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Prem, recently married, is finding life hard as a husband and working man, and longs for the days when he was a still a student living with his parents. In this coming-of-age tale, the reader watches as Prem slowly moves away from child mentality to that of an adult householder, falls in love with his wife, and begins to find his place in the world.
Jhabvala's exquisite prose balances between witty and poignant. The voice of Prem is so beautifully written that the reader feels invested in his life. The Householder is perceptive and insightful, and flows easily from one incident to the next, giving the reader a glimpse of life in India in the late 1950s, and a complete view into the mind of a boy becoming a man. I highly recommend this comic, yet serious, novel.
Jhabvala's exquisite prose balances between witty and poignant. The voice of Prem is so beautifully written that the reader feels invested in his life. The Householder is perceptive and insightful, and flows easily from one incident to the next, giving the reader a glimpse of life in India in the late 1950s, and a complete view into the mind of a boy becoming a man. I highly recommend this comic, yet serious, novel.
Destined for You (Ladies of the Lake)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
So good! I always enjoy Tracie Peterson books! Highly recommended!
Gone (FBI Profiler, Bk 5)
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Cheryl B. reviewed on
Great series book. Loving reading these books.
Impulse (Lightship Chronicles, Bk 1)
Author:
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Contains plot holes you could drive a Lightship through.
Sherrie G. reviewed on + 2 more book reviews
Betty Smith's works are all timeless. Although she is best known as the author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, all four of her books are delightful and well-worth reading.
Charlie H. reviewed on + 61 more book reviews
Not my favorite Hunter. Little hard to follow, crazy plot
Soft Target (Ray Cruz, Bk 2)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Charlie H. reviewed on + 61 more book reviews
We like Ray Cruz character
We Begin at the End
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
This is the coming of age story of 13 year old Duchess Day Radley. Cape Haven is a small California coastal town where chief of police, Walk, is everyone's keeper. When Vincent King comes home from prison, he is still in love with Star, Duchess' mother. Star is sliding into self-destruction so Duchess is taking over parenting her brother, Robin. The book starts out slow and the language is stilted but soon takes off and there's no stopping the story as it turns into a fast-paced page-turner. The characters are hard to forget as the secrets of this small town begin to explode. It's a story of guilt and grief and I would highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading more of Chris Walker's books as he is an excellent writer.
Deborah Woodworth's historical series featuring Sister Rose Callahan is one that I've enjoyed from the first book, Death of a Winter Shaker. One of my cherished memories is of visiting Pleasant Hill, a Shaker community in Kentucky when I was sixteen. I found the history of the Shakers and their accomplishments fascinating, and I still do. The second Sister Rose Callahan starts walking the streets and paths of her community, I am immediately transported to Pleasant Hill.
Woodworth's research is impeccable, and she weaves it all seamlessly into her story. There's no feeling that you've been thrown into history class and are about to face a pop quiz.
The mystery in Sins of a Shaker Summer is a good one. Readers are quickly drawn to the new group of Believers who arrived from another community. They're secretive, don't talk much, and they seem to be conducting strange experiments in the medicinal herb shop, which is one of the many ways the Believers earn money. But what exactly is going on, and which one of the newcomers is responsible? This takes some work to figure out.
But no matter how strong the mystery is or how wonderful the sense of place and time is, the story isn't going to shine unless the characters do. The characters shine in this book. Sister Rose is a conscientious, compassionate woman who wants everything in her community to run well and for everyone to be healthy and happy. She also is a first-rate investigator. Brother Wilhelm, the other person in charge is a rabid fundamentalist. He wants everything like it was in the Good Old Days, and he believes Rose is too modern and should be thrown out of the community. Wilhelm wants to ignore the outside world even though the Shakers must rely on non-Believers to buy their goods and for converts to their faith.
