Labyrinth of Lies

                 Labyrinth of Lies By Irene Hannon

 3 stars. Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Company, for sending me this book to read and review. I was intrigued by the story line- Cate Reilly detective goes undercover to investigate a missing person case at a prestigious boarding school and Deke Sloan also is undercover DEA investigating drug trafficking at the same school. The story just was a little too far fetched for me- Cate who is 33 goes undercover as a high schooler, and Deke is the long term Spanish substitute.  Cate and Deke have old history (8 years before they were in love and Deke picked his job over Cate and left Cate heart broken). Their relationship was not my favorite part of the story. I enjoyed the detective an investigative work more. I also enjoyed Cate’s relationship building with her roomie Kayla. I just struggled to by into the story as a whole and it was just an OK mystery for me. 

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

 by Amanda Cox

4 stars. Thank you to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, for sending me this book to read and review. 

A story that shows how the secrets we keep definitely impact our lives and others. Three strong women share their story and secrets through the pages. Glory Ann, aka Nan to Sarah and mother to her daughters Rosemary and Jessamine, is where the story begins and the secrets start. Her high school love is enlisted in the army and goes to Vietnam. Shortly after he leaves he dies in battle and she comes to the realization she is pregnant with his child. Her parents pretty much disown her. I can’t give away too much but she is taken away and an arranged marriage is set up to save her parents face and Glory Ann only goes through with it to give her unborn child (Rosemary) the best life she can. 

I thought the story flowed very easily and I liked the way the author went back and forth between present day and the past to tell the story in full. 

This is my second read by Amanda Cox. Look forward to more by her in the future. 

A Christmas in the Alps

 

A Christmas in the Alps 

By Melody Carlson

3 stars. Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing for sending me this book to read and review. 

First I think this sort of read is best read in the season. It would have been more enjoyable if I was curled up by the fire with a cup of cocoa. Instead I read this book in 24 hours, of which most of the time the temp was 90. Kind of hard to get in the Christmas mood when it’s so humid out. 

I liked the premise: Simone Sophia Beaumont, who’s named after her great grandmama, finds a letter after her namesake’s passing that had never been opened and is addressed to her. The letter sends her on a treasure hunt in Avre, France. (When I looked Avre, France up in Google it is a River that runs close to the Italy,Switzerland, and Germany border- the Alps- not an actual city). 

The trip is filled with meeting new family she wasn’t aware she had and also a young man who is traveling to learn about the old art of watch and clock making. You guessed right that young man is of interest to Simone Sophia in more than a platonic way. 

I liked the story, but felt there could have been much more depth and exploration of both plot and character development. It read very quick ( around 160 pages) and left me wanting more to this story. 

 Under The Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse

4 stars. Thanks Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for sending me this book to read and review. 

This is my third book by this author to read. I have enjoyed all of them and always walk away from the reading experience with her books feeling like I learned a little about history. This book takes place in the Louisiana Bayou starting in 1947. I learn about the Acadian/Cajun/Creole people who migrated from Canada. They speak French because, well they were from French Canadian Provence’s. The main leading lady is Ms. Ellie Fields. She is fleeing an engagement gone bad in her native Alabama to Bernadette, LA- not far from NOLA but miles different than that hopping city. She is challenged by becoming a teacher- the teacher- for the children of Bernadette. This book looks at the cultural challenges and the racism brought against them being French speaking. Previous teachers had used corporal punishment if French words slipped from the children’s mouths. Ms. Fields wants to make a change and make attending school a positive experience. She faces other challenges to in the Bayou- I encourage you to read the book to find out what she faces. 

An easy read that flowed well. I really enjoy this author’s storytelling. 

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson

4 stars read!  Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for sending me this book to read and review.  It was a great read for my 12 hour read-a-thon this past Monday.  I like stories that have  love, friendship, life challenges, and wraps up nicely.  This book hit all of those marks.  It is a easy summer read.  Finished it in the day I had reading along with others so I'd say it goes by quickly.

Meg Whitaker is living the good life: in her home town, teaching and making a difference in her student's lives.  However, she is also facing struggles with her mother's health deteriorating (multiple doctor's visits and no one can figure out the cause/diagnosis).  Her father is also aging and can't care for her failing mother along with running his lobster business. 

 Bonus- this book takes place on Prince Edward Island (yep Anne of Green Gables fans that PEI).

Her father has a potential buyer who wants to take over his lobster business.  The only problem- it is Meg's arch nemesis from high school.  The guy who ruined her science project her Senior year and likely prevented her from getting into the college of her dreams.  Oliver Ross is that guy.  

As can be expected Meg wants Oliver to have nothing to do with her or her family, let alone her family's lobster business.  So she challenges her father to let her take over the lobster business, which side note- she has no idea to run.  Her father decides to give them both a chance to "win him over" and become the ultimate owner of the business.  The catch is he requires them to work together so that Meg can learn from Oliver.  Oliver has worked for her father for the past 6 years and knows the business side of things well.

