Search This Blog







2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2026 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona
- Arkansas (1)
- California (7)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (1)
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (1)
- Illinois (2)
- Indiana (1)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (2)
- Maine (4)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (2)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico
- New York (4)
- North Carolina (2)
- North Dakota
- Ohio (3)
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee
- Texas (3)
- Utah (1)
- Vermont (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (2)
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*
International:
- Australia (6)
- Austria (1)
- Canada (2)
- England (21)
- Fiji (1)
- France (1)
- Ireland (2)
- Italy (1)
- Mexico (1)
- New Zealand (1)
- Norway (1)
- Scotland (1)
- The Bahamas (1)
- Vatican City (1)





2026 Build Your Library Reading Challenge








Dragon Rambles' Law of Fives Bingo



2026 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge





Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Top Ten Tuesday: The Books That Started It All
1:00 AM
Ever feel like you use the same books over and over and over for your Top Ten Tuesday lists? I do, which is why I'm super excited about this week's topic. Before we get to that, though, I just want to encourage you to hop on board the TTT train. It's a fun way to find new blogs to love, grow your own audience, and, of course, add more awesome books to your TBR pile mountain mountain chain. What's not to love? All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few instructions, make your own list, and start spreading the love around the book blogosphere. It's a good time, I promise!
Today's topic is (First) Ten Books I Reviewed On My Blog. Isn't that a fun prompt? I started blogging waaayyyy back in August of 2006, so it was fun to see what I was reading back then and ponder how my reading tastes have changed and not changed over the 13 ensuing years. Kick back, relax, and let's take a little stroll down the BBB memory lane ...
(First) Ten Books I Reviewed On My Blog:
1. The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell (reviewed August 13, 2006): My husband and I read this inspirational book at the same time and had some great discussions because of it. The book uses a fictional frame story about a couple struggling to keep their marriage together to teach the reader about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Verdict: According to the review I wrote of The Peacegiver, both my husband and I found this one enlightening, even though it was a little cheesy and not all that well-written.
2. The Known World by Edward P. Jones (reviewed August 14, 2006): This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is about a former slave who earns enough money to buy his own plantation, complete with a passel of slaves. When he dies, his widow tries to keep everything running smoothly, but it's not long before the whole operation descends into chaos. Verdict: While I didn't love this one, it offered a unique view on slavery that I appreciated.
3. Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs (reviewed August 18, 2006): I've long been a fan of Reich's Temperance Brennan series. This is the 9th book starring the intrepid forensic anthropologist and while it wasn't my favorite of the bunch, I enjoyed it. There are now 17 books in the series, although it has been stalled due to the author's ill health. Verdict: This is still one of my very favorite crime fiction series.
4. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards (reviewed September 1, 2006): This bleak novel concerns a doctor who, because of a fierce snowstorm, is forced to deliver his own twins, one of whom has Down syndrome. While his wife is still under heavy anesthesia, the man gives the child to his nurse, imploring her to take the baby to an institution. The nurse can't bear to leave the infant; instead, she leaves town and raises the girl on her own without telling the doctor. The story is about the consequences of the doctor's action and how it affects all involved parties. Verdict: I found this novel compelling and thought-provoking, but couldn't quite get over how depressing it was.
5. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (reviewed September 13, 2006): I loved this beautiful novel about family and faith. It features a sibling pair who run off to the Badlands in hot pursuit of their outlaw older brother. Verdict: This novel left a deep impression on me. I loved the characters, the writing, and the messages. As much as I adored this book, I haven't read anything else by Enger. Weird.
6. Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns (reviewed October 15, 2006): I've always loved Southern novels and this one is a classic. It's about a huge scandal in a small town—a widower of only three weeks marries a Yankee and sets every tongue in town to wagging. Verdict: This novel is laugh-out-loud hilarious, but it also has moments of great poignancy. I loved it.
7. Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark (reviewed November 2, 2006): Clark has kept me entertained with clean, but compelling mysteries since I was a teenager. Her newer books aren't nearly as good as her older ones, so I haven't read her much lately. This book is about toddler twins who are kidnapped. Verdict: Tame and predictable, but still a page-turner.
8. The Ruins by Scott Smith (reviewed November 4, 2006): I made the mistake of reading this creepy novel on Halloween night, which made me jump at every little sound! It concerns a group of friends who venture into a Mexican jungle to check out some old ruins. Mayhem ensues. Verdict: This is a super spooky page-turner, which I enjoyed in spite of an ending that just didn't satisfy.
9. The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean (reviewed November 30, 2006): This memorable historical novel features a Russian woman who finds herself trapped in the art museum where she works while war rages around her. As she fights to survive, she also works to save precious masterpieces. Verdict: This is a beautifully written story with vivid details and a unique perspective on World War II.
10. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (reviewed December 18, 2006): I enjoyed this series opener about a former WWI nurse who opens a detective agency in 1929 in London. Her first case has her following a woman suspected of having an extramarital affair. Although the case seems pretty routine, Maisie soon discovers there's more going on than meets the eye. Much more. Verdict: This is an intriguing start to a series that now has 15 installments. It's got a little bit of everything—history, romance, adventure, and humor. Although I enjoyed this first book, I haven't continued on with the series, something I need to remedy.
Happy Top Ten Tuesday!
Monday, April 22, 2019
Inspiring MG Novel Lauds the Power of Friendship
9:57 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Gabriel Haberlin's life is already pretty great, but when he gets a shiny new bicycle for his 12th birthday it gets even better. He's taking his present for a spin around little Birdsong, South Carolina, when he comes face-to-face (tire-to-tire?) with the town's worst driver. Just as Gabriel starts to fret that his 12th birthday will be his last, someone rushes in front of the speeding car and pushes Gabriel out of the way. The stranger, a black man named Meriwether Hunter, not only saves Gabriel's life but he also fixes up his mangled bicycle so it looks as good as new.
Wanting to repay Meriwether's kindness, Gabriel talks his father into hiring the fix-it man to work at his auto shop. Not everyone in the segregated town is happy with that hiring decision, but Gabriel is thrilled with the opportunity to get to know Meriwether better. When he finds out the black man's intriguing secret, Gabriel becomes even more fascinated with his new pal. If more people knew about Meriwether's war service and heroism, surely they would treat him better. But, even in small, safe Birdsong secrets and forbidden friendships are dangerous things, things that will open Gabriel's eyes in ways they've never been opened before ...
The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA, by Brenda Woods is a touching, thought-provoking novel about growing up and facing the sometimes ugly truths that can exist in even the most placid of places. It's a story about finding hidden depths, both in yourself and other people. The tale, which features an interesting historical setting, likable characters, and tight prose, also teaches many valuable lessons about friendship, family, and forming one's own opinions in spite of what anyone else might think. It's an enjoyable and important book that's easy to read, but difficult to forget.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a bit of Jericho Walls by Kristi Collier)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA, from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Sluggish "Thriller" Not Really ... Thrilling
7:38 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Biologist Marian Engström has always been better with animals than humans, so it's no surprise when she finds her life's calling as a dog handler. During training, she falls in love with charismatic Tate Mathias, who regals her with tales of his many adventures. While he's not one to settle down, Marian hopes the two of them will have a bright, happy future together. That dream shatters when 35-year-old Tate dies after being savagely mauled by a bear while on a job in Washington State.
Stricken with grief, Marian ruminates on all her interactions with Tate, only now freeing some of the misgivings she had about her enigmatic boyfriend. One of his stories, very vividly told, had him heroically discovering the body of a murdered woman. With more killings happening since that one, Marian can't help but wonder, did Tate have more to do with the victim than just discovering her corpse? Enlisting the help of a retired forensic profiler/psychologist, Marian vows to figure out just who Tate Mathias really was. Was he simply an adventurer who enjoyed exaggerating his exploits for entertainment value? Or was he a compulsive liar turned serial killer? She will not rest until she knows the truth.
Although The Last Woman in the Forest by Diane Les Becquets is billed as a mystery/thriller, it really ... isn't. It's more of a literary suspense novel, just without a whole lot of suspense. The story unfolds very slowly, weighted down by lengthy descriptions of nature and dog handling. It's a character-driven novel for sure; the plot only really only gets "thrilling" toward the end. As you can imagine, this makes for a sluggish read that gets dull at times. Overall, I found the book compelling enough to finish, but also easy to put down. For all these reasons, The Last Woman in the Forest turned out to be just an okay read for me.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Last Woman in the Forest from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, April 18, 2019
An Artless Demise Newest Installment in an Intriguing Historical Mystery Series
6:03 AM
Back in 2017, Lark mentioned her love of the Lady Darby mystery series by Anna Lee Huber. She always gives out great recommendations, so I immediately bought a copy of The Anatomist's Wife, the series opener. I enjoyed the book immensely and proceeded to read Mortal Arts. Although I've got copies of the next five books in the series, I have not had a chance to read them yet. So, unfortunately, I can't post a review of the newest Lady Darby novel, An Artless Demise, as I was supposed to do today. Instead, I'm going to hit you with a spotlight and encourage you to give this fun series a go. If you like historical mysteries that are well-written, not too graphic, set in intriguing locales, and peopled by likable, interesting characters, this series is right up your alley. Give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
Before I give you the plot summary, be warned that there is a spoiler in the first line. It's a fairly obvious one, but one all the same. Just so you know.
An Artless Demise:
Lady Darby returns to London with her new husband, Sebastian Gage, but newlywed bliss won't last for long when her past comes back to haunt her in the latest exciting installment in this national bestselling series.
November 1831. After fleeing London in infamy more than two years prior, Lady Kiera Darby's return to the city is anything but mundane, though not for the reasons she expected. A gang of body snatchers is arrested on suspicion of imitating the notorious misdeeds of Edinburgh criminals, Burke and Hare—killing people from the streets and selling their bodies to medical schools. Then Kiera's past—a past she thought she'd finally made peace with—rises up to haunt her.
All of London is horrified by the evidence that "burkers" are, indeed, at work in their city. The terrified populace hovers on a knife's edge, ready to take their enmity out on any likely suspect. And when Kiera receives a letter of blackmail, threatening to divulge details about her late anatomist husband's involvement with the body snatchers and wrongfully implicate her, she begins to apprehend just how precarious her situation is. Not only for herself, but also her new husband and investigative partner, Sebastian Gage, and their unborn child.
Meanwhile, the young scion of a noble family has been found murdered a block from his home, and the man's family wants Kiera and Gage to investigate. Is it a failed attempt by the London burkers, having left the body behind, or the crime of someone much closer to home? Someone who stalks the privileged, using the uproar over the burkers to cover his own dark deeds?
Purchase your copy of An Artless Demise here or wherever books are sold:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Indiebound
Have any of you read the Lady Darby series? What do you think?
Before I give you the plot summary, be warned that there is a spoiler in the first line. It's a fairly obvious one, but one all the same. Just so you know.
An Artless Demise:
Lady Darby returns to London with her new husband, Sebastian Gage, but newlywed bliss won't last for long when her past comes back to haunt her in the latest exciting installment in this national bestselling series.
November 1831. After fleeing London in infamy more than two years prior, Lady Kiera Darby's return to the city is anything but mundane, though not for the reasons she expected. A gang of body snatchers is arrested on suspicion of imitating the notorious misdeeds of Edinburgh criminals, Burke and Hare—killing people from the streets and selling their bodies to medical schools. Then Kiera's past—a past she thought she'd finally made peace with—rises up to haunt her.
All of London is horrified by the evidence that "burkers" are, indeed, at work in their city. The terrified populace hovers on a knife's edge, ready to take their enmity out on any likely suspect. And when Kiera receives a letter of blackmail, threatening to divulge details about her late anatomist husband's involvement with the body snatchers and wrongfully implicate her, she begins to apprehend just how precarious her situation is. Not only for herself, but also her new husband and investigative partner, Sebastian Gage, and their unborn child.
Meanwhile, the young scion of a noble family has been found murdered a block from his home, and the man's family wants Kiera and Gage to investigate. Is it a failed attempt by the London burkers, having left the body behind, or the crime of someone much closer to home? Someone who stalks the privileged, using the uproar over the burkers to cover his own dark deeds?
Purchase your copy of An Artless Demise here or wherever books are sold:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Indiebound
Have any of you read the Lady Darby series? What do you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)

Readin'
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
Listenin'
Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
-
-
-
Sweet Spot by Kemper Donovan4 hours ago
-
-
-
July Reflections16 hours ago
-
-
-
-
A Curse Carved in Bone1 day ago
-
-
-
The Whisper By Chelsea Iversen1 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
A Brewed Awakening2 days ago
-
Lehane, Dennis "Shutter Island" - 20033 days ago
-
-
-
Haiku reviews...5 days ago
-
-
Books read in June3 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
June TBR1 month ago
-
-
Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney5 months ago
-
-
Sunday Post #5681 year ago
-
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus2 years ago
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?2 years ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra3 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?3 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)
2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction
2020 - Middle Grade Fiction



















