Reading
-
Review: Love Poems for the Office by John Kenney
John Kenney’s quick little ‘Love Poems’ books have been a bright spot in my reading calendar over the last few years. While not quite a ‘poet’ Kenney never ceases to connect with his audience in an unexpected way. I laughed out loud at a number of this poems over the years and have enjoyed giving these little books to friends and family throughout the years, especially for stocking stuffers. He has a wonderful comedic voice. When this one came up for review, I was excited to read it because I know that he has rarely written a poem that I don’t find humor in, in at least one way or…
-
Review: Lust Killer by Ann Rule
For ‘Non Fiction November’ my book club really wanted to read a true crime novel. And seriously, is there anyone better than Ann Rule?! The answer is no….no there is not. I absolutely love all of her novels and have read so so so many of them. However, it’s been years since I have read one of her novels. Like at least 15+ years. I went through a big true crime phase back in the early 2000s and a devoured many of her books but for some reason I didn’t read this one and I am shocked because I have an intimate connection with this book. My uncle was one…
-
Review: A Conspiracy in Belgravia (Lady Sherlock #2) by Sherry Thomas
After reading the first book in the series a few years ago, I didn’t care for it and didn’t want to continue the series. But I have been so bothered by the fact that I didn’t like it. Finally I broke down when the publisher asked me to read the fourth book in the series. I really enjoyed the fourth book, a lot more than I was expecting, and finally decided that I needed to go back and read this series again from the beginning to see if maybe it was just the mood I was in at the time or if I truly didn’t love the first book. Well…
-
Take Two Review: A Study in Scarlet Women (Lady Sherlock #1) by Sherry Thomas
When I first picked up this book, I didn’t love it. I don’t even think I made it 20% of the way through before I sat it down, though I did force myself to finish it but I just didn’t love it. I decided NOT to read any of the other books in the series but at the same time, I lamented the fact that I didn’t love this series. I mean it’s been everywhere and lots of people loved it but I just didn’t. But it started to bug me that I didn’t love it. Because by all accounts I SHOULD have loved this series. I finally gave in…
-
Review: When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor
I have been a long time fan of Hazel Gaynor, I have loved all of her books and was thrilled to see this book coming up for release. This one sounded a little different than her typical books, but still a similar time period just a different location. I couldn’t wait to see how that all translated in this story and was thrilled when I was asked to review it! Earlier this year I read a novel set during the Japanese occupation of China in WWII which was a very new piece of history for me and I was eager to read more and this book sounded like it would…
-
Review: Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March
The cover of this book screamed adventure and oozed exotic atmosphere so I couldn’t wait to check it out as soon as it came in the mail. This is the author’s debut novel and it promised a far away land with a tantalizing murder mystery plus a little romance. I haven’t read anything set in India in quite some time. Not to mention something that sounded so fresh and different but yet familiar and comforting like a historical mystery is. This book came in at 400 pages so a little longer than a typical historical mystery but considering the setting, I was looking forward to what I hoped would be…
-
Review: Dark Tides (The Fairmile #2) by Philippa Gregory
When I saw Tidelands was coming out, I was so excited. I wanted to read something by Philipa Gregory so badly and I jumped at the chance to read Tidelands. But I came away feeling a little underwhelmed. Most of the time, I love Gregory’s novels and have really enjoyed how rich and nuanced her history, characters, and romances are but in this one, I just felt like the story itself was cumbersome and dry. However, at the end of Tidelands I felt invested enough in the characters and the story to continue reading the series, in hopes that it would get better and the characters more exciting along with…
-
Review: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin (Audible Edition)
Since I devoured my November book club pick in a matter of 2 days, as did just about everyone else in our book club. So we decided to pick a second book for November and this was it. I had seen a ton of praise for this book all over Goodreads and on my social media so I was eager to read this one and see if it was as chilling as everyone was saying. I haven’t had a really really really great thriller lately so I had high hopes with this book. I liked that the characters all had ‘issues’, whether it was emotional or physical impairments. I thought…
-
Special Feature: His Castilian Hawk (The Castilian Saga #1) by Anna Belfrage
His Castilian Hawk by Anna Belfrage Publication Date: September 28, 2020Troubador Publishing Genre: Historical Fiction For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale. Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control. Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply. Two strangers in a marriage…
-
Special Feature: The Silver Shooter (Rose Gallagher #3) by Erin Lindsey
This series right here has been a fun little reading escape for me! I have really enjoyed the last two books and am looking forward to reading this one soon. I couldn’t fit it into my review calendar but I am really excited about seeing what Rose Gallagher gets up to next! The second book really show maturity for the writer and growth so I am eager to check this one out. If you love female sleuths and historical mysteries then this is a series you need to get on your radar! The mysteries are always fun and I love Rose Gallagher’s thought process for unraveling them. She’s great and…