The Bronte Plot

Happy Book Lovers Day!  This is my favorite unusual holiday!  I have loved books since I was very little.  I have book all over the house.  I even have them hidden under furniture because I am out of shelf space (until I redo the living room and add more shelves). I never understand when someone says they do not know what to get me.  I am the easiest person to buy for since I can always use money for books!  How about you?  Are you a bibliophile?

The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay is a contemporary fiction novel.  Lucy Alling works for Sid McKenna at McKenna Antiques and Design (he does lovely designs).  Lucy works in the store (while Sid is out doing design work) and is completely responsible for acquiring and selling the books.   Lucy loves books and their stories.  Unfortunately, she has taken a few liberties with the books she has acquired for the store and then sold. 

James Carmichael comes into the store looking for a gift for his grandmother.  Lucy is instantly attracted to James.  She sells him a lovely book for his grandmother, Helen Carmichael.  James and Lucy start dating and fall in love.  But then James discovers what Lucy did with the books.  James sees things in black and white.  James breaks up with Lucy. 

James’ grandmother, Helen had an odd reaction when she first met Lucy.  It turns out that Helen knew Lucy’s grandfather.  Helen and Lucy go on a journey to England.  Helen needs to make right a wrong from her past.  Will Lucy be able to understand that what she did was wrong?  Is there a future for Lucy and James?

I was disappointed with this book.  It really sounded like it would be an enjoyable book to read.  I did, though, enjoy some parts of The Bronte Plot.   The things I enjoyed the most was the history of the writers in England and the description of the gorgeous 1950’s Danish silver that Helen Carmichael purchased.  I cannot believe what Lucy did to the books (and that she thought it was okay to do it).  To me The Bronte Plot was just another romance book (with a life lesson thrown in).  I give The Bronte Plot 2.75 out of 5 stars.  

Other books by Katherine Reay are Dear Mr. Knightley and Lizzy and Jane.  I received a complimentary copy of The Bronte Plot from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my review.  I am off to have dinner and then read a new book in A Cape Bay Cafe Mystery series by Harper Lin.  Have a lovely Saturday evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Lost Girls

Happy Saxophone Day!  The saxophone was invented around 1840 by Adolphe Sax. It was made of brass.  Adolphe invented eight types of saxophones. The saxophone has been an essential instrument in jazz bands.  

I just finished Angela Marson’s Lost Girls.  It is a D.I. Kim Stone Novel.  Two nine year old girls have been abducted from Old Hill Leisure Centre (British spelling).  Karen Timmins (one of the mums) has asked for Kim.  After getting the details, Kim insists on being the Officer in Charge of the case.  Kim will stop at nothing to get back Amy and Charlie (the little girls).  The kidnappers are pitting the parents against each other by making them bid (like an auction).  The highest bidder will get their child returned to them.  The team works to identify the kidnappers and find out where they are keeping the girls.   They have their work cut out for them if they are going to rescue these girls in time.

Lost Girls is a riveting novel.  It will hold your attention from the first page to the last.  It is a great, well-written story.  Angela Marson’s novels just keep getting better.  I give Lost Girls 5 out of 5 stars.  The only negative thing I have to say about Lost Girls is I wish the mystery had been a little more difficult.  I was able to figure out who the mastermind was behind the kidnapping early in the book.  However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of this novel (and I wanted to see if I was right).  Please be aware that there is extreme violence in this book.

The other book in the D.I. Kim Stone series are Silent Scream and Evil Games.  I received a complimentary copy of Lost Girls from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley. It is up for the Goodreads Historical Fiction Book of the Year (you can vote on Goodreads.com).  Have a evening (I will be watching Reign, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and Grimm) and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Fire and Ice

Happy Friday!  It is Marooned without a Compass Day!  I do not know many people that actually use a compass since the invention of GPS!  There are so many unique days in the year!  Tomorrow is my favorite day (you will have to wait and see).

Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy is the third book in the Wild at Heart series.  Fire and Ice is set in Aspen Ridge, Colorado in 1866.  Bailey Wilde has built her home so it blocks the access to Gage Coulter's canyon.  He owns the whole canyon, but Bailey wants it for her cattle.  He never thought to purchase that rocky parcel of land that is the entrance to the canyon.  Gage is determined to get access to for his cattle. 

