BETH C. reviewed on 9/28/2023 + 12 more book reviews

Sweet, sweet book for a newborn or young child, with beautiful illustrations. I will be passing this book on to a friend whose baby is due this winter.

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Annetta D. (abdunham) reviewed on 9/28/2023 + 381 more book reviews

Good story; Mitch Rapp series is exciting and thrilling to read.

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Robin M. (robinmy) - , reviewed on 9/27/2023 + 1986 more book reviews

Evan Smoak has been busy rehabing his apartment after a bomb exploded. When his phone rings, he knows it is time to get back to work. The call is from Aragon Urrea, a Texas businessman who begs the Nowhere Man to help get his daughter back. Angelina Urrea was kidnapped by a rival drug cartel and taken to Mexico. Evan must infiltrate the cartel and save Angelina from their insane leader.

The seventh book in the series isn't as good as the rest. The first half of the book suffered from too much description. There were pages and pages describing Evan's upgraded apartment, Urrea's business, and the Cartel's compound. I didn't care. I wanted more story and less description. The story did pick up in the last quarter of the book. As usual, Evan takes on an Army as only he can. That part was very entertaining. My rating: 3.5 Stars.

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Robin M. (robinmy) - , reviewed on 9/27/2023 + 1986 more book reviews

Lianne Chalice is an actress who is taking time off from her career to attend Harkness College. She has only a few friends at the college. She stays in her room studying most of the time. But when a friend drags her out for pizza with the hockey team, Lianne meets Daniel "D.J." Trevi. She decides that this is the guy she needs to know better.

D.J. is the official disk jockey for the hockey team. He is interested in Lianne; but he also has issues that making starting a relationship with her a bad idea. D.J. is trying to keep his distance. Lianne senses that he is interested, but she doesn't know what is stopping him from getting to know her better.

This is the fifth book in The Ivy Years series. This could have been a great addition to the series, but it fell flat. A woman has accused D.J. of sexual assault. He is working with an attorney to fight the accusations, but the school isn't giving him the time of day. He knows that at any minute he will be booted out of the college, and doesn't want to start anything with Lianne until his name is cleared...if that ever happens. All the secrets drove me crazy. All he had to do was tell her what had happened. Instead, he brings up all kinds of reasons why he can't date her at this time. This situation got old very quickly.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Nick Podehl & Saskia Maarleveld. As always, they do an incredible job with the characters. My rating: 4 Stars.

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Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed on 9/27/2023 + 1410 more book reviews

A motley group of entertainers form an independent variety show company, traveling through mining towns of Idaho and Montana in the late 1800s. Unusual setting. Story centers mostly on the relationships that grow up among the players, and the manager's struggles to keep the company solvent in the face of the emerging Orpheum circuit.

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Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed on 9/27/2023 + 1410 more book reviews

Short collection, riffing on the old Paul Harvey "Rest of the Story" concept, enlivened by personal connections between Rowe and the people or events featured.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 9/27/2023 + 655 more book reviews

The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After a challenging journey, there was peace at the end.

Although Del, the young protagonist, travels a tough journey, there is ultimately peace and hope for all in The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent, the new contemporary young adult novel by Ann Jacobus. The book tackles some of the most difficult topics, too: suicide, alcoholism, and death, so ending up with such a compelling and satisfying story, the author has met and overcome some big challenges. This story is special.

Del, the eighteen-year-old main character, although doing better than she had been a year and a half earlier, is maintaining a fragile balance between recovery and relapse. She is beset with anxiety, depression, alcoholism, and the heavy, awkward baggage that comes from how people react to her past. It was eye-opening to realize how maintaining that balance was a constant battle for her, seeing her coping well one minute and then not the next.

Her Aunt Fran's terminal diagnosis is a tipping point for Del, who continues to grasp at cures long after her aunt has recognized the futility and decided on an altered path for her future. The story explores in depth through Fran and Del's ensuing experiences of the dying process: our modern removal or distancing from the process, attitudes, and physical stages. Fran's death is not done behind closed doors. Del, and subsequently the reader, is there for the pain, symptoms, and bodily changes. Fran's final weeks are assisted with hospice care, and how that works is part of the story.

