Janice - reviewed on 5/23/2024 + 628 more book reviews

Christopher St. Charles, Earl of Hartford, is staying with a friend at a country inn. The friend says he wants a girl that night even if his servant has to drug one for him. The servant does just that, but there is a mistake in the rooms and she winds up with Christopher -- only she's not a serving wench/whore, she's the vicar's daughter. Miss Juliet Barre had been bringing one of her remedies to the lady who owned the inn; she was poorly dressed and the servant mistook her for one of the maids and drugged her tea.

Christopher could tell she was still a virgin, but in her drugged state she didn't fight him. "With consummate skill he accepted the unspoken invitation and made her a woman."

Almost threw the book across the room at that point. What a pig. Made her a woman, indeed -- what was she before, a tree? a sofa? Continued only because Lange has a good mid reputation.

Book is basically Patient Griselda. How much garbage will Juliet endure before her husband decides she's worthy? The encounter has left her pregnant, and her husband sends her back to the country to be out of the way while he continues his affairs. He doesn't even notice when she's ill during the first trimester.

I finished this book to see if he ever realized how unworthy a person he is compared to his nice little wife, or if he went on believing he is better than she is. I was left with the lasting puzzle of why the author thought I should like this hero despite his consummate self-centeredness. I absolve the heroine of staying with him; in her era, she had little other choice.

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Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 1117 more book reviews

I almost didn't read this because the blurb seemed convoluted, but I'm very glad I changed my mind! It's a procedural with lots of page-turning action and made total sense. Rachel is a strong female lead with intelligence, perseverance, and martial arts skills.

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Jude G. (blissmountain) reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 20 more book reviews

i couldn't put this book down. i had read the author's book "this tender land" and loved it and was looking forward to this one. and it did not disappoint. this is historical fiction at its best. set in rural farmland in minnesota, the book is filled with rich characters and exquisite descriptions of the land itself, including the alabaster river. set in the 1950's, this is a coming of age story about two boys, the lives of many war veterans, and the strong women who love them.

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Joelle Y. (youngj85) reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 8 more book reviews

Wow. This book is amazing. It grabs you at the beginning and doesn't let go. This is my first by this author and am eagerly looking forward reading another.

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Nada A. reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 1364 more book reviews

The Winter Garden by Nicola Cornick does what I love about historical fiction. It teaches me something new in history. I read the story and am off to search nonfiction sources for the actual history. I have, of course, heard of Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night. However, I had never before heard of Robert Catesby and his role in this history. The fact that the fiction is from the perspective of the women leaves me wondering of the actual women of this history and if anything is written of their roles and contributions.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/05/the-winter-garden.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

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Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 1183 more book reviews

This was a pretty good horror/paranormal thriller from Masterton full of chills, sex, and gore. It tells the story of Craig Bellman who was horribly attacked and maimed during a mugging in New York. The attack affected his manhood and resulted in a troubled relationship with his wife, Effie. But then Craig and Effie stumble upon an old mansion called Valhalla in the Hudson Valley. The house seems to call out to Craig who decides he must own and restore it. But is it the house or is it the former owner, Jack Belias, attracting Craig? Belias was a gambler who lived there in the 1930s and who was also a sadist and womanizer who took pleasure in destroying other people. So is the house haunted? Effie seems to hear moaning when she visits and actually sees an unknown man going down the stairs.

This was an interesting and unusual haunted house novel. Was the house haunted or just giving off psychic vibrations? Were there spirits in the house or was Belias able to shift through time?

I did find this novel to be quite compelling. It actually reminded me a lot of Stephen King's THE SHINING with the protagonist seemingly shifting time periods. Overall I did enjoy it and I'll probably be reading more of Masterton (I read THE MANITOU several years ago but no others by him). I did have one quibble about the writing: I know Masterton is British but since this book takes place in New York, I feel he should have tried to Americanize the language to make it feel more like it takes place there. For example he used British words such as kerb, boot, and droughty instead of the American curb, trunk, and drafty. Many other words also used British spelling.