There are also other dynamics among the characters. Newcomer Sister Patience is causing concern and divisiveness with her visions and pronouncements, and it's up to Sister Rose to find out if the woman is a true visionary or a fraud. And... looming over the entire community is the outside world. Everyone is suffering through the Depression, and when any little thing goes wrong, there must be someone to blame. For those living outside the Shaker community, the best scapegoats are always the Believers. They're weird. They believe in celibacy. Their religious services sometimes look like a circus sideshow. Yes, the Believers are very easy to blame for anything that goes wrong, and it's this attitude that brings a very real sense of menace to Sins of a Shaker Summer and the other books in the series.
If you're in the mood for a historical mystery that will transport you to another time and place, one with a strong mystery and even stronger characters, I recommend Deborah Woodworth's Sister Rose Callahan series. It's been one of my "go-to" series from the very first book.
Woodworth's research is impeccable, and she weaves it all seamlessly into her story. There's no feeling that you've been thrown into history class and are about to face a pop quiz.
The mystery in Sins of a Shaker Summer is a good one. Readers are quickly drawn to the new group of Believers who arrived from another community. They're secretive, don't talk much, and they seem to be conducting strange experiments in the medicinal herb shop, which is one of the many ways the Believers earn money. But what exactly is going on, and which one of the newcomers is responsible? This takes some work to figure out.
But no matter how strong the mystery is or how wonderful the sense of place and time is, the story isn't going to shine unless the characters do. The characters shine in this book. Sister Rose is a conscientious, compassionate woman who wants everything in her community to run well and for everyone to be healthy and happy. She also is a first-rate investigator. Brother Wilhelm, the other person in charge is a rabid fundamentalist. He wants everything like it was in the Good Old Days, and he believes Rose is too modern and should be thrown out of the community. Wilhelm wants to ignore the outside world even though the Shakers must rely on non-Believers to buy their goods and for converts to their faith.
There are also other dynamics among the characters. Newcomer Sister Patience is causing concern and divisiveness with her visions and pronouncements, and it's up to Sister Rose to find out if the woman is a true visionary or a fraud. And... looming over the entire community is the outside world. Everyone is suffering through the Depression, and when any little thing goes wrong, there must be someone to blame. For those living outside the Shaker community, the best scapegoats are always the Believers. They're weird. They believe in celibacy. Their religious services sometimes look like a circus sideshow. Yes, the Believers are very easy to blame for anything that goes wrong, and it's this attitude that brings a very real sense of menace to Sins of a Shaker Summer and the other books in the series.
If you're in the mood for a historical mystery that will transport you to another time and place, one with a strong mystery and even stronger characters, I recommend Deborah Woodworth's Sister Rose Callahan series. It's been one of my "go-to" series from the very first book.
The Wrong Side of Goodbye (Harry Bosch, Bk 19)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
In this one Harry's officially retired from LAPD; he's working for free for the San Fernando PD (a tiny independent police force in a tiny incorporated town in the Valley surrounded by mammoth LA) and doing PI work on the side for a dying zillionaire who wants him to locate his blood heirs, if any. On the SFPD side Harry gets involved in tracking down a sneaking serial rapist who might escalate to killing his victims any time.
Usually recitals of every step an investigator goes through, including the paperwork, would get boring fast, but Connelly has a knack for making the routine aspects interesting and important - yet he doesn't skimp on the action either. I stayed up til 3 am to finish it.
Usually recitals of every step an investigator goes through, including the paperwork, would get boring fast, but Connelly has a knack for making the routine aspects interesting and important - yet he doesn't skimp on the action either. I stayed up til 3 am to finish it.
I must say it's been a while since I felt like such a fool...reading a book about a bunch of teenagers involved in trying to solve a murder...and coming to the end before the murder is solved and the author writing 'to be continued' at the end. Spoiler alert: Don't bother reading this book--it basically has no ending unless you want to spend more money, which I won't be. What a ridiculous thing to do. Also, while I'm at it, the title is ridiculous after you take the time to read up to the 'to be continued' ending with no murder solved.
The most profound impact of The Warsaw Orphan for me is the age of the main characters. They are young - children. Yet, they sound and behave as adults for that is the reality of their lives. Time and time again throughout this book, the events and then the reminder of their ages makes the emotion and the horror that much greater.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2021/06/the-warsaw-orphan.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and the HTP Historical Fiction Summer 2021 blog tour.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2021/06/the-warsaw-orphan.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and the HTP Historical Fiction Summer 2021 blog tour.
Once Upon a Royal Summer: A delightful royal romance from Hallmark Publishing
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
This was a fun and sweet book. Lacey is a theme park princess, Princess Sweet Pea, who loves her work, especially the smiles on the faces of the children she meets. When Lacey was a little girl, her mother became very ill, and Lacey spent a lot of time at the hospital with her. The theme park princesses used to visit the children, and Lacey grew up wanting to be one of those princesses. The only downside is that Lacey's boyfriend and his mother aren't impressed with her choice. That comes to an end when Lacey calls it quits on their relationship after one too many put-downs.
Henry is the crown prince of a tiny Mediterranean country. His wife died four years earlier, leaving him the single father of a little girl. Henry struggles to give Rose as normal a childhood as possible, frequently over the objections of his mother, the Queen. Finally, with a critical royal event coming up and Rose fighting her part in it, Henry decides the two of them need to get away for a few days. Rose's seventh birthday is in a few days, so Henry takes her to an American amusement park. The first day they arrive, they go to the park incognito, pretending to be an ordinary dad and daughter.
I loved Henry and his determination to give Rose as ordinary a life as possible. He remembers his childhood loneliness and wants something better for her. I enjoyed the scenes where he stood up to his mother and insisted on public school and again when he informed her of their trip.
I loved the first meeting between Lacey, Henry, and Rose. Henry took Rose to Princess Sweet Pea's tea party, and when Lacey made the rounds of the tables, she and Rose immediately bonded. Henry was a touch cynical and mocking and soon found himself called upon to dance with the princess. Lacey thought she'd show him up, and instead, he blew her away with his dancing skills, not to mention the electricity that zapped between them. Lacey thought she wouldn't see them again - until the following day when she discovered that Princess Sweet Pea would spend the next few days escorting them around the park!
The days at the park enhance the connection between Lacey and Rose, who bond over all things princessy. Rose is adorable in her enthusiasm and hero-worship of Lacey. There's a heartwarming scene where she sees Lacey interacting with a girl in a wheelchair and can't help reaching out herself. Meanwhile, Lacey and Henry discover how easy it is to open up to each other, and the sparks between them continue to grow. I loved how Henry shared his worry over Rose's new fear of riding her pony and the brilliant way that Lacey found to help. Henry didn't want to say goodbye to Lacey and impulsively invited her and her friend Ava to come to his country for the Flower Festival and Ball. His argument? "The royal ball?" she sputtered. "A real royal ball." Henry gave her a half-shrug. "We've danced in your castle. It seems only fair that we should dance in mine."
Lacey is equally excited and terrified to go to Bella-Moritz. She knows in her heart that there's no way a commoner and a prince can be anything more than friends, but that doesn't stop a tiny spark of hope. Henry and Rose are visibly happy to have Lacey there, though the Queen appears less so. Henry takes great delight in showing Lacey around, and it's easy to see where his heart lies. Lacey experiences a few awkward moments, especially around the Queen, but her enthusiasm remains high. Her innate kindness and ability to think of others lead her to a couple of terrific "Lacey to the rescue" moments. I ached for Lacey when a pre-ball disaster struck, leaving her heartbroken. Help came from an unexpected source, setting Lacey up for an incredible Cinderella-like moment. Henry's big moment was fantastic.
I enjoyed the secondary characters almost as much as the main characters. Rose was adorable. She wasn't too good, given her resistance to the pony thing, but her heart is just as big as her dad's. I loved how she connected with Lacey and the fun they had together. I also liked Henry's bodyguard, Ian. He is just as much friend as bodyguard, and he immediately notices the effect Lacey has on Henry. Lacey's best friend, Ava, was fun. I liked how well she knew Lacey and her support after Lacey's breakup. She was almost as excited as Lacey about their trip, and even more so once she laid eyes on Ian. Finally, the Queen was the biggest surprise. Her early appearances in the book made her seem stiff, cold, and autocratic, especially when it came to Rose's schooling. I worried a little at her first reaction to Lacey. But as the visit went on, I saw a different side to her. In the end, I thought that her heart was almost as big as Henry's.
Henry is the crown prince of a tiny Mediterranean country. His wife died four years earlier, leaving him the single father of a little girl. Henry struggles to give Rose as normal a childhood as possible, frequently over the objections of his mother, the Queen. Finally, with a critical royal event coming up and Rose fighting her part in it, Henry decides the two of them need to get away for a few days. Rose's seventh birthday is in a few days, so Henry takes her to an American amusement park. The first day they arrive, they go to the park incognito, pretending to be an ordinary dad and daughter.
I loved Henry and his determination to give Rose as ordinary a life as possible. He remembers his childhood loneliness and wants something better for her. I enjoyed the scenes where he stood up to his mother and insisted on public school and again when he informed her of their trip.
I loved the first meeting between Lacey, Henry, and Rose. Henry took Rose to Princess Sweet Pea's tea party, and when Lacey made the rounds of the tables, she and Rose immediately bonded. Henry was a touch cynical and mocking and soon found himself called upon to dance with the princess. Lacey thought she'd show him up, and instead, he blew her away with his dancing skills, not to mention the electricity that zapped between them. Lacey thought she wouldn't see them again - until the following day when she discovered that Princess Sweet Pea would spend the next few days escorting them around the park!
The days at the park enhance the connection between Lacey and Rose, who bond over all things princessy. Rose is adorable in her enthusiasm and hero-worship of Lacey. There's a heartwarming scene where she sees Lacey interacting with a girl in a wheelchair and can't help reaching out herself. Meanwhile, Lacey and Henry discover how easy it is to open up to each other, and the sparks between them continue to grow. I loved how Henry shared his worry over Rose's new fear of riding her pony and the brilliant way that Lacey found to help. Henry didn't want to say goodbye to Lacey and impulsively invited her and her friend Ava to come to his country for the Flower Festival and Ball. His argument? "The royal ball?" she sputtered. "A real royal ball." Henry gave her a half-shrug. "We've danced in your castle. It seems only fair that we should dance in mine."
Lacey is equally excited and terrified to go to Bella-Moritz. She knows in her heart that there's no way a commoner and a prince can be anything more than friends, but that doesn't stop a tiny spark of hope. Henry and Rose are visibly happy to have Lacey there, though the Queen appears less so. Henry takes great delight in showing Lacey around, and it's easy to see where his heart lies. Lacey experiences a few awkward moments, especially around the Queen, but her enthusiasm remains high. Her innate kindness and ability to think of others lead her to a couple of terrific "Lacey to the rescue" moments. I ached for Lacey when a pre-ball disaster struck, leaving her heartbroken. Help came from an unexpected source, setting Lacey up for an incredible Cinderella-like moment. Henry's big moment was fantastic.
I enjoyed the secondary characters almost as much as the main characters. Rose was adorable. She wasn't too good, given her resistance to the pony thing, but her heart is just as big as her dad's. I loved how she connected with Lacey and the fun they had together. I also liked Henry's bodyguard, Ian. He is just as much friend as bodyguard, and he immediately notices the effect Lacey has on Henry. Lacey's best friend, Ava, was fun. I liked how well she knew Lacey and her support after Lacey's breakup. She was almost as excited as Lacey about their trip, and even more so once she laid eyes on Ian. Finally, the Queen was the biggest surprise. Her early appearances in the book made her seem stiff, cold, and autocratic, especially when it came to Rose's schooling. I worried a little at her first reaction to Lacey. But as the visit went on, I saw a different side to her. In the end, I thought that her heart was almost as big as Henry's.
Untamed Passion (Dynasties: Seven Sins, Bk 6) (Harlequin Desire, No 2762)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed on + 1248 more book reviews
I could have done without this story. Honestly. Absolute worst. I actually looked forward to Oliver's story and then i saw the author was CS and knew I would be disappointed. Smh. I absolutely disliked the heroine.
Reckless Envy (Dynasties: Seven Sins, Bk 5) (Harlequin Desire, No 2756)
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed on + 1248 more book reviews
Joss Wood's second chance story is a delicious fantasy come true, with well written characters and a page turning plot. Emily satisfies as a woman who knows what she wants and works hard for it. And Matteo is equally appealing. So much fun to see them prevail this time in this terrific read.
Hidden Ambition (Dynasties: Seven Sins, Bk 4) (Harlequin Desire, No 2750)
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed on + 1248 more book reviews
This was a great story. Really liked the relationship with Haley and Josh and how he really did value her opinion regarding the hiring situation. I was not sure what was going to happen with Chase and Haley especially when we kept finding out more information about why he truly wanted the position and Haley doing her best to protect herself and the company as well. I liked that they were so similar in their backgrounds and they seemed to get along great together, but they were both hiding secrets from each other which was not going to be a good thing going forward. I did appreciate Chase's dad telling him to move on and let things go, I think that was such a perfect thing that he definitely needed to hear. I also loved how he showed up with the bouquet of highlighters, that was so great.
Insatiable Hunger (Dynasties: Seven Sins, Bk 3) (Harlequin Desire, No 2744)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed on + 1248 more book reviews
my Fav book in the series... so far.... Insatiable Hunger by Yahrah St. John is a standalone read, featuring a couple you won't be able to get enough of. I fell in love with Ryan. He's the guy everybody overlooked, and he has a crush on Jessie since he was six-year-old and thing is his family and friends knew, even Jessie friend knew. They say hindsight is 20/20 because Jessie didn't have clue. You will not be disappointed, I highly recommended.
Forbidden Lust (Dynasties: Seven Sins, Bk 2) (Harlequin Desire, No 2738)
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed on + 1248 more book reviews
Didn't care for the heroine or the hero. pretty much went downhill from there.
Ruthless Pride (Dynasties: Seven Sins, Bk 1) (Harlequin Desire, No 2733)
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed on + 1248 more book reviews
I love NS and usually look forward to her book. I don't know if its because the book is a series with other authors but i wasn't feeling this book. Loved Joshua, didnt care for Sophie.
Bad Move (Wheeler Large Print Book Series)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Elaine reviewed on + 240 more book reviews
Zack is a sci fi author who is paranoid, safety conscious, & an asshole who lectures his family for not locking doors, leaving shoes at the front door, car keys in the ignition, & backpacks on stairs. He's smug at taking his wife's car keys & hiding her car to "teach her a lesson". One lesson goes too far when he takes a purse out of what he thought was his wife's shopping cart. Turns out it wasn't and that leads to murder, cover ups, shady home owners association, & missing children. A little contrived, a little unbelievable, & a little thrown together. Not interested in the rest of the series
Susan H. (Higfin) reviewed on + 219 more book reviews
This was dark and complicated at times, but I really enjoyed it!
Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Paperback
Fun collection of shorts. Several POVs besides Peter Grant. I liked the author's notes before each story too. Don't bother if you have not read the Rivers of London series.
The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
Frank F. reviewed on + 196 more book reviews
Just, OK. Lots of filler story of backgrounds and after the event. A story once again of corruption between the boat owners and the government inspection services. These Liberty ship should never have been used after the war. The dirty steel and welded construction made them unsafe ships, but they used them anyway.
Taken In (Southern Sewing Circle, Bk 9)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Ms. Casey is certainly creative in finding places for the Sewing Circle to meet. This one was a little far out, but we got a new character and the murderer was captured in record time. Ms. Casey always wraps up her mystery in the last few pages. Recommend if you want to escape from the real world.
I've read many of Ambler's novels over the years and so far have enjoyed this one most: characters are well-developed, plot intriguing, and then the irony of it all. Highly recommended.
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