Complicating matters are Del's relationships with the two men in her life: her father and her childhood friend, Nick. Her father had turned over his daughter to his sister and abdicated his presence as a parent through fear and grief. Del had also pinned some romantic hopes and dreams on Nick after a visit the previous year had ended with a kiss. She'd spent the time since obsessing over that single kiss and building it up in her mind, while Nick had not. The mismatch in expectations when he comes to nearby Berkley for a summer internship, makes for an awkward reunion and heartbreak for Del.

The audiobook, skillfully voiced by narrator Jen Zhao, imbues the work with the solid feel of reality. Jen became the voice of Del, and I felt like I was hearing the character herself pour out her heart and soul to me. Zhao alters her voice appropriately to distinguish the other characters from each other. I thought her performance enhanced an already great book.

I recommend THE COLDEST WINTER I EVER SPENT to readers of contemporary young adult fiction that includes serious topics such as suicide, death, and dying.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

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Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed on 9/27/2023 + 3216 more book reviews

This has been a good series so far

This book #13 just hasn't been up to par, it seems to be very slow going and the killer's theme is music, but the theme has been more boring than anything

These are short books and easy to read, I recommend this series

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Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 815 more book reviews

Cute cozy. When a beloved customer at Charlotte's cafe passes away and his family comes to town for the funeral, fur flies.

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Marci (marcijo28) - reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 230 more book reviews

When I started the book I wasn't sure I would like it. The more I read the more I loved it & Smiley! I'm looking forward to reading all the books in the series. Highly Recommend!

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Frank F. reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 322 more book reviews

Great book on many levels. He can paint pictures with words. A sad story of a Dad trying to save his son in a post apodotic world. It ends on a hint of hope.

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Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 2432 more book reviews

Terrific, fast-paced story that hooked me from the first page and kept me intrigued to the end. The book opens with Tiernan walking his dog Loki (perfect name for the pup!) on his ranch and Loki finding a dead body. A paper with a woman's name and address is found in the victim's pocket. Tiernan rides along with the sheriff to see her.

Melody has just finished a job interview when she finds a mysterious note on her windshield. She's unsure if it is meant for her, or a mistake, or somehow related to her father's crimes. When she stops at home, she's met by a sheriff's deputy and Tiernan and told that she's wanted for questioning by the sheriff. She's confused and concerned but goes along with them.

I already liked Tiernan at this point. His instincts tell him that there is no way Melody could be the murderer. I also appreciated his immediate protectiveness as he watched the sheriff do everything he could to pin the murder on Melody. I loved how he told her to stop answering questions while he made a phone call and got her a top-notch lawyer. He takes her back to his house, where she meets Loki. Tiernan's sensitivity to her fear of dogs and explanation of Loki's history were a good look at the kind and compassionate man he is.

I ached for Melody as the truth of her trouble hit hard. The meeting with the lawyer helps some, but hearing the sheriff is searching her house adds to that feeling. Then, the twist of the victim's identity adds to the situation's complexity. I liked how Tiernan offered to let Melody stay with him when she didn't want to be alone.

Though the lawyer and the sheriff have people investigating, Tiernan and Melody decide to do a little sleuthing themselves. I loved Melody's determination to be fully involved and Tiernan's desire to help and keep her safe. The twists and turns of their searches, combined with the sheriff's determination to pin the murder on Melody, kept me as deeply invested as they were. Even as the clues piled up, I was kept guessing about who was behind the attempt to frame Melody. The final confrontation surprised me and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Tiernan and Melody. They were attracted to each other from the moment they met but tried to resist because of their situation. Both also have trust issues from previous relationships, which take a little while to overcome. I especially liked Tiernan's protectiveness and the sweet way he cared for Melody. At the same time, she felt protective of him and tried to keep from being too disruptive to his life. I liked seeing the similarities in their attitudes towards wealth and privilege. I loved the ending and seeing them admit their feelings for each other. I wish there had been an epilogue because I would have liked more about Tiernan and his family.