Gage's mother is coming to visit.   She believes that Gage is married (he told her that to keep her from visiting).  Now Gage needs a wife (you know where this is going).  Bailey is the closest eligible female around and it does not hurt that Gage is attracted to her feisty personality.  Will Bailey be willing to help him out?

Fire and Ice is a cute book but not very original.  The setting of Aspen Ridge in the Rockies is just lovely, the writing is good, and the characters are interesting.  I think I was at a disadvantage because I had not read the two other books in the series (I did not know it was part of a series when I picked it).  In order to understand all the personal relationships and their shared histories, you really do need to read the other novels.  I give Fire and Ice 3.5 out of 5 stars.  I think I would have enjoyed this novel more when I was a teenager (I read quite a few romances in my late teens and early twenties). 

The other two books in the Wild at Heart series are Tried and True and Now and Forever.  I received a complimentary copy of Fire and Ice from The Book Club Network Inc. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My flu is still lingering along with the awful migraines (I actually suffer from three types of headaches according to my neurologist--I am just so lucky).  It is really messing with my reading and cleaning schedule (and now my mother is coming down sick too). Make sure to take care of yourself!  Have a great Friday evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante

Happy Thursday!  It is Men Make Dinner Day!  If my father was feeling better, I would have him cook!  He makes a good quick spaghetti!  Do you have someone that can cook for you tonight? Give them a big hint (or tell them they are cooking tonight)!  I have discovered that people in my family do not take hints very well.  If I want something, I have to be very specific and direct (which really takes the surprise out of holidays).

Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante by Susan Elia MacNeal is the fifth book in the Maggie Hope Mystery series.  Maggie Hope is traveling with Prime Minister Winston Churchill as his typist.  At least that is the official story. Unofficially, she is on assignment (she is spy).  Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt mentions that she is worried about her secretary, Blanche Balfour.  Blanche failed to show up for work or to call.  Churchill asks Maggie to assist the First Lady.  They go to Blanche’s apartment and find her dead in the tub.  It looks like a suicide.  Maggie quickly hustles Mrs. Roosevelt out of the apartment (after snagging a tablet) and anonymously calls the police (something you could still do in the 40’s).  Someone had written a note, but it was missing.  Maggie was able to use a pencil and see what was written.  The contents of the note would compromise Mrs. Roosevelt (and ruin what Churchill and FDR are trying to accomplish).  Churchill assigns Maggie to the First Lady to investigate what really happened to Blanche.

Wendell Cotton is a (African-American) man on death row at Thomas Jefferson Prison in Virginia.  Many people that Mr. Cotton did not get a fair trial including Mrs. Roosevelt.  Eleanor is working with Andrea Martin from the Workers Defense League to get Wendell a retrial.  Someone is trying to keep Mrs. Roosevelt quiet.  Will Maggie be able to find out who in time?

There is too much going on in Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante.  It is at the beginning of World War II for the United States.  We have a murder, the war, the US, the British, the Germans, prisoners of war, and rockets (I only gave a brief synopsis and focused on the mystery).  There are many characters and it is extremely difficult to keep them all straight (maybe when I was younger).  I found the novel hard to get through.  I found the mystery simple to solve (much to my disappointment).  I have not read any other books in this series (and I am not likely to either).  Maybe if I had read the other books, I would understand the series better.  The novel is left unfinished.  We have to wait until the next book to find out about the rockets and the missing German prisoner.  I give Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante 3 out of 5 stars.  Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante was just not the novel for me.

The first four books in the series are available in a bundle.  It is called The Maggie Hope Series 4-book Bundle (not very original). I received a complimentary copy of Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante in exchange for an honest review. 

I am just finishing up Lost Girls by Angela Marsons.  It is just wonderful. If you like suspense books, you will love Angela Marsons' DI Kim Stone novels.  I am off to do some housework (there is always work to do around a home).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Girl from the Train

It is King Tut Day!  It is the day we celebrate the discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in Egypt. It is interesting what they found inside his tomb (you should check it out).  I am making homemade chicken noodle soup today.  It is the only thing that sounds good with this flu.  This flu is really messing with my reading schedule. I only finished one book yesterday because of these nasty migraines.

I just finished the novel TheGirl from the Train by Irma Joubert.  It is 1944 in Southern Poland and Gretl Schmidt (six years old) is on a train with her Grandmother, Mother, and sister, Elza (fourteen) bound for a concentration camp.  Elza and Gretl are told to jump from the train to save themselves.  The girls jump off just in time because this train is blown up shortly down the line.   Jakob Kowalski is fifteen years old and a member of the Home Army (resistance).  His group planted bombs on the bridge to blow up a German troop train.  The train with the Jews was no scheduled to come through the area.

Jakob rescues Elza and Gretl.  Unfortunately, Elza becomes ill and does not make it.  Jakob takes Gretl home to his family farm where she will live for the next four years.  The two become very close during this time.  A time comes when his family no longer wants Gretl on the farm.  Jakob takes her to Germany to get Gretl into a program that is relocating German Protestant orphans to South Africa.  They only want Aryan children (Gretl easily passes and it helps that her father was an SS Officer who died in 1941—and she has proof).  Gretl learns to hide her past in order to get a new future.

Gretl never forgets Jakob and hopes to see him again.  When Jakob is forced to flee Poland and gets an opportunity to work in South Africa, he jumps at it in the hopes of seeing Gretl again.   Will Gretl and Jakob be able to reconnect?  The Girl from the Train is told from the perspective of Gretl and Jakob.  We get to see Gretl grow up and embrace her new life in South Africa.  We learn how Jakob survived the war and how the communists changed Poland (we also get quite a bit of information on communism which made for dry reading).  I did find The Girl from the Train to be a long winded book (very drawn out).  I did not think it would ever end (and the ending was predictable).  The Girl from the Train is basically one long historical romance novel (emphasis on the history).  I think that the World War II theme has just been very overdone this year.   The writing is good, but I found it difficult to get into the story (to connect with Gretl).  I give The Girl from the Train 3 out of 5 stars. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Girl from the Train from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading Lost Girls by Angela Marsons.  Have a lovely Wednesday afternoon and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Writing All Wrongs

Happy Book Release Day!  My favorite day of the week.  I just love getting new books.  We live on a tight budget, but my mother and I do agree that books are a priority (and we rarely agree)!  I do not know what I would do without books to enjoy (I do not see me playing video games)!

Writing All Wrongs by Ellery Adams is the seventh Books by the Bay mystery.  Olivia Limoges and Chief Rawlings are newlyweds and are going on their delayed honeymoon.  They are heading over to Palmetto Island to enjoy a couple of days by themselves (well, Captain Haviland is joining them) before the Legends of Coastal Carolina Festival. They will be joined by the Bayside Book Writers.  Silas Black will be the headliner of the weekend.  He will also be the cause of the controversy.  The weekend is off to a great start until a white deer is injured by an arrow.  Then a burning boat gets destroyed by the pirate ships (not part of the show), and then a woman ends up dead.  Who is behind these incidents?  Were they also behind the murder?

Writing All Wrongs was just delightful.  While it is a part of a series, it can easily be read alone.  We get to revisit Olivia, Chief Rawlings, and the Bayside Book Writers group.  The location of Palmetto Island sounded just gorgeous.  I would love to visit this island.    It sounds like it is rich in history (I am a history buff).  The mystery was interesting and provided some twists along the way (though I did solve it).  I give Writing All Wrongs 4.5 out of 5 stars (because I was able to solve the mystery).  Writing All Wrongs had a good mystery, history, beautiful locales, ghost stories, and great, interesting characters.  You cannot go wrong reading Writing All Wrongs.  Writing All Wrongs also contains a sneak peak of Breach of Crust.  The next book in The Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries.

For a list of the other books in A Books by the Bay Mystery series, click here. (it will take you to the list on Amazon).  I received a complimentary copy of Writing All Wrongs from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Have a wonderful Tuesday afternoon!  Make sure to take some time out of your day just for you!  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Dickens of a Murder

November 3 is Housewife's Day!  It recognizes all those women  (I am sure there is a house husband day) who stay at home and work very hard!  It is not easy taking care of a home.  It is a full time job. (I should know).   

A Dickens of a Murder by Jim and Joyce Lavene is a humorous and enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery.  Lisa Wellman and Simon Canterville are opening a book shop together in Simon’s beautiful old home in the Olde Towne section of Portsmouth, Virginia.  It is two weeks until Thanksgiving and they are hoping to open the day after Thanksgiving.  They had encountered some resistance from Ebenezer Hart (he took them to court), but they were both still expecting the shop to open on time.  Until they discover a body on their roof.

