Hello!
A cinquain (sin-cane) is a short poetry form with
five lines. Each line has a specific syllable count. Created by an American
poet, Adelaide Crapsey, the poem tends to look like a pot – narrow at the
top and bottom and wide in the middle. It can be on any topic, theme, object,
action, etc.
Rhyme: Not mandatory
My Poem
Lightning
An orange sky
A warning – thunderstorm
Will you heed or call it silly?
Ravage
Series: Iris Woodmore Mysteries #5
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/christmasclosesocial
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209336338-a-corpse-in-christmas-close
Publication Date: 24th August 2024
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
3.5 Stars
One Liner: A decent read
When a pantomime turns deadly, Iris
investigates a cast of killers…
Christmas, 1923: When reporter Iris Woodmore is sent
to cover the Prince of Wales’s visit to historic Winchester, she discovers more
than just royal gossip.
The leading lady in Winchester Cathedral’s charity
pantomime is found dead in mysterious circumstances. And the chief suspect is
Cinderella’s handsome prince, played by Percy Baverstock’s younger brother,
Freddie.
For the sake of the Baverstocks, Iris must
investigate the murder, even though it means confronting an old enemy. And as
the line between friend and foe blurs dangerously, she’s ensnared by someone
she hoped she’d never see again…
Everyone’s favorite amateur sleuth
returns for a Christmas mystery, perfect for fans of Verity Bright, Claire
Gradidge and Emily Organ
***
The story comes in Iris’s first-person POV.
I was happy to see the next book in the series set during Christmas. Walden does sound good in winter. The festival doesn’t have a major role in the plot, though. Don’t look for a proper Christmas mystery here.
As always, we have to deal with a large cast of
recurring characters and new ones related to the case. While the book works as
a standalone, it can be overwhelming to remember who is who without prior
knowledge. I enjoyed the presence of the recurring characters, though not all.
The pacing is steady, and we get a clue or tidbit as
the story progresses. How it fits the bigger picture is for us to guess. There
are a few lighthearted moments too, which I quite enjoyed.
The mystery started out well with a couple of
subplots to thicken the plot. However, the reveal could have been better. No
issues with who the killer is but I did want the method of solving the mystery
to be more detail-based.
I like how the social situation of the period is
woven into the plot. With many characters in business and politics, we get more
than enough feel of the time.
While I like Iris’s determination to do the right
thing when it comes to the cases she solves, her disregard for ethics in her
personal life is worrying. Sorry but not sorry. No amount of feminist talk can
make her look good in this aspect. Her pathetic track record in men has to
break somewhere.
That said, I am excited for the next book and hope a
scandal knocks sense into her silly mind. The MC could do with a reality check
about her life. At the same time, I want the nemesis to be put in place. He
shouldn’t get away for what he did (is doing).
To summarize, A Corpse in Christmas Close is a
decent addition to the series even if isn’t the best. The book does take the
story forward, so I’m hoping the next one will be a much better read.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and
Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest
opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
***
Michelle Salter writes historical cozy crime set in
Hampshire, where she lives, and is inspired by real-life events in 1920s
Britain. Her Iris Woodmore series draws on an interest in the aftermath of the
Great War and the suffragette movement.
***
This has been a stop on the #ACorpseInChristmasClose blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!
Publication Date: 20th August 2024
Genre: Family Drama, Queer Romance
3 Stars
One Liner: An under-baked cake smothered in icing
Ezra Friedman’s family owned the Friedman Family Memorial Chapel, which made it hard for him as he saw ghosts. The ghosts (dead ones and personal) made him leave his home to make a new life. Being a trans male with unprocessed trauma was hard enough.
However, Ezra meets a ghost who defies all the rules he has understood about them. It doesn’t help that the ghost is Ben, the dead husband of Jonathan, a part-time volunteer at the Chapel and Ezra’s new neighbor. Ezra needs to face his trauma instead of avoiding it if he wants a chance with Jonathan. Can he do it?