Loki was my favorite secondary character. I loved how Tiernan told Melody Loki's story and its effect on her. Tiernan's love for the dog was undeniable, and I loved seeing them together. I also liked Loki's protectiveness toward Tiernan and Melody. I've had two labs, and the author nailed the breed's personality.

#netgalley

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 2425 more book reviews

I enjoy this series, which is helped by my knowledge of Australia. My mother was an Australian and I went to the 5th grade there. So I've done a lot of reading about this island continent. I felt this was one of the best in the series. And I agree with another reviewer that the series doesn't have to be read in order.

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Susan S. (sulock) - reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 73 more book reviews

This is the second book after Radiance, both books have you riveted and engaged with this mismatched couple. Both are lower royalty in different courts and different species, thrown together for a trade agreement. The first book was wonderful and the characters were developed and you were completely involved in the court manipulation but the bond they formed was strong. This second book looks at a war that will test both of them and the worlds they inhabit. This was a wonderful work. I loved both these books and have read another book by this author and any I would recommend if you want romance and fantasy that is not a trite trope but a creative winner.

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Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 524 more book reviews

Happy Pub Day to Katie Powner and The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass! This was one of my most anticipated novels of the year and I loved everything about it. This 'general fiction' story will appeal to a wide range of readers - no history, mystery, or romance but an outstanding tale well told.

In her trademark style, the author creates characters with great depth and humor who lead ordinary lives in small Montana towns. Pete, Wilma, and Lily live in Sleeping Grass and could easily be ignored by society: a man who drives a garbage truck, a senior citizen who's beginning to struggle with daily activities, and a reclusive woman who cultivates a beautiful garden but seldom leaves her home. They carry secrets and regrets and form an unlikely 'family.' A 'colorful' array of secondary characters add interest, wisdom and comedy.

The blowing wind in the title symbolizes challenges the characters face, and they are considerable. Content warnings include domestic abuse, financial exploitation, anger management issues, bullying, and discussion of abortion. But alongside life's trials there's references to poetry, books, ice cream, Indigenous philosophy, and many laughs, including an unforgettable scene in a restaurant kitchen on Valentine's Day night. The organic threads of faith and hope elevate this from four to five stars for me.

Every Powner novel includes animals, and they are always full of personality. This story wouldn't be the same without Pearl the pot-bellied pig or Apisi the three-legged dog. Both bring heart and humor to the plot in meaningful ways.

Thank you to Bethany House, UpLit Reads, and NetGalley for review copies of this memorable novel. I loved this book, and it's now more difficult to choose my favorite Powner book - such a wonderful problem to have.

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Cyndi J. (cyndij) reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 1005 more book reviews

I really like the idea of Rockton, although not all of the particulars. In this one, I'm struck by just how many people there are living out in the wild. Settlements, hostiles, traders, Rockton's inhabitants, and various people like hikers, miners etc just wandering around. I guess the theme of this one is family? Or maybe procreation in general, since we start with the baby. I missed the interaction with the usual Rockton inhabitants. This was an okay read, although I didn't feel much tension in the plot. Obviously they weren't going to keep the baby, and I just wasn't as invested in the search for the parents. I'll still read the next one.

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Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 2432 more book reviews

Good combination of second chance romance and suspense. The story opens as Grace, a medical researcher, opens an email that immediately hacks into her files. Several files are stolen, which could be dangerous in the wrong hands. She also learns that her mentor, Dr. B., died in a fall the night before he supposedly sent her the suspect file. Grace sets out to discover who hacked her computer by doing the same thing in reverse.

Mal, one of three brothers who own the Touré Security Group, was hired that day to discover who hacked into a defense contractor's computer system. He's stunned when the hacker he's chasing sends him a message accusing him of being the hacker. After an unsatisfactory exchange of messages, they agree to meet. Mal is shocked when the hacker who shows up is his ex-girlfriend.

