Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for violence and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love:  I bought a copy of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger.  Ha ha.

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

When Ruairidh Macfarlane proposes investing in a small, Hebridean tweed company, his wife balks.  Niamh has business and marketing experience, but still, sinking their life's savings into her husband's dream seems more than a little risky.  Still, the duo manage to make a successful go of it.  When their unique version of Harris tweed catches the attention of some bigwigs in the fashion industry, it seems like everything's finally coming up roses.

Although the business is taking off, Niamh's relationship with her childhood friend turned husband, has gotten a bit rocky.  While on an important business trip in Paris, she accuses Ruairidh of having an affair with Irina Vetrov, a married fashion designer.  Furious, he stomps out of their hotel room.  Moments later, Niamh spies him climbing into Irina's car.  Minutes after that, the vehicle explodes, killing Ruairdh and Irina instantly.  A shocked Niamh soon finds herself the prime suspect in her husband's murder.  Even when she's released and allowed to return to Scotland, she's hounded by police and regarded with suspicion.

While Niamh grapples to come to terms with her husband's violent death, she also searches for answers.  The more she discovers, the more she begins to suspect that the reason for Ruairdh's murder has more to do with local politics than international ones.  When someone makes an attempt on her life, she knows the killer isn't satisfied yet ...

I'm a big fan of Peter May's thrillers, especially those that take place in the moody, broody Hebrides.  May has a keen way of making the locale come alive for me in all its stark, striking glory.  His newest, I'll Keep You Safe, is set mostly off-island, which might explain why I didn't love it as much as some of his others.  Like a true Hebridean, I'm leery of outlanders and prefer an all-local cast.  This novel also seems more graphic to me.  May uses a different format for this novel, which provides an interesting contrast.  Still and all, I'll Keep You Safe remains a tense page turner that kept me riveted from start to finish.  I saw the killer coming, but a couple of the story's twists did catch me by surprise.  So, while this isn't my favorite of May's, I'll still read anything of his, especially if it's set in the always-fascinating Hebrides.

(Readalikes:  Other Hebridean thrillers by Peter May; also books by Ann Cleeves)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language, violence, depictions of illegal drug use, and sexual content

To the FTC, with love:  I received an ARC of I'll Keep You Safe from the generous folks at Quercus.  Thank you!

  

It's been a little while since I did a Top Ten Tuesday and, honestly, I almost skipped this week because of the topic—Top Ten Books I Could Re-Read Forever.  Thing is, I'm not much of a re-reader.  I have a sky-high stack of new reads that I want to get to, so going back to something I've already read seems like a waste of time.  Once I got to thinking about it, though, I realized I do have a few favorites that I don't mind re-reading from time to time.  I'll get to that in a sec.

First, though, I want to encourage you to join in the TTT fun.  It really is a good time and a great way to explore the wondrous book blogging world.  If you want to discover new blogs to enjoy, add a ton of great recommendations to your TBR pile, or just drop in on old friends, TTT is the meme for you.  All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few instructions, then make your own list, and start visiting others.  

Okay, here we go with my list of the Top Ten Books I Could Re-Read Forever:

1.  The whole Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling—Who wouldn't want to re-visit Hogwarts over and over again?  I love the characters, the world, the stories, everything.  If I was stuck on a deserted island, I'd want the box set to keep me entertained.

2.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee—This is my favorite book of all time and one I could definitely re-read forever without tiring of it.

3.  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery—Despite the fact that this novel is about 90% lengthy, flowery description, I love it so much that I could read it a million times over.  

4.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott—Ditto for this novel.  I love it more with every re-read.

5.  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr., and John Archambault—Because all my children have adored this book, it's probably the one I've re-read most in my life.  With its fun, upbeat rhythm it's a popular readaloud that my kids requested for bedtime stories over and over and over.  I have it memorized and so does my 9-year-old.  We don't even need to look at the book to re-read it!

6.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens—I re-read this holiday classic every December to put me in the Christmas spirit.   

7.  Are You Grumpy, Santa? by Gregg and Evan Spiridellis—This is another fun readaloud that my kids love.  I'm a pretty big fan, too, since I totally relate to Santa's plight!

8.  The Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny—So, I haven't actually finished this series yet, but that's because I'm taking it slow and really savoring it.  I can definitely see myself re-reading it in the future.  Even though it's a mystery series, it's really more about the characters at its core, which means that you can enjoy it again and again even if you already know "whodunit." 

9.  The Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer—As with #8, I'm still reading this series for the first time.  The author died recently, so once again I'm taking my time with these books knowing they will be the only ones Meyer will ever write.  They're so funny and delightful, though, that I can definitely see myself re-reading the whole series in future.

10.  The scriptures (Holy Bible; The Book of Mormon; The Doctrine and Covenants; etc.)—On a more serious note,  I have to include the scriptures.  Not because these volumes are riveting page turners, but because they give me great insight and inspiration.  No matter how many times I read them, I find new gems every time I delve inside.  It will take eternal re-readings for me to even begin to understand them! 

What do you think of my list?  What's on yours?  I'd love to know, so please leave me a comment on this post with a link to your blog/list.  I will gladly return the favor.

Happy TTT!

(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.