I suggest that you read this book BEFORE you read
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Queen of the Darkness. It will make the emotional ending of this novel all the more poignI suggest that you read this book BEFORE you read
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Queen of the Darkness. It will make the emotional ending of this novel all the more poignant.
The the very least, read the second novella in this book first. It is about Lucivar and how he finds Marian, his simple hearth witch. This is the story that will make a greater impact on what happens near the end of Queen of the Darkness.
The last story in this book should be read AFTER you read Queen of the Darkness. It explains what happened after the events in book 3....more
You would think that a book numbered 0 in a series should be read before all the others. I don't recommend you do so unless you have read, at the veryYou would think that a book numbered 0 in a series should be read before all the others. I don't recommend you do so unless you have read, at the very least, the first few books. There is enough at the end of Darius to be considered large spoilers, and you wouldn't want to ruin your anticipation, now would you?
This book is somewhat shorter than normal, so it is a fairly quick read.
For those of us who have read the entire series, make sure you have a full box of tissues by your side, especially for the last few chapters. And oh my goodness, what an epilogue we get. So much is wrapped up, and questions answered that I think I'm going to be re-reading this book again this weekend. Then, of course, I will have to re-read book one. (Oh, who am I kidding, I'll have to re-read the entire series!)
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
I understand that this book was out in the audio version for a while-well now; we can buy it for Kindle or, hopefully soon, paperback.
*ARC was supplied to me by the publisher Gallery Books, the author, and NetGalley and will be released on September 5th, 2023. My thanks....more
I recommend this book with my whole heart. It has a bit of everything in it. As you can see from the synopsis, this is a book that should hit all the I recommend this book with my whole heart. It has a bit of everything in it. As you can see from the synopsis, this is a book that should hit all the right notes with readers who like a short novel filled with interesting characters, holiday madness, sad moments and happy moments, a bit of a mystery, and the chance at love.
I also learned a bit about Christmas tree farming and the selling of trees in New York City, which is odd since I live in an area with many tree farms, and I've never paid much attention to what it takes to work a farm like these. I love learning a little something while I read.
After several months of reading books that were unsatisfying, I hit on this gem!
Yes, it is a bit early to read a Christmas book, but it is well worth it. I will be doing a re-read later on, closer to the season.
I highly recommend this book to those who love Fannie Flagg, Dorothy Benton Frank, Anne B. Ross, and of course, this author.
*ARC supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press, Mary Kay Andrews author, and Net Galley. My thanks. #BrightLightsBigChristmas #MaryKayAndrews#StMartinsPress...more
I've read just about everything that Renée Rosen has written (so far, I haven't gotten the chance to read Windy City Blues, but I will!) and have loveI've read just about everything that Renée Rosen has written (so far, I haven't gotten the chance to read Windy City Blues, but I will!) and have loved the majority of the books. Some I have gotten as ARC-the remainder I have bought with my hard-earned cash-this is one I purchased and really looked forward to. I think that there is nothing better than fiction mixed with fact. Ms. Rosen is one of the few authors that can blend the two seamlessly, and I love it!
Some readers may be put off by this book being about a beauty tycoon, but it is more a book about living lies and eventually owning up to them. Both the narrator, Gloria Downing, and Estée Lauder are living with significant lies. It isn't easy to live a life when you don't know who to trust.
This is also a bit of a romance on both women's parts. With Estée, the romance deals with her husband. This was a bit of an odd relationship. With Gloria, her romances are a bit more fluid for the times, and you may think she never finds her true love, but she does, and it was a bit of a shock for me.
I think that this is a perfect beach read as well as a book club read. It would be fun to discuss with a group of cosmetic lovers the life and ambitions of a strong woman like Estée Lauder.
It's not often that I give a new (to me) author this many stars. There really has to be something about the book that calls to me4.5 stars rounded up.
It's not often that I give a new (to me) author this many stars. There really has to be something about the book that calls to me. Everything about this book called to me. I love a good story about screwed-up, bitchy, backstabbing rich families. Books that have twists and turns. Books with some mystery, intrigue, and surprises. Books that leave some of the characters with insight that they hadn't had when you first started reading. And boy, howdy, do we sure have all of that here. That and just a bit more that put the shine on the book. There is some humor and a bit of romance, too (sort of)!
This is a perfect beach read - not too long, not too short. Perfect for a long vacation flight.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager, the author HelenKay Dimon, and NetGalley....more
OK, so when is the next book being published? I want it NOW!!!!LOL!
Well, this book is certainly going on my 'comfort read' shelf. I loved it. It was sOK, so when is the next book being published? I want it NOW!!!!LOL!
Well, this book is certainly going on my 'comfort read' shelf. I loved it. It was so well written that I totally bought into the red herring and missed the actual murderer.
Many people from Rockton will be in this next series, and there will be new residents; of course, some may not be permanent, and there are some new ones that may be more permanent.
The town sounds very interesting. However, I have a feeling that a lot of kinks are going to need to be worked out.
We also end the book with a bit of a cliff-hanger-not truly one, but one that will leave you wanting to read the next book.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Publisher: Minotaur Books for sale on (February 21, 2023), the author, and NetGalley....more
What do you get when you mix chick/mom lit with horror? You get "Suburban Hell," the perfect melding of both genres. Not too horrifying and not too moWhat do you get when you mix chick/mom lit with horror? You get "Suburban Hell," the perfect melding of both genres. Not too horrifying and not too mom-ish. Just the ideal book for a beach read or when you want something lite!
Four women with the prerequisite toddlers and Kindergarteners -Melissa, Amy, Liz, and Jess want a "She Shed". Well, one starts to get built but unbeknownst to Liz, the mom building it, something horrible is going to be unleashed. And it really isn't pretty!
Now Amy has to take steps to release what has been unleashed. So she reaches out to the others in their little group to stop what has taken over their pal.
I loved this book. The women were so diverse. The author made them come alive for me. I would want these women for my own friends, and the neighborhood was just so perfect. It was like stepping back in time what with the parties that would close off the streets and the school fairs. However, this book also had the feel of the modern what with the kitchen reveal that one neighbor devised.
Frankly, I don't know why I loved this book but suffice it to say that I did, and it is going to go on my 'comfort book' shelf so I can re-read this book for Halloween!
*ARC supplied by the publisher PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, the author, and NetGalley....more
I couldn't wait. As soon as I received my ARC, I dove right in (of course, I re-read the first two books before reading thisHappy Publication Weekend!
I couldn't wait. As soon as I received my ARC, I dove right in (of course, I re-read the first two books before reading this one!) Now I know this book isn't going to be released until January 31st of next year, so I won't make this a very long review.
This book started off a tad slow, but then it took off when it was like an Olympic luge ride! I'm still checking to see if I wet myself.
I will let you know a couple of things-nothing too important:
This will be a continuing series. We are still going to be involved with the Russian Mafia. So look for another book, most likely in 2024. Darn, I wish Elle would write faster, but I guess she has a life to live while dealing with our petty fantasies, doesn't she?
Does Finlay finally get some nookie out of Nicky? (that's for me to know and you to find out when you buy this book!)
Let me conclude by saying BUY THIS BOOK! IT'S WORTH IT!!! And don't forget to get the first two books; you'll need them since this is one continuous series.
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This is the sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
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, and if you have the time, I would highly recommend thThis is the sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
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, and if you have the time, I would highly recommend that you read this book first before reading The Book Woman's Daughter. You don't NEED to, but it will help better understand some of what happens during this novel. Also, if you have a Kindle and Kindle Unlimited, I would like to let you know that The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is free to borrow.
Now the reason for my long-winded start, The Book Woman's Daughter was fabulous. Set in Eastern Kentucky during the early 1950's when extreme prejudice was going strong, this book tells the story of one of the last 'Blue' people out there. These people have methemoglobinemia, which literally turned their skin blue. Honey is not totally blue, just her hands and feet, but that is enough to mark her. In Kentucky, as well as other places, they have laws that forbid people from marrying outside of their color, and this is how the book starts out with Honey's parents being arrested for breaking the miscegenation laws. Honey is hiding, in a way, from Social Services, who threaten to put her in a "working camp" (prison) until she is 21. She is 16 when the book starts.
This story is actually a bit more about how women were treated in this time and place and the continuation of the of the Kentucky Pack Horse Librarians, which was started in the 1930's as a WPA project. This is a story of a young woman seeking emancipation. This is a story of women and girls overcoming antiquated laws, horrid behavior from the government and the locals, men, the Kentucky Coal Miners, and of course, books and the love of reading.
I can't seem to give a better review than this-I am so in awe of this dualogy that all I can do is give it 5 Stars and recommend the heck out of it. And if you do read this, make sure to view the pictures at the end of the book and read Ms. Richardson's reasons for writing this book and all about the author's research!
*ARC was supplied for early review by the publisher SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, The author, and NetGalley. Thank you....more
I don't know what to say about this fantastic debut novel, except WOW!
This is a must-read for Baby Boomers and Millenials alike. This book shows that I don't know what to say about this fantastic debut novel, except WOW!
This is a must-read for Baby Boomers and Millenials alike. This book shows that as difficult it is to be a woman with a career now, you don't have anything over the women who were cracking the doors open for you. However, this is not an easy read and may set off some triggers.
At times this book is funny; at times, it is downright tragic and almost always ends up with you, as a woman reader, being frustrated. Unfortunately, things like this are still occurring even at the mid-turn of the century.
