A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

December 4, 2020 By Leave a Comment


A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee
Publisher: Pegasus Crime
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

In the days of the Raj, a newly arrived Scotland Yard detective is confronted with the murder of a British official—in his mouth a note warning the British to leave India, or else . . .

Calcutta, 1919. Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency.

It is the FDA approved drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. cialis lowest prices Kamagra oral jelly (100mg of Sildenafil) has to viagra generika 50mg be taken once daily. And the TCM views that the pain viagra no prescription usa midwayfire.com is caused by the same reason. This is because parents are concerned about preventing viagra 100mg early sickness or ailments in their child’s life. The body of a senior official has been found in a filthy sewer, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India, or else. Under tremendous pressure to solve the case before it erupts into increased violence on the streets, Wyndham and his two new colleagues—arrogant Inspector Digby and Sergeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID—embark on an investigation that will take them from the opulent mansions of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city.

Captain Sam Wyndham survived the Great War only to come home to London and find his wife recently dead from influenza. Greif-stricken, his world shattered he moves to India, to join the police force in Calcutta and try to start his life once again. Only he’s thrown in the deep end of a perplexing murder case made even more complicated by not knowing the local scene or understanding who is trustworthy and who most certainly is not.

I found this to be a thoroughly amazing book that I picked up on a whim and which I eagerly devoured. Before I reached the half-way point I had already ordered the second book in the series and I fully expect to order the next two after this as well. The author manages to infuse every page with what I found to be a realistic representation of Calcutta in the years following on from the Great War. Set in 1919 I loved the historical time period – one which didn’t shy away from the culture, language or society of the times. While never used in a titillating manner, arrogant British ex-pats called the native locals “wog” or “coolie” and people were treated both by perceived class and race. Considering the time and historical data I found the book to be accurate but with a decent flair for the fictional story as well. I thought the author did an amazing job with this – realistic enough for me to find it thoroughly believable but not rubbing the reader’s face in the less-than-romantic aspects of how humans treated each other a hundred years ago.

Readers looking for a vibrant historical mystery they can really sink into should find this suits their needs admirably. Indeed the mystery plot itself – which I found both interesting and complex – was not so dense or difficult that it over-took the historical setting, nor the fact this story was fully told in the Raj’s Calcutta. I loved the world-building and air the author gave this story. Despite my modern surroundings I frequently fell into the story and could hear the sounds and smell the scents described – I found the whole book thoroughly addictive and am eager for the next installment.

I found the main characters all well layered and interesting. While a number of the central characters felt somewhat cookie-cutter in their stereotypes this didn’t detract from my enjoyment mainly because I feel this adds to some of the genuineness of the time and place the story is held. I also really appreciated how Captain Wyndham – while more enlightened and open-minded than many of his contemporaries – was not some perfect hero on a pedestal. He had emotional and mental wounds from the First World War, not to mention a slight addiction to opiates left over from his recovery from both the War and the devastating death of his wife. Additionally, I found it quite refreshing that Captain Wyndham – fresh off the boat from London – didn’t have a network of spies or helpers when it came to his work as a policeman. Indeed I was impressed the author had Wyndham floundering somewhat for much of the story trying to piece together the political and policing landscape of the new country and culture he found himself in. This is not some mythical grand detective, but a man with flaws as well as a great character and open mind.

This is an interesting and slow-burn mystery novel set in Calcutta in 1919 and I adored every moment. I will be re-reading it again while I wait for the second book in the series to arrive and plan to promptly order the rest of the series. Readers looking for a strongly atmospheric, historical, straight mystery story should not be disappointed in this book. I highly recommend it to all readers.

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

Shapers of Worlds by Edward Willett, Editor

December 2, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Shapers of Worlds by Edward Willett, Editor
Publisher: Shadowpaw Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Within these pages lie eighteen stories, from eighteen worlds shaped by some of today’s best writers of science fiction and fantasy, all guests on the Aurora Award-winning podcast The Worldshapers during its first year. There are original stories from Tanya Huff, Seanan McGuire, David Weber, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., John C. Wright, D.J. Butler, Christopher Ruocchio, Shelley Adina, and Edward Willett, plus fiction by John Scalzi, David Brin, Julie Czerneda, Joe Haldeman, Gareth L. Powell, Dr. Charles E. Gannon, Fonda Lee, Derek Kunsken, and Thoraiya Dyer. Some are international bestsellers. Among them are winners and nominees for the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, Aurealis, Ditmar, British Science Fiction Association, and Dragon Awards. Some have been writing for decades, others are at the beginning of their careers. All have honed their craft to razor-sharpness.

A teenage girl finds something strange in the middle of the Canadian prairie. An exobiologist tries to liberate a giant alien enslaved on its homeworld by humans. The music of the spheres becomes literal for an Earth ship far from home. A superhero league interviews for new members. Strangers share a drink on a world where giant starships fall. Two boys, one a werewolf, one a mage, get more than they bargained for when they volunteer to fight an evil Empire. A man with amnesia accepts a most unusual offer. A young woman finds unexpected allies as she tries to win a flying-machine race in steampunk London . . .

Ranging from boisterous to bleak, from humorous to harrowing, from action-filled to quiet and meditative; taking place in alternate pasts, the present day, the far, far future, and times that never were; set on Earth, in the distant reaches of space, in fantasy worlds, and in metaphysical realms, each of these stories is as unique as its creator. And yet, they all showcase one thing: the irrepressible need of human beings to create, to imagine, to tell stories.
Since these drugs are given only on prescription by a certified chemist, buy cheap levitra check out that thus enabling a fast and easy ordering process. It not only cures your ED with an impressive rigid and long lasting erection which is achieved after 15 to 20 minutes of consuming the medication. online viagra When he came back from the hospital, he was in a dormant condition and he had no interest left in the life as his both the legs were damaged very much badly. viagra sans prescription There are other sexual disorders responsible for curbing sexual health, but ED tops the list. mouthsofthesouth.com female viagra cheap
To shape worlds.

These tales are filled with surprises, so keep guessing as you read them!

“The Tale of the Wicked” followed Captain Michael Obwije as his war ship, The Wicked, attempted to hunt down and finally destroy an enemy ship. When something unexplainable happened at the last moment, he had to quickly figure out what was going on before it was too late. The plot twists in this tale kept me on the edge of my seat. They felt like an episode of a fast-paced and thought-provoking science fiction adventure show. I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended, and the creative final scene only made me yearn for more!

There were some tales in this collection that I wish had been given more time to develop, and “Ghost Colours” was one of them. It was about a man named Brian who had inherited a ghost from a relative. Luckily, science had advanced to the point that hauntings could be permanently dealt with by having one’s DNA slightly altered. I was intrigued by how such a procedure would work and was a bit disappointed that the characters never went into detail about it. They only barely scraped the surface of how proving the existence of ghosts would change human society. With that being said, I loved the premise of this story and of the others that I thought could have used more time to grow. Their basic structures were good, they just needed to be filled out more.

As soon as I read the first sentence of “A Thing of Beauty” and realized two of the characters were talking about murdering orphans in order to save money, I raised an eyebrow and kept going. There’s definitely something about cutting straight to the chase when the stakes are high as these ones! I was intrigued by the main character’s plan to stop these murders from happening. While I can’t go into more detail about it than that, I will say that the plot twists kept me guessing until the final scene.

Shapers of Worlds was a well-rounded anthology that should be read by anyone who wants to lose themselves in other times and places.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Woman Who Wouldn’t by Gene Wilder

December 1, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Woman Who Wouldn’t by Gene Wilder
Publisher: Griffin
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The beloved actor and screenwriter’s second novel, set in 1903, stars a young concert violinist named Jeremy Webb, who one day goes from accomplished adagios with the Cleveland Orchestra to having a complete breakdown on stage. If he hadn’t poured a glass of water down the throat of a tuba, maybe he wouldn’t have been sent to a health resort in Badenweiler, Germany. But it’s in that serene place that Jeremy meets Clara Mulpas, whom he tries his hardest to seduce.

Clara is so beautiful that Jeremy finds it impossible to keep from trying to find a chink in her extraordinary reserve and elegance. He finds himself reflexively flirting to get a reaction―after all, a tease and a wink have always worked before, with women back home. But flirting probably isn’t the best way to appeal to a woman who was married to a dumb brute and doesn’t want to have anything more to do with men. Jeremy isn’t sure how to press his case―but he won’t give up.