I enjoyed learning about the lobster business.  I could truly feel the physicality the labor of a lobster man/woman takes when doing that type of job day in and day out.  

Lovely summer read.  

 

Along a Storied Trail

 

Along a Storied Trail By Ann H. Gabhart

4 stars.  Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker publishing, for sending me this book to read and review.

I love stories that incorporate history into fiction (AKA Historical Fiction... Just kidding, but not).  I even more so love when I learn something about history I didn't know about.  A few years ago I was introduced to the history lesson of packhorse librarians by Kim Michele Richardson's book The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.  Since that book I feel like there has been explosion of stories about these brave women- pack horse librarians.  

This book follows Tansy Calhoun who is throughout the book the main "breadwinner" for her family.  Her father has "left" the family for work and Tansy was able to get a job as a pack horse librarian.  She loves books and loves encouraging and introducing reading to those on her library route.  This story is mainly about her, but some may argue it is also about Perdita Sweet- Aunt Perdie- the widower who whittles musings out of wood.  Aunt Perdie and Tansy are brought together physically when Aunt Perdie's house burns to the ground due to a ill functioning chimney.  Aunt Perdie not only moves in, but she brings a long some baggage with her (sorry can't say more as I really hate when people spoil stories).  

This story highlights both Tansy and Aunt Perdie's daily lives, desire for being purposeful, and also them both figuring out their love lives with men they have known and one that recently entered the picture.  

I appreciated that you got a glimpse of this Kentucky mountain living while being introduced to packhorse librarian career.  I enjoyed that Tansy and Aunt Perdie stayed true to themselves throughout the story.  A quick, easy , perfect summer read.  

 

The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal

3 stars.  Thanks to Revell books, a division of Baker Publishing Company, for sending me this book to review.  

Ben Calix has been a "Company Man" (American spy) for awhile.  He has been dependable and team player.  His luck soon changes when this book begins.  First mission starts in Rom and I'm not giving much away, but it is a mission "gone bad".  NO only are people dying but there is a mysterious virus that kills.  (No it isn't Corona Virus, however, the author dose reference "when Corona virus" happened a few years ago.  Ben leaves Rome and hits more badness in Paris.  Ben soon finds himself severed from "The Company" and he is on a hunt to figure out why he's been accused of being a traitor and oh yeah stopping a bioterrorism plot. 

I found this book too predictable and too far fetched. I did enjoy Ben Calix's character: grit, perseverance, physicality and brains.  I also enjoyed his pseudo conversation either in his head or out loud with former Captain Hale, who trained him for "The Company".  I liked hearing about his previous training that brought him to his current day spy status.  

Mere Extinction

Mere Extinction by Evie Christie

3 stars. 

Thanks to ECW Press for sending me this book of poetry to read and review. 

Sometimes poetry is too literary for me... aka I don’t get the lines of words, don’t comprehend,  or can’t follow the poem. I struggled with this book of poetry. I think it’s the reader,me, not the author. These poems are full of emotion ( hurt, sadness, grief, disappointment).  There are a lot of layers to these poems. I always wonder when reading poetry how much does the author draw from her/his own life. I wondered that through the reading of this book.  Though a short book it was a challenging read.

 

Blackberry Beach

 

                Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon

4 stars. Thank you to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, for sending me this book to read and review. 

Kat (Katherine Parker) has escaped to Hope Harbor, Oregon, to get some perspective on her life and figure out what she wants her life to look like. Zach Garrett is the owner of The Perfect Blend, Hope Harbor’s coffee shop. He decided after a life altering loss that he couldn’t continue to climb the corporate world ladder in Chicago, IL. So he moved to Hope Harbor and created the “almost” perfect life running his own coffee shop. It was “almost” perfect as he didn’t have someone to share it with. 

In walks Kat, a lady of secrets, to his coffee shop and just maybe he’s found the person to make his life just “perfect”. 

A beachside Christian romance (prayer is mentioned throughout story line) that reads quickly. Not a heavy book but some fun characters added into Zach and Kat’s story. 

When Twilight Breaks

 

             When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

4.5 star read. Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, for sending me this book to review. 

Although I read a variety of genres my favorite is historical fiction, especially WWII. This book checks all those boxes. Evelyn Brand is a American correspondent for the American News Service. She’s stationed in Munich trying to make a name for herself in a male dominated profession. She pushes the envelope and I loved her perseverance and focus on getting the whole story. Peter Lang, a PhD graduate student finishing his research in German language acquisition is also stationed in Munich. Their paths collide and their stories too. 

I really enjoyed reading about WWII in the late 1930’s instead of the general mid 1940’s. The picture depicted in this novel is the foreshadowing of the Nazi party and Hitler’s agenda. A story that keeps nice pace throughout. 

For some reason I didn’t feel there was an easy introduction of Christianity in this novel. Halfway through both Evelyn and Peter’s Christianity is evident via their prayers and mention of “Lord”. I felt it was a little forced and could have been less abrupt- the only negative I found in reading this book. 

Intrepids

Intrepids by Diana Huang

My 4th year participating in reviewing a book for Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCBD) #ReadYourWorld.

Thank you to Diana Huang, author, for sending me her book to review along with three fun book marks.  

The mission of MCBD is:

Our mission is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity but to get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries.

I enjoyed "Intrepids" more than I thought I would.  I'm not much, if any, of a sci-fi reader and so when I received this book I was a little concerned it just wouldn't be the right fit for me.  However, Katie, the main character/protagonist, I really "got".  I think this middle grade story does a great job of presenting themes such as bullying, finding yourself, confidence building, and racial/ethnic discrimination. Katie is a US citizen, but due to her Asian background/upbringing she is discriminated against.

The story opens with Katie at a science camp in the summer.  She is clearly being bullied by the other campers.  I appreciated the author's honesty in writing about specific "tween" situations that all of us have likely experienced: not fitting in, the dreaded "showering" in front of others, body image issues, and also just dealing with kids who are jerks. She also shares that she struggles with academics and her parents don't seem to be understanding of this.  Very early on Katie runs from campers who are bullying her.  She runs into the woods and when she feels it is safe to rest she sits down and eats an apple.  This apple is magical and transports her to another planet.  On this planet she meets centaurs who are fighting the dreaded gowels (I envisioned a snake like creature).  The gowels are taking over the planet and controlling other "beings" all very mythical aka centaurs, dragon like creatures, and flops, by biting them and releasing phenom which then turns them into the gowel's slaves.  Katie is a true leader throughout the story and the animals/beings really look to her for education, information, guidance, and this then allows her to grow confidence in herself.  

I struggled with the ending of the book.  Katie makes it back to earth by finding the tree with magical apples and eating another one.  However, there is no closure with any of the "camp" issues that are introduced at the beginning.  It was a very quick read and the sci-fi was fine.  I know the author is a talented artist and so think her drawings could have added to this story.  Three star read for me.  

I'd like to highlight those that have supported this years MCBD #ReadYourWorld event.  

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Prgamaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com)

Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media

Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Candlewick Press, Capstone, Hoopoe Books, KidLitTV, Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.

Silver Sponsors: Charlotte Riggle, Connecticut Association of School Librarians, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Pack-N-Go Girls

Bronze Sponsors: Agatha Rodi and AMELIE is IMPRESSED!, Barnes Brothers Books, Create and Educate Solutions, LLC, Dreambuilt Books, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin Real Estate, Snowflake Stories, Star Bright Books, TimTimTom Bilingual Personalized Books, Author Vivian Kirkfield, Wisdom Tales Press, My Well Read Child

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Poster Artist: Nat Iwata

Authors: Author Afsaneh Moradian, Author Alva Sachs & Three Wishes Publishing Company, Author Angeliki Stamatopoulou-Pedersen, Author Anna Olswanger, Author Casey Bell , Author Claudine Norden, Author Debbie Dadey, Author Diana Huang & Intrepids, Author Eugenia Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Green Kids Club, Author Gwen Jackson, Author Janet Balletta, Author Josh Funk, Author Julia Inserro, Karter Johnson & Popcorn and Books, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, Author Keila Dawson, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Author Mia Wenjen, Michael Genhart, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Natalie Murray, Natalie McDonald-Perkins, Author Natasha Yim, Author Phe Lang and Me On The Page Publishing, Sandra Elaine Scott, Author Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher, Tales of the Five Enchanted Mermaids, Author Theresa Mackiewicz, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Author Toshia Stelivan, Valerie Williams-Sanchez & The Cocoa Kids Collection Books©, Author Vanessa Womack, MBA, Author Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series

 

Active Defense

 

Active Defense (#3 Danger Never Sleeps Series)

By Lynette Eason

Thank you to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing group, for sending me this book to read/review. 

This was my first book to read by author Lynette Eason. This is the third in the Danger Never Sleeps series. So first off you definitely can read this book without reading the other two in the series. It stands on its own and I found the mystery realistic and enjoyable. I have always enjoyed mysteries as I like trying to figure out “who dun it”. This mystery’s protagonist is Heather Fontaine- army surgeon who saves people’s lives, but unfortunately not all of them. 

Heather has a lot of baggage from her childhood onward. This makes her persona even more believable and likeable. She has returned to the states after a tour in Afghanistan. While abroad she experience some major stress and is dealing with some post trauma from her stent in active duty. Not wanting to give up too much I’ll just say her time in Afghanistan follows her back stateside. 

I highly recommend this quick read. 4 stars.