Category: Review Sunday

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Kimberly reviews The Rivals Of Sherlock Holmes by G.K. Chesterton & Jacques Futrelle

TITLE: The Rivals Of Sherlock Holmes
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: G.K. Chesterton & Jacques Futrelle
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/18/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Enthralled by the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Victorian readers around the world developed a fascination with eccentric detectives and bizarre crimes. Featuring an international array of authors and characters, this compilation of 16 short stories showcases the best of the mysteries inspired by the Baker Street sleuth. Their heroes range from famous figures like G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown and Maurice Leblanc’s Arsene Lupin to lesser-known but equally captivating characters.
“The Problem of the Stolen Rubens,” by Jacques Futrelle, centers on Professor Van Dusen, also known as The Thinking Machine, whose superior mental powers and dispassionate approach resemble Holmes’. Robert Barr’s “The Absent Minded Coterie” presents French detective Eugène Valmont, a cultured and elegant gentleman . . . but a rather poor investigator. “The Murder at Troyte’s Hill,” by Catherine L. Pirkis, “The Ninescore Mystery,” by The Scarlet Pimpernel author Baroness Orczy, and “Cinderella’s Slipper,” by Hugh C. Weir, feature a Victorian novelty—a detective heroine. Holmesians and other lovers of old-time mysteries will thrill to these tales of dark deeds and their discovery.

REVIEW:
As a fan of Sherlock Holmes and ACD’s work I just had a hard time with this writing. ACD wrote Sherlock Holmes to be mentally introverted. He saw things and understood things others could not. And it seems hard for me to imagine there were “rivals” of Holmes that possessed the same attributes.

I will be honest and say I skimmed over a few of the stories. I would start them and just couