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Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Virginia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Virginia. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2021
Miranda's Newest My Least Favorite of Her Twisty Thrillers
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Hollow's Edge used to be the kind of quiet, idyllic neighborhood that everyone wants to live in. Kids ran in and out of each other's houses, friends chatted amiably on the streets, and neighbors gathered around the community pool for summer cookouts. Then, Brandon and Fiona Truett were killed in their home and a fellow Hollow's Edge resident was convicted of the crime. Now, the neighborhood is a tainted place, a haunted subdivision where suspicion, paranoia, and secrets swirl in the air like the barbecue-scented smoke that once drifted lazily over its tree-lined streets.
When 25-year-old Ruby Fletcher is freed from prison, her conviction overturned after she served a year and a half for murdering the Truetts, her former neighbors are shocked. They're even more stunned when she waltzes back into Hollow's Edge as if she never left. Harper Nash, with whom Ruby lived before her arrest, is so astounded by the woman's sudden presence that she doesn't know how to react. She can't let Ruby take up where she left off as if nothing happened, but she also can't kick her out when she has nowhere else to go. Ruby swears she didn't kill the Truetts. If she's telling the truth, then who's lying? What really happened the night Brandon and Fiona died? As Harper takes a closer look at her neighbors, she begins to realize that none of them are quite what they seem. Did one of them kill the Truetts and frame Ruby? If Harper asks too many questions, will she be next?
I've enjoyed all of Megan Miranda's twisty thrillers, so I was stoked when I got approved on NetGalley for an e-ARC of her newest, Such a Quiet Place (available July 13, 2021). With its Desperate Housewives-ish premise, it sounded like the perfect summer beach read. As always with Miranda's books, I was sucked into the story, which is engrossing and compelling. I whipped through the pages because I wanted to know what was going to happen. Unfortunately, though, the characters in this one are just not appealing. For a community made up of smart professionals, they're petty, immature, whiny, two-faced, and dishonest, almost to a one. Even the kids in Hollow's Edge are unlikable! The cast members are all so repugnant that it's hard to care much about any of them. The plot has some odd bits as well, especially when it comes to shoddy police work and illogical motives for some of the characters' actions. I can't say I really loved the Big Reveal either. In the end, then, Such a Quiet Place ended up being just an okay read for me. While the story kept me turning pages, it also irritated me in a lot of ways. Of all Miranda's books, I have to say this one is my least favorite. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson and The Neighbors are Watching by Debra Ginsberg)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Such a Quiet Place from the generous folks at Simon & Schuster via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Wednesday, March 03, 2021
Like Many Voyages, The Family Ship Takes A Long Time to Get Anywhere
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"The ship, Verity realized, was their true church because they went there to show respect for order, for diligence, for their higher, more disciplined selves. Sure, it was made-up, but what difference did that make?" (quote from an uncorrected e-ARC of The Family Ship, 11%)
When Arthur and Maeve Vergennes bought their home on an isolated inlet of the Chesapeake Bay, an old oyster boat came with the property. They christened the grounded vessel Nepenthe. Over the years, Arthur has used it to teach his nine children some of the discipline he gained while serving with the Navy in Korea. Not only has it served as an elaborate playground for the kids, but through their many imaginary voyages they have formed themselves into a tight crew that values duty, dedication, and their father's family-first approach to life.
Unlike her 14-year-old sister, who's grown embarrassed by the childish doings on Nepenthe, 18-year-old Verity still spends a lot of her time entertaining her younger siblings by planning and executing daring escapades. Lately, though, she's feeling the weight of her responsibility. Unbeknownst to her parents, she's applied to an out-of-state school. She knows her father—who values family over everything else and intends for her to live at home while attending a local community college—will see it as a betrayal. Especially since Verity's older brother, Jude, has already abandoned them. Between Arthur's unwillingness to let her go and her mother's newest pregnancy, which is becoming increasingly worrisome, Verity feels trapped between duty to her family and her desire for a life of her own. When tragedy strikes, she starts to realize just how alone she and her siblings really are. Can they keep the family together when everything around them is falling apart? Can the teamwork that unites them on Nepenthe save them as things go hopelessly awry? If family love is supposed to cradle you in its protective arms, why does Verity feel like she's being suffocated by the very people who are supposed to love her most?
There's a lot to love about The Family Ship, the newest novel by Sonja Yoerg. The idea of an old ship as both playground and school is a fun one. The warm, large-family chaos described in the book rings true, especially for someone who's part of a big brood, like me. I definitely relate to Verity's plight. While Arthur's a complicated character, his dedication to his family makes him admirable, if not always understandable. His wife is unrealistically angelic (I mean, c'mon, no stay-at-home mom adores all of her children every second of every day) but still likable. While the kids all kind of blend together at times (which is true-to-life in a large clan), they have distinct personalities which make them feel like a believable bunch. Their story involves some tough subject matter, but overall it's a hopeful tale, something I always appreciate in a family saga.
My biggest problem with The Family Ship is that it drags on and on and on without really going anywhere. I kept checking how far I'd read and being shocked when my Kindle said only "30%" or "47%." Although the action picks up toward the end of the book, the story definitely drags and gets dull. So, even though I enjoyed being enveloped in the Vergennes' lively household, I still wanted their tale to be more dynamic and exciting. It's compelling, don't get me wrong. It just takes Yoerg a loooonnnggg time to tell it. In the end, then, I liked The Family Ship, but its wordiness and lack of plot made reading it more of a slog than it should have been. Bummer. I really wanted to love this one.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little bit of The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus occasional milder expletives), violence, and disturbing subject matter (including a brief attempted rape scene)
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Family Ship from the generous folks at Lake Union Publishing via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, February 04, 2021
Does the Appealing Outweigh the Annoying in Cozy Series Opener? Maybe, Maybe Not.
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Quinn Caine has always loved her quaint hometown of Vienna, Virginia. After attending college and teaching English abroad, the 25-year-old is back to stay. Working as a book binder at her family's charming shop will hopefully let her make a decent living while spending time with her kin and getting reacquainted with old friends. With her German Shepherd, Ruff Barker Ginsburg, by her side, she's all set to make a new life for herself in Vienna.
The past comes calling when snooty Tricia Pemberley goes out of her way to flash her new engagement ring in Quinn's face. The former beauty queen, who's set to marry an old flame of Quinn's, loves to stir up drama where there isn't any. Quinn couldn't care less about the pending nuptials, but when Tricia ends up dead, suspicion turns her way. With the help of Sister Daria—her cousin-turned-nun—Quinn vows to clear her name. Although Detective Aiden Harrington—her older brother's hot friend-turned-cop—warns her against Nancy Drew-ing her way into trouble, Quinn won't rest until she finds out who really killed Tricia. Can she solve the case before she becomes the next victim? Or will her new life in Vienna end before it ever really begins?
To Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid is the first book in a new cozy mystery series starring Quinn Cane. Vienna is a real Virginia town and it makes for an appealing background. Kincaid creates a warm fictional community for Quinn that is composed of a tight-knit family, quirky townsfolk, a hip nunnery, and a lovable canine. This is by far my favorite thing about To Kill a Mocking Girl, which is otherwise a pretty so-so tale. The mystery is predictable, the plot is contrived, and the interactions between certain characters (Quinn and Tricia, for instance) are melodramatic and silly. Quinn comes off as likable, but also ditzy and immature. And she is not at all convincing as a bookbinder. Despite these irritants, the book is upbeat, entertaining, and fun. I'm still trying to decide whether the annoying things about this first installment outweigh its more agreeable aspects. Will I give the next one a go? Maybe, maybe not. We'll see.
(Readalikes: Most of the cozies I read are more culinary in nature, so I'm drawing a bit of a blank here. Ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Appalachian Midwifery Novel Engaging and Uplifting
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Ashley Tolliver is a 29-year-old nurse-midwife who descends from a long line of women dedicated to caring for Appalachian mothers and babies. Everyone in the small community of Brooksburg, Virginia, knows they can trust her to treat them with kindness, discretion, and skill. Although Ashley longs to attend medical school, she's as loyal to her patients as they are to her. They need her more than she needs an M.D.
In the six years Ashley has been working as a midwife, she's sure she's seen it all. Then a young mother is abducted minutes after giving birth in Ashley's home office. Bleeding profusely, the new mom needs to be in the hospital, as does her newborn. Desperate to get the pair the emergency medical attention they need, Ashley vows to find them.
Ashley's in the middle of dealing with the crisis when Hunter McDermott shows up at her door. A 32-year-old engineer from Arlington, he's searching for the Appalachian birth mother he never knew he had. As she helps the handsome adoptee uncover the real story of his birth and ancestry, Ashley finds herself reconsidering both her professional goals and the possibilities of an unexpected romance. Could everything she's ever wanted really be waiting for her just beyond the hills her family has always called home? Does she have the courage to put her needs before her patients' for once? Or will she forever be the woman who delivers children for others but never has a family of her own?
Ever since Call the Midwife aired, people have become fascinated with the profession—and by "people," I mean me. I'm also drawn to stories about Appalachia, so The Mountain Midwife by Laurie Alice Eakes was kind of a no-brainer read for me. Did I end up adoring the novel? No. Did I enjoy it overall? I did. Although I found Ashley's sometimes holier than thou attitude annoying, she's still a brave, dedicated, hardworking heroine for whom I had no trouble rooting. The novel's setting intrigued me, of course, and I appreciated Eakes' sympathetic but balanced portrayal of Appalachia's hill people. Plot-wise, The Mountain Midwife is engaging and compelling. When I picked this book up, I didn't realize it was a Christian novel; thankfully, the book's religious elements are mostly subtle and not too preachy. Just the way I prefer them. On the whole, then, The Mountain Midwife worked for me as it's clean, uplifting, and entertaining. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from Eakes.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman as well as Call the Midwife, which is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scenes of peril, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Second Nichelle Clarke Mystery Almost as Entertaining as First
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Buried Leads, it may inadvertently spoil plot surprises from its predecessor, Front Page Fatality. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
With aspirations of reporting for The Washington Post, 28-year-old journalist Nichelle Clarke is always on the hunt for career-making news stories. When a corpse wearing an Armani suit is discovered in the woods, Nichelle is the first on the scene. The dead man's identity as a high-profile lawyer and tobacco lobbyist turns the story into an even juicier tale than Nichelle first imagined. As she digs into his shady dealings, she uncovers a trail of dirty deeds. Then, another body with connections to the first is found in a dumpster. Who is offing people and why?
Determined to track down the murderer, Nichelle puts herself in the sights of a brutal killer. Despite warnings from her sexy Mafia informant and a handsome old friend, she won't stop until she uncovers the truth. Even if hers is the next designer-clad corpse to turn up in a shallow grave.
Buried Leads is the second installment in LynDee Walker's enjoyable mystery series starring the intrepid, shoe-obsessed Nichelle Clarke. I didn't like it quite as much as the first book, but this one is still fun, exciting, and engrossing. Nichelle is an entertaining narrator who's likable and funny. The fact that she always has guys swooning over her gets annoying, especially since none of them has much personality. Still, I'm enjoying this series and will definitely continue reading it.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Nichelle Clarke series, including Front Page Fatality; Small Town Spin; Devil in the Deadline; Cover Shot; Lethal Lifestyles; Deadly Politics; and Hidden Victims)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Buried Leads with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, December 09, 2019
Mystery Series Debut a Pleasant Surprise
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Journalist Nichelle Clark has one dream—to work as an investigative reporter for The Washington Post. In order to earn such a coveted job, the 28-year-old first has to prove herself capable, which means she needs a major story, the kind that will grab the attention of the bigwigs at the Post. With more seasoned reporters gunning for every lead, Nichelle has to fight for every crumb she can get. When her "cops and courts" beat at the struggling Richmond Telegraph finally lands her a prime story, she can't wait to dive in. As the deadly police boat collision she's investigating turns from accident to suspected homicide, Nichelle knows she's stumbled on a story that could make her whole career.
The deeper Nichelle digs, however, the more dangerous her life becomes. Suddenly, she's dealing with missing evidence, drug dealers, and a sexy Mafia man whose sudden appearances at her home make her heart race—in more ways than one. Add to that a bitter rivalry with the office bimbo and a handsome new colleague whose intentions she can't quite figure out and Nichelle's got a lot on her shoulders. Can her designer stilettos hold up under the pressure? Will Nichelle live long enough to sort her business and nab the story of a lifetime? Or will the examination of Nichelle's murdered body be the next item on the coroner's to-do list?
I downloaded Front Page Fatality, the first installment in LynDee Walker's Nichelle Clarke mystery series, because it was cheap on Kindle (right now it's only $3.99). If I had seen its original cover (above right), I would have kept my distance, but the new art plus a compelling plot summary made me want to give this one a chance. I have to say, I'm glad I did. The book turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the newsroom setting, which felt very authentic thanks to Walker's extensive experience as an investigative reporter. Despite Nichelle's sometimes annoying fashion and shoe fetishes, I found her to be an appealing heroine. She's confident, funny, tough, and determined. Plotwise, Front Page Fatality doesn't offer anything outstanding or original; still, it's compelling. I definitely wanted to know what was going to happen next. It's not my favorite mystery series debut or anything, but I've already bought the next two books in the series, so that says a lot about how much I enjoyed Front Page Fatality.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Nichelle Clarke series by LynDee Walker)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, and innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Front Page Fatality with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Mystery/Courtroom Drama Intriguing, But Still Just an Okay Read for Me
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Not everyone is on board with the idea of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), but that's the business Pak and Young Yoo run out of their garage. Using a submarine-like chamber, the Korean immigrants offer the treatment to patients suffering from everything from infertility to cerebral palsy to autism. While some tout the miraculous healing power of pressurized oxygen, others are skeptical, while still others will stop at nothing to get the Yoos' operation shut down. When their "Miracle Submarine" explodes, killing two people and leaving Pak paralyzed, the Yoos become the center of a fierce legal battle to determine who was at fault.
As the trial progresses, revealing ugly secrets about everyone involved, it provides more questions than answers. How did the explosion happen? Was it an accident or the result of the Yoos' negligence? Did someone purposely rig the submarine to explode? If so, who? And why? Did the Yoos do it in order to collect the insurance money needed to send their daughter to college? Were the protestors on-site that day desperate enough to risk people's lives to prove their point? Or was it Elizabeth Ward, the exhausted mother of a little boy with too many problems, trying to put them both out of their misery? At the heart of the matter is one very big question: How far will parents go to save their children? When the truth finally comes out, it will shock everyone, changing lives forever.
Miracle Creek, a debut by Angie Kim, is an absorbing novel that examines some very intriguing questions. It's depressing as can be, but also compelling and thought-provoking. Most of the characters are empathetic if not exactly likable; it's their stories that really bring the novel to life. Parents, especially those of children with disabilities, will identify with characters like Elizabeth Ward, Teresa Santiago, and Kitt Kozlowski—all of whom are fervently seeking ways to deal with kids with severe challenges. Readers may not agree with their individual choices, but they can at least understand the motivations that propel them. In the end, while I found Miracle Creek engrossing and its storyline interesting, it turned out to be just an okay read for me. I liked it, didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of novels by Celeste Ng)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, blood/gore, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Miracle Creek from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, February 06, 2019
Female Civil War Soldiers Novel a Good (Enough) Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When her young husband joins the Confederate Army, Libby Beale Tanner knows he may never come home. Still, she's not at all prepared to be a widow almost before she's had a chance to be a bride. Haunted by the loss, Libby's overwhelming grief takes on a disturbing singlemindedness. Obsessed with avenging her husband by killing one Union soldier to represent each of the dead man's twenty years of life, she disguises herself as a man and joins the Army herself.
Although Josephine Beale never liked her sister's cocky husband, she's devastated to see her beloved Libby so overtaken by sadness. When she discovers Libby's cockamamie plan to enlist, Josephine begs her sister not to be so foolhardy. When Libby refuses to back down, Josephine does the only thing she can to protect her—she enlists, too.
Rechristened Thomas and Joseph Holden, the women join a big, bloody war that will rock them to their cores in ways they could never have predicted. Tormented nightly by her husband's angry ghost, Libby slowly descends into madness. Struck by Cupid's arrow, Josephine is going crazy in a different way. Desperate to keep their identities both concealed and intact, the sisters struggle to remain sane in a world gone utterly mad.
I find the subject of women disguising themselves as men to serve in the Civil War endlessly fascinating. These based-on-a-true-story accounts showcase the courage and devotion that drove real women to join the cause, whether it was in an effort to stay close to a loved one, earn money for their families, or simply to prove themselves in a time when they were limited by the constraints of being a "lady". Sisters of Shiloh, penned by sisters Kathy and Becky Hepinstall, is an interesting depiction of what two Southern women may have experienced while serving as Confederate soldiers. Although the characters are not well developed, the sisters are both sympathetic story people. Their tale is one of survival; as such, it's episodic, meandering, and even a little dull at times. Despite this, a plodding pace, and some overdone prose, though, I liked Sisters of Shiloh well enough to finish it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe and Women of the Blue and Gray by Marianne Monson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Sisters of Shiloh with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Dual-Timeline Southern Ghost Story An Enjoyable, Moving Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Nothing could take a devoted desert conservationist away from her beloved Arizona—except for true love. Marielle never intended to fall for someone who doesn't live locally, but that's what happened when she accidentally met Carson Bishop online. Despite their quick courtship, she's thrilled to be marrying the 40-year-old widower and becoming stepmom to his two young children. She's not quite as pumped about moving into Holly Oak, Carson's first wife's ancestral mansion in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It's a beautiful, stately home steeped in history, and the only one the kids have ever known. Hudson and Brette will inherit Holly Oak when its current owner dies. Until then, the children will continue living there with Carson and his new wife. Undaunted by the salacious Civil War ghost stories that surround the old estate, Marielle's a little more concerned about its living relic—Carson's 89-year-old grandmother-in-law, Adelaide McClane. Marielle and her new family will be the intimidating old lady's house guests until she passes.
With little else to occupy her mind while her husband works in D.C. and her stepchildren are at school, Marielle decides to investigate Holly Oak's (alleged) resident ghost. Sullied by rumors that she worked as a spy for the North, Susannah Page was branded a traitor to her Southern roots. Does the old apparition seek vengeance by cursing her female ancestors? Considering the fates of all the women connected to Holly Oak, a place which seems "stuck in a strange limbo of regret" (24), it certainly seems so. Good thing the mansion's newest resident doesn't believe in ghosts. Or does she?
A Sound Among the Trees (2011) is one of Susan Meissner's older novels, but one whose premise especially appeals to me. Give me a mysterious old home brimming with tragedy, ghosts and family secrets and I'm one happy reader! While this one didn't turn out to be my favorite of this type of novel (Kate Morton is the queen of this genre, in my [not so] humble opinion), I still enjoyed it. With a rich, atmospheric setting and a compelling plot, it was easy to get absorbed in the tale. True, the characters are a little blah, but their problems still interested me. Overall, A Sound Among the Trees tells a beautiful story about redemption, resilience, and making peace with the past. It's a clean, moving read that I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys dual-timeline novels set in the American South.
(Readalikes: The structure/style remind me of other dual-timeline novels by Susan Meissner as well as books by Kate Morton)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and brief, non-graphic references to sex and rape
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Civil War Novel an Ode to Strength and Spirit of Women Warriors
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With constant talk of the war, it's no surprise that the boys of Flat Creek, New York, are eager to join up. Rosetta knows it's only a matter of time before Jeremiah Wakefield, the boy she's always loved, enlists. She can't stand the thought of her beloved in harm's way, even if the money he'll earn will get them a whole lot closer to their shared dream of marrying and buying a farm of their own. Even though they wed before Jeremiah leaves, Rosetta is still plagued by anxiety and worry. She can't sit at home idling her days away, so she disguises herself as a boy and secretly follows her husband into battle.
