The Outlaw’s Claim by Brenda Jackson

July 19, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Outlaw’s Claim by Brenda Jackson
Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws Book 4
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Western, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

From friends to lovers to…

having a baby?

Maverick Outlaw is a man who knows his own mind—and he knew from the beginning that a fling with longtime friend Sapphire Bordella would be more than just sizzling, mind-blowing sex. That is, until Phire says they should go back to being just friends—and then announces that she’s pregnant with Maverick’s child and her father expects her to marry someone else! Maverick may not be ready to give his heart, but nothing will stop him from claiming what’s his…

From Harlequin Desire: A luxurious world of bold encounters and sizzling chemistry.

There’s love out there, if they’re willing to chase it.

I liked this story by Brenda Jackson. I’d had this author’s books recommended to me many times and finally took the leap. I’m glad I did. The story engrossed me right away and I had to know what would happen next. The writing is crisp and the characters vivid. This is the fourth book in the series, but I didn’t feel lost. In fact, I felt dropped in the middle and caught right up.

Phire, aka Sapphire, has been infatuated with Maverick for years, but she’s convinced he won’t love her. One night of passion leads to a blessed surprise. She was his friend, then it became something more…then didn’t. I liked the push-pull between the characters and the way they were both so determined not to accept their feelings. It made for great tension.

If you’re looking for a hot book that’s great for an afternoon (or two) reading, then check this one out. I’ll be looking for more in the Westmoreland series. You should, too.

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

The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson

July 18, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson
An Agathas Novel
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure, YA (15+ yrs)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Last October, Alice Ogilvie’s ex-best friend, Brooke Donovan, was killed—and if it weren’t for Alice’s unlikely alliance with her tutor, Iris Adams, and her library of the complete works of Agatha Christie, the wrong person would almost certainly be sitting in prison for the crime. The Castle Cove police aren’t exactly great at solving crimes. In fact, they’re notorious for not solving crimes.

Which is why, on the night of Castle Cove High’s annual Sadie Hawkins dance, Alice takes the opportunity to explore Levy Castle—the site of one of Castle Cove’s most infamous deaths. Mona Moody—­the classic film star—died there almost a century ago, and Alice is pretty sure the police got that invest­igation wrong, too. But before she can even think about digging deeper, she walks right into the scene of a new crime. Rebecca Kennedy, on the ground in a pool of blood. And standing over Kennedy? Another one of Alice’s ex-friends—Helen Park.

The Castle Cove Police Department thinks it’s an open-and-shut case, but Alice and Iris are sure it can’t be that simple. Park isn’t a murderer—and the girls know all too well that in life, and in mysteries, things are rarely what they appear to be. To understand the present, sometimes you need to look to the past.

Castle Cove is full of secrets, and Alice and Iris are about to uncover one of its biggest—and most dangerous—secrets of all.

There’s something going down and it’s up to the Agathas to figure out what.

I loved the first book in this mystery series, The Agathas. I liked the inventiveness of two teen girls, totally opposites, being brought together by their love of Agatha Christie and solving mysteries. The first book had all the hallmarks of a great mystery–twists, turns and I couldn’t figure out the ending.

This book has many of the same hallmarks–there’s a mystery and intrigue, but I had a few issues with it. The characters seemed to sound a bit the same after a while. I liked that it’s told from Iris and Alice’s POVs, but they tended to sound the same. Now that’s not totally bad because best friends tend to talk alike after a while, but it made it hard to keep straight who’s POV I was in. I also had an issue with the sheer volume of characters. It took some work to keep them straight (Like it would in an Agatha Christie book).

The characters are good. Iris has some issues and Alice is a bit snobbish. I’d hoped Alice would help Iris a bit as Iris has been abused and needs someone to be there for her. I didn’t like that the issue of child abuse and the after-effects weren’t really handled. Iris just sort of bucked it up, but not very well. I also thought Alice regressed a bit and got snobbier through the book. I liked Iris, but I wanted to root for her and Alice, but it wasn’t always easy with Alice.

The mystery is good, but almost comes second to the bumbling of the police department. It’s like the girls should be the ones in charge and the PD should go back to school. I don’t know if that was intentional, but I wanted to see the cops respect the girls a bit more and for them to work a bit harder.

Still, this was a good book and those who like mysteries, it’ll satisfy. There are enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. Give this book a try.

