Tracy Sumner is one of my favorite authors and she specializes in historical romance. The Ice Duchess is a great secSo much can change in seven years.
Tracy Sumner is one of my favorite authors and she specializes in historical romance. The Ice Duchess is a great second chance romance novel featuring Countess Winterbourne, Georgiana Whitcomb and Dexter Munro, the future Duke of Markham. The chemistry between Georgiana and Dexter builds as they continue to work together. Georgiana enjoys her independence after she was married off to an old man. Her insistence that she will never marry again both demoralizes and challenges Dexter. He gets that her marriage was abusive.
I love the idea of the Duchess Society, where Georgiana guides other young women through the marriage contracts so that others are not in the position she found herself to be.
Dexter makes a deathbed promise to get married before 12th Night, so his work is cut out for him in pursuing the elusive but beautiful Georgiana.
If you like spicy scenes and a sweet romance, The Ice Duchess is really good!! Character development really shines, and this is the prequeal to The Duchess series....more
I seriously need a good laugh, and Back in the Burbs provided all the laugh attacks I needed this past week. I love Mallory, our main character becausI seriously need a good laugh, and Back in the Burbs provided all the laugh attacks I needed this past week. I love Mallory, our main character because she's a hot mess who doesn't yet realize her own worth. Her journey takes a wild detour when in the middle of divorce proceedings from her cheating ex, she winds up inheriting her Great Aunt's Maggie's house.
Having to bulldoze through her Aunt's clutter and collections is quite the challenge, but doesn't compare to getting the multiple Home Owner Association's violations. Cutting grass doesn't seem to be a major task until Mallory manages to do it in such an epic way, I am still laughing over the scene she created!
Characters to love (Mallory and Nick) and hate (Mallory's jerky soon to be ex who really is evil) combine with plenty of opportunities to laugh in this rom-com that has me smiling. Who wouldn't want to read a book that has you laughing your head off out loud? What has me sad? The fact that Maggie is someone I want for my very own Great Aunt and I can't have her!!
Authors Avery Flynn and Tracy Wolf have just the right amount of magic in Back in the Burbs. Magic, you ask? Yes, magic! Chemistry, spice, and comedy combined with interesting and realistic characters (Mallory's parents, her new friend Sarah...).... I am taking all the liberties here by calling that magic! We all know that the authors that have it are rare and should be praised from the mountaintops when they nail a really good novel! This is the case with Back in the Burbs...perfect magic!...more
Unanswered Verses by Tajammul Kothari, is a collection of poems that describe some of the feelings of living in loneliness with fears and regrets as lUnanswered Verses by Tajammul Kothari, is a collection of poems that describe some of the feelings of living in loneliness with fears and regrets as life partners. The first poem in Chapter One is titled Harassed and allows the reader a glimpse of what it is like to be bullied. I felt that every poem was very easy to relate to as most of us have experienced loss, bullying, grief, betrayal, and hopelessness. There are poems where the speaker is reaching out for something good and poems where the world comes crashing around him.
Reviewing poetry always seems to be a subjective experience as we read through our own filters and lenses, no matter how much we try to relate and get into the poet's head. Having written poetry, I can honestly say that the majority of my poems are actually darker in nature which would surprise many of the people that know me. So reading poetry that expresses some of the hardest emotions does not disturb me in the least. I felt that the poems written for Unanswered Verses are naked honesty of what is felt or thought of. The verses are deceptive in a way as they appear simple. But they hold a depth in expressing raw emotion without flowery wording to disguise the pain. Well done, Kothari!!!! I highly recommend Unanswered Verses and feel it is near impossible not to react or respond to his words....more
I have read this series, every book from the beginning way back when it first came out before people knew that J.D. Robb is actually a pen name for NoI have read this series, every book from the beginning way back when it first came out before people knew that J.D. Robb is actually a pen name for Nora Roberts.
Intrigued to listen to the audiobook after being so addicted to the series and the characters.... I am not disappointed at all! Loved the narration, perfectly done for my favorite characters! Can't wait to listen to more of the series and hope they keep the same narrator!!!...more
What a wonderful Christmas romance novel! I love everything about An Ivy Hill Christmas written so eloquently by author Julie Klassen. I thought this What a wonderful Christmas romance novel! I love everything about An Ivy Hill Christmas written so eloquently by author Julie Klassen. I thought this story was going in one direction, but was delighted to see that it went in a new direction. Themes of hope, redemption, forgiveness and of course love are woven so wonderfully into this Christmas tale that I could easily see it as a sweet movie. The writing is what does it for me, Julie Klassen truly has what it takes to show the reader...and that is huge.. I mean HUGE for me!