The story comes in Ezra’s third-person POV.
So… I fell in love with that wonderful cover. The mention of a funeral home and its ghosts was enough for me to request the book. I went into it hoping for an entertaining paranormal romance. Unfortunately, I got a slow-paced family drama with meandering narration.
This is a debut book (from what I see on Goodreads) and reads like one. There’s no denying that it deals with some important themes. But it should have been marketed as an intense read, not lighthearted. (You see me use the word trauma twice in my summary. I’d have appreciated it if the official blurb said it at least once)
The rep is terrific. There are several queer characters in the book. Some of them have been wasted, though. It would have been better with just one or two of them present and well-fleshed out than a blurry of names.
I love the found family trope and hoped it would be prominent when we were introduced to a bunch of housemates at once. While they do play a small part, I felt the potential has been wasted in too much monologue and heavy exposition. It gets lost in the drama of the existing family.
This is a book about a sort of dysfunctional family. However, the members clearly love each other. Communication is a big issue, but otherwise, it’s not horrible. The focus is so much on family drama and the MC’s response (or the lack of it) that it doesn’t leave space for anything else.
Jonathan is a lovely guy, human and flawed obviously, but also someone with a beautiful heart. Ben, despite being a ghost, shines better than some other characters.
The Jewish rep and the details of the rituals were great to read. I learned a lot about their funeral practices, so that’s well done.
I really wish the ghostly aspects were more prominent in the story. I wanted to see the MC explore his talents. Without ghosts, the story wouldn’t be much different. Also, it was too easy with Ben being a talking ghost and all.
The narration is super slow. I zoned out whenever the MC spaced out. Yeah, not assuring! Readers who enjoy such kind of meandering narration will like this book more. IMO, I’d have loved it if it was 30-50 pages shorter. The first half could have benefitted from toning with surgical precision.
The author calls this a family drama with ghosts, queer rep, romance, and humor in the interview at the end. The book was intended to be a family drama. It should have stuck to that aspect (along with the queer rep, of course). There really isn’t much of the dark humor I was expecting. The whole book is heavy and exhausting, unlike the cover, which is vibrant and cheerful. Anyway, thank you for not finalizing the version with the ‘twist’.
To summarize, Rules for Ghosting is the story of a family that finally learns to communicate properly and an MC who realizes his self-worth after a lot of monologues. I think the book needed a ruthless editor for the main plot to stand out and shine. Right now, it is, unfortunately, a kitchen sink.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ramdon House Books (Ballantine | Dell), for eARC.
#NetGalley #RulesForGhosting
Series: The Railway Lane #4 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 29th August 2024
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/wintermagicsocial
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210431585-winter-magic-on-railway-lane
Genre: Small Town Romance
4 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming and sweet
Join the residents of Railway Lane for
one last magical adventure…
Globetrotting Libby Jacobs has lost her job but is
looking forward to spending more time in her home village of Cranfield.
She dreams of turning her chocolate-making hobby
into something more permanent. There’s only one problem - Ethan Connolly.
Despite being soul mates growing up, Libby hasn’t
been close to Ethan since their disastrous date at the school prom. But now
he’s back and he has just what Libby needs… a large kitchen! But can they even
bear to be in the same room together?
Ethan never stays in Cranfield too long as it
reminds him of his parents’ terrible marriage. But when disaster strikes, he’s
forced to stay and help realize his grandad’s dream of a Christmas train. Can
the whole village help Ethan create a seasonal spectacular in time?
Can Libby confront her secrets and realize her
dreams?
And can Ethan ever stop running from his past and
trust his heart?
Perhaps the magic of winter on Railway Lane might
just give Libby and Ethan a second chance after all...
***
The story comes in the third-person POV of Libby and Ethan.
I’ve been waiting for Libby and Ethan’s story since I read the first book in the series. It makes sense to wait until the end to write theirs. They needed to let go of a lot to move on.
The book covers autumn and winter (starts sometime
in August and the main story ends at the end of Jan).
