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Showing posts with label Novellas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Novellas. Show all posts
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Christmas Novella Exudes Such a Strong Sense of Place It Will Leave You Longing For Your Own Ruby's
5:14 PM
(Image from author's website)
Once upon a time, folks in tiny Sullivan, Missouri, gathered at Ruby's Place—an elegant, family-friendly nightspot—to meet friends, celebrate special occasions, and dance the night away. A warm, welcoming refuge all throughout the year, Ruby's Place became even more inviting during Christmastime. Sparkling with holiday spirit, it seemed almost ... magical.
As a child, nothing delighted Angela Lowe more than her annual Christmas visit to Ruby's with her chic aunt. Just like Angela has changed over the years, so has Sullivan, and so has its once-beloved bar. Abandoned long ago, the building is a ramshackle ruin, its "For Lease" sign an optimistic plea to a deteriorating town. Its crumbling exterior mirrors Angela's own. Lonely and disappointed by life, she feels as hopeless as Ruby's Place looks.
A week away from Christmas, Angela happens past the old bar. As she peers through its grimy windows, seeking even a speck of its old holiday sparkle, she gets a shock courtesy of Ruby's "spirits." Still vibrant inside the moldering walls of the old nightspot, the ghosts of Christmases past are alive and well. Not only that, but they've got a plan for Angela Lowe ...
Christmas at Ruby's, a novella by Holly Schindler, tells a sweet holiday story about the power of hope. Its charming premise leads to an imaginative tale with such a strong sense of place that it will leave you longing for your own Ruby's Place. Or at least for a full-length novel featuring Ruby's and all its colorful inhabitants. If you're looking for a quick, heartwarming read to get you in the holiday spirit, look no further than Christmas at Ruby's. It's an engaging, uplifting tale perfect for these busy, fun-filled days leading up to the big holiday.
*At 99 cents for the e-book and only $6 for a paperback, Christmas at Ruby's is an affordable gift, perfect for holiday giving.*
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Christmas at Ruby's from the always generous Holly Schindler. Thank you!
Tuesday, August 09, 2016
Simple Yet Compelling Novella Fulfills Its Purpose and Entertains at the Same Time
11:14 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for The Hangman, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Armand Gamache mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
"'There's a killer in every village. In every home. In every heart,' Gamache said. 'All anyone needs is the right reason.'"
Three Pines is a peaceful hamlet hidden in the countryside between Quebec and the U.S. border. It's a place where friends meet in the cozy bistro, out-of-towners relax at the spa on the hill, and broken people from all over the globe come to mend. Violence seems incongruous with the town's warmth and beauty. And yet, the village has become a magnet for murder. Just ask Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûrete du Québec—Three Pines has practically become his second home.
The head of homicide is summoned to town once again when a jogger discovers a body hanging from a tree in the woods. Although the dead man was staying at the spa, he was doing so under an assumed name. Who was this "Arthur Ellis"? What was he doing in Three Pines? Did he come to the village to commit suicide or was he murdered? Armand Gamache will soon find out.
Although The Hangman features Louise Penny's iconic detective, the author says the novella isn't really part of the Armand Gamache series. Written as part of a literacy campaign to supply emergent adult readers with material suitable to their reading level, the story is, according to Penny, "Very clear, very simple. Not really the most complex plot or style, for obvious reasons." By publication date (2010), the novella fits in between Bury Your Dead and A Trick of the Light. Despite its shorter, simpler form, I found The Hangman both compelling and surprising. Naturally, it lacks the fullness of a longer Gamache mystery, which made it a less pleasurable (for me, anyway) read than Penny's thicker tomes. Still, I appreciate that The Hangman achieves the purpose for which it was created. I'm not an emergent reader, but I still enjoyed the read.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Armand Gamache series, including Still Life; A Fatal Grace; The Cruelest Month; A Rule Against Murder; The Brutal Telling; Bury Your Dead; A Trick of the Light; The Beautiful Mystery; How the Light Gets In; The Long Way Home; The Nature of the Beast; and A Great Reckoning)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs) and violence
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Hangman from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.)
Saturday, August 06, 2016
Quick, Timely Read Another Winner for Bolton
10:03 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for If Snow Hadn't Fallen, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Now You See Me. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
It's only been a few weeks since Lacey Flint did battle with a Jack the Ripper copycat killer. Emotionally and physically spent from the ordeal, the 29-year-old detective constable has been ordered to rest up in her South London flat. Off-duty though she is supposed to be, Lacey can't ignore a call for back-up that comes over the police scanner. She rushes to the scene just in time to witness a Muslim man being burned to death.
The horrific murder of Aamir Chowdhury—a very private 29-year-old doctor—shocks Lacey to her core. She can't un-see the flames that consumed his body. Vowing to find Aamir's killer no matter the cost, she flings herself into solving the baffling case. Twists abound in the investigation, leading Lacey down more sinister paths than she could ever imagine.
If Snow Hadn't Fallen by Sharon Bolton is a novella that fits neatly between Now You See Me and Dead Scared, the first two books in the author's riveting Lacey Flint series. Like the other installments, it's an exciting read with a surprise ending. The problem at the story's core is both timely and compelling making If Snow Hadn't Fallen even more impacting. The shorter format ensures a quick read, which will definitely appeal to Lacey Flint fans who want a juicy tidbit to snack on between bigger "meals." If you're a fan of this dark, twisty series (as I definitely am), you won't want to miss If Snow Hadn't Fallen.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Lacey Flint series, including Now You See Me; Dead Scared; Lost; A Dark and Twisted Tide; and Here Be Dragons [novella])
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs) and violence
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of If Snow Hadn't Fallen from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Novella Collection a Quick, Swoony Read (With a Giveaway!)
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect time for a little romance. Fictional ones are particularly nice since they always end with a swoony HEA (Happily Ever After). This is especially true in Love Unexpected: A Storybook Romance. The new collection includes three sigh-worthy novellas by favorite LDS authors Melanie Jacobson, Jennifer K. Clark and Julie Daines.
Since I'm a big Jacobson fan, it's no surprise that her contribution, Storybook Romance, was my favorite of the three. The story stars Ellie Hanover, a 20-something New York City book editor who loves championing quality novels. Her old boss trusted her instincts; with his passing, the publishing house where she works is being run by a shrewd woman whom Ellie has never liked. Apparently, the feeling is mutual. When Ellie plucks a promising novel out of the slush pile, she hopes she can convince her boss to take on the project. Especially since the more Ellie chats online with its author, the harder she's falling for him.
The second novella, He Loves Me Not by Jennifer K. Clark, revolves around Kenedee Roberts, a young woman who manages the office of a river rafting company in Utah. She's in love with her handsome boss who, despite having a girlfriend, leaves fresh flowers on Kenedee's desk every morning. As soon as the timing is right, she knows he'll make his move. Can she stand to wait around for him? Or will Kenedee have to take matters into her own hands?
Fools of Us All by Julie Daines rounds out the collection. It features Jane Ricks, a 26-year-old who's always lived in the shadow of her dynamic twin sister. While Jennica is off trying to become a star, Jane's home taking care of their mother, who's been physically and mentally disabled since the car accident that killed the girls' abusive father. When Mason McIntyre, the guy Jane has pined for since high school, asks her out, she can't say no. Even though Mason thinks she's Jennica. Will the case of mistaken identity end in disaster or a destiny more delightful than Jane ever could have imagined?
While the first and last stories appealed to me more than the middle one (which just seemed silly and far-fetched), all of them are light, clean, and romantic. Predictable, of course, but fun, too. At 162 pages, the whole book can be enjoyed in an hour or so. If you're in the mood for a quick, heart-happy read, look no further.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Melanie Jacobson's novels, The List; Not My Type; Twitterpated; Smart Move; Second Chances; and Painting Kisses)
Grade:
(for the whole collection)
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for nothing offensive -- the stories are just geared toward adult readers (although they're perfectly appropriate for teens)
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To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Love Unexpected: A Storybook Romance from Covenant in exchange for taking part in the book's blog tour. Follow along on the tour here:
*Jan. 12th: http://mybookaday.
*Jan. 13th: http://
*Jan. 14th: http://
*Jan. 15th: http://lisaisabookworm.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, December 29, 2014
Another Spunky Kagen Narrator = Another Series to Love
1:40 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With their daddy recently deceased, it's Tess and Birdie against the world. Or, at least against their mother. Beautiful, bitter Louise has never quite understood her daughters, whom the neighbors have labeled the "Finley ghouls." If she gets wind of Birdie's newest quirk—believing her father is not dead at all, just living it up in Boca Raton—Louise is sure to lock her younger, slower daughter up in the insane asylum for good. Which is why Tess has to convince Birdie of the truth. Their lighthearted, jokester of a dad is dead. No one knows that better than Tess; after all, she's the one who killed him.
Filled with grief and fear, young Tess must use all her (considerable) pluck and grit to save her aggravating, but beloved little sister. She believes she's on her own until help comes along in the most unlikely of forms ...
With her warm prose and spunky characters, Lesley Kagen has quickly written her way into my heart. I've loved all of the books I've read by her. So, really, it's no surprise that I adored The Undertaking of Tess as well. Although it's just a novella, the story overflows with bright, vivid life. Tess is my favorite kind of child narrator—not only is she funny, brave, and loyal (at least to her sister), but she is authentically so. Seen through her innocent eyes, her story rings ever more true, ever more heart-wrenching, ever more hopeful.
I missed the Finley sisters the minute I finished this novella. Thankfully, Kagen continues their story in her new novel, The Resurrection of Tess Blessing. I seriously can't wait to see what happens to Tess next!
(Readalikes: The Resurrection of Tess Blessing as well as Whistling in the Dark and Good Graces, all by Lesley Kagen)
Grade:
I missed the Finley sisters the minute I finished this novella. Thankfully, Kagen continues their story in her new novel, The Resurrection of Tess Blessing. I seriously can't wait to see what happens to Tess next!
(Readalikes: The Resurrection of Tess Blessing as well as Whistling in the Dark and Good Graces, all by Lesley Kagen)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs) and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a finished copy of The Undertaking of Tess with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Creepy-Crawly Swamp Murder Mystery Entertaining and Compelling
8:40 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Swamp Bones, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Tempe Brennan books. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
When forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan visits a friend in Florida, she expects to spend her vacation relaxing in the sun. No such luck. Almost as soon as she steps foot into The Sunshine State, she's drawn into a puzzling mystery. Finding human remains inside a dead, 18-foot long Burmese python is a new one for Tempe, but "reading" bones is certainly not. It's what she does, what she knows, where she excels. Her diagnosis? These bones come from a murdered human.
The search for the victim's identity leads Tempe into the strange world of python hunting. Each year, hundreds of wildlife wranglers flock to the Everglades for a 30-day, Fish and Wildlife-sanctioned snake hunt. They track Burmese pythons, competing for prize money and bragging rights, while helping the state control the insidious, overpopulated species. The question is: Who was hunting more than snakes? And why? Tempe is determined to find out who killed the poor woman whose remains she keeps finding inside the bellies of wild animals. So much for a vacation.
I love Kathy Reichs' Tempe Brennan series, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this one (in spite of the fact that it made my skin crawl). As always with her books, I learned plenty of new things—not that I really wanted to know anything about giant snakes and other Everglades critters (yuck!), but still ... she took me inside a vivid, intriguing world that I never knew about before. Tempe is, of course, an entertaining narrator. Her brushes with the local yokels are comical, her adventures always suspenseful and exciting. If you're a Tempe fan, you definitely don't want to miss out on her capers in the Everglades. The e-novella is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Tempe Brennan series, including Deja Dead; Death Du Jour; Deadly Decisions; Fatal Voyage; Grave Secrets; Bare Bones; Monday Mourning; Cross Bones; Break No Bones; Bones to Ashes; Devil Bones; 206 Bones; Spider Bones; Flash and Bones; Bones Are Forever; Bones in Her Pocket (e-novella); Bones of the Lost; and Bones Never Lie)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Swamp Bones from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
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