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

Fall to Pieces: A Memoir of Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Mental Illness by Mary Forsberg Weiland

July 17, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Fall to Pieces: A Memoir of Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Mental Illness by Mary Forsberg Weiland
Publisher: It Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Contemporary, Recent Historical
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

On the surface Mary Weiland had a fairy tale life. She was a successful model married to a successful rock star—Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland—and a world traveler with a home and two beautiful children. But it wasn’t until her rampage in a Los Angeles hotel room and the resulting media frenzy that the world got a glimpse into Mary’s inner turmoil, self-destructive behavior, bipolar disorder, and drug abuse.

In Fall to Pieces, she reveals the extreme highs and lows of her life, the volatility of which long hinted at her bipolar disorder. Weiland tells her story with refreshing candor, unflinching detail, and more than a little humor. Reminiscent of celebrity memoirs from Tatum O’Neill, Brooke Shields and Valerie Bertinelli, Weiland offers a window into the world of modeling and rock’n’roll celebrity while at the same time providing deep insights into a serious and misunderstood mental illness.

Co-written with veteran journalist Larkin Warren, Fall to Pieces is a blistering, eye-opening memoir of Hollywood meltdown.

Together, they’re a hot mess, but everyone wants the burn.

I stumbled across this book by accident, but it’s no accident I read it. I couldn’t put it down. Weiland’s story captivated me with her sadness and utter confusion. I could feel the way she did and understood both her and her husband better.

Mary Forsberg Weiland never set out to rule the wold. She wanted to conquer her little piece. Unfortunately, it took a lot of drugs, pain and self-destruction to realize the issues were bigger than she could handle alone. I admit I sobbed for her at times. Reading the ways she struggled and managed to right herself was darn fascinating and heartbreaking. Putting her together with her then-husband, Scott Weiland (of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver) was an oil and water situation.They loved each other, but they were toxic, too.

If you’re looking for something that’s sad, but beautiful, toxic, but fascinating, then this is the book for you.

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

Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey

July 14, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey
Malory-Anderson Family, Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The exquisite niece of Lord Edward and Lady Charlotte Malory, Regina Ashton is outraged over her abduction by the arrogant, devilishly handsome Nicholas Eden—and is determined to make the rogue pay . . . with his heart.

A golden-haired seducer, Nicholas has been hardened by a painful secret in his past. And now that he has besmirched Reggie’s good name, the hot-tempered lady has vowed to wed him. Her fiery beauty stirs Nicholas as no woman ever has—and the rake arouses Reggie’s passion to an unendurable level. Such uncontrolled desires can lead only to dangerous misunderstandings . . . and, perhaps, to a love that can live only once in a lifetime.

They’ve got one shot at love, but they’ve got to be brave enough to take it.

I read this book because I’ve been on a journey to reconnect with the roots of romance. This book was recommended as part of that journey. The story is constructed well, the characters interesting and the writing moved along quickly. I felt like I was there with the characters and got emotionally involved.

I have to admit I wasn’t a fan of the hero for a long time through this book. He seemed to wallow in his own self-pity and was a typical 1980s romance hero—stubborn, very macho and slow to come around. Once he did, I liked him very much. The heroine was a tad troublesome for me, too, because she’s just as stubborn. I liked the chemistry between them, but I wish they’d have talked a little sooner. Still, the construct of this story and the way it’s an example of it’s time period were great.

If you’re looking for a romance with an extremely slow build, then this might be the one for you. The slow burn and build are right on the mark.

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

Olive and the Big Secret by Tor Freeman

July 13, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Olive and the Big Secret by Tor Freeman
Publisher: Templar
Genre: Childrens (3+ yrs), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Olive learns the hard way that keeping secrets is tough, and telling them can make for a whole lot of trouble!

When Molly shares a secret with Olive, the urge to tell is just too great! Olive tells Joe who tells Matt who tells Lola. But Lola is best friends with Molly. Uh-oh, the secret is out, and Olive is in for it!

Secrets can be a bit load of trouble.

I’m not great at keeping secrets. At Christmas, I want to blurt out what everyone is getting because I just can’t keep the secret in. Olive is much the same way. She has something big she knows and needs to tell someone. Unfortunately, secrets have a way of not staying secret for long.

I liked this book because of the lessons it showed. Sometimes secrets are good things to keep under wraps. It’s not your place to tell and someone might get hurt. It also showed the way friendships can be frayed because a secret was shared. This book moved along well and kept my attention easily. I liked the illustrations and the way the story was told without being mean.

If you’re looking for a cute book to read with children that deals with secrets, then this might be the book for you. Check it out!