The focus is not just on the couple but their
families and the community as well. The MMC had to learn to step up and take
responsibility, while the FMC had to learn to ask for help when she needed it.
I could understand Libby’s determination to do everything on her own.
Despite being a cozy read, it covers themes like
broken families, secrets, health concerns, lost jobs, career risks, and second
chances. The MMC has much learning to do, mainly about himself and getting rid
of the toxicity dumped on him by his mother.
The side characters are, as always, quite involved
in the plot and play an active role. Paddington is back too, showing his silent
furry support whenever necessary.
The setting is, of course, beautiful. I think this
series covered the lovely village in all major seasons. I could relocate there
maybe… if it existed and someone sponsored a ticket. ;)
The pacing is steady and keeps the story moving. I
like how all relationships come under the spotlight. It’s not just about Libby
and Ethan realizing they are meant to be. It is also about mending their
relationships with their family and allowing their people to provide support
when necessary.
Dodgy Del also has a bigger role this time. I won’t
say what he does. It’s for you to find out!
To summarize, Winter Magic on Railway Lane is a
beautiful conclusion to the series and a satisfying read if you want a cozy read.
While the book works as a standalone, those who read the series can see the
growth of the main characters.
I look forward to the author's next series.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and
Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest
opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
***
Follow the Author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alison.sherlock.73
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/AlisonSherlock
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisonsherlockauthor/
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlisonSherlockNews
Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alison-sherlock
***
This has been a stop on the #WinterMagicOnRailwayLane blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!
Series: Detective Alana Mack #3
Publication Date: 16th August 2024
Genre: Police Procedural
4 Stars
One Liner: A solid read
The story comes in the third-person POV of Alana (max.), William, and a couple of other characters for a chapter or two.
The third book with Alana Mack has a highly complicated plot. It starts with bones in a crab pot but takes many turns to end up somewhere else. Luckily, the progress isn’t jumpy or haphazard.
It helps that the MC has no idea about fishing terms and processes. This makes the explanations a part of the narrative without seeming like it’s only there for the readers.
We have a new addition, rather two new additions but one of them is a dog (Wally), so he gets the limelight. I wish Wally continues to be a part of the series. He is a darling! The other addition is a new member, Eve, in the MC’s team. Tensions increase right away. Have to see where it’ll lead.
There are possibly some minor developments in the MC’s personal life. We get a little more information about her past and the reason for her presence in a wheelchair. She is a no-nonsense (bordering on rude) person but is good to see her indulge in a couple of emotions at times. Her character is going great so far.
I did figure out the killer before the team did and liked that I was right. Some of the actions seem OTT, which does align with that character’s persona, so no big deal.
While I have always liked Paddy, William is giving a good fight to take the first place. He is a smart lad and would excel in the field. He loves Wally, which is another huge point in his favor.
The series does feel like it has solidified with this one. I hope the momentum continues. Of course, I’m not sure about the track with attacks on Alana. Will it be something that connects to her backstory or future books? Have to wait and find out I guess.
The author’s note was an interesting read and provided an insight into her writing process. I always enjoy such snippets shared by authors. Won’t say more as I don’t want to reveal the spoilers.
To summarize, Cage of Bones is a well-crafted and executed police procedural with many twists and turns. It’s a bit on the slower side but doesn’t get boring at any point. Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for eARC.
#NetGalley #CageofBones
Series: #1 (Cliffhanger of sorts)
Publication Date: 03rd Sep 2024
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Romance (Romantasy)
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Good but not a standalone
Jet (19) is a young officer of the League of Protectors (LOP), an organization that acts as a force to keep supernatural creatures from being harmed by humans and vice versa. His life ambition has been to join the higher ranks of LOP. When his talents uncover Tempest, he realizes the danger is much darker and more ruthless than expected.
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Tempest and Jet.
I don’t remember where I saw it mentioned this was first in the series but I’m glad I didn’t forget that point. The book ends in a cliffhanger in many ways. I prefer a standalone series, so this is a little disappointing but at least I knew this would be a series.
The dual POV is done well. I liked that both voices are easy to distinguish and neatly labeled at the beginning of each chapter. The story progresses with the POV shift, so the pacing is steady as well.
This is an urban fantasy about shape-shifters of all kinds who have their own universities, monarchy, police system, and obviously, extremists who want the purebloods to retain supremacy.
The fantasy elements belong to different religions (this is clearly mentioned by the characters). So, there is a naga, a mayura (peacock), dogs, cats, panthers, snails, magi, succubus, etc. I was quite tickled by the choice of making the Indian Deepti a nerdy succubus. I hope she has a meaty role in the coming books.
The main characters are pretty decent. Tempest’s arc is better and feels more aligned with her backstory. Jet is a younger version of the brooding dark and handsome hero with intense feelings and a tragedy in his past. I liked him enough but felt the protective instincts came out a little too early.
There is some romance (clean enough with just one kiss) and pining on both sides. It may seem slow burn in a way but not really. The saving grace is that it doesn’t dominate the plot. Tempest spends more time with the side characters than the MMC, so the angst is more internal and feels a bit too much (they even really know each other).
I liked some of the side characters. Some weren’t developed yet, so can’t say much. The setting is well done. My favorite is the magic library. I need a membership!
While a couple of questions get answered, we are left with many more. This can easily be a trilogy (I hope it won’t drag on to six or eight books). However, please do not bring love triangles. I’ll handle the rest but no triangles and quadrangles!
To summarize, A Trace of Something Stranger is an intriguing YA fantasy and is well done for what seems to be a debut novel. Another round of editing would have tightened it up a bit. I look forward to the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Sungrazer Publishing, for eARC.
#NetGalley #ATraceofSomethingStranger
***
TW: Parental death, death of a friend, violence and injuries
Series: Runes #6 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 15th August 20224
Purchase Link (US): https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Runes-spellbinding-conclusion-adored/dp/1472293258/
Purchase Link (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Legacy-Runes-spellbinding-conclusion-adored/dp/1472293258/
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207289221-legacy-of-the-runes
Genre: Time Travel Romance, Historical
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Slow-paced but entertaining
A bond that even time cannot break
Storm Berger has never forgiven himself for his
younger sister Madison’s disappearance. Suspecting she’s traveled back to the
ninth century in the footsteps of other family members, Storm can only make
sure she’s safe by going after her.
Raised unconventionally as her father’s only child,
Freydis has never been content to simply accept her fate. So, when she’s
promised marriage to a tyrant, she’s determined to find a way out of the
arrangement. Help comes in the form of a mysterious and attractive stranger
stranded on her island’s shores: Storm.
The only way Freydis can truly be free is for Storm
to marry her himself. But that would mean entwining lives that, until now, have
been separated by centuries. . .
***
The story comes in the third-person POV of Strom and Freydis.
So, this is the last book of the series and reads
perfectly well as a standalone. I didn’t read any of the previous books. It
didn’t make any difference in following this one.
The process of time travel is explained well but
kept brief. This isn’t the first time someone in the MMC’s family has done it
(the previous books belong to the other characters who went back in time).
Freydis’s character arc is very well done. She is a
combination of confidence and vulnerability, naïve but eager to learn. Her
thoughts and actions fit her age (eighteen).
Storm’s character is good as well. I did find it a
bit off at times that he was just twenty-one but tried not to let it bother me.
Some of his actions align with his impulsive nature but he has enough endearing
qualities to make up for it.
Joalf is a great side character. I loved his role in
the FMC’s life. Sutr, the raven is my favorite, of course! A raven that talks
and loves treats? Sign me up!
The dialogue was a bit off at times. Nothing major
but I did wonder a few times if that’s how they talked back then.
The setting is great. I could visualize the rocky
buildings, the cliffs, the seaside, and the wintry chill that seeps into the
bones. Brrr! Freezing!
The romance is decent with some sprinkle of external
threat and a bit of miscommunication thrown in. While there is no explicit
third-act breakup, there is some tension. It aligns with their characters, so I
didn’t mind it much.
The book ends with an epilogue for the series. This
might be the only part where readers like me may feel overwhelmed with all the
names and details. Since we don’t have to remember any of it, that’s fine.
There’s a bonus short story too, a quick piece for
another person from the same family and involves the time-traveling love story.
You can read it or skip it. I read it.
To summarize, Legacy of the Runes is an entertaining
romance with two characters bonding across different centuries and finding love
with each other.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and
Headline Review, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest
opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
***
Christina Courtenay writes historical romance, time
slip/dual time and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the
Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and
was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina
is a Vice President and former Chair and of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’
Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical
Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and
the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes.
LEGACY OF THE RUNES (a time travel historical romance published by Headline
Review on 15th August 2024) is her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur
genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).
Follow the Author –
Website:http://www.christinacourtenay.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor
Twitter/X:https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ChristinaCourtenayAuthor/
Bluesky:https://christinacourtenay@bsky.social
***
This has been a stop on the #LegacyoftheRunes blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!
Series: The Hopgood Hall Murder Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 18th August 2024
Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/deadlyaffairsocial
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205065114-a-deadly-affair
Genre: Contemporary Small Town Cozy Mystery
4 Stars
One Liner: A worthy continuation of the series
A local gossip is about to get her just
desserts!
Life at Hopgood Hall is never boring, but Alexi
Ellis hopes that there will be no more murders for the time being – she’s
solved four already and is getting a reputation in the local area for being bad
luck.
So when local gossip Polly Pearson arrives at Hopgood
Hall, Alexi knows this can only mean bad news. Polly has made it clear that she
dislikes Alexi, and has campaigned for her to leave Hopgood Hall forever – so
what could Polly want?
Then Polly reveals that her partner, Gerry has been
found murdered in her B&B and that she is the main suspect! Alexi, her
partner Jack, and Cosmo the cat are all left speechless. More so when Polly
begs Alexi for help improving her innocence.
But Alexi isn’t sure she wants to help this spiteful
gossip. Is she really innocent or as deadly as the police believe her to be?
***
The story comes in Alexi and Jack’s third-person POVs.
The fifth installment in the series should work as a standalone read. There are enough details to get an idea about the characters’ backgrounds. However, it will be more enjoyable for those familiar with the series.
While the book is a cozy mystery, the topics are darker this time (nothing graphic). Cosmo and Tuby bring enough humor to lighten the mood. Our large black cat is a darling unless you are on the wrong side. His hisses and growls are enough to scare most criminals!
The mystery starts out as a simple case of a scorned
lover (maybe) but delves deeper and expands into a larger crime with many
parties involved. I did guess the direction since hints were pointing at it.
The way women make fools of themselves over Gerry
would have been annoying if it weren’t realistically portrayed. Such things
happen in real life and are not uncommon. The story presents a sneak peek into
their thought process, insecurities, and yearning for affection.
I admit the final reveal wasn’t what I expected. I
zeroed in on the other person. This does make sense in a way, a twisted sort of
way that aligns with that character’s arc.
It seems that Alexi and Jack’s relationship is
getting a lot of nazar (evil eye) from many people. The poor couple can’t seem
to get rid of their exes, intent on getting them back. However, it is
heartwarming to see them put up a united front and deal with it in no-nonsense
terms.
There’s a lot of drama too given the nature of the
plot and the characters. Some of it gets repetitive at places but it might be
useful for first-time readers of this series to get a better idea of the
dynamics in the relationships.
A bit of danger and some faithful animals that
become heroes bring the story to a neat ending. Not everyone faces the
consequences of their actions. I know we’ll see some of those characters again,
and can’t wait for them to fall into the hole they dug for others.
To summarize, A Deadly Affair is a well-plotted cozy
mystery and an enjoyable read. It has a steady pace and can be a standalone
read.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and
Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest
opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
***
Author Bio – E. V. Hunter
E.V. Hunter has written a great many successful
regency romances as Wendy Soliman and revenge thrillers as Evie Hunter. She is
now redirecting her talents to produce cozy murder mysteries. For the past
twenty years, she has lived the life of a nomad, roaming the world on
interesting forms of transport, but has now settled back in the UK.
Follow the Author:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wendy.soliman.author
X (Twitter):
https://twitter.com/Wendyswriter
Instagram: Wendy Soliman
(@wendy_soliman)
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/EvieHunter
Bookbub Profile: E.V. Hunter
Books
***
This has been a stop on the #ADeadlyAffair blog tour
by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources)
Thanks for stopping by!
Series: Scottish Escapes #7 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 15th August 2024
Purchase Link (UK): A
Scottish Highland Hideaway: Fall in love with the brand new autumnal Scottish
escapist romance (Scottish Escapes, Book 7) eBook: Shackman, Julie:
Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
Purchase Link (USA): Amazon.com:
A Scottish Highland Hideaway: Fall in love with the brand new autumnal Scottish
escapist romance (Scottish Escapes, Book 7) eBook: Shackman, Julie: Kindle
Store
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205593451-a-scottish-highland-hideaway
Genre: Drama, Small Town Romance
3 Stars
One Liner: Read it as a drama
A brand new
autumnal story of love, believing in yourself and starting over set in the
Scottish Highlands
For Bailey
McArthur, her family and job mean everything. She runs her own floristry
shop and loves spending time in nature in the pretty town of Heather Moore,
whilst desperately trying to forget about being jilted on her wedding day.
When
journalist Zach Stern arrives in town asking questions about a
famous actor, Bailey decides to throw him off the trail of the superstar hiding
out in the Scottish Highlands.
But despite
Bailey’s efforts to thwart Zach's investigation, she finds herself falling for
him. It’s just a shame she can’t be honest with him. But then, Bailey might not
be the only one with a secret to hide…
***
My Thoughts:
The story comes in Bailey’s first-person POV.
Firstly, this is not romance. It has a lot of drama too, so we’ll call it contemporary fiction.
The start is quite good. I enjoyed the descriptions
of the flower shop and the picturesque small town in winter.
As the story progressed, I realized this would not
be romance. There isn’t enough connection between the main characters.
Insta-love trope but sadly it’s not well done. I was still wondering how they
could develop such deep feelings for each other.
There’s a lot of side drama involving Bailey’s
family. The celebrity, Eric, is also hit with drama and scandals from all
sides. Naturally, Bailey, with her helpful attitude, is at the center of it.
Things spiral out of control in the second half.
Fortunately, I liked the bond between Bailey and
Marcus (her brother). His arc was quite believable. In fact, I empathized more
with him than the main characters.
Bailey’s character is decent if a bit silly over
Zach. I like she made some great points about starting over, the role of media
in sharing gossip at the cost of privacy, the right to become a better person
after making mistakes, etc.
Zach’s character is so surface level, he was hardly
anything more than great eyes and hair with commendable ethics. If the side
drama was limited to one topic, there would have been enough space for the MMC
to grow and the romance to feel like something.
As expected of the genre, everything gets sorted at
the end. There’s an epilogue too. The saving grace for me was the pacing. I
could read this in a couple of days.
To summarize, A Scottish Highland Hideaway has a
solid premise but messes it up by bringing too much drama and turning it into a
soap opera. It might work better if you go with the right expectations. (It is
a proper standalone.)
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and
One More Chapter (Harper Collins), for eARC. This review is voluntary and
contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
***
About the Author – Julie Shackman
As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses
and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession
with stationery and handbags.
She is married, has two sons and adopted a Romanian
rescue puppy, Cooper.
A Scottish Highland Hideaway is Julie's eleventh
novel.
Follow the Author:
Julie Shackman (@G13Julie) / Twitter
Julie Georgina Shackman
(@juliegeorginashackman) • Instagram photos and videos
(2) Julie Georgina Shackman |
Facebook
***
This has been a stop on the #AScottishHighlandHideaway
blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources)
Thanks for stopping by!
Publication Date: 13th August 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance
4 Stars
One Liner: An enjoyable story
Miranda comes from a family of toppers and achievers. She is the face of physics and the youngest physics professor in the university. However, her world turns upside down when she is passed over for tenure. Her life no longer follows a plan.
Dejected, Miranda decides to take her bestie’s advice and use the sabbatical to live life without rules and science. Instead, she decides to make decisions based on the stars and astrology. Things have already gone wrong. They couldn’t get worse, right?
What does this sabbatical teach Miranda? Will it help her find some love too?
The story comes in Miranda’s first-person POV.
Well, the cover and the premise were cute enough to make me want to grab this book. Unlike Miranda, I love astronomy and astrology equally and believe that both can co-exist. I hoped it would be fun to see how the FMC realizes the same, and it was.
Miranda’s character is well crafted. The transition from someone who follows rigid rules to someone who embraces change by replacing the rules with another set to finally a person who learns to trust her gut and heart, the progress is steady and unhurried. This feels realistic without being drawn out too long.
I knew there would be a love triangle of sorts. Thankfully, it doesn’t get messy or awkward (or annoying). While I think the other track could have been a little shorter, I also see why it was necessary to go as far as it did. It plays a part in the FMC’s journey.
Archer is an adorable grumpy artist. I wish we had more of him in the book and his backstory came out a little more detailed. He is the king of grump you’d want to love!
Some side characters like Lillian, Daphne, and Kylee make a strong impression. While the other guy was good enough, I didn’t feel anything for him.
The chapters were titled according to months and zodiac seasons. Each chapter began with a horoscope prediction for the day and aligned with the events that take place in it. I loved this approach and had a great time reading those little nuggets of ‘wisdom’.
The romance was pretty mild with only a wee bit of steam. However, the relationship between the FMC and MMC was great to read. It started with a not-a-meet-cute and progressed slowly, so that made sense. I wouldn’t have minded a little more spice, though.
While the track of Miranda’s relationship with her family started realistically, it got resolved a bit too easily, IMO. I wish it continued to be realistic and bittersweet.
There’s an epilogue (my favorite) that gives us a proper HEA and all.
The author’s note was delightful and gave a glimpse into the research and work she put into the book. I always love reading such details.
To summarize, Miranda in Retrograde is a light and steady-paced book (not fast) you can finish in a couple of sittings. It works as a summer read or a starry night read on the rooftop. You don’t need to know anything about astrology to understand the contents.
My thanks to NetGalley, and Gallery Books, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #MirandaInRetrograde
Publication Date: 15th August 2024
Genre: Slow-burn Mystery
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Good but... could have been better!
When an anonymous letter arrives at the office of Clarendon English Dictionary, the new senior editor, Martha Thornhill, wonders if it is one of those pranks. However, she and her team (fellow editors) decipher the clues in the letter to realize it hints at a case that occurred in 2010.
Martha’s older sister, Charlie disappeared without a trace never to be found. Unable to handle the aftermath, Martha settled in Berlin and lived there for a decade, creating a new life. However, family issues brought her back to London, and her return seems to have triggered something.
As more letters arrive, Martha and her colleagues have to unravel the mystery using their talents with words. It is like solving a word puzzle, only far more dangerous.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Martha, Alex, and Zoe.
As a fan of mysteries, I was excited to read this one. Cases that have puzzles and clues are more interesting than the ones with gun fights. Brain power and all that. ;)
This is a slow-paced mystery with many heavy-weight words and complex clues. Given the author’s expertise and the chosen professions of the main characters, it’s no surprise that the content reads like a dictionary. Much to show off in this one and it gets excessive sometimes.
The mystery as such is decent and easy enough to put together in the second half. In fact, you can identify the culprit in the first half if you go by the vibes (even if you don’t know the whats and whys).
