Steven R. (oblio) reviewed on 12/14/2024 + 12 more book reviews

Half brothers, one formerly a slave and the other free, both the sons of a Roman legate become centurions and serve in the same legion which draws them apart. A bit of a soap opera, but very well done. Actions sequences are excellent and the characters are well developed.

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Rachel G. (roach808) - reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 163 more book reviews

Short, sweet, quirky, and pretty darn accurate for Alaska.

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Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 2625 more book reviews

Good enemies-to-lovers/second chance story. Celeste has known Ben since they were in high school. She has been an activist all her life and blamed Ben for his father's real estate development. She has treated him like an enemy ever since. Ben never saw Celeste as an enemy. He had a big crush on her in high school but was first too shy, then too intimidated, to ask her out.

Celeste wasn't too happy when she found out she would work with Ben on the grant proposal for a new clinic. However, she quickly realized that attitude wouldn't be productive when they had a short deadline to meet. I liked her conscious decision to clear the air, though she didn't expect to discover that he was not the evil businessman she thought he was.

Ben never approved of how his father handled Coho Cove's development and made significant changes when he inherited the company. Unfortunately, the work required strained his marriage. He feels a lot of guilt over his failed marriage, the accident that killed his wife, and the effect it had on their daughter, Quinn.

I enjoyed watching Celeste and Ben's relationship develop. Once Celeste got past her dislike of him, she discovered that she and Ben had much in common. There were some terrific scenes of them spending time together and realizing how much they were alike. What neither expected was the attraction that flared between them. Their feelings for each other grow, but obstacles keep them from going all in. Celeste had been burned in an earlier relationship, and trusting again did not come easily. Ben has a pile of insecurities that make it difficult for him to believe he deserves to be happy. It takes nearly losing her for Ben to let go of his fears and take a chance.

I loved Ben's daughter, Quinn. She hasn't spoken since the accident that killed her mother. Other than that, she is a happy, healthy little girl. Her relationship with her daddy is fantastic, and I loved watching Ben with her. Quinn and Celeste take to each other, and their scenes together are sweet. Some adorable parts with Quinn and her best friend, Celeste's nephew JJ, lead to an unexpected development later in the book. I loved the ending, and the epilogue was terrific.

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Nada A. reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 1393 more book reviews

I do not understand what Terrace Story by Hilary Leichter is about or how to capture the promise of its description. The book reads like interlinked short stories or novellas. Based on the idea of being able to expand time and space, the book could be a science fiction story, but it's not. Based on the same idea, the book could be a fantasy for the worlds that life in that expansion, but it's not. I end the book frustrated because I just don't get it.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/12/terrace-story.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

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Frank F. reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 376 more book reviews

Well written and easy to understand. The author spells out the changes that have happened to out financial institutions and how they have put us all a risk. The bean counters have taken over the world. Its no longer important to make and sell high quality items. Its just about the money for shareholder.

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Jeanette V. reviewed on 12/13/2024

Belladonna will keep you on your toes, always leaving you guessing about what she'll do next. She can be a bit hard to get close to, as she keeps her walls up for self-protection, but once those walls come down, you'll never want to leave her side. Her world of mystery and allure will linger in your mind long after you part ways, haunting your dreams. You'll wake up wondering if spectral visitors will appear, and if they do, why they're thereâleaving you with more questions than answers.

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Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 1227 more book reviews

Elizabeth Costello is a novel about an Australian writer who is famous primarily for an early work titled The House on Eccles Street where she uses the figure of Molly Bloom from James Joyce's Ulysses as the protagonist. Her writing career appears to be over and the novel goes on to tell of a series of engagements Elizabeth has at various locations around the world to expound some of her philosophical viewpoints. She is given an award from an American College and delivers a lecture on "realism." As part of this she talks about books and how they will perish: "they are going to be pulped because there is no buyer for them . . . they are going to be opened and read for a page or two and then yawned at and put aside for ever, they're going to be left behind at seaside hotels or in trains . . ." (This last point reminds me of bookcrossing.) At another lecture, she discusses animal rights and her view that the use of animals for food is comparable to the Holocaust of WWII and the slaughter of millions of Jews. This does not go over well with many of the listeners. Another lecture takes place in Africa where her sister is a missionary. Her sister is very religious and criticizes the humanities and Elizabeth's philosophy about Greek culture. And then there is a lecture on evil where Elizabeth criticizes a novel by Paul West titled The Very Rich Hours of Count von Stauffenberg. The novel graphically details the execution of plotters against Hitler and Elizabeth feels the evil in this passage can affect both the writer and the reader of it. (This novel is real and of course I now want to read it.)

Overall, not a lot happens in this novel and to many readers it is probably going to be a boring read. However, the ideas presented in the novel are very stimulating and left me with a lot to think about.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 2714 more book reviews

Part of a light fantasy series from an author who has a formula he follows in his books. But it's relaxing, especially after you've read heavy stuff, as I often do when I'm choosing history books.

It is like eating a small bowl of sorbet to freshen your palate after eating a greasy meal.

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Blair S. reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 4 more book reviews

It's a lovely book but fewer pages than I had hoped. I wanted to see more!

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Bonnie S. (Bonnie) - reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 425 more book reviews

This book was slow for me for about the first third and just as I was about to quit it, it took off. Twists and turns, and pretty darn good after that, except for one thing that really makes no sense to me. The well known premise is that he stole the story, but for the life of me, I don't see that. He stole a PARTIAL IDEA. It is well known in the writing world that there are only so many plots, new books are frequently based on classics, so what the heck! I think you really have to suspend to disbelief to love this story. There is a really good twist at the end, but I think many will see it before it is revealed.

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Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 3157 more book reviews

BORING!!!!!!

How many times can you say "I'm pregnant" on a page, every page
How many times can you say your half sister is 'bad'
How many times can you say you don't like your Dad
How many times can you say you want to put both your sister and Dad in jail

BORING BORING BORING

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 861 more book reviews

Pralines and Creamed by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Nancy Drew meets Mystery, Inc.!

Pralines and Creamed is the second book in author Elizabeth Maria Naranjo's fun and cozy teen/young adult Sweet Dreams Mystery series featuring high school senior Genevieve Winterland, her best friend, Brandon Summers, and her canine sidekick, Butterscotch. When Brandon's family-owned bookstore hosts a book signing on Halloween for well-known mystery/horror writer and serial womanizer Jack Kelley, there's friction between his parents due to some unpleasant history with the man. But when he's murdered in the signing line, Brandon's father quickly becomes the police's number one suspect. Genevieve is compelled to investigate and clear Mr. Summers's name.

Genevieve has her hands full, splitting her time between her senior year classes and working at her family's ice cream shop; however, she is determined to solve the murder at the bookstore. When her mother arrives for an unannounced week-long visit, she's caught off guard and soon realizes she's doing everything she can to avoid spending time with her. Up until now, her long-distance relationship with her mother has seemed to work for both of them: occasional calls and short visits two or three times a year kept them in touch with each other. But her mother's sudden desire for more upsets the balance they've established, and Genevieve finds herself backing away. Genevieve does some soul-searching to process her reaction, and young readers may be able to relate to their relationship with a distant parent.

Genevieve and Brandon make a good team and are especially kind to his younger sister, Charlotte, even dressing up as Velma and Fred from her favorite cartoon show, Scooby-Doo. However, during this case, Genevieve often prefers to pursue her ideas alone, even misleading her friend about her plans to avoid being slowed down or having to wait for him to become available to join in. Consequently, she makes some mistakes and takes some obvious risks, meeting solo with potential suspects and people she already believes may be a murderer. In the end, the resolution makes sense, and there is an exciting confrontation where the author works, "And I would have gotten away with it too..." into the beaten villain's dialogue.

I recommend PRALINES AND CREAMED to readers of teen and young adult cozy mysteries.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author.

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Shannon M. (confuzzledbooks) reviewed on 12/13/2024 + 487 more book reviews

The world of Renthia is full of magic, controlled by the Queen. The Queen must maintain the balance of the spirits that want to kill the people of Renthia. A new queen has been trained and picked. A young woman named Daleina has powers, but they are not as strong as others, yet somehow, she is in the running to be Queen.

This fantasy world is dark, and something in it reminds me of the Mercedes Lackey Valdemar series. It would be considered high fantasy. Even though there is darkness, the female characters and their different magic powers remind me of the Disney Fairy books. This book is not for kidsâyoung adults, maybe, but not for children.

I don't know if I will continue with the series. I enjoyed it, but I have so much to read. And I know that Sarah Beth Durst has other books I am very interested in,

Any fan of Mercedes Lackey will enjoy it. I have not read much high fantasy, so I cannot think of anything like it, but there is a sweet darkness and hope throughout.

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Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) - , reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 363 more book reviews

I'm normally all in on TEOTWAWKI genre but this book just fell flat for me, it was the same old same old and I'm just not interested.

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Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) - , reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 363 more book reviews

Disappointing except for 2 stories, the 1st one by Stephen King and the last one. The rest were just boring drivel and I lost interest.

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Lenka S. reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 832 more book reviews

Lauren Oliver's powerful New York Times bestselling novel Deliriumâthe first in a dystopian trilogyâpresents a world as terrifying as George Orwell's 1984 and a romance as true as Romeo & Juliet.

In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isn't about to make the same mistakes.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the Wilds who lives under the government's radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?

Delirium received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal, and was named a Best Book of the Year by USA Today, Kirkus, Amazon.com, YALSA, and the Chicago Public Library and was selected as one of NPR's Top 100 Best Ever Teen Novels.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 2714 more book reviews

What a wonderful conclusion to the Poldark saga. Graham not only wraps up numerous loose ends, but strongly hints as to how others will transpire.

Sorry WLers, but my copy must go back to the county library.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 861 more book reviews

Adventures of the Miso Mice by Annette Czech Kopp

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Cute story with simple, sweet graphics about five adventurous mice and their special pirate ship.

Adventures of the Miso Mice, as told to Annette Czech Kopp, is a fun little episodic story about five adventurous female mice on a magical sailing ship. (Magical because it can travel on water or into space!) Their journeys take them to exotic islands and star ports, where they meet interesting beings who quickly become their friends. But even on their sunny excursions, there lurks some shady characters.

The plot is simple, the story is cute, and the characters colorful and endearing, many with fun, clever names. My favorite name, hands down, belonged to the gangsters, though: Lobsta Clamdestino, Oysters Rockefella, and Big Tuna.

There are five mice: Polly Hedron, Curiosity Launch, Suzy Butterfly, Shelly Beachcomber, and Catalina Awesome, each with their particular interests and skills. Before they became the Miso Mice, they were magical little sprites. When the sprites discovered a treasure chest containing a number of useful items, they also found an intriguing button labeled âPressTheButtonâ with instructions to ask a question, press the button, and get an answer. Their first inquiry helped them establish their identities, and the next sent them on to a new adventure. I loved how everywhere the Mice went, they met a plethora of cool, new friends-to-be.

While the story is simple, the vocabulary often is not, indicating this story is most likely for an older audience. However, I think it could be shared as a read-aloud with children with the expectation that there will be questions.

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Marci (marcijo28) - reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 334 more book reviews

This second installment kept me guessing until the end! Maggie and Jack are an amazing pair and I look forward to many more books!

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Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 651 more book reviews

Onyi Nwabineli's debut novel Someday, Maybe was incredibly powerful, so I was eager to read her next book. When I needed an audiobook to keep me company while I toiled away on a huge spreadsheet project at work, my Libby hold for Allow Me to Introduce Myself became available at the perfect time. I listened to this 10-hour audiobook, expertly narrated by Nneke Okoye, in a single day, highly unusual for me.

This plot explores the ramification of parents exploiting their young children on social media. Anuri's entire childhood was broadcast to the world via her stepmother's blog and social media accounts. Now 25, she wants all of her information removed from public view, and she's determined to save her young stepsister from being forced down the same path.

As with her debut, this plot includes characters on a grief journey, and it examines relationships among parents and children, close friends, and romantic partners.

While I'm glad I read this, I didn't connect with it as strongly as with Someday, Maybe. It was sometimes challenging to track the large cast of characters and abrupt changes in setting. I probably would've stopped reading if I hadn't been listening on audio in my unique circumstances.

It was interesting to listen to this soon after reading You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto. They're very different stories, but both are based on the dark side of social media influencers.

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Steve H. reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 7 more book reviews

I am relatively new to this series of books and have only read a couple of them. I thought this was a good book but a bit slow in the middle. I will continue to read others in the series.

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Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 1156 more book reviews

I will keep reading the in death series because after 59 books I still enjoy spending time with Eve and Roarke, hearing about Mavis and Peabody's new home, and experiencing the joy Bella brings. I am comforted by Dr Mira and appreciate Robb's depiction of her marriage. I was not impressed by the mystery in this one which felt overly explained and repetitive, especially in the middle.

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Michael B. (Ichabod) reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 139 more book reviews

From Three Voices

When the #MeToo Movement went viral, a number of renowned chefs were taken down. It was hardly surprising to find rampant sexual harassment in the restaurant industry. Cooking network shows boasted alpha personalities with over-inflated egos, people with explosive tempers unafraid to publicly berate their staff.

"Service" tells the story of Hannah, a woman whose young life has been traumatized by a sexual assault suffered when she was working at one of Dublin's most exciting and prominent restaurants. A co-worker of hers has brought up rape charges against the restaurant's owner, Daniel, a superstar chef. Understandably, Hannah hesitates in coming forward, fearful of the ugly abuse a victim like herself will draw.

The voices of Daniel and his wife, Julie, are also heard. Daniel tells himself he has been persecute--"Unhappy b*****s, money-hungry, MeToo bandwagon...Your success made you a target. They'd been planning it for months, apparently, this secret coven you employed."

In a narrative such as this we always scrutinize the wife's reaction. Initially, she is repelled by Daniel, later to fall into denial and the desire to believe in the man she fell in love with. "There are things about her husband she loves, and others that have frustrated her; she is genuinely thrown by recent events...How did I not know that my husband was involved with other women? And beneath this, the question that no one has asked me yet: How did I not know my husband was a predator?"

Author Sarah Gilmartin's real accomplishment is in her portrayal of Daniel. He is a revolting human being who has irrevocably harmed innocent lives. We are not going to sympathize with him or overemphasize any redeeming qualities. What we do see is his internal justifications, his reasons for believing he is blameless... maybe even a martyr. When an actor takes on the role of a despicable character he always needs to see where that personality is coming from-- and the author has found that strain here.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Kelly O. (KellyWilloughby) reviewed on 12/12/2024 + 208 more book reviews

Keeps you wanting more! Didn't see the ending coming and it caught me and I could not put the book down!

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 12/11/2024 + 22 more book reviews

I picked up this book at a used bookstore. 

I enjoyed the bible scriptures, the inspirational messages, and the uplifting quotations. But the fabricated accounts based on the iconic stories in the Bible were not that great. 

Here are two of my favorite quotes:

"You are...infinitely dear to the Father, unspeakably precious to Him.  You are never, for one second, alone." -- Norma Dowty

"Give for the joy of giving -- if you only "give to get" you are not giving, you are trading" -- Mary C. Crowley 

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