard's medical school.

He had a staunch regard for the deceased, maintained efficient rules of conduct, observed a silent tongue on all cases until the courts had been decided, and never guessed at the causes of death. He took his role as medical examiner and forensic analyst very seriously. Throughout his career, he kept a notebook about his cases in order to document what he learned from each investigation. The leather-bound field book was kept in a code that only he or his secretary understood. His dedication to respecting the case and the evidence involved were paramount to keeping his notes and thoughts secret.

Meticulous, Magrath was a "confident and unshakable" gentleman who refused to lie, manipulate, or change the facts to suit anyone else's purpose. He presented the information as is and without embellishment but based on the scientific evidence he'd gathered and the medical knowledge to back his findings. A brilliant mind, Magrath seemed to understand the importance of an uncontaminated crime-scene, calling in the medical examiner immediately, not tampering with vital evidence, and relying on what the victim's body told him in order to make a rational and educated summation of their passing.

In these ways, Dr. Magrath found in Frances Glessner Lee a "kindred spirit." She was someone who wanted to contribute to society and make a difference. She appreciated art, learning, and creating change for the betterment of all. Her desire to learn and grow far exceeded her age and current abilities. Since her brother as well as Dr. Magrath, had gone to Harvard, and since Harvard was a family institution, Frances had wanted to attend herself. However, due to her gender, she wasn't allowed to be a student. This lack of education and lack of ability didn't stop her from partnering with Dr. Magrath and his successors.

During the course of her work, Frances felt motivated to create dioramas of murder scenes. She used every means at her disposal to replicate these case studies into life-size models for students to observe and produce deductions of whether murder had occurred and how. These 3-D models were used for teaching classes that she herself helped organize and teach for state police. She wanted them to have access and knowledge to the field of legal medicine even if they had no formal medical background. These classes were held twice a year and by special invitation.

Beyond the class and dioramas being shared, Lee was a pioneering voice for a Department of Legal Medicine to be established at Harvard. She collected and donated thousands of books and textbooks and models to the library. With the promise of her continued support and substantial funds when she passed, Lee negotiated terms to keep Magrath on as the head of the department until his death. She supplemented his income and provided so many opportunities and funds to the college to create a medical field promoting the teaching and learning of medical science, legal medicine, and the education of a medical examiner.

Frances Glessner Lee provided the pathway to future medical students and the education of modern forensics. She was not daunted by circumstances, the lack of support for her gender or her ideas, or by the lack of resources. She found her own. She made a way where there was none, and she used her wealth and social standing for good. Lee believed in the work her friend Magrath was doing, and she didn't allow his dream to die with him.

In the words of Frances Glessner Lee herself, "My whole object has
been to improve the administration of justice, to standardize the
methods, to sharpen the existing tools, and to make it easier for
law enforcement officers to do 'a good job' and to give the public
'a square deal.'" (pg 260)

Unfortunately, after her death, Lee's dedication was not carried on with the hallowed walls of Harvard. The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death were given on "permanent loan" to the Maryland Medical-Legal Foundation. It continued the training for police officers with some exceptions. The Frances Glessner Lee Seminar in Homicide Investigation is no longer housed at Harvard but has since been reestablished at the Forensic Medical Center for the State of Maryland in Baltimore.

Author Bruce Goldfarb shares that despite Lee's efforts, the United states doesn't have a consistent and universal system for forensic investigation. Instead, there are approximately 2,342 systems established for forensic investigation and can change by state, county, or region. Coroners still make up one of those systems, and medical examiners are found in only twenty-two states and the District of Columbia. In fact, the same reasons for the lack of improvement and advancement of Lee's era persisted and include: "political opposition, resistance to giving up local authority, [and] the fairly high initial investment cost to set up a well-equipped medical examiner office." (pg 283)

The stats and considerations evolving over the years are disheartening when you think of how much work, time, and effort Lee put into creating a more streamlined structure. Part of the problem can be found in the lack of manpower. There aren't enough students in medical schools across the country willing to train in pathology, and taking it a step further, forensic pathology. Several discrepancies are harming cases and putting the justice system, those who serve, and victims at a disadvantage.

There are so many more details this book shares. It is a phenomenal resource, and I loved learning about such a forceful, dynamic, and considerate woman. It, also, opened up a window into the behind-the-scenes world of forensic investigation. It's a fascinating and enjoyable read.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in medical history, forensic science, crime investigation, and finding out more about Frances Glessner Lee and the difference she made. This work is a "must-read" for anyone who appreciates heroes in history to give this read a try.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

A Warrior's Heart (Brides of Laurent Book #1) by Misty M. Beller

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Misty M. Beller:

"Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God's love. For a limited time, you can get one of her bestselling novels FREE here: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty's passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God's abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

Learn more at www.MistyMBeller.com." ~Amazon

Her heart longs for peace, but peace won't keep them safe.

Brielle Durand is still haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she's risen to be the key defender for her people's peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret home, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on his promise to his government or take a risk on where his heart is leading him? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts to have any hope of finding peace for their peoples.

Praise for Misty M. Beller

"Misty Beller is a new author well worth watching out for."--LAURAINE SNELLING, author of The Red River of the North series

"I've long been a Misty Beller fan and her books don't disappoint."--TRACIE PETERSON, bestselling author

"Misty M. Beller brings the nineteenth-century American frontier to vivid life!"--LAURA FRANTZ, Christy Award-winning author of The Lacemaker

~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A balanced blend of American history, family background, and Christian romance.

A Warrior's Heart is the first book in Author Misty M. Beller's Brides of Laurent series, and I'm excited to see what she has in store for us with her future books. A prolific writer of American history, Beller brings the Western and Frontier world to you in a thoughtful, character driven story. This new tale is part of one of her five different series, and I highly recommend you read her books if you love Christian Historical fiction.

We meet Brielle Durand on the hunt. She's tracking an interloper across the outskirts of her settlement which is hidden in the caves of the Canadian Rockies. As a leader of her people, she will never forget the tragedy which struck her secret village over twelve years before. A massacre killed several including her own mother. A peaceful encampment, Brielle is determined to never let outsiders into her home again.

Evan MacManus doesn't realize he's about to become the prey. His mission is to find an explosive material in the Northern mountains. This incendiary element is supposed to be within the mountains according to the descriptions and directions provided by an old trapper's diary. He needs the material to help bring an end to the War of 1812. A war that has brought him immense loss and grief.

During the telling of each story, our main characters inner turmoil and dialogue assists in developing their burgeoning relationship. Brielle wants to trust Evan, but the wounds of her past are still fresh, and she isn't sure she's ready to believe her instincts about him. Evan struggles to tell the truth, but not the whole truth, of why he was traveling so near their encampment. He didn't even realize it was there, and he knows there's a chance their home could be the location he needs. Brielle is a courageous and valiant female character, and Evan is a unflinching and forgiving male character whose personal growth and mutual respect heighten over time.

With secrets between the two, the bitter past, and conflict rising in the settlement, readers are treated to the characters' experiences and adventures. As they reveal their truths, both develop a deeper friendship. Neither want their fears and doubts to plague their growing trust and deepening feelings for each other. However, the antagonism of one of Laurent's people forces Brielle and Evan to make choices they hope they don't regret.

A Warrior's Heart is an inspiring and uplifting read about second chances, the strength of community, integrity, and faith. Brielle and Evan are a thoughtful couple who show how prayer and compassion can help heal scarred hearts, and how the Lord brings all things together for the good of His creation. Author Misty M. Beller gives readers sweet, meaningful encounters between the main characters and secondary characters as well as the depth of family within Laurent. It had me wishing there was even more background to all of the secondary characters who I came to love.

A stirring, memorable story that readers will love. The 19th Century is brought to life once more in this newest novel about the American West, and it sheds light on the compassion, sensitivity, and humanity each character's life brings to the story. I loved it - with a 4/5 rating, and I encourage you to pick up your copy today!

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and the author for an ARC copy to read and review!

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

The Great Turnaround by Susanne Weegmann

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Susanne Weegmann:

Susanne Weegmann (June 15, 1973) is a German author, founder and CEO of Prophetic Fire Ministry (https://www.propheticfireministry.com).

At the age of five, while painting pictures for the story of Joseph, Susanne experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, not knowing that it was the Holy Spirit. Growing up in a family of non-believers, she started reading scripture at the age of nineteen. While preparing for final secondary school examinations in 1994, she decided to read the four books of the Gospel instead of Job. Having a great desire to become a disciple, it took another ten years until she gave her life to Jesus.

Since that time, she has attended different bible colleges and studies and has served in different churches and several house groups. As a leader of prayer groups, time and again she has taught since 2010.

Her greatest passion is not only to share the gospel but to let the word come alive in people's hearts, to see GOD move in their lives.

Follow her here:

Amazon

Goodreads

Website

Fiver

Reedsy Discovery

Facebook

Twitter

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the confusion, crime, and lawlessness in your nation?

Do you long for clarity, peace, godliness, and holiness? Are you ready to shift yourself and your nation in prayer from lawlessness to holiness?

Then take comfort in this: God has not forgotten you nor your nation. On the contrary, he has given us the blueprint in his word with which we can walk through. He has already prepared the way. Will you walk on it?

Join Author Susanne Weegmann in The Great Turnaround, a 40-day- journey along with the story of King Hezekiah. You will experience inner-healing and the power of purifying yourself and your nation as a priest of the most high God and see God move in your life and your nation. As you walk chapter by chapter through The Great Turnaround, it will be your cleansing path, your turn towards the laws and orders of the heavenly kingdom, your turn for the good.

As you see yourself more and more positioned as a priest and work with GOD together in prayer, it will become The Great Turnaround for you to the Father's heart. You will cleanse and purify your life, break courses over you, your family, and your nation.

You did not land on this page by accident. You are here because God is actively pursuing to install his purposes in your life.

So take the next step in your spiritual growth journey by clicking the "Buy Now" button at the top of the page! ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Relevant, thought-provoking, and a crucial read for life. Author Susanne Weegmann shows readers why Jesus can still save.

I don't think anyone can get started reading a book by Susanne Weegmann and not get excited. There's a slight frisson of exhilaration and anticipation as you begin, and it builds with each new chapter. In this standalone copy, readers are introduced to a 40-day experience with the story of King Hezekiah. This journey reveals an immediate "call-to-action" for the wellbeing and spiritual investment of those who read it.

To be blunt, don't read this book if you think it's a fast read with no substance because you will be seriously mistaken. This 40-day journey will require you to think, interact, and expect discernment. Author Susanne Weegmann is calling you to utilize your prayer life, knowledge of King Hezekiah's example, and personal diligence to step into your own spiritual inheritance.

Within the book, we're given the steps through second Chronicles, devotions based on the given scriptures, additional scriptures, prayer encouragement, prayer points, and space for you to write notes as you go.

The reader learns quite a bit about how Hezekiah's rule and organization of the priests, Levites, temple worship, and sacrifice play a daily role in the temporal and spiritual world. Prayer and praise are at the heart of these lessons. Weegmann gives her audience the comprehension and reasoning behind Hezekiah's worship and how it can benefit and bless followers of Christ today. She emphasizes that these scriptural directives have precedence in the latter days and why it's important for believers to continue to observe these customs.

This book breaks down the second book of Chronicles in a way that makes it applicable to modern life. Chapters are shared in terms of how God worked in King Hezekiah's day and how He works for you now. The theme of thanksgiving shows how people are blessed when they give gratitude and honor to God in the good times and continue to show Him acclaim in difficult times. King Hezekiah's people were able to see the surplus of their blessings when they concentrated on how good God was to them. We, Weegmann highlights, can experience this same overabundance when we make time with Him a priority.

Author Susanne Weegmann's main message throughout is to focus on Christ. Believers need to come back to Him, pray, praise, and seek forgiveness to move forward in spiritual growth and understanding. If we do this, we and our land can be healed. It involves what you bring to the Kingdom, the development of your gifts, the blessing of your time, and the fullness of your beliefs which help you become who you are called to be and have all you need to fulfill your mission.

Through The Great Turnaround, I felt an uplift between the knowledge I gained and my application of it. That's why I've rated this book a 5/5 and plan to reread it. I feel this is a book many will find hope within and encourage anyone who enjoys reading Christian nonfiction, spiritual self-help, and further Scriptural enlightenment to give it a read.

Thanks to the author and Reedsy Discovery for an ARC copy of this book to read and review.

As always, thank you for joining me, and Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Beauty by K. Lumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author K. (Kenya) Lumpkin:

"K. Lumpkin began writing and illustrating books at the age of 4. Currently, she is a wife and mother of two adolescents who make the simplest things in life exciting. K. Lumpkin and her family have lived in Latin America and various states in the U.S.

When not homeschooling and learning with as well as from her teens and when a breath can be caught, she enjoys the pleasures of her early years — writing, reading, dancing and painting.

River (previously titled Fire Clouds) and Beauty (previously titled Beauty for Ashes) are the next installments in the series of the novel you currently hold in your hands. K. Lumpkin is also the author of Nothing in Time Separating." ~Goodreads

"I wouldn't give love up if there was any way I could control it. It's precious, and it's not that easy to find."

David said he'd never hurt her but Kyana has never experienced such searing pain. A madman has snatched the love of her life away from her and she doesn't know how to find him.

Micah, always so cool, calm, and together, is on the brink of explosion. One vile serpent already took his brother away from him and another snake is in wait to do the same with Olivia. But Micah won't let that happen. What does God want? Micah isn't listening to God any more. He wants his brother back, he wants his woman safe, and he wants revenge.

Olivia does not recognize the man Micah is becoming. The change in him shakes her nearly as much as her terrifying past that is one step away from catching up to her.

Destruction brings tests of faith that promise to leave behind ashes. Yet beyond the danger, fear, hurt, and fragments, something unexpected is born.

LOVE and BEAUTY.

"To bestow upon them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning."

~Reedsy Discovery

Find her work and more about her at these sites:

Website

Smashwords

Amazon

Goodreads

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

The final book in a series about faith, hope, and love. These characters show us the true meaning of belief and forgiveness.

Author K. Lumpkin doesn't pull any punches when beginning her third installment of her Quenching the Fire series. After reading Fire and River, I wanted to find out what happened next with her courageous characters. She takes us back to book two, in a sense, by revealing what had happened to David Mitchell in those last moments. Afterward, she gives us the chapters we need to see how life has been for Micah Mitchell with his relationship to Olivia Moore and also Kyana Cel`on. All four characters have had a significant amount of negative relationships, crazy ex's, and so much more. For this last book in the series, we're finally getting the "what happens next" in the world of these strong characters.

First, we are taken back to what had happened before David Mitchell was declared dead. We're given more insight into the plan Larry Wasp had in store, and we're introduced to a whole new family: the Richards. They become a key part of David's story, and the reader has a few good samaritans to admire.

Next, we see how Micah Mitchell is handling the loss of his brother as well as the escape of the man who ruined his fiancé's life. Hiring a private detective to go after Nigel doesn't take away Micah's sense of rage and need for revenge. For several chapters, we're shown how Micah deals with all of these emotions and what really matters to him.

Third, we have Kyana's grief and anger as well as her determination to prove David isn't dead and have Larry found. This storyline gives us her dealings with police officer and friend Ben Adams and Camille and Natasha's support. Despite the circumstances, the reader finds Kyana hoping and praying for the best.

Throughout, the only wish I had came from a desire to see a bit more action and dialogue as opposed to the consistent narrative about past or present events. A few of the plot lines could have had a bit more time spent on them as well, but overall, the meaning and characters brought a constructive and optimistic balance to the tale. It was enjoyable to see these characters brought to life once more and given the chance to end on a more positive note.

Within each of these subplots, we see the characters grow, adapt, and develop to the experiences and tragedies life has dealt them. Their strength of character and faith help them from crossing huge lines and share a personal testimony. This is brought about through their dialogue with each other, the Lord, and their actions as they face beyond-difficult realities. The underlying message of conviction, trust, and confidence is a powerful and appreciated theme.

Readers will find this story full of resolved conflicts, hope for the future, and a willingness to forgive. Author K. Lumpkin does a lovely job of pulling all the threads together and giving a satisfying ending. It's definitely "worth a read" and provides a positive and buoyant ending to a complicated, heartfelt, and thrilling series. With that, I share a 3/5 rating to encourage others to give it a read.

Thanks to the author and Reedsy Discovery for providing an ARC copy for me to read and review.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Finding God's Life for My Will: His Presence Is the Plan by Mike Donehey

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Mike Donehey:

"Mike Donehey Is amazed by the love of God.

He is author of the book Finding God's Life for My Will, and sings in the boisterous and enthusiastic pop band, Tenth Avenue North. He loves his wife and four Daughters. He currently lives in Nashville Tennessee." ~Amazon

Here's More:

Goodreads
Tenth Avenue North Website
Mike Donehey Website
"By Your Side" Acoustic Version

"By Your Side" Original Version

ECPA BESTSELLER • The lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for award-winning contemporary Christian band Tenth Avenue North shows readers that by seeking God first and focusing on serving Him, we can live daily in His will.

"Perhaps God isn't giving me the plan because He wants to be the plan."

This was the aha moment for Mike Donehey after years of wrestling with his obsession to know God's specific plans for his life. He came to the realization that waiting for absolute certainty from God before making decisions may seem uberspiritual, but it can lead to a life of intense stress, paralyzing fear, and crushing regret--just the opposite of the freedom granted to those living a Christ-filled life.

"This is my story...how I gave up begging to know God's will and began to ask His life to come and change my will."

With his signature humor and relentless hunger for God, Mike will show you that discovering the Father's purpose and plan for our lives is not the shell game that we all too often make it out to be. If you're unsure what to do next, take heart and accept the ultimate invitation: learn to see God as the plan, not simply the formula to the plan. ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A life-affirming, uplifting, heart-touching, must read!