Though the book is set in 2023, it has an old-world feel to it. If not for the talk about messages and stuff, I would have forgotten this is a contemporary read.
The setting is Oxford (which the author seems to love). As the book progressed, it felt more surreal than tangible. The descriptions should make it atmospheric but for me, it felt a tad overdone.
In fact, a lot of the book is overdone, making it way too slow than it needed to be. The same goes for characters. I am really glad we get Zoe and Alex’s POVs which balance out Martha’s. As the main character, Martha was infuriating most of the time. She has this ethereal and untouchable vibe which made it hard to connect with her. Also for someone who is in their early 30s, she sounded like a 50-something woman.
That’s a pity since the character arc deals with important themes – being the shadow sibling, the blurring lines between worshipping and hating the golden child aka the popular sibling, living the ghosts of unresolved past and guilt, wanting to avoid the truth, choosing perceived safety over reality, etc. These should have enriched her character but somehow it doesn’t happen.
I like that there are subtle hints of romance between the two characters and it never shadows the central plot – the mystery. This is a good decision and has been executed well.
Each chapter starts with a difficult word and its meaning. I think some align with the chapters but some don’t. Even the complex clues are solved easily but I’m not complaining. The characters have years of experience in the field. They are supposed to be good at what they do to be in their positions. Moreover, the story dragged on enough as it is. Additional delays would have been disastrous!
The epilogue ties up the loose ends and provides a bittersweet and hopeful ending. I wish the ARC had the author’s notes. Would love to read it.
To summarize, Guilty by Definition is a debut novel by a celebrity and it shows. The book has worthy elements, which are at the risk of drowning in heavy vocabulary and a hard-to-connect MC.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK (Zaffre), for the eARC.
#NetGalley #GuiltybyDefinition
Series: Detective Tessa Burns #3 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 19th August 2024
Genre: Police Procedural
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Mixed feelings
Detective Tessa and her team are sent to Cork to take care of Ellie and solve the case but they face a block at every turn. Time is running out, and Ellie’s life is at risk. Even the team is at risk with someone from the past trying to hunt them down.
What will happen?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Tessa, Danny, Maggie, Ellie, and The Watcher.
I’ve wanted to try this series after a friend was impressed by the first book. I decided to grab book three since one and two were released together. This worked as a standalone though I’m not sure how much of character development I missed by not yet reading the previous books.
The premise is intriguing, and the concept of Ellie’s abilities has been handled well. The trope used for the reveal is too common but that’s okay.
Pavlov is a fab dog. Caring when necessary, alert at all times, and ferocious when he should be. Perfect! (I thought Pavlov was short for Pavlova at first)
The book starts slowly with different POVs but picks up pace after the first quarter. Then it goes steadily until the end.
I like Danny and Maggie (yay for the rep) a lot more than Tessa. There lies my biggest issue. The MC is smart and capable but I cannot help but wonder about certain decisions. Also, given her background, I’m surprised she didn’t connect the dots or at least get suspicious about the tattoo. It should have made her act (which would have changed the plot, so maybe she needed to be a little messy for the book to follow its plotline).
As with most police procedurals we have corruption in the department but I am impressed by Commissioner Dawson. She is the kind of superior one could report to.
There’s quite a bit of violence in this one. Not an issue as I can handle it. What surprised me was the misplaced sense of right and wrong in some decisions (Tessa again). Does she like to contradict herself? No idea! It will appeal to social media warriors of justice though!
I’m not sure about the plot progress either. Some of it is a bit too convenient. Not really a fan of criminals sharing the details so easily. Makes one wonder how they even got to that position with such stupidity. Sigh!
The author’s note is wonderful. I enjoyed it a lot more than some parts of the book.
To summarize, Her Lonely Soul has good thrills and is decently paced. The reading experience will depend on how much you like the main character (Tessa). I wasn’t a fan, so the result was average.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #HerLonelySoul
