The Novelist from Berlin by V.S. Alexander ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

The Novelist from Berlin covers the time period from the 1930s to the 1960s but most of the story is centered on World War II and the aftermath of the war in Berlin.  The book is based on a real person, Irmgard Keun, who was a novelist in Berlin before the war. When her books were banned by the Nazis, she knew she was in danger and fled Germany for the Netherlands where she did what she could to help fight against the Nazi regime.  

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

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli ~ a Review

by MK French

Zarya has forbidden magic, but no one will explain why it's such a dangerous secret to keep. She escapes to Dharati, she searches for answers with the help of blood-drinking rakshasa and magic-weaving Aazheri sorcerers. The city is attacked every night by dark creatures, and they've grown stronger since Zarya's arrival. She chooses to fight for the city as well as search for answers, and the mysterious and handsome Rabin haunts her dreams. He generates desire, but she doesn't know if she can trust him. As fighting intensifies in the city, Zarya must decide if saving the city is worth revealing her secret magic, or if it will destroy everything.

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

Shitty Craft Club: A Club for Gluing Beads to Trash, Talking about Our Feelings, and Making Silly Things by Sam Reece ~ a Review

by MK French

Sam Reece went viral several times across various social media sites, and built up a community called the Shitty Craft Club. In post-pandemic times, gathering odds and ends to make something silly and fun is a great way to inspire happiness. There's no need to be perfect, and that's the point of the club.

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

Two New Books with an Unreliable Narrator

by Susan Roberts

An unreliable narrator is an untrustworthy storyteller, most often used in narratives with a first-person point of view. The unreliable narrator is either deliberately deceptive or unintentionally misguided, forcing the reader to question their credibility as a storyteller.

This isn't one of my favorite genres but is something that many readers find intriguing trying to figure out what is true and what is deceptive.  If you enjoy narrators that you can't trust to tell you the real truth and add extra intrigue to the suspense, these books may be perfect for you.

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

Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A big winter storm blows in during a neighborhood ball and not all the guests can make it home. The hostess quickly has rooms made up so everyone can retire for the night - but some of the guests continue the party under the cover of darkness. By morning, it becomes clear that they won't be heading home. Not only are they snowed in, but there is a dead body in the courtyard.

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

Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch ~ a Review

by MK French

Michael Bromley, Duke of Woriton, is more interested in chemistry than society balls. He can manage conversation and his aunt’s poodle Lancelot while she’s on holiday. Elizabeth “Bitsy” Dockering is having a wonderful Season with her precious black poodle, Galahad. Bitsy feels he’s perfect, but to everyone else, Galahad’s a terror. A potential suitor hires a thief to steal Galahad, but a chance encounter means Lancelot is stolen instead. Michael isn’t thrilled that Bitsy insists on helping, but he does love chemistry...

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