What would you take? Things You Save in a Fire (Center)

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 26, 2019

I truly enjoyed this author’s novel, How to Walk Away, so immediately requested this e galley when I saw it on NetGalley.  I had a bit of a wait before I was approved but luckily I was!

This book is about Cassie, a seemingly tough, no nonsense, keep all emotion at bay firefighter.  Cassie has been hurt and traumatized in the past.  Her mother left the family on Cassie’s 16th birthday, a high school boy violated her; she does not believe that she wants more than work and routine.

The plot takes Cassie from Texas to Rockport, MA where she agrees to help her ill mother, but only for a year.  Cassie vows not to get close.  She gets a job in a new firehouse.  The antics within in terms of initiations are vividly described.  The author credits her husband, a volunteer firefighter for their authenticity.

Cassie joins the fire station on the same day as “the rookie.”  Their relationship forms the core of the novel, along with Cassie’s evolving relationship with her mother.

The book is a good, quick read.  There is some philosophizing by Cassie’s mother that adds dimension to the novel.  If you are a reader of this author’s novels or enjoy women’s fiction,  give this one a try.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for my honest review.

An Electra McDonnell Novel

by Ashley Weaver

The title of this novel cleverly has several meanings. The most obvious refers to combinations on safes as the novel’s protagonist, Ellie, is a talented (sometimes on the wrong side of the law) safe cracker. It could also refer to some of her relationships which might seem a bit unconventional, as for example, Ellie’s with the government agent who first entraps but later takes Ellie on as more of a partner.

The setting is wartime England. There are concerns about spies, traitors and secret documents…and, of course, there is murder. Will documents get into the wrong hands? Will the traitors and/or spies be caught? How will Ellie fare in her relationships? Read the novel to find out.

What is done well in this book: The characters-I cared about Ellie, her uncle, her cousins (one of whom is MIA), her friend Felix and others. Less well done in my opinion was getting an authentic sense of the time perios in the novel; I knew it was the 1940s but would have welcomed more details; I feel that this would have made a good book, even better.

Kudos to the author for introducing readers to a new character. I hope that readers will see more of Ellie.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJanuary 2, 2020

The beginning of this novel asks that readers suspend disbelief.  Why were these five characters mysteriously invited to attend a society whose mission was not known?  The author implies that something higher than the fictional Gilda brought them together.  After all, this is a book that is published by a Christian publisher.

So…the five are the heir to a cosmetic company, a widower grieving for his wife, a divorced man wanting to see his children, an executive assistant who would feels qualified to be a CEO, and her former husband, an academic who is contemplating a difficult career decision.  The story of each of these characters, Coral, Ed, Chuck, Lexa and Jett is told in a way that keeps readers turning the pages.  There are romance, secrets revealed and healed, and deep friendships formed over the course of the novel.

SPOILER:  One of these characters makes a major life decision based on beling called to become an active Christian.  I won’t tell you who but in the context of the story, this felt slightly forced to me.  Otherwise, I found this novel to be an enjoyable, easy read .

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TheFifthAvenueStorySociety #NetGalley

I often wish that I remembered the Greek myths in more detail. I have spent time with Edith Hamilton and Stephen Fry but need to go back. So, I was not fully aware of who Ariadne was before I began this novel. At the start, I will say that I have seen some mixed reviews but I found this book to be interesting and engaging. Its’ main subject is the story of the titular character whose relative was the MInotaur.

Ariadne is a retelling of a well-known Greek story but from the woman’s point of view. It will be enjoyed by readers of other books including Circe.

Early in the novel, readers learn about Ariadne’s parents. They are Minos and Pasiphae. He was the ruler of Crete. She was the daughter of the sun god and is beautifully described in the beginning of the novel. What Minos did, how that affected Pasiphae and the circumstances of the Minotaur’s birth are told.

A number of stories of the Greek gods are dramatized. As readers may know, the gods are often like larger than life humans, full of passion, temper and more. They form the background of Ariadne’s world.

Others whom readers get to know include Theseus becomes involved with Ariadne. There are also Daedalus, Icarus and Phaedra. All of their stories led to an immersive read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

OTHER REVIEWS:

“Enchanting…Saint expertly highlights how often the women of this world pay the price for the actions of the men around them. Lovers of mythology should snap this up.”
―Publishers Weekly

“Complex―and bold…Fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe will enjoy this faithful retelling that centers the often-forgotten women of Greek myth.”
―Booklist

Nurture your mind, flourish in life

by Georgina Hooper

Pub Date 01 Jun 2021

This title seems geared to pre-teens and older, those who have the capacity to stop for a moment to reflect on themselves and their approaches to tasks and life. The author offers mindfulness practices to study habits and the process of learning. For example, she writes about the importance of being present in the moment. This means not judging one’s self by past school performance. Equally it means not worrying too far ahead about school tests and projects but going step by step. The need for self-care is also stressed and, for example, relaxation exercises are given.

It strikes me that in the heat of the moment it might be difficult for a student to take the time to read this book even though it would, perhaps, be helpful. I propose that this title would make for good summer reading with the chance to relax, reflect and be ready for the next academic year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Saving Cosmo

by Courtney Sheinmel; Colleen AF Venable

This title is the third entry in the exciting children’s series about Piper and Cosmo. The books are best read in order as the adventures build. That said, readers new to the series are brought up to date in the first chapter.

Each chapter is fairly short, has illustrations and is engaging and entertaining. Beginning chapter book readers will delight in these stories. They have humor, suspense…and, of course, a rather surprising pet.

As this story opens, Piper, her grandmother, Cosmo (the pet slime), and Piper’s friend Claire are being held in at the headquarters of Ma La, a dangerous corporation. Will they escape? Who are the bad guys? Are there any good guys? How does Cosmo help the characters to figure this out? How do Piper and the others use their skills, including origami, to help themselves?

The novel will have readers racing through the chapters as they wait to see what happens. They will enjoy seeing how clever and empowered Piper is as she plots her escape. They will also be interested in what happens at Piper’s grandmother’s lab and more.

Adults will appreciate the bits of education in the novel. Children learn a little about Jackson Pollock and Banksy. They also find out a bit about Sally Ride, Albert Einstein and DaVinci. There are also science facts.

This book is recommended for young readers. It will entertain them as they also learn a little. In a section at the end of the book, kids will learn how a glass can help them to hear through walls, how to make an origami cup, who Sally Ride was and something about SpaceX.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

by Michael Koryta

This title is part of a series published by the Mystery Writers of America. It offers a collection of storieson what is a well-known subject, the stranger.

The strangers in these authors’ tales have different roles; some may be the “good” character, other times the not so good one. All are capable of engaging the reader.

Here are entries by Alafair Burke, Michael Connelly, Joe R. Lansdale, Lisa Unger, Lori Roy and others who are less well known to me. All have written stories worth looking at.

So, there are strangers in town. Get to know them.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Fitzgerald is free. I loved The Janus Stone. I had an amazing meal at Zahav!