The officer that responds to the scene is Deputy Chief Daniel Fairhaven.  Daniel was actually married to Lisa twelve years ago (for about six months).  Unfortunately, Simon seems to be the prime suspect in the murder because his alibi is Lisa (they were out walking).  The victim turns out to be none other than Ebenezer Hart (you had to know that was coming).  Lisa is determined to clear Simon’s name.  Lisa has known Simon for years and knows he did not commit the crime.  Lisa will get some help from unexpected source (who needs a favor).  Who wanted Ebenezer Hart dead and why was he left on the roof of The Canterville Book Shop?

A Dickens of a Murder an enjoyable novel to read.  I liked the characters, the beautiful setting, the animals with their literary names, and the paranormal element.  I did find the mystery to be a little too easy to solve (I figured it out very early in the book), but it did not detract from my reading pleasure.  What could be more wonderful that a bookshop in a beautiful old home!  I give A Dickens of a Murder 4.5 out of 5 stars (I deducted a little because I was able to solve the murder mystery).  I look forward to learning more about Lisa, Simon, and Daniel in the next book in the Canterville Book Shop Mystery series.

A Dickens of a Murder is available on Kindle Unlimited (if you are a member or you can enjoy a thirty day free trial).  I received a complimentary copy of A Dickens of a Murder from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

Despite being sick I still have to go to the grocery store (I am the only person in the house who can drive).  This flu is really bringing me down (and I do not know how I caught it).  But I think the dogs and cats would like food!  So I will get just what we need and then climb back in my bed!  I hope everyone has a great Tuesday (it is book release day).  Take care, stay well, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Fangs for the Memories

Fangs for the Memories by Molly Harper is the latest book in the Half-Moon Hollow series.  It is the story of how Andrea Byrne and Dick Cheney (the vampire) became a couple.  Andrea Byrne is a blood surrogate for vampires in the area (you can only drink so much bottled blood).   Andrea is not interested in a relationship and keeps pushing Dick away.  Andrea had a bad experience with a vampire in college that has affected her whole life.  Will Dick be able to get past Andrea’s defenses?  Will Andrea be able to look past Dick’s manners and inappropriate t-shirts? 

Fangs for the Memories will keep you laughing!  I just loved this unique and quirky short story.  We get to see a different side of Dick as he helps out Andrea (spoilers).  I give Fangs for the Memories 5 out of 5 stars.  I like that it was included in the series, but it did not repeat a lot of information from the other novels.  We get to see a different perspective of Zeb and Jolene’s wedding (which is just hilarious).  I love the setting, the characters, the great, snarky comments, and the uniqueness of this novel (and the series).  In order to understand Fangs for the Memories, you really do need to read the other books in the series (you will want to read them).  The next book in the series is Where the Wild Things Bite. It will be released on July 26, 2016 (subject to change).

The other books in the Half-Moon Hollow series are The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires, Driving Mr. Dead, A Witches Handbook of Kisses and Curses, The Undead in My Bed, I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas (it is just wonderful to read), The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire, and The Single Undead Moms Club.  If you enjoy these novels, check out Molly Harper's website.   I received a complimentary copy of Fangs for the Memories from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am off to enjoy dinner and finish reading The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert.  I am a little behind on my reading (which is going to drive me batty) because I have been sick for a few days.  It started off as severe migraines (this is the only time I do not read) and lead into sore throat (which means I am losing my voice) and runny nose.  It is just lovely! I hope everyone else is doing well. Make sure to take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Blossom of Bright Light

It is All Soul's Day!  A day to pray for our loved ones and friends who have passed away.  It is sometimes called Day of the Dead. Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3 is book release day!  There are some great books coming out!  Crowned and Moldering by Kate Carlise, Death Takes Priority by Jean Flowers (first in new Postmistress Mystery series), Trimmed with Murder by Sally Goldenbaum, White Colander Crime by Victoria Hamilton, Olive and Let Die by Susannah Hardy, A Dickens of a Murder by Jim and Joyce Lavene (first in the new Canterville Book Shop Mystery series--it is a good book), and Nuts and Buried by Elizabeth Lee are just a few of them.  All of them are available for pre-order on Amazon.

A Blossom of Bright Light by Suzanne Chazin is the second book in A Jimmy Vega Novel series.  It takes place in October in New York City.  Detective Jimmy Vega needs to find out who left a little baby out in the cold to die behind the community center (La Casa) started by Adele Figueroa (and Jimmy’s girlfriend).  Then they find the mother of the baby, and she is wearing a jacket of Jimmy's daughter, Joy (a college student who lives with her mother).  Jimmy sets out to clear his daughter and find out who harmed this young woman and her baby.   Adele is offered a great opportunity.  She has the chance to work with County Supervisor Steve Shulman who is about to be elected to the Senate.  It would mean uprooting her daughter, leaving behind her community center and Jimmy.  It is a difficult decision for Adele and she has yet to mention it to Jimmy.  Jimmy’s investigation leads him down an unexpected path.  Jimmy needs to make sure that all his ducks are in a row and that he has substantial proof if he wishes to arrest the culprit (and get justice for the young mother and her baby). 

I am afraid that I did not enjoy reading A Blossom of Bright Light.  It just seemed to go on and on (I did not think I would ever get to the end).  The mystery was child’s play to solve (which was so disappointing).  I really tried to enjoy this novel, but I just could not get into it.  I give A Blossom of Bright Light 2.75 out of 5 stars. 

The first book in A Jimmy Vega Mysteries is Land of Careful Shadows.  I received a complimentary copy of A Blossom of Bright Light from Kensington and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading Writing All Wrongs by Ellery Adams (almost done). It will be released tomorrow!  Have a wonderful Monday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Heirloom Brides Collection

Happy November 1.  It is All Saints Day and  Dio De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead).  The history of both days are very interesting.  You should take the time to check them out.  

I just finished reading The Heirloom Brides Collection (various authors).  The Heirloom Brides Collection contains four short historical Christian romance stories.  Something Old by Tracey Bateman is set in Tucker’s Creek, Kansas in 1880.  Betsy Lowell is going to town with her grandfather, Pops to stock up on supplies for the winter or so she thinks.  Stuart Fields runs the local general store with his mother.  He has been entranced with Betsy since they were children.  Betsy is very stubborn, determined, and prideful.  Will Stuart be able to get past Betsy’s tough exterior?

The second story is Joanne Bischof’s Something New set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1893.  Wren Cromwell and her family have been taking in lodgers since the death of her herbalist father.  Their latest guest is Tate Kennedy who was Wren’s best friend (and more).  Tate left the community four years ago and has just returned.  He is finally able to provide for Wren.  Will Wren accept him back after all this time?

Something Borrowed by Kim Vogel Sawyer is the third story in the collection set in 1881.  Clara Rose Frazier and her father, Ezra have moved to a farm to start a new life.  Clara wanted to get away from the town where everyone knew she had lost two beaus (because they would not accept her and her father).  When her father gets injured, they need assistance on the farm.  Clara finds help on the Klaassen farm.  The Frazier’s moved to Wilhelmina, Minnesota which is a large Mennonite community.  Maria Klaassen volunteers her son, Titus to help out the Frazier’s.  Will Clara be able to overcome the past to have a beautiful future?

The last story is Something Blue by Mona Hodgson.  Darla May Taggart has finished her nursing training in Philadelphia and is returning to Cripple Creek, Colorado (set in 1900).  Darla grew up in the town with her pastor father.  Darla was rather wild when she was seventeen and is hoping to overcome her past.  Darla is assigned to be a home care nurse.  One of her patients is Nicolas Zanzucchi.  He was burned on the back when a steam hose broke in the Mollie Kathleen Mine.  Nicolas is raising his three daughters (Julia, Jocelyn, and Jaya) on his own.  Nicolas has to stay still and not break open the scabs that have formed over the burns on his back.  Darla is attracted to this heartwarming family, but will Darla’s past come back to haunt her?

The Heirloom Brides Collection is a lovely collection of stories.  I give The Heirloom Brides Collection 4 out of 5 stars.  The stories are all nicely written and easy to read.  I enjoyed reading them.  My favorite was Something Borrowed by Kim Vogel Sawyer.  I liked the loving and warm Mennonite community.  Ms. Sawyer really brought the characters to life.  My least favorite was Something Old.  I found it to be a very frustrating story.  Betsy was made into this tough, stubborn, determined, prideful person who would rather sit in the snow and freeze to death than ask for help.  I just found it to be overdone.  Overall, The Heirloom Brides Collection are good stories.  If you enjoy historical, Christian romance stories, you will enjoy The Heirloom Brides Collection.

I received a complimentary copy of The Heirloom Brides Collection from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am off to do some chores around the house.  I hope everyone has a great Sunday!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader