More Than a Home Renovation Memoir: A Review of Gutted by Maida Korte

by Donna Huber

When a successful designer, entrepreneur, and lifelong city dweller hesitantly agrees to follow her husband’s dream of country living, she doesn’t expect to be undone by a sagging Victorian farmhouse and the relentless wind howling through uninsulated walls. But as holes are patched and rooms slowly take shape, something surprising space opens up. Not just in their crumbling home, but in her heart.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Rewrite the Stars by Lindsay Hameroff ~ a Review

by MK French

Marissa Morgan has mostly given up on her acting career to keep life normal for her two children. When her ex-husband announces his high-profile engagement and a media storm ensues, Marissa and her kids flee Los Angeles for a summer at her recently inherited Poconos lake house. It needs renovation, and Marissa end up sharing space with the crew, including handsome foreman Jesse. Attracted, Marissa wonders if their fling could become something more.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Juniper Falls Ranch Series by Nan Reinhardt ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

I don't read a lot of romance novels, but after I've read deep or depressing novels, I like to read a good romance with a happily ever after ending to balance out my reading life.  Here are reviews of a new trilogy featuring rodeo cowboys.

 Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for honest reviews.

Friday Free Read: 50 Core American Documents by Christopher Burkett

Since tomorrow the U.S. is celebrating its 250th birthday, I thought today we should feature a book about the founding of the U.S. If you are hoping to learn something of our history and how we got to where we are today, then you should check out today's free read.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. The ebook was free when posted. Please confirm the price before purchasing.

Library Love: Mini Reviews of Library Borrows

by Donna Huber

You seemed to like my library round-up that I posted last month, so I thought I would share what I checked out of the library in June. I mostly use Libby because I love audiobooks,  but I did check something out of my local library, and for work I borrowed a book from the university library.  What are you borrowing from your library?

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The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen ~ a Review

by MK French

Ainsworth is an ambitious research fellow, and his supervisor hears about the rumored Misnich Inn at the foot of Mount Vengeance. Ainsworth must document the adventurers, and he gradually warms to its rustic charm and its innkeeper, Honey. Ainsworth can’t find evidence that anyone has ever climbed the mountain. His reputation is on the line, so he starts to push the adventurers up the mountain himself.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Chelsea Girls by Catherine Lloyd ~ A Review

by Susan Roberts

A glamorous and revealing biographical novel starring one of Swinging London’s defining figures, Mary Quant, who made history with the miniskirt, slashed hemlines, and transformed more than fashion, for herself, for her friends, and for a generation.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Eunice Carter, assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan’s first Black female prosecutor, has her sights set on the one and only Lucky Luciano, head of New York City’s five largest organized crime families. Other prosecutors have tried to bring down Lucky, but they’ve all focused on the crime syndicate’s traditional businesses—bootlegging, gambling, loan sharking, and drug dealing—or tax evasion. No one has thought to approach the mob through its hand in prostitution. Until Eunice. But she can’t get Luciano alone.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 New Historical Fiction Novels Featuring Strong Women

by Susan Roberts

Way back when I was in school, we never learned about real women who made contributions in the past.  Historical Fiction is changing that, and many of the newest books feature strong women who made a difference in wars and in the American way of life.  Today, I have two reviews of stories about women who made a difference – the first is about an Irish woman who emigrated to America after the potato famine in Ireland. The second is about a woman who worked as a spy during World War II. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for honest reviews.

Not Your Typical Beach Read Romance Novels

by MK French

I thought we should end the month with a couple of romances, seeing as it is the most popular "beach read" genre. However, these are your ordinary romance novels. One is a fantasy romance, and the other is a post-apocalyptic romance. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Friday Free Read: Drive, Ride, Repeat: The Mostly-True Account of a Cross-Country Car and Bicycle Adventure by Al Macy

Are you itching for an adventure but are stuck at home? Why not try a travel book to transport you somewhere else and maybe give you inspiration for your next trip? Today's free read is part travel journal, part memoir that many have found very funny.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. The ebook was free at the time of posting. Please check the price before purchasing.

Celebrate Global Beatles Day with These Books

by Susan Roberts

This is really going to show my age, but I still remember seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in February 1964.  I was 15 years old, and as my dad complained about the music and their hair, I became a Beatles fan for life.  My friends and I talked incessantly about the band and had long discussions about who our favorite was.  We lived in Detroit, and the Beatles toured there twice, and my group all managed to find the money to see them both times.  It doesn’t sound like a lot of money today, but it took a lot of allowances to be able to afford this ticket.

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Lost in the Summer of '69 by Eliza Knight ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

An epic story in which a soon-to-be empty-nester’s mother goes missing, leading her on a road trip with her daughter to track grandma down at a series of music festivals that popped up across the country in the summer of '69. 

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4 Fantasy Novels for Your Beach Bag

by MK French

Are you looking for some great fantasy novels to throw in your beach bag this summer? This roundup features cozy fantasy, romantic fantasy, a fairy tale, and young adult fantasy. So whatever you preference, there is something you will love.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela Kelley ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Returning to beautiful Nantucket, single mom Claire Shipman finds friendship, family ties, new beginnings and second chances. Claire never imagined she'd be the single mom of a teenager, going through a contentious divorce, and unexpectedly pregnant. On the bright side, at least she’s on Nantucket, where she grew up, and where her mom welcomes her home with open arms.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Morbid Passion by Robert Holtom ~ a Review

by MK French

Selby Bigge and his aristocratic friend Theodora Smythe dine with the upper-class Fortescue family and later that evening attend the Servants' Ball. Theodora becomes Theo there, and queer people are present. Some of the above-stairs members of society attend as well. Unfortunately, Selby and Theo soon have a murder to solve, and unearth secrets while dodging police. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Dhampira by Amy Pennza ~ a Review

by MK French

Corinthe has a human mother and vampire father, and lives in a small village as if she is only human. When she accidentally exposes her gifts, she's captured and sold to Vander. He is a vampire knight, fighting for the cruel and deranged King Rasimir, who wants to extend his empire beyond the Feyline and into the human holdings. The king intends to marry her off to Prince Lorcan and use her daywalking abilities to his benefit. Corinthe yearns to be free, and both Vander and Prince Lorcan offer to help her. The problem is, she isn't sure if she can trust them.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Friday Free Read: The Second Chance Inn by Susan Hatler

Summer is heating up with a lot more pop-up summer storms, which is great for reading on the porch or on the couch in the air conditioning. Whether you are headed to the beach or just dreaming of a beach vacation, today's free read will transport you to a coastal town for a little romance.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. The ebook was free at the time of posting. Please confirm the price before purchasing.

Where Are You From? by David JS Montagnes ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Where are you from? explores biodiversity across the British Isles. It highlights contemporary issues, challenges beliefs, and offers thought-provoking alternatives to some of our more dogmatic opinions regarding ecological change and conservation. There is also a socio-political subtext, as it subtly explores societal approaches towards culture, immigration, and integration.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

With tensions simmering, two sisters hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm. Can Maeve and Therese find the real painting, remove a family curse, solve a cold case, and actually survive without killing each other?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky ~ an Audiobook Review

by Donna Huber

In the solar cities of the future, the humans relax in the sun and the animals work in the shadows. Genetically engineered Little Helpers, serving humanity—unseen, unheard.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd ~ a Review

by MK French

Nora Breen is back and determined to investigate what happened when famous Dolores Chimes dies after a reading goes horribly wrong. One by one, the six people with her die as well. Can Nora find the ghostly serial killer before Detective Inspector Rideout dies as well?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Final Target by Nora Roberts ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Three Hitmen and a Baby by Rob Hart ~ a Review

by MK French

Valencia's brother goes missing, and she can't bring her toddler with her to investigate. The other members of Assassins Anonymous offer to watch over the girl. Mark, Astrid, and Booker figure they can keep the girl safe, but of course, everything goes wrong. Mark is summoned to the Russian mob boss Zmeya's lair and is tasked with killing his protege, Astrid. If he doesn't, Zmeya will kill Mark's ex-girlfriend and son. In the meantime, Booker and Astrid have to take the toddler to urgent care when he gets a fever, and their lack of names inspires the medical staff to call the NYPD. On the run from everyone, how will they keep safe and refrain from killing anyone?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Free Friday Read: Rendezvous at Jumbo Pass by Nowick Gray

Keeping with yesterday's theme of non-beach summer reads, today we have a twisted tale of wilderness adventure for your Friday Free Read. This one is short, so it would be great for that mid-hike lunch break.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. The ebook was free at the time of posting. Please verify the price before purchasing.

7 Thrillers for Your Mountain Adventures

by Donna Huber

Book blogs are full of summer beach reads (we've featured a few of them) right now, but not everyone is heading to the water. Some people, like me, would rather spend their summer vacation on a trail in the mountains or by a campfire in the woods. I think the perfect pairing for a mountain adventure is a good survival thriller. Here are a few with characters on their own deep woods adventure. 

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The Last Page by Katie Holt ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

 

A bookseller with a dream of running her beloved bookstore vs. the owner’s out-of-touch grandson, who inherits everything. Game on.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. 

The Sourdough Compendium by A. G. Slatter ~ a Review

by MK French

This book is made up of three collections taking place within the Sourdough world: Sourdough and Other Stories, The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings, and The Tallow Wife and Other Tales. These stories are the foundation of the universe A. G. Slatter wrote about in novels like The Briar Book of the Dead. The stories here involve magic and supernatural creatures that play a role in the Sourdough universe. We recognize cities like Lodellan and the fact that it's a vaguely medieval land that burns witches if they can, with a high death count. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Divine Counselor by Alex Seeley ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

At a time when many feel anxious and discouraged, the idea of living whole, healed, and empowered sounds wonderful--but often out of reach. Counseling, self-help books, and podcasts seem to offer temporary relief, but what about life-changing transformation?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden ~ a Review

by MK French

Anne of Brittany was a child when France drove her father to his death, leaving her the last duchess. The French crown means to marry her to her enemies, but she plans to marry France's rival to secure her safety. To do so is difficult when spies abound, and the only safe place is the forest of Broceliande. Merlin the Enchanter had once been there, but its only remaining magic is the occasional unicorn sighting and the fact that it cannot be scried on. Pretending compliance with France, Anne plans a unicorn hunt in Broceliande as a diversion so she can wed in secret. Things don't always go according to plan.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Ode to the Bones by Carolyn Haines ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney returns to her Mississippi Delta roots, hoping that long drives through cotton fields and the companionship of her dogs will ease her restless spirit. Instead, she’s confronted by a ghostly vision of a woman in white on the Tallahatchie Bridge, who disappears before Sarah Booth can investigate further.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Free Friday Read: Love Blooms by Jennifer Faye

It's Friday in the summertime. If you have weekend plans at the pool, beach, lake, or even on your front porch, then you'll need a good book to read. And a free book is even better. Check out today's Free Friday Read.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. The ebook was free at the time of posting; please verify the price before purchasing.

Meeting the Author!

by Susan Roberts

I love to go to author events.  It’s great to get to know some of my favorite authors and to find out the ‘inside story’ about their books. Luckily, I live in an area with lots of indie bookstores within 50 miles, and all of them do events with authors both local and nationwide.  I was kind of nervous the first time I went to an author event by myself and was afraid that I would just sit quietly by myself.  What I soon found out is that when you put a bunch of book-loving women in the same room, they immediately bond over books and are soon treating each other like friends.  I’ve attended two fantastic events this month with two of my favorite authors and thought I’d tell you about them.   Question – Do you like to meet new authors and old favorites?  Do you go to author events?

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Mini Reviews ~ May Libby Library Borrows

by Donna Huber

I mostly read advance reader copies (ARCs) that I get through Netgalley or directly from the publisher/author, but I also get books from my library. Sometimes that means my brick-and-mortar library, but most of the time it means my digital library through Libby. It is usually my 2 book club reads for the month, but I also listen to a lot of audiobooks - more than I get through Netgalley. It is a way for me to catch up on older titles and sometimes to catch up on the ARCs that I didn't get to before they were published. I don't usually review the older titles or book club reads, but I realized I'm missing out on telling you about the great reads that are probably available at your library with little to no wait. Let me know if you enjoy this feature and I'll keep doing it monthly.

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The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang ~ a Review

by MK French

Dr. Jo Ness spends her days hidden away at an underfunded aquarium with her specimens and a draft of the jellyfish guide she and her best friend Aldo had been working on before he died seven months ago. Nadia is a friend she hadn't heard from in years contacts her with a grainy video of a giant jellyfish terrorizing a tiny island off the coast of Maine. Though it looks fake, Jo immediately flies across the country to help Nadia. When Jo arrives on Shattering Point, Nadia is nowhere to be found. The islanders have different stories about the jellyfish, and it's up to Jo to figure out what happened.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev AC Rosen ~ a Review

by MK French

Brandon meets a cute guy named Jon, but witnesses a murder when trying to return his phone, and sees said cute guy fleeing the scene. Brandon had hit it off with Jon and is afraid that he might be a murderer. His friends Ollie, Nicole, and Ian agree to help him identify the victim, track down Jon, and figure out the truth. The "lovesick puppy" investigation soon snowballs from there, and the four friends are in over their heads.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

5 Audiobooks for Summer Road Trips

by Donna Huber

Are you hitting the road this summer? I won't be taking my annual trip to the Smoky Mountains this summer, but I do have a series of day trips planned for that week. So I will need some good reads to listen to and I thought it would be fun to listen to books featuring a road trip or journey of some sort. Here's a list of audiobooks that I have listened to or am considering for my own trip.

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Celebrate International Jazz Day With These Books

by Donna Huber

Today is International Jazz Day. Jazz has its roots in New Orleans, all the way back to the 1800s. My college days were spent swing dancing to the big band music of the 1930s and 1940s. Whether you prefer the smooth sounds of solo artists or the larger ensembles of the big band era, queue up your favorites while reading a book or two about the music style. If you aren't sure if jazz is your thing, the first book will help you appreciate it more. The other books feature some of my favorite artists. And if rather not read nonfiction, there's a couple of fiction novels set during the Jazz Age on the list too.

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Friday Freebie: Lakehouse Promises by Jodi Allen Brice

It's Friday in the summertime. If you have weekend plans at the pool, beach, lake, or even your front porch, then you are going to need a good book to read. And a free book is even better.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. The ebook was free at the time of posting. Please check the price before purchasing.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Marrying above your social class can come with unexpected consequences, as Elinor Coombes discovers when she is swept into a fairy-tale marriage with the son of an aristocratic English family. She soon realizes that it was the appeal of her father’s hard-earned wealth rather than her pretty face that attracted her new husband and his family. Curtailed by rigid social rules that include being allowed to see her nanny-raised infant son for only moments each day, Elinor resigns herself to a lonely future. So a present from her father—tickets for the maiden voyage of a luxurious new ship called the Titanic—offers a welcome escape from the cold, controlling atmosphere of her husband’s ancestral home, and some precious time with her little son, Teddy.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

When No One Else Will by Amanda Skenandore ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Based on the true story of an illegal women’s clinic at the center of a high-profile trial in 1940s Chicago and the nurse who risked her safety and freedom to work there, a thought-provoking, powerfully timely novel of courage, sisterhood, and women’s healthcare.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

Tom Clancy Rules of Engagement by Ward Larsen ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

The White House is stunned when the Secretary of Commerce is killed in a plane crash in Turkey. President Jack Ryan isn't ready to write this off as a simple accident. Not only has he lost a good friend, but the Secretary was on an important on the surface, he was making an appearance at an economic conference, but the CIA was also using the flight as cover to extract an important asset from the Middle East.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Sutherlin File by Ashley Farley ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Ashley Farley has long been one of my favorite authors with her Southern women's fiction novels.  This new series is her first foray into suspense and she proved that she can write anything!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for honest reviews.

The Tuxedo Society by Paul Rudnick ~ a Review

by MK French

Andrew Birnbaum is a struggling actor working in a candle shop when he's invited to dinner with the exclusive Tuxedo Society. The wealthy socialites are actually involved in espionage, and Andrew is invited to join a covert mission to protect national security. Working with Navy SEAL Reggie O’Malley, Andrew gets amazing gear and gadgets to track spies, thwart assassinations, and address threats. It becomes even more dangerous when Andrew and his comrades are sent on a mission to uncover the truth about an ancient artifact. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Murder at 30,000 Feet by Susan Walter ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Under the cover of turbulence, a killer strikes. With nowhere to land and nowhere to hide, who will save the passengers from this nightmare at 30,000 feet?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Books to Read for Memorial Day

by Donna Huber

Monday is Memorial Day, which for many in the United States marks the unofficial start of summer. If you are heading to the beach, lake, or pool this summer, we have featured several books that would be perfect for a relaxing weekend. But if you are looking for books that will help you appreciate the true purpose of the holiday, keep reading for some recommendations.

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Curses, Keys, and Secret Societies by Breanne Randall ~ a Review

by MK French

Eléa Deniz returns to her childhood home and finds that the estate is now the Shadowcraft Academy, an elite graduate school meant to train mages to fight wraiths. Her father is the headmaster with an agenda of his own, and her magic remains finicky. Eléa stays to learn,  and is torn between her first love, Alex, and the irreverent Logan. Elia is also caught between family secrets, a secret society, and the weight of her own magic.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A traditional American woman, a beautiful wife and mother who sells her pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of social media followers, suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister in the Good Morning America Book Club's April pick.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Off Indigo Station by Marc Alan Edelheit ~ a Review

by MK French

As the unexpected head of the Confederation task force, Jim Garrett was responsible for decisions that could save or end millions of lives. Lima-66 is a star system that is central to the factories that the enemy is using to build fleets that can break humanity. They're preparing a secret weapon, so attacking Lima-66 is not only central to saving humanity, but gaining that weapon can ensure survival.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Last Page Café by Kate Storey ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Sometimes the last page is just the beginning…

I didn’t discover Kate Storey until late last year but I enjoyed her first two books so much that I couldn’t wait to read her new book and she didn’t disappoint me. (Read my reviews of her first two books The Memory Library and The Forgotten Book Club.)  I really enjoy reading books about books and books that take place in bookstores and I like books about book clubs that bond together to help out members of the club so this book was a real winner for me.

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