Jeremiah isn't exactly thrilled when he discovers what Rosetta's done, but she's determined to see it through. With both of them earning a soldier's pay, they can buy their farm even faster. If both of them survive the war, which grows increasingly more desperate and bloody by the second. As Rosetta works to prove herself as capable as any other soldier, she'll have to face the greatest dangers and struggles of her life. With comrades dying all around her, Rosetta fears she'll never make it home alive. Will Jeremiah and the other Flat Creek boys ever return to their farms and families? What of the glittering dream that's driving Rosetta on? Will it come to pass? Or will everything—and everyone—she loves become just another casualty of war?
Inspired by the hundreds of real women who served in the Civil War in various capacities, I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe honors the strength and spirit of female warriors who fought for the right to battle alongside their husbands, sons, and countrymen. And held their own. Rosetta embodies everything admirable about those real-life women—she's brave, loyal, compassionate, and tough. Her story is an intriguing one, with lots of tension and adventure to keep the reader turning pages. For me, the most fascinating part of a historical novel is often the Author's Note at the end which talks about the real stories behind the fiction and this one was no exception. I had no idea how many women served in the war—I'm definitely planning to read more about these real-life heroines (starting with the reading suggestions McCabe offers on her website)
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of I Shall Be Near to You from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, February 03, 2018
Twisty Psychological Thriller For Teens an Engrossing, Entertaining Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Kelsey Thomas lives in a fortress. Her isolated home in Virginia's Green Mountains is surrounded by electrified fences and rigged with security cameras and alarm systems. There's a well-stocked safe room in the basement. It's hardly a crime-ridden neighborhood, but the extreme measures are what Kelsey's mother needs in order to feel safe. After escaping abduction seventeen years ago and bearing her captor's child (Kelsey), Kelsey's mom has not left her fortified home. It's only because of Child Protective Services that Kelsey's allowed to leave—she's now required to attend high school in town. Frustrated by her mom's paranoia, Kelsey craves the small amount of freedom she's been given.
Although Kelsey has promised her mother she will not call attention to herself, she's involved in a dramatic car accident and subsequent rescue mission that is covered by the media. Ryan Baker, an 18-year-old volunteer fireman, is her rescuer and a boy for whom she can definitely see herself falling. Before Kelsey really has a chance to explore the attraction, her agoraphobic mother disappears. Knowing she would not have left her house unless forced, Kelsey starts to panic. That's when things get crazy. Suddenly, she finds herself confronted by a relentless enemy and the dark truths about her mother's past. When the safest house in Covington, Virginia, becomes the most dangerous place to be, can Kelsey make it out alive?
If propulsive psychological thrillers are your jam (and they certainly are mine), you need to check out Megan Miranda. Her twisty novels never fail to engross me. The Safest Lies, a psychological thriller for teens, is no exception. The adrenaline-fueled plot kept me whipping through pages, desperate to know what was going to happen next. Although the finale seemed a little anti-climatic given other things that happen in the book, overall I found The Safest Lies to be an entertaining and satisfying read.
(Readalikes: Other books by Megan Miranda)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Despite Heavy Themes, Prince Street Is Both Balanced and Bolstering
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Seventeen years ago, two drunk teenage girls were in a car accident. One died, one survived. Plagued with guilt for killing her best friend, Lisa Smyth spent the next few years drowning her sorrows in copious amounts of wine and booze. Grief-stricken by the death of her older sister, Jennifer, good girl Rae McDonald made a string of poor decisions, which ended with her pregnant at 16. After placing her baby for adoption, Rae sealed off her emotions, vowing never to let her life spin out of control again. Now 32, she's a family therapist widely known to have a heart of stone. Rae thinks she has put the past firmly behind her, but when Lisa returns to Alexandria, her arrival stirs up all kinds of buried emotions. An out-of-the-blue e-mail from her biological son creates its own whirlwind, turning Rae's rigidly ordered life completely upside down.
As if Rae didn't have enough to worry about already, an enthusiastic salvage artist and local history buff has unearthed artifacts relating to the McDonalds' long history in Alexandria. The woman's research brings up even more secrets from the past, making Rae wonder if her family has been cursed from the moment they stepped foot on American soil. Lisa's kin have been likewise unlucky. As the vagabond wet-plate photographer struggles to find her place in Alexandria while caring for her ailing aunt, she'll discover startling truths about herself as well. Like how fragile is her control over her alcoholism, despite the many sobriety chips hanging from her keychain ...
Can the two women come together despite the still-raw pain that looms between them? Can they break the curses of the past to create a healthier, happier future? Or are they doomed to live lives as solitary and painful as those of their ancestors?
The View From Prince Street by Mary Ellen Taylor is a warm-hearted novel about fighting fate by taking control of your past, present and future. A tribute to friendship and forgiveness, it's also about finding and facing hard truths. Despite its heavy themes, the story feels not oppressive, but balanced. True, I would have liked the setting to come alive a little more. I would have also enjoyed better development of the male characters in the book. Tighter plotting (the novel often seemed overly long) would have been good as well. Overall, though, The View From Prince Street is a pleasant, uplifting read that both intrigued and entertained me.
(Readalikes: This book often refers to characters from Taylor's other novels set in Alexandria. Although I haven't read any of them, I would assume The View from Prince Street is similar to The Union Street Bakery; At the Corner of King Street; and Sweet Expectations)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs)
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The View From Prince Street from the generous folks at Berkley Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Tale of Friendship Shows Slavery Isn't Just About the Color of One's Skin
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Life is unbearably cruel for a 12-year-old Virginian girl who's been little more than a servant to her pa and brothers since her mother died in childbirth. Abused daily by the males, she longs for escape. For freedom. When a runaway slave named Zenobia comes begging for help, the girl hides her, knowing she risks her own life to do so. Protecting Zenobia gives the girl an idea—maybe she can run for her freedom, too.
Hiding during the day, running at night, the girls flee toward a Quaker settlement called Watertown. As they dodge slave traders and other dangers, the two form a strong friendship. Zenobia gives the girl a name—Lark—and shows her that, despite Lark's pale skin, the girls are more alike than different. But will they accomplish their shared goal? Will they reach freedom? The girls would rather die than go back to their former lives—and that may be exactly what happens.
Running Out of Night, the debut novel of non-fiction writer Sharon Lovejoy, tells a tense, triumphant story about two brave girls fighting for the right to control their own destinies. Drawing on old family letters as well as Lovejoy's lifelong interest in nature, gardening, and ethnobotany, it offers a unique twist on a familiar story. I enjoyed it.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Black Angels by Linda Beatrice Brown)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
YA Military School Novel A Fast-Paced, Girl-Power Thrill Ride
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Sam McKenna's never been able to back down from a dare. Especially when it comes from her older brother, Amos. In the wake of his suicide, 17-year-old McKenna is more determined than ever to fulfill the last challenge Amos ever flung at her. Even if it's a crazy one. And trying to get into the prestigious, boys-only Denmark Military Academy is insane—especially when you're a girl. Still, Sam manages to break the barrier and become one of the school's first female cadets. That's when the real nightmare begins.
No one wants Sam to survive her first year at DMA. Not even her brother, Jonathon, who's a cadet colonel at the school. That becomes clear almost as soon as she steps onto campus. Not only is she forced to work harder than her male counterparts, but she's mocked and abused at every turn. Although she finds allies in surprising places, she soon begins to suspect that an archaic secret society is still at work on DMA's campus—and it wants her gone.
As Sam works to expose the school's dark side, she struggles to fit in, to outlast her tormentors, and to help the two other female cadets stay strong in the face of brutal intimidation tactics. Then, there's her strong, but embarrassing attraction to her drill sergeant. The longer Sam stays at DMA, the more dangerous her situation becomes. Can Sam survive her brother's dare? Does she even want to? Is it really worth it, when the society is so obviously out for her blood? Sam has never known when to quit. This time, her stubbornness could cost her her life ...
While the premise behind Rites of Passage, a debut novel by Joy N. Hensley, isn't very original, it still makes for an intense, action-packed read. With Hensley's insider's view of military academy life, the details of Sam's experience ring with authenticity. Sam, herself, is empathetic and admirable—an easy character with which to side. I definitely cared about what was happening to her. The thing that bugged me about her story, though, is that it's all about a tough, kick-A heroine who can take care of herself—and yet, Sam repeatedly gets rescued by all the guys around her. Solving all of these problems on her own, with only minimal help, would have made her a more inspiring character. All in all, though, I enjoyed Rites of Passage. It's fast-paced and compelling, a solid debut that makes me curious to see what the author will do next.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Rites of Passage from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Monday, January 26, 2015
A Second Helping of Gallagher Girls Charm? Yes, Please!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy, it may inadvertently give away plot surprises from I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
With the less-than-desirable results of her last mission fresh on her mind, all Cammie "The Chameleon" Morgan wants is a drama-free sophomore year at her elite boarding school. Apparently, that's a little too much to ask for when you're a 15-year-old super spy (in training). From the minute Cammie overhears chatter about a mysterious mission called Blackthorne, she's intrigued. When she learns that it involves a group of teenage male spies-to-be moving onto the campus of the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, she's flummoxed. She can take down a target using a shoelace and a ping pong ball without breaking a sweat, but dealing with boys—on a daily basis—is another matter entirely.
With the highly-skilled Blackthorne boys on their turf, the Gallagher girls have to step up their game. Which isn't easy with cute guys watching their every move. Determined to ignore the unwanted attention of the aggravating (and totally hot) Zach Goode, Cammie vows to use every tool in her (not inconsiderable) arsenal to beat the boys at their own game. But with confounding security breaches threatening the top-secret status of her beloved Gallagher Academy, Cammie realizes that working with the boys may be the only way to save her school. Can she trust Zach and his comrades? Or will the girls have to go it alone?
If you're looking for a fun, fluffy series to take your mind off life's stresses, you can't go wrong with Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls books. They're cute, clever and just all-around entertaining. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy is no exception. Sure, the ending's predictable but, really, who cares? The novel remains an easy, exciting read that will keep you reading, laughing and cheering for the always irresistible Gallagher girls.
(Readalikes: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild violence and lots of references to bras/cleavage
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, September 15, 2014
Archetype a Taut, Twisty Genre Mash-up
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When 26-year-old Emma Burke awakes in a hospital with only the foggiest of memories to keep her company, her doctor explains that she's been in a horrible accident. Because of her injuries, she can't remember the most mundane things—like her husband. Declan tells her stories about how they met, fell in love, and lived happily ever after, but they might as well be fairy tales. These beloved memories should feel familiar, but they don't. Not at all. The strange dreams that fill her nights seem more real. But, they project impossible images, false memories of violence, a camp where young girls are trained to be perfect wives, and her love for a man who is not Declan. Emma can't make any sense of anything. She should be able to confide in her husband as well as her doctor, Declan's trusted friend—if it weren't for the warning voice screaming in her head, maybe she would.
Meeting Noah Tucker, the head of a security company engaged by Declan, changes everything for Emma. She's almost positive he's the man in her dreams—the one who makes every nerve ending in her body tingle with joy—so why is he trying to kill her?
More confused than ever, Emma must decide who to believe—her husband or the man who haunts her dreams. The story Noah tells her feels nearly as false as the one Declan has spun. Which version of her life is the true one? Both? Neither? Who is Emma Burke, really? The more she learns about herself, the more horrified she becomes ...
It's tough to describe Archetype, a debut novel by M.D. Waters, without throwing spoilers all over the place. Suffice it to say, the story's a taut, twisty genre mash-up (sci fi/psychological thriller; romance; dystopian-ish) that will keep you guessing. Or maybe you'll have it all figured out by the second chapter. Even then, I dare say, you'll keep reading. Because, whatever else Archetype may be, it's an edge-of-your-seat, mind-bending adventure that will leave you clamoring for a sequel (good news: Prototype came out in July).
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Archetype from the generous folks at Penguin/Dutton. Thank you!
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