tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65758936566091336902024-03-16T11:37:08.843-05:00Pirate Media MusingsInformation and recommendations for buccaneers everywhere.Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.comBlogger862125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-82576374998988726112024-03-16T11:35:00.002-05:002024-03-16T11:36:34.980-05:00Review: She's Not Sorry
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/140111148" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="She's Not Sorry" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689781177l/140111148._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/140111148">She's Not Sorry</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7392948">Mary Kubica</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6348549836">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">Meghan is recently divorced and learning how to juggle
raising a teenage girl alone and working to support her family. She is a nurse and has seen the good and bad
in the world. When a new patient arrives
in a coma and a witness says she was pushed, Meghan gets a little too close to
the patient and the drama that is her family.
What happened to Caitlin on the bridge?
What is going on with Meghan’s daughter?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She’s Not Sorry is a stand-alone mystery that does start a
little slow, but then the last third of the book twists and turns and goes in
many unexpected ways. Events that seem
trivial when introduced turn out to be important to the plot and Kubica brings
everything together seamlessly. The book
ended up being an exciting read and I suggest not starting the last few
chapters at night, otherwise, you might end up staying up to finish the book.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6348549836">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-47905626696442372024-03-10T16:13:00.002-05:002024-03-10T16:14:19.356-05:00Review: Royal Scandal
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181346434" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Royal Scandal" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688417483l/181346434._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181346434">Royal Scandal</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/767317">Aimee Carter</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5321454599">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Evan is finally getting used to all the media attention
since the world discovered she is the illegitimate daughter of the King of
England. Almost all of the clickbait is
false news, but Evan has been receiving threats of another story … one that is
all too true. As more and more
information is leaked about her, she wonders if she will always be hated by the
people of Britain. Then there is an assassination
attempt … and another. Does someone
really want Evan dead or is there another motive?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Royal Scandal is the second book in the Royal Blood
series. This mystery had enough clues at
the beginning to nudge my memory about events in the first book without feeling
that the author was trying to recap everything for readers. I will say that I was constantly running
scenarios in my head as I was working my way through the novel and was happy
that it wasn’t completely predictable.
Goodreads has an untitled third book listed and I hope that Carter can
continue this series past three books. </p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5321454599">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-45929887963980240082024-03-02T14:19:00.002-06:002024-03-02T14:20:23.933-06:00Review: Under This Red Rock
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156477842" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Under This Red Rock" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687805070l/156477842._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156477842">Under This Red Rock</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5351825">Mindy McGinnis</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6310646535">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Neely has always been haunted by monsters. The only place she can get away from them is
in the caverns near her home. She thinks
she will finally have some quiet when she lands a job at this cavern and the
added perk is Mila. Mila is everything
Neely wishes to be, but when a staff party has her using drugs … her monsters
get worse. Soon, Mila is found dead, and
Neely can’t trust her memories of that night.
Who killed Mila? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Under This Red Rock is a supernatural story with a mystery
twist. Readers will easily be able to
suspend disbelief as they uncover hidden truths above and below ground. McGinnis has once again stretched into a new
genre and proven that she will not be contained by one type of writing. This book is a fast-paced mystery with some
interesting supernatural components to keep the reader on their toes. Under This Red Rock is a wonderful read for everyone.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6310646535">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-73647047543532977722024-02-23T10:23:00.002-06:002024-02-23T10:23:40.172-06:00Review: Angelbound Tales Volume 1
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204686798" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Angelbound Tales Volume 1" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1704226653l/204686798._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204686798">Angelbound Tales Volume 1</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/546812">Christina Bauer</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6287725585">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">I am one of those readers who LOVE everything to do with
Myla Lewis. She is quirky, funny, and is
a kiss a$$ protagonist! This collection
of five short stories had everything I love and did not disappoint. Two stories take place before the series
began and the other three are interspersed throughout the many volumes. Because of the various locations within the
series, I believe readers should NOT read this unless they have read most of
the original stories. Walker’s Love Connection
(before Angelbound Book One), Sharkie and Snickerdoodles (before Angelbound
Book One), Wedding Bells (after Angelbound Book One), Herbie and Baby Hotdogs (after
Scala), and Saving Mrs. Pomplemousse (after Acca). I hope this information helps future readers.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6287725585">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-19798804242852863532024-02-19T05:49:00.002-06:002024-02-19T05:49:36.648-06:00Review: Four Letter Word
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173476054" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Four Letter Word" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686580092l/173476054._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173476054">Four Letter Word</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4145664">Gretchen McNeil</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6275698806">3 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Izzy’s mom has planned for her to study abroad
in Italy and Izzy has looked forward to leaving her boring life behind. When Alberto, an Italian foreign exchange
student, moves in with them, she realizes that her life isn’t as boring as she
thought. Izzy is also a true crime fan
and has been following a case of a serial killer in San Francisco. When the murderer seems to have traveled
north, Izzy wonders if Alberto is who he says he is.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Four Letter Word is a predictable mystery that
was still enjoyable to read. McNeil was
able to put in a few unexpected twists and turns, but the trajectory of the
story followed the usual path. I was satisfied
with the ending, but I only recommend this for those who need a simple escape
and not a heart-pounding mystery.</span></p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6275698806">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-90039313406633343812024-02-09T10:11:00.002-06:002024-02-09T10:11:55.345-06:00Review: The New Couple in 5B
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128007059" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The New Couple in 5B" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1696449152l/128007059._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128007059">The New Couple in 5B</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18445">Lisa Unger</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6248875478">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Chad and Rosie helped take care of Chad’s uncle in his last
months of life. When they find out that
he unexpectantly leaves them his expensive apartment, they were floored. Everyone was welcoming and they tried their
best to adjust to their new place. Rosie
soon learns that there are mysteries contained within Windermere and not all of
them are in its past. Will Rosie discover
the truth about Windermere before it is too late?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The New Couple in 5B is a stand-alone mystery that was one-part
suspenseful and one-part history. Readers
will wonder how many of the issues are personal and which parts may be
supernatural, yet Unger did a superb job blending all elements into a cohesive
storyline. I was a little disappointed
in the ending, but the build up made the entire experience a pleasure.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6248875478">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-54109977470524068052024-02-02T12:53:00.002-06:002024-02-02T12:53:42.364-06:00Review: The Encanto's Daughter
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156125" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Encanto's Daughter" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686021299l/174156125._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156125">The Encanto's Daughter</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21911">Melissa de la Cruz</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6228821360">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">MJ and her mother are always moving. They have been on the run because MJ is the
only child of King Vivencio of the Sirena Court. After her father dies, she is tasked with
returning to his realm and taking her place as the heir. Unfortunately, she is half human and many do
not feel she has the right to become ruler and she only has one month to get
ready for the throne. Will she discover
her magic in time to demonstrate her power?
Will she be able to survive the numerous attempts on her life?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Encanto’s Daughter is the first book in the series with
the same title. This fantasy novel is
nothing like de la Cruz’s other books, yet this fast-paced book was a wonderful
distraction. Readers will quickly find
characters they love and hate as the story develops and climaxes. The Encanto’s Daughter would be a great
introduction to the fantasy genre. </p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6228821360">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-54916170211538182912024-01-26T13:43:00.002-06:002024-01-26T13:44:04.941-06:00Review: With a Little Luck
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63291997" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="With a Little Luck" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686948017l/63291997._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63291997">With a Little Luck</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322">Marissa Meyer</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6207296043">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Jude has done a good job of surviving high school without
any major issues. He has great friends,
a job, and a relaxing hobby. He isn’t
unhappy with his life, but when he finds a twenty-sided dice that appears to be
giving him great luck … his life begins to change. He wins tickets to a concert and decides to
ask out his long-time crush; she accepts!
One of his drawings is accepted in a fanzine and he helps a friend
become a finalist in a competition.
Everything is wonderful until he loses the dice. His luck quickly
vanishes and he is now faced with a life in upheaval. Can Jude make his own luck?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a Little Luck is the second book in the Fortuna Beach
duology. Although this is technically a
sequel, readers do not need to have read the first book to enjoy it. There are spoilers for the first book in this
one, though, so don’t read it first if you plan to go back to the
original. Meyer has created a cast of
characters I loved to spend time with and I hope she creates other “companion”
novels with them. A fun escape for all
underdog romance fans.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6207296043">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-76782174203748657782024-01-19T16:39:00.002-06:002024-01-19T16:40:20.628-06:00Review: Kindling
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173956619" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Kindling" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687801827l/173956619._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173956619">Kindling</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6567825">Traci Chee</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6185488848">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">The war is finally over but the kindlings that were used as
weapons are left without a purpose. There
is still violence everywhere and when a village is threatened, a group of
kindlings believe it is time to fight again.
Being raised to be a weapon has changed them in many ways … what
suffering will they need to overcome to be successful? How many will come out of this quest alive?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kindling is a stand-alone Fantasy novel that is full of
action and adventure. The characters push
through various obstacles and learn from each other along the way. This is a book of moderate length, yet it
felt like a short, fast read. There are
a few unnecessary “sexual” scenes, but nothing too racy. Chee takes issues that are relevant even now
and puts a wonderful fantasy spin on them.
A strong read for all fantasy fans.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6185488848">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-10260477442274696922024-01-13T06:57:00.002-06:002024-01-13T06:57:35.689-06:00Review: The Women
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305853" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Women" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689788358l/127305853._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305853">The Women</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/54493">Kristin Hannah</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5916534468">5 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Frances has finally become a nurse and is feeling
underwhelmed with the menial tasks she is asked to do. Her father has always spoken highly of the
men in the family who have served in the military and when she learns that the
Vietnam War needs nurses … she signs up.
All she has under her belt is her schooling, but war is a fast teacher
and she becomes a very competent trauma nurse.
War might be hard, but Frances quickly learns that coming home has its
own problems. Those who are protesting
the war are also protesting the veterans.
When she asks for help for her nightmares, first she is told that only
men were in Vietnam … then she is told that she didn’t see combat and didn’t
need services.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Women is a historical fiction story that had me shaking
my head at some of the actions of the supportive characters. I don’t know if that is because we are 50+
years after these events or if it is because I am a female who served in the
military during the 1990s. This book is
great to read by yourself, but I also think this would make an excellent book
club book so readers have a platform to discuss the varied issues. I don’t give many books 5 stars … but this
one is definitely a 2024 5-star book!</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5916534468">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-13515666647218723802024-01-05T12:32:00.002-06:002024-01-05T12:33:14.302-06:00Review: Pangu's Shadow
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/105733415" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Pangu's Shadow" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1693265790l/105733415._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/105733415">Pangu's Shadow</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7384403">Karen Bao</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6132626392">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Ver and Aryl have overcome many obstacles to become
apprentices in a great biology lab. They
know they have a long way to go, but everything changes when an explosion happens,
and their boss is found dead. The
authorities believe there was foul play involved and one or both girls are
behind it. They are bailed out by Cal’s
wife and have less than a week to figure out what exactly happened. Was it an accident? Was it suicide? Or was it murder?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pangu’s Shadow is a stand-alone sci-fi mystery that wasn’t very
long, which made the events appear that much more intense. I was swept into the story immediately and thoroughly
enjoyed the science-fiction aspects and the mystery that needed to be
solved. I have never read anything by
Bao before, but I will be looking for more books by this talented author. A great escape whether you like science
fiction or mysteries.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6132626392">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-24892247022450184582023-12-29T17:38:00.002-06:002023-12-29T17:39:11.058-06:00Review: The Getaway List
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126919196" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Getaway List" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682194701l/126919196._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126919196">The Getaway List</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18673646">Emma Lord</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6095034973">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">Riley is now a high school graduate with no real plans. She got rejection letters from every college
she applied to … even her safety schools.
Although she did get in trouble a few times in high school, she has
strived to be a good kid for her mom. In
her first real act of rebellion, Riley decides to pack her bag and go to New
York City for the weekend. Her best
friend, Tom, lives there and they haven’t seen each other in ages. They also created The Getaway List while they
lived apart and she thinks this is a good time to knock some of those
adventures out of the way. Riley quickly
learns she needs more than a weekend … she is staying for the summer!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Getaway List is a stand-alone romance that had me fully
invested after only a few chapters and I kept returning to the book and
thinking about it while doing other things.
This was a very clean romance that was primarily Riley and Tom not
admitting they were attracted to each other.
Lord made New York City seem like a place where everyone should spend a summer.