I have never experienced a stimulating libido and appear not to feel great sensation in the genital area. levitra price Originally, appalachianmagazine.com canada viagra generic was created as a drug for heart diseases, but later it was found to be more effective in increasing blood flow to penis and enabling healthier erections. You can get the drug sitting at your home bulk tadalafil in cheap. Don’t exceed discount cialis canada the maximum recommended dose, which is 100 mg once in a time span of 24 hours. Wilder’s prose is elegant, spare and affecting. But it’s his romantic’s eye for the intense emotions that animate a real love story that makes The Woman Who Wouldn’t an unforgettable book.

A love that could move mountains and a man with a glass of water dumped in a tuba.

Intrigued? I was.

I like the writing of Gene Wilder. It’s like comfort food. I know I’m going to enjoy myself and it’ll be filling. Now this story is quick in pace, but light on description, it’s true. This isn’t a very long story. But the length wasn’t a deterrent for me. I liked the quick clip.

I also liked the characters. Clara is delicate and sweet. She’s not what I expected at all. I liked the way she grew through the story and how she wasn’t a wilting flower–not all the time. The surprise at the end was great, too. Jeremy left a little to be desired. Initially, I thought I wasn’t going to find out why he’d dumped the glass of water in the tuba, but all is well.

If you’re looking for a sweet romance that’s out of the norm and reads a little like a screenplay, then this might be the book for you.

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

The Forgiven Scoundrel by Laura A. Barnes

November 24, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Forgiven Scoundrel by Laura A. Barnes
(Fifth book in the Tricking the Scoundrels series)
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Secrets have a way of coming to light…

She never allowed her heart to love another. He had never forgotten her. Will their secrets keep them apart? Or would their love overcome them?

Belle portrayed herself as two different women in London. To the lower class she was Rosie, a young widow who lost her husband too soon. A generous lady who befriended all, always helping those in need. To the peers of the realm, she was the notorious Madame Bellerose. Her establishment in Covent Garden was the most sought after to gain membership. Every gentleman attempted to bed the sultry Belle, but she favored no man with entry to her boudoir. She gave her soul away to one man years ago and there would be no other for her. Belle found contentment in the life she created to survive with her flourishing business and her new friendships. Until the man who stole her heart and abandoned her years ago returned. Phillip dominated her senses, making her crave what they once had. Can Belle forgive Phillip for abandoning her and risk her heart to loving him again?
Some individuals experience left upper quadrant (LUQ) abdominal pain respitecaresa.org side effects viagra after gallbladder removal. Getting Pregnant and Overcoming Infertility: Many women are known to suffer from low sexual drive or india viagra for sale loss of libido. These respitecaresa.org viagra prices benefits make it a part of Booster capsules. Hence, it is always advised that the medicine is said to be good enough only if its components are good. respitecaresa.org cialis generika has Sildenafil citrate inside it which has the essential component named Sildenafil citrate inside it which makes the pill different and better than others.
Lord Phillip Delamont had only one purpose for his return to London. And that was to find the woman he loved. To his surprise, his young son befriended the lady he desired. However, at every turn her friends would thwart his attempts to seek her attentions. His frustrations would only leave him wanting her more. A chance invitation for a game of cards leads Phillip into discovering Belle’s true identity. Once he realized the woman Belle had become his need to make her his again became his primary goal. Can Phillip convince Belle that they are meant to be together forever?

Secrets. As Phillip pursues Belle, they keep their secrets hidden from one another. Secrets that could help to heal their hearts. Will they let their past continue to haunt them? Or will they confess their true love?

When my son graduated high school, it was very bittersweet. That’s exactly how I feel right now. I absolutely loved this series. I read every book and I’m so sad that the series is over now. The Forgiven Scoundrel was the perfect ending to the Tricking the Scoundrels series.

The heroine, Belle, was a complex character that was pivotal in all the other books. I was really looking forward to reading her story because I always found her intriguing because of the mysterious aura surrounding her. I didn’t think I’d love Belle any more than I did but I was wrong. Her romance with the hero, Lord Phillip Delamont, was sublime.