Part Two (The first is Say No More) nice to read in order, but honestly not required. Intense read, big emotions... Rafe and his sister, Mercy separatePart Two (The first is Say No More) nice to read in order, but honestly not required. Intense read, big emotions... Rafe and his sister, Mercy separately escaped the cult that they were in when they were children. Now someone is after Mercy again, right as she is trying to make peace with Rafe. Intense and deep, I felt like I dived into the story! Such a great read!!...more
Intense read, I could not put it down. Very technical, I can tell there is a ton of research that went into this book.... Fascinating read on what it Intense read, I could not put it down. Very technical, I can tell there is a ton of research that went into this book.... Fascinating read on what it means to be human in a dystopian world where our actions have destroyed most of what we cherish: life.
I was fascinated by this story and tried to get the advance review copy to read through NetGalley. I did not score it so hurried to sign up for it through my library. The robots that are made to nurture these children fascinate me as do the people that set up the plan to save humanity. The Hopi traditions and mythology just seem to wrap it up for me- completely had my attention and I did not put it down until I was finished reading! ...more
Slow buildup, alternating narratives and deep look at toxic relationships. Hard to get into and characters are just not my favorite people...intense rSlow buildup, alternating narratives and deep look at toxic relationships. Hard to get into and characters are just not my favorite people...intense read!...more
Whoa, Fire Lake Hotel is a slow build psychologically tense novel about the marriage between Karl and Lia Burkhart... at times their relationship is sWhoa, Fire Lake Hotel is a slow build psychologically tense novel about the marriage between Karl and Lia Burkhart... at times their relationship is sweet and adorable. I can't really define this book as a thriller, since very little of the book was actually suspense. The story is told from Karl's perspective.
Eventually the cracks in their relationship start to show as the story continues. While at the Fire Lake Hotel, they meet Ava a beautiful woman who works with the horses at the stable and is also a dancer. The phrase two is company and three is a crowd is so accurate and there is plenty of foreshadowing to really show what is going on within the Burkhart marriage.
This is one of author Paul Dipersio's strengths is foreshadowing. Also the metaphor of the hotel to the marriage of the Burkhart's was really powerful. There were times where I felt the author was just letting the story drag on, and I wanted something to happen. So maybe the plot and pace needs to be tightened up a little.
Overall a good read about characters I was not really sure I liked. Thank you to BookSirens and author Paul Dispersio for this temporary, digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. As always, my opinions are my own.
The Push by Claire McGowan is a psychologic suspense novel. (Trigger warning listed below).
A house party filled with children takes a sudden twist wheThe Push by Claire McGowan is a psychologic suspense novel. (Trigger warning listed below).
A house party filled with children takes a sudden twist when one of the guests is pushed to their death. In comes the investigator, DS Alison Hegarty to figure out what happened and why. The writing is crisp, and although I prefer to figure things out at the end... the book still kept my interest because I wanted to see how it played out. Although there are many characters, the couples that had just had babies are very interesting. Their stories and diversity really stand out to me and it is obvious that they are well formed characters as McGowan writes.
I liked the format- each chapter was a different character and different time frame...the day of, or previously. The format keeps the plot moving and allows different looks into the lives of the characters as the story unfolds. Detective Alison Hegarty is intriguing, she has her own drama in her personal life. Definitely will be reading more from Claire McGowan!
Whoa!!! The Girl From Nowhere is part one of a new trilogy by James Maxwell. The trilogy is called The Firewall Trilogy.
In depth look at surviving theWhoa!!! The Girl From Nowhere is part one of a new trilogy by James Maxwell. The trilogy is called The Firewall Trilogy.
In depth look at surviving the wastelands and how the Firewall limits life for those trying to find food and water. The character development seems slow but steady. Possibly aimed at young adults and though I am 50, I am quite young at heart. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
The Sweet Taste of Muscadines is a debut novel by author Pamela Terry- but- it doesn’t read like a new novel. The writing flows in this slow starting The Sweet Taste of Muscadines is a debut novel by author Pamela Terry- but- it doesn’t read like a new novel. The writing flows in this slow starting novel about three very different siblings and the mystery they uncover when they get together after their mother dies unexpectedly.
I thought this was a really good read- crisp writing, descriptive settings and the characters are so well thought out and developed they just felt real. The suspense builds slowly as well, but it’s one of those plots where you need to keep reading to find out all the answers!!!
Well done, smooth novel and I really wouldn’t change a single thing!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group- Ballentine and author Pamela Terry for a temporary digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. As always, my review is voluntary and my opinions are my own....more
Three historical novels written by Wendy Vella! Each can be read as a standalone. Fun, interesting stories with different plots and I really enjoyed tThree historical novels written by Wendy Vella! Each can be read as a standalone. Fun, interesting stories with different plots and I really enjoyed this set. I felt that the characters in each of the novels were well developed and thought out. Feisty and spirited, stubborn or reluctant.... felt each book had something to offer. I can see why Wendy Vella is a bestselling author! She layers her characters with humor, a little suspense and spicy romances. ...more
Such an intense read, very good and complex but it all comes together. I don’t believe I read the first book.... and really didn’t seem to make a diffSuch an intense read, very good and complex but it all comes together. I don’t believe I read the first book.... and really didn’t seem to make a difference; definitely had me thinking and on the edge of my seat!! My two favorite things!!! ...more
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