So I posted this version of my review on TikTok and Instagram and a short while ago I received this comment from author Creston Mapes:
THIS. This is why reviews are important to authors. Because they, like all of us, can always use that reminder to KEEP GOING. I just wanted to share that with you. And the book he mentions? I AM IN HERE. It’s fantastic. Go read it!
“A morbid gloom hung in silence over the courtroom. And it dawned on Deetz—they were all human beings in that place. If they wanted to, they could all relate with one another—about life’s struggles, trials, ups, downs, joys, losses. But somewhere along the line, this one, Rogan Sneed, had chosen to venture outside the norm of what human beings are allowed to do, are supposed to do. Maybe he was insane or bi-polar or mentally ill. Or maybe something like demons really did exist—inside certain human beings. Whatever the case, whatever the reason for this insanity, whatever had caused Rogan Sneed to snap—Deetz found himself at a place he’d never been in his life. Wishing everyone could get along. Wanting peace—within himself and with those around him. Wanting love. Joy. Kindness. Serenity...” from Signs of Life.
This is my second book by Creston Mapes and I’m still trying to process my feelings. Marketed as a “Christian thriller,” author Creston Mapes has a way of getting his stories to wedge their way into your mind without using any graphic language or images. But he does use imagery. And emotions. And deep, personal points of view.
This is the story of three men: a teenage shooter, the detective who interrogates him, and a man who lost his wife in the violent event. The setting is Portland, Oregon and the location of the shooting is Pioneer Square, a place I’ve been to many times, which made this story feel all the more realistic.
The POVs are the detective, Wayne Deetz, and the widower, Tyson Cooper. They are strong characters, but also representatives of many others who were affected that horrific day, May 7, 2018. All fictional, though you forget that as you read.
So what makes it a “Christian thriller?”
Over the course of one year we follow Deetz and Cooper as they try to make sense of this senseless act and reassemble their lives. Because, honestly, how does one move forward from something so terrible? They question everything, reevaluate everything, second guess everything. They grapple with their faith, friendships, guilt, grief, there are thoughts of revenge, forgiveness, compassion, love, renewal, and an attempt to heal. And the reader is completely enveloped, putting everything through our own filters, making us think of such powerful issues like light versus dark, the death penalty, nature versus nurture, life after death, family, and loss.
This is a gripping story which I highly recommend. It will stay with you and, difficult as the subject is, maybe that’s a good thing.
9.5/10 Stars
Twenty one books for November, not bad! Lots of Christmas-themed books, lots of historical romance, some rom-coms and YA. I feel like I’ve stayed fairly up to date on reviews, so I won’t repeat myself here. I will say that my best new author discovery has been Caroline Fyffe, who wrote An American Duchess and Heart of Eden. These are both parts of a series that I plan to continue and have been really excellent. They are available on Kindle Unlimited with audio. On to December! (Seriously, how did that happen? Wasn’t Halloween, like, yesterday?)
Quick disclaimer: I am generally not a science fiction (or fantasy) person. Like most humans, I’ve seen all of the Star Wars and Star Trek movies, plus a few others that are set in space, like Apollo 13, but it is certainly not a genre I seek when I’m reading. This became a challenge when my online reading group’s September book needed to be a science fiction book. After a few false starts and research, I found this one.
And loved it.
Where to start while talking about The Loneliest Girl in the Universe? My first impression upon meeting teen Romy Silvers was that she reminded me of Disney’s Rapunzel in Tangled: smart, spunky, proactive, talented, productive, compassionate, and lonely. She’s also dependent. In the same way that Rapunzel was locked in a tower and fully dependent on Mother Gothel for news of the world and the fulfilling of her basic needs, Romy is dependent on NASA back on Earth. An Earth where she has never been.
Why? Because Romy is the first person ever born in space. And, due to an irreversible tragedy, she is now the commander of the Infinity and completely alone. Her only communication is with her psychologist, Molly. This segues to communicating with another lone space traveler. I could say more but I do not want to give anything away.
Let’s just say that the synapses in my Humanities major brain fired on all cylinders. I started thinking of the symbolism and ramifications of Romy’s predicament. The biggest one being trust. She has to decide who to trust, what to believe, and also what to share. Making yourself vulnerable to the wrong person can have dire consequences.
It also got me thinking about choices we make as regular non-space travelers. Each of us must decide how to use our time, how productive we want to be, and the level of social interaction in which we want to engage. Depending on whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, plus your individual circumstances of work and physical limitations, these are factors that every person must consider. Living in the digital age, where we can communicate instantly without speaking and socialize without leaving our homes, certainly has its positives, but there are downsides too.
Now, because my book group has certain review requirements this month (another challenge we are doing) let me address those:
Cover art: Like Rapunzel at her lone window, Romy looks out at a expansive universe that is full of potential and limitations. There is power in simplicity, and that is certainly evident here.
Character development/world building/plot/pacing/Style: As mentioned, I instantly liked Romy. Despite her situation and sheltered upbringing, she is a wonderful character with full-bodied emotions. As our narrator, Romy’s intelligent observations of her hopes, fears, and surroundings are what make this an incredibly immersive story. In many ways, we must trust and rely on her descriptions of the world she lives in as much as she must trust what she is told by NASA. Yet, as serious as her situation is, there are still light and funny moments as Romy make the best of things and tries to preserve her sanity when life becomes more difficult. A lesson for all of us.
Overall, I was extremely pleased with this book discovery. It is well-paced and engrossing. It is one that elicits many ideas and discussion points. And, while it is marketed as a Young Adult selection, I think anyone of that age or older would find it very interesting and thought-provoking.
9/10 Stars
(Entry in LiterALLy BOOKiSh Rave Review Challenge. Word usage: provoking, funny, talented, well-paced, intelligent, engrossing. Word count: 599)
This morning I saw an interesting post. Someone asked the question: “What was the last book you read that left you with a book hangover?” It got me thinking.
If you’re unaware, a book hangover can best be described as that feeling of numbness and mourning that happens when you finish a book that leaves you emotionally gutted. Some authors, like Diane Chamberlain and Brigid Kemmerer, are especially skilled at writing stories that have that effect on me. It’s probably why I keep going back to their books again and again.
Can a story still be great and not leave you with a book hangover? Absolutely! In fact, three of my favorite authors usually don’t (Katherine Center, Boo Walker, Mimi Matthews,) but I still find their writing engrossing and love their books. Like all reading, it’s a highly personal feeling. The important thing, hangover or not, is that special connection between an author’s work and the reader.
After seeing the original question, I went to Goodreads and browsed books I’ve read so far this year. There are lots, many of which I’ve rated very highly on this blog, but only fourteen qualify for the book hangover category. If you’re a reading slump, and it happens to all of us, I’m certain that one of these books will save you. Most have reviews on this site. Happy Reading!
Whiskey When We’re Dry, by John Larison
The Stolen Marriage, by Diane Chamberlain
More Than We Can Tell, by Brigid Kemmerer
The Escape Artist, by Diane Chamberlain
The Spectacular, by Fiona Davis (just released!)
The Last House On The Street, by Diane Chamberlain
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake, by Jenny Wingfield
AVAILABLE June 13, 2023
How often does the title of a book also describe it? Practically never. But such is the case with The Spectacular, by Fiona Davis, because it is, in a word…spectacular.
Set mostly in 1956, we follow nineteen year old dancer Marion Brooks. Stifled by an over-protective father and a jealous older sister, Marion abandons all caution and decides to audition for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Amazingly, she succeeds and is put through the exhausting grind of long hours, extreme physical exertion, and lofty expectations. Kick high and smile wide, no matter what.
The first half of the book gives us a backstage pass through Marion’s eyes and experiences: the euphoria of being on stage, the fear of disappointing her family, plus the friendships and intricacies of a young woman living independently during a very buttoned up time in history. Then suddenly, this already fascinating plot swerves in a new direction, turning The Spectacular into a suspenseful thriller.
While Marion is navigating the excitement of professional dance, the Big Apple Bomber is on his sixteenth year terrorizing the city. Pipe bombs are being left in public places such as libraries, phone booths, offices, and theaters. That’s right. Theaters. It is here that Marion’s story gains even more momentum and collides with actual events because these bombings really happened, becoming a case that pioneered the use of criminal profiling in police work and examining the role of severe mental illness as a possible cause for such crimes.