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jjares reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 3289 more book reviews

This is an innovative recipe book and I've marked several of the recipes to try soon. Because I'm sensitive to too much salt, I realized quickly that I could substitute low-sodium soy sauce -- and still enjoy the flavors. The author's SOY-SESAME BANANA BREAD is a sweet and savory recipe that I can hardly wait to make.

There are so many recipes included that call for some of the following: soy sauce, ginger, sesame seeds or oil, limes, garlic, tofu, honey, and miso. Therefore, buying these ingredients at the same time will help me create several different foods.

There are color photos, but not necessarily the ones made, There is no nutritional information. However, the author includes prep and cook times, plus servings. The ideas in this cookbook are innovative, creative, and seem tasty.

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jjares reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 3289 more book reviews

In just a few pages, this tells the fascinating story of a legend -- Roy Orbison. People who wrote about him often commented that he dressed like an insurance salesman, instead of a rock star. Roy Orbison has a tragic life, with huge highs and terrible lows. I liked that this quick eBook mentioned the Traveling Wilburys, the super-group he was in at the time of his death.

Barbara Orbison, Roy's second wife (after the death of Claudette), kept his music and legend alive until her death. Then, the mantle was passed to their two boys. I wondered what happened to the third child (Wesley), from his first marriage. There was no information.

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Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 864 more book reviews

Well crafted cozy set in Scotland. Delaney is asked to research an historic item found in a country estate. When she and friends stumble on a body, the search is on.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 732 more book reviews

The Sky King by Polly Holyoke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Exciting aerial action, magnificent winged horses, and a relatable young heroine!

The Sky King is the second book in the middle-grade fantasy adventure series, Skyriders, by author Polly Holyoke, and it is a wonderful follow-up to the debut novel. With exciting aerial action, magnificent winged horses, and a relatable young heroine, this new adventure had me glued to its pages and completely invested in the outcome.

Young Kiesandra "Kie" Torsun and her skysteed partner, N'Rah, have returned to their duties in the mail service after Prekalt's victory over the Foul Ones. Still, rumors of rogue chimerae attacking isolated villages and fellow couriers prove all too true. As the Nexara, the physical link between humans and skysteeds, Kie is conflicted over her desire to safeguard her people and the danger to the skysteeds, whose involvement would be necessary to defeat the evil beasts. After a misstep in her relationship with N'Rah, she realizes she must convince humans and skysteeds alike that they must work together as equal partners for success. I could feel the love and respect between Kie and N'Rah throughout the story, and her relationship with the quirky N'Poda involved all my emotions.

The action sequences of the skyriders and skysteeds battling the chimerae and vultiren were exciting with edge-of-your-seat suspense. I also enjoyed Kie's growing awareness of the magic available to her and look forward to this aspect expanding in future books.

The author's writing style is engaging, and the storyline is suitable for a wide age range of readers, although younger children may be bothered by the monsters and off-page losses of skyriders and skysteeds in battle. This series would make a great read-aloud for the family, classroom, or after-school programming. While this is the second book in the series, new readers can easily pick up on the overall story.

I recommend THE SKY KING to middle-grade and older readers of fantasy and adventure stories.

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jjares reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 3289 more book reviews

Until I read this book, I didn't realize how young Brian Epstein was as he guided the Beatles into superstardom. He must have been a master-promoter to have done so much to lead the Beatles. All they had to do was write songs and perform; the rest was done for them.

This is a short story because Epstein died at the age of thirty-two. There wasn't much about how much money he made from his 25% take from the Beatles' business interests.

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jjares reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 3289 more book reviews

Bernadette is horrified that her father expects her to marry a man she has never met and whom she's been engaged to since her birth. She decides to escape and become a Pinkerton detective. Little does she know that Park is a Pinkerton undercover agent of some standing. When he hears the name of the newest agent, he insists that he become her partner.

This story has few twists and turns (except for the occupation of the villain). The dialogue flows well but there isn't much of a story; it is a novella. Overall score = G+.

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jjares reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 3289 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This book is so far from any genre I would read, that I'm amazed that I picked it up. However, once starting, I was mesmerized by the author's writing and imagination. I could hardly put this down and finished it in less than 24-hours. Because I've watched the old movies, I knew that the stopping point of this book is not the end. There are actually twenty-four novels with Tarzan as the lead character.

The only thing I had a problem with was Tarzan's ability to learn English from picture books and a dictionary.It seemed impossible, but once I got past that, the story was smooth and erudite (the author was brilliant and well-versed in many scientific studies). I was stunned that I could enjoy a book like this.

Tarzan
**1) Tarzan of the Apes
2) The return of Tarzan
3) The Beasts of Tarzan

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Loraine E. (genealady) reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 12 more book reviews

Excellent and enjoyable read!

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John B. (cwousn) - , reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 92 more book reviews

Though the writing was good, the stories in this collection were not what I consider traditional mysteries. In fact, to me the greatest mystery was why some were included! I've enjoyed other annuals in this series of books but I never realized how much the editor influenced the content of each. This one definitely shows the influence and taste of Oates, an author whom I've never followed. For some it might be excellent, but not me!

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Robyn H. (byrd1956) reviewed on 5/22/2024 + 26 more book reviews

My husband and I âread' Angela's Ashes together with me as the reader. I have heard of the movie, but never seen it and didn't really know what the book was about. As I was reading, my husband kept saying, âit is just telling stuff about someone's life' and he kept wondering when it would get better. Apparently, he was hoping for lots of action. I, on the other hand like all types of literature so a story about someone's life was fine with me. It seems impossible to imagine growing up in such poverty with all the struggles they went through, along with the alcoholic father and all the different dynamics of the family and characters in the author's life. I certainly learned quite a few new words, whether they were curses or daily language of people in Ireland at the time. At the end of the book, we learned there is a sequel and I am going to be looking for that; I like to know, what happened next. Yes, I'll read it aloud to my husband, too. ð Personally, due to some of the content, the book is for adults and not younger readers.

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Michael W. (mlwonio) - , reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 7 more book reviews

More privateers than pirates, these 20 vignettes, from a couple to a dozen pages each, all have a connection to Connecticut through the career of some person or vessel, or a specific locale or event. Popular legends about treasures are related without credulity. One of the longer pieces is a very nice summary of the complex history of Captain William Kidd. Another summarizes the log of a four-month voyage of the Stonington privateer Dolphin, 1762-63. Many of the shorter pieces are rather repetitious laundry lists of long series of brief encounters of different privateer cruises, but collectively they provide a complete overview of the privateer tradition everywhere during the Age of Sail. The author uses the jargon of that culture correctly but, except for a few photos, without explanations or definitions. You might want to consult a nautical glossary. The book is well written as a whole, despite several incorrect word choices, as âtrepidationsâ for âdepredationsâ (twice). You might want to consult a dictionary.The index will help the reader cross-reference the various articles, as the careers of both captains and ships often overlap in various ways.

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Tegwin F. (teggie) reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 50 more book reviews

Awesome book!

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Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 355 more book reviews

Fine story of how two people meet, in a cold, forbidding land.

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Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 355 more book reviews

Good mystery that leaves you wondering, what next?

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Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 355 more book reviews

Warm story of a priest during some bad times.

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Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 355 more book reviews

Fine story of a relationship that warms the heart.

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Nada A. reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 1364 more book reviews

Sometimes, I need a feel-good story that goes where you expect it does and ends where you expect it to. All the boxes get checked. All the loose ends get tied up. All the stories work out. This book fits that bill. The Summer Swap set in a beautiful Cape Code setting is a lovely summer escape and a perfect casual beach read.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/05/the-summer-swap.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher's blog tour.

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Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 355 more book reviews

Interesting drama of what could happen to people today, anywhere.

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Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on 5/21/2024 + 355 more book reviews

Good story about a couple in the wild places of a little known state.

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