Lauren E. Rico has crafted a fascinating novel that combines family drama, a cold case, and a genetic mystery. Gabriella (Gabby) DiMarco works as a faLauren E. Rico has crafted a fascinating novel that combines family drama, a cold case, and a genetic mystery. Gabriella (Gabby) DiMarco works as a fact-checker for a magazine in New York. As a group the staff do DNA tests. When Gabby gets her results, she believes the laboratory made a mistake. Then she gets a message from someone on the genealogy site claiming to be her sister. This is an emotional and heartwarming story of Gabby and the woman who claims to be her sister Isabella trying to solve the mystery. While the story is told mainly from the points of view of Gabby and Isabella, there are chapters featuring several other characters. Will Gabby and Isabella get the full story and solve the mystery?
Set in Puerto Rice, this is a compelling narrative that has wonderful, but flawed main characters. The author weaves a complex web of emotions, secrets, and conflicts that will keep readers turning the pages. The worldbuilding is fantastic and the writing style is engaging.
Overall, this story is emotional, entertaining, and thought-provoking. The author delivers a vivid story of life and drama. I’m looking forward to reading more novels by this author.
Kensington Books provided a complimentary physical copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was December 26, 2023. --------------------------------------------- My 4.31 rounded to 4 stars review will be coming soon....more
If you are in the mood for a feel-good, heartwarming, and cute story featuring a lost dog, then Tatum Comes Home by Tatum Talks and Mica Stone shoIf you are in the mood for a feel-good, heartwarming, and cute story featuring a lost dog, then Tatum Comes Home by Tatum Talks and Mica Stone should be on your books to consider list. It’s late May in Maine when Tatum, a rescue dog, goes to the hardware store with his dad. A thunderstorm hits the area and he gets frightened. Tatum ends up hiding in a nearby truck. He wakes up hungry, confused, and hours from home. This is the story of Tatum trying to get home and the people and animals he encounters along the way.
While the story is fictional, it features a real dog with an active social media following. Each chapter starts with Tatum’s travel diary told in his “voice” and with deliberate misspellings. Thankfully, these are short sections. While the story is somewhat simplistic and repetitive, it was still a fun book to read. Themes include friendship, families, love, animals, and much more.
Overall, this was an entertaining and charming story that lightened my day.
Kensington Books provided a complimentary physical copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was October 24, 2023. ------------------------------------------------------------------ My 3.82 rounded to 4 stars review....more
For most of the novel, Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder by Steve S. Saroff feels more like literary fiction. However, the last part of the book taFor most of the novel, Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder by Steve S. Saroff feels more like literary fiction. However, the last part of the book takes off and readers will know they are reading a thriller. This first-person story features Enzi and is largely set in Missoula, Montana.
This is a story of secrets, but it’s also a story of a lonely, dyslexic, and bullied boy who became a successful man. Other themes include relationships, greed, loneliness, lost chances, and death. The book started slowly and was more telling than showing. However, that gave insight into Enzi’s thoughts, observations, and feelings. Additionally, there are occasional timeline shifts without any preamble which interrupted the flow of the story. Despite this, the overall premise and ending were good. The character building was well-done.
Overall, this was an interesting character study.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. ...more
In Bernice Runs Away by Talya Tate Boerner, readers meet Bernice Bryd Hart, an 81-year-old widow living on her own in Savage Crossing, Arkansas. SIn Bernice Runs Away by Talya Tate Boerner, readers meet Bernice Bryd Hart, an 81-year-old widow living on her own in Savage Crossing, Arkansas. She’s been a widow for 20 years and lost a son when he was 18 in a car accident. Her daughter, Sarah and her husband Stewart live in Atlanta. They want Bernice to move into a carriage house they’re building on their property for her.
However, Bernice isn’t willing to lose her independence yet. However, she is using the decluttering book that Sarah gave her. With help from a friend, Marlene, Bernice makes good progress on organizing, donating, and trashing things that have accumulated. Bernice finds a picture of her first love, John Robert Marvel. They met at Lake Norfork in Mountain Home, Arkansas one summer. This is also the vacation spot she, Max, and their children visited for many years.
Bernice decides to run away and rents a cottage at the lake. She packs up her car, Miss Fiona, with things that bring her joy, including her cat, Dolly. What follows is a heartwarming and delightful story of Bernice as she thinks about and experiences love, family, friendship, second chances, forgiveness, change, and much more. Readers experience Bernice’s adventure with her. With some humor, unsteadiness, and determination, Bernice works through what she wants to do with her life and how she wants to live it. Will it be what you expected?
Overall, this engaging and heart-felt novel kept me entertained.
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was October 1, 2022.