I’m not condoning everyone going to NYC
against their parent's wishes, but this escape read will have many readers
wondering if they should.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6095034973">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-22742305058575518932023-12-22T09:09:00.002-06:002023-12-22T09:09:59.860-06:00Review: The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84282578" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1674532036l/84282578._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84282578">The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21643723">S.C. Selvyn</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6070124817">3 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Dasia and Tannus truly want to get away. They have heard that Ildarwood can be their
escape, but they also know that few children survive the Trials. Some soul-stealing hunters want to stop them
from overcoming, but they must face their pasts to discover their true
powers. What secrets will they discover
during their Trial? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow is a
stand-alone story set in the world created by Selvyn. I haven’t read any other stories set in this
world, yet I was able to enjoy this story fully. My main complaint is that the ending was
rather abrupt. This fantasy adventure
was a wild ride throughout, yet as the end approached it felt forced. This will not be a satisfying read for
everyone, but for those also on an inner quest of self-discovery, it may be a
mirror into their thoughts.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6070124817">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-37591927903610618282023-12-16T11:00:00.002-06:002023-12-16T11:00:52.772-06:00Review: The Wall
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199378392" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Wall" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1697012668l/199378392._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199378392">The Wall</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3522691">Brian Penn</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6054158938">3 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">In the not-so-distant future, the United States is in the
middle of another civil war. Technology
has now made it possible to give people a second life and there is a wall that
separates the rich from the poor. Asher
is a smuggler who wants to find a way out.
His chance has come; he must pretend to be a Zion soldier and beat an
undefeated gladiator. Will Asher become
united with his love? What lies will be
uncovered?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Wall is listed as a stand-alone dystopian novel in
Goodreads, but the author’s note at the end tells readers it will be a trilogy. This short book is action-packed and full of
twists and turns. I can’t say it is on
par with some of the other great dystopian novels released recently, but for a
freshman novel, it was good. A firm
choice if you just want a quick escape read.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6054158938">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-63507860530289137272023-12-07T17:11:00.002-06:002023-12-07T17:11:48.966-06:00Review: I Am A Barbarian: The Forsaken Road
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201226503" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="I Am A Barbarian: The Forsaken Road" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1698849251l/201226503._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201226503">I Am A Barbarian: The Forsaken Road</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/283110">Alex Evans</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6032040876">2 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Delta has only known the nomadic life as she travels the continent
with her family. At fourteen, it has
been decided that she will attend a sorcery academy which will require its own
new journey. She will not be alone, but
the path ahead has numerous dangerous creatures. Even with all the risks … friendships are
created. What dark secrets will Delta
uncover along the way? Will Delta
survive the perilous journey?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I Am a Barbarian is a stand-alone adventure that starts
strong and fizzles out quickly. It is a
short read, so readers don’t have to give it a large commitment, but that is
the only saving grace. I wanted to like
the book, the description sounded great, but I found my mind wandering
constantly and I had to restart chapters to figure out what was going on. I have to tell readers they probably should pass
this one up.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6032040876">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-6755125643789249702023-11-25T05:02:00.002-06:002023-11-25T05:03:05.195-06:00Review: The Hunting Moon
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58163757" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Hunting Moon" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677097306l/58163757._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58163757">The Hunting Moon</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4499623">Susan Dennard</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6000849824">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Winnie is now a local celebrity. Everyone knows that she is the girl who
jumped … and the girl who was bitten.
She should be happy that she is now accepted, but it doesn’t feel right
and there is a new nightmare that is hunting the hunters. Everyone believes the werewolf is at fault,
but Winnie believes differently. It
doesn’t help that Winnie is also trying to unravel the weird clues her father
left about the Dianas. Who can Winnie
trust? How many people will die before
the questions get answered?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hunting Moon is the second book in The Luminaries series. This supernatural thriller will keep readers
guessing as the protagonist uncovers lie upon lie. Dennard takes the world she created in the first
book and expands into more intrigue and additional family drama. I will tell you the truth … I don’t remember much about the first book,
yet I was fully able to enjoy this story.
I don’t know if others will have the same experience, though. A strong second book with many more
possible. </p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6000849824">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-60624471412659901112023-11-17T06:42:00.002-06:002023-11-17T06:42:57.584-06:00Review: The Woman with a Purple Heart
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86174715" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Woman with a Purple Heart" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686583717l/86174715._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86174715">The Woman with a Purple Heart</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6585895">Diane Hanks</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5983230051">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Annie has made a career being a nurse for the U.S. Army and
has recently been transferred to Hickam Field in Oahu. Most personnel stationed in Hawaii are happy
to work in paradise, but Annie believes this is the Army’s way of telling her
to retire. She isn’t ready to retire, so
she put her all into her new position.
When the attack on December 7<sup>th</sup> leaves everyone scrambling,
Annie has a steady mind and a calm demeanor.