This book takes place in the late 1950s, then moves on to the early 1960s, when women were just starting to realize their worth as more than just homemakers and mothers. Actually, a lot of this ideology started during WWII, but that is not important to this novel.
But more than a books book about the unfairness to women searching for something different; this is a love story, a mystery, and a chic-lit novel.
This was one of the most fabulous books I have read so far this year. I found myself laughing, crying, frustrated, and jumping with joy. I just wish it had been longer.
I highly recommend this book to all readers.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher, Doubleday Books, NetGalley, and the author. Many thanks....more
Do you need to read the other two books in this series to enjoy this one? No, you don't, but I would recommend that you at least read Lake Silence so Do you need to read the other two books in this series to enjoy this one? No, you don't, but I would recommend that you at least read Lake Silence so you can understand the who's and why's.
I have to admit that I was a tad disappointed by this book at the start. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I was entirely into it. There were so many characters to keep track of that I kept forgetting who was alive and who was dead!
Vicky did grow a little, although she is still the lovable anxiety attack-prone person when she was in the last book.
I did love how this book ended, as it seems to me to be a setup for another Others book (I hope).
I highly recommend this book to bloody murder mystery lovers and, of course, fans of Anne Bishop....more
Everything you need to know before buying this book is explained perfectly in the synopsis. This book is about three women, well, four if you count Ba Everything you need to know before buying this book is explained perfectly in the synopsis. This book is about three women, well, four if you count Barb's girlfriend and their difficulties in their lives.
This is a story about a true-to-life family. Unfortunately, this family seems to have it all, including major financial problems, a missing husband, a possible pyramid scheme, and an eviction.
This is also a book about the rising housing costs in cities (and suburbs) and what needs to be done to keep neighborhoods reasonable without over-building. We've been dealing with that in my own little city, so this aspect really resonated with me. I believe that it will resonate with many younger first-time home buyers too. But enough with my preaching!
The characters are fully fleshed, the story is told without repetition, the descriptions of the neighborhoods are spot on, and the resolution to this story is spot on. There are unique nuances and a lot of synchronicity to this book!
I loved this book and firmly see this as a wonderful book for book clubs and the perfect women's fiction beach read.
*ARC provided by the publisher Harper, the author, and Edelweiss....more
I have already read this book twice-once for my pleasure, and then I re-read the series (three books so far) to review this one with everything fres4
I have already read this book twice-once for my pleasure, and then I re-read the series (three books so far) to review this one with everything fresh in my mind.
This should have been a solid 4.5/5 book for me, but Verity (the female protagonist) just annoyed me in the beginning with all her "just kidding" stuff. But I did eventually warm up to her.
If you have read the first two books, you will know just how this book will go.
Bear shifter Magnus Berne meets someone unusual (in this case, it's a Squib named Verity Lane). The shifter has been depressed for a long time and thinks he will never find love.
The Squib? The same as the shifter-angsty about her future, had a difficult childhood (not as complicated as most of the others in this series, though) and sort of resents what she is. These two will eventually come together (in more ways than one!) when they are forced to investigate the murder of one of Verity's friends from a squib club she belongs to. This book will also connect with the past two books and the mystery that was started with the first book.
I loved seeing all the characters from the first two books (although I did miss Pat), the mystery was fascinating and the romance was steamy, but not porn steamy!
*I received this book as an ARC but I have already preordered another copy....more
This is a fictional account of what a ballerina has to put up with to try to make it out of the corps and rise in ranks and trying to make prima balleThis is a fictional account of what a ballerina has to put up with to try to make it out of the corps and rise in ranks and trying to make prima ballerina. The wonderful thing is that there is an explanation of terms at the end of the Kindle copy at the end. I own both hard cover and the Kindle book. This makes it easier to understand if you are not a balletomane or haven't taken lessons.
All I know of the ballet is one season of Bunhead and watching the Nutcracker ! But it didn't take much to have this book capture my interest and hold it.
This book has it all: a pushy, conniving mother, a whining, sickly, take her health for granted and love the wrong man, best friend, an overly inflated ego that is actually a Russian defector and a sometimes back stabbing and sometimes back stabbed cast of secondary and tertiary characters and a plot filled with manipulative twists and turns. I love the fact that there are two main story-lines going on at the same time. They will braid together at the end of the book. I love the time period also. It is set in the mid to late '70's.
Merged review:
*Edited to add that this book is now free for those who have Kindle Unlimited and only $1.99 to buy.
If you like ballet fiction, you may very much like this novel. It is a mixture of ballet and romance with a lot of backstabbing, snark, and frustration.
I first read this book when I was much younger, and what I saw during that first read was the romanticism, frustration, and the pity I had for one of the main characters who was ill -Chris. Now I'm older, and what I see is that Chris seems to have mental as well as physical issues, and I'm having a more difficult time judging how I feel about this book. Steph's mother is still a conniving *itch and keeps trying to mold Steph into what Anna thinks she should be/do. No matter how she makes Steph feel along the way.
The ending...well, what can I say? You may find it romantic and wonderful, and I may just be a huge *itch thinking that Steph was crazy!
If you choose to read this book, remember the year it was written (1979) because it is NOT a politically correct or "woke" book, and neither was that decade. So this book is historically accurate in that respect. However, I do happen to like reading about this decade and the defection of so many Russian dancers....more
This book is one of the few books I've read this year that is going on my 'comfort book' shelf. These are the books that I periodically pull out to reThis book is one of the few books I've read this year that is going on my 'comfort book' shelf. These are the books that I periodically pull out to read to give myself a lift or soothe myself. This was also a quick read, one that you could probably do in a day or less. As an added bonus, if you have Kindle Unlimited it will be a book that you can read under the Unlimited rules.
This book is filled with what some may feel is inappropriate language. It is set against the backdrop of the start of the Gulf War. This book also deals with some very serious issues that may be hot buttons for some. Drug addiction, rape, and alcoholism, to name a few.
I loved this book tremendously! I don't know if this is because of my Italian heritage; well, Italian Hungarian (almost the same thing family-wise!!!)
This is a growth story, a story about what happens when we run away from our troubles and what happens when we lie and/or assume too much.
This story was funny, sad, exciting, and frustrating but primarily amusing. At least it was funny if you know anything about this type of Italian enclave.
I could visualize these characters without the author getting overly wordy. I could smell the gravy bubbling on the stove without a lot of descriptive terminologies. Instead, the author writes with a conciseness that I very much appreciate and love.
This is one of the best books I have read lately, and my kudos go out to the author.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Bordighera Press, the author, and NetGalley....more
It is so difficult for me to think that if I want to re-read this series right from the very first book in the series and I only read one book a week,It is so difficult for me to think that if I want to re-read this series right from the very first book in the series and I only read one book a week, it will take me a full year to accomplish !!!
This book #53 in the series has to be among my favorites. There is a wonderful lack of padding, very little angst on Eves' part, minimal bloodshed, and a distinct lack of coffee discussion! However, I was a tad disappointed that our favorite secondary characters don't show up as often or for as long as in other books. This makes the reader focus more on Dallas and Peabody to have center stage with Roarke a close second.
The mystery is nicely twisty, and actually, there are two mysteries in one!
I wish that Ms. Robb would write a novella about the Urban Wars, why they happened, and what it did to the big cities.
This book was one of the most riveting books I have read in a while. When you read the synopsis, it might seem that this may be a depressing book. HowThis book was one of the most riveting books I have read in a while. When you read the synopsis, it might seem that this may be a depressing book. However, I didn't find this to be depressing at all. Sad, yes, for sure, but also quite humorous in spots.
The idea of dying and then being sent back to earth but in someone else's body and life was just astonishing to me. But in an excellent way.
Brittany/Edie's character was very well fleshed and more profound than you could have expected. If I had to try to get everyone to believe I had amnesia and could most likely never see my living family again, well, I don't think I could do it and stay sane. However, Ms.Gisbson writes this book so realistically that I found myself playing the 'what if game' while reading. Yes, I admit that you have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit, but with all the garbage happening in real life nowadays, I found balancing between believing and not believing was easier to do than I thought.
This is the perfect book to curl up with in front of a roaring fire or to curl up with on a hot sandy beach.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster, the author, and Edelweiss....more
I can't believe that I received this book as an ARC. I had already made plans to pre-order it!
I have two favorite Southern authors - Fannie Flagg andI can't believe that I received this book as an ARC. I had already made plans to pre-order it!
I have two favorite Southern authors - Fannie Flagg and Mary Kay Andrews. Mary Kay usually gives me a lighter look into the South and Southern mysteries with a little bit of naughtiness mixed in. I adore her writing. Everything she ever wrote is on my 'Comfort Reads' shelf. This is the shelf I use when the world gets too horrible, and I need something funny, with a good kick-butt heroine. (not physically kick-butt but mentally!)
Ms. Flagg is a bit deeper with her writing. And if you liked Ms. Flaggs A Redbird Christmas, you will adore this book.
This particular book, The Santa Suit, seems to blend both of my favorite authors, and I nearly swooned with ecstasy when I read this book. I adore romance, mystery, with a little bit of fairy dust mixed in, and this book had all of that and more.
This book will be a bit boring to some (no action-packed scenes, no raunchy sex), but to many others, it will show them the softer side of Christmas, the kindness of strangers, and fate.
This was a fast read, more of a long novella than a full-length book-just what I need during the holidays when I'm so busy.
I will certainly be re-reading this during the holidays!
*ARC supplied by MacMillan Books, Ms. Andrews, and NetGalley. My deepest thanks....more
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