WHAT ARE WE READING & REVIEWING IN SEPTEMBER 2024?

What do you plan to read in September?

Carol's September Reads
📕 - ★
42/42
📕The Locked Room - Elly Griffiths - 4.5★ (Group Read)
📕So Long at The Fair- Christine Schwartz- 2★ (Friend) (2)
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📕His Truth - Riley Hart - 4.5★
📕Broken Pieces - Riley Hart- 5★
📕Crossroads - Riley Hart - 5★
📕Shifting Gears - Riley Hart - 4★
📕Test Drive - Riley Hart - 5★
📕Where You Are - Felice Stevens - 4.5★
📕Widdershins - Jordan L. Hawk - 5★
📕 No Surrender - Nora Phoenix - 5+★
📕Home for the Howlidays - Charlie Cochet - 4★
📕Chief Executive Daddy- Honey London- 5★
📕Roping His Daddy- A. W. Scott - 5★
📕Worth The Chance - Kate Hawthorne - 2.5★
📕Daddy's Curious Boy- A. W. Scott - 5★
📕No Angel - Nora Phoenix - 5★
📕Crazy Little Thing Cold Love - Collette Davidson - 5★
📕Hooked On You- K. Evans Coles - 5★
📕A Little Surprise - A.W. Scott - 4★
📕London's Lost Engine - Della Cain- 5★
📕Castle Magic - Morgan Brice - 5+★
📕Reckless, Room for Love - Kate Hawthorne - 4.5★
📕Heartless, Room for Love - Kate Hawthorne - 4★
📕Faultless Room for Love - Kate Hawthorne - 5★
📕Not So Silent Night - Charlie Cochet -5 ★
📕Sleigh It Ain't So - Charlie Cochet - 5★
📕Terrible Things- Beth Bolden - 3.5★
📕His Accidental Daddy - Luna David - 5★ (26)
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📕 Murder in the Hollows -Declan James - 5★
📕Kill Season- Declan James - 4★
📕Incidents Around the House - Josh Malerman - 5★
📕My Darling Girl - Jennifer McMahon - 4★
📕The Fury - Alex Michaelides - 3★
📕Perfect Prey - Helen Fields - 5★
📕Three Fates- Nora Roberts - 4.5★
📕Miracle Creek - Angie Kim - 5★
📕Dear Edward - Ann Napolitano - 5★
📕Night Shift - Robin Triggs - 5★
📕Zachary's Gold - Wes Snowden - 3★
📕Almost Midnight - 4.5★ (12)
📕A Bend in The Road - Nicholas Sparks 4.5★
📕Frozen in Time - Owen Beattie - 3.5★ (14)

Chief Executive Daddy - Honey London - (Washington)
Part of the Daddies for Dollars series
Genera: M/M Romance/Db Relationship
5★
This is part of the series, Daddies for Dollars, but all can be read as standalones, they are all age gap with hurt/comfort and found family. The characters in this one were absolutely wonderful from the very beginning. Foster is the CEO of a very successful, well ran hospital. He has one weakness... broken, needy, boys. When one of his best friends sends Reid to work as Foster’s temporary personal assistant, he feels compelled to do everything he can to help him, while telling himself over and over that he doesn’t have time for a boy of his own. I really felt for Reid who hasn't had an easy life, and now finds that he is struggling to recover from an abusive relationship that has left him with no education or work skills. He is literally drowning in his self-doubts, but Foster is determined to slowly teach him how to appreciate his accomplishments and expand his personal interests. Foster never really crossed any lines, even though he often wanted to. He was first a mentor and only once that Reid was no longer his employee, did Foster express interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with Reid. Foster and Reid’s dynamic grows through encouragement, maturity, positive confidence and honest communication as they become partners in every sense. Reid is sweet and comes into his own quickly and Foster is a supportive and kind man as they both find they deserve a special person in their life. There was one chapter that was questionable about the success of them having a happy outcome, but it was short...and proved that love can and will usually win out in the end. Honey London is quickly making my "favorite authors" list. This was a fun to read, with some wonderful characters, along with some steamy times.


Roping His Daddy - A.W. Scott
Coleman Ranch series Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance/Db Relationship
5★
Daddy/boy books are some of my favorites. Bet you couldn't tell:) Beau is a middle who meets Jackson, who is thought to be straight but who is actually bi. He had thought for some time that he might be a "Daddy", but when he first saw Beau...he was more than sure. He is a biological daddy to an adorable 3-year-old son, Dakota. From all three character's first meeting...their lives changed, and they hoped they would never go back to how they had been. These two men, Beau and Jackson, had been created for each other. They didn't dive head-first into a romantic relationship. They took things slow, got to know one another, and Beau got to know Jackson's son. It didn't take long for them to realize that what they had was beyond special. Jackson's family was so understanding and welcoming to Beau who was scared they weren't going to like him, and Jackson's 3-year-old son stole the story. Even the ex-wife that I was sure was going to make trouble, ended up not being half-bad, but no reader will make her their "favorite character". This series has return characters from the other books. Coleman Ranch seems to be a home-base for gay cowboys...all in a really good way, so if the books aren't read in order, you may be left wondering who all these folks are...even though the Coleman Ranch wouldn't be a bad place to be lost at.

So Long At The Fair - Christina Schwartz - (Wisconsin)
Genera: Adultery/Infidelity
2★
It's 1963, and we find ourselves in a small town in Wisconsin. Walter has had sex with Hattie...but she claims that it was rape...and he claims that it was consensual. Hattie’s friend Marie wants her husband, Bud...who is a upcoming golf star, to defend Hattie’s honor. I didn't think that there was much "honor" to defend. Bud refuses as he absolutely believes Walter’s version of the story. Then we find that Marie has her own reasons to want revenge and uses Hattie’s former boyfriend, Clark, to turn Bud against Walter, who is the son of Bud’s major backer. Are we confused yet? Now we move ahead 40 years to Madison, Wisconsin. Jon, who is the son of Bud and Marie, has been having an affair with Freddi, his co-worker at an ad agency, but he still loves his wife, Ginny. Hattie and Clark’s daughter and Jon became high school sweethearts after Ginny was injured in an accident for which Jon has always felt responsible but which Ginny has always considered her own fault. With occasional jumps back to 1963, the story covers the crucial Saturday when Jon is deciding whether to stay with Ginny or leave their long marriage for Freddi. As a step toward reconciliation, he plans to take Ginny to a music festival they’ve attended in the past, but Ginny has mixed up her dates and made other, business appointments. Frustrated and hurt, Jon ends up at the festival with Freddi, who of course, carries her own emotional baggage, including a stalker who is convinced that Freddi is his girlfriend. Ginny’s business appointment is with Walter, who readers quickly suspect may be her real father instead of overprotective, doting Clark. Misconnections and misunderstandings mount as all the characters, not just Jon and Ginny, but their parents, their friends and acquaintances all make choices drawing them closer and closer to inevitable disaster. While the 1963 story line is a minor problem, but the author's portrayal of Jon and Ginny’s supposedly loving but damaged marriage is downright confusing....as is the entire story. After reading this, I now completely understand why I prefer M/M romances.

My Darling Girl - Jennifer McMahon - (Vermont)
Genera: Supernatural/Thriller
4★
Alison barely survived a traumatic childhood with her unpredictable, alcoholic mother, Mavis. Mavis now has terminal cancer, and it is with a great deal of trepidation that Alison agrees to bring her home to die. Paul, who is Mavis’ longtime assistant, seems agitated when they arrive at Alison’s Vermont farmhouse...but when he leaves, the two women appear to settle into an uneasy truce, and Mavis begins to engage with Alison’s two daughters, especially the 6-year-old, Olivia. The other one, Sixteen-year-old Izzy describes her grandmother as “creepy,” but soon, she is joining Mavis for tea and asking her questions for a school project that she's working on. I found Mavis to be beyond "a little" strange, especially with the rock that she insists on keeping with her all the time, it seems to be her favorite possession. Alison thinks that she is the only one that is suspicious of her mother’s motives for coming to Vermont, but the rest of the family sees nothing wrong and has been more than charmed by her. Then Olivia begins to have nightmares, and Mavis taunts Alison with some of her childhood secrets that no one could possibly know. Then Paul, the assistant, comes for a visit but runs out of the house after only a brief exchange with his employer...frantically finds Alison, and tells her “THAT IS NOT MAVIS!!!” What follows is both chilling, and terrifying. Alison has to unravel her mother’s secrets and begins to realize that her mother has suffered more than she was ever aware of, and perhaps, it was in part driven by her mother's desire and need to protect her. There is a clear and logical explanation for all the mystery, but it’s not one that any other person in Alison’s life can understand or accept, so she finds herself alone, losing the trust of her loved ones as she fights to protect her young daughters. It seems to be common in horror stories for the characters to cling to a more “realistic” explanation, like mental illness or trauma. It's easier to accept than the glaring, in your face evidence of the supernatural being something real. It was somewhat discouraging to see this happening here. Alison’s strength deserved a better outcome even if the ending proved how evil can, and sometimes does, triumph. Throughout the story I just wanted to shake the characters and shout "listen to the woman...and Believe her!"

Instructions For Dancing – Nicola Yoon
3***

Evie doesn’t believe in love anymore. Not after she found her father in the arms of his lover, and her parents subsequently divorced. But then on a trip to a little free library, she comes across an unusual volume – “Instructions for Dancing.” It’s a manual and the flyleaf says it’s the property of a dance studio, so she decides to return it to the studio. The next thing she knows, Evie is paired with a boy named X, learning to waltz, fox-trot and tango. Oh, and she’s acquired an unusual ability to see a couple’s love story just by witnessing them kissing.

This is a charming YA romance with a young couple who have multiple family issues they have to navigate. I like that Yoon gives us reasons why Evie is so reluctant to give herself over to the potential of falling in love. I also really liked X. He’s a steady presence and a genuinely lovely young man – tender, accomplished, forward thinking, a gentleman. These two young people really shine.

However, I think Yoon could have left out the “visions” that Evie has when she spots a couple kissing. They just didn’t really support the story, in my opinion. Although, I suppose I understand the message of enjoying the moment and not over-thinking the future.

Night Shift - Robin Triggs - (Antarctica)
Genera: Horror/Thriller
5★
At the start of the story, there is a note requesting for the "recipient to do with the following account what is deemed appropriate". Of course, also bear in mind the cover of the book, and you know that something went very, very wrong. Now we meet the new Chief of Security, Anders Nordvel, who has arrived at Australis to replace the last Chief who left after some health issues, headaches, sleepwalking, and other such things. Nordvelt is viewed as an outsider from the very start; the crew doesn’t trust him. They also don’t think that they need him, and everyone knows that there is something not quite right with the promotion to start with. The crew goes out to a ridge to celebrate the final sunset before the area goes into darkness for the next six months.
From there, the story takes off on a suspenseful ride that is both exciting and frightening. Can't say much more, as it would give away a very exciting and suspenseful plot. We are given just enough information to understand everything about the situation that follows. The descriptions of the base and the conditions were also perfect, letting you imagine the overall environment, but also letting you fill in the blanks. The same was true with each of the characters and their descriptions. There are some sci-fi elements and some pieces of horror that may produce some feelings of claustrophobia, but not too many. All these layers only added to the environment and will keep you guessing. I believe this is Robin Triggs first book, and if this is any indications of his talent, I hope there will be more.

Daddy's Curious Boy - A. W. Scott
Daddies For Dollars Series Season 2
Genera: M/M Romance/ Age Play (Daddy/boy)
5★
We have seen the Desmond (Des), character appear in some of the other books in this series...but now we know what he has been looking for...he was looking and waiting for Ryder; "Daddy's Curious Boy"! The story is very low on angst, actually everything works for these people, not to mention they are richer than King Midas. It's what you could call a "high heat" book that is fairly light on the kink. From the way the story opened I knew it was going to be hot and special. Ryders grandmother was responsible for bringing Des and Ryder together on a blind date where sparks flew, and hearts were welded firmly together. Ryder's Grandmother is one wise and special lady...you have to love her. I wished that she'd had played a bigger role in the story... only because her shenanigans were epic and would have added a bit of extra 'spice'...as if these two guys needed any more spice! The only small grievance I had with the book was that the epilogue strayed a little from the tone of the book...just a little thing. It was a great read and a nice addition to the 'Daddies for Dollars' series.

The Taster / V. S. Alexander
4 stars

Magda is a German girl, living in Berlin in 1943. She does not care one way or the other about the Reich or the Nazis; her mother supports the Nazis, but her father does not agree with Hitler or this war (but he needs to keep quiet about it). Her parents are worried for her safety, so they send her out of Berlin to live with her aunt and uncle. Magda’s aunt insists she work for her keep, but the only job she is able to find, with the help of her uncle, is for the Nazis. She is chosen to be a “taster” for Hitler. She, along with other girls/women, taste his food before he eats to be sure it isn’t poisoned. but she needs this job. The work gets more dangerous as time goes on (for various reasons).

Another different perspective on WWII. This is, of course, based on real events – a mishmash of real events and real people, anyway. I thought it was very interesting. Interesting to see that not all Germans supported what Hitler and the Nazis were doing (and some, in fact, tried to sabotage what he was doing), plus interesting to see the danger that civilians (including those who did not support Hitler) in Germany also faced.

Worth The Chance - Kate Hawthorne
Giving Consent Series Book #4
Genera; M/M Romance/Asexual/Friends to Lovers
2.5★
I have put off having anything to do with this one....but I wanted to finish the series. I love this author's work; I really liked the other 3 books in the series; and I knew that Kate Hawthorne could never write a bad or an uninteresting book...it just wasn't the type of story that I was interested in. Verity has been a "side-line" character in nearly all of the other books, and I just couldn't ever develop any burning desire to learn anything more about them. I knew they would find their "happy" since Kate Hawthorne would never let one of her characters be lonely or miserable...at least not for long. The only thing that I thought that the story could have expressed clearer was that Asexual people CAN certainly enter into a BDSM relationship. BDSM also CAN and DOES exist as only a form of play without ever turning into a sexual relationship. As I said, it's not a bad story...just not my type in this genus.... but there are plenty more that are.

Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States
J. Albert Mann
4/5 stars
This was a fascinating book about the history of labor in the United States. It discusses exploitation of workers including child workers, miners who wanted to unionize, textile workers wanting wages that would cover their expenses and have left over money and organizing Uber drivers. Non-Fiction

No Angel - Nora Phoenix
No Shame Series Book #5
Genra: M/M/M/M Romance (lots more M's here)
5★
This author and this series were what got me "hooked" on this genus. The men of this series started with two...three before the first book ends, and they have just kept adding to their "family" with each new story. These guys are all finally under one roof and they literally burn the pages with their love for each other. Are their love lives unconventional? To most folks...probably. Even some of their family members think that it's over the top unconventional; but what matters in the long run is that it makes them HAPPY, and it WORKS for them. You love who you love and that’s all that matters! One of my more favorite lines was when Josh realized, in the middle of making Thanksgiving dinner that “Love doesn't have conditions…. Love possesses no limits, no fear, no shame". (all titles of the other books in this series) "Love rises above that; otherwise, it wouldn’t be love.” I had to think, "Well said Josh". I had not expected this special treat, so it was a welcome, wonderful surprise gift. I ask you...what can be more fun than a wedding, especially a holiday wedding? Well, two couples in a duo wedding makes it a more pleasant surprise gift. Add in all the festivities of the holidays and you get lots of fun and sexy times. I especially liked the “Christmas Game”, that leave it to Indy, to came up with. These men are so thoughtful and really understand and respect each other's likes and differences. I thought that this series might be finished, but after being rewarded with this story.... hopefully maybe not. After Burke, Blake and Brad’s brother, show up at Thanksgiving wanting to ask for forgiveness...they certainly need/deserve their own stories. Nora Phoenix is one of my favorite authors. I believe I have read and/or own, everything that she currently has in print. This is definitely not a standalone book or series.... but everyone knows that I don't usually "follow the rules"...but for this series to make good sense, you really need to...I will try to do better:) Be better than me and start at the beginning with book 1, No Filter. Trust me, you will be glad that you did.

Three Fates - Nora Roberts - (Ireland)
Genera: Mystery/Romance
4.5★
Three Irish siblings and their American lovers fight to find and reclaim three ancient statues. This plotline allowed for lots of twists & turns making it the classic "good vs. evil" tale while allowing the three couples to find their "true love". The plot was complex, with each character interwoven with the others, allowing the author to give them their own different...but distinct personalities. There was also a well-done mix of mythology and modern-day intrigue. It didn't quite make the 5-star rating. There were several characters that quickly dove head-first into the unlikable category. The ex-ballet-dancer/stripper, and Cleo's constant sarcasm was slightly nerve grating, and Gideon and Mal, the two brothers, sadly lacked personality. I was surprised how little romance there was to this "love story". The best character in the story was Tia, the mythologist. A book only featuring Tia and Mal would have been a guaranteed best seller.... but then Nora Roberts hasn't called asking any "plot advise", from me:) Overall, this was an interesting read and I'm sure that this author's many fans will love it.

His Truth - Riley Hart
Genera: M/M Romance
Narrator: Joel Leslie
4.5★
This is not an easy book to listen to. No one should have had to have gone through what Roman went through, and to make matters worse it was at the hands of his own family...his father and older brother...the people who were supposed to unconditionally love him no matter what. I work with young gay people, and I know personally, that to some this is far from fiction. To sum up it up in one word..."intense" will have to do.... but it hardly begins to cover it. This story is so heavily laced with pain that it makes your heart ache ...but on the other hand it is so very beautiful and truly honest. We meet Roman and Leo at the start as 14-year-old boys that are in their first experiences of love and coming to terms with their sexuality. After they have been separated for many years, they meet up accidently again. Despite the horrible way they were separated there is no denying there is still so much there between them both. 12 years apart has done nothing to dim their feelings for each other. It is obvious that the love they shared is still very much present. When they look into each other's eyes for the first time after so long, there is no denying that things will change. There is so much that hasn’t been said that should be. It takes time and lots of patience, anger, grief and yes, love, but they have to find a way to become more than their past and see what is still there. I have already stated this story deals with some heavy issues but in the most respectful, open way imaginable that touched me deeply. You sense that there is more, that there are things that aren’t spoken about enough. There is so much underlying grief and a tone of fear and insecurity that you will just feel it in the narrator's voice if you are listening....and probably see it on the ages if you are reading. If I should mention some small form of criticism, then I would mention the fact that some things feel liked they’ve been skipped over...especially with Leo, where the focus is much more on Roman. There were a couple of moments at the end where I realized that I missed connecting some dots with Leo and his life. I loved the way that Riley Hart tells Roman's story...even the really hard parts, and how she allowed Leo to stand by him through it all. The book will surprise you in several different ways...and perhaps make us all a little more careful in making snap judgements of things we don't understand.... even those things we may not approve of.

Sisters in Arms / Kaia Alderson
4 stars

When the WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) in the US allows black women to join (telling them it won’t be segregated, but it most definitely is), Grace (a budding Julliard pianist) and Eliza (who wants to be a sports journalist) join and clash right away. But they become stronger as they train and eventually make their way to Europe.

I listened to the audio and really liked this. I suspect it was hard enough for women in the army, but black women? Had to be so much harder. I think something the audio missed (looks like – from other reviews – there might have been): an author’s note… and maybe some citations? I like author’s notes in my historical fiction so I know what was real and what was fictional, so I would have liked to have had that. I do realize Grace and Eliza were fictional, but I would have liked to be told what parts were real without having to find that from other reviews or looking it up after. That being said, I did really like the story and the audio was well done.

Dear Edward - Ann Napolitano - (Colorado / New Jersey)
Genera: Thriller
5★
Edward is a 12-year-old boy who was the only survivor of a plane crash. Edward Adler is in the process of moving to California with his older brother, Jordan, and their parents: Their mother is a television scriptwriter, and their father is a mathematician who was home schooling Edward and his brother. They had just reached Colorado, where the plane goes down. We are on the flight with the family from takeoff to the time of the crash learning the story of Edward’s life over the next six years. Edward's aunt and uncle, a childless couple in New Jersey, take Edward in, but his misery is constant and almost impermeable. He can't brin himself to sleep in the never-used room that his aunt and uncle have quickly made his bedroom...so he ends up bunking next door, where there's a girl his age, named Shay. This friendship becomes the only thread connecting him to the world of the living. Meanwhile, in alternating chapters, we meet all the dead plane passengers, learning their backstories, their hopes, their plans, every single one of which is minutes from obliteration. For some readers, this will be way too dark to endure, underlining our terrible vulnerability to random events and our inability to protect ourselves or our children from the worst-case scenario while also seeing in stark, startling detail the bleak, heartbreaking experience of survival. The people around Edward have no idea what to do with him; his aunt and uncle try their best to protect him from the horrors of his instant celebrity status as the "Miracle Boy". Thankfully for we readers, there is a light the end of the tunnel for Edward. It's sometimes a hard story to read but if we stick with it we can see Edwards's story as a story of hope.

Broken Pieces - Riley Hart
Genera: M/M/M Romance
5★
It's a complex love story between 3 men that started as a simple fascination between two of them. Josiah is the typical foster kid...quiet, polite, and fairly solitary. He is unprepared for his new roommate to be so rough...bad...and unbelievably fascinating. Mateo knows nothing but darkness, yet he has a heart of pure gold. It does not take long for a relationship of trust and adoration to develop as neither had ever been so cared for. The progression of first looks to first touches and to first intimacy was done so very well. It was almost too good to be true, but each knew that the lingering dark past would/could ultimately break their hearts. Then we fast forward to a new life... a new time, and Josiah is drifting thru life. A sexy stranger with his own shattered life makes a single proposition and turns Josiah into the strong and determined man that Teo always knew was there. Tristan is drawn to the goodness and the caring of Josiah, but while giving him a new life and a new "relationship," he is unable to give all of himself fully to Josiah. Josiah still isn't fully healed himself...his first love still holds a piece of his heart. I was never sure how this story would turn out. I didn't really like Josiah much. I didn't at first see why he was so appealing, but when his past and his present collided, I could truly see how he would bring Teo and Tristan together. This is when this story became simply amazing. Two men who had fought themselves at last saw their worth in each other's mistakes. Teo and Tristan may have been together because of Josiah, but their connection was no less important. Leave it to Riley Hart to write another fabulous M/M romance and for turning up the heat with one of the hottest threesome I have ever read.

White House Wild Child: How Alice Roosevelt Broke All the Rules and Won the Heart of America
by Shelley Fraser Mickle
4/5 star
Interesting biography of Alice Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt!

A Fatal Thaw – Dana Stabenow
Book on CD narrated by Marguerite Gavin.
3***

Book number two in the mystery series featuring Aleut private investigator Kate Shugak. This one starts with a bang, as a deranged serial killer goes on a rampage killing people at random. Kate (along with her trusty wolf-Husky mix, Mutt) stops the guy. Case solved. Or is it?

Stabenow writes a great thriller/mystery. I love the setting in a very rural part of Alaska, and the way she incorporates some Aleut culture into the mix. Kate is a very strong woman and a marvelous lead character. She’s intelligent, resourceful, determined, observant, and kind, but she does not hold back when toughness is required. It’s no wonder she’s earned the trust of not only the authorities, but also the village residents and tribal elders. And I just love Mutt!

Marguerite Gavin does a great job of performing the audiobook. Her diction is clear and she sets a good pace.

Home For The Howlidays - Charlie Cochet
The Kings: Treemendous Christmas Series Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance/Dogs & King's Security
4★
A snowstorm had left the Ice Castle with leaks in the roof and caused the visitors to have cancelled. Everyone from the Four Kings Security is prepared to bring the Ice Castle back to its former beauty, no matter how long it may take. The roof is fixed, the electricity is back on, and the supplies that couldn’t be delivered because of the storm have finally arrived. All the men have contacts...favors to call in, and the knowledge to fix whatever needed to be fixed. Now there is only one problem...how to get the people to come. Those that cancelled probably had made new arrangements so now that the festival is ready how can they bring people in. The story is also about Giovanni (Gio) and his partner Sacha “Joker” Wilder. Of course, none of the men who now have dogs would ever go on vacation without them so the house they rented is full of love both human and canine. Gio was diagnosed with a mild case of autonomic neuropathy which has affected his blood pressure and heart rate, so Joker always watches Gio for any signs of trouble. Unfortunately, with everyone ready for a grand ole time, Joker suffers an accident thanks to his brother Ace...but it was an accident and all the fault of that pesky extension cord. Joker has a fractured leg, and the cast and crutches are making it impossible for him to reach Ace and kill him...give him time...he'll figure a way:) This is the third book in this cute series. If you haven’t read the first two books you are missing out on some amazing reading and characters...and the wonderful, beautiful dogs who Joker has trained. Sometimes they have more sense than the humans in the story...but isn't that usually the case?

The Northwomen / Heather Pringle
3.5 stars

This is a look at the women in Viking society. The author looks at archaelogical evidence of the kinds of activities women likely did. Many are things that people do not assume of Viking women. They do include things like weaving (sails, armour, etc.) and there were slaves, but there were also women warriors, merchants, voyagers, and more.

This was good. Interesting. I’ve really not read much about Vikings. This did include some broader Viking history, but with a focus on the women and the archaeological evidence that has been found to refute the assumptions that it was men only who were the warriors, merchants, and travellers. I did find this mostly interesting, but I did also lose focus at times. Being nonfiction, it did take a bit longer to read.

Crazy Little Thing Cold Love - Collette Davidson - (England/Austria)
Destination Daddies Series (Season 2)
Genera: M/M Romance/Daddy/boy
5★
Possible Trigger: PTSD
Another Cuffd app-sponsored Destinations getaway brings together a struggling military vet, Jude, and a bubbly therapist who happens to be a boy, Kasper, for a week in beautiful, cold and snowy Austria. Instant love doesn't immediately happen, but we and they knew that their instant attraction could very well lead there. Neither man is under any illusions that they would meet "Mr. Right", but they were completely open to whatever may or may not happen on this kinky holiday. We were first introduced to Jude in his best friend Ben's story, His Boy to Cherish. It was the perfect experience to watch this sweet, hurt/comfort, romance with Kasper take off and build during their way too short week, and there was certainly no disappoints. Jude's brashness is a mask to hide all his loneliness, insecurities, and the ongoing struggle with PTSD from his time at war while in the Army. The depth of his condition isn't in any way sugarcoated, and Kasper's support and understanding was just what he needed but that, until now with this sweet man, he had never found with any other partner. Jude and Kasper's amusing and breezy conversations were just the right blend of playful, cocky and sweet. Their relationship builds up quickly, of course, but it also felt organic and natural...but there's also a refreshing element to it, as Dom Jude comes to realize and fully embrace that he's a "Daddy"... and Kasper is most diffidently his "boy"...and also that just one week will never be enough for either of them. All the stories in the "Destination Daddies" series, both season 1 and season 2, are just sweet, steamy and cheeky "happy ever after" reads. This one is in good company.

Passing / Nella Larsen
2 stars

Set (and published) in the 1920s, Clare and Irene were friends and ran into each other after they hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Beyond this, I had to read the summary on GR to get an idea of what was going on. They are both black women and one of them (I can’t remember which) was passing for white. Apparently (based on the summary I read), the one passing is married to a racist man who doesn’t know she is actually black.

I listened to the audio and obviously, wasn’t paying close enough attention to even know what was happening in the book. It didn’t (obviously) hold my interest at all.

Murder in the Hollows - Declan James - (Ohio)
Jake Cashen series - Book #1
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/Thriller
5★
Jake Cashen is back home after a career with the FBI, his family needs him. Life isn't easy with all his new events in his life...leaving the FBI, a new sheriff in town, the murder of a judge... Jake now faces more conflict than ever in his life. His new career as a deputy along with the big case that has hit his town has him scrambling to keep up and make some kind of sense of it all. I. of course read the second book in this series last month but having enjoyed it so much I thought I would investigate further by starting at the beginning where most "normal" folks would...and I'm glad that I did. Serial killer novels are a "dime a dozen" on the market so it would seem that there could be "nothing new under the sun", but when I read more about this author and found that he was a "real life" police detective...I hoped that he would add some realistic feeling to the story and was happy to find that he certainly did. This was very well developed. The characters were interesting, and all mostly played well into the storyline. There were many twists to the plot and the ending was good. That said, it was a great start to what I know...since I've read the second book... will be an excellent series that readers will wait anxiously for their next adventure with Jake.

The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts
Tom Farley Jr.
3.5/5 stars
This is the biography of Chris Farley who made it big on Saturday Night Live and in films. However, his addictions doomed him and he died early! Well written but sad! A Dozen Film And TV Books

Hooked on You - K Evan Coles - (Massachusetts)
Genera: M/M Romance/Friends to Lovers
5★
This was a beautifully written story that I couldn't put down. I loved the dynamic between Connor, a paramedic, and Judah the yarn store co-owner with his mother, and the way their friendship started. The two guys net when Conner wanted to learn to knot to make a baby blanket for his co-worker and Judah ran and helped run the yarn shop and taught the classes. Connor's emergence from the closet he didn't even realize that he had been in, was both sweet as well as a little heartbreaking. Both characters were extremely likeable and had such beautiful chemistry, making it easy to cheer for them even when they messed up. A lovely, easy read from a new for me author.

Almost Midnight - Paul Doiron - (Maine)
Mike Bowditch series Book #10
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
4.5★
Mike Bowditch’s friend, Billy Cronk, who’s serving time in prison for murder, asks Bowditch to look into the background of Dawn Richie, a female prison guard, but refuses to tell him why. A short time later, two inmates attack Richie and another guard in the prison’s laundry room, killing the male guard and wounding Richie with prison made knives. She only escapes with her life because Cronk, who happens to be close, kills one of the attackers and wounds the other, receiving injuries of his own in the process. Another prison guard dies at home, supposedly a mishap, along with his sister and mother. By then, Cronk has fled the prison where he was transferred after the governor promised to pardon him for saving Richie. As the state police search for Cronk, he is revealed to be a suspect in the mysterious triple deaths, which may have been acts of murder designed to look like an accident. Now the plot line appears to switch and becomes a bit confusing. Mike Bowditch is now searching for the culprit who shot Shadow, a wolf-dog hybrid that escaped from his care years earlier and had been living in the wild. Shadow has been taken to an animal hospital by a game warden. Shadow has surgery but it seems that he's unlikely to live. I almost stop reading at this point. A thousand folks can die in the story but DON'T KILL THE DOG! If you are looking for perfect, flawless characters or a story that always has a "happy ever after" fairy-tale ending...look elsewhere. If you like flawed, "real" characters and stories that the good guy doesn't always win...you will probably enjoy meeting Mike Bowditch.

Shifting Gears - Riley Hart - (Virginia)
Crossroads series Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance
4★
This author usually gets 5-star ratings from me but not this time. I really liked the majority of this book. It had a lot of raw emotion and helped put the struggles that both Rod and Landon faced into perspective. There was a bit too much build up even if it did set the mood for how much both men were trying to not deal with concerning their childhoods. They both were coping with abandonment and abuse, and it left both of them feeling as if they not only didn’t deserve love, but they didn’t need it either. Their connection and how much they fought their attraction, ultimately not being able to resist, was perfect for these two characters, considering what they had gone through as children and how little they trusted their own emotions. I wished early into the story that Rod wouldn’t have been quiet so pushy...he might have gotten a different response from Landon if he had backed off a bit... but it made sense once we really understood how little he valued his ability to truly bond with another person. Overall, it was a good read. After you read enough of this genus you know that eventually the two main characters will get together.

Widdershines- Jordan L. Hawke - (Massachusetts)
Whyborne & Griffin Series Book #1
M/M Romance/Paranormal/Historical Fantasy
5★
The world that our two heroes, Whyborne & Griffin, live in is revealed to be filled with terrifying dark magic. Despite its many references to the world that Lovecraft created, this book is not at all derivative, but the horrors that haunt these pages are just as genuinely scary and unique. We have the "Guardians" who are the undead henchmen of the "Brotherhood" that Whyborne and Griffin often find themselves fighting. The "Brotherhood" has built their knowledge of the occult on stolen artifacts from the museum’s Egyptian exhibit, I guess it's not a stretch of the imagination to see that the Guardians resemble a bastardized version of many Egyptian gods. We learn that they have been pieced together from dead humans and animals, making them humanoid hybrids with animal traits. Unlike pictures we have seen in Egyptian art, they aren’t just creatures with human bodies and animal heads. Instead, we are treated to detailed descriptions of how human flesh and bone have been warped into these unnatural shapes, twisting the familiar into the unfamiliar and leaving these creatures residents of the "valley of the uncanny". Sometimes cosmic horror can get a bit too abstract to really be scary. but I have found that this author knows how to twist that horror into details that will literally make your skin crawl. In this story Whyborne has discovered a dangerous cult that is trying to resurrect the dead and take over the world, and it’s up to him and his handsome detective, Griffin, to stop them. Percival Endicott Whyborne is a reluctant hero in this, the first of what has grown into a lengthy series featuring these two guys. This first of, so far, 11 books in the Whyborne & Griffin series is a take on Lovecraft’s horror myths that centers on a love story between these two men. The gay romance subplot is really the force that drives this series. In this, the first in the series, watching Whyborne and Griffin fall in love can without a doubt be called the backbone. I've read most of the series and can wholeheartedly recommend it. The last book in the series...#11, came out in 2022. I hope that wasn't actually the last one

Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race that Will Change the World / Parmy Olson
4.5 stars

The subheading tells you generally what this is about, but it also includes some biographical information on two people who were working on getting AI to where it is today. They both wanted to use AI for the good of humanity and didn’t want it to be abused or used for ill. Of course, given the amount of computing power needed to get AI “ready” for the world, they both ultimately sold out to large companies, Google and Microsoft. They both tried to include restrictions (like an independent ethics board, for example) to prevent it from going sour, but here we are...

I thought this was very interesting. I found it particularly interesting to find Elon Musk so involved, particularly in the “ethics” side of things. Though there was a difference explained between AI ethics and AI safety. Elon Musk ended up promoting the “safety” side of things. I didn’t know about that part of the AI controversy, but apparently there are a bunch of people who legitimately think AI will annihilate humans in some way, shape, or form, Musk being one of them. So they formed organizations to help prevent that. On the more frustrating side was the part I did know about: the ethics – the racism, sexism, made up information/citations, etc. Frustrating in that there were (at least initially) people hired to help prevent this, but (without saying too much in my review), that just didn’t pan out. I have read a bit about AI, and at work (I’m a librarian), AI has become a big topic, so not everything was new to me.

Incidents Around the House - Josh Malerman - (Michigan)
Genera: Paranormal/Mystery Suspense/Thriller
5★
Frightened by the “Other Mommy” in her bedroom closet who asks her, "Can I go into your heart?,” Lonely 8-year-old Bela enters into a horrific waking nightmare involving her whole family.

I picked this one up for several good reasons. 1. I really like this author's work....2. I love ghost and paranormal stories...and 3. it's set in a town in my state, Michigan, even if it is a fictional town. It's a small town, that the author has named Chaps, Michigan, near some of the other fictional places in other of Josh Malerman’s spooky novels. The story revolves around a very, very dysfunctional and troubled family. Little Bela’s mommy has been cheating on her father, "Daddo", whose friendliness seems to clash with his wife’s overly dark personality. They are so wrapped up in their endless fighting and arguing and workplace demands that they’ve neglected to pay any attention to Bela. Then Bela meets "Other Mommy" who is sweet and seductive to start with. "Other Mommy" offers Bela, who blames herself for the mess that her parents are...a solution. They will trade places, with the Babadook-like presence that is reincarnated in Bela, and... who knows where she’ll go. “Whatever you do, most of all, don’t allow someone else’s meanness, someone else’s cruelty, to get inside of you,” Daddo offers this way too late advice to Bela. We don't have long to wait before a screaming, shape-shifting version of "Other Mommy" is revealed to the family, leading them to run off to an assortment of supposedly safe places and bring in experts that deal in the spirit world business to rid them of "Other Mommy". Leave it to Mom and Dad to get so caught up in themselves that they miss most of what Bela says. As a result of long monologues about secrets and lost innocence and such, the book loses a bit of its edge, but it soon picks up again. Bela is treated almost like an 'after thought" instead of someone that just might have the answers and that somewhat deprives the story of a deeper dimension. That said, Josh Malerman keeps us engrossed and wonderfully, creepily terrified, as that is one of his greatest talents. This novel has earned and well deserves a spot on my "books to read again and again" shelf.

The Haunted Forest Tour
James A. Moore
3.5/5 stars
This is the story of the Haunted Forest Tour. Riders will be amazed at the creatures on this Halloween night. However, something goes terribly wrong with the tour which is supposed to be very safe but the creatures in the night will see that won't be true! I enjoyed this book! Horror Novel

The Hive and the Honey – Paul Yoon
3***

From the book jacket: On Sakhalin Island, a boy searches for his father, a prison guard. In Barcelona, a woman is tasked with spying on a prize-fighter who may or may not be her estranged son. A samurai escorts an orphan to his country men during the Edo period. A formerly incarcerated man starts a new life in a small town in upstate New York and attempts to build a family.

My reactions:
I like this kind of literary fiction. This is a collection of short stories, all featuring Koreans. The settings and time frame vary, from Europe to Asia to North America, from the 19th century to contemporary times.

What they have in common is the way in which Yoon depicts his characters. We learn about their dreams, aspirations, disappointments, frustrations through the actions they take.

London's Lost Engine - Della Cain
Found By Daddy series Book #11
Genera: M/M Romance/Age Play: Daddy/boy
5★
All of these books in the "Found by Daddy" series are short, sweet, little stories about Daddies and boys...usually "littles", finding one another, usually due to the boy losing a possession that is special and dear to him and the Daddy finding it...hence the series title:) In this one the boy, London, is crazy about anything that has to do with trains. While taking advantage of a trip planned by the local kink club, "Chained", he loses his favorite toy engine, and the "Daddy", Gray, finds it and reunites the boy and his little engine. London is a "little", but in his "big" life, he's a dentist and also a smart and likeable adult who enjoys helping people. It was fun to see his fascination with trains and being a train conductor, and also the way Gray supported London in both his adult and his little life. As always, this series is a quick and easy read with very little. or very low, if any, angst. Although it's book #11 in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. If you like sweet, snuggly, happy ever after stories that can easily be read in one sitting, then these "Found by Daddy" books will not in any way disappoint. It's one of my favorite M/M Romance series, and I highly recommend it


A Little Surprise, Secret Santa Daddy - A W Scott
Secret Santa Daddy Series Season 2
Genera: M/M Romance/ Age Play: Daddy/little
4★
This is another sweet, "Daddy/little", low angst Christmas story that only takes a couple of hours to read. Both Calvin and Webster were sweet men. We first met Webster in Daddy Claus, and we knew from the first time we met them, that Calvin needed his own "boy" and Webster badly needed a "Daddy". Both men were a little sad, a bit confused and very lost. Having come from a big family, Webster knows he'll be accepted but he's not sure how he is supposed to embrace the "little" he knows dwells inside him. along comes fate to play a helping hand in his life by placing Webster in "Daddy" Calvin's sight. "Daddy" Calvin knows Webster is the right "boy" for him, he just needs a little help, so... he starts buying Webster secret gifts that will appeal to his "little" side and indicating on the tags that they are from "Santa C". Enter the "Princesses" and their "Daddies". I will admit that the "Princesses" take a bit of getting accustomed to, and I don't know very much about that particular kink, but I can and do respect it, and... it helped Webster and Calvin immensely. "Princess" Aster is a sweetheart. They love welcoming new "littles", and they love "happy ever after's" even more. They are determined that Webster is going to have everything he needs to be a good "boy" and Calvin to be the "Daddy" that he wants to be to Webster... in spades. If the story had been a little longer it would have received a 5 -star rating, but it ended without some things being answered. Overall, it's a sweet, happy, and adorable little story (no pun intended) ...and who cares if it's Christmas or not when you read it?

Free Fire – C J Box
Book on CD read by David Chandler
3***

Book number seven in the mystery series featuring Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett.

Recently fired from his job as a game warden, Joe is working on his father-in-law’s ranch when he’s asked by the Governor to investigate an unusual crime that occurred in Yellowstone National Park. An attorney, Clay McCann confessed to killing four campers, claiming self-defense. But he did so in a tiny corner of the park that is actually in Idaho, and a loophole in the law gets him off completely. The Governor wants to know what’s really going on.

Gosh but I love Joe Pickett. He’s an astute observer, keeps his cards close to the chest, doesn’t take unnecessary chances, but doesn’t hesitate to go into dangerous situations when it’s called for. He calls on his friend (and somewhat of an outlaw), Nate Romanowski, for back-up. This is a guy you definitely want to have on YOUR side!

Joe quickly discovers that not everyone comes to Yellowstone for the spectacular natural scenery. There are some hidden agendas regarding ecoterrorism, deals cut with major bioengineering firms, and possible drug dealing. Can he sort it out and discover the “real” culprit before a natural disaster occurs to wipe out all evidence?

I’ve yet to visit Yellowstone, but this book really increases my desire to do so. That’s just a bonus.

David Chandler does a good job of narrating the audiobook. He sets a good pace and I like the way he interprets Joe and Nate.

Castle Magic - Morgan Brice - (England)
Genera: M/M Romance /4-Paranormal Adventure
5★ and many, many more
This review is going to be a little different by letting each story have its own review...because...this is absolutely a Morgan Brice fan's dream come true...Christmas and birthday all rolled into one exceptional book. Instead of one story with the same characters, this wonderful "gift" to all Morgan Brice fans is four short, individual 5 or 6-chapter stories, each featuring the couples from her four full-length series. If you are a "dyed in the wool" fan of her hot guys as I am, you will want to spend time visiting with each of them as they travel to visit "an ancient, haunted castle and a quirky English village". We are reunited with Teag Logan and his fiancé, Anthony Benton from the South Carolina series Deadly Curiosities, Ben and Erik from the Cape May, New Jersey series, Treasure Trails, My all-time favorite of them all, from Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Simon Kincaid and his fiancé, Detective Vic D'Amato from the Badlands and the Witchbane series, and last but not least, Dawson and Grady King from the Kings Of The Mountain series. In their stories all of the couples take holiday vacations to Caynham Castle and while there they do what they do best...help trapped spirits find peace, send evil ones on to their "just rewards", while each couple hopes that they will survive to share a well-earned future together. I know this is long, but each of these stories so richly deserved their own review.

Crewel Fate - Teag and Anthony's Adventure at Caynham Castle (Characters from the Deadly Curiosities series)
From the book: When Teag Logan and his fiancé Anthony Benton travel to England to celebrate their engagement, Teag's magic and supernatural experience find restless spirits, an old scandal, and century-old secrets that could turn deadly. Can Teag and Anthony solve the mystery and settle the spooks before the Ball, or will more people join the ranks of the castle ghosts? Teag and Anthony help to solve a 700-year-old mystery and free the soul of the woman that once walk the castle floors.
Review:
The story moved along at a good pace, lots of interesting history, and of course lots of hot romance. It was an addictive, exciting and well written story. The main characters were intense and entirely relatable. I found the storyline to definitely be a page turner. This entire book is proving to be nothing but absolutely fantastic. I could never get enough of these characters or their "universe", so the opportunity to get this book with the short stories that were released in anthologies first was beyond a treat. If you have never read the individual stories, you can meet these special men in this book, Castle Magic. It was the best $20.00 I ever spent!

Secrets and Ciphers - Ben & Eriks Adventure at Caynham Castle. (Characters from the Treasure Trails series)
Lovers from Cape May, New Jersey, take a Halloween holiday at the magnificent Caynham Castle. As their love and trust deepens, they also stumble across and solve a 700-year-old mystery! Enjoy this M/M Romance with Morgan Brice's Erik and Ben from Treasure Trail.
Review:
Ben and Eric are adorable together...as always and get even more so as they hunt down the mystery of the Knights Templar. The Templars and all their infamy were an instant win with me. The fact that the secret surrounding them is probably the most mundane and normal I've ever heard only makes this story more unique. It stands out because it's the ghosts that helps uncover a real hidden treasure, and not a treasure like you might think. What can you say that isn't good when it comes to stories about ghosts and Castles? Absolutely not one single thing.... especially if those stories are written by Morgan Brice.

Memory & Malice - Simon & Vic's Adventure at Caynham Castle. (Characters from Witchbane and Badlands)
Psychic medium Simon Kincaide and his fiancé, homicide detective Vic D'Amato, planned a relaxing Christmas and New Year's at Caynham Castle. But when Simon encounters a man possessed by a malicious ghost, he fears that a spirit with an ancient grudge intends to disrupt the holiday festivities. Can Simon and Vic prevent a disaster and protect the Earl, or will a ghost from the past destroy their chance to ring in a bright new future?
Review:
Of all the characters that Morgan Brice has created, I must say that Simon and Vic are my favorites and hold a special place in my heart. I have read and own every series that this author has to date and was so glad to see these two men again and to see them in a different light...away from their everyday hectic and, at times, dangerous lives, just enjoying being tourists in London. Vacationing at the Caynham Castle is not only romantic but it is intrigue for Simon. Simon is gifted, or cursed, depending on how you look at it...he is a shop owner in Mrytle Beach, South Carolina, and a gifted medium that can see and converse with ghosts. Vic, a police detective is his fiancée, who believes wholly in Simon's powers. It was great seeing them embrace their trip with sightseeing as well as hot romantic times. A light-hearted and non-serious Vic and Simon was extremely refreshing. Their vacation story may be on the shorter side, but it packs in a lot of action that, of course, is paranormal. While walking around the town with Vic, Simon senses a malicious and highly dangerous presence. He believes an object someone is carrying may contain the vengeful spirit. We find ourselves thrown into a world of long-ago with wrongdoings that Simon is determined to not allow to ever hurt anyone else. Even though they may not have had a completely relaxing trip, the story had a lovely balance between the reality the men live in and a blissful downtime. If you like spice and lots of love sprinkled generously with the unknown, this is your kind of story.

Fae-ted Mates - Dawson and Grady's Adventure at Caynham Castle. (Characters from Kings of The Mountain)
Dawson and Grady King are honeymooning at Caynham Castle, hoping to take a break from monster hunting. They have one piece of family business to handle, involving a generations-long agreement with the Welsh Fae. When things go wrong, will Dawson and Grady survive, or will they be trapped in the Faerie realm forever?
Review:
Grady and Dawson are on their honeymoon. While celebrating, they are supposed to take a side trip to Wales and renew their family’s ages old covenant with the fae, who they have been having problems with, in their series books. A romantic and steamy time is spent exploring the castle and the town, but things are not going well with their meeting with the fae. If you are not familiar with Grady and Dawson, Morgan Brice gives you enough background to establish their relationship and how deep their commitment is to one another. When the fae meeting goes awry, Dawson must decide if he can let Grady’s sacrifice be the end, or the beginning of a much greater bond between them. It's an enjoyable short story made even better for all of us who are Morgan Brice fans. I can't say enough how much I have enjoyed and appreciate Castle Magic. I will read it again and again...but please, please Ms. Brice, don't let this be the end of the series books for Teag, Anthony, Ben, Erik, Simon and Vic. We need more...MUCH, MUCH MORE.

Where You Are - Felice Stevens - (New York)
Narrator: Declan Winter
Genea: M/M Romance/Fire Fighters
4.5★
We have Levi and Isaac. Levi lives in a small town and works at his brother's bar...but his heart is in the little volunteer fire department. That's how he meets Isaac. He once had met him in a gay bar that no one in his hometown knew he had been to...then again when Isaac's New York City Fire Department sends him to teach and train small volunteer departments...and low-and behold... there was Levi. Isaac lives in New York. Before his fire department career, he had become famous as a child star, but that's not his life anymore and he is now more than happy with his job with the department and his new training program that they have sent him on. When he and Levi meet, sparks fly. This is fine except no one in Levi's town...not his friends...not his family, especially not his brother, knows he's gay. So, what will happen if the two of them are outed? Levi and Isaac were such a good match...and I waited the entire story for Levi to do the right thing darn it! I kept thinking come on Levi get your head straight...the world isn't going to end, and your brother doesn't own you. If he can't accept who or what you are then that's "his bad". You ARE an adult. I even wanted to shake him. There are plenty of emotions here, lots of heroic firefighting, great secondary protagonists and... yes... a happy ending. Declan Winter did such a great job bringing the story and the characters to life. I couldn't decide on the rating. The story itself was certainly worth 5 stars, but we had to wait W-A -Y too long for Levi to get his act together, plus I hated how his brother, although I know he loved him, ruled his life and treated him like he was 10-years old. It became nerve wracking...so 4.5 stars.

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli
5***** & ❤️

Below is my review from when this book was brought over from Shelfari, June of 2016. Nothing different about this re-read, except that it took longer than one night to read it this time around.

A book from my childhood that I have kept into adulthood, and was a quick read last night when I needed to escape to medieval England.

The events take place during the reign of Edward III of England, while the Scottish and Welsh border wars that his grandfather, Edward Longshanks (he of Braveheart" fame) began. Young Robin is expecting to become the page of his father's friend while his father is at war in Scotland and his mother with the Queen, who is in a delicate condition. But he is in London during an outbreak of the Plague, and while he does not come down with it, he does succumb to a fever that leaves his legs bent and withered.

With the help of Brother Luke he is cared for in a nearby monastery. Brother Luke teaches him to cope with the reality of his new life, Brother Matthew teaches him to whittle, and Brother Hugo helps him learn to read the stars. After time passes, he receives word from his father to make the journey to the castle where he will become a page.

The journey with Brother Matthew and John-Go-in-the-Wynd does prove eventful, and helps this young boy understand that he still has something to contribute to his friends and his world. He arrives at the castle, uses his carving skills to make a Saxon harp, and more adventures ensue.

Much that makes this book memorable is the action that shows to the newly disabled boy, who wants nothing more than to be a brave knight on horseback like his father, that he still has many gifts and many more to learn. The history and landscape are firmly rooted in mideval England, and the conflicts between "tribes" are also accurate for the age. Brother Matthew and his fellows at the monastery talk in very formal, educated language which may throw some readers off. The events (I'd hardly call them action) evoke a time when crutches were hand planed from hard oak, where travelers went with cheese and bacon in their saddle bags, and a horse's pace was what set the journey for a day. Slower and more thoughtful times, though not an easy life.

The pictures are soft and delightful and occur at just the right places in the book. I'm so glad I kept it all these years.

Kill Season - Declan James - (Ohio)
Jake Cashen series Book #2
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/Thriller
4★
With the first book in this series, it was easy for the reader to capture the "bad guy". In the end an out of nowhere witness turned up that explained it all. That was a bit strange.... but okay, it didn't ruin the story. This one was more difficult to figure out. The reasoning was a bit random and the "who-done-it" also kind of came out of the preverbal "blue". That was okay but, unexpected. The story kept me guessing right up to the end. Some needed facts were held back and not revealed until the end. That fit in with "real life" cases and gave the story an almost non-fiction feel. This is the second book in the Jake Cashen series that I've read (yeah! I read them in order), and I have to say that this, thus far, has been a well written descent crime series and certainly worth a crime or mystery enthusiast's the time to pursue.

Zachary's Gold - Wes Snowden - (Germany, North Dakota)
Genera: World War I /Historical Fiction
3★
Trying to save an unarmed young German solider from the British rogue solider Lester Groggins on the bloody battlefields of Europe during World War I, Chaplain William Teller finds his life changed. On his way to recovery in a British army hospital, he meets Emily Esterbrooke, a nurse, and sets out to begin a new life in his hometown in Fargo, North Dakota, with Emily close at his side. But Groggins has other plans for the couple. Whether it’s William’s struggles to find forgiveness in his heart for the psychopathic Lester Groggins or Emily’s coming to terms with the brutal attack, the author has created a vivid and emotional narrative, making us sincerely care about the fates of his characters. Throughout William’s life-long journey, we are shown the lives of soldiers and how they are transformed as a direct consequence of war and its tragedy. The 3-star rating does in no way reflect on the writing or the interest of the stories content...it's simply that it really wasn't what I am interested in. Fans of historical fiction will be love it.

Yours Cheerfully – A J Pearce
4****

This is book two about Emmeline Lake, a young woman who was introduced to readers in Pearce’s Dear Mrs Bird. Emmy has now taken over the advice column, but she has also been tapped to helped formulate a new plan to encourage women to take up the jobs in factories that the men have left to fight in World War II.

I was completely charmed by Emmy in the first book and really like to see her continued growth as a woman and journalist. As Emmy meets the women on the line in a munitions factory she also begins to identify the societal and industrial prejudices that women are suffering. They are penalized if they are late or skip a day due to childcare issues, but neither the government nor the factory owners seem able to even recognize the unique issues faced by this new workforce, much less to address them. Well, Emmy is bound and determined to open the eyes of her readers and of the country’s leaders, and to advocate for solutions. I loved that she had a boss who was so supportive and encouraging, who even pushed her a bit to spread her wings.

Like many other readers, I’m getting tired of the barrage of WW2 books, but still really enjoy novels like these that deal with the effects of the war on those “back at home.”

Anne Frank Remembered / Miep Gies, Alison Leslie Gold
4 stars

Miep Gies worked for Otto Frank (Anne’s father) in Amsterdam when the Nazis invaded. Miep was a friend to Otto and his entire family, so she and her husband “Henk” (Anne’s pseudonym for him; his name was actually Jan) didn’t hesitate to hide them on the upper floors of their office and help them out with daily visits, food, and anything they could do to help. This book recounts Miep’s story during this time.

This was very good. I listened to the audio and only occasionally did I miss something because my mind wandered. Miep and Jan helped other Jewish friends, as well. In addition to the other family and the dentist who were in hiding with the Franks, they held on to items (as well as a neighbours’ cat) belonging to Jewish friends in hopes they would one day return and be able to get those items back.

There was biographical information about Miep herself before we got to the Franks’ going into hiding. It was interesting to see the difficulties that Miep went through to help. The “story” included updates (of many people/neighours mentioned) after the war. Otto, of course, came home, but the rest of the family did not, though it was a while before they knew the fates of Anne and her sister Margot. There were a couple of “afterwords”; the last one being a later edition just before Miep turned 100 years old.

The Fury - Alex Michaelides - (Greece)
Genera: Mystery/Suspense
3★
We start off right away with a murder, along with seven people trapped on an isolated Greek island being assaulted by an "unpredictable Greek wind." Then we are introduced to the players, most importantly movie star, Lana Farrar. We also meet her husband, Jason Miller, her son, Leo, and her friend Kate Crosby, who is also an actress. We learn all about her rise to fame and her older first husband, Otto Krantz, a Hollywood producer. Kate’s career seems to be stalling and Leo’s plans to apply to acting schools, surprisingly...much against his mother’s wishes, and also that Jason has a strong obsession with guns. In bits and pieces, we are told about Elliot's painful childhood; his "May–September" relationship with an older woman writer, who is now dead; his passion for the theater, where he learned to change everything about himself in order to fit in. He isn't in every chapter, but he still manages to convey every piece of the story leading up to the murder as if he was and was capable of accessing the perspective of all the characters. When we reach the climax, we find that there is a shooting...a motive...and of course, the story twist. The story mostly takes place on this wild Greek island and echoes the Greek classic's tragedies. The emotions and the tragedy make us question the entire idea of it being merely fate. The author seemed at times, to be slipping into the world of Edgar Allan Poe. I can't say that the book is especially a thriller, but in the end, it does present an interesting mystery, but I found that it had more style than actual substance. Still, worth the time to read.

Reckless, Room for Love- Kate Hawthorne
Motel Brothers, Room for Love series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance
4.5★
It starts out as a strictly physical attraction but quickly morphs into a hot middle ground of unspoken, and so far, unexplored, feelings. Cameron is leaving for college in a few weeks, so he doesn't want to get attached to Luke. Luke is afraid that people, especially his son, won't approve of him dating a very much younger man, (18) ...and to add to the drama...is his son's best friend. Because no one in this story can just be sneaky, their secret hookup doesn't remain a secret for long, and now Luke and Cam have to decide if their relationship is worth what they may be risking. The death of Cameron's father, (who was no shining star of fatherhood), had added a clause in his will that almost took care of the entire May/December romance. He owns a lodge, a half a state away, and in order for his 5 sons to collect their shares of the huge amount of money, that they were unaware that he even had, they have to move to the lodge, live there for a year and run. Each had the option to take a buyout, but they wouldn't receive any of the "big money" if they did this. They also discovered and met their half-brother that they knew nothing about, and he didn't know about them. I felt sorry for Cameron and Luke, who really did love one another...but hey... there are two more books (which of course I have). Cam's words pretty well sums this up with Cam's words to Luke “I feel like all we are, is a series of goodbyes.” Cameron swallowed and sniffled. “I can’t keep saying goodbye to you.” I had a great deal of admiration for what Luke did to help the problem, even if he did wait almost too long. On to book #2 to see how his plans work out.

The Locked Room - Elly Griffiths - (England) Group Read
Ruth Galloway series Book #14
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
4.5 ★
The story takes you back to the start of all the Covid restrictions and the unknowns that it brought to the world. Even though the U.S. may not have experienced the same restrictions as England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in their controls, you will readily recognize the constraints and the reactions. Harry and Ruth are still playing 'should we or shouldn't we" and their feelings about each other are still as mixed up as ever. Ruth's mother has recently died and when Ruth is sorting through her papers she comes across a photograph of a cottage with the word "Dawn" written on it...it's HER cottage...but who is Dawn and why does her mother have picture of it? Once again, we have an intricate web of some truths, a lost legend, and social shamefulness to give us another exciting mystery. I have to say that you will find that the twists toward the end will probably be anticipated, and they may be shocking...but I believe the reveal will be something you expected...but you won't expect the whole thing to again, in Elly Griffith style, to be turned up-side-down. At the end, the mystery may be solved, but the Ruth/Nelson tangled mess still continues.

The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface
Glenn Kenny
This is the story of the making of the film Scarface starring Al Pacino. This is a pretty detailed account of things that happened during the shooting of the film and some history and the legacy of the film. 3/5 stars A Dozen Film and TV Books

Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World / John Vaillant
4.5 stars

Record-breaking heat, strong winds, and desert-like humidity all played a part in the wildfire that hit Fort McMurray, Alberta in May 2016. This book initially introduces the reader to Fort McMurray and its main industry, the oil patch (or tarsands, to be more accurate – that’s not just the environmentalist in me saying that; it seems that really is the most accurate term for it (vs “oilsands” – it really is tar until a lot of equipment, energy, money, etc. go into it to make it liquid)).

The next section is all about the fire, as 88,000 people evacuated the city with no notice, almost all heading out the one highway in/out that doesn’t lead to a dead end. The book then mostly followed first responders who stayed back to fight the fires.

The last section of the book discusses climate change. And the impact this has on the environment, the temperature, fires, and other major disasters that are now happening much more frequently and are stronger than ever before.

I live in Alberta and very distinctly remember the wildfire; I expect many people around the world also remember, with the images and videos that came out as people were evacuating. I remember the one person’s camera inside their house with the fish tank that recorded the fire taking over the house until the camera cut out – this is described in the book (and I went to rewatch the video – those poor fish!).

I have never been to Fort McMurray, nor do I know anyone who works in the oil patch (if I do, I don’t know them well). Of course, the fire was the main pull for me to read the book; I also am fascinated by disaster stories. But also: has anyone else heard of “fire tornadoes”!? Holy crap! New phenomenon. The first one ever occurred in Australia in 2003, then it happened in California in 2017 or 2018. Crazy! The author did provide a lot of information on fires, in general, as well, which I found interesting.

I also read a lot about climate change, and Vaillant had a lot of information in this book, including quite a bit about oil companies that knew what was happening and that humans (and the contributions from oil/gas production) were part of (that is, the main) cause of climate change this time around. It made me think of tobacco companies who didn’t want to lose their profits, so they not only do nothing, they stifle attempts to make things better.

Heartless,( Room for Love) - Kate Hawthorne
Room for Love series Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance/Friends to Lovers
4★
When Levi and James met for the first time you could almost see the daggers that they were sending to each other. They couldn't find a good word to speak... snarky and snippy didn't begin to describe it. I know there are folks whose kink is humiliation and degradation, but I don't understand how this can be in any way a "turn on"...but...to each his own. The 4-star rating is for my lack of understanding and for wanting to shake some sense and manners into them both and not in any way about the writing, or the ability to tell a worthy story by this wonderful author. Levi was sarcastic and James was indignant and furious through the majority of the story, yet they still managed to keep being drawn like a magnet to one another. Their mutual dislike did absolutely nothing to stop the intense physical attraction. Levi's every word to James was cruel and insulting and James thrived under this humiliation and rough passion and kept finding reasons to return for more. Their relationship just kept revolving over the course of the story. What seemed like pure, unadulterated hatred started to give way into something new and unexpected. Levi's compulsion to make sure James was okay at the clinic; James in a near panic to rush over and apologize to Levi; Levi cooking comfort food for James after a hard day... these little moments gave me some hope for them. When things started to get serious between James and Levi, it was sad to see almost everything then begin falling apart. It seemed like James struggled with every aspect of his life and even after Levi accepted that he and James maybe had something besides hate to build a life on, he still had his own family problems. Their journey was so full of ups and downs, stops and starts, and there were a few moments when I genuinely doubted that they could find a way to be together. By the end of this story, they were so different from how they were in the start. I still don't understand this kink and I really don't want any more characters in my stories to be so involved in it. Frankly it started to make me anxious and tired just waiting to see what they were going to do or say next...but I was happy to see James and Levi grow together instead of apart.

Perfect Prey - Helen Fields - (Scotland)
D.I. Callanach Series Book #2
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
5★
There are two horrific murders right at the start...a young man eviscerated in the middle of a festival and an elderly woman brutally killed, with every bone in her body being broken. The M.O. of the two murders are certainly different, so does that mean they were committed by two different killers? As more people are killed and Luc and Ava realize that the graffiti left describing the victims is actually showing up before they are killed, Soon the police realize that all the murders are tied together, and they are running out of time to try and prevent any more murders from happening. In spite of the horrific murders, I really enjoyed this story. Both the plot and the characters were very well done. I don’t want to give any away spoilers, but basically it reminded me a bit of an Agatha Christie novel. I was very sure that Luc and Ava were going to be together, so I was surprised to find that they were only friends and not even "friends with benefits". I’m really curious to see how their friendship will develop because they have bucket loads of chemistry. Overall, it was a really interesting story. I had read the first book and thought that perhaps this one would continue with the storyline from that one...but this one is diffidently a standalone novel, and I will certainly continue to read this author.

Dragon Actually – G A Aiken
3***

From the prologue: Fearghus the Destroyer. A black dragon who likes being alone in his cave and has no desire to change that. Until Annwyl the Bloody drops into his life. So welcome to the world of handsome warrior dragons and the bloodthirsty females who love them.

My reactions:
The plot is thin: Annwyl (a human) is at war with her brother and his forces. Seriously injured in a battle fought very near to Fearghus’s cave, she’s rescued by the dragon, nursed back to health, and then begins serious battle training with a mysterious (and incredibly sexy) knight. Her anger turns to lust and there’s a lot of hot sex.

Meanwhile, Fearghus’s siblings begin to arrive and his mother, Queen Rhiannon, gives Annwyl an audience. At the end of the Annwyl - Fearghus story is a bonus novella that gives us the background of Rhiannon and her consort (and their hot dragon sex).

It was a fast read and somewhat entertaining, if repetitive. I have to say I most enjoyed the family interplay between Fearghus, his siblings and parents. But I think I understand the “panties went poof” tag now.

Test Drive- Riley Hart - (Virginia)
Crossroads Series Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance
5★
Justin’s father has cancer, and when finding out his father is dying, he also learns that his father has been lying for most of his life. There are siblings, as well as an entire life that Justin never knew about. His father wants to spend the time he has left making amends to his other two children, Sharen and Landon, and his ex-wife. Justin is a supportive son, so he puts aside his own feelings...drops everything in his life, to support his father in this endeavor. Could anyone really put aside feelings like this? He just keeps his feelings inside and is haunted by them. I can't even begin to imagine the turmoil that Justin has to go through, and all of the emotions the situation brings out in him. The other family, Landon, Sharen and Joy have each other and their families to lean on while they work through the chaos of emotions, but Justin is alone and breaking while keeping all his feelings feels inside so to not make things harder for his father. No one stops to think about Justin, who has literally no one other than his father, and he can’t talk to him about any of it. Then he does...he has Drew. Drew is solid, confident and so very laid back. Drew is a disappointment to his family...the son who didn’t follow in the family footsteps...the one who follows his own dreams and is A-okay with the way things are...mostly...other than his relationship with his brother. Drew and Justin begin talking and learning about each other. No one else knows, and Justin likes it that way. Drew is the one thing in the entire state of Virginia that is all Justin’s. He was Justin's friend, and then he was much "more". Drew was adorable as well as heartbreaking while he is coming to terms with his own situations, allowing himself to follow through with his attraction to a man for the first time, and trying to fix things with his brother. A big portion of the story revolves around the horrific disease of cancer, and the reader accompanying Justin as he struggles in an unthinkable situation, takes care of his father through chemo treatments, watches the man who was his hero deteriorate more every day, and struggling with the anger at his father for the lifetime of lies and deceit. Justin envies his siblings their relationship that his father has denied him, when he wonders what would have happened if he had met them before. He has so many emotions, some of which he doesn’t think he has a right to feel about his dad and his siblings, making him feel guiltier. The author makes certain that we can’t help but feel a hundred different emotions for Justin. The story is amazing. I have always loved Riley Hart’s books. Her characters are always so dimensional that you have can't help becoming invested in them. Fans of this series, or fans of any of Riley Hart's books will not be disappointed.

No Surrender - Nora Phoenix
No Regrets Series Book #1
Genera: M/M Romance/Mystery Thriller/Private Investigators
5+★
To merely call this a "good book" would be a vast understatement. Of course, I'd read the rest of the "No Regrets" series, paying no attention that I had missed this one somehow...BOOK ONE...raise your hand if this surprises you:) The story and the characters were so good that I couldn't stop reading, despite of it being more then 350 pages. I had a bad case of "one more chapter" Syndrome. Sleep is over-rated anyway. I loved the entire "No Shame" series so was excited to read the book that started the whole thing with Indy and Burke and Wander. Burke was a lost man to begin with...thinking that he needed to be a Dom when all his mannerisms screamed SUB!!. He didn't want to work with or have anything to do with Wander...he didn't think that Wander knew what he was talking about...he soon learned that Wander was his everything. I meet Wander in the other books in the "No Shame" series. His team had been hired by the men of that series but despite of that, I believe this one can easily be read as a standalone, as the focus is completely on Burke, Wander and his team. I seldom say this because everyone has their own level of acceptance of same-sex romances...but this story will either curl you toes or arouse your total contempt of the characters and the concept of the entire story. Just saying in all fairness this is not for the faint of heart in certain sexual behaviors There are so many different kinks and multiple sexual practices.... but we get a better understanding of the men that inhabit the pages of Nora Phoenix’s works....and I have read and own a lot of her works. Her writing talent is nothing short of a "gift". Thank you, Nora for this one.

Let Him Go / Larry Watson
3.5 stars

After George and Margaret’s adult son died, and left a wife and young son, they brought the two to live with them. But when Lorna fell for bad boy, Donnie, she moved in with him and his family in Montana, a ways away from George and Margaret in North Dakota. Margaret wants to see her grandson again, so they take a road trip, but Donnie’s (odd) family only allows about a 2-minute reunion before the little boy is shooed away to bed. There is something not only odd about this family, but it seems they are also dangerous.

It was kind of slow to start, and I somehow (initially) missed why George and Margaret were doing this road trip. But it did pick up when they met Donnie’s parents after they were invited for a meal while they waited for Lorna and Jimmy to return home for the log-awaited reunion with their grandson. Then it picked up even more…

The Queen of Sugar Hill – ReShonda Tate
Book on CD performed by Lynnette R Freeman
3.5***

Subtitle: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel

Of course, I knew Hattie McDaniel as the actor who portrayed “Mammy” in the movie of Gone With the Wind. Tate’s novel begins with the Oscar ceremony when McDaniel won for best supporting actress, beating her co-star and fellow nominee, Olivia de Haviland (who played Melanie Hamilton Wilkes). But Hattie McDaniel was so much more than just her portrayal of Mammy, and Tate gives us all of her.

The reader learns about the struggles specific to Black actors to be seen and to avoid stereotypes. The subtle ways McDaniel and other Black actors tried to provide the characters they portrayed with more complexity and dignity, despite the restrictions imposed by general prejudice and Jim Crow laws, as well as the studio contracts typical of the era. They were vilified by the more strident leaders of the NAACP as being traitors to their race. But what were they to do? Refuse to work?

McDaniel wasn’t having it. She worked hard and smart to keep her star shining bright in the Hollywood firmament. And she refused to apologize for the roles she took. She had friendships with Bette Davis and Clark Gable. She was an accomplished singer and radio personality. And she had a strong bond with her best friends and fellow performers: Ruby Berkley Goodwin, Lillian Randolph, and Louise Beavers.

She successfully fought the restrictive real estate covenants, allowing many other minority families to purchase homes in more desirable neighborhoods. She threw lavish parties. And she did what she could to help new rising stars such as Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne. Still, she had to take what she could get in terms of roles, and frequently saw her best scenes edited out and thrown on the cutting room floor.

Having read this book, I have a new appreciation for the trailblazing McDaniel and other Black actors of her generation did.

Lynnette R Freeman does a fine job of performing the audiobook. She is not a mimic, however, so the voices she used for some of the more famous personalities really missed the mark.

The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths
4 1/2 ****

The penultimate book in the Ruth Galloway series, this book begins on February 22, 2020. It is one of those dates, one of those times, where we all know where we were and what we were doing. And true to form, Ruth Galloway is solving a murder, teaching her classes, raising her daughter Kate, and preparing for lockdown during Covid.

The murders are apparent suicides by older women, except that one victim has her door locked from the outside. And all of the family members are puzzled in their grief because their mother "seemed just fine." One even had a microwave dinner in the microwave.

But appearances can be deceiving, and the book opens with a train of thought from a woman who is trying to understand why she is in a darkened, locked room and we are left to wonder who she is until near the end, as events begin to accelerate.

Not only are we reading about a suicide/murder investigation, we are also walked back through the events of the spring of 2020 and how they affect the inhabitants of Norwich. How does Kate react to her on-line schooling? How prepared is Ruth for lockdown? How do Harry Nelson, his staff, and his family go about their lives and their work during this period of social isolation? These are all areas that Elly Griffiths explores, even as she throws one thing after another at Nelson and Ruth while the mystery deepens.

Not So Silent Night - Charlie Cochet
Tremendous Kings's Christmas Book #1
Gender: M/M Romance/Christmas
5★
I'm not sure exactly where the location of this story is supposed to be. The King's Security Offices are in Florida, in a town called Winterhaven, so... I know the town of Winter Haven...but this Winterhaven (note different spelling) wouldn't need to be reached by air, and it certainly wouldn't have snow! Anyway, that aside, this was a short little gem of a story featuring all the King's Security bunch. Billionaire Colton Connolly, the CEO of Knight's Security wants a traditional white Christmas, so he gathers his husband, the rest of the men and the dogs and flies off to Winterhaven to fulfill that dream. From the time they arrive nothing is exactly what it should have been. A winter storm has damaged the little town, especially the Ice Palace, the biggest draw for tourist for the town. This isn't going to deter Colton from fulfilling his dream...it's Christmas and IT'S GOING TO BE A WHITE ONE, darn it!!! He sets the men working with their various talents on repairing the town...and he and one of the others along with the dog set out to acquire a Christmas tree...not just any old Christmas tree...a 10-ft CHRISTMAS WONDER!!! Now our Colton processes many, many talents, but he has never used an axe in his entire life. After finding this wonderful tree...he has to be sure that it isn't "occupied" by any forest residents. He climbs the branches and finds there is indeed one resident, and he's not a "happy camper"...Colton meets the tree-resident, a squirrel...a squirrel that has every intention of remaining in his chosen domain and proceeds to rid his tree and his forest of this two-legged intruder...the two-legged "thing" that doesn't even have a tail!!! All's well that ends well even though Colton's and his ego do come out a bit bruised. Charlie Cochet has managed to squeeze so much joy, love, goodwill and humor into these 140 pages. Even if you don't particularly care for the M/M romance genera...you will certainly appreciate this little Christmas treasure. I certainly did and hey... it's not even October yet:)

Faultless - Kate Hawthorne - (Colorado)
Room For Love Series Book #3
Genera: M/M Romance/ Age Gap
5★
Eddie has been expelled from college, a place he never really wanted to be to begin with. One of his dads is on vacation in Hawaii, with his boyfriend who is also Eddie's "use to be", "maybe still is", best friend, who has become slightly demoted by Eddie since he hooked up with Luke...his best dad. Kevin his "sperm donor" is MIA again and everyone hopes he stays that way. Eddie goes to Cherry Creek because he has no other options and no other plans. Eddie has an almost immediate attraction to Charlie, the oldest, wisest, most settled, of the Motel Brothers. All the Motel brothers are under a signed agreement to spend a year in Cherry Creek running lodge that their deceased father owned. They have to spend the entire year, or they won't each inherit a "God-awful" sum of money at the end. Eddie has only ever been with women, but he's immediately interested in Charlie, and it matters not one iota that Charlie is 20 years his senior. The heart wants what the heart wants, although I believe the "wanting organ" in question here was located bit lower down. I had my doubts about this budding relationship, not because of the age difference, but because Eddie had been a bratty, judgmental, creep throughout the two other books in the series. Charlie was the last Motel brother at the lodge that wasn't taken...so I guess Eddie was going to be his "prize". Charlie was lonely and had just been in a casual, no-strings, just friends type of relationship with a woman in town, when Eddie and Charlie crossed paths. Eddie had idea how long he would be in Cherry Creek, so it seemed the time was right to go ahead and explore their attraction despite the age gap. Knowing Eddie... I just kept waiting for him to hurt Charlie. I thought way back from book one that some of these characters were way too judgmental...the pot calling the kettle black. Cameron is still making rude comments to Eddie about him dating Charlie, the oldest Motel brother...while Cameron started all this in book #1 by dating Eddie's father, Luke, who was about the same age as Charlie. They all are sticking their noses in places where they have absolutely no business. This book is high angst as well as high heat. It has a multitude of family drama, a lot of unexpected relationship dynamics, but to its credit, also a beautiful and healing love. It was because of the character of Charlie Motel that the book got a 5-star rating.

The Tunnels – Michelle Gagnon
3***

Book One in the mystery series starring FBI agent Kelly Jones.

A serial killer is targeting women on a New England college campus. The campus is crisscrossed by a series of tunnels that date back a century or more. Some students use them to avoid bad weather when traversing campus, but mostly they use them as make-out places. One girl gets lost in the darkness when her “friends” get ahead of her. The next day she’s found brutally murdered, and a second body is also found.

This is a brutal, graphic murder mystery. It involves ancient pagan religions, and one deranged person’s attempt to appease those gods with ritualistic sacrifices. But, of course, no one knows that at the outset.

Jones is a tough lady with some history on this campus, as well as personal trauma in her background which fuels her desire to find the perpetrator.

The pace is fast, the lead character is likeable, and the storyline held my attention, but I’m not sure I’d bother to read another in the series. I felt a bit as though the grotesque brutality and graphic descriptions were overkill. And I was disappointed that Gagnon resorted to the “big strong man” coming to Jones’ rescue, rather than letting this strong woman get the best of the killer on her own.

The Polygamist's Daughter / Anna LeBaron, Leslie Wilson
4 stars

Anna LeBaron’s dad was Ervil LeBaron; he was high up in the heirarchy of the Fundamentalist (polygamist) Mormons during the 1970s. Anna, her mother, and siblings (and many half siblings) moved often and on short notice. It was later Anna found out that her dad was trying to avoid the FBI; though they mostly didn’t live with him, anyway, they were also trying to stay away from authorities. Anna did manage to get away from her mother (and the “cult”) by the time she was 13 when she went to live with a sister, her husband, and their children. But Anna’s background still had a lasting effect on her life. It turns out her father had ordered a list of people killed. Even with her father gone (after he died), life was somewhat dangerous.

Another very good FLDS biography, with a different perspective – this time it was not the perspective of a child bride, as this was before the girls who were forced to marry were really young (even for Anna’s age group, though, they were often married at 15 years old (but it got worse later on)). Not that Anna’s life was good, either. There was a lot of fear and loneliness, and knowing her father barely knew who she was, nor really cared (though she tried to convince herself with any morsel that hinted he might).

A Face in the Crowd / Stephen King, Stewart O’Nan
3.5 stars

Dean Evers is a widower and enjoys watching baseball on tv. But one day in the stands, he sees a dentist in the crowd – a dentist he hated from when he was a child. Dean is certain this dentist is long-dead, so how is he at a baseball game?

This was good. Short – it’s a super-short story, but good.

Sleigh It Ain't So - Charlie Cochet - (Florida)
The Kings Tremendous Christmas - Book #2
5★
So far, the books that I have read thus far in this delightful little Christmas series, basically are pure "fluff". There is some angst between Jack and Fritz...but not much, and they work it out. Nevertheless, it's still angst amongst all the holiday cheer. Jack has thrown himself into work the past three years since they got together, which, for this to come up after 3 years and then to be so solved easily, didn't seem right to start with...but they considering it was their vacation, not the usual everyday workday, I could see Fritz's point and why he would be upset. Their tiff is short-lived, but even after they make up, there are some lingering affects with Fitz thinking that it'll go back to how it was...and that was totally realistic. Things are okay now but until Jack shows that things are going to change, Fritz will probably still expect the worse. Remember that these are holiday fluff, so of course Jack starts to not work so much, and be there for more for their relationship. After all they do love one another. After the "mini angst", things start to get better, and we get back to the wonderful, continued adventure from the first book. The Ice Castle work gets finished just in the nick of time...people are going to fill the little town, and the Kings have a couple of cute new "fur-babies". Ace is a bit concerned about Fitz's matchmaking efforts between the cute cafe barista, Merry (Merrick), and Noel, the sexy lumberjack who lives in town. This one ended on what felt like a "cliffhanger", so these little gems diffidently need to be read in order, and I just need to continue the plot of saving Christmas in Winterhaven in the next one, which I'm excited to get to. Onto the next! I still don't understand how there could possibly be this much...or any snow and cold in Winterhaven, Florida, even in December...but I'm not going to "suck the charm" out of these stories by thinking too much about it:)

56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports
Kostya Kennedy
3/5 stars
Interesting sports book on Joe DiMaggio and his winning streak in the summer of 1941. Sports

The Lesser Dead / Christopher Buehlman
3.25 stars

The narrator, Joey, was turned to a vampire when he was only 14, but he is considerably older than that now (in the late ‘70s when this is set). He lives in the subway tunnels of New York City with other vampires and their “head” vampire (the one who turned Joey), Margaret. But when a group of child vampires arrives, seemingly without ever having been taught how to control themselves (they need to control themselves somewhat, in order to avoid being discovered), Joey and a few others take the kids under their wing, but they seem very resistant to learning what the others are trying to teach.

I listened to the audio. I liked the way the narrator broke the 3rd wall and narrated directly to the reader. This was done often throughout the book. Some of the ‘70s pop culture references were fun (I haven’t thought about the tv show “Soap” for years!! Maybe decades?) Unfortunately, though, there were too many parts when I lost focus. Despite this, I would say the narrator was good (and it was apparently the author); he did some good accents, too. I did like the end, though. I heard some of it, lost focus, then (although I rarely do this when the audio isn’t keeping my attention for the most part) I rewound to hear what I missed because that was a good ending! 3 stars is “ok” and I’m giving an extra ¼ star for the end.

A Bend in The Road - Nicholas Sparks - (North Carolina)
Genera: Mystery/Romance
4.5 ★
Nicholas Sparks was one of my mother's favorite authors. I hauled her to Detroit...a city that only the brainless or those with a death wish venture onto their highways to reach...to see and meet one of her favorite authors. I'm glad I did this as she passed away 6 months later. He was a delightful man, and I really enjoyed meeting him. For some reason I loved watching the movies that had been made from his books...but the books themselves just didn't "do it" for me. When my library asked if I would lead a discussion group for their monthly book read group...of course i said yes...I should have asked "what book are they reading"? I couldn't, nor did I really want to say no since it was the groups book read. I'm glad I read it. I found it was a quick and easy read. It won't be at the top of my recommendation or "let's read this one again" list...but as a Nicholas Sparks book goes, I would choose this one if I HAD to recommend one. One thing I liked was his writing style. He starts the story off with a narration recalling how events of his life intertwined with those of the story's two main characters. By doing this the reader was able to feel sympathy for the narrator as he retells the story of how Miles and Sarah learn to love again after tragic events uproot both of their lives. Miles Ryan is a small-town county sheriff in North Carolina, with a 7-year-old son, Jonah. Miles and Jonah's lives were turned upside down 2 years prior when tragedy strikes, and they bury a wife and mother. Miles is left with no answers and no one to charge for the crime that was committed. After years of obsession, he finds himself looking ahead and wanting to rebuild a life. One with love, and happiness and one... with a wife. Sarah Andrews, a schoolteacher, had just moved to the town after leaving Baltimore to be closer to her parents. She's just gone through a nasty divorce and the last thing she's looking for is love considering she had been deeply and emotionally hurt by her ex-husband. When a student in her class is in need of extra help, she meets Deputy Ryan, and the sparks fly. Neither one of them expected for their feelings to come so fast and so hard, and when a secret is revealed that could rip apart the very love story they created, forgiveness and understanding may be their only hope. My library group loved it and I have to say it wasn't "half bad". Not quite 5 stars but worth 4.5

Terrible Things - Beth Bolden
Narrator: Kirt Graves
Star Shadow Series Part I
Genera: M/M Romance/Boy Band
3★
Honestly, I should have read the story blurb more carefully since I really don't care for boy- band stories no matter what genera they may be...so I'm going to blame myself for not paying more attention...plus I never just leave a book, in any form, unfinished...and I've always like the narrator, Kirt Graves...who did a fantastic job with all the voices. Not to mention that I know writing something, big or small for publication is anything but simple. This author had to have put a great deal of time and effort into producing it. I found the characters all very difficult to feel anything for or to choose one to root for. If you are more than 12-years old you will see that all the problems, they had had as a band and with one another in the past was their own darn faults. The story is, as the blurb stated, mostly about addiction, love, and second chances. The chemistry between Leo and Caleb was absolutely undeniable. I was happy to see that they got their "Happy Ever After"....5-years is a heck of a long time to wait for it. If you happen to be a fan of boy-band stories that are loaded with angst, then you will certainly like this one. Overall: Most of you know that 75% or more of my reading is M/M Romances and I have to say that this one was very good on that score...that is, when Leo and Caleb finally got their heads out of the sand and actually had an adult conversation with one another. It took them a bit too long... but better late than never. I didn't hate the story...I think Caleb was my "something" that I was searching for to really bring the story to life...I wish it had been sooner. It just boils down to the truth that this one just wasn't for me.

Climate Changed: A Personal Journey Through the Science / Philippe Squarzoni
4.25 stars

This is a graphic novel that chronicles the author as he learns about various aspects of climate change. The author interviewed nine experts in their fields, many (most?) climate experts/scientists, but also economists (with some kind of connection/knowledge of climate change), and one person who combines study of the environment, economics, and society.

I’ve read a lot about this topic, but I still learned a lot from this. It was interesting the way he did this graphic novel, where the majority of the book is providing the information, but some of it was his own musings with his partner about what he was learning. There was much about the science, the exact causes (information about the gases themselves), but also what can be done (or HAS to be done) to mitigate what we’ve done/are doing to have caused those gases to overwhelm nature and our world.

There were dry parts, often when he was going through what some of the scientists were saying (with illustrations that only showed the scientists), but even when the focus was on the experts, it wasn’t all dry; in fact, most of it wasn’t. I also think it’s very important information. Not only do we need to stop our reliance on fossil fuels, we still need to cut back severely on over-consumption and so much more. Things many people aren’t going to want to do.

I learned more about some of the solutions being proposed (mostly by people/politicians who still don’t want to move to renewables (though even that won’t be enough to change our current trajectory, which I suspect is much worse now, as the book is 10 years old), but also by the people who profit from those industries), like hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear power (that’s only for electricity and nothing else).

It seemed to me this was very truthful discussion. Something I haven’t really read much about or heard/seen discussed much was the intersection of the economy, the environment, and society, particularly from the one expert where that is her field of study.

His Accidental Daddy - Luna David
Genera: M/M/Romance/Age regression/ Daddy/little
5+★
I've been reading M/M Romances for years now and have accumulated many favorite authors of the genera during that time. Luna David is one at the top of that list. I don't think that I have ever read anything by her that I didn't like...this one is certainly not an exception and has earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf. Asher Simmons is so flawed it almost breaks your heart...but he is sweet and kind. He is absolutely terrified of almost everything in life. He works with plants...manages to get by on his own, but you can see that that is easier said than done for him and the effort is starting to wear him down. He’s not sure what it is that he needs until a traffic accident, (he's terrified of driving, but he didn't cause the accident), but he did meet Thornton Hayes, who did cause the accident...and it changed his life! Thornton had structured his entire life around taking care of people, helping them meet their own expectations and achieve their life goals....in other words, Thorton is a "Daddy". He’s lonely, and he’s tired of not having someone, a "boy" in his life to love and care for. He does have two beautiful "fur babies"...but he's looking for a two-legged kind of baby...without so much fur. Their first meeting was at the accident. Thornton stayed with Ash until the ambulance came to take him to the hospital, then he told the hospital that he was Ash's husband and never left his side...took him home when he was released days later and then took him to HIS home and changed Asher's entire life...all for the better. What patience this man had was unbelievable...but in a good way. The connection between Thorton and Asher was instant and strong, now finding a way to always be together will take patience and understanding on Thornton’s part and more trust than Asher may have, on his part. There were so many beautiful, wonderful warm fuzzy moments in this story. I loved the awesome acceptance of the Daddy/little lifestyle portrayed in the book. Both by Thornton, his family and Asher’s friend. Yes, he only has one. This is the type of story that Luna David is best known for. She's open and unapologetic about who, and what Thornton is and how we can see from the earliest pages, the way he feels about his lifestyle choice, and those he invites to be a part of it. If you are even slightly curious about this particular kink, known as "age regression" ... (it's probably the most mild and gentle practice in the BDSM lifestyle), this is a really great story to find some answers or just gain information. There were a few times that I felt that Asher went against the character we had come to know, but for the most part this story flows along very well. Asher had an incredibly horrible childhood, so how he turned out this well even with his "red zone" anxieties, and found his way into this perfect new life, makes him impossible to resist. I appreciated how he didn't smother Asher but allowed him to make his own choices, even if he didn’t always totally agree with them. As usual this author did a fantastic job creating relatable characters who will find a home in our hearts.

Frozen in Time - Owen Beattie - Arctic/Canada
Genera: Non-fiction/Arctic Expedition
3.5★
Possible Trigger: Graphic photos
This is the account of the fate of the Franklin expedition in the frozen Arctic in 1845, almost 176 years ago. The story is told by forensic anthropologist and the coauthor, Owen Beattie. Beattie discovered that the role of lead poisoning played a large part in the disaster that struck the 1845-48 Franklin Arctic expedition. Franklin's expedition was made up of over 100 men and 2 ships. The ships vanished, bringing out dozens of search parties to take on the formidable task of searching the Arctic looking for an answer to what had happened. Eventually, wrecked boats, scribbled notes, human remains, and Eskimo tales all combined to form a horrid tale of cold, starvation, cannibalism, that lead to the death of the entire crew...but what the exact cause of the disaster was, has never actually been discovered or agreed upon. Along with recounting this event, the authors describe the two recent expeditions to Northern Canada to closely examine the recovered relics of the Franklin party. On King William Island in 1981, Beattie and his team found portions of a skeleton with knife marks that gave truth to the tales of cannibalism; also, they found that the bone fragments contained high levels of lead and evidence of scurvy. On Beechy Island in 1984, a team exhumed the bodies of three seamen buried in makeshift graves dated 1850. A graphic set of color photos, that...be aware...may be too much realism for some readers, show these really well-preserved bodies...130-year-old mummies...provided the strong supporting evidence, through autopsy and lab reports, for Owen Beattie's theory that poisoning from lead the dinnerware and the lead food tins contributed to the Franklin expedition's deaths. This is a strange scientific detective story. The question remains, is this all the facts and is the mystery of the Franklin Expedition's disappearance truly resolved by modern scientific methods? Some say "yes" but others say the scientific knowledge of the day may not have been enough to support the given cause at that time. I found that some threatening polar bears added a bit of suspense. Please be warned again about the very graphic pictures that will have undeniable impact. This detailed account of anthropological work will more than likely only really appeal those interested in true polar regional accounts.... or folks like me that needed an Arctic book to complete a challenge:)

>68 Carol420: I *loved* this book (and you're right about the pictures - some things you just can't un-see) and read it soon after I read The Terror by Dan Simmons to get a better understanding of how the expedition participants died.

Star Trek Psychology, ed. by Travis Langley
4****

The editor's understanding of the phenomenon that is Star Trek is tremendous, and his goal is link to different concepts within the field of psychology to different episode's plots or characters. I originally bought this book when I worked in the Learning & Development field to provide an insight into the concepts we were teaching. I have since transitioned out of that role and so I sat down to read it as a non-work related book.

While having an interest in psychology, though not as a practicing professional, I was pleasantly surprised at the scope of research that went into each article. The book is broken down into several sections: Launch Time; Inner Worlds; Warped Drives; Federation; and Others. Each article in the section draws on a vast amount of research in the field of psychology, sometimes even stretching back to the mid-20th century. And any reference to an episode or a character is included in the endnotes to each article, as is each article or book containing that psychological reference.

Still, as a standalone book, something to read from my shelves, it did not hold my interest for more than a couple of chapters at a time. Which could be as much the book's premise as well as its intended audience.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
5*****

A phenomenal book that I read as part of a "find something hidden" challenge. And it really did fulfill that challenge on so many levels. The book's flyleaf describes workers finding a human body in 1972, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and that is just the first of many secrets that is whispered between these pages.

The book itself begins with the workers finding the body along with a mezuzah, the police knocking on the door of the only remaining Jewish resident in Pottstown, yet before they can collect the skeleton Hurricane Agnes comes through and removes the body. Along with much of the town. And so the tale is told of the residents of Chicken Hill, both Jewish and African-American (throughout the book referred to as "Negro") in the mid-1930's.

One of the main characters, Chona, is the daughter of the town's rabbi and owner of the only Jewish store in Chicken Hill, the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. She is hidden churning butter and sorting vegetables in the back of her father's store because of her limp that was an effect of the polio she suffered as a child. And because she is hidden so well, she is able to study the Torah, another secret hidden from her as a woman.

When her soon-to-be-husband falls in love with her (one of the few things not hidden in this book), the story begins to unfold about the lives of the townspeople and the secrets they hold. The leader of the Ku Klux Klan, which marches through the town, is revealed to be Doc Patterson thanks to Chona's frequent letters to the newspaper and the city council, criticizing their marching and calling out the town's doctor by name. She knows his secret because he, too, has a limp caused by polio and a special shoe to help him walk.

The town's Negro population have their own secrets, some not revealed until the end of the book. Nate, who helps Chona's husband, Moshe', with his theater, has his own secrets, and Chona had a close friendship with her next door neighbor, Beatrice, who now keeps to herself and no longer reveals her beautiful voice in song.

I worried that I would not finish this book after starting it late in the month; I read it in only a few days, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good tale told well.

Sincerely Sicily – Tamika Burgess
3.5***

Sicily Jordan has looked forward to middle school, when she and her besties – they call themselves the Tether Squad, since they met playing tetherball – will coordinate their outfits and compare teachers as they move from classroom to classroom for various subjects. But just a week or so before school starts she gets an email informing her that she will be enrolled in the new Shirley Chisholm Middle School. Now she’ll have no friends and won’t know any of the teachers! To make matters worse, the new school has a uniform, so all the cute outfits she’s planned will be staying in her closet.

I thought this was really delightful. Sicily’s troubles range from “new school” blues to bullying to navigating a first crush to family drama around her chosen hairstyle to racism (both overt and more subtle). She frequently feels alone and without a support system, though, in reality, she does have friends and family who care about her, want to support her, and encourage her to follow her dreams.

I like the way Burgess dealt with Sicily’s conflicts with her grandmother, as well as the way she portrayed the girl’s awakening to her family’s background and culture as Black Panamanians.

I’m going to recommend this to a couple of young ladies I know.

>71 threadnsong: Nice review. I also loved this book.

Anne of Cleves: Henry VIII's Discarded Bride / Elizabeth Norton
3.5 stars

Anne of Cleves was Henry VIII’s fourth wife. She outlived him and all his other wives, though she was only 41-years old when she died. She was only his wife for about 6 months before he divorced her (or found a way out of the marriage, anyway); he never liked her while they were married (though they got along well afterward). She was well taken care of while he was still alive (though this did not necessarily continue after he died, at least until Mary became queen).

There is not as much written about Anne of Cleves as some (all?) of Henry’s other wives, though I believe I have read one other that focused on only her. I like Anne, and she was well-liked by the people of England while she was there. It is sad to read that although she was well-taken care of and Anne put on a brave public face that she was ok with everything after they were apart, she really did consider herself to still be his wife after he put her aside for the young Katherine Howard. Lots of interesting little tidbits about Anne in this book. Also a great section of pictures, some of seen before and some I haven’t.

All Systems Red – Martha Wells
Digital audiobook performed by Kevin R Free
4****

Book one in the Murderbot Diaries series. Our narrator is an AI-android who calls itself Murderbot (because of “that incident” in its past).

As the story opens, a scientific team is exploring an alien planet when a team member is attacked by a giant creature. The robotic security unit (known as SEC Unit) saves her. It seems the SEC unit has hacked its own governing system so that it can operate on its own without relying (or obeying) commands from the humans who believe they are in charge. Of course, Murderbot doesn’t let on and the humans still think they are in control. But this bot really just prefers to be left alone with the soap operas it has downloaded to watch during downtime, and from which it has “learned” about human behavior.

I really love this Murderbot! Probably my favorite non-human since I “met” Rocky in Project Hail Mary. It is often self-deprecating in its humor, and I loved the occasionally snarky remark. This is one loveable rogue! And I enjoyed watching the friendship develop between the Murderbot and the human Dr Mensah. I think I will have to continue the series.

Kevin R Free does a great job of performing the audiobook. His pacing is good, his diction clear and I really like the way he interprets Murderbot.

Our Missing Hearts – Celeste Ng
Book on CD narrated by Lucy Liu
4****

From the book jacket: Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. Bird knows to not ask too many questions, stand out too much, or stray too far. His mother, Margaret, a Chinese American poet left the family when he was nine years old. Bird has grown up disavowing his mother and her poems; he doesn’t know her work or what happened to her, and he knows he shouldn’t wonder. But when he receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, he is pulled into a quest to find her.

My reaction
This was uncomfortably plausible. Ng holds a magnifying glass to current and past events and predicts the likely outcome, especially if the silent majority remains silent and complacent when “it doesn’t effect US.”

Bird is a wonderful character. He’s smart and observant. The political climate in which he lives has resulted in a kind of maturity beyond his years. My heart bleeds for his father, who, to protect his child, must hold everything he knows inside – never sharing, never discussing, never searching for answers.

I loved the network of librarians who were used to thwart the “powers that be.” The story lost a little momentum in the second part, when Ng explored Margaret’s story, but it picked up again in part three. There were times when my heart was in my throat. I can hardly wait for my book club meeting to discuss!

The audiobook is narrated by Lucy Liu, who does a fine job of it. She sets a good pace and I was never confused about who was speaking.