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

There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi

July 12, 2023 By Leave a Comment


There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi
Publisher: Candlewick
Genre: Childrens (4+ yrs), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Come on, Sukie, you can do it! A little dog’s paralyzing anxiety gives way to bravery when someone smaller is in need in this humorous, tenderly sympathetic story.

Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. With endearing illustrations and a perfectly paced text that captures a timid pup’s looping thoughts, here is a funny and honest read-aloud about how overwhelming the world can be when you’re worried — and how empowering it is to overcome your fears when it matters the most.

This pup isn’t ready to go into the water, but she just might have to learn.

As one who isn’t a fan of swimming, I could identify with the main character of Sukie. She’s a little dog afraid of the water. There might be dangers out there and she’s not a fan of finding them. Then she has to go into the water. It might not be so bad after all.

I liked that this book showed children that their fears are valid, but that they can overcome them, too. It’s not bad to be afraid at times, but sometimes you have to be brave, too. I also liked that the character could be brave, then go back to their safe place. That’s important for children to see, too.

If you’re looking for a book that talks about fears and one dog’s dealings with them, then this might be the book for you. I recommend it.

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

Fuddles and Puddles by Frans Vischer

July 11, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Fuddles and Puddles by Frans Vischer
Publisher: Aladdin
Genre: Childrens, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

An out of control canine named Puddles disrupts the charmed life of the fat, pampered cat, Fuddles in this charming follow-up to Fuddles and A Very Fuddles Christmas.

Fuddles finds that his perfectly pampered life of luxury comes to a screeching halt when his family buys a new puppy, Puddles. Howling and barking? Incessant licks and ball-fetching? Will Fuddles ever find a way to cope with his new frenemy?

Enemies to friends…with cats and dogs. Sign me up.

I loved the first book, Fuddles, because I got to meet the character of Fuddles, a pampered cat. Everyone knows a Fuddles—spoiled, too smart for their own good and on the verge of a disaster. In this book, Fuddles gets a wake-up call in the form of a puppy named Puddles. Puddles is everything Fuddles dislikes – loud, energetic and annoying.

I liked this book because it showed how sometimes people drive each other nuts (in this case animals), but we have to learn to work with it. Sometimes, those individuals end up being more than we think, too. I liked the way these two characters had to work out their issues. It’s a cute story and will keep the attention of young children.

If you’re looking for a fun book that teaches a lesson without being preachy, then this book is for you.

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

Rolling in the Deep by Morgan Malone

July 10, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Rolling in the Deep by Morgan Malone
The I’ll Never Say I Do Club Book 2
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

I dare you, I double, triple dare you, to go online for three months and really look at the guys who are out there just waiting to fall in love with the awesome women you are! I bet you that you will all be head over heels and engaged by the end of the year!

Seri, Emily, Jessica, and Olivia made a vow in college never to marry when they formed The “I’ll Never Say I Do” Club. At 40, they are all rich, successful, and alone. Then Seri meets and falls in love with a man she improbably met online. At her Maine wedding, she issues a challenge to her three bridesmaids: three months to meet a man they want to marry. The consolation prize if they fail: a New Year’s trip to Hawaii. What have they got to lose?

Emily Livingston has a secret. She’s managed to keep her troubled past hidden from almost everyone for over twenty years. Only her dear friends, Seri, Olivia, and Jessica, know about the scar from the tragic accident that shattered her dreams. And destroyed her heart. She runs her personal life like she runs her growing physical therapy and fitness practice: smooth, efficient, and reserved. Men are temporary pleasures reserved for vacations and business trips. Never close to home. Until she breaks all the rules with a one-night stand too close for comfort.

Wolfgang Biddle Wharton, rich, gorgeous, super-star conductor, appears to have the world at his feet. But he knows what it is to look for new dreams when the old ones die. Wolf arrives in Saratoga Springs as a guest conductor for the Philadelphia Orchestra, looking forward to a relaxing summer residence in the Spa City. What he finds is a woman who immediately attracts him and almost as quickly dismisses him. Not used to being thwarted, Wolf sets out to woo and win Emily, at least for one more night.

They have nothing in common. Except lost dreams and rebuilt lives. And an attraction that is not satisfied in one-night. Wolf wants more, but it will take all his patience and perseverance to win Emily’s trust. Fighting against her friend’s prediction that she would find love by summer’s end, Emily must face her past before she can reveal to Wolf the injury that is more terrible than the one that almost took her life: the scarred remnants of her shattered heart.