Many secrets make for a really awesome plot. Relatable characters that I’ve befriended in previous books only enhance my positive feelings while reading this story. Combine a spicy romance between Belle and Phillip and I have a book glow.

In addition to the excellent writing style, unpredictable plot twists and consistent quality pace flow, I found The Forgiven Scoundrel to be an entertaining read that I didn’t want to put down.

I definitely recommend this book to be on a reader’s “must read” list for those who love stories with redemption, forgiveness and true love. All the books in this series can be read as standalones, but I suggest reading the entire series. With Christmas coming, the complete set of Tricking the Scoundrels series would make a wonderful gift.

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

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark

November 16, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark
Volume 1 – People Who Shaped Our World
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Non-Fiction, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Who was Grace Hopper? A software tester, workplace jester, cherished mentor, ace inventor, avid reader, naval leader—AND rule breaker, chance taker, and troublemaker. Acclaimed picture book author Laurie Wallmark (Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine) once again tells the riveting story of a trailblazing woman. Grace Hopper coined the term “computer bug” and taught computers to “speak English.” Throughout her life, Hopper succeeded in doing what no one had ever done before. Delighting in difficult ideas and in defying expectations, the insatiably curious Hopper truly was “Amazing Grace” . . . and a role model for science- and math-minded girls and boys. With a wealth of witty quotes, and richly detailed illustrations, this book brings Hopper’s incredible accomplishments to life.

Potency purchase tadalafil pills contain the active ingredient known as Sildenafil Citrate. If this sexual condition becomes on line viagra more pronounced, the signs of cardiovascular disease and death risk increase. Fortunately, what adaptogens won’t do is impair mental function or cause raindogscine.com cheapest price for sildenafil addiction. It is a simple solution that reaps far-reaching benefits for children who cipla viagra have sensory integration dysfunction. Just about anything is possible if you work hard enough at it.

Grace lived in an era when prejudice against women prevented many of them from achieving their goals. This book acknowledged that while also showing how this specific woman never stopped trying to push the limits of what society thought were acceptable subjects for her to study and projects for her to work on once she graduated and began putting her schooling to use. She simply refused to accept the artificial limitations placed on her due to her gender no matter what anyone said. I found that admirable and thought it was exactly the right way to approach this topic for young readers.

Not everything Grace tried to do was successful at first, of course. Failures happen to everyone eventually, and even more often for folks who are trying something completely new. Seeing how she reacted to those many setbacks only made me like her even more. Her attitude in those difficult moments showed the audience who she really was as a human being, and it also made her a great role model for readers of all ages.

Some of my favorite portions of this picture book were the ones that told funny stories about Grace’s life. She defied people’s expectations of her from a very early age, and that sometimes lead to her saying or doing things that nobody could have predicted. One of them involved clocks of all things, and the rest will be even more amusing if new readers don’t know a thing about them in advance. She had a wonderful personality that shone through at its brightest during these moments.

Anyone who enjoys using a computer or accessing the Internet should check out Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code to see how these things became possible.

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

Magnar by Mary Morgan

November 9, 2020 By 20 Comments


Magnar by Mary Morgan
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Romance
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Dryas

Known as the Barbarian, Magnar MacAlpin is a fierce ruler for those under his command. As leader of the Wolves of Clan Sutherland, his loyalty and obedience lies with Scotland. However, the king’s last demand is not something Magnar will tolerate.

After Elspeth Gunn’s brother the Chieftain of Castle Steinn is murdered, she flees with her nephew, and finds safety amongst a band of men who are rumored to be part wolf. When the king forces her to wed a heathen Northman, she fears losing her heart and soul not only to the man, but the beast as well.

In order to restore peace to a shattered clan, Magnar and Elspeth travel a treacherous path that challenges their beliefs. When evil seeks to destroy ancient traditions, will Magnar be compelled to restrain his wolf or allow him free to protect those he loves?

This is a novel that drew me in from the first page. The characters, plot, and the culture with its beautiful scenery makes it hard to stop reading. Each character is so well fleshed out that they feel like a part of your family and I couldn’t help laughing, crying, and cheering them on.

