BaIT by D. I. Jolly

April 28, 2023 By 1 Comment


BaIT by D. I. Jolly
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Amber thought her life was perfect.

She was in love with her boyfriend Frankie, had a nice summer job at Taylor’s Book and was enrolled at Marshall University to become a teacher.

Everything was on track for the perfect life.

And then Bastian walked in. Not only was he the most handsome man Amber had ever seen, but she felt a pull that she’d never felt before.

From the very first moment she saw him he filled her every thought and made her body want things it had never had before.

Amber is happily in love with Frankie. Then Bastian walks into her coffee shop. Bastian has a secret—he’s a werewolf. Frankie is a good guy, but Amber is torn. She loves Frankie, but there’s something about Bastian, and she can’t pull away.

When Frankie gets suspicious, things take a bad turn. There are some real surprises along the way, making things hard to predict, yet this is a light page-turner with werewolves and vampires. Themes of family and friendship underlie the story. Another theme of consent adds strength to this paranormal tale.

One major situation after another presents itself. How will these characters resolve such issues? As they deal with some difficult things, we see their development.

This book has somber moments and ideas in it, but overall, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, being wrapped in casual conversations along the way with some humor. It’s an interesting story, at times silly, and at times thoughtful. For something fun to read, this might be a good one to consider.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop by Frankie Manning and Cynthia Millman

April 25, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop by Frankie Manning and Cynthia Millman
Publisher: Temple University Press
Genre: Historical, Contemporary, Non-Fiction, Biography, Memoir
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In the early days of swing dancing, Frankie Manning stood out for his moves and innovative routines; he introduced the ‘air step’ in the Lindy Hop, a dance that took the U.S. and then the world by storm. In this fascinating autobiography, choreographer and Tony Award winner (Black and Blue) Manning recalls how his first years of dancing as a teenager at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom led to his becoming chief choreographer and a lead dancer for ‘Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers,’ a group that appeared on Broadway, in Hollywood musicals and on stages around the globe. Manning brings the Swing Era vividly back to life with his recollections of the crowded ballrooms and of Lindy Hoppers trying to outdo each other in spectacular performances.

Frankie Manning might not have been a total pioneer in the world of dance, but he’s right up there with the greats.

Now you might be wondering why I’d say he’s not a total pioneer. You might wonder who Frankie Manning is. Valid questions. Unless you’ve done any studying of jazz dance, you might not know this dancer, but you should.

Frankie Manning came of age in the swing era. He talks about going from ballroom to ballroom, club to club, learning how to dance. I liked this book because there are parts where he discusses dance and how he got as skilled at swing dancing, but also his simple love of dance. He’s done other things, but he sincerely loves dance, and it shows. I also liked that the book had other sections that discussed what the various dances were/are and how they evolved. That was so neat because I had no idea what some of them even looked like. Now I know.

Manning isn’t a perfect guy, but he loves dance and that shines through every page of the book. He not only talks about the heady swing days, but also his life after and how he came to teach.

It’s a fascinating look at swing dancing, the Lindy Hoppers and more. Grab a copy today!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Miracles From the Heart by J Paulette Forshey

April 24, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Miracles From the Heart by J Paulette Forshey
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Holiday, Romance, Contemporary, Light Paranormal
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Two heartwarming stories for the price of one!

A little girl’s Christmas wish brings more than joyful holiday music to her family in ‘Magic of the Christmas Flute’.

It’ll take ‘The Christmas Gift’ to help a couple who married for convenience find love, happiness and the family they’ve always wanted.

Cute and fulfilling for the holidays.

I’m a sucker for holiday romances. Doesn’t have to be Christmas time. I’ll read them all year ’round. This one really fit the bill for me. These are two short stories, so there isn’t a lot there, but there didn’t have to be. The story was fleshed out just fine in both cases.

Magic of the Christmas Flute showed just what a little love, faith and belief can do. I liked that the little girl wasn’t just a prop in the story. She had a purpose, and it was cute. I enjoyed this story a lot.

The Christmas Gift is the shorter of the two stories, but again, there’s plenty there in such a small amount of pages. I knew what was going on and felt for both characters. I felt the pain and yearning, but also the healing.

If you’re looking for something sweet, cute and wonderful for the holidays or any day, then this is the story set for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Triple Intent by Kristian Parker

April 21, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Triple Intent by Kristian Parker
Village Affairs series, book 3
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When a billionaire and his assistant bring change to the village, Michael has to adapt…

The future’s uncertain for Michael Fleming. He came to the sleepy Yorkshire village of Napthwaite a year ago as Thorpe Hall’s gardener, but now the Hall’s been sold…to billionaire hotelier Darryl Burlington.

When self-made Darryl and his handsome French assistant, François Vernier, come to set up the new property acquisition, they plan to find a willing third party to share their bed. Darryl and François aren’t together, but they like to celebrate success. But instead of indulging themselves in a treat after their hard work, they trigger events which no one could have foreseen.

This chain reaction Darryl, François and Michael leads to big changes in Napthwaite—and in all three men’s lives…

Three men, one relationship and one big…love?

I love books with thruples in them. This one didn’t disappoint. I also love the books of Kristan Parker and again, not disappointed. The writing moved along at a great clip and kept me reading to know what would happen next. I’ve read the others in this series and loved them, so seeing Michael in this one made me happy. I’m glad I picked this one up.

Michael, the gardener, has kept the property’s gardens in tiptop shape. I loved his dedication to his plants. He’s concerned he might not have a place when the new owners show up. Darryl is a billionaire and loves to have a third in his relationship. He’s been sharing his bed with his assistant Francois for years and knows there is a third out there for him. There is love in this story, but also complication and misunderstanding, which makes sense and made the characters more human.

It took me a bit to warm up to Francois, but once I did, I liked him more. He’s hurting because he’s been in love with Darryl for years and is fine with sharing him, but he’s unsure of how Darryl truly feels for him. When he thinks he’s been edged out, he lashes out. It’s mean at times, but understandable.

If you’re looking for something hot, with a thruple and packed with great writing, then try this series. I highly recommend.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Little French Bistro by Nina George

April 20, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Little French Bistro by Nina George
Publisher: Broadway Books
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Marianne is stuck in a loveless, unhappy marriage. After forty-one years, she has reached her limit, and one evening in Paris she decides to take action. Following a dramatic moment on the banks of the Seine, Marianne leaves her life behind and sets out for the coast of Brittany, also known as “the end of the world.”

Here she meets a cast of colorful and unforgettable locals who surprise her with their warm welcome, and the natural ease they all seem to have, taking pleasure in life’s small moments. And, as the parts of herself she had long forgotten return to her in this new world, Marianne learns it’s never too late to begin the search for what life should have been all along.

With all the buoyant charm that made The Little Paris Bookshop a beloved bestseller, The Little French Bistro is a tale of second chances and a delightful embrace of the joys of life in France.

Marianne is in her sixties and quite unhappy with her marriage and her life; that’s why she attempts suicide in Paris. It’s a failed attempt, and she is rescued by an interesting man. She ends up in Brittany, in a coastal village and meets a vibrant group of people.

These characters jump off the page with their unique qualities and situations. Marianne works in a bistro and gets to know them, but the best part is that she gets to know herself, a woman she has repressed for decades. The true her comes out in a charming unfolding of the story.

Marianne is surrounded by the culture in Brittany. The villagers have their own way of doing things, and it is fun to read about them.

Trouble comes up when Marianne’s husband finds her. She makes some tough decisions.

The end of the book has questions to ponder and a little bit about life in this little part of the world. This book has substance and is worth the read.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Heartstopper, Vol 3 by Alice Oseman

April 19, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Heartstopper, Vol 3 by Alice Oseman
Publisher: Graphix
Genre: YA (ages 14+), LGBTQ, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Charlie didn’t think Nick could ever like him back, but now they’re officially boyfriends. Nick has even found the courage to come out to his mom. But coming out isn’t something that happens just once, and Nick and Charlie try to figure out when to tell their friends that they’re dating. Not being out to their classmates gets even harder during a school trip to Paris. As Nick and Charlie’s feelings get more serious, they’ll need each other more than ever.

Back to the world of Nick and Charlie and it’s so good.

I love this series because the characters are so realistic. They’re funny, heartbreaking and real. I’m wrapped up in this couple. Really. I couldn’t put this volume down and was sad to see it end. The writing is much like that of the age group the boys are and it’s shown in the same manner that young people in their situation struggle. It’s realistic and that’s great.

I’ve read the others in this series and I’m glad I did. It helped me to understand what the characters are going through and how hard it is to be a teen. Nick is just starting to come to terms with who he is and coming out to his family. It’s hard and the book shows that. Charlie, while already out, is dealing with an eating disorder, brought on by teasing because he’s gay. A lot of young people can identify with the characters.

This is written in a tender, but real way. The characters struggle, but it’s like reading the picture diary of friends. I loved it.

If you’re looking for a book with tender but teen characters and a great storyline, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Stompin’ at the Savoy: The Story of Norma Miller by Alan Govenar

April 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Stompin’ at the Savoy: The Story of Norma Miller by Alan Govenar
Publisher: Candlewick
Genre: YA (Ages 10+), Historical, Non-Fiction, Biography
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Through extensive interviews with jazz dancer Norma Miller, acclaimed author and filmmaker Alan Govenar captures the vitality, wry humor, and indomitable spirit of an American treasure.

When she was just five years old, in 1924, Norma Miller knew just what she wanted to do for the rest of her life: she wanted to dance. It was the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance, and Norma lived behind New York’s Savoy Ballroom, the only dance hall in a still-segregated America where blacks and whites could mingle on the same mahogany floor. It was in this majestic “home of happy feet” that twelve-year-old Norma first brought the house down, swing-stepping with Twist Mouth George, one of the premier dancers of the day. Before long, the feisty Norma would rise to fame as one of the first performers of the Lindy Hop, an acrobatic dance style named for Charles Lindbergh’s first solo flight (or “hop”) across the Atlantic. With the celebrated dance troupe Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, a teenage Norma would cross the Atlantic herself on a tour of Europe and even strut her stuff on the silver screen.

In this invigorating, humorous, and thought-provoking oral autobiography, Alan Govenar captures the sound and spirit of Norma Miller’s voice as she recalls her early years and coming of age as a determined young dancer during the heyday of swing. Augmenting her lively narrative are Martin French’s jazzy, single-color illustrations, evoking the vibrant style of vintage poster art.

A pioneer in the dance world and a fascinating person all-around.

I loved the Ken Burns documentary Jazz and was thrilled to find a biography of one of the dancers featured in the program. Norma Miller. First, she’s a fascinating person. Second, it’s impressive how she managed to pull herself up. Third, she’s a survivor. I can’t imagine how she managed to live her life and not get bogged down in some of the low points.

This story is a YA book, but really, anyone can read it. This is the story of Norma Miller. She was a Lindy Hop dancer who started out by watching the shadows from the Savoy Ballroom and listening to the music. She had some lessons, but most of her training is self-taught. I liked that she wasn’t just an overnight success. She had to work for it. The author spoke directly to her for this book and that shows. Her voice, just like in the documentary, really shines. She didn’t have an easy life, either, as she went on dance tours and often spent many months away from home, despite the tours only supposed to have been a few weeks.

I liked that she taught dance and works with young dancers to develop their love of dance and jazz in particular.

If you’re looking for a dance biography and want something fascinating, then this is the book for you. Check it out.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Calling Ukraine by Johannes Lichtman

April 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Calling Ukraine by Johannes Lichtman
Publisher: Marysue Rucci Books, Scribner
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree and author of Such Good Work Johannes Lichtman returns with a novel that is strikingly relevant to our times—about an American who takes a job in Ukraine in 2018, only to find that his struggle to understand the customs and culture is eclipsed by a romantic entanglement with deadly consequences.

Shortly after his thirtieth birthday, John Turner receives a call from an old college friend who makes him an odd job offer: move to Ukraine to teach customer service agents at a startup how to sound American. John’s never been to Ukraine, doesn’t speak Ukrainian, and is supposed to be a journalist, not a consultant. But having just gone through a break-up and the death of his father, it might just be the new start he’s been looking for.

In Ukraine, John understands very little—the language and social customs are impenetrable to him. At work, his employees are fluent in English but have difficulty grasping the concept of “small talk.” And although he told himself not to get romantically involved while abroad, he can’t help but be increasingly drawn to one of his colleagues.

Most distressing, however, is the fact that John can hear, through their shared wall, his neighbor beating his wife. Desperate to help, John decides to offer the neighbor 100,000 hryvnias to stop. It’s a plan born out the best intentions, but one that has disastrous repercussions that no amount of money or altruism can resolve.

Like Ben Lerner’s Leaving the Atocha Station and Garth Greenwell’s What Belongs to You, Calling Ukraine reimagines the American-abroad novel. Moving effortlessly between the comic and the tragic, Johannes Lichtman deploys his signature wry humor and startling moral acuity to illuminate the inevitable complexities of doing right by others.

Calling Ukraine presents an American journalist who is offered a job in Ukraine. John Turner’s old friend needs him to go there and teach Ukrainians in a call center how to sound American, in order to make calls go smoother and faster.

John packs his bags and heads there, where he knows very little about the language and culture. He runs into various characters who have their own way of teaching him about Ukrainian society—in and out of the office. He also meets an American woman who is there, and they strike up a temporary friendship.

John’s adventures start out innocent enough then get more troublesome. He finds himself in a difficult situation and can’t handle it the way Americans would back home. He comes up with a strange solution, but this takes a very bad turn. From then on, he’s looking over his shoulder, very anxious of being thrown into a Ukrainian prison.

The book is fast-paced and entertaining. There was one part that stands out as too judgmental, when John has a conversation about Gen X. He is harsh with this generation, and his views don’t sound accurate, but rather like someone younger judging an age group and not understanding how it really was—based on a television sitcom. However, the book is good, with rising tension and complex characters, and it is not predictable. This story was informative about Ukraine and enjoyable.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Washington Wives by Maureen Dean

April 17, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Washington Wives by Maureen Dean
Publisher: Diamond Books
Genre: Historical, Romance, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In five days, the President will announce a new Chief of Staff.

Three very beautiful, very powerful women have each decided that her husband will be the next man in the White House.

Five days. Three women. One golden opportunity to be married to the second most influential man in America.

And only one of them will succeed.

I thought the intrigue in Washington was all make believe…

I knew when I picked up this book that there would be steam. There was a bucketload of that. Every detail is written from the viewpoint of someone who lived it or at least very close to it. This book also showed the maneuverings in Washington and how cutthroat it can be.

The moment I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. There were twists and turns, plus a lot of backstabbing and shaky dealings that added to my enjoyment. I don’t want to live around any of these people, but reading about them is fascinating.

One man dies and it’s up for grabs as to who will fill his spot. I loved reading the deals and rumors/lies used to get what everyone wanted. I got invested in the characters right away and I’m glad I read this. I couldn’t put it down.

If you’re looking for something dealing with 1980s politics and full of intrigue, then this book is for you. Give it a try.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye

April 17, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye
Publisher: Puffin Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.) (6-11 yrs.)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Along with Wit, Charm, Health, and Courage, Princess Amy of Phantasmorania receives a special fairy christening gift: Ordinariness. Unlike her six beautiful sisters, she has brown hair and freckles, and would rather have adventures than play the harp, embroider tapestries . . . or become a Queen. When her royal parents try to marry her off, Amy runs away and, because she’s so ordinary, easily becomes the fourteenth assistant kitchen maid at a neighboring palace. And there . . . much to everyone’s surprise . . . she meets a prince just as ordinary (and special) as she is!

What a delightful story! It’s quirky, enchanting, entertaining and a wonderful fairy tale that was a true pleasure to read.

The style is third person narrative and Princess Amy is most often referred to as The Ordinary Princess for most of the book. It’s very reminiscent of Cinderella but it has a mixture of Snow White as well, what with the addition of Mr. Pemberthy and Peter Aurelious; they act as the prerequisite forest friends to the princess.

As in Sleeping Beauty, there is the one fairy that uses her magic to gift the baby Princess Amy with a very unexpected, unique and shock-worthy gift. It causes the Queen to have fits, and the King basically crowing “I told you so!” because he just knew something ghastly was going to happen. Everyone in the castle believed that it was a horrible thing, and that belief lasts until the very day the princess gets her happy ever after.

What I liked about this story was its easy style. It had an innocence to it that was refreshing, from the dialogue, the choices the princess makes and her relationship with Peregrine, the man-of-all-work. I enjoyed watching as they escaped the drudgery of their lives by visiting the forest when they had time off – a place they could be themselves without anyone telling them nay, or reprimanding them if they wanted to climb trees, get muddy or lay back among the flowers and watch the clouds drift by. I even thought the creation of The Birches was romantic in and of itself. It was a commitment of sorts, a foretelling of what could be because of how it was built. A romantic idea crossed my mind and the happy ever after wrap-up proved it true. It was sweet and adorable, and I could believe in the fairy tale – they lived happily ever after.

I found humor in the most unlikely places. The king and his flamboyant reactions to when he was pleased or displeased was one example. The wild and wacky dragon idea was worthy of an eye roll.

The one thing I noticed was the author’s clear descriptions about the environment, the jewels, the castle, how people dressed, descriptions of rooms – it’s quite easy to envision the scenes. The illustrations helped get some perspective on some of it, but there weren’t that many of them to classify this as a picture book. This is a story of words and ideas. It’s not flashy, loud or full of adrenaline. It’s a nicely written and well-told story of a girl meeting her forever sweetheart in a most unlikely fashion; of princesses, princes, kings and a crusty old fairy named Crustacea (kids will probably need help pronouncing that name plus some others in the story) who has a well-guarded marshmallow heart hiding inside all those shells and seaweed.

The Ordinary Princess is a treasure of a story and should be on anyone’s reading list who likes Cinderella, Snow White, any princess story you can name, or just fairy tales in general. Princess Amy is no ordinary princess. She’s special and readers will enjoy finding that out for themselves when they read it too.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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