Mal and Grace have a history together. They met in Chicago four years earlier and had an intense relationship. But when Grace's older sister Pam died of diabetes-related complications, Grace was riddled with guilt. She felt she'd allowed her relationship with Mal to interfere with her diabetes research, so she walked away from him. They've never forgotten each other, and now they are thrown together as they race to find out who stole Grace's files.

There were many times I wanted to grab Grace by the shoulders and shake her. The attraction and connection between her and Mal is still there, but she refuses to believe that she can do her work and have a relationship at the same time. Whenever she and Mal seem to get closer, she pushes him away. Grace also has significant trust issues, which become more apparent as they look for suspects.

Mal is a good guy who is reluctant to risk his heart with Grace again. Her departure four years earlier devastated him. He has closed himself off from people, preferring to do his work with the company via email and texts rather than face-to-face.

The rekindling of their relationship was complicated. Both are wary of getting involved again. However, the sparks and connection are so obvious that everyone around them can see them. I liked Mal's protectiveness as the danger intensified, and I appreciated that Grace trusted him enough to accept his protection. As their feelings for each other grow stronger, they must consider whether they are willing to risk their hearts again. It takes straight talk from their loved ones to let go of their fears and take that leap of faith.

The suspense of the story was good. The number of suspects grew as Mal and Grace dug deeper into who would benefit from the theft. The twists and turns of the investigation kept me hooked as the body count went up, and they got closer to the truth. The final confrontation came as a surprise and turned intense very quickly. I loved Grace's coolness and presence of mind as she faced off with the killer. The resolution was well done and believable.

I enjoyed getting to know Mal's brothers, Zeke and Jerry. The dynamics among the three brothers were interesting and showcased each one's personality well. Mal is the quiet one and the peacemaker who finds himself refereeing the arguments between Zeke and Jerry. Zeke is the oldest and tends to be a little bossy. Jerry is the youngest and appears to have a great deal of resentment toward Zeke. However, they put aside their differences to keep Grace safe. They also extend their protection to her grandmother. I loved Melba, a feisty old lady in an assisted living center in Florida. She has a great relationship with Grace and is blunt in advising Grace about her lack of a life outside of work. I laughed out loud when Jerry was sent to be Melba's guard because she got into the cover story with so much enthusiasm.

#netgalley

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Dixie K. (kona-dixy) reviewed on 9/26/2023 + 27 more book reviews

A comedy written in a style similar to that of Elmore Leonard and Donald Westlake (Dortmunder stories). Really enjoyed this fast read, even though it is kind of juvenile. I used to read the columns of Dave Barry but not sure I've ready any of his books.

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Toni G. reviewed on 9/25/2023

I found this book to be predictable. Not sure why it was voted book of the year. It was an ok story.

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Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) - , reviewed on 9/25/2023 + 663 more book reviews

I rated this low because it was published in 1995, so those surveyed filled out their list before books by authors that would no doubt be included in a new list were published (or written) -- such as Charles Todd, Louise Penny, et al. Also, there is no index showing where books are listed or written about.

As it stands, it's an interesting compendium and includes some books that are on my favorite list and some I might actually seek out (although there are too many Hardboiled entries to interest me.)

The Top 100 books are listed and a short entry about each one is included (with the authors' thoughts, such as disagreeing with some top vote-getters due to their not being actual novels or not quite matching the category.)

it is explained how the list was compiled and the top ten in each of the categories (Classics, Suspense, Police Procedural, Cozy, Humorous, etc) are listed. It also lists the Edgar Winners and Nominees -- up until 1994, that is.

Of course I can't write a review without listing my own favorites:

1 The Uninvited - Dorothy Macardle
2 Rim of the Pit - Hake Talbot
3 The Three Coffins - John Dickson Carr **
4 The Daughter of Time - Josephine Tey **
5 The Hound of the Baskervilles - Arthur Conan Doyle **
6 And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie **
7 The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
8 Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie **
9 Green For Danger - Christianna Brand
10 Repeat Performance - William O'Farrell
11 Cue for Murder - Helen McCloy
12 Death from a Top Hat - Clayton Rawson
13 Time and Again - Jack Finney **
14 The Problem of the Green Capsule - John Dickson Carr
15 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Agatha Christie **
16 Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruis Zafon
17 The Water Room - Christopher Fowler
18 The House on the Strand - Daphne DuMaurier
19 Magpie Murders - Anthony Horowitz
20 A Fatal Grace - Louise Penny

** - included in this book's Top 100 list

Honorable mention:
Farthing - Jo Walton
Test of Wills - Charles Todd
The Fourth Door - Paul Halter

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jjares reviewed on 9/25/2023 + 3105 more book reviews

Ninjas have a long history, coming from Japan. Today, they are part of television shows, toys, games, Halloween costumes, etc. Initially, they were overt agents or mercenaries who were experts in feudal Japanese warfare. They specialized in unconventional warfare, such as assassination and sabotage, during the age of the samurai. They often used surprise tactics. They used rumors and whispers about themselves to encourage fear among their enemies.

The Samurai were also part of Japan's history; they were hereditary military nobility from the late 12th century. These men were well-paid protectors of the great feudal landlords. They were held in high honor for over a thousand years. During the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), they made up the ruling military class. Their main weapon was the sword. As time evolved in the 19th century, the samurai became obsolete because of the expense of maintaining the troops. Instead, Japan used the average conscript soldier.

This is a good overview of the ninjas and samurai of Japan, how they came into being and what caused them to disappear.

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Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed on 9/25/2023 + 1069 more book reviews

Gable is an author of historical novels and does a good job with bringing the world of the Catan game to life. It was interesting to learn more about the Viking way of life and to see how she uses the resources (sheep) and characters in the text (brigand) to match the game. There is also an interesting thread about the clash between the traditional Norse gods and the new ideas from Christianity.

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Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed on 9/25/2023 + 1069 more book reviews

Thought-provoking with beautiful writing and memorable characters, but I just didn't like any of them.

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Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed on 9/25/2023 + 870 more book reviews

A tale of four sisters, their parents, their children and their husband. If I had to sum this book up in one word, it would be sad. Sisters are usually close, share everything,and in this book that rings true more than most. Still a good story.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 9/25/2023 + 2425 more book reviews

Revisionist history is not always well received. This is often because people don't always deal well with the truth about their heroes. Of course, that's not to say that all revisionist history is correct. A good example of this is Civil War revisionist history. Many of the books written about that war were based on the memoirs of the generals who fought in it. Later historians determined those generals had an ulterior motive for writing what they did, as many of them were later running for political offices, or to defend their reputations against serious mistakes they made by blaming someone else. For example, most Confederate generals' memoirs often fall into the category of "If they had listened to me, instead of them, we'd have won the war."

World War II revisionist history tends to show those we once considered as great heroes made a great many mistakes that cost the lives of the men under their command. Don't even get me started on Douglas MacArthur.

The author of this book presents the theory that because General Eisenhower was better at politics than military strategy, and had a personal dislike for General Devers, the commander of the 6th Army Group, the Allies lost a golden opportunity to win the war months before they actually did. I think he made a very good case for that in this book, despite the fact I have a very good opinion of Eisenhower, especially as president.

If you are as fascinated by World War II as I am, you really should read this book. If you are not, then it will not interest you much. However, if you have a French background, due to your ancestors, you might want to read it, as the author says a lot of nice things about the First French Army which served under General Devers.

I only noticed one historical mistake in the book. When describing Operation Cobra, which enabled the Allied armies to "break out" of Normandy, the author relates how "The German troops, only yards away from the American lines..." Considering American ground forces and air forces often had trouble communicating with each other on how the Air Force bombers would approach the battle lines before releasing their bombs, the American troops had pulled back about 1,000 yards from the German lines during the night. Yet they still suffered casualties from the bombing, one of which was a now-dead American lieutenant general.

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