----------------------------------------- My 3.81 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
Swan Huntley’s latest novel, Getting Clean with Stevie Green, is thought-provoking, sad at times, and occasionally humorous. Stevie Green’s mom haSwan Huntley’s latest novel, Getting Clean with Stevie Green, is thought-provoking, sad at times, and occasionally humorous. Stevie Green’s mom has called and asked her to help her downsize and move into her new home. Stevie is so successful, she decides to start her own decluttering business. Additionally, at thirty-seven, she has decided to give up binge drinking and sleeping with strange men. While her life was derailed by a high school scandal, she was already secretly on a path of alcohol and drugs. She never realized her dreams. The seemed to become addicted to fresh starts. In fact, she doesn’t really know what or who she wants to be now except number one on the Organizely application. What could go possible wrong when she is living in her home town of La Jolla, California, the place of her painful memories.
While most of the book is from Stevie’s POV, there are some insights from Chris, Brad, Bonnie, and Kit. One thing that took me a while to get used to was Stevie seemingly talking to the reader. Her character is one that cries out for empathy at times, but is hard to like at other times.
Stevie’s background story is unveiled gradually. While she has found a purpose, will it last or will she need another fresh start? The novel has several themes running through it including hope, addiction, alcohol, betrayal, lies, mistakes, internet dating, friendship, family, social media, love, and forgiveness.
Overall, I enjoyed this change-of-pace story, but felt saddened that Stevie allowed one event to derail 20 years of her life. Will she finally get her life together?
Gallery Books and Swan Huntley provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 25, 2022. ...more
A Time for Eating Wild Onions by L. A. Starks is a very short story featuring two young men going home from the Vietnam War. They have a layover iA Time for Eating Wild Onions by L. A. Starks is a very short story featuring two young men going home from the Vietnam War. They have a layover in San Francisco and decide to go out on the town. Both are of Cherokee descent and live in Oklahoma.
Mitch and Jack buy clothes and then are exposed to a range of reactions to them being soldiers. This ranges from positive to very negative. Unfortunately, excessive alcohol comes into play as well. Despite how short this story is, the reader gains some character insight in both Mitch and Jack. However, what happens when things don’t go as planned?
This story felt very clichéd to me. I recognize that this is a pre-story for two of the characters in book two of Starks’ Lynn Dayton thriller series (which I thoroughly enjoy), but I wanted a different take on the pre-story. However, the ending was definitely attention grabbing.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. ...more
Snow by Orhan Pamuk is literary fiction that brings some tough themes to the reader. Political intrigue, philosophy, romance, secularism, religiouSnow by Orhan Pamuk is literary fiction that brings some tough themes to the reader. Political intrigue, philosophy, romance, secularism, religious fanaticism, East-West relations, radicalism, Western ideals, suicide, murder, and torture are all explored in this novel.
Ka is a Turkish poet who has recently returned to Turkey from Germany after 12 years as a political exile. While he comes back for his mother’s funeral, he also heard that a girlfriend has recently divorced her husband and heads to Kars, their home town. He arrives during a blizzard and the roads and trains are closed. Ka tells people that he is in town as a journalist to do stories on the municipal elections and on the young women who have been committing suicide in Kars. What happens next is somewhat eventful, but also very introspective.
Unfortunately, Ka is an annoying character and very immature for his age. The star character is the city itself. Kars is an actual city in northeast Turkey. Through the novel, we learn something of its history. Due to its location, the city has had a turbulent past and is something of a fusion of nationalities, cultures, and ethnicities. The world-building was fantastic and I was able to clearly picture the snowbound city. The story line had great potential and does reflect on some contemporary issues, but felt more like vignettes than a cohesive novel.
While this book is much more about telling than showing during a large part of it, readers do get glimpses of poverty, hopelessness, anger, regrets, freedom of thought, the loss of innocence, and loneliness, and the search for happiness along with the other themes mentioned above. It is researched well and reasonably well-written, but somewhat slow. (view spoiler)[However, the author does a self-insertion into the story which I did not like. (hide spoiler)]
If you enjoy politics, learning about other countries and cultures, and/or slice of life novels, then this may be one you wish to consider. This book is very relevant to today.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. ...more
In The Academy, Robert Dugoni uses a short story to set up the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series. This prequel introduces readers to TracyIn The Academy, Robert Dugoni uses a short story to set up the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series. This prequel introduces readers to Tracy and her reasons for wanting to eventually become a homicide detective. It also gives readers an insight into what some women have experienced when training to enter a job that is or has been largely held by men. While these experiences don’t happen all of the time, they do happen to some women.
Tracy quit her job as a high school chemistry teacher to pursue a career in the Seattle Police Department. The book starts with her interview and continues through her experiences at the police training academy in Washington and is set in 1996. Despite being somewhat over the top, including some stereotypes and being predictable, I enjoyed getting to know Tracy before she joined the Seattle police department.
With a strong, smart, tough and confident protagonist, Dugoni managed to give Tracy character depth for such a short introduction to her. She was a likeable character with an inquisitive nature that is also willing to help others.
Overall, this was a good introduction to Tracy and gives the backstory that should enable book one to fly. It had a great setting and was engaging, entertaining and well-paced. I’ve read one of the books in this series and I plan to read them all. I highly recommend this series to those that enjoy police procedurals, mysteries and crime novels and am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
I purchased a digital copy of this prequel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was September 9, 2014....more
UNDERCARD by David Albertyn is the first book that I have read by this author. I’ve seen this book classified as both literary fiction and crime fictiUNDERCARD by David Albertyn is the first book that I have read by this author. I’ve seen this book classified as both literary fiction and crime fiction. It takes place over a period of 24 hours in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tyron Shaw has been honorably discharged after eleven years in the Marines. When he returns home, two of his childhood and young adulthood friends are in the news. Antoine Deco is slated to fight in an undercard boxing match tonight and Keenan Quinn, a police officer who killed an unarmed teenager, has been found not guilty. The third person is Naomi who he still loves, but is the wife of Keenan.
The characters had plenty of flaws and some virtues and felt very real. Conflicts arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling forced or contrived. The atmosphere was dark, gritty and often foreboding, but this was occasionally broken up by some lightness. The prose was well-written and absorbing that was paced well.
Overall, this was a dramatic, intense, tragic and absorbing novel. Themes include family, friendship, foster care, racism, corruption, hatred, PTSD, revenge and much more. If you enjoy dark and gritty dramas and/or boxing, then this may be the next book for you.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
CANDIDATE SPECTRUM by Brian Cato is classified as general fiction, but it is more than that. Spectrum is the superhero name that Grant Goslin chose foCANDIDATE SPECTRUM by Brian Cato is classified as general fiction, but it is more than that. Spectrum is the superhero name that Grant Goslin chose for himself. But during one rescue mission, he realizes that his actions as a superhero are reactive and aren’t solving the root causes of the incidents he faces. Therefore, he decides to go into politics and runs for governor of Missouri. Eventually, he decides to run for President of the United States. First, he has to overcome the fact that he is an alien from another planet and currently not eligible to be president.
The main character is certainly someone you can root for or against depending on your political views. Grant’s goals are clear, but the road to get there is not without major issues including his naivety and inexperience. While his thought processes were interesting and raise serious issues that need to be dealt with, the story tended to be slow and therefore the impact and effectiveness of the dialogue was diminished.
Overall, there were some emotional moments and the book is definitely thought-provoking, but the implementation lacked the impact I was expecting. However, the concepts are important enough that I would recommend this to others that are interested.
Many thanks to Smith Publicity, Inc. – BC Studios and Brian Cato for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
LOGGING OFF by Nick Spalding is classified as British humor and satire. There is some humor and satire in it so that seems to fit. Andy Bellows is a fLOGGING OFF by Nick Spalding is classified as British humor and satire. There is some humor and satire in it so that seems to fit. Andy Bellows is a freelance graphic designer that is afflicted with headaches, neck aches, insomnia, muscle aches and gastrointestinal issues. With the help of his phone and tablet, he tries to self-diagnose himself, but ends up going to the doctor. The doctor tells him he needs to do a digital detox for two months and gives him a pamphlet to guide him. His only use of technology would be the minimum amount he needs for his work. How would he survive without texting, tweeting, online dating, and all of the social media that drives his days and nights? How would he even find food? Will it even help him? Can he survive?
Andy is an interesting character that you can root for and sympathize with, but I would not call him a compelling character. Humor and, especially satire are used throughout the novel. The language was a little stronger than I like at times, but I still enjoyed some laughs. The internal and external conflicts were well defined and the secondary characters had were nicely developed. Themes include digital dependence, physical ailments, romance, isolation and self-discovery.
Overall, I liked the book. It was well-crafted and I would recommend it to those that read this and think it might be something they will enjoy.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Nick Spalding for a complimentary ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
THE WEIGHT OF A MOMENT by Michael Bowe pleasantly surprised me. This is not the type of book that I normally read, but I have obviously been missing oTHE WEIGHT OF A MOMENT by Michael Bowe pleasantly surprised me. This is not the type of book that I normally read, but I have obviously been missing out on some great stories.
The book starts out with Nick Sterling, a prize-winning journalist. Then it switches to Tom Corbett’s life. The two stories do not come together until about a third of the way through the book. The book explores how one incident or event can change lives for the worse and how fragile relationships can be. However, it is much more than a look at the tragedies in these two men’s lives; it is also about getting beyond the humiliation and grief, moving forward and going through a healing process.
This novel was well-written and drew me into the lives of the two main characters. Nick and Tom had distinct voices and both felt very real. Their motivations were believable and the relationships between the characters were not contrived. Their stories move between large cities and small towns, between being at the peak of their careers and at the bottom.
Themes explored in the novel include tragic mistakes, forgiveness, domestic violence, family relationships, social media, drug use, alcohol overindulgence, murder, suicide, friendship, compassion, condemnation and much more.
This story is not one that I will forget and I recommend this novel to those readers that enjoy well-written, profound and moving stories.
Thanks to Michael Bowe for a copy of this novel and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
Josh Rosen and Bubbe by L. A. Starks is a well-written short story, but don't read it expecting a thriller like her Lynn Dayton series. Josh Rosen facJosh Rosen and Bubbe by L. A. Starks is a well-written short story, but don't read it expecting a thriller like her Lynn Dayton series. Josh Rosen faces a work-life balance problem when his Grandmother gets hospitalized while she is traveling on a tour bus. What does he choose?
I'm not sure what the purpose of the short story was unless it was to explore whether or not Josh deserved a series of his own. Based on this, I'm not sure. Potentially, it could be a family drama novel or with Starks' excellent writing skill, maybe she could turn it into a fabulous thriller. As a short story, it left me wanting something more....more
Safe Harbour by Christina Kilbourne is classified for Teens and Young Adults but I feel many older adults will think this book is fantastic.
Fourteen ySafe Harbour by Christina Kilbourne is classified for Teens and Young Adults but I feel many older adults will think this book is fantastic.
Fourteen year old Harbour has been living on a boat in and around Florida with her father for several years when he sends her and her dog Tuff (Tuff Stuff) on a bus to Toronto. She is living there in a tent in a ravine with her dog, canned tuna and a reading list unlike that for most teenagers. Then her father is late meeting her and stops calling; her credit card is declined and winter is approaching.
Most of the novel is heart-rend, but it has moments that are heart-warming. It makes you think about those that are less fortunate or different or just going through a hard time and how they are treated. With today’s polarization, this book should get us to think long and hard about our attitudes toward others.
This is a well-written story that has characters with depth in Harbour and her friend Lise. There are also several great supporting characters including a librarian. Most readers will likely experience a wide range of emotions just as Harbour went from anticipation to sadness to fear to trust to joy. The book also gives us an interesting twist at the end.
Where is Harbour’s father? Why is he late to meet her in Toronto? How does Harbour survive the winter? I highly recommend that you read Safe Harbour to find out and experience this fantastic book. I look forward to reading more of Christina Kilbourne’s books.
Many thanks to Dundurn Press, Christina Kilbourne and Net Galley for a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
I won a kindle e-book edition of this novel in a Goodreads Giveaway. Unfortunately, it was not the book for me.
The main character, Toby Fleishman, is I won a kindle e-book edition of this novel in a Goodreads Giveaway. Unfortunately, it was not the book for me.
The main character, Toby Fleishman, is 41 years old, a doctor, short, going through a divorce, and learning about internet dating sites. It covers marriage, children, divorce, internet dating, the affects of divorce on children and much more. Unfortunately, the pacing was slow and I did not care for the characters.
This novel was not poignant, memorable, or even thought-provoking to me. I actually dreaded picking up my kindle every time I started to read more of this book. Maybe, I was in the mood to read a different type of book. It may appeal to others, but it was not for me....more
Exposé by Paul Ilett is the story of The Daily Ear tabloid newspaper in London and a celebrity that decides he has had enough of their stories and deExposé by Paul Ilett is the story of The Daily Ear tabloid newspaper in London and a celebrity that decides he has had enough of their stories and decides to turn the tables on them. Reporters must have secrets, too. Right? The journalists and the public were kept on pins and needles as every three days there is a new revelation.
Most of the characters in this book are unsympathetic. However, they did have distinct voices with their own flaws and virtues. The internal and external conflicts for each main character were well defined and arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling contrived or forced. There were a couple of plot twists and turns that were not expected.
Despite this being well-written, I felt it was just an okay read for me. I am obviously in the minority of reviewers and feel that I am not the intended audience for this book. It was interesting, but not for me.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks go to Goodreads, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
I won ABOVE YOUR RAISIN BY Mac Griffith in a Goodreads Giveaway. It has an interesting story line featuring an Associate Justice of the US Supreme CouI won ABOVE YOUR RAISIN BY Mac Griffith in a Goodreads Giveaway. It has an interesting story line featuring an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court (Nico Grasso) who shoves Vernon (Tree) Purcell into the Rolling River in Colorado. By accident, Tree has in his possession an unopened letter to Nico from the Pope and decides to "jerk Nico's chain" for pushing him in the river. Tree is also dealing with grief and loneliness and the book explores love and friendship.
Unfortunately, it was not the right book for me. The writing was told from Tree's POV. It felt stilted and it was an effort for me to pick up my kindle and read more of it. However, several people loved this book and it may be a better fit for you....more
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