I went into this book with no real idea of what to expect and ended up absolutely mesmerized. Fiona Davis is an extraordinary writer who has created an incredibly immersive story. Marion Brooks is a riveting protagonist, as are the supporting characters in her orbit, all of whom are grappling with challenges and emotions that Davis brings to life in a realistic way. I could feel the energy of events while being transported to 1950s New York City, a living, breathing metropolis which is a character in itself. Its heartbeat echoes throughout the story’s action, romance, and drama with a pulsating rhythm that keeps the reader’s attention from start to finish.
Keep this book on your radar when it releases in June. It is exceptional.
10/10 Stars
One of the most satisfying things about reading a book is discovering a new author. One of the most frustrating is reading an excellent book that you’ve shelved for ages, wishing you’d read it sooner. With The Last House On The Street I’m two-for two. But operating on the philosophy that we often read books at the right time in our lives, I’ll be content that I eventually gave it a chance.
There are two timelines, which I understand from fellow readers is consistent with Diane Chamberlain’s books. The first takes place in modern day North Carolina when young widow, Kayla, and her daughter move into a new house in a new development. New except for one older house that has minimal activity except for a light going on here and there. Any sense of security is then shattered when an odd woman shows up at Kayla’s workplace and tells her to move, followed by disturbing notes and events around the house itself.
The second period is in the late Sixties at the height of the Civil Rights movement. Ellie Hockley, the twenty year old daughter of a prominent Southern family, has decided that her life lacks fulfillment. Then she learns about the SCOPE Project–Summer Community Organization and Political Education–designed to help and encourage Black people in poorer neighborhoods to register to vote. Against the wishes of her parents, boyfriend, and best friend, Ellie signs up with the project, convinced that this is the way to make her mark in the world.
The narration switches between Ellie and Kayla, leaving the reader to wonder how their lives will intersect. After all, their experiences are worlds and decades apart, with Ellie canvasing neighborhoods and seeing racism and violence firsthand while Kayla is dealing with her challenges forty years in the future. The dual stories meet in a clever and unique way, keeping me totally engrossed all the way to the end.
Everything about The Last House On The Street is well thought out and interesting. It’s part historical fiction and part suspense. I’ve never read a book quite like it before, but I definitely plan to read more by this author.
9.5/10 Stars
When was the last time you read a book that was so immersive, you felt numb after turning the last page? What about two books in a row? Numb, reeling, in awe, emotionally exhausted in a good way…that is me right now. What makes it even more unusual is that I never even heard of either of these books until very recently.
Whiskey When We’re Dry, an incredible debut novel by John Larison, and The Child Finder, by Rene Denfeld, need to go on your reading list ASAP. Are they sweet, comfortable reads? No. Both deal with unpleasant subjects. But presentation is everything and even unpleasant subjects can be handled in such a deft way that the power lies within the reader’s imagination. That, my bookish friends, is high quality writing.
Each of these stories centers around a female protagonist. Jess Harney in “Whiskey” and Naomi Cottle in “Child.” Both of them are motherless and isolated, forcing them to figure out on their own what it means to be a woman. Both have been through extreme hardship. Both use that hardship in positive ways to help others. Both sacrifice greatly.
Whiskey When We’re Dry is western historical fiction. Left alone on the family homestead in 1880’s Montana, Jessilyn Harney decides to find her last remaining relative, beloved older brother Noah. Dressed as a man and armed with above average shooting skills, she and her trusty mare, Ingrid, set off on an unimaginable adventure. Along the way, Jess encounters people of every sort, good and evil. She must defend herself, but she also learns from what she sees, tucking away that knowledge for the future. The most fascinating secondary characters are the women who come and go throughout Jess’s odyssey. Because of their limited choices, women did what they had to do to survive whether it was marriage, spinsterhood, masquerading as a man, or selling their bodies. Rich and poor, submissive and rebellious, frontier women and city women, Jess encounters them all. Knowledge and wisdom is exchanged. (The weaker sex? I think not.) The jaw-dropping ending will leave you gasping and Jess’s narrative voice is one of the best I’ve ever read.
9.5/10 Stars
The Child Finder is contemporary suspense. Naomi Cottle is a twenty-nine year old survivor of childhood abduction. She is one of the lucky ones, if you can call not knowing her parents and a deep mistrust of men lucky. But she’s alive and her foster home was a loving one. Now she is the “child finder,” a private investigator who makes it her mission to rescue missing children. She’s been hired to locate Madison Culver, who disappeared at age five from the Oregon forest. It’s been three years, so the chances she is alive are slim. Meanwhile, hidden away in an old cabin, live Mr. B and the Snow Girl. Their language is silent. Their relationship is odd. Snow Girl knows something isn’t right. There is friendship and there is terror, two things that cannot coexist forever. Some missing children are found alive and make something of their futures. Some always remain victims. The brilliance of this book is the way it shows both of these scenarios, as well as the fortitude that lies dormant within all of us until it is needed.
9.5/10 Stars
I recommend both of these books most highly. I found myself transported into other times and other worlds. They are undoubtedly raw, but the writing is magnificent. Both deserve accolades and attention.
Where do you go when you want to find pettiness, gossip, mayhem and murder? Look no further than the PBA (Parent Booster Association) in an upscale Connecticut town.
Regrets Only, by Kieran Scott is hilarious. A satirical look at a group of women who represent those committees we’ve pretty much all had to participate in at one time or another. There’s the Type A president, who ruthlessly clutches to her position as though her life depends on it (it does,) who overshadows and overachieves, basking in the glory of her success and leaving baffled and intimidated worker bees in her wake. That is Ainsley Aames Anderson. A triple Type A. Her name says it all.
With someone like Ainsley, you’re either a minion or an enemy. You do not question her. You do not compete with her. You certainly do not defy her. A tough lesson learned by her seemingly faithful entourage, Bee, Dayna, and Lanie. The outliers have a more difficult time. There’s working mother Nina, a successful accountant with more brains than charm, and the town’s prodigal daughter, single mom Paige Lancaster. Paige has returned to her hometown after being let go from a successful job writing crime shows in LA. She’s worldly and strong, the complete opposite of the submissive women who work with, um for, Ainsley. And it doesn’t help that Paige’s first love happens to be Ainsley’s husband.
Things fall apart at the PBA’s annual Parents and Pinot fundraising auction. By the end of the night the PBA president everyone loves to hate is dead. Suspects are everywhere. A surprising amount have access to weapons. Unsurprisingly, the blind adoration of Ainsley’s followers isn’t quite as blind as it once appeared. Using the alternating POVs of Paige, Lanie, Nina, and Dayna, we discover that few things (and people) are what they seem.
I really enjoyed Regrets Only. I’m giving it 9 stars because the ending fell a bit flat, but it’s still worth reading. It’s an honest commentary on suburban society. The seriousness and intensity at which these women view something as basic as a parent organization is extreme, yes, but not entirely untrue. We women can get a lot of things done, but the backroom plotting and politics are as old as time itself.
9/10 Stars
Jason Rich has failed at a lot of things in life: beating his alcohol dependency, relationships with women, and living up to his father’s expectations. Despite that, and thanks to a series of tacky billboards along the highway, Jason has still drummed up his own version of success as an ambulance-chasing personal injury lawyer.
When Jason is forced to defend his sister after she is charged with killing her husband, everything changes. Now he must transition to criminal law, reconnect with his splintered family, and enter the grimy world of drugs, dirty cops, and murder. Not an easy task for a man already on the state bar’s radar. Rich Blood gives us lots of expository information about Jason Rich’s personality, boundaries, background, and courtroom tactics.
In Rich Waters, Jason is blackmailed into defending a fallen local hero accused of killing a cop. His personal life is a mess, but he has his allies. Always on retainer are the three ex-military Tonidandel brothers, former Screaming Eagles who double as security and friends. Plus there is Izzy, his law partner; Harry, his investigator; and Ashley, his AA sponsor. This motley crew help to keep Jason grounded and safe, but are put at risk by a powerful enemy.
Well-written legal thrillers, like this series, are a fun way to break out of my reading comfort zone. There are lots of characters to keep track of, puzzle pieces to assemble, ongoing stories, plot twists, and reveals. I’ve become pretty skilled at pinpointing killers in murder mysteries, but both Jason Rich books kept me guessing until the very end. That’s a good thing. Plus we are treated to a very multi-faceted main character who is always fighting one demon or another, whether personal or professional.
Rich Waters ended with a very sewn-up conclusion, so I don’t know if more books will appear in the series, but I, for one, would like to see others. They are fast-paced, intelligent reads. I recommend both and to read them in order.
9/10 Stars for each book and for the series.
OK, this turned out a bit blurry! Sorry about that…
The facts are these: sometimes I’m in a reading mood, sometimes I’m in a blogging mood. Lately I’ve been in a reading mood! A lot. I will highlight a few from this month’s literary adventures.
Best Thriller: Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney. Yes, this extremely popular book lives up to the hype, even though it was nothing like what I expected. In true Agatha Christie fashion, a group of dysfunctional relatives gather at Grandma’s house for a weekend. Many go in, but few go out. All seen through the eyes of 13 year old Daisy. Great writing with a surprise ending. Recommended! (Some language.) 4.5/5 Stars on Goodreads
Best Classic: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, by R.A. Dick. I only recently discovered that one of my favorite classic films was first a book. And it was great! There are definitely some differences, as to be expected, but I really enjoyed this as original source material. It was fun to watch the movie again after reading it. 4/5 Stars on Goodreads
Best Cozy Mysteries: Send in the Clowns/Watching the Detectives/Cold as Ice, by Julie Mulhern. These are books 4-6 in the Country Club Murders series and they are just as fun as the ones preceding them. If you’re looking for a smart, escapist series, this is a great one! The writing is terrific and you’ll love the main characters, the headstrong Ellison and Detective Anarchy Jones. 4/5 Stars on Goodreads
Best Romantic Comedies: Pumpkin Spice and Not So Nice AND The Accidental Text, both by Becky Monson. They’re clean, there’s depth, and they tug at your heart. Pumpkin Spice and Not So Nice is a companion book to Jennifer Peel’s The Pumpkin and the Patch (which I read last month and loved.) The Accidental Text is about a twenty-something young woman who has recently lost her mother. She texts her mother’s phone number, pouring her heart out, as a way to deal with her grief. What she doesn’t know is that the number has already been given to someone else. I really loved this one. I recommend both books for a combination of clean, light romance with a splash of emotion. 4/5 Stars on Goodreads
Best Clean Romance: Mulberry Hollow, by Denise Hunter. This is an author whose work I want to pursue more. I just finished this book yesterday morning. It’s proof that you can have a romance with attraction, emotion, tension, and a satisfying story without steamy scenes. It could be marketed as a “Christian Romance,” but the Christian aspect is pretty minimal. The main characters, Avery and Wes, felt so real. I loved the privilege of looking into their lives. 4/5 Stars on Goodreads
Best Steamy Romance: Yours Until Dawn, by Teresa Medeiros. To be clear, I don’t go looking for steamy books. Sometimes, like in this case, the steam shows up halfway through the story. But, despite the blush-worthy scenes (which just about hit my steam limit) this is a fantastic historical romance. A young woman is employed to care for a recently blinded soldier. He’s cantankerous, demanding, and stubborn. She is undaunted, but also a bit mysterious. Then there’s a shocking twist I never saw coming (and I’m usually pretty good at predicting twists.) Again, there are some R-rated steamy scenes. I really wish there was a sanitized version because this is one of the best stories I’ve ever read. 5/5 Stars on Goodreads
Best Young Adult: Not If I See You First, by Eric Lindstrom. Another blind protagonist, high school junior Parker Grant is snarky, a runner, and bluntly honest. She’s high maintenance and she knows it. She also has a fierce love for those who stood by her in her darkest hours (literally) when she lost her sight at age seven. Navigating a new normal after she is orphaned, Parker must deal with her relatives, the drama of high school, and her own heart. The author does an amazing job writing the character of this complex girl. I was completely immersed in her world. (Some language.) 4/5 Stars on Goodreads
Best Fiction: Take Me With You, by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I love books that pair unlikely adults and kids together. Catherine Ryan Hyde is a master at this kind of story. Here we have a divorced science teacher who goes on a cross-country road trip, grieving for a son who recently died. While getting his RV serviced, he strikes up a conversation with the surly mechanic, a single father of two boys. When the mechanic reveals that he’s off to serve a prison sentence, he pleads with the man to take his sons on the road. It’s unusual, heartfelt, and keeps your attention. I recommend it. 4/5 Stars on Goodreads
The other 4 Star books are also worth your time, but these are the ones that affected me the most. Now, what will November bring? I have a few reads mapped out, but only time will tell!
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