They’re both in over their head, but it’s oh so good.

I already knew I’d like this book because I loved the first book in the series, Someone Like You. It was great to catch up to the characters and see where the author took the stories. I also liked that the characters are cookie-cutter. He’s a conductor and she’s in physical therapy and fitness.

I plowed right through this book in no time because the writing moved along so well. It did. I was swept away with the characters and loved every second. I got emotionally involved with them, too. I wanted to see them do well, have a happy ending and break down so they could build each other back up.

Wolf comes across as a bit snooty to begin with, but I liked how the author peeled the layers back on him to make him a great character. So caring, too. I could see him before the orchestra, as well. Emily took a bit of time for me to like her, but that seemed intended. She’s got a crust on her that needed some help in being knocked off. I understood why and no spoilers, but I loved her journey to getting there. It was great and so was the chemistry between her and Wolf.

If you’re looking for a solid romance that will stay with you long after the last page, then this is the one for you.

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

The Bunny Years: The Surprising Inside Story of the Playboy Clubs – The Women Who Worked as Bunnies, and Where They Are Now by Kathryn Leigh Scott

July 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Bunny Years: The Surprising Inside Story of the Playboy Clubs – The Women Who Worked as Bunnies, and Where They Are Now by Kathryn Leigh Scott
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Non-Fiction, Memoir
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A PROVOCATIVE AND INSIGHTFUL PORTRAIT OF THE BEAUTIFUL, FREE-SPIRITED, AND SURPRISINGLY INDEPENDENT WOMEN OF THE ICONIC PLAYBOY CLUBS

The 1960s were a time of change in America, an era when safely guarded innocence gave way to explosive social revolution. For Kathryn Leigh Scott, or Bunny Kay as she was known in the New York City Playboy Club, and the more than 250 former Bunnies she interviewed for this book, donning satin ears and a fuzzy cottontail was an act of liberation—a chance to bridge the gap between being girls and becoming women, to earn more money than their own mothers ever fathomed, and to find their way in a world that would never be the same. Lauren Hutton was a Bunny. Deborah Harry was too. Bunnies went on to become doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, real estate tycoons, nurses, scientists, entrepreneurs, and teachers.

Called “a smart oral history” by Esquire and “entertaining” by Entertainment Weekly, The Bunny Years goes beyond Gloria Steinem’s infamous magazine exposé, “A Bunny’s Tale,” beyond detailed instructions for perfecting the “Bunny Dip” and providing Keyholders with “efficient, friendly, personalized service,” to explore, in the words of the remarkable women themselves, what it really meant to be a Bunny.

There’s so much more to the bunnies than just ears and a fluffy tail.

I picked up this book because I wanted to know more about the actual lives of the Playboy Bunnies. Not the women in the magazine, but the women in the clubs. This book tells just that and a bit more. There are pieces on each of the clubs and resorts, but most about the women who worked there.

As biographies and anecdotes about the women, the book hits the mark. This is a sneak peek into their world. What it was like to wait tables there, what it was like to get older while serving and some of the not so fun things that took place. This book, while interesting, seemed to do a bit of name dropping in places. Yes, a lot of famous people did time as bunnies, but it almost seemed like the book traded on that, rather than the real situations the women dealt with.

Still, it’s an interesting window into their lives and the way the supernova of the Playboy brand exploded. It’s fascinating and somewhat scary, but I’m glad I read it. Give this book a try.

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

The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman

July 6, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
Publisher: Graphix
Genre: LGBTQ, Graphic Novel, Contemporary, YA (15+ yrs)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The Heartstopper Yearbook is packed full of exclusive content from the Heartstopper universe: never-before-seen illustrations, an exclusive minicomic, character profiles, trivia, and insight into Alice Oseman’s creative process, narrated by a cartoon version of Alice herself. In full-color for the first time, this companion book is perfect for fans of Heartstopper!

More Heartstopper? Yes, please.

If you like the Heartstopper books, then you’ve got to check out the yearbook. These are bits and pieces about the series as well as early drawings and tidbits by the author about the series. Hardcore fans will eat this book up.

I liked seeing the evolution of Charlie and Nick because it showed they weren’t fully formed when the author started them and there was some growth beyond the story. I liked seeing the way the author handled the issues with each character, too. There were snippets of other characters and their stories, too. I liked seeing a bit in on the teachers, too. They’re my favorite characters of the series.

If you like the Heartstopper series and want just a little more of these characters, then this is the book for you. Check it out.

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