Annie thinks outside the box and finds assistance in some unusual
places, but afterward, her world is shaken again when a Japanese-American nurse
is arrested and separated from her two children. How will Annie react to the prejudice and
injustice that followed the attack?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Woman with a Purple Heart is a historical fiction story
that takes some hard historical topics and places them in a well-written
tale. The chapters that include the
attack are detailed without being gory and the events that follow are heart-rending
and memorable. Readers will finish this
story and know that America has made some terrible decisions in the name of
liberty and must learn from these errors before we make them again.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5983230051">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-16523298330038665572023-11-12T05:32:00.002-06:002023-11-12T05:32:41.824-06:00Review: The Queen's Crown
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122894555" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Queen's Crown" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677104753l/122894555._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122894555">The Queen's Crown</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466369">Jennifer Anne Davis</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5970956930">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Princess Sabine is the sixth in line to the throne, so she
doesn’t spend much time thinking about politics. That is until her sister agrees to marry a
neighboring king to help her country … and then is murdered before the wedding
can occur. Sabine wants to know who was
responsible for her sister’s death, so she agrees to marry the king of Lynk to
investigate it herself. Will Sabine be
able to discover who was behind the murder?
How will she adjust to a role she was never destined to hold? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Queen’s Crown is the first book in the League of Rulers
series. This fantasy novel had me
captivated from the start and I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know
what was going to happen next. As the
book neared the end and the story wasn’t slowing down, I knew that the second
book would be a necessity. This book was
not a high fantasy, but it gives readers a lot to think about and includes many
characters with hidden depths. This book
does end with a cliffhanger, and I wish the next book was already available. </p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5970956930">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-40618138800949174682023-11-04T04:28:00.002-05:002023-11-04T04:28:53.104-05:00Review: Dirty Thirty
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101021149" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Dirty Thirty" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675614462l/101021149._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101021149">Dirty Thirty</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384">Janet Evanovich</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5566258794">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Stephanie has her hands full. Martin Rabner wants her to find Andy Manley
who he believes took diamonds from his jewelry store safe. She is also looking for Duncan Dugan, a man
believed to have robbed the same jewelry store … on the same day. She probably could have handled both of those
issues, but when her boyfriend leaves town on police business, she has to
dog-sit Bob … and he can’t be left alone.
Of course, Ranger and Lula must throw their own issues into Stephanie’s
crazy life. What odd activities will be
uncovered in Trenton?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dirty Thirty is the thirtieth book in the Stephanie Plum
series. This story had me laughing
constantly and I kept thinking, I need to tell someone about that! There are many quotable moments … then you
get to the end and Evanovich has picked 30 of her favorite quotes from the
series. I always expect that the next
book will be ho-hum since the series is long-running, but if it is going to
happen, it wasn’t this book! I will say
there is a small cliffhanger at the end.
When is the next book going to be released?! </p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5566258794">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-72637776693109002782023-10-27T09:50:00.002-05:002023-10-27T09:51:00.369-05:00Review: The Secret
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62978898" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Secret" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1684509835l/62978898._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62978898">The Secret</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5091">Lee Child</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5570801078">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">It is 1992 and eight people have been found dead. They are in many places in the United States
and don’t seem to be connected. One of
the victims gets the attention of the Secretary of Defense and he calls for an
inter-agency task force. Reacher is
assigned to this task force. He is a
great soldier, but he doesn’t believe in hiding the truth to protect
others. What is the link between these
victims? Will this end with official
justice or Reacher justice?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Secret is the twenty-eighth Jack Reacher novel, and it
transports us back 30 years during his Army career. Readers who have followed the series will
enjoy seeing new insights into an event that shaped who Jack became and readers
who just picked this book up will enjoy a one-off story and then feel compelled
to find the first in the series. The
adventure isn’t as intense as some of the other books, yet the story almost
seems to read itself. </p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5570801078">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-74697484447313424252023-10-20T15:37:00.001-05:002023-10-20T15:37:14.015-05:00Review: The Prophet's Gambit
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195579582" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1690981765l/195579582._SX98_.jpg" border="0" alt="The Prophet's Gambit" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195579582">The Prophet's Gambit</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27447680">Ellie Evaris</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5921714813">3 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><br />
Aris has been dreaming for years but doesn’t remember most of them. She has felt that something is about to happen, but it never does … until Alek appears in her life. Alek has his own gift for never being injured and after reading his tarot cards, he believes Aris is the missing link to finding Krysidia. But there is a catch. Aris must learn to control her gift to fulfill the prophecy. Does Aris have what it takes to survive this quest? Who can she trust and who should she be cautious about?<br /><br />The Prophet’s Gambit is the first book in a fantasy series by the same title. There were chapters that were captivating and others that were lackluster, but since this was a debut novel, that can be forgiven. The characters were easy to relate to and the world-building was well executed. Evaris has created a story with a lot of potential and it will be exciting to see her writing develop in the next installment. <br />
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5921714813">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-1113314481618695122023-10-14T15:43:00.002-05:002023-10-14T15:44:38.272-05:00Review: I Loved You in Another Life
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61246903" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="I Loved You in Another Life" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673640163l/61246903._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61246903">I Loved You in Another Life</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7368938">David Arnold</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5908426089">3 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><br />
<div>Evan has plans and they are starting to change. He wanted to take a gap year in Alaska, but after his mother had a cancer scare, he wondered if now was the right time. He is also hearing a song that no one else hears. Shosh is on her way to LA with a dream of being a star, but after losing her sister to a drunk driver everything changes. She also hears a voice singing that no one else hears. </div><div><br /></div><div>I Loved You in Another Life is a stand-alone novel that weaves together these two young adults and a few other stories too. The premise of the novel was intriguing, yet the execution was lackluster. I so wanted to love this book, but in the end, I felt it was ho-hum. I’m sure there is a niche out there that will love this book, but it will not be appealing to the average reader.</div><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5908426089">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-80332418618082206512023-10-06T12:55:00.002-05:002023-10-06T12:55:58.494-05:00Review: A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122754906" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686909830l/122754906._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122754906">A Stroke of the Pen: The Lost Stories</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1654">Terry Pratchett</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5891117718">4 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Sir Terry Pratchett has been dead for 8 years and many
readers have missed his prose and zany characters. What many readers are unaware of (as was I), Pratchett
often wrote under pseudonyms for newspapers in the 1970s and 1980s. Dedicated fans spent untold hours searching
newspaper archives for these lost stories.
Included in this volume are twenty stories that show Pratchett as he was
honing his craft and discovering who he was as an author. Just like most short story collections, some
stories are better than others, but overall the experience was fun … and some
tales will give readers a glimpse into the worlds that Pratchett eventually
created.</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5891117718">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-12984982071489918452023-09-30T15:00:00.002-05:002023-09-30T15:01:25.409-05:00Review: Foul Heart Huntsman
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101138075" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Foul Heart Huntsman" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678293837l/101138075._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101138075">Foul Heart Huntsman</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18899059">Chloe Gong</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5877672038">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">Rosalind was an expert spy, but now she is hiding from the
media because her cover has been blown.
Her partner and fake husband has been taken and all knowledge of
Rosalind has been erased from his memory.
She needs to get away to rescue him, but now that everyone recognizes
her, she must use a new deception. Rosalind
stages a national tour, but not even that goes as planned. Who can Rosalind trust? What secrets from her past will be uncovered?</p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Foul Heart Huntsman is the second book in the
Foul Lady Fortune duology. Events from
this book transpire soon after the first book's ending and readers will be completely
lost if they skip the first volume. This
book has history, adventure, and family drama all rolled into a captivating
read. Gong has once again written about this
little-known period of world history and made it relatable to all readers. A strong conclusion to a good duology. </span><br /><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5877672038">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575893656609133690.post-74519994414200961012023-09-22T11:26:00.002-05:002023-09-22T11:26:52.820-05:00Review: Project F
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128130323" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Project F" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681185329l/128130323._SX98_.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128130323">Project F</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2347">Jeanne DuPrau</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5859876741">3 of 5 stars</a>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Keith is on a trip to pick up his cousin when he stumbles
across Project F. Now he is part of a
secret project that is destined to change the world. Unfortunately, he is only thirteen years old
and is forced to keep it a secret from everyone, except Lulu. As Keith learns more about Project F and the
fuel it uses, he must decide if the secret is worth keeping. What will Keith do in the end?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Project F is a stand-alone science fiction story that will
have readers wondering what our world would be like if some of these actions
became real. DuPrau has taken a future
time that could easily be realized in our lifetime and created a story for
young readers to ponder. This book will
leave everyone thinking about how they might live in a simpler world. </p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5859876741">View all my reviews</a>
Mrs. Kenyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16325007981912977305noreply@blogger.com0