Marci (marcijo28) - reviewed on 12/2/2024 + 329 more book reviews

Excellent!

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jjares reviewed on 12/2/2024 + 3414 more book reviews

It is daunting to pack all the information about the Wild West into sixty-four pages. Additionally, there is no consensus as to the time of the "Old West." Generally, it began after the Civil War, but its end is subject to differing interpretations.

This book covered the high points, including cowboys, the range wars, life on the frontier, the many western towns, railroads, outlaws, and gunmen. This is interesting and easy to understand.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 12/1/2024 + 2706 more book reviews

It is always nice to read a book which debunks commonly held beliefs. It's one reason I support revisionist history. And if ever a period in our history needs revisionist history, it is the Civil War. Over the last couple of decades, numerous revisionist histories by respected historians have challenged what was once thought fact. And this applies to both sides in that war.

It is especially nice when a native South Carolinian, and a graduate of the University of South Carolina takes a good look at the myth of Sherman's army deliberately destroying Columbia, South Carolina, and proves the burning of Columbia was not deliberate. Instead, it was the result of poor decisions by leaders on both sides and a strong wind which blew throughout the night.

And the folks at the University of South Carolina Press must agree with him, at least to some degree, as they published his book.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 12/1/2024 + 2706 more book reviews

You can always count on Zane Grey for an entertaining western. Especially as his novels don't have any of the crudity of some of the current Western writers.

In this book, the "Top Hand" story has 177 pages, while the short story "Don, the Story of a Lion Dog" has 24 pages.

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Robin M. (robinmy) - , reviewed on 12/1/2024 + 2109 more book reviews

Bestselling Author Eleanor Dash is working on her tenth book in her Vacation Mystery series. She plans on killing off her main character and ending the series with this next book. But first she and some other authors must get through a book tour of Italy along with some of their fans. One person she doesn't want to see on that tour is Connor Smith, the inspiration for her hero in the last nine books. He is a womanizing con man who has caused nothing but trouble for her since she met him. When Connor tells her that he thinks someone is trying to kill him, she assumes he is just trying to get attention. But when someone makes an attempt on Eleanor's life, she knows that there is a killer targeting the members of the book tour. It's up to her to figure out who is trying to kill who.

This is a clever mystery with a lot of humor. Not only is Eleanor traveling with Connor who she can't stand, but another ex-boyfriend is also in the group, along with her sister Harper, and a fan who once stalked Eleanor.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Evans. I was a little bored with the first 20 percent, but the story finally started to come together when the book tour got started. I loved Eleanor's snarky humor, and I also loved how Eleanor would break the fourth wall to talk to us, her audience. At one point I thought I knew who the killer was, but it turned out I was wrong. Loved this one anyway. My rating: 4 Stars.

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 21 more book reviews

After reading Shady Hollow, I couldn't wait to read the next book in the series. Even though this novel wasn't quite as good as the previous one, I still enjoyed this tale of the woodland creatures.

Julia Elkin, wife of Joe Elkin, supposedly walked out on Joe over ten years ago, but then her bones are accidentally discovered at Cold Clay Orchards. Both Vera Vixen and Deputy Orville Braun together investigate who is behind this murder.

My favorite creatures in this story are:

Vera Vixen - The foxy reporter for the Shady Hollow Herald.

Deputy Orville Braun - The hard-working large brown bear.

Lenore Lee - A dark-as-night raven who owns Nevermore Books, the town's bookshop.

Joe Elkin - The genial giant of a moose who owns Joe's Mug, the town coffee shop.

Esmeralda von Beaverpelt - The hardworking waitress at Joe's Mug.

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 21 more book reviews

This is the fifth book in the Shady Hollow mystery series, and I absolutely loved it!

Both Vera Vixen and Leonore Lee agree to be chaperones for the Shady Hollow field trip to Summers End, a well-known prehistoric monument located upriver. Unfortunately, the tour of the ancient tomb is interrupted by the discovery of the dead body of Professor Ridley Durham, the bighorn sheep, that is in charge of the Summers End archeological dig. Additionally, Ligeia Lee, Leonore's sister, has a reputation for verbally fighting with her colleagues. As a result, she quickly becomes the primary suspect in the murder and both Vera and Leonore investigate in order to prove her innocence. 

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 21 more book reviews

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I thought it was hilarious!

Olive Brewster is twenty-seven years old, works as a fishmonger in Manchester Indian Market, and lives with her brother  Alex and his girlfriend Donna (who reminds me of a typical "Karen").

Birdie Lively, originally from New York is Olive's best friend. Unfortunately, she has lupus and the disease is causing her kidneys' to shutdown. Her dying wish is for Olive to fly out to New York and give Chuck Allen a written letter because he was her Big Sexy Love even though he broke her heart. 

Since Olive has never been on an airplane before, she is absolutely terrified of flying. As a result, she drinks quite a bit of alcohol before and during the flight. Consequently, she needs assistance walking to the lavatory thus, she attempts to get the attention of the flight attendant by pressing the call button to no avail. Therefore, she requests the support, from the rude American tv writer, Seth Harmon, who happens to sit across from her in first class. Regrettably, he misunderstands her appeal for help and believes she wants to join the "mile high club". Alas, she has waited too long and informs him that he needs to turn around and cover his ears because she needs "to piddle" really bad. Subsequently, Olive is humiliated and hopes that once the plane lands that she will never see Seth ever again. 

Sadly, Olive's adventures in New York become disastrous at best. For example, she follows a runner into Gramercy Park in order to hide behind a tree so she could, fix her tights. Woefully, another "Karen" sees her and demands to know where her key is and immediately calls the police to report a pervert touching herself. Olive panics and grabs the key from around her neck and quickly leaves the park. The next day, Olive watches a skit from Sunday Night Live, "Watch Me Piddle!" written by Seth imitating Olive in the plane toilet. 

Olive is humiliated by the comedy sketch but hopes that no one in New York recognizes when lo and behold as she is attempting to disguise herself, she runs into Seth. Hence, Olive is absolutely livid with him and chews him out. Seth feels bad and promises to help her find the elusive Chuck Allen. During the search, both Olive and Seth fall in love. 

I loved this story and will be looking forward to reading more books by this author. 

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 21 more book reviews

I was pretty excited about winning this book in a Goodreads giveaway contest since I am a beloved fan of Little House on the Prairie. In addition, I remember the controversy surrounding the eight year age difference Dean and Melissa Sue Gilbert, which I thought was ironic since in real-life Almanzo Wilder was ten years older than Laura Wilder.

Furthermore, I remember watching the movie Forever based on the Judy Blume novel by the same name and I did not realize that Dean played the part of Michael Wagner opposite Stephanie Zimbalist who played the part of Katharine Danziger. Moreover, I did not know that Dean played Hank Summers, the father of Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

Finally, I thought it was very interesting that Dean became a producer and that his last acting gig was in 2008. 

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Little House on the Prairie and especially fascinated with the actors from that popular family, historical, drama from the 70s and 80s. 

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 2706 more book reviews

While still an interesting story, I was glad to finish it. I find Scarrow's novels about Cato and Marco to be page turners, but I didn't like this least of all the others I've read. Probably because of the gore and their true enemy being another member of the Roman legion.

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Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 21 more book reviews

This book is a collection of Christmas memories and traditions from many amazing women. The author has compiled all the stories into three sections: 

Part One - The Memories of Christmas Past

Part Two - The Memories of Christmas Present

Part Three - Creating the Memories of Christmas Future 

Part One is definitely my most-liked section in the entire book, while Part Three is my least liked section. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

"Another Kind of Christmas" by Naomi Judd - Describing the year that Naomi, Larry (her husband), Wynonna, and Ashley decide to "take Christmas back from the media". 

"The Simple Pleasures of Christmas" by Jeanie Matthews Price - Recounting the present her mother gave to the entire family because of the sincerity and love that it symbolized. 

"Our Christmas Crèches" by Terry Meeuwsen - I giggled over Terry's son J.P. telling his mother not to forget "those three wise guys".  Additionally, I chuckled over the rearranging of the manger scene by her children. For example, the "three wise guys being placed on the roof and the sheep standing on their heads".

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Cathy C. (cathyskye) - , reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 2309 more book reviews

This is a series that I've enjoyed from the very first book. I've enjoyed learning about life in a remote area of Alaska, the customs that have come about due to the land and the weather, and the way the people band together in difficult times.

In Perfect Storm, Beth Rivers learns just how many friends she's made in tiny Benedict. When they learn that the man who kidnapped and almost killed her has escaped and is on his way there, they form a united front to keep her safe. However, when Tex and Beth come across a woman walking to Benedict to bring in the body of her murdered husband, all their planning runs right off the rails. Between trying to find the woman when she vanishes, trying to keep Beth safe, trying to locate a missing man, and trying to figure out what's going on at a tiny place called Blue Mine, all the characters scatter in different directions. Here Beth is, trying to keep out of the hands of the man who kidnapped her, and she can't keep track of anyone there in town. She's trying to herd cats.

But the book truly begins to shine when things get darkest. Beth has had so much trauma in her life. She's felt so frightened and helpless for so long. When all her friends seem to run off and desert her, does she fall apart?

You're just going to have to read Perfect Storm to find out. What a character Beth Rivers is!

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)

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River M. reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 12 more book reviews

Everything Happens for a Reason is compelling reading. I had to keep reading to find out what happens next! Kate Bowler gives it to you straight and can see humor when the diagnosis is dark.
At the end of the book, she gives you options of what to do that is helpful and the definitive list of what never to say. For instance, never say, "Well, at least you had...(a husband, baby, Christmas, career, time to say goodbye, a chance to see NY, your son take his first steps...) because it is cruel and it minimizes pain. She has suffered as much though peoples' remarks as well as the chemo drugs! Interesting and insightful reading!

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Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 707 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts

Anna Kate has returned to Wicklow, Alabama following her Granny Zee's death. The trip did not go as planned. After the burial, Anna Kate learned the stipulations of her grandmother's will. She must remain in Wicklow and run her grandmother's Blackbird Café for two months. Then she can sell it and return to the life she had planned. But despite her best efforts, she finds herself making friends and trying to understand why her mother ran away from the town many years ago.

The Blackbird Café is a curious place that is a very important part of the small Southern town. Anna Kate still needs to learn about the mystery of it all. When her past is gradually revealed she is torn. Should she stay or should she go?

What a fascinating story.
âUnder midnight skies,
Blackbirds sing,
Loving notes,
Baked it pies,
Under midnight skiesâ

Anna Kate's mother vowed to never return to Wicklow, and she didn't. Some residents didn't even know Anna Kate existed. Now she is living above the cafe and trying to learn everything about it, its mysterious pies, and the blackbirds nesting in the trees nearby. She is approached by her father's family but because of her mother's warnings, she is not ready to get to know them in any way. Ms. Webber has created treasures in the residents of Wicklow. True Southern folk set in their ways. Some are outgoing and over the top, some are more held back and reserved, and many are dealing with underlying issues of their own. They were all interesting and developed well throughout the story. One little girl absolutely stole this grandma's heart.

The legend of the blackbirds was compelling. The droves of people coming to Wicklow to see them were stirring. What happened in the town of Wicklow was uplifting. The author has written a story full of life lessons, friendship, and family ties. This passage hit me in the heart.

âGrief was a capricious companion. Sometimes distant and aloof. Sometimes so overwhelming it was hard to think a straight thought. Its mood changed at whim, making it emotionally exhausting to keep up.â

Losing someone you love is so hard and those words describe how I feel more times than expected.

The magic in this book is so well done. It is light and not overpowering. The Southern charm courses throughout. The author balances family drama, romance, magic, and mystery very well. The comparison between a blackbird and Anna Kate resonated with me. She makes a huge decision that I questioned at first because she worked so hard and was getting close to a goal she had longed for but I believe as her story continues beyond the pages of this book she found a way to do everything she wanted to do.

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe pulled me in and like Wicklow had ways of holding on. It's an engaging novel that I found heartwarming and unique. Heather Webber has created a dynamic community. I wish I could visit in real life and try a few pieces of the Blackbird Café special pies.

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Cathy C. (cathyskye) - , reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 2309 more book reviews

Through exhaustive research, Lydia Reeder's The Cure for Women shows how gifted women like Mary Putnam Jacobi fought back. Her arsenal of weapons included things that the male physicians' did not: the first-ever data-backed, scientific research on women's reproductive biology. Jacobi fought back with the facts, and the medical profession has never been the same.

I learned so much from reading The Cure for Women, unfortunately, a great deal of it with my teeth clenched. Men writing "learned" treatises on women's reproductive organs when they wouldn't know an ovary or a uterus if one came up and punched them in the nose. Why? Because they'd never seen any of these organs and had no idea how they worked. You would think that we would have all the misinformation squared away here in the twenty-first century, but we don't. The fight for control over women's bodies is still happening, proving that we need more people like Mary Putnam Jacobi-- and more people to read this marvelously researched book.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)

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Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 707 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts

It's summer in Beacon Harbor, Michigan and Kennedy has arranged for British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry to launch her new cooking series from the Beacon Bakeshop. Lindsey is excited to meet the chef and will be hosting a tea party in her new event space in addition to baking with her for her show. Then Lindsey learns about the chef's past personal and professional scandals and is told she was openly flirting with her boyfriend Rory. Vivi also hates dogs and demands Lindsey's lovable Newfoundland, Wellington is rehomed for the duration of her stay. She is no longer as excited about the woman's visit.

While taping the first episode of Vivi's new show Lindsey finds out the âsweetâ British chef has enemies in town when a woman comes onto the patio and slaps Vivi across the face. Vivi leaves the set and disappears. She's not answering her phone or her door at the hotel. She may be with her âsecret loverâ or maybe she is embarrassed and staying out of sight. When she fails to show up for the tea party in her honor Lindsey is reasonably vexed.

Ready to wash her hands of Vivi and her drama Lindsey heads to the pier for her scuba lesson with Rory. She was actually enjoying herself until âsomething solid bumps her legâ and it was not a big fish. She now knows why the celebrity chef missed her tea party. Hard to attend when you're dead. With evidence pointing in Lindsey and Rory's direction they have no choice but to help the police hook the real killer.

This is one of my favorite series!

The core characters Ms. Hannah has created for this series are so genuine and engaging. Lindsey continues to top herself with new recipes and new venues while her relationship with ex-Navy Seal boyfriend Rory continues to grow. They had one obstacle or should I say 4 obstacles when Kennedy was joined by her grandmother, mother, and sister. They are all be staying at Lindsey's lighthouse so Rory vacates while they are visiting. The âBritish Invasionâ was timed to coincide with British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry's visit to Beacon Harbor. These new characters were so entertaining each in their own way. Additional new characters came in the chef's entourage. Lindsey's parents are also back in town for the warmer months. They add so much to the story. As always, Wellington is just the best dog ever even if he is getting into a bit of mischief.

Lindsey's visitors are all interested in her âhauntedâ lighthouse. I loved the meetings in the light room even if at times they were squeezed in there pretty tight. Lindsey's new Boathouse Event Center is also a fabulous place. It is a wonderful addition to the community and the perfect place to hold luncheons, weddings, and meetings. I appreciate the author's descriptive details. She takes her readers into each scene. It is so easy to visualize each person, place, and thing. I escaped right into the story.

Some of those things include all the treats that were baked within the pages of this book. Check out that book cover! The cravings I had for lemon bars were real. Thankfully I didn't have to search for a recipe because it was the first recipe in the back of the book with several more.

Again, Ms. Hannah has penned a complex mystery with a variety of suspects all withholding or hiding something. Just when I eliminated one another twist put them right back on the list. There is a scene in the book where Lindsey gets advice about the case from an unexpected source that was so good. It gave her a new determination and clues started to fall into place. I enjoyed trying to solve this mystery right along with Lindsey. The reveal was complicated. The chase and takedown were terrific.

Murder at the Lemonberry Tea was such an entertaining read! I LOVED IT! Exceptional characters and a compelling mystery set in a delightful Midwest town with perfect amounts of suspense, humor, romance, small-town life, and ghostly elements set this story apart. It is my new favorite book in the series and one of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year. I am excited to say it deserves more than 5 stars and has earned a place on my Best Reads List for 2024! I highly recommend the whole series.

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Lenka S. reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 830 more book reviews

I was a bit skeptical, based on some of the reviews I read, when I started this book. But the Author presented the story really well. She was a bit repetetative about some points but I suppose she wanted to make sure they get across. Otherwise her story is well written and her philosophical reflections well worth considering. Absolutely worth reading.

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Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 3153 more book reviews

DNF this one!

I got to about page 100 and nothing and I mean NOTHING is happening except for so many descriptions I got so frustrated and aggravated with every page that didn't offer anything but descriptions

The main story doesn't even get started at this point, and I sure don't need to know about driving to NY or anywhere else with descriptions of mile after mile and this happens throughout this book and was so boring

Kudos to those that like this author, his writing style, and his stories but I haven't found a one that I've liked but I think this one is worst and I paid for it? mistake on my part never do it again, not an author for me!

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Stephanie P. reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 2 more book reviews

very helpful

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Stephanie P. reviewed on 11/30/2024 + 2 more book reviews

very helpful

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Robyn H. (byrd1956) reviewed on 11/29/2024 + 42 more book reviews

Since She Went Away by David Bell was an intriguing crime novel that kept my husband and I guessing. The plot has twists and turns that made us keep changing our mind as to what the conclusion would be. There were parts that seemed rather far-fetched and my husband is always one to say that some of the situations would be impossible. On the other hand, I can get sucked in to things like that.

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Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed on 11/29/2024 + 991 more book reviews

Really annoying book, couldn't get into this, maybe it's a YA novel, and since I am certainly not an YA anymore, I just didn't get it. The characters weren't engaging at all. I've read a few others of Colleen Hoover's and enjoyed about half of them.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 11/29/2024 + 854 more book reviews

Vibrations : Children of Atlantis by A.R. Alexander

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A unique tale for upper middle-grade readers featuring magic and myths, friendship, and trust.

Vibrations: Children of Atlantis by A.R. Alexander is a unique adventure for older middle-grade to younger young adult readers featuring magical realism and two determined teen protagonists tasked with defending the world against an ancient enemy. Incorporating elements from several mythologies, Nada Gilbride and Kani Kakoa are all that stand between their world and complete destruction.

The author has created a pair of unique main characters in Nada and Kani. Nada is deaf but can see sound waves. She learned to speak by mimicking the pattern of the waves she observes from others. Kani, while able to hear, can see the vibrations of energy and has learned to manipulate them. Urged from a young age to hide their unusual abilities from others, both are naturally full of questions about their gifts. Since the adults in their lives refuse to talk about it, they are desperate for answers, especially when their abilities seem to be attracting creatures only found in myths and legends and even affecting their physical well-being in public. Their confusion and need for clarity are well portrayed, and I was drawn to their situation and anxiety over not knowing what was âwrongâ with them.

The story's suspense builds quickly with the appearance of supernatural creatures and the subsequent attention of a mysterious trio who seem to know more about their situation than they do followed by an involuntary stay with the FBI at a secret research facility. But a simple field trip to a museum where an ancient artifact awakens and causes both Nada and Kani to blackout brings things to the attention of someone close by that can finally deliver the answers the teens crave. Unfortunately, the explanation of what was behind their abilities and reactions was not clearly explained enough for me, and I was left feeling I didn't really have a better understanding of what was going on or the magic system in play than what I'd gotten from the book's blurb and the kids' own suppositions. I enjoyed the growth in the relationship between the two main characters, leading to the trust they would need to complete their trials later, as well as the budding, sweet romance (which kept this story appropriate for younger readers.) However, their pairing as a team during their training and the training itself is glossed over, while much more story is expended on a rivalry with another couple to be the champions who will defend the world from destruction.

The link to Atlantis, which given its prominence by appearing in the title, was only given a superficial explanation, leaving me wondering how all these teenagers with special abilities were connected to it. There were other instances of plot points suddenly popping up without explanation. I enjoyed that some inanimate objects were sentient, so there were some fun moments where a plane was complimented to keep her happy, and a platform was thanked for allowing their back to be used as a training surface, but there wasn't an explanation of why these objects were aware, and others weren't. Also, it just pops up that Auntie apparently had a rival from her past who is now the director at the island where the teens are undergoing their training. On the other hand, the various settings were diverse and vividly described, so I always had a clear picture in my mind of where the action was taking place.

I recommend VIBRATIONS: CHILDREN OF ATLANTIS to upper middle-grade readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 11/29/2024 + 2706 more book reviews

Most of us know something about the Minute Men who responded to the call to arms when the British marched to Lexington and Concord to seize military supplies the American colonists had stored there. And most of us believe these Minute Men were first organized in the early 1770s. Well, that's wrong. The Minute Man concept was first organized n the 1600s when the early colonists had to deal with Native American Indian raids.

The Minute Man concept was so greatly defined by 1775 that entire regiments were organized, armed, drilled and trained by the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. And while the occasional lone "Minute Man, as so popularly depicted in our history books, left his family to go to the assistance of the men at Concord and Lexington, it was actually companies and entire regiments of upward of 1,000 men who marched to fight, harass and almost destroy the two columns of British troops sent out from Boston.

The early part of this book is somewhat slow, as the author covers the early 1600s-1760s history of the Minute Man and Militia organization. But by the time when the first "Lobsterbacks" were climbing into the boats to travel to the next shore---i.e. the famous "One if by land, two if by sea."---the pages just flow by as you read about the confrontations on Lexington Green and Concord's bridge and the desperate fighting for miles---including house to house--as the Americans forced the British back to Boston.

If it hadn't been for the second British column sent out as reinforcements, the first column would have been destroyed and captured. Even the second column almost suffered defeat until it was finally sheltered under the guns of the British fleet in Boston harbor.

And the surprise is how so few on both sides were killed or wounded. This due to the inaccuracy of the muskets used at that time. Still, enough officers and NCOs in the first British column became casualties to allow the column to lose is organization and become almost a mob seeking to escape.

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Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 11/29/2024 + 2620 more book reviews

I enjoy long-running series, and it is even better when the author keeps the series going with the children/grandchildren of the original characters. This is the first book in a new series involving the grandchildren of Victoria Colby-Camp, and it bodes well for the rest of the series.

Jamie Colby is an excellent agent in her own right. She's just finishing up a mission with her partner, Kenny Poe when she receives an urgent call from her grandmother. Jamie's brother Luke has been kidnapped to use as a hostage. The kidnappers need Jamie's skills, but she isn't happy with what she must do to fulfill the requirements. She and her partner, Kenny, have worked together for several years and are good friends.

There isn't much romance in this story. It is evident from the start that Kenny has feelings for Jamie but doesn't want to wreck their friendship by saying anything. He is protective of her but respects her abilities as an agent. It wasn't until the end that I got a good read on Jamie's feelings for him. This was a friends-to-more story, though I never saw much heat between them. I liked the ending and the easy shift into a couple.

The suspense was terrific. Matters quickly become complicated when the kidnapper's contact is a man Jamie has worked with before. It is difficult to tell whether he is working with them or against them, and there were times I wanted them to tie him up and leave him in a closet. Interference from a third party adds a layer of intensity when Jamie and a young girl are kidnapped themselves. Some tense moments ensued, but Jamie and Kenny could complete their mission. After all the build-up, I found it somewhat anti-climactic, but it kept my attention to the end.

I liked the twist at the end regarding Jamie's future. It will be interesting to follow her progress in later books.

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