I have to start with an introduction as to why I picked up this book in the first place. Being a fan of Tenth Avenue North, it felt natural for me to read a book by the lead singer Mike Donehey. The title hooked me, and I wanted to learn more about the author's take on how to find God's life for his will. It made me hopeful that I'd gain insight and possibly my own philosophy concerning what he had to share. However, this wasn't the only reason I picked up his book.

When I was in my early twenties, life began to feel fragile and even more confusing. I wasn't sure where my place in the world was or how I was supposed to feel or act or be. Although working my way through college, it was hard to find a balance between working fulltime, taking a full-time load of classes, and dealing with the usual fears and foibles of life. So, it became a very delicate place to inhabit, and my unhappiness with myself and the world became a predominant spectur hovering over me at all hours.

It was during this difficult time that I heard "By Your Side" on the radio. At this point, I was looking for anything to help me see a clear path or just to hold on until my world felt a little more stable. For this, I already had Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith's Worship CDs, and a few other songs keeping me holding on, and I was about to add Tenth Avenue North to my lifeline list.

Once I heard this song, it became a very important part of my life. The lyrics meant so much to me and felt like a reflection of what I was feeling inside. It became a mantra to me. I bought their CD and listened to it over and over again. I enjoyed their whole album and found other uplifting songs, but "By Your Side" became my anthem, and it kept me going. It fed life back into me and showed me I just needed to keep holding onto Jesus and His Word.

For this, Tenth Avenue North became a part of my saving grace. It motivated me to keep going, and it reminded me of how Jesus was always by my side. For this reason and more, I felt an immense sense of hope and relief. From this day forward, Tenth Avenue North became a band I loved and appreciated. They were one of a few artists whose CDs I would continue to buy and whose music I would listen to on repeat - until the day I die.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard they were going to come to KCMO in 2015 with Chris Tomlin. Two of my favorite Christian music artists in one place? Sign me up! I bought tickets so fast. It was one of the best concerts of my life. Not only did I hear my favorite songs, feel uplifted, and hear a new band I didn't know - Rend Collective, but I had the most amazing experience of my life.

While singing out their hit song "By Your Side" and giving it all I had despite my off-key voice, lead singer Mike Donehey jumped off the stage and ran up to the second level of the theater where I stood. He was singing, grabbing hands, and moving along the stairs and walkway until he came to my seat. He stopped, balanced on the railing, and held onto my hand. He sang to me and leaned forward to serenade my friend. He spent several minutes singing to us and holding my hand, and it was unbelievable. This was a once in a lifetime experience, and it felt as if God was using Mike Donehey to remind me that He's always there, always watching, and always by my side. Again, I was in another place of need, and God used this band and this song and this man to remind me of His presence once more.

I can't begin to describe to you the emotions and magnitude of this moment. I can't explain how much it meant to me or what a wild experience it was. I can't even begin to tell you how incredible it felt to hold onto the hand of someone who had made a difference in my life and didn't even know it. Because Tenth Avenue North did make a difference in my life. God used them to remind me of His presence with their songs. They've been doing it ever since I first heard them on the radio to that concert to this day. Needless to say, "By Your Side" is still my favorite song of theirs, but I've come to love so many of their songs because of the meaning behind them and how they connect to me. Their lyrics are so real and honest, I can feel them to the depths of my soul.

This is an introduction to an uplifting and relatable book by Author Mike Donehey. My experiences with his music and podcasts led me to Finding God's Life for my Will, and I'm glad it did. This was a book which showed me how Mike's life shaped who he is today. His experiences and testimonies were positive and life-affirming to hear. You never know anyone else's struggles until they share them, and then you see how God worked in their lives and what a difference it made. That's the case with this novel.

Each chapter brings its own fount of information. To try and summarize the content in a few brief paragraphs is unimaginable. I don't think I can do it. All I can do is pull several different key phrases and meanings from the book out, shine a light upon them, and then encourage you to read it. I want you to read it and find your own understanding and hope within its pages. However, believe me when I say, it might not be exactly what you expect.

The first sentence that drew my attention came from the introduction. It states on page 4, "His life for my will, and yous, is a never-ending process of submission." Yet again, I find a reminder to myself that I'm not in control. I can think I am and hope I am and pretend I am, but in the end, God's in charge. He's got my back. So, this is another reiteration of my need to give up my ego, pride, and control. My surrender will give Him glory, and in return, He'll help me through my time here on Earth.

Throughout this book, Author Mike Donehey shares his testimonies of his life. In the beginning, he gives us a personal look at what happened before his marriage, a life-altering accident, and the building of his career as a singer and songwriter with Tenth Avenue North. These testimonies share how his relationship with the Lord has grown and developed over time, and how it's a complete process on a daily basis because the world keeps creeping in, and he has to return to that place of surrender.

With a testimony regarding his wife, then girlfriend, he shares how he felt the Lord speaking to his heart and using the words He'd spoken so long ago to encourage Mike: "I'll never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5), and "I work all things together for those who love Me and have been called according to My purpose" (Romans 8:28). It was in the midst of these reminders and his struggle that Mike thought, "Perhaps God isn't giving me the plan because He wants to be the plan" (pg 9).

Again, these reminders and epiphanies are good for me to hear. Too often I want everything my own way, and repeatedly, I find out life just doesn't work out that way. This is okay.

Another lesson I've learned from this book is that "doing less" and "loving more" are two of the greatest things we can do with our time. Sometimes, if you're like me, I feel I've accomplished so much when my calendar is jam-packed, and I fall into bed exhausted each night. Yet, the best feelings of achievement come when I spend time with others, listening to them or helping them.

In fact, in the ninth chapter of his book, the author points out the Sabbath. He asks us to "consider" it and follows up this request by sharing the point of view of many scholars over this holy day. Many of those scholars believe that "God established the Sabbath to remind humanity that He doesn't love us because of our productivity" (pg 121). Jesus isn't wrapped up in what we do with our life or the money we make or the "culture that idolizes the ability to make a profit" (pg 121). He simply wants us to "concern ourselves with our motivations and methods" (pg 121) and remember that he wants to "purify our potential" (pg 121).

It's hard to stop sharing what I've gleaned from this book and how invigorated it made me feel inside, but I can give a few more important pieces I've pulled from this reading.

1. "Keep asking and keep resting" (pg 135) - "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)
2. "Gratitude readies us for heartbreak" (pg 156) -- "Being joyful in all things doesn't mean there is an absence of sorrow" (pg 156), but "gratitude is a shield protecting our hearts from bitterness" (pg 157).
3. "Keep saying yes" (pg 167) and try to figure out who you're "trying to serve" (pg 169).
4. "Embrace your cracks" (pg 187) and ask for forgiveness, confess your sins, and be merciful to those seeking your understanding. Don't add to their shame.
5. "He wants you to walk with Him" (pg 224).

Also, you have to read the story he includes about the woman named Joy on one of his flights. It's a beautiful message, and it sheds light on our ability to observe and demonstrate our gratitude. The depth and care shared within each of these chapters is momentous, and it brings the reader a chance to pause and reflect. It serves as an opportunity to see your life from a new perspective, and it gives you the chance to see how valuable and loved by God you really are.

Although I wish I could share so much more with you, I want to encourage you to read this book yourself and allow its lessons to immerse your soul and give you hope and peace. We can all use a pick-me-up from time to time, and I feel this book delivers a positive theme from beginning to end. It's one of my favorite books from 2021 so far, and I can't say enough how thought-provoking and refreshing it is.

That's why it definitely ranks as a "must read" for me and rates a full 5/5! I'm excited to see what else Author Mike Donehey shares in the future, and I hope to hear more of his music, podcasts, and life experiences along the way. Hopefully, you enjoy his book as much as I did, and I hope you'll comment on what you learned from it.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author J.D. Salinger:

"Born in New York in 1919, Jerome David Salinger dropped out of several schools before enrolling in a writing class at Columbia University, publishing his first piece ("The Young Folks") in Story magazine. Soon after, the New Yorker picked up the heralded "A Perfect Day for Bananafish," and more pieces followed, including "Slight Rebellion off Madison" in 1941, an early Holden Caulfield story. Following a stint in Europe for World War II, Salinger returned to New York and began work on his signature novel, 1951's "The Catcher in the Rye," an immediate bestseller for its iconoclastic hero and forthright use of profanity. Following this success, Salinger retreated to his Cornish, New Hampshire, home where he grew increasingly private, eventually erecting a wall around his property and publishing just three more books: "Nine Stories," "Franny and Zooey," "Raise High the Roof Beam, and Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction." Salinger was married twice and had two children. He died of natural causes on January 27, 2010, in New Hampshire at the age of 91." ~Amazon

"Perhaps the best book by the foremost stylist of his generation" (New York Times), J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey collects two works of fiction about the Glass family originally published in The New Yorker.

"Everything everybody does is so--I don't know--not wrong, or even mean, or even stupid necessarily. But just so tiny and meaningless and--sad-making. And the worst part is, if you go bohemian or something crazy like that, you're conforming just as much only in a different way.

A novel in two halves, Franny and Zooey brilliantly captures the emotional strains and traumas of entering adulthood. It is a gleaming example of the wit, precision, and poignancy that have made J. D. Salinger one of America's most beloved writers." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

J.D. Salinger creates a complicated work of family life.

By complicated, I mean, Franny and Zooey is a difficult two-hundred and two page book to muddle through. At first, I was interested in the arrival of Franny's train and curious about the boy waiting for her at the station. This interest took a steep turn into boredom and hostility.

Franny's behavior was unusual and unexpected. I worried about her during the first forty-four pages of the book as it centered around her meal and conversation with the boyfriend. Lane Coutell immediately became uninteresting and annoying the moment he opened his mouth. An apparent self-absorbed character, he prattled on about his paper and the decision to have it published. Although I would have been captivated by the content and eager to learn more, Lane's snobby manner made me wish for this get together to end as soon as possible.

Within this lengthy chapter, you know something isn't quite right with Franny, and you wonder if she's sick or found out she has an incurable disease or possibly pregnant. When she faints toward the end, you think you have it all figured out. However, the reader is in for a big surprise.

The second section of the book introduces us to Zooey. You don't know who this person is until the narrator has a large discourse over the him and brings the reader into view of the home where Zooey is currently taking a bath. This change in voice and point of view is jarring and unappreciated to say the least. From here, you learn that Zooey is Franny's brother. He's a wanna-be actor with a cynical outlook and a snide conversational tone. Before long, you get to enjoy a long conference between him and his mother. The subject of most of this talk: Franny.

As the story progresses, you find out that Zooey and Franny are the youngest of four. The eldest has committed suicide, and the next eldest brother is not a regular with the family. It's, also, revealed that the two older brothers are blamed for some sort of "indoctrination" or teaching of religious ways during Franny and Zooey's upbringing. As a result, Franny's current "breakdown" is in part blamed upon both of them, and the other blame goes to her religious professor and reading a book about a pilgrimage to learn how to pray unceasingly.

Now, maybe I'm missing or skipping over some in-depth meaning or symbolism here, but I found this story to be exasperating, tiresome, and infuriating. I forced myself to finish it in an attempt to figure out what the author was trying to say. However, I'm not positive what the author is exactly attempting to convey.

By reading the synopsis and reviews, I see Author J.D. Salinger used this book and others to share his own thoughts and philosophy about life. Franny and Zooey was a showcase of family and the tumultuous relationship between a brother and sister. Some might even say, it was an expression of belief in a higher power that can't be boiled down to a book or lesson or specific person's experience. I'm sure there is something in here for someone to debate or shine light upon, but the style in which it's dispatched is choppy, overanalyzed, and inconclusive. If Salinger wanted to show how inconsistent, uncertain, and confusing life and spiritual insight can be, then he might have just hit the nail on the head. Other than that, I have to confess this to be one of the most monotonous books I've ever read.

For me, it wasn't entertaining. There wasn't any sort of understanding or development in the characters. Nothing was resolved in any way. Plus, the language in it (whether there's an argument for realism or not) was irritating and unnecessary. Each scene with Zooey and his mother was weird and unbearably unhelpful to read through. The relationship between the brother and sister remained stagnant, and both seemed to be so egotistical and possibly narcissistic as to not allow any type of change or growth. Which, I suppose, is a great portrayal of selfish individuals trying to figure out life and feeling as if they're the most intelligent people in any room; so, of course, they couldn't be wrong about anything.

Perhaps, I'm taking this story all wrong and missing whatever point the author was trying to make. I know authors have a specific way of sharing their own insight, and I can say that Salinger is a master of dialogue and introspection. He, also, gives the reader an endeavor of thinking outside the box. In the spirit of respect, I commend Salinger for his attempts to get the reader to think of things through the eyes of his characters. He certainly shares an omniscient host of attitudes toward family, spiritual and religious beliefs, and relationships that could be dissected to the heart's content of any philosophy fan.

However, this person would not be me. Although I applaud Salinger's attempt, respect his devotion and hardwork, and feel a slight satisfaction of finishing a book on Rory Gilmore's to-read list as well as being Carrie Pilby's (book by Caren Lissner which was turned into a movie staring Bel Powley) favorite book, I can't say I felt any connection to the story. It held no attachment for me, and I can't say it's a book I would ever read again. With this being said, I'm giving this book a 2/5. Basically, "it wasn't for me," and I'd say skip it altogether, but Franny's beginning piece wasn't too bad. It might interest other readers, and therefore, I say give it a read. Please don't say I didn't warn you though.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

The Truth of the Matter by Leigh Fleming

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Leigh Fleming:

"Leigh Fleming is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and has published contemporary romance. The Truth of the Matter is her first work of historical women's fiction.

Leigh lives in West Virginia with her husband and her deaf French bulldog. When not writing, she enjoys reading, travelling, scrapbooking, and spending time with friends." ~Amazon

Contact Leigh at leigh@leighfleming.com

Website: http://www.leighfleming.com

Follow her: http://www.facebook.com/leighhflemingauthor

http://www.twitter.com/leighhfleming1

http://www.instagram.com/lhfauthor

I had the privilege to read her newest book The Truth of the Matter:

"On a cold night in 1877, Laurel Whitman’s father flies into a rage and throws her into the street. His behavior isn’t unusual; he has ridiculed her for years, and Laurel doesn’t understand why. All she knows is that his vitriol has something to do with her grandmother, a woman shrouded in mystery.

Laurel goes on a harrowing journey from her home in Philadelphia to Maryland only to discover that her grandmother is on death’s door. She is welcomed with open arms by her extended family but receives a chilly reception from her grandmother who seems suspicious of Laurel’s arrival. Over the next few weeks, her grandmother recovers and her distrust begins to thaw as she tells Laurel stories of her abusive first husband, the young immigrant whom she came to love, and the birth of her two illegitimate children.

Laurel learns the secrets of her family’s fractured past, a story of resilience, deception, and forbidden passion that forces Laurel to confront the truths in her own heart. But will unearthing long-buried secrets heal the rift between Laurel and her father, or will the past haunt the present and the future forever?" ~Amazon

Goodreads

Reedsy Discovery

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A motivational story with moving characters. Laurel Whitman is a brave heroine to admire, and Cillian O'Brien is a sweet hero to adore.

Author Leigh Fleming keeps you engaged, startled, worried, and on the edge-of-your-seat from the beginning of this historical fiction novel. This first stand-alone story takes us to 1877 and the world of Laurel Whitman; an artist with dreams of using her art skills to earn money and provide a career in design. Her dreams are ridiculed by her father, a brute who tells her she's just like his whore of a mother, and Laurel is determined to find out the truth about her grandmother and the past.

We find Laurel working in the factories feeding the looms ten hours a day and attending art school at night three times a week. Her wages are shared with her mother and brothers, and she is determined to make her dreams come true. When her father all but throws her out of the house, Laurel knows that making it to her grandmother in Maryland might be the only chance to rectify the rift and figure out why he hates her so much.

On the way there and even after she arrives, things don't go quite as planned. Through her misjudged moments, her continual strength, and the support of her friend Cillian O'Brien, Laurel learns some life lessons about how our actions can hold us hostage.

Although her grandmother is displeased to see her at first - refusing to answer any questions, she eventually warms up to Laurel. Before long, Laurel is obtaining the stories of her grandmother's past and the people most involved in her life - including Laurel's father. This retelling consists of conversations between them and the grandmother's journal entries which take you right into the past.

Through the recital, we hear a vivid account of Laurel's grandmother's life, the rise of animosity in her children from her first marriage - including Laurel's father, the conflict, her grandmother's decisions and regret, and the death the ensuing actions created. It's a well-documented history and full of nuances, regrets, joys, and sadness. You learn a great deal and can relate to the characters at hand even more.

Before the end, we're given the understanding of the separation between Maggie Hayward, Laurel's grandmother, and her son. Inevitably, a new conflict emerges, and beyond this scene, new hopes arise. I support the mild explicit warning, but all in all, consider this an excellent story. Well-written with exceptional characters, I'd definitely say I "loved it."

Thanks to Author Leigh Fleming and Reedsy Discovery for providing an ARC copy for me to read and review.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 10 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Fredrik Backman:

"Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, and two novellas, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime, as well as one work of nonfiction, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World. His books are published in more than forty countries. His next novel, Anxious People, will be published in September 2020. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children."

Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter @BackmanLand or on Instagram @Backmansk.

~Amazon

Anxious People:

"A People Book of the Week, Book of the Month Club selection, and Best of Fall in Good Housekeeping, PopSugar, The Washington Post, New York Post, Shondaland, CNN, and more!"

“[A] quirky, big-hearted novel…Wry, wise, and often laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a wholly original story that delivers pure pleasure.” —People

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove comes a charming, poignant novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined."

"Looking at real estate isn’t usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can’t fix their own marriage. There’s a wealthy bank director who has been too busy to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything, from where they want to live to how they met in the first place. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom, and you’ve got the worst group of hostages in the world.

Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.

Rich with Fredrik Backman’s “pitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human nature” (Shelf Awareness), Anxious People is an ingeniously constructed story about the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope—the things that save us, even in the most anxious times." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A book of emotions and wonderment.

When you first finish a book, it takes a moment to assess what you feel and why you feel that way. You might, throughout the story, take sides, laugh, cry, and wonder what in the heck is going on. There is an expanse of time at the end when you try to make sense of those emotions and wonderment. Such a feeling enveloped me when I read Author Fredrik Backman's newest book Anxious People.

Backman's ninth book might follow his passion for getting to the crux of what makes people tick, and ultimately, what makes us the same, but it isn't like any other book I've ever read. A Man Called Ove was my first introduction to this author, and it was when I fell in love with his work and the humanity that prevails in each novel. Since then, I've tackled My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry and Britt Marie. His others are awaiting on my shelf, and I'll get to them as soon as I'm ready to continue crying.

Anxious People has a lot of conversational narrative, extended exposition per primary and secondary storylines, and many characters who all have a connection to this unintentional hostage drama. Backman offers a style that's both choppy and illuminating. As the words on the page twist and turn inside of you, they begin to paint memories, emotions, and understanding. When all is said and done, the best part of this fictional work is how much you connect to the plot, the characters in one way or another, and how much you wish real life could have an easy escape route.

That's the beauty of Author Fredrik Backman's writing. He makes you think, and he readjusts your perception of any given situation. His tales aren't just about the main character but about how that main character interacts with others, is driven to a certain point in their life where answers become mute, and how it can take one other suffering person to turn the tide. It's an attractive and irresistible lure into the minds of those present and how they develop and change and become the person they always were or might have been.

His presentation is purposeful. The illustration of how everyone's life isn't as simple as it seems intertwines with the devastation of how we justify our actions, but it also shares a vulnerability and anxiety to how those decisions are formulated. Backman's style is meant to shock you by giving you a view of what you think is happening, but in essence, it's only one part of the whole.

With our bank-robber-turned-hostage-taker, nothing is as it seems. We meet a bungling thief who rushes from the cashless bank they've just attempted to rob and into an apartment building across the street. Already the mask and gun being carried have attracted attention, and police are quick to the scene. When the bank robber enters the open door to the apartment being shown, everyone thinks they are about to be robbed or murdered, but that isn't the intent of the bank robber at all.

Within the course of the story and about four-hours of "hostage time," the reader is introduced to several characters. Jim and Jack are police officers at the local station and happen to be father and son as well. We are treated to learning about their relationship, their losses, and the reason Jack became a policeman in the first place. Their interactions with the victims and possible suspects shows how working with family, even when you love them, isn't always the easiest decision to maintain.

We're given the story of Zara, who is a hostage, and someone who has a connection to one of the officers in charge. She can't sleep at nights, she has an immense sense of guilt, and her story started years before when a man jumped from a bridge but sent her a letter first. Beyond that revelation, we find out she saw a separate attempted suicide from the same bridge, but we learn the teen girl in question was saved by another.

Anna-Lena and Roger have been married a long time. He seems grouchy, set in his ways, and short with his wife, but Anna-Lena insists he's intelligent and caring and romantic. As the story unfolds, you begin to see little snippets of why she thinks this, why she cares so much, and why she hired a man to sabotage the apartment viewing.

Lennart is an actor. In his spare time, he's a saboteur for hire. So, he's already setting the stage in the apartment when the other guests arrive. However, his plans backfire, and he ends up joining the rank of hostage. Oh, and Roger wants to punch him.

Roger wants to feel enough. He used to feel that way, but now that he's retired, it isn't a lasting feeling. His kids are grown and doing their own thing. He didn't get to experience the work-life he'd dreamed of having, but apartment hunting and flipping are part of his strategy to feel good about himself. If only his wife hadn't hired that Lennart on several of their last house projects without him knowing. Now, he wants the bank-robber to shoot Lennart. Or Roger could just punch him.

Julia and Ro are married. Julia is pregnant with their first child. They're young, in love, and having some marital problems. This couple doesn't see eye-to-eye on many subjects, and when the bank-robber arrives, it just sheds light on their very different ways of handling the situation. It sheds light on what they're willing to do to make the other one happy too.

Estelle is an older woman who insists her husband, Knut, is parking the car and will be in at any moment. She's kind and calm and forgiving. She's easy to talk to but can slide into the background at times. That is until she's given time to share what's evolved in her life and how she can help the others in her own small way.

Nadia is Zara's psychologist but not a hostage. She's never had a client that tests her level of professionalism. Nor one that stresses her out but makes her want to help just as much. These two aren't a compatible match, but Zara keeps coming to her appointments. It might be because she wants the psychologist to tell her doctor to prescribe her more sleeping pills. Or there could be a chance it's because they both have secrets, and Zara knows what that type of secret can do to your mind.

Really, the story might start with a man on a bridge who sent a letter. Or it might be about a woman who doesn't know what the meaning of her life is anymore and harbors a crippling amount of guilt. Perhaps the story is defined by the couples who are still learning about each other, and who - young or old - make mistakes along the way. It could be about a teenage girl who was saved from ending her life and grew up to make a difference in others. The story could be about a father and son who have suffered loss and don't always know how to communicate with each other, but still, love one another enough to try. Maybe it's about a bank robber, who wants to keep the apartment they have in order for their two little girls to come over and not be taken away in the divorce.

There's a chance it's about idiots. How we misinterpret, misunderstand, and misconstrue the facts or the fiction. Maybe we're all a little wrong, a little anxious, a little unhappy, a little sad, a little angry, a little guilty, and a little unprepared for not being enough. Yet, even the weirdest incidents can shed light on our existence. Even when we don't understand, we can still be okay. Even when we're in the wrong, we can still mean to do the right thing. In the end, our ability to care and love, forgive, and show those feelings in whatever way we're capable might be more than enough.

I think the moral of the story is: keep going. Try, try again. Never allow the negatives to outweigh the positives. When you need help, get it.

In a sense, it reminds me of a song by one of my favorite bands, Tenth Avenue North, and their song "You Are More." I think that's a good lesson to end on, don't you?

So, basically as I wrap up this long review, I have to say that throughout the irritating and perplexing and lyrical exposition, I've found a comforting understanding. A common ground with the author, shall we say. Now, it's your turn. Give Anxious People a read, and see what you think. It might help you understand why I rated it a 5/5 "must read."

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 03 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Suzanne Woods Fisher:

"Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story." ~Amazon

Readers are invited to stop by Suzanne's website at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

"Haunted by her sister's mysterious disappearance, Lucy Wilson arrives in Rowan County, Kentucky, in the spring of 1911 to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education. When Cora sends Lucy into the hills to act as scribe for the mountain people, she is repelled by the primitive conditions and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?

As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn't expected: love.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You'll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A historical fiction gem.

Author Suzanne Woods Fisher gives us a heartwarming and unforgettable story with her The Moonlight School. This standalone novel introduces us to Lucy Wilson. An avid reader, she's left to care for her younger sister one day when awaiting their father. When her two-year-old sister vanishes, Lucy is left with a lifetime of grief and guilt. Fast forward to 1911, and we find Lucy on her way to another part of Kentucky to assist her cousin Cora Wilson Stewart in letter writing and other similar work. When she arrives, she finds out that there's more to the type of letter-writing Miss Cora wants than a simple office chair and pen and paper.

Lucy is introduced to the area by Finley James and welcomed by Brother Wyatt. A cast of characters form around Lucy and change the way she thinks and understands how her little corner of the world works. She's inserted into the life of those who live in the hills and the small town of Appalachia's way of living.

From here, she finds tradition and the rules of society aren't always on the same page. Within her stay, she begins to view her life and the life her father has created a bit differently. Lucy, also, feels for those who haven't had the opportunity to learn to read and write and how this impacts their way of life.

Her cousin, Miss Cora, comes up with a way to help these people - The Moonlight School, and Lucy is excited to see her cousin's efforts come to fruition. Between getting to know the characters, watching Lucy grow and thrive, and seeing the constant friendship with Brother Wyatt evolve, readers are treated to a fictional tale based off real life events. There were several pieces of the story that made it pop and added to the telling. It was such a good read - sweet and wholesome. The author's way of shining a light on adult literacy is to be respected.

I love that Fisher gives readers a translation of the language terms used within her book as well as the brief description of its origins. Her "So ..... What Happened Next?" and "Fact or Fiction" at the end were enlightening assets to the story she just shared. I always love learning a little extra, and this was a lovely bonus.

I suppose if there's one part of the story where I would have wanted more elaboration, it would have been on the school itself. We were given the initial idea, the few meetings to put it together, and the briefest of viewings of its beginning efforts before the end. It didn't feel as if Lucy had any real part in it - to some degree, and I would have liked to see more interaction on that front.

Overall, I really enjoyed the characters, the pacing, the way of life, and Lucy's character development across the pages. It was such a beautifully written story and held an important topic of consideration. Author Suzanne Woods Fisher gives us a delightful and thought-provoking read. For these reasons, I've rated it a 5/5 "must read!"

Thanks to the author and Revell: A Baker Publishing Group for an ARC copy to read and give an honest review.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Sarah Sundin:

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling author of When Twilight Breaks (February 2, 2021), The Land Beneath Us (2020), The Sky Above Us (2019) and The Sea Before Us (2018), as well as the Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory series.

A mother of three, Sundin lives in northern California and enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers' groups. Her novel The Land Beneath Us was a finalist for the 2020 Christy Award, The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award, The Sea Before Us won the 2019 Reader's Choice Award from Faith, Hope, and Love, and When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were both named to Booklist's 101 Best Romance Novels of the Past 10 Years. Sarah serves as Co-Director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.

Please visit Sarah at www.sarahsundin.com, on Facebook at SarahSundinAuthor, on Twitter at @sarahsundin, and on Instagram at @sarahsundinauthor

"Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

A spectacular beginning read.

I've had Author Sarah Sundin's books in mind for a long time now, and I've added them to my Goodreads "to-read" list on more than one occasion. They're a genre I'm particularly interested in being WWII historical fiction with a romance, mystery, and Christian bent. Yet, I've hesitated in reading them because of my own WWII historical fiction writing. I prefer to immerse myself in WWII nonfiction reading as opposed to fiction.

However, when given the opportunity, I leapt at the chance to read Sundin's newest work When Twilight Breaks. Within this standalone book, we find characters Evelyn Brand and Peter Lang working in different areas in 1938 Munich Germany. Both have significant reasons for being there, but each have their own way of viewing how the world is changing.

Evelyn is an industrious and motivated American foreign correspondent who's determined to find out what's really happening with the Nazi regime and report the truth. She isn't for the radical changes the Nazis are making, and she doesn't like the rhetoric Hitler is spouting to build his nationalistic lingo. Her stories aren't being reported the way she tells them, and every piece has a positive pro-Nazi belief that frustrates her.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student who is working on his PhD in German. He's supportive of the changes Hitler and his followers are making in Germany. With the Great Depression in his memory, he appreciate the order being established under the Nationalist party. He hopes the prosperity they are achieving under Hitler's guidance will benefit other countries as it appears to be doing for the German people.

When the two characters meet, Evelyn is sent to interview Peter and his experiences for her paper. It sets her against him immediately, and save for his kindness and gentlemanly manner, she would dislike him completely. After their first get-together, she concludes there's no way she'll meet with him again.

Peter is struck a bit differently when they meet. He sees her as inspiring and beautiful, and he hopes she'll go out with him. However, he sees she's not so willing to give him the chance he desires, and their first meeting appears to be its last. Until events construe to push them together and ensure they become each other's lifeline to getting out of Germany alive.

When a brutal attack forces Peter to reevaluate his political beliefs, he feels the best way to continue the work he loves and help those under assault is to pose as a sympathetic party to the Nazis. His role provides him with names of supporters and puts him in more danger than he thought possible. His next step is to get out of town and take along the intrepid reporter he's been sharing his collected information with, but there will be challenges to getting out.

While Peter is making his own plans, Evelyn is sinking deeper into her own battles. Her editor-in-chief consistently rewrites her work and gives her the worst assignments - in her opinion - ever. A chance to send her next story directly to the states and bypass him turns out to be a lucrative and essentially deadly event. Now, Evelyn is on the run, and Peter joins her in the challenge to escape before their contacts find them.

The thrilling plot unfolds at a steady pace, and we're treated to a strong female lead and a compassionate male character. Both bring a unique viewpoint to the story. Their conversations bring light to some heavy topics and give each food for thought along the way. The historical details are well-done and well-researched, and the third person narrative with two points of view keeps you engaged and wondering what will happen next.

While I found this book wonderful and in-depth, I did notice the changes brought about by each character were more based on the events and politics than their faith. As a Christian novel, I would have liked to see a bit more correlation concerning those events and politics and how their beliefs reinforced the change in views each had. However, the action and adventure, suspense, building romance, and character realizations throughout the circumstances keep the reader entertained and absorbed throughout the machinations.

Basically, when all is said and done, Sundin creates a memorable and impressive story. Her world is down-to-earth, considerate, and well-written. I appreciated her characters and creation. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to read it, and I'll definitely be reading more of Author Sarah Sundin. Overall, I'm giving this a 5/5 "must read" rating and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction, action, mystery, and Christian romance.

Thanks to the author and Revell: A Baker Publishing Group for an ARC copy to read and give an honest review.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Bear Bottom by Stuart Gibbs

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Stuart Gibbs:

A few interesting things that Stuart Gibbs has done:

Worked at a zoo

Researched capybaras (the world's largest rodents)

Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro

Cage dived with great white sharks

Faced down a charging elephant

Swum with penguins in the Galapagos

Ice-climbed a glacier in Patagonia

Visited the cockpit of the Space Shuttle Atlantis

Helped rescue sixteen children from drowning off the coast of Israel

Written a few movies that actually got made (See Spot Run; Repli-Kate; Showdown)

Worked on a few animated movies (Anastasia; Open Season 3; Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers)

He is currently at work on several more books -- and the screenplay for Spy School the movie. You can learn all about them at www.stuartgibbs.com ~Amazon

In the seventh novel in New York Times bestselling Stuart Gibbs’s FunJungle series, Teddy Fitzroy returns as FunJungle’s resident sleuth to solve the disappearances of endangered bison and an irreplaceable necklace.

Teddy Fitzroy, his family, and some other FunJungle employees have been invited to visit a bison ranch just outside Yellowstone National Park that FunJungle’s owner, J.J. McCracken, is considering purchasing. But as usual, trouble isn’t far behind.

The ranch’s endangered bison have been mysteriously disappearing. Then a massive local grizzly bear named Sasquatch breaks into the house, causing chaos. In the aftermath, Kandace McCracken discovers that her exceptionally expensive sapphire necklace has vanished.

Was it stolen? Or did Sasquatch eat it? (And if so, can it be recovered?) And what’s been happening to the bison?

With over a dozen suspects, it’s up to Teddy to detangle this hairy situation, before his family or friends—or any more expensive objects—become dinner. ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it

2: it was okay/it wasn't for me

3. liked it/worth a read

4. really liked it/loved it

5. it was amazing/must read!

Stuart Gibbs has been one of my absolute favorite middle grade authors since I was first introduced to him with Belly Up, the first book in the FunJungle series. With this seventh edition, Bear Bottom, I've been incredibly impressed with Gibbs's facts, history, diversity, and location that he brings to the page. It's been lovely seeing Teddy Fitzroy in a new environment for this next installation to his series. It gave such depth and food for thought.

Teddy is one of my favorite characters. I appreciate his awkward and sensitive approach to solving mysteries, his intelligence at connecting the dots, and his kind heart. His approach to this case starts with trying to find out what's happened to some disappearing buffalos. The family he and his parents, Summer and her parents are all staying with want Teddy's help to find out how these several ton animals are vanishing without a trace. Before his investigation gets underway, another strange occurance spices up his working holiday.

Summer's father and the owner of FunJungle, J.J. McCracken, has another mystery for Teddy to solve. On their first night, Sasquatch enters through the front door and causes havoc. Sasquatch being a large grizzly bear who's native to the Yellowstone National Park which is the location where the families are. Not only does he scare everyone and come trudging in looking for food, but he appears to have made off with an expensive and rare necklace that Mrs. Kandace McCracken was wearing when she arrived.

Now, with the necklace missing, Teddy has to figure out if it really did end up digested by Sasquatch, or if there's a thief on the loose.

There was so much going on within this novel. Some of my favorite parts of this book were the facts mixed within the fiction. I loved hearing about the history of the bison and the importance of bringing them back from the brink of extinction. I loved the integration of the Native Americans heritage and life and characters who represented them in Yellowstone.

The information shared with readers about Yellowstone and how to act when you visit was important as well. I loved the action and adventure as well as Teddy's role in helping to save others from a cave landslide. Another favorite part was when Teddy figured out what happened to the necklace and the missing bison at about the same time.

Overall, this was an exciting story. It was a great change from the FunJungle location and helped share a new setting with historical and natural importance. I continue to love the mix of fact and fiction. It was such an amazing story, and I think fans of Stuart Gibbs will love this newest Teddy adventure. As always, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment of the FunJungle series, but also, the newest stories for Spy School and pretty much any other book Author Stuart Gibbs writes.

So, for these reasons and many more, I give Bear Bottom a 5/5 rating. Enjoy! ;)

Thanks to the author and Simon & Schuster Publishing for an ARC copy of this book to read and review.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell

One by One by Ruth Ware

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Ruth Ware:

"Ruth Ware is an international number one bestseller. Her thrillers In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, The Death of Mrs Westaway, The Turn of the Key and One by One have appeared on bestseller lists around the world, including the Sunday Times and New York Times, and she is published in more than 40 languages. She lives on the south coast of England, with her family." ~Amazon

Follow or find out more about the author on these sites:

Visit www.ruthware.com to find out more, or find her on facebook or twitter as @RuthWareWriter

Goodreads

“The Agatha Christie of our generation.” —David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Diabolically clever.” —Riley Sager, author of Final Girls

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Turn of the Key and In a Dark Dark Wood returns with another suspenseful thriller set on a snow-covered mountain.

Getting snowed in at a luxurious, rustic ski chalet high in the French Alps doesn’t sound like the worst problem in the world. Especially when there’s a breathtaking vista, a full-service chef and housekeeper, a cozy fire to keep you warm, and others to keep you company. Unless that company happens to be eight coworkers…each with something to gain, something to lose, and something to hide.

When the cofounder of Snoop, a trendy London-based tech startup, organizes a weeklong trip for the team in the French Alps, it starts out as a corporate retreat like any other: PowerPoint presentations and strategy sessions broken up by mandatory bonding on the slopes. But as soon as one shareholder upends the agenda by pushing a lucrative but contentious buyout offer, tensions simmer and loyalties are tested. The storm brewing inside the chalet is no match for the one outside, however, and a devastating avalanche leaves the group cut off from all access to the outside world. Even worse, one Snooper hadn’t made it back from the slopes when the avalanche hit.

As each hour passes without any sign of rescue, panic mounts, the chalet grows colder, and the group dwindles further…one by one. ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Reminiscent of And Then There Were None but with a different psychological twist.

This is the seventh book Author Ruth Ware has published since 2015, and her speciality appears to be mysteries and psychological thrillers. Her work has been on my to-read list for quite a long time. I've meant to read The Woman in Cabin 10 for a while, and I'm uncertain why I haven't made the leap yet. I suppose it just got lost in the piles and lists of books I've yet to make my way through. So, when One by One came into my work and was sitting there looking all tempting, I thought, "Now's the time."

My interest came from the acknowledgment that likened Ware to Agatha Christie. In my mind, no one can quite equal the whodunit of Poirot, and I think that's a bit nostalgia and comfort-reading talking. However, anyone who comes close is certainly an author I want to read. Preparing for greatness, I opened the danger-filled cover and began to partake of its character-driven beginnings.

Imagine my surprise when my first thoughts centered on Lucy Foley's The Guest List and not so much And Then There Were None. Immediately, I started to compare the two written works. Both take place in an out-of-the-way and potentially dangerous piece of land (one on the French Alps - the other on an island off the coast of Ireland). Both have dual/multiple points of view (one has the director/manager of the chalet and one of the guests - the other is the owner of the wedding getaway, the bride, the bridesmaid, the best man, and the plus one). Both only had two people running the places where the guests stayed. Both revolve around a party headed to the remote location for a specific purpose (one is a company party gathering to make decisions regarding their future - the other is a wedding party who are about to witness the marriage of their two friends). Both have people end up dead, but only One by One has multiple murders to worry about. It's about here that the differences begin to take place.

Now, don't misunderstand me, I appreciated the parallel plot choices. I enjoyed the efforts of both authors to make me feel as if I was reliving a Christie classic. However, there are definite plot differences, and I'm here to share why Ruth Ware's story is the book for your next reading delight.

First, I liked the dual points of view, out-of-the-way venue, and the breadcrumbs the author gives us as we plod along. She gives us enough information without giving us too much. She shares background of her main characters without overindulging. While we think we're getting one plot, she maneuvers until another calculation becomes clear. Her ability to give us what we think we know and turn it around a chapter later is impressive.

I have to say that between the two povs, I liked Erin more than Liz. Her loss made her a little more relatable to me, and I enjoyed her bantering with her friend and chef Danny. Liz's anxiety felt familiar, and I wanted to know more about her relationship with her father and Snoop, but she didn't hold the same appeal and connection that Erin did. In fact, she irritated me a little. This was surprising for many reasons. I didn't dislike either of them, but if you factor in my comparisons to The Guest List, you might begin to understand why I was a bit worried.

To be honest, given all the parallel similarities to The Guest List, I began to think I knew who the murderer would turn out to be. However, I was not only pleasantly surprised but unbelievably shocked when I finally pieced together who the real murderer was. I mean, the idea had niggled at the back of my mind, but I'd pushed it away as impossible. For one, I began to imagine the possibilities that a similar culprit to TGL had to be responsible. Then, there were a few clues and a convenient throwing together of characters which made me feel as if I was right. The only bump in the road for me was to figure out who had motive. I just couldn't begin to fathom what the exact motive could have been for my suspect. However, when I started to consider the other person, it began to make more sense. Still confusing, but it felt better than my original suspicions.

I loved that I was tricked. I loved the thrilling aspect to the whole unraveling conflict and eventual resolution. I loved the psychological features of the case which made you sit a little taller in your seat and keep an eye out for anyone sneaking up on you while you're reading. I loved the unforeseen justifications. It was a doozy of a read, and for me, it was a winner. I was completely flabbergasted by the end result, and I was pleased with the lack of extraneous relationships and information.

Too often a thriller pulls in too many pieces to act as buffers and artifice for the true intent of the killer. We're burdened by the romantic suspense instead of immersed in the problem itself. For me, an excellent mystery is purely about the conflict and how those hostilities converge and emerge across the page and within the characters. This fiction held that discord in focus, revealed it from multiple angles with limited view, and gave a satisfying and creepy conclusion.

For me, this was a novel worth reading and a chilling perception of what makes some people tick. I enjoyed it, read it quickly, couldn't put it down, and wanted to know what was going on and whodunit. It was enough of an enjoyable read for me to rate it 5/5 "must read."

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and find my copy of Woman in Cabin 10.

Thank you for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

In His Presence: Honor God with Your Life by Susanne Weegmann

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Susanne Weegmann:

Susanne Weegmann (June 15, 1973) is a German author, founder and CEO of Prophetic Fire Ministry (https://www.propheticfireministry.com)

Her greatest passion is not only to share the gospel but to let the word come alive in people's hearts, to see GOD move in their lives.

Follow her here:

IN HIS PRESENCE

HONOR GOD WITH YOUR LIFE

SUPERNATURAL LIFE & MINDSET CHANGE

WHAT IF GOD WANTS TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND? Be encouraged and provoced to let the HOLY Spirit shift your mindset through this simple question. You need to learn how to pray and partner with GOD for Heaven to flood the Earth with his will, planes, and presence.

GROW INTO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

In HIS Presence will give you unique glimpses into GOD´s character that will show you the LORD:

Discover how to experience and live In HIS Presence and step into a close friendship with your Father in Heaven.

Need to live more IN HIS PRESENCE – and conquering your heavenly inheritance? Looking to consistently grow in your spiritual gifts? Wish you could generate authentic friendship with your heavenly father...or increase your confidence in him?

The solution to these questions is to change your attitudes in regard to your life as believer and your heavenly father A mindset change is necessary. And that's why you should read IN HIS PRESENCE: HONOR GOD WITH YOUR LIFE.

You learn how to engage in your everyday life your heavenly inheritance and see GOD move circumstances in your life and do miracles.

Here's what you'll discover IN HIS PRESENCE:

Be encouraged and provoked to let the HOLY SPIRIT shift your mindset through this simple question. You need to learn how to pray and partner with GOD for Heaven to flood the Earth with his will, planes, and presence.

How your relationship can change every area of your life (Including your personal surrounding, your neighbourhood, your city and nation).

The proven truth about GOD´s character

The unconditional love and and his will for your life

The ability to look behind the scenes of your circumstances

The ability of growing into your spiritual gifts

Acknowledge the value and power of partnering with GOD in prayer

You will also:

Walk through 12 chapters of encouragement and biblical thruth.

Compare 6 different persons in scripture and recreate what they experienced.

Look behind the veil and see your destiny clearer.

IN HIS PRESENCE is your key to building a lifetime friendship with your heavenly father that will increase both your joy and love in him and your spiritual maturity.

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it

2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Powerful motivation to live, learn from, and love your relationship with God through Jesus.

Whenever I start a nonfiction book from a Christian author, I do so with the mindset that I'm about to learn something, grow in my relationship, and/or strengthen it. This is definitely the case with Author Susanne Weegmann's book In His Presence. There is a copy in English and in German, and it appears to be the first book in a potential series under the heading: Supernatural Life & Mindset Change.

The tagline "honor God with your life" is true to the content and message of the book. This book certainly challenges you to look at your life and understand what you need to do in order to gain a closer relationship with the Lord. It's very matter-of-fact writing and gives wonderful examples from the Bible. The lives of Isaiah, Nehemiah, Ezekiel, Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Paul, Samuel, Ezra, Cornelius, and Jesus, etc. are given as examples, Scriptural references, and pieces of their story are examined to give believers hope and instruction. Weegmann points out the reasons for each man's success and victory through God's blessings.

Readers are also given personal testimonies throughout the book to illustrate how a closer connection to God can result in growth and understanding of spiritual aspects. We're given more information on the behaviors of several disciples of the Lord's as well as a breakdown of what it really means to follow Christ. Several segments of that relationship are broken down into fasting, prayer, sacrifice, what a relationship looks like, how to hear His voice, how we are often tested, why trials and tribulations are needed, the importance of a covenant, our journey and friendship with God, and our overall destiny.

This sounds like a lot of information tucked into a 124-page novel, and it is. However, it's easy to read and digest. There are prayers at the end of each chapter and the encouragement to put the knowledge from that chapter into practice. The overall message is: "My sheep hear My voice," and I can see how putting this theory into practice is not only thrilling but immensely beneficial and gratifying.

As a believer, I think this is an essential book to read. We're often caught up in the world and its worries. Stress has become a monumental issue among all, and I found this book to be uplifting, engaging, encouraging, and just right for today's life. We need something to hold to in times of need, and I feel this book is a great representation of how our relationship with the Lord can get us where we need to go and sustain us through the hurts and struggles.

Over the last several months, I've felt one saying come to me again and again, and it is: "To live is Christ, to die is gain." I think this book shows us this message very clearly. It's a well-written (the author is a native German speaker/writer, but her translation is very well-done and easy to read), positive, and enriching book. I can't recommend it enough and feel everyone will gain something from giving it a read. It's straightforward, honest, and not given to "religious speaking" but shares the facts. It's about the personal, and it talks to you in a fellowship manner.

In His Presence was something I needed to read, and it will be a book I come back to again. It's message hit me in the heart and gave me food for thought. If you wish to be spiritually encouraged, inspired to lean upon the Lord, motivated to put God first, and invigorated to rely on Jesus, then this is the book for you. I'm giving it a 5/5 "must-read" rating for all of these reasons and more. I can't wait to read more. Please give it a read and see what you think!

Thanks to the author and Reedsy Discovery for sharing an ARC copy for me to read and give an honest review.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author

Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella

noreply@blogger.com (Rebecca Reddell, Author) — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Meet Author Francesca Serritella:

"Francesca Serritella is a New York Times bestselling author and columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer. She graduated cum laude from Harvard University, where she won the Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize, the Le Baron Russell Briggs Fiction Prize, and the Charles Edmund Horman Prize for her creative writing. She lives in New York City with one dog and one cat, so far." ~Amazon

TEEN VOGUE BOOK CLUB PICK • A Harvard freshman becomes obsessed with her schizophrenic brother’s suicide. Then she starts hearing voices.

“A rich, intricately plotted thriller . . . Serritella, who is a Harvard grad herself, writes about the campus with an insider’s savvy.”—Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post

“Every time I thought I knew where Ghosts of Harvard was heading, I turned out to be wrong. Part mystery, part ghost story, part psychological thriller, this novel is all entertainment.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult

Cadence Archer arrives on Harvard’s campus desperate to understand why her brother, Eric, a genius who developed paranoid schizophrenia took his own life there the year before. Losing Eric has left a black hole in Cady’s life, and while her decision to follow in her brother’s footsteps threatens to break her family apart, she is haunted by questions of what she might have missed. And there’s only one place to find answers.

As Cady struggles under the enormous pressure at Harvard, she investigates her brother’s final year, armed only with a blue notebook of Eric’s cryptic scribblings. She knew he had been struggling with paranoia, delusions, and illusory enemies—but what tipped him over the edge? Voices fill her head, seemingly belonging to three ghosts who passed through the university in life, or death, and whose voices, dreams, and terrors still echo the halls. Among them is a person whose name has been buried for centuries, and another whose name mankind will never forget.

Does she share Eric’s illness, or is she tapping into something else? Cady doesn’t know how or why these ghosts are contacting her, but as she is drawn deeper into their worlds, she believes they’re moving her closer to the truth about Eric, even as keeping them secret isolates her further. Will listening to these voices lead her to the one voice she craves—her brother’s—or will she follow them down a path to her own destruction? ~Amazon

Find out more about the author on these sites:

Numeric Breakdown:
1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Psychological twists to get your heart pounding and your mind thinking.

When I first saw Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella, my immediate thought was "I wonder if Rory Gilmore would read this book?" Therefore, I had to give it a go. This is the author's first solo work, having previously wrote with her mother and author Lisa Scottoline. I can't say that I've read any of those books or any of her mother's independent novels, but I know there are a few that have made their way onto my to-read list.

Within our narrative, we're introduced to Cady Archer and the loss which has dominated her life. A few years before, her brother Eric committed suicide after struggling with a schizophrenic diagnosis. His loss propels her to follow in his footsteps, to apply and get into Harvard, and to find out why he had lost all hope. She can't reveal the real reasons for her entrance into Harvard to her parents, and the fact that she even wants to attend there causes a strain on her relationship with her mother and a proud sadness for her father.

Once she arrives, Cady begins to search for the people and places her brother knew while on campus. Armed with his personal notebook, she tries to work out his thoughts and codes. The history of the college develops as she begins to hear voices of ghosts - people who were real and had lived but were now dead. This psychological twist leads her to believe she's turning into her brother and suffering from the same delusions he must have had. Her fear for her mental well-being is overshadowed by her continued desire to find her brother amidst the walls of the last place he'd lived before death.

Through the story, Cady is introduced to three different ghosts, learns of a secret plot her brother had uncovered, and gets involved in a relationship with a boy her brother knew. Interspersed within this narrative are the remembrances of her childhood with Eric and different experiences they shared. Beyond all of this are the sporadic check-ins of her roommates and the occasional conversation with her parents. Cady struggles to keep up with her day to day routine and seems to lose time on her excursions and inner dialogue with the ghosts.

The plot is distinctive, the main character is intricate, and the details are realistic. It's a captivating read, and for me, I had to know the answers to Cady's questions, and I wanted to understand her journey. I felt for her and her loss, and this connection kept me reading. However, despite the unique storyline and steady pacing, there were a few things which created a slight divide between my interest and the story.

Below might reveal a few *SPOILERS* to the book. Here's a warning for those of you who don't wish to continue reading.

First, the psychological implications and remarkable realism of the ghosts in the story were lost within the entire context of the plot. We're introduced to them, hear their stories, and then they're gone. It's explained away in a practical manner and leaves no real lasting effects on Cady. She's lost her ability to hear and speak to them, and although she's sad about this - especially in the case of Whit because he became someone she cared deeply for within the short exchanges they shared, she accepts their loss and her sudden jolt back to "reality" rather well.

To be honest, I'm unsure of their exact purpose in the overall scheme of the account since there didn't seem to be any real motive for their appearances except to divulge some Harvard history. Moreover, it feels as if it's only added to present the possibility of Cady having a mental illness but doesn't reveal the meaning of why she'd hear these things and then have it disappear like, oops, she's okay now. Diverting and informative, yes, but on the whole, it could have been so much more - for me anyway.

My second grievance is in the manner Cady treats her roommates. There's an awkward balance between all three of them from the beginning. Both Andrea and Ranjoo are in part fair-weather-friends and slight acquaintances. Yet, when they notice she's acting strangely, losing sleep, and skipping classes, they do try to intervene. However, it feels a little cringeworthy and half-hearted.

The way she allowed her interactions with them to dwindle as time goes on is understandable on one hand and unbelievable on another. If she was hoping to show she wasn't losing her mind or following her brother's path, I would think establishing friendships and reaching out to classmates might have been helpful. On the other hand, I could see her fear of having the same mental illness might result in withdrawing from others. Still, I suppose it depended on which viewpoint the reader was developing as they read in how they interpreted this half-hearted attempt at connection.

A third personal conflict for me was the budding romance with Niko. It felt a bit rushed and staged. I was skeptical of Niko and his attentions from the beginning, and I couldn't understand how Cady relied more on him for information concerning her brother instead of Matt - her brother's best friend and roommate. She did go and see Matt at one point, but it felt as if too much weight was set on Niko's relationship because he was "cute." It kind of irritated me, and although I could understand it at the same time, I wanted Cady to gain some clarity. The conflict and "resolution" from this alliance was a bit hard to swallow as well.

Plus, the revelation of Eric having found out a secretive mystery of world-changing proportions within the story is sprung on us halfway or more through. Although it's exciting to watch Cady figure out his code and follow it, I'd hoped it might explain more of his erratic behavior, but it veered into another field altogether. There comes an avalanche of innuendo, red-herrings, and distorted schemes which feel a bit out of nowhere. I felt this was a subplot that could have been expanded and enhanced a bit further in certain areas. It was fascinating and added another element to the novel which I did appreciate.

Overall, this is a worthy read. It has some fun bits, intriguing history, a variety of subplots, and an engaging mc. I did grow to like Cady, but I appreciated her journey for what it was. It was nice to see her making healthier choices and putting her mental health first toward the end of the book. Although there were some holes, it was an enticing plot and kept my attention. It definitely was a detailed, well-researched, and thought-provoking read. Despite my personal annoyances with pieces of the whole story, I still rate it a 3/5 "worthy read" and encourage you to check it out for yourself.

Thank you for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading!! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author