The plot starts out with an idea that I have not seen before. This novel deals with the gods of Norway and Scotland: Oden, Freya, Jiroh, and Loki to name a few, along with druids and seers.

A long time past, there had been a huge war between Norway and Scotland and the people cried desperately to their gods for vengeance. The druids and seers prayed to the gods and the gods gave the ability for volunteers of man to be able to turn into wolves and their human forms to be stronger than before.

During the reign of King William of Scotland, the leader of the wolves, Magnar, finds out his mother has passed and has held a secret. He has a twin brother.  This is supposed to be impossible as the magic is supposed to allow only one child in the family to be able to change. Otherwise there would be fighting for dominance and one could be killed. This situation causes his heart to ache as he thought his brother should have stayed with him instead of being sent away and Magnar didn’t know what had happened to him. He had made up his mind that he would ask his brother to join the Southerland wolves. His brother’s story weaves in with Magnar’s along the way.

Then things get really interesting when we are brought to castle Steinn in Scotland where a Lady Elspeth, the sister of the Lord of the Castle and her nephew Erik were attacked by Bandits who killed the Lord. After escaping they were lucky enough to run into some of Magnars men who escorted them to King William. As Erik is now the Lord of Steinn castle, the King sends Magnar and his men to reclaim the castle. There is one catch, the bandit leader Halvard has declared that Elspeth is his wife and thus he is the legal lord. To solve the issue, the King orders Magnar and Elspeth to wed.

I love the character of Magnar. He is driven to protect those under his care and is extremely loyal especially to one man, King William, The Lion of Scotland. He has ties to two countries as most of his men do, both Scotland and Norway. He is a man who holds his emotions under control, and he is confused by how strong his feelings for Elspeth are. I enjoyed the way the author had him interact with the wolf, although the man is alpha he is in touch with what his wolf needs and makes sure that he gets it. It’s enjoyable watching him fighting his feelings and his lust of Elspeth. He is a man of honor as is shown by the vow he gave her, saying he would not take her in the marriage bed until she allows it. It’s also sweet watching him with Erik, taking him as a ward and showing Erik how to become a leader. It melted my heart.

Elspeth is another wonderfully developed character. She is a strong woman who takes everything that life throws at her with strength and forbearance. She follows the new religion of today and this causes some friction between her and Magnar as she feels uncomfortable about his religion. An example of her strength is how she protected Erik on their journey south. I enjoyed watching her fight her feelings for Magnar as they journey onwards towards Stienn to regain the castle. She even inspired loyalty in his men. Her stubbornness is legendary, not allowing anything keep her from completing any task.

Then there was the adorable Erik, who is only about 6 years-old and now holds the burden of learning to become a lord. It twisted my heart knowing that his childhood was lost to him forever, and increased my hatred for the barbarians who attacked the castle and killed his father. Watching him grow is impressive and Magnar’s men recognize a great lord waiting inside him. It’s also sweet watching Magnar take a great interest in his education and they develop a bond that is strong as iron.

Another great part of this story is the language the author uses. It’s just like hearing the old language yet it is still understandable. The scenery is beautifully described, with its mountains and wonderful forests with clear streams.

The love between these two people is sweet but hot at the same time. There are some wonderfully described love scenes. Loyalty runs throughout the whole story and keeps the wolves a tightly knit community who will give their lives for each other. The author does a wonderful job of capturing the culture of the time. I highly recommend this book not only for the romance, but for so many other reasons that are too long to list. Just make sure you have plenty of time before picking this up, as you won’t be able to put it down.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Take the help pdxcommercial.com viagra cialis levitra of natural herbal treatment and enhance the repertoire of treatment-related information. In short high blood glucose lowering herbal remedies are viagra mg effective enough. Due to the jelly format best price for levitra and being more than a few hours. This can really create a negative impact on your overall health and your quality of life if you suffer cialis without prescription https://pdxcommercial.com/property/5201-sw-westgate-dr/ from both disorders.

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

Sophie’s Choice by A.M.Westerling

November 4, 2020 By 11 Comments


Sophie’s Choice by A.M.Westerling
The Ladies of Harrington House Book 1
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Lady Sophie Harrington is not one to abide by society’s strictures. If there’s one thing she knows, it’s that she will not be paraded on the London marriage market in hopes of finding a suitable husband. When a handsome bachelor moves into the neighbouring country estate, she thinks her wedding prospects are solved – all she must do is make the man fall in love with her and convince her parents he would be a good match.

Successful barrister Lord Bryce Langdon escapes London to begin a new legal practice in the rugged county of Cornwall. However, being the object of desire for two beautiful sisters disrupts his life and distracts him from his true purpose for being there – infiltrating a local smuggler’s ring.

In fact, researchers suggest physicians and counselors to encourage men to indulge in thought about this cialis samples sexual activity. Keep sildenafil india out of the compass of youngsters and far from pets. cialis is popular worldwide as effective and safe treatment for erectile dysfunction. but many new customers always have certain doubts which prevents them from availing the benefits of this tripeptide may come from the nature of the issue is a physical condition or disease. With regard to cialis sample skeletal muscle, one may experience few side effects like nasal congestion, indigestion, giddiness, stomach upset, vision problem after taking kamagra but not to worry it will last for just few hours. Going online means that you can get the most up and coming fragrances at the best costs ensured! Working: Vardenafil acts in the same course as cialis pharmacy. Can Sophie win Bryce’s love? What will she do when she discovers Bryce is not the honourable man he appears to be? Sometimes temptation cannot be resisted…

2020 has been a challenging year for me to read. I picked three books to review months ago and they just sat unopened. I chose this particular book because I recognized the author as one I’ve read before and had enjoyed. I wasn’t sure if the timing to start a book yesterday was the best. However, once I started I was unable to put it down. Sophie’s Choice was the perfect distraction I needed.

I was especially excited to learn that this book is the first in The Ladies of Harrington House series. The cast of characters were relatable and well developed which made me anticipate the next book in the series. There are three sisters that will each get their own love story, Sophie, Catherine and Leah. Sophie’s Choice can easily be read as a standalone.

Sophie was my ideal heroine. I love witty, smart, independent woman with a touch of vulnerability. I equally love a hero who counteracts that. It makes for a fun entertaining read. Kudos to the couple when their bantering makes me laugh. I love a sparing couple who clearly is sensually attracted to each other with a web of other plot elements that keep the plot flowing and twisting.

Lord Bryce made my book boyfriend list. He had it all going on, between flirting with Sophie and infiltrating a local smuggler’s ring. I was in love.

I have to be transparent. I do want to read the rest of the books in the series especially Catherine’s story but I could see myself possibly passing on Leah’s story. She was the other sister who desired Bryce besides Sophia. It was clear as day that Bryce and Sophia were destined. Leah made for some awkward moments that added to my love of the story but to read a story of her own, I don’t know about that. Leah would seriously have to mature. It will be hard for me to forget that annoying little sister impression that I have of her.

Any hoot, I loved Sophie’s Choice and I recommend you give this series a chance.

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

The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews

November 2, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews
Parish Orphans of Devon Book 4
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

She Needed to be Seen…

As a lady’s companion, Clara Hartwright never receives much attention from anyone. And that’s precisely how she likes it. With a stormy past, and an unconventional plan for her future, it’s far safer to remain invisible. But when her new employer is invited to a month-long holiday at a remote coastal abbey, Clara discovers that she may not be as invisible as she’d hoped. At least, not as far as one gentleman is concerned.

Looking for leg ulcers treatment in Perth? Not quite viagra samples no prescription sure what it is? Ulcerations often occur as a sign of internal disorder which is showcased anywhere in the skin. The best counsel for this situation would be to look for critical therapeutic help. cialis online or Sildenafil citrate performs well in the male body to deliver an orgasmic session? Females can take the pill orally without crushing, chewing or breaking. discount generic levitra Before enrolling their teen in a driving school, parents should ensure that the teen drivers ed classes include both in-car training and a classroom program. It works by smoothing muscle relaxation generic viagra price continue reading this website now which allows increase in blood flow into certain areas of the penis, these treatment procedures help in enhancing the sperm motility and also augment the sperm count too. He Wanted to be Heard…

Neville Cross has always been more comfortable with animals than people. An accident in his youth has left him with a brain injury that affects his speech. Forming the words to speak to his childhood friends is difficult enough. Finding the right things to say to a lovely young lady’s companion seems downright impossible. But Miss Hartwright is no ordinary companion. In fact, there may not be anything ordinary about her at all.

During a bleak Devon winter, two sensitive souls forge an unexpected friendship. But when Clara needs him most, will Neville find the courage to face his fears? Or is saying goodbye to her the most heroic thing he can do?

I know I’m getting older and don’t remember things like I used to, like every book I’ve ever read. I would like to think I’d never forget that Mimi Matthews was one of my favorite authors. While I was reading The Winter Companion, I had a vague feeling that I was familiar with the cast of characters and the setting. That sense of ‘knowing’ grew stronger as I continued turning the pages. I was enjoying the story too much to stop and look the book up on the internet. When I finished, I looked it up and sure enough, I was correct; I had read the first one in this series, The Matrimonial Advertisement. It all came back to me and now I’m sad that I hadn’t read the second and third books. The two that I have read can be read as standalone stories but I much prefer to go back and read the others.

This particular book was a very sweet romance with the bedroom door firmly closed. The heroine, Clara, was innocent and precious. I also found her to be intelligent but gullible yet maintained a strong independent mindset. Those conflicting set of characteristics somehow made her charming and a perfect match for the hero, Neville. Neville’s honesty and childlike mannerisms stole my heart. Together Neville and Clara built each other up. They both had issues from their past to overcome and I appreciated how they didn’t play mind games. They shared their past with each other and their dreams. It was entertaining to see them find their happily ever after.

One bone of contention I have is with Clara’s brother and her mother. Without spoiling anything, I’m not happy with how there is no mention of them afterwards. No apology or closure. I’m left with a few questions. Does Clara just never write or see them again? They were a significant part of the plot. They were the reason that Clara was a companion in the first place and ended up at Devon. I’m a picky reviewer when it comes to those kinds of loose threads.

I enjoyed the epilogue and found The Winter Companion to be an entertaining read. I’m just going to assume that Clara never spoke to her mother or her brother again as long as she lived. They didn’t deserve to have Clara in their lives anyway. What they did to her was unforgivable in my opinion. Neville’s love for Clara more than made up for this minor hiccup in the plot. Their happily ever after made for a satisfying read.

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

The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Sixth Scandalous Serving by J. Alan Hartman (editor)

October 30, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Sixth Scandalous Serving by J. Alan Hartman (editor)
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving-themed mystery anthology is back for a sixth outing, celebrating not just the best in murder-most-fowl short stories (not a turkey among them), but also ten years of Untreed Reads Publishing!

In addition to enjoying the holiday magic that is bumping off family members we don’t like, this year’s Killer also honors the dedication to the writing world by the late TKWC contributor Earl Staggs.

Serving up a sixth season of stories are the following dinner guests: Bobbi A. Chukran, Bert Paul, C.C. Guthrie, Catina Williams, Herschel Cozine, J.B. Toner, Joseph S. Walker, Kari Wainwright, Lesley A. Diehl, Steve Liskow, Steve Shrott and Trey Dowell. Lisa Wagner returns with all-new recipes, helping you to fill your stomach and tickle your funny bone at the same time.

Ideally a good herbal formulation will raise levels of the male sex organ during the intercourse, viagra without rx opacc.cv drugs are of magnificent aid. viagra It is confirmed that this versatile medication is highly beneficial for medical industry due to its high efficacy and safety profile. The three largest states, California, Texas, and New York viagra shop uk are used by candidates merely as ATM machines. Short courses of corticosteroids have not been shown to be effective in decreasing the possibility of ED. cialis generic overnight Its Sildenafil Citrate composition allows free blood flow to the main sex organ by widening the buy generic cialis opacc.cv passage of nerve impulses can disturb the normal physiology of the spine in an attempt to improve the flow of blood is not proper to the penis. So have a seat, grab a plate of food (we wouldn’t try the stuffing if we were you), and get ready to laugh until you’re cranberry in the face!

No matter how much you plan ahead, no one can foresee every possible outcome of Thanksgiving dinner.

Stan reluctantly attended turkey day festivities at a house filled with gangsters in “Some More Good Times.” What surprised me the most about this story was how funny it was. The author took every opportunity he could to bring out the humor in his scenes, including the ones about an unexpected death and other topics that would normally be written about in serious terms. It was always done respectfully, but the juxtaposition between the sometimes dark subject matter and the jokes the narrator made about them grabbed my attention and didn’t let go.

The family matriarch of “A Very Darwin Family Thanksgiving” had been ranking her loved ones by how much she loved them for many years before this get-together happened. Naturally, this caused a great deal of competition among her heirs, the details of which I’ll leave up to other readers to discover for themselves. The only thing more interesting than reading about those family dynamics was figuring out the plot twist in this one. It was as unexpected as it was perfect for everything I’d already learned about theses folks.

In “A Ghost, Turkeys, and a Pretty Holiday Sweater,” a thirty-something clubber named Vonda was hounded by the ghost of a murdered college friend to do something completely out of character and technically illegal for the holiday season. That sentence only captured some of the unusual plot twists to be found here! I loved every story in this collection but ending it all on such a mischievous note only made me enjoy the whole thing even more. Vonda was one of the least likely heroes I’ve read about recently, so seeing how she reacted to her dead friend’s orders was almost as much fun as finding out what happened next.

This anthology is part of a series that can be read in any order.

I’d heartily recommend The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Sixth Scandalous Serving to anyone who has strong feelings about Thanksgiving regardless of what sort of feelings those are. There’s something for everyone here, from folks who adore this holiday to the ones who can’t wait for it to be finished!

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

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

October 28, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
Samurai Detective #1
Publisher: Puffin Books
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

While attempting to solve the mystery of a stolen jewel, Seikei, a merchant’s son who longs to be a samurai, joins a group of kabuki actors in eighteenth-century Japan.

One night in the Tokaido Inn will change Seikei’s life forever.
These men are always bombarded with a lot of stuff from advertisements of medications to supplements with a sildenafil india price promise that they would be able to get rid of erectile dysfunction. This type of treatment is not usually used for erectile dysfunction that is the failure of men to erect the penis when making love. viagra 10mg More intensive treatments may be offered in the identical title of usa generic viagra. It is up to you to find the right products for http://appalachianmagazine.com/2016/05/24/why-tennessee-is-called-the-volunteer-state/ tadalafil price losing weight here.
I recommend this book for the young adult age group if they are reading this tale on their own for a couple of reasons. First, there is quite a bit of discussion about seppuku. This is when a samurai commits suicide rather than suffer dishonor. This is significant and essential to understanding Japanese culture, but it is a heavy topic. I believe the book can be read aloud to younger children, but again I would recommend plenty of discussion on what seppuku is and why it was viewed positively in Japanese culture during this period in history. Second, there is also some gore surrounding a death near the conclusion of the book. It isn’t overdone, but there is enough detail that younger readers might be sensitive to that material.

Seikei is a very likable boy. He’s smart, curious, and honest. He tries to live his life according to the samurai ideals. In fact, he dreams of being a samurai, but as the son of a merchant he knows he can never be one. His future is already laid out for him, or so it seems. Everything changes when Seikei witnesses the crime at the inn. Seikei soon finds himself working side by side with the samurai magistrate, Judge Ooka. Not only will Seikei help solve the crime, but he’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about the ways of the samurai. For Seikei it is the experience of a lifetime. His excitement is palpable, and I admired his fierce determination to do his best. However, can Seikei ever go back to the life of a merchant after tasting the life of a samurai?

It becomes apparent about midway through the book who the thief is, but the motive remains a mystery. It soon becomes clear that there is much more to the thief’s plan than the theft of a jewel. As Seikei digs for the truth, he uncovers a plot that has been years in the making. As I raced through the pages, I found myself asking if the thief was indeed the true villain!

There is a lot of historic detail packed into this exciting mystery! Japanese customs, etiquette, class structure, religious views, etc are all explained within the context of the story. As a result, the pacing never suffers. It is all simply part of Seikei’s life. This is can spur some great discussion on Japanese class structure in the 1700’s under the rule of the shoguns, and dare I say, make learning about history fun!

I had a lot of fun reading The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn. Seikei is a likable character, the mystery is compelling, and the conclusion is gripping. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery with a good dose of historic detail!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »