With A Book In Our Hand

Moving day for our blog

2020-11-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

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The Bloggers at With A Book in Our Hand

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook: From Delicious Dole Whip to Tasty Mickey Pretzels, 100 Magical Disney-Inspired Recipes

2020-11-13T08:00:00.012-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ashley Craft

Cooking, Food & Wine

240 pages

Published November 10, 2020 by Adams Media

Description from the Publisher:

Experience the magic of the Disney Parks right in your kitchen with these 100, easy and delicious recipes inspired by Walt Disney World!

Stroll right down the middle of Main Street USA, journey from Adventureland to Infinity and Beyond at Pixar Pier, and explore every avenue in between to taste the flavors of the Disney Parks… all without leaving your kitchen.

With The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook you can bring the magic of Disneyland and Walt Disney World snacks and treats right to your home. Recreate favorites like the classic Dole Whip and Mickey Pretzels to new favorites like blue milk from Star Wars land and Jack Jack’s Cookie Num Nums from Pixar Pier.

These 100 recipes inspired by iconic yummies are perfect whether you are a forever Disney fan or just love a good snack. Now you can feel as if you shared a snack with Mickey himself right from the comfort of your own home!

My Thoughts:

If you’re a Disney-phile like me, then you just KNEW the moment you saw this book that you HAD to have it! The beautiful cover, in signature Disney navy accented in gold, just screams, “PICK ME”. Flipping over to the back side, you know right away you’re in good hands. Not only did author Ashley Craft grown up in Anaheim Hills right next door to California’s Disneyland, but she also had the amazing experience of not one, but two, internships at Florida’s Walt Disney World in her college years. We are GO FOR LAUNCH, people, with a tried and true Disney expert.

Now, if you’ve ever been to a Disney park, you know that the food is an attraction category all its own. If I lived a little closer, heck, I’d drop into Disney World just to eat! And, of course, my family and I have stacked up our short list of favorites. So, the true test for this Unofficial Disney Cookbook – did our faves make the cut? So, let’s dig in and find out!

The recipes are organized by Disney Park: the original Disneyland, which is followed by Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom; then we swing back to California with Disney’s California Adventure, the newest of the American Disney parks (it appears Craft has organized the parks from oldest to newest.)

Disneyland

· Craft hit the ball out of the park (ha ha) with her first theme park section. Perennial favorites that my family has been enjoying for almost 25 years made the list, such as the delicious Mint Julep and scrumptious Beignets from New Orleans Square.

· I was also pleased to see that popular Adventureland stop, Bengal Barbecue, made the list with its mouth-watering Tiger Tails. While I, myself, would have included Bengal Barbecue’s Chieftain Chicken Skewer, it was nice to see several skewers in the mix, with the Bengal Beef, Pork Belly, and Safari skewer options. Not to be outdone are the Jungle Julep and Hummus Trio.

· I’m not familiar with the Main Street’s Raspberry Rose Mickey Macarons or Fantasyland’s Matterhorn Macaroons, but they sound delectable and I can’t wait to try them!

· The volume does also include crowd pleasers like Main Street’s Churros, New Orlean’s Square’s Clam Chowder, and Critter Country’s Churro Funnel Cake.

· If you don’t see your Disneyland faves here, check out the Magic Kingdom section!

Magic Kingdom

· Beloved Disney Park favorites are well represented with offerings such as Dole Whip, the giant smoked Turkey Legs, and Caramel Apples. Fun fact: There are only two outlets in the world where you can buy the tropical Dole Whip, a dairy-free, pineapple-flavored, ice cream-like dessert, – a Disney park, and Dole’s home base at the historic Dole Plantation in Honolulu, Hawaii.

· Other tempting recipes being slapped onto my weekly menu as we speak are the Mickey Sugar Cookies, Cheshire Cat Tails (a puff pastry, vanilla pudding, and chocolate-chip dessert), Peter Pan Float (which sounds like a heartier version of an Italian Soda, but with ‘eggs to make you grow strong’), and the Maple Popcorn.

Epcot

· Ahhh, Epcot – if Disney holds the gold standard for theme parks, then Epcot holds the triple crown! It’s hard to pick a favorite when it comes to Epcot, because there are just so many great options. Not to mention the annual Food & Wine Festival where Disney really takes it up a notch – or three!

· Some my family’s favorites come from the Canada area of Epcot, in the form of the beer cheese soup from Le Cellier and the beaver tails (like an elephant ear – we like it topped with chocolate-hazelnut spread!) occasionally offered at seasonal food stands. I don’t see those in the cookbook, but with so many options available, I can only imagine the difficult task Craft had in narrowing this volume down to a mere 240 pages. I am thrilled, and you will be too, to see pages for France’s Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches and Crepes, and Germany’s Caramel Corn from the Karamell-Kuche (German for Caramel Kitchen), all three of which my family can personally attest are absolutely mouth-watering as well as addictive!

· On my “must try” list are Craft’s recipes for the Caramel-Chocolate Pineapple Spears, Caramel Pecan Bars (Sensing a theme yet? Epcot is a veritable caramel-lovers paradise!), and of course the Coconut Popsicles.

· Fun fact: Epcot stands for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”, which was Walt Disney’s name for the park, which he sadly didn’t get to see visualized. Disney passed away in 1966, while Epcot did not open until 16 years later in 1982.

Other Disney Parks

· While there certainly is much room for debate, in my family’s minds, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS), Animal Kingdom (AK), and California Adventure (DCA) have never really been known for their food, unlike their Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot counterparts, so I’ll review these three together.

· That said, DCA has recently stepped it up in recent years, with efforts such as bringing in celebrated chefs. And this reviewer does in fact believe it appropriate to include a section for each park, as the cookbook wouldn’t be complete without it. So, I was enthused to dive in and see what intriguing options Craft includes for her readers.

· I was glad to see a top favorite, Candy Apples, in the DHS section, along with the Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas. Every child’s dream Mickey Waffles enter in the AK section, as well as Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches and Bars (kiddos and grown-ups alike can’t get enough of Mickey-shaped food!). DCA brings us Pumpkin Spice Churros, Chili-Lime Corn on the Cob, and Bavarian Pretzels.

All of this! And more!!!

· A very handy feature is a section on The Disney Cook’s Essentials, a valuable grouping of the tools of the cooking trade, Disney style, for your home kitchen.

· One of my absolute favorites about this book, though – and I’m sure it will be one of your as well – is the tales, anecdotes, and interesting factoids sprinkles throughout the book like pixie dust. In fact, this is what really makes this book special, as each recipe is thoughtfully headed with a small tale relating to the recipe you are about to read – truly a treat that will whisk you off to that Disney magic in a jiff!

Conclusion

With 240 pages, numerous full-color, full-page illustrations, and even maps of the park marked with the location of each of the tasty treats, this is sure to be a treasured volume in your kitchen cookbook library for years to come.

A big thank you to Ashley Craft, Adams Media, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this publication in exchange for this honest review.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook released Tuesday, November 10^th and is available now from Adams Media, a division of Simon & Schuster. Please consider buying from BookShop.org, the online book seller that contributes 75% of the profit margin to support independent bookstores. (Note: Desiree does receive a small commission should you purchase through this link, however she shares this out of her enduring love for corner bookstores everywhere, rather than for any monetary gain.)

Anonymous: A Madison Kelly Mystery

2020-11-11T08:00:00.003-05:00

⭐⭐⭐

Elizabeth Breck
Mystery Thriller
320 pages
Published November 10, 2020 by Crooked Lane Books

Think every private eye looks like Tom Selleck and drives a flashy red Ferrari? Well, think again! Meet Madison Kelly – a tall, blonde, cool drink of water who revels in her hometown surfer haven of San Diego. She may not look like your average PI, but don’t let that fool you – she can definitely hold her own. Not even a battle with breast cancer can slow down this feisty, feminine force of nature.

Madison, fresh off her first murder investigation, is taking some time off to decide which direction she wants to take her career next – stick with her “old hat” of insurance fraud, or is the arena of high-stakes murder cases where her heart really lies? Out of the blue, Madison comes home to a threatening note nailed to her front door – with one of her long blonde hairs streaming from the nail, no less – warning her to back off her current investigation. Only she’s not investigating anything currently. Madison is convinced that the threat is a direct result of her Tweets to a local radio show concerning two cold cases involving missing young women from the Gaslight district. Not deterred by the threat, but inspired by it, Madison begins her own investigation of these seemingly similar disappearances.

My Thoughts:
This spunky who-dunnit is a serious page turner with a lively and fun heroine. At times, I found myself wishing for a little more “show” rather than “tell” in the story, which left me feeling the novel could have used another round or two of editing to tighten up the descriptions and language. However, the story is solid and I have no doubt this series (of which this novel is the first) will be a favorite of those crime drama lovers out there (and I know there are a lot of you!). This is a winning formula for Elizabeth Breck, a first-time novelist, who brings her real-life private investigation experience to the fore in this energetic tale. If you’re a crime fiction fan, sit back and enjoy Anonymous with The Anonymous Cocktail and don’t miss the Virtual Book Launch Facebook Live event on Thursday, November 19^th at 4:00 PM PST.

A big thank you to Elizabeth Breck, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.

Anonymous: A Madison Kelly Mystery released yesterday, November 10^th, and is available now from crime fiction imprint Crooked Lane Books. Please consider buying from BookShop.org, the online book seller that contributes 75% of the profit margin to support independent bookstores. (Note: Desiree does receive a small commission should you purchase through this link, however she shares this out of her enduring love for corner bookstores everywhere, rather than for any monetary gain.)

Moonflower Murders

2020-11-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anthony Horowitz

Mystery

608 pages

Published November 10, 2020

by HarperCollins

From Goodreads: Retired publisher Susan Ryeland is living the good life. She is running a small hotel on a Greek island with her long-term boyfriend Andreas. It should be everything she’s always wanted. But is it? She’s exhausted with the responsibilities of making everything work on an island where nothing ever does, and truth be told she’s beginning to miss London.

And then the Trehearnes come to stay. The strange and mysterious story they tell, about an unfortunate murder that took place on the same day and in the same hotel in which their daughter was married—a picturesque inn on the Suffolk coast named Farlingaye Halle—fascinates Susan and piques her editor’s instincts.

One of her former writers, the late Alan Conway, author of the fictional Magpie Murders, knew the murder victim—an advertising executive named Frank Parris—and once visited Farlingaye Hall. Conway based the third book in his detective series, Atticus Pund Takes the Cake, on that very crime.

The Trehearne’s, daughter, Cecily, read Conway’s mystery and believed the book proves that the man convicted of Parris’s murder—a Romanian immigrant who was the hotel’s handyman—is innocent. When the Trehearnes reveal that Cecily is now missing, Susan knows that she must return to England and find out what really happened.

My thoughts about Moonflower Murders

Conway was notorious for working real people into his books so Susan, and you the reader, must figure out how the characters in one mystery relate to those in the other.

This book is intricately plotted since you’re actually reading a mystery wrapped in a mystery with places and characters in one related to those in the book within a book – it’s very meta.

The writing is clear and descriptive but avoids floweriness.

The characters are well-developed, even – maybe especially- the unlikable ones. It shows that Anthony Horowitz spent years writing television shows because he paints detailed and clear images of his characters.

This is a slow read – Horowitz wants you to pay attention as first Pund and then Susan solve their respective mysteries. Take time to appreciate all of the clever wordplay, deftly hidden clues, and brilliant reveals. Both mysteries are incredibly satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the DRC.

After All I've Done

2020-11-09T08:00:00.137-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mina Hardy
Thriller | Psychological Suspense
265 Pages
Published November 10, 2020 by Crooked Lane Books

We have a triple-crown winner today – all three of our lovely, bookish bloggers loved Mina Hardy’s After All I’ve Done – five stars all the way around (wow!). Let’s tune in to see what Desiree, Patricia (Grantsbrarian), and Stephanie have to say!

With a Book in Our Hand: What is After All I’ve Done about?

Desiree: Diana is fresh out of the hospital after both a devastating car crash and an appendectomy. Due to side effects from the surgery, she has a big gaping hole of several months in her memory, which she finds severely disorienting and more than a little disturbing. She often seems to “get things wrong” and even her close friends and family patronize her with little comments such as, “Oh, Diana, you just forgot”. But Diana is certain that’s not the case. She finds little things that just don’t feel quite right – like the “to do” list in her nightstand drawer that she can’t remember writing. What do these things mean? What else has she forgotten and is not remembering? One thing that she IS sure of is that her husband is sleeping with her best friend.

With a Book in Our Hand: What did you each like about the book?

Grantsbrarian: Full disclosure: I love books about amnesia after a traumatic event. I love how the characters struggle to figure out what happened to them before their amnesia, who the people in their current reality are, and who they can trust. So, After All I've Done was right up my alley!

Mina Hardy has created a cast of characters whom you both dislike yet pity, as their stories play off one another. No one is who they appear to be – you're never sure from one chapter to the next who is guilty of disloyalty, who is using another person, and who is being gaslighted. You will definitely guess some of the twists and turns, but you won't see others coming, and there are quite a few!

Desiree: Oh my gosh, Patricia – yes, gaslighting! That is the word that kept replaying over and over in my head as I was reading After All I’ve Done. I literally kept (fun-lovingly) “shouting” at my Kindle as I tore from one page to the next in this novel (my husband guffawing at my antics from his easy chair all the while). “This lady’s totally being gaslighted! But I don’t know who’s doing it – is it her mother-in-law? Her husband? Her best friend? Her cute flirt-partner Cole? Or is it ALL of them? I just don’t know!” (Side note: If you haven’t seen the 1994 film “Gaslight”, with Ingrid Bergman, go queue it up for your next movie night right now!)

Stephanie: I can’t believe this is Mina Hardy’s first novel in this genre!

Grantsbrarian: I know that this author writes under a pseudonym – Megan Hart writing as Mina Hardy – and I can't wait to read another one of Ms. Hart’s books!

Stephanie: I’m absolutely breathless after reading After All I’ve Done. It ticked every single box for me: Had me gripped from the first page. Kept my attention throughout. Relatable characters. Every storyline explored and resolved. Twisty. Shocking. Appalling. Shocking ending.

And, I didn’t expect to love the characters the way that I did. I thought I had it all figured out and then WHAM!!! - she hit me over the head with that ending. I’m still sitting here just thinking about it. And now I wish I could get amnesia and read it all over again for the first time! I’ll be putting this on my permanent list of standalone books to recommend, right up there with The Wife Between Us, Take it Back, and The Wife Stalker.

Desiree: I’m so with you on that, Stephanie. I – LOVED – THIS – STORY! I was on the edge of my seat. Biting my nails. Couldn’t put it down. On pins and needles waiting to see what happened next. I finished this one in just two evenings after work! Thrills, and chills, and whatever else ends in “ills” including a main character suffering from anesthesia-induced amnesia (that’s a kind of “ill”, right? Ha ha).
A truly great read and quite a page turner. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, in the style of Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca, or Jo Furniss’s The Last to Know, then this one’s for you! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

With a Book in Our Hands: We hear that each of you recommend this as a five-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ must-read?

Grantsbrarian: Yes, definitely!

Stephanie: I wish I could give it more than five stars!

Desiree: Five stars, hands down – one of the best novels I’ve read all year!

With a Book in Our Hands: Awesome! We love a good thriller and we’ll definitely put this on our TBR list of reads not to be missed! So, what else do we need to know?

Grantsbrarian: A huge thank you to #MinaHardy, #CrookedLaneBooks, and #NetGalley for allowing us the incredible privilege of reading this book in advance in exchange for our honest reviews.

Desiree: After All I’ve Done goes on sale tomorrow, November 10, 2010 and is available in hardcover, audio CD, and MP3 CD. Please consider buying from bookshop.org, the online book store that gives back 75% of each book’s profit margin directly to indie book sellers. (Please note that while I do earn a small commission should you buy via this link, I share this out of my enduring love for indie, corner bookshops everywhere.)

Stephanie: Drop us a comment below and let us know what you think of our review, and of After All I’ve Done – we’d love to hear from you!

Tsarina

2020-11-08T08:00:00.012-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Emma Alpsten
Historical Fiction
496 pages
Published November 10, 2020 by St. Martin's Press

St. Petersburg, 1725. Peter the Great lies dying in his magnificent Winter Palace. The weakness and treachery of his only son has driven his father to an appalling act of cruelty and left the empire without an heir. Russia risks falling into chaos. Into the void steps the woman who has been by his side for decades: his second wife, Catherine Alexeyevna, as ambitious, ruthless and passionate as Peter himself.

Born into devastating poverty, Catherine used her extraordinary beauty and shrewd intelligence to ingratiate herself with Peter’s powerful generals, finally seducing the Tsar himself. But even amongst the splendor and opulence of her new life—the lavish feasts, glittering jewels, and candle-lit hours in Peter’s bedchamber—she knows the peril of her position. Peter’s attentions are fickle and his rages powerful; his first wife is condemned to a prison cell, her lover impaled alive in Red Square. And now Catherine faces the ultimate test: can she keep the Tsar’s death a secret as she plays a lethal game to destroy her enemies and take the Crown for herself?

From the sensuous pleasures of a decadent aristocracy, to the incense-filled rites of the Orthodox Church and the terror of Peter’s torture chambers, the intoxicating and dangerous world of Imperial Russia is brought to vivid life. Tsarina is the story of one remarkable woman whose bid for power would transform the Russian Empire.

My thoughts:

The Romanov family never disappoints. Alpsten tackles the enigma of Catherine I, Peter the Great's second wife. Catherine, or Marta as she was originally named, is a prime example of a rags to riches story. Her actions paved the way for women to legally rule in Russia in their own right. Alpsten does a very good job at weaving together a story of a historical character with minimal historical records. The book is captivating as it expounds upon the lifestyles of two very different groups of people. It also provides a great amount of depth to the personality of Peter the Great. Well worth the read.

I received an advanced copy of this title via NetGalley.

Lies Like Poison

2020-11-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Chelsea Pitcher

Mystery, Young Adult

304 pages

Published November 10, 2020 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

From Goodreads: Poppy, Lily, and Belladonna would do anything to protect their best friend, Raven. So when they discovered he was suffering abuse at the hands of his stepmother, they came up with a lethal plan: petals of poppy, belladonna, and lily in her evening tea so she’d never be able to hurt Raven again. But someone got cold feet, the plot faded to a secret of the past, and the group fell apart.

Three years later, on the eve of Raven’s seventeenth birthday, his stepmother turns up dead. But it’s only belladonna found in her tea, and it’s only Belladonna who’s carted off to jail. Desperate for help, Belle reaches out to her estranged friends to prove her innocence. They answer the call, but no one is prepared for what comes next.

My thoughts

Lies Like Poison is an atmospheric, high drama mystery romance. Told from multiple perspectives, the highschoolers try to solve a murder, discovering truths and uncovering the lies they've told each other.

Throughout the story, their relationships, both friendship and romantic, shift and change along with their loyalties to one another.

I loved the lyricism and spareness of the writing. The plot was satisfyingly intricate and fast-paced. I was amazed at how many plot twists happened in such a short book.

The author created a cast of characters that's inclusive with regard to race, gender, and sexuality.

CW: Abuse, murder, addiction, suicidal thoughts.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC.

The Boy Between

2020-11-06T03:00:00.050-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amanda Prowse Josiah Hartley 283 Pages Psychology Mental Health Published on 01 November 2020

Bestselling novelist Amanda Prowse knew how to resolve a fictional family crisis. But then her son came to her with a real one…

Josiah was nineteen with the world at his feet when things changed. Without warning, the new university student’s mental health deteriorated to the point that he planned his own death. His mother, bestselling author Amanda Prowse, found herself grappling for ways to help him, with no clear sense of where that could be found. This is the book they wish had been there for them during those dark times.

Josiah’s situation is not unusual: the statistics on student mental health are terrifying. And he was not the only one suffering; his family was also hijacked by his illness, watching him struggle and fearing the day he might succeed in taking his life.

In this book, Josiah and Amanda hope to give a voice to those who suffer, and to show them that help can be found. It is Josiah’s raw, at times bleak, sometimes humorous, but always honest account of what it is like to live with depression. It is Amanda’s heart-rending account of her pain at watching him suffer, speaking from the heart about a mother’s love for her child.

For anyone with depression and anyone who loves someone with depression, Amanda and Josiah have a clear message—you are not alone, and there is hope.

My Thoughts

The Boy Between Amanda Prowse Josiah Hartley
This is a book that everyone needs to read. I feel like I have been on an emotional rollercoaster. I think most people have had their lives touched by suicide, and if you haven't then you probably will in future.
I typically stear clear of books that claim there is raw emotion in them, so for me to say that's what in this book is huge.
As a massive fan of Amanda's books, this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2020. In her fiction Amanda has never been afraid to tackle huge and emotional topics, so I was expecting high emotion in this true life story.
I laughed I cried and I gasped reading this.
Both Amanda and Josh poured their hearts out on these pages, and I really think this book will be an important read to so many people.
As a mum to 3 young girls, and stepmum to a 27 year old, I felt all of the pain on these pages. My stepson is in final year of PhD, having had to swap courses after 1st year in college, I've probably only seen a fraction of how difficult it was for him at times.
This is one of those books that will stay on your mind for a long time after you finish it, and when I was done I really just wanted to give Amanda a hug!
Josh really left nothing unsaid, and I truly hope he continues to see life in colour. I loved this book.

Thank you to Amanda Prowse Josiah Hartley Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Tell Me My Name

2020-11-05T08:00:00.004-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Erin Ruddy

Thriller

344 Pages

Published October 3, 2020 by Dundurn Press

When a woman is snatched by an obsessed stranger claiming to be her soulmate, the consequences could be deadly in this suspenseful and darkly twisted psychological thriller … unless she can remember his name

My Thoughts

In this modern day take on Rumpelstiltskin ( “If you can guess my name in three days,” he says, “you may keep your baby,) Erin Ruddy tells the harrowing tale of a woman kidnapped by her new neighbor.

While the kids are at summer camp, Ellie and Neil Patterson are spending some much needed time together at their new cottage. After ten years of marriage, they had hit a rough patch and this was the perfect chance to get things back on track.

Just as they are getting comfortable Ellie is attacked and kidnapped. The kidnapper swears that he and Ellie are soulmates. Once he has Ellie secured, he gets Neil, too. Once they are both tied and helpless he tells Ellie they are going to play a game. All Ellie has to do is to tell him his name. Ellie has three chances to answer correctly before Neil dies.

There's just one problem. Ellie has no idea who this lunatic is. What follows is insanity!

Fair warning here, there is graphic violence. Tell Me My Name is not for the faint of heart!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for an advance reader's copy for review.

Love Your Life

2020-11-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

⭐⭐⭐

Sophie Kinsella

Romance, Women's Fiction

432 Pages

Published October 27th, 2020 by Dial Press

Call Ava romantic, but she thinks love should be found in the real world, not on apps that filter men by height, job, or astrological sign. She believes in feelings, not algorithms. So after a recent breakup and dating app debacle, she decides to put love on hold and escapes to a remote writers' retreat in coastal Italy. She's determined to finish writing the novel she's been fantasizing about, even though it means leaving her close-knit group of friends and her precious dog, Harold, behind.

At the retreat, she's not allowed to use her real name or reveal any personal information. When the neighboring martial arts retreat is canceled and a few of its attendees join their small writing community, Ava, now going by "Aria," meets "Dutch," a man who seems too good to be true. The two embark on a baggage-free, whirlwind love affair, cliff-jumping into gem-colored Mediterranean waters and exploring the splendor of the Italian coast. Things seem to be perfect for Aria and Dutch.

But then their real identities--Ava and Matt--must return to London. As their fantasy starts to fade, they discover just how different their personal worlds are. From food choices to annoying habits to sauna etiquette . . . are they compatible in anything? And then there's the prickly situation with Matt's ex-girlfriend, who isn't too eager to let him go. As one mishap follows another, it seems while they love each other, they just can't love each other's lives. Can they reconcile their differences to find one life together?

My Thoughts:

I really liked it at first. I struggled through the middle and thought the end was good. Ava and Matt immediately connect and all is well until they go back to real life. Then the problems start. Ava was optimistic and positive to a fault. I felt like it got bogged down in the middle because it was like listening to a teenager talk about the boy she just met, how they are in love, their going to get married. Obstacles? Bah! They don’t matter because they are in LUUUV. It might have been in the wrong mood when I was reading, but I thought it was obnoxious, unrealistic and over the top. Any time the main characters group of friends voiced their objections to her I was nodding right along with them. But, I’m glad I kept going. The characters grow up a little along the way and I ended up liking the choices Ava makes. The end was really sweet and really enjoyed her friends.

A big thank you to #SophieKinsella, #NetGalley and #DialPress for providing a free Advance Reader Copy. This is my honest opinion.

Stories from Suffragette City

2020-11-03T08:00:00.003-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

edited by M.J. Rose and Fiona Davis
Historical Fiction, Short Stories
272 pages
Published October 27, 2020 by Henry Holt and Co.

A collection of short stories from a chorus of bestselling writers all set on the same day, October 23, 1915, in which over a million women marched for the right to vote in New York City with an introduction by Kristin Hannah.

Stories From Suffragette City is a collection of short stories from the leading voices in historical fiction that all take place on a single day. The day one million women marched for the right to vote in New York City in 1915. A day filled with a million different stories, and a million different voices longing to be heard. Taken together, these stories from writers at the top of their bestselling game become a chorus, stitching together a portrait of a country looking for a fight, and echo into a resounding force strong enough to break even the most stubborn of glass ceilings. With stories from: Lisa Wingate, M. J. Rose, Steve Berry, Paula McLain, Katherine J. Chen, Christina Baker Kline, Jamie Ford, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Megan Chance, Alyson Richman, Chris Bohjalian, and Fiona Davis.

My Thoughts:

This book exceeded my expectations! Never before have I come across a book that sought to so thoroughly convey an event from so many perspectives. The power of combining all of these stories into one tome is nothing less then mesmerizing. The contributing authors are so captivating with their stories that the reader would be hard pressed to select just one favorite. From poor mountain families, to immigrants, to refugees, to the underprivileged, to the affluent; no corner of society was left untouched by the suffrage movement. The authors do not attempt to provide the full historical context of the suffrage movement, but harness their energy on one pivotal event, the march for a woman's right to vote that took place in New York City on October 23, 1915. Even still, the resounding struggles of the movement up to this pivotal point linger in each and every story. As the United States celebrates the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment which secured women that very right, this book is a timely reminder of all that was sacrificed by so many for the greater good.

I received an advanced copy of this title via NetGalley.

The Hidden Hours

2020-11-02T08:00:00.011-05:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sarah Foster

Mystery | Psychological Suspense

352 pages

Publishing November 3, 2020 by Blackstone Publishing

Young, 21-year-old Eleanor is looking for a fresh start. She packs up her belongings, scantly more than a suitcase a few articles of clothing, and heads off to London for a new life. She’ll be living with her mother’s only sibling – an uncle Eleanor barely knows – in Uncle Ian’s tony home on Notting Hill, along with his wife and two young daughters. What’s more, Aunt Susan’s publishing firm has an opening for an admin assistant that should be perfect for Eleanor.

But things start to go terribly wrong on a rainy evening at the company Christmas party. Eleanor has only been in the UK and at the firm a few weeks and so hasn’t yet made any friends. Determined to be merry and hopefully find some companionable souls, Eleanor is flattered when the beautiful, social butterfly Arabella, the belle of the publishing house, singles Arabella out for drinks and conversation. But then the next day, Arabella is dead. And Eleanor has no recollection of what happened after the party or even how she got home that night.

Frightened of The Hidden Hours in her subconscious, and how she may have been involved in Arabella’s death, Eleanor frantically attempts to recreate the tragic events of that night and salvage her future… while simultaneously outrunning the past that lives inside her mind as it were only yesterday.

My thoughts:

A chilling thriller of memory loss and secret lies by best-selling author Sara Foster who, with five novels under her belt, is proving to be a modern-day master of psychological suspense. Shrouded in the moody, drippy weather of London in winter, this gripper sucks you into the story faster than green grass through a goose!

Not to be out done by the main murder-mystery plot is the fable-like, cautionary tale embedded in the immensely layered and deftly woven flashbacks to Eleanor’s childhood in Australia. These are all the more powerful, as well, due to the contrast between the hot, dry landscape of the southern continent and the damp and dark bustle of the London metropolis.

If you’re a fan of chills and thrills, and things that go bump in the night, then you won’t be able to put this one down! Desiree Reads really enjoyed the book and gives it a praise-worthy, four stars.

A big thank you to #SaraFoster, BlackstonePublishing, and #NetGalley for providing a free Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review. Originally released in paperback and for Kindle in 2017, in an unusual move, this is the debut release of the hardcover edition for 2020.

Support your indie books stores and pick up your copy of The Hidden Hours, releasing November 3rd, at BookShop.org – the online bookstore that gives away 75% of its profit to support local indie bookstores. (Note: Desiree does receive a small commission should you purchase through this link, however, she shares this out of love and care for her local, corner bookstores everywhere.)

Drop us a Comment below and let us know your thoughts on this review as well as The Hidden Hours – we’d love to hear from you!

White Ivy

2020-11-01T08:00:00.123-05:00

Susie Yang

General Fiction (Adult) | Literary Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers

368 pages

Publishing November 3, 2020 by Simon & Schuster

Today we bring you a tale that is making waves in the book club fiction market – Susie Yang’s debut novel, White Ivy. Chelsey and Desiree each had the chance to preview the story. We think you’ll be intrigued by their unique and different takes on this book. Read on for With a Book in Our Hand’s interview with these fabulously bookish ladies!

With a Book in Our Hand: Desiree, tell us what the story is about.

Desiree: A multi-faceted novel, White Ivy is partly a coming-of-age story, partly the account of an immigrant trying to fit-in in America, partly a new-adult yarn, and a bit of a chilling, gothic romance. Ivy, who moves to the U.S. when she is just five years old, is a girl who ultimately is just trying to fit in. As her parents had to start-over when arriving in Boston, Ivy’s family doesn’t have a lot of money, but all Ivy wants is to own all the same things her classmates do, and feel like a “real” American girl. Her crush on Gideon, a boy at school, epitomizes her struggles and longing, as she views him and his family as if they are gilded and golden and everything she wishes her poor immigrant family could be.

Just when Ivy thinks she is “this close” to being “seen” by Gideon, she suffers a humiliation that is excruciating to her teenage mind, and then is also unexpectedly ripped from the rose-colored life in Boston that she loves.

Fast-forward more than a decade, Ivy is reacquainted with Gideon and his brightly-lit world. More determined than ever to keep Gideon and his sparkling upper-class world within her grasp, Ivy faces life-altering choices that she never expected.

With a Book in Our Hand: What did you ladies think of the novel?

Chelsey: This was an intriguing debut and a solid three star read for me. The novel spans most of Ivy’s adolescence and young adult life. My interest waxed and waned with the various parts and my disdain for Ivy grew considerably as the story unfolded. Ivy was selfish, flaky, and lacked empathy. Part of me loves disliking the main character so I actually didn’t mind that I found Ivy unappealing. Her relationships intrigued me and Ivy was like a chameleon with who and what she was with each person.

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐

Desiree: I completely agree with you on that, Chelsey – Ivy was rather unlikeable at times. However, I really found myself loving this novel. White Ivy is a tour de force of remarkable prose – I think I burned out the battery on my Kindle just from highlighting memorable passages as they poured forth from Ivy’s mind and heart. Not to mention that Ivy’s cranky mother Nan and beloved grandmother Meifang who have a meaningful saying of wisdom for any and every situation – and they aren’t shy about telling Ivy what they think. I couldn’t put this one down!

Ivy kept me on my toes throughout this tale – I was never quite sure what she was going to do next. I was metaphorically biting my nails throughout! This book was a strong contender for five stars, as I was enraptured from the beginning, yet there were two issues I just couldn’t get over: 1) There was a side-story two-thirds of the way through that, in my opinion, was left as a loose end; and 2) I just couldn’t reconcile the ending – to put it plainly, I didn’t “get” why Ivy made the choice in the end that she did. I felt, in regard to Ivy, that she could be the actor in that once-famous TV commercial puzzling, “What’s my motivation”.

That said, I will confidently say that this was a very well-written and supremely engaging novel that is well worth reading. An impressive debut by author Susie Yang. I’ll be very much looking forward to what she does next!

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

With a Book in Our Hand: Anything else that you’d like to let our subscribers know before we wrap up?

Desiree: Yes, both Chelsey and want to thank #Susie Yang, #Simon & Schuster, and #NetGalley for providing each of us with a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.

White Ivy will be available in stores on Tuesday, November 3rd, in both hardcover and audio CD editions. Please consider purchasing through BookShop.org – the online bookstore that gives away 75% of its profit to support local indie bookstores. (Note: I do receive a small commission should you purchase through this link, however, I share this out of my unabashed love for local, corner bookstores everywhere, rather than for any profit potential.)

Chelsey: Drop us a Comment below and let us know your thoughts on this review, as well as Susie Yang’s White Ivy – we’d love to hear from you!

The Historian

2020-10-31T08:00:00.111-04:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Elizabeth Kostova

Historical Fiction, Gothic

704 pages

Published June 1, 2005 by Little, Brown and Company

To you, perceptive reader, I bequeath my history....

Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of, a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her mother's mysterious fate connect to an inconceivable evil hidden in the depths of history.

The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out. It is a quest for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the legend of Dracula. Generations of historians have risked their reputations, their sanity, and even their lives to learn the truth about Vlad the Impaler and Dracula. Now one young woman must decide whether to take up this quest herself--to follow her father in a hunt that nearly brought him to ruin years ago, when he was a vibrant young scholar and her mother was still alive. What does the legend of Vlad the Impaler have to do with the modern world? Is it possible that the Dracula of myth truly existed and that he has lived on, century after century, pursuing his own unknowable ends? The answers to these questions cross time and borders, as first the father and then the daughter search for clues, from dusty Ivy League libraries to Istanbul, Budapest, and the depths of Eastern Europe. In city after city, in monasteries and archives, in letters and in secret conversations, the horrible truth emerges about Vlad the Impaler's dark reign and about a time-defying pact that may have kept his awful work alive down through the ages.

My thoughts:

I remember being drawn to this book in the store solely for its cover and its title.

I read this YEARS ago but remember how much I enjoyed reading it to this day. Yes, it is a monster book, coming in at 704 pages. It is also not a quick read. This book is meant to be the only thing you do for several days. You WANT to take your time and savor each and every page. This was Elizabeth Kostova's debut title but one would never be able to tell. The book is seductively mysterious and thoroughly enchanting. It pays due homage to the precedent set by Bram Stoker's original Dracula. Neither are action packed thrillers. They are not gripping page turners. In my opinion, the secret of The Historian and Dracula is the way they bury under your skin unnoticed until it's to late for you to become unattached.

As the title indicates, there is plenty of historical information in between the covers. Kostova does a magnificent job of providing the reader with a wealth of knowledge about Eastern Europe and the medieval ruler Vlad the Impaler. Lovers of gore rejoice because the historical content regarding Vlad the Impaler provides plenty of it. The book's overarching theme though is a quest for knowledge: the quest for answers behind the dragon book, the knowledge of what happened to those who disappeared, and the knowledge behind the elusive Dracula himself. One of the things I loved most about this book is the portrayal of Dracula. He isn't a bloodthirsty purveyor of death. He doesn't sparkle or melt in the sunlight. This book allows the reader to enjoy the fantastical thrill of entirely losing oneself. Gothic literature fans around the world should flock to read this one if they haven't already done so. It ranks right up there as one of my favorite all-time reads.

2 Witchy Books

2020-10-30T08:00:00.004-04:00

Fall is perfect for curling up with a witchy book for the spooky season. I have two fantastic suggestions.

The Once and Future Witches

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alix E. Harrow

Fantasy

528 pages

Published October 13, 2020 by Orbit

From the publisher: In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters--James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna--join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement.

My thoughts

This is Alix Harrow's second novel following her amazing debut, The Ten Thousand Doors of January. Written with the same lyrical and atmospheric style, this historical fantasy is full of emotion.

She set her story in a fully realized and rich world. Witchcraft is forbidden. Women's dresses don't even have pockets - else they might hide the workings for spells. The Suffragette Movement is trying to have a voice with the mayor and council of New Salem.

I loved the complex characters of the three sisters. Alix Harrow did a fantastic job giving each one her own unique voice and POV, goals and desires. Their relationships are relatable, complicated, and realistic.

Not only is this an enthralling adventure, it also addresses serious issues - women's rights, the rights of BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ rights.

This a haunting but enjoyable read that left me in tears but wanting more.

Cinders & Sparrows

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stefan Bachmann

Middle grade Fantasy

368 pages

Published October 13, 2020 by Greenwillow Books

From the publisher:
When a scarecrow climbs over the garden wall, delivering twelve-year-old orphan Zita Brydgeborn a letter saying she has inherited a distant castle, she jumps at the chance of adventure. But little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a centuries-old battle between good and evil. Blackbird Castle was once home to a powerful dynasty of witches, all of them now dead under mysterious circumstances. All but Zita. And Zita, unfortunately, doesn’t know the first thing about being a witch.

My thoughts

For fans of Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones or The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, Cinders & Sparrows is about a resourceful young girl prepared to meet challenges head-on and battle the forces of darkness for her friends and family.

Fast-paced with creepy, atmospheric descriptions, this fantasy will appeal to tweens and adults. Zita is trying to learn how to cast spells while also discover exactly what happened to her family - all with a looming deadline, emphasis on dead.

While full of all things witchy and scary including Zita's cold and exacting mentor, Mrs. Cantanker, the story has just enough lighthearted moments thanks to castle's two young servants, Minnifer and Bram, to keep it from being too intense for younger readers.

Described as a standalone, I hope that Stefan Bachmann has the opportunity to put this descriptive worldbuilding to use in other books.

This dark fantasy with its resilient and resourceful main character is highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit, and Greenwillow Books for providing ARCs for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

2020-10-29T06:30:00.009-04:00

The Year of the Witching
by Alexis Henderson

Rating: 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Published 21 June 2020
by ACE

Genre: Historical Thriller, Witchcraft

When this book was first suggested as a possible October read in my book club I saw the white cover version with the witch's seal on it and expected something similar to The Blair Witch Project. I was very wrong, but I am not disappointed!

The setting of The Year of the Witching, a place called Bethel, reminds me of the M. Night Shyamalan film The Village. It's a religious commune of Christian flavour, but twisted into a corrupt patriarchal cult. The community's leader is the Prophet, what he says goes without question, and he takes as many wives as he likes (sometimes even before he weds them.) This could be 18th century rural America, or it could be an isolated commune just miles from a modern city in the 21st century. I found myself wondering for quite a bit of this book which it is.

Immanuelle is the daughter of a suspected witch and the son of a family from beyond the town limits who was burned on a pyre for his sins before Immanuelle was born. Immanuelle has been raised by her maternal grandparents on their farm, tending to the goat herd and keeping her head down, but it's no secret that a girl with her history will never be chosen to marry well. When the young ram she tries to sell at market one day escapes into the Darkwood she has been forbidden to enter, she's forced to follow him, and instead comes face to face with the witches of the woods. A series of curses is about to be unleashed upon Bethel, and Immanuelle and her mother's legacy are at the centre of it.

This book keeps the action coming chapter after chapter. Every time you think the worst is over, something else happens. The author's way of describing the horrors these curses bring upon the town (and the horror dealt by the very human and non-magical Prophet) is so powerful. All senses are engaged, nothing is predictable, and everything is truly horrifying. With that said, Henderson has mastered the art of gothic horror style writing, wherein the horrors are indeed horrifying but nothing is too graphic or gory, and there's no needless detail. Sometimes the best part of horror is what you don't see, and Henderson seems to understand that.

I wanted to address the subtle notes of racism in this book. There's definite xenophobia in terms of the residents of Bethel itself rejecting those who live outside the community's limits, but Immanuelle is described as having darker colouring and curly hair, and it's implied that these are traits that come from her outsider ancestry. Not only is Immannuelle forever an outsider within her own community because of her parents' actions before she was born, she's also visibly marked as an outsider because she looks different from everyone else. It's difficult to tell if her features are meant to come from Black or Latina heritage.

I love how Immanuelle was written. She's strong, stubborn, and resilient. She just wants to do what she perceives is the right thing to do for the greater good in her community, even when time and again that means making personal sacrifices. She's so wrapped up in her mission that she takes a very long time to realize what she feels for the obvious love interest character Ezra.

Ezra, son of the Prophet, is written as a very genuine and pure young man who is motivated first and foremost by love.

This book has a lot to say about feminism, religious freedom, and human equality. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'll be recommending it to everyone who loves dark historical fiction or gothic horror.

Content warnings for death (including parental death), body horror (light gore), animal sacrifice, sexual assault (including with teenage minors), religious content, witchcraft/curses.

* * *

Read more reviews and other bookish topics from Jenna Rideout at Westveil Publishing

Black Girl Magic: A BWWM Paranormal Romance

2020-10-28T06:30:00.000-04:00

5 stars

Mila Nicks

Romance/Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Published on October 30th, 2020

Synopsis:

Librarian by day, cursed witch by night:

Selene Blackstone spends her days camped out in library corners with her nose glued to books. In a town like Brimrock, where she’s an outcast, she prefers her book friends to her real-life enemies. They’re a lot less judgmental. The rest of town believes she descends from a family of witches—including her evil witch grandma, Luna. In this case, the truth is stranger than fiction. She is a witch, and she’s cursed for all of eternity. Good thing her to-be-read list is pretty long…

Prickly Paranormal Investigator Aiden O’Hare speaks two languages: sarcasm and more sarcasm. He travels the country—and sometimes even the world—investigating strange phenomena with his best friend, Eddie. Their investigations bring them to a cozy New England town called Brimrock, home to fabled evil witch Luna Blackstone. Armed with his dry wit, his bibliophilic love for books, and far too much free time, he’s determined to find out just what happened to Luna…

When Aiden meets Selene, he decides he must get to know her. When Selene learns Aiden is in town investigating her grandma, she knows she must stop him. He’s out to expose the truth. She’s out to keep it a secret. Neither expects to fall under each other’s spell, but sometimes love is supernatural.

My thoughts:

Ladies and Gentlemen, she has done it again! Mila Nicks is one of my go-to romance authors and she surely did not disappoint in this sweet, riveting novel!

If you are looking for novels that are character driven, then this one is certainly for you. Selene and Aiden's chemistry was delightful and I found myself longing for more of their story days after I put this book down. The premise of a librarian/witch falling in love with a bookwork/paranormal investigator left room for plenty of playful banter that pushed the novel forward and cemented my love for this couple. While there were some steamy scenes, it never felt forced or over the top.

One aspect that I loved in the book was the friendships that the protagonists had in their lives. Selene's best friend, Noelle, is her polar opposite but pushes her to be her best at all times. My absolute favorite moment in this book is when Noelle understands that Selene will be taking a big step with Aiden in her future, but she still encourages her to take the step even though it will in turn change their friendship to some degree. It is refreshing to see such a selfless love between friends.

While there were some magical elements to this novel, it was balanced out by the romance portion of the novel. I loved the idea that Selene was cursed, unable to leave her small town. As Selene and Aiden come to discover the truth behind some antics happening in the area, readers will grow to love these characters even more. As stated, the paranormal aspect of this book is not the main focus, but it certainly helps to bring our characters together. I would highly recommend anyone looking to explore the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre to pick this book up, as it is not too overwhelming and quite fun! It was the perfect book to read during this time of year!

Overall, I highly recommend this book to all readers. Whether you are interested in romance or fantasy, I am sure there is something that you will take away from this one! This book is the first installment in Nicks' new series, Paranormal Hunters. Be sure to look out for book number two in the series, Black Moon Rising, to be published on April 23rd, 2020

Thank you to Mila Nicks and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Stranded / Malorie

2020-10-27T06:30:00.000-04:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stranded Stuart James

297 Pages Thriller/Mystery Published on 19 October 2020

What could be more innocent than going on holiday?
As a family drive along a quiet country lane on their way to the airport, they meet a stranger standing alone in the middle of the road. Steering them along another path, he tells the driver, Ben, that a tree has fallen and there's no way through. But as they make their way along the diverted route, they come across a coach blocking the road. Getting out of the car Ben goes to investigate and is horrified to find the passengers tied to their seats. Then a discarded phone starts to ring…

If Ben calls the police, everyone on board will die.
The caller is about to start the horrific game...

My Thoughts:

When I spotted that Stuart James, winner of International Book Award for The House On Rectory Lane in the Horror category had a new book released I just knew I wanted to read his new book Stranded during October. I really enjoyed The House On Rectory Lane and Apartment Six so I had high hopes for this book, I was not disappointed!
I think it was a unique and ambitious concept and happy to say, it was very well executed.
Ben and his family are going on holiday, they are diverted onto a dark road late at night, and then come across an abandoned bus, the passengers are tied up and gagged. From there a few storylines develop and I enjoyed watching the whole plot fit together.
I have no idea how the author came up with so many great ideas, some of which had me sit bolt upright and say "what" out loud!!
I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more books by Stuart James in the future.

Thank You to Stuart James and Bloodhound Books for the advanced copy of this book.

******************************************************************************

Malorie (Bird Box 2) Josh Malerman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

236 Pages Published 21 July 2020 Mystery/Horror

In the old world there were many rules.

In the new world there is only one that matters: don't open your eyes.

In the seventeen years since the 'creatures' appeared, many people have broken that rule. Many have looked. Many have lost their minds, their lives, their loved ones.

In that time, Malorie has raised her two children - Olympia and Tom - on the run or in hiding. Now nearly teenagers, survival is no longer enough. They want freedom.

When a census-taker stops by their refuge, he is not welcome. But he leaves a list of names - of survivors building a future beyond the darkness - and on that list are two names Malorie knows.

Two names for whom she'll break every rule, and take her children across the wilderness, in the hope of becoming a family again...

My Thoughts:

I hadn't read Bird Box when I got this book, so I read Bird Box, then went straight into Malorie. I read both books in 4 days. I rarely if ever read two books by one author back to back and never read two from a series together.

I don't tend to read much dystopian type books and when I started Bird Box I thought I was out of my comfort zone, I was wrong! I loved both books and was hooked from the start.
I had this whole book playing like a movie in my head and I was willing the characters on. I was so invested in their story.
I am so glad I was able to read both together so I could follow their story.

If you enjoyed Bird Box then this book is a must read!!

Thank you to Josh Malerman and Orion Publishing for the advanced reader copy of this book.

A Waffle Lot of Murder

2020-10-26T08:00:00.035-04:00

A Waffle Lot of Murder

All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery #4

by Lena Gregory

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Published on October 6, 2020 by Kensington/Lyrical Press

230 pages

Cozy Mystery

While the first hints of autumn grace Boggy Creek, Florida, Gia misses the colorful harvest traditions she left behind in New York. On a scramble to make new fall memories—and promote her irresistible pumpkin spice waffles—things take a dark turn when she gets roped into the Haunted Town Festival, a spooky celebration held on deserted farmlands. The desolate area conjures plenty of eerie vibes at night, but Gia and her best friend, Savannah, are nearly frightened to death upon the discovery of the event organizer’s body buried in the nearby woods. More alarming, the local rumor mill says the woman’s shady dealings may have egged someone into sending her to an early grave. Now, there’s no shortage of creepy clues to feast on as Gia and her pals try to stop a killer with a very scary appetite.

My thoughts:

If you’re looking for a Halloween-themed book to read that isn’t especially scary, this is it. A Waffle Lot of Murder is the fourth book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series, featuring Gia Morelli, the cafe owner who has transplanted herself from New York City to a small town in Central Florida, Boggy Creek. I haven’t read the other three books in the series but the author included enough backstory so that I wasn’t lost at all. Gia and her best friend Savannah stumble across a crime near where a Haunted Town festival will be held, in support of the local animal shelter, and things take off from there. We get to meet a number of the local residents along the way, of course, with hints and “red herrings” galore. The Florida landscape is described well and Gia, not being native to the area, has a healthy caution about the local wildlife, like alligators and coyotes, especially because she loves her puppy, Thor.

Typical of cozy mysteries, Gia and Savannah get pulled into “helping” the town sheriff investigate the crime and put themselves in danger a couple of times.

This was a fun read, but I'm not sure it was compelling enough to entice me to go back and read the first three books in the series.

Note: There are some yummy-sounding recipes included at the end of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Lyrical Press for an advance reader copy of this book.

Mexican Gothic

2020-10-25T08:00:00.027-04:00

4 stars
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Horror
301 pages
Published June 30, 2020 by Del Rey
Noemi is a young socialite living in Mexico City and finding her path in life. When her cousin, Catalina, writes an odd and concerning letter to Noemi's father, he feels that Noemi should travel to Catalina and ensure she is okay.
Catalina lives in High Place with her new husband Virgil Doyle. Catalina met Virgil a year or so ago and they had a whirlwind romance and were married within a short period of time. Once married, Virgil whisked his new bride to his family estate deep in the country where power is limited and phone lines are non-existent.
When Noemi arrives to High Place, she's surprised by the isolation and the dreariness of the countryside. High Place is in near ruins with very little working electricity, thin walls, and many unused and decrepit rooms. The people of High Place are also strange - Francis, Virgil's cousin, is rail thin and pale as a ghost; his mother is very severe and rigid with a multitude of rules even her guest is expected to follow; the servants are nearly mute and completely ignore Noemi; and worst of all, Howard Doyle, the patriarch of the home and Virgil's father, is an ancient, ailing man with backward opinions and unfiltered, inappropriate speech.
Noemi quickly realizes something is amiss at High Place. Though the Doyle's Doctor claims Catalina is suffering from tuberculosis, none of her symptoms seem in line with the illness. Noemi herself begins to feel weird and have odd experiences at High Place. Her dreams become violent and life like, and her childhood sleepwalking habit seems to have resurfaced.
As Noemi begins to learn of the dark history of High Place, the surrounding mines, and the Doyle family, she's worried something evil lurks in the walls of High Place and runs through the blood of the Doyle family. It's possible something sinister, or even paranormal, is going on, and Noemi is determined to discover the truth and rescue her cousin.
Our thoughts:
Chelsey: This was such a beautifully written novel. High Place really came alive for me and I could feel the dampness, hear the silence, and sense the unease brooding around every corner. It was truly atmospheric and I loved the modern Gothic feel.
Laura: Absolutely! I loved how the author took the classic tropes of a Gothic novel - a crumbling mansion in a remote location, an aristocratic family fallen on hard times with lots of dark secrets and tragic pasts, and a plucky heroine - used them to write a story about a curious and strong young Mexican woman.
Chelsey: Yes, I particularly loved the female characters in this novel. Noemi was vain, flirtatious, and flippant. However, she was also incredibly intelligent, a feminist far ahead of her time, independent, and fiercely loyal.
And I wanted more of the stories of Ruth, Agnes, and Alice and it would be incredible if the author ever chose to do a prequel!
Laura: A prequel would be amazing!
I loved that on its surface, this is a Gothic horror novel and yet, if you scratch that surface, Silvia Moreno-Garcia worked in commentary about classism and racism. The Doyle family made money from the nearby mines, worked by indigenous people, using them, even killing them to gain wealth and power.
Chelsey: She touched on so many important and relevant issues! Mexican Gothic was thought provoking and the language was transportative.
Laura: Full of atmospheric descriptions of a mist enshrouded cemetery, unspoken family tragedies, mysterious symbols and repressive rules, this book is perfect for fans of Crimson Peak.
Chelsey: I am drawn to books with darker, Gothic themes and this one was wonderfully executed. If you love a slow burn mystery with dark and descriptive language, this one is definitely for you!

Co-Authored by Chelsey and Laura.

The Paris Affair

2020-10-24T08:00:00.007-04:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Susanne Dunlap

Historical Fiction, Young Adult

242 pages

Published September 30, 2020 by Books Go Social

Marie Antoinette is facing hostility from the populace, inflamed by rumors circulated in pamphlets throughout Paris. The rumors claim that she has dozens of lovers, drinks the blood of poor people, holds satanic masses at Versailles, and more, when nothing could be further from the truth. On the advice of the handsome, enigmatic Captain von Bauer, Joseph II—emperor of Austria and Marie Antoinette’s brother—decides that mystery-solving violinist Theresa Schurman is the ideal candidate for a spy to discover the source of these vile slanders.

Theresa is only too glad to get away from Vienna for a while, unwilling to commit herself yet to marrying Zoltan—a Hungarian baron she met when she was fifteen—and running out of reasons to postpone her decision. She is eager, too, to explore a new musical scene and broaden her artistic education. But when the captain confounds her expectations and places her as a bookkeeper in the establishment of Rose Bertin, milliner to the queen, she begins to lose hope that she will ever achieve her musical aims—or the emperor’s goal of exposing the pamphleteers.

A chance encounter with the Chevalier de Saint-George, an extraordinary black violinist and expert swordsman, sets Theresa on the path to unraveling the mystery. But will the chevalier’s patron, the powerful duc de Chartres, confound her efforts and put her—and the captain’s—lives in danger?

Be prepared for music, mystery, love, and murder in this riveting tale of pre-revolutionary Paris.

My thoughts:

This book proves that young adult literature is a true art in it of itself and deserves any and all recognition it receives. Every page of this book deserves to be savored and appreciated. Even though this is the 3rd book in the series any reader can pick it up and not feel like they are unable to follow the relationship between the main characters. Dunlap provides a multifaceted plot with layers of intrigue, deception, and romantic tension. She gives us a glimpse into the lives of several socioeconomic groups of Paris society. The book, most notably the main character, provides a magnificent outlet for Dunlap's passion for and knowledge of music. This is a delightfully plotted out mystery that any reader would enjoy.

I received an advanced copy of this title via NetGalley and the author.

Always a Guest

2020-10-23T11:00:00.012-04:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Barbara Taylor Brown

Christian/Religion & Spirituality

256 pages

Published October 20, 2020 by Westminster John Knox Press

From beloved writer and renowned preacher Barbara Brown Taylor comes a new collection of stories and sermons of faith, grace, and hope. Taylor, author of the best-selling books Holy Envy and An Altar in the World, among others, finds that when you are the invited guest speaking of faith to people you don't know, one must seek common ground: exploring the central human experience. Full of Taylor's astute observations on the Spirit and the state of the world along with her gentle wit, this collection will inspire Taylor's fans and preachers alike as she explores faith in all its beauty and complexity.

My thoughts:

Barbara Brown Taylor is a new author to me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m always looking for uplifting books with a positive message. This book checked those boxes!!


Inside, you will find a collection of thirty-one sermons delivered by Taylor in her role as a guest preacher.  I really enjoyed reading a chapter (sermon) each morning with my coffee.  It was an excellent way to start the day!  

Some of her sermons really hit home for me and the message was strong.  I found myself wishing that those sermons were longer or more in depth.  I could listen to her sermons all day long!!

I will be reading more of Barbara Brown Taylor's work and I would recommend this book for anyone needing a dose of inspiration.  They were perfect messages to add some joy during an otherwise difficult 2020.

Thank you NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of Always a Guest in exchange for my unbiased review.

The Nesting

2020-10-22T08:00:00.006-04:00

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

C. J. Cooke

Supernatural Thriller

368 Pages

Published September 29th, by Berkeley Publishing Group

The woods are creeping in on a nanny and two young girls in this chilling modern Gothic thriller.

Architect Tom Faraday is determined to finish the high-concept, environmentally friendly home he’s building in Norway—in the same place where he lost his wife, Aurelia, to suicide. It was their dream house, and he wants to honor her with it.

Lexi Ellis takes a job as his nanny and immediately falls in love with his two young daughters, especially Gaia. But something feels off in the isolated house nestled in the forest along the fjord. Lexi sees mysterious muddy footprints inside the home. Aurelia’s diary appears in Lexi’s room one day. And Gaia keeps telling her about seeing the terrifying Sad Lady. . . .

Soon Lexi suspects that Aurelia didn’t kill herself and that they are all in danger from something far more sinister lurking around them.

My Thoughts

Parts of this novel read like a fairy tale (and there were fairy tales within the fairy tale), with beautiful, evocative language. And every once in a while, the main character Sophie (Lexi) slipped into vernacular, which made me smile because it was so unexpected.

The plot revolves around the wishes of Aurelia, who wanted a summer house in Norway because of the connection to her parents, who lived there. Her husband Tom is determined to follow through with this wish, after the first house is destroyed and after Aurelia is presumed to have committed suicide. The trials and tribulations that the people in the household (Sophie as the nanny, two little girls, Tom, and Tom's partner and his wife), go through is gut wrenching and hard to read about.

I do not generally like "supernatural" explanations for events. I think it would have been interesting to tie Aurelia's so-called suicide into a human caused event, with the fairy tale of the nokk as the coverup. There was a lot of repetition, and it seemed to take a while to get to the real story behind Aurelia's "suicide", but despite these misgivings, I still found the story different, interesting, and beautifully written.

Thanks to NetGalley, C.J. Cooke and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced reader's copy for review.

Return to Virgin River

2020-10-21T08:00:00.015-04:00

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Robyn Carr

Women's Fiction / Romance

320 pages

Published October 13, 2020 by Mira

Kaylee Sloan’s home in Southern California is full of wonderful memories of the woman who raised her. But the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother’s recent death. A successful author, Kaylee hoped she could pour herself into her work. Instead she has terrible writer’s block and a looming deadline.

Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives north through the mountains and the majestic redwoods, she immediately feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend—or a stranger—in need.

Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As the holidays approach, Kaylee’s dread turns to wonder. Because there’s no better place to spend Christmas than Virgin River.

My Thoughts:

It is hard to top the first few books in the Virgin River series. I fell in love with Mel and Jack, Preacher and Paige, and Brie and Mike and loved it when I could visit Virgin River again through Kaylee's eyes. Kaylee has lost her mom and has a complicated relationship with her dad. She's come to Virgin River to grieve and to hopefully write again. But life is what happens when you are busy making plans!

This is a stand alone book, but readers who are not familiar with the series will be a little lost with all the names and couples that are referenced. I *have* read the whole series and I occasionally had to reference previous books so I could remember who was being talked about. Kaylee's and Landry's story was lovely to read. It was believable and I was pretty surprised by the bump in their road to romance. The only thing that I didn't find to be believable was how fast Kaylee got over her fear of dogs. But that is getting pretty picky. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light read or an escape to the pine scented mountains of Virgin River.

As always, drop a comment below and let us know what you think!

A big thank you to #RobynCarr, #Mira, and #NetGalley for providing a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.

#ReturntoVirginRiver

Eli's Promise

2020-10-20T08:00:00.021-04:00

Eli's Promise

by Ronald H. Balson

Rating: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Published September 22, 2020 by St. Martin's Press

352 pages

Historical Fiction

A "fixer" in a Polish town during WWII, his betrayal of a Jewish family, and a search for justice 25 years later—by the winner of the National Jewish Book Award.

Eli’s Promise is a masterful work of historical fiction spanning three eras—Nazi-occupied Poland, the American Zone of post-war Germany, and Chicago at the height of the Vietnam War, all tied together by a common thread. Award-winning author Ronald H. Balson explores the human cost of war, the mixed blessings of survival, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

1939: Eli Rosen lives with his wife Esther and their young son in the Polish town of Lublin, where his family owns a construction company. As a consequence of the Nazi occupation, Eli’s company is Aryanized, appropriated and transferred to Maximilian Poleski—an unprincipled profiteer who peddles favors to Lublin’s subjugated residents, and who knows nothing at all of construction. An uneasy alliance is formed; Poleski will keep the Rosen family safe if Eli will manage the business. Will Poleski honor his promise or will their relationship end in betrayal and tragedy?

1946: Eli resides with his son in a displaced persons camp in Allied occupied Germany hoping for a visa to America. His wife has been missing since the war. One man may know what has happened to her. Is he the same man who is now sneaking around the camps selling illegal visas?

1965: Eli Rosen rents a room in Albany Park, Chicago. He is on a mission. With patience, cunning, and relentless focus, Eli navigates Chicago's unfamiliar streets and dangerous political backrooms, searching for the truth. Powerful and emotional, Eli’s Promise is a rich, rewarding novel of World War II and a husband’s quest for justice.

My thoughts:

Ronald Balson has written an excellent book of historical fiction. It grabbed me right from the first page, with the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp by the U.S. Army and our introduction to the titular Eli and his son Izaak. There are lots of promises in this novel but the main one Eli makes is to bring the black marketer Max to justice and to find out what happened to his (Eli’s) wife.

The story takes place during World War II in Poland, specifically in Lublin and Lodz, and in the years immediately following the war in Displaced Persons camps. The story also jumps to the mid-1960s in Chicago. The author states in the Acknowledgments that “Eli’s Promise is at its heart a story about corruption and war profiteering.”

I didn’t care for the portion of the story in Chicago as much as the story that took place during and after World War II, but the theme remained the same: corruption and war profiteering.

The author doesn’t specify how Eli got his visa to get to the US or how he came to his American job. I would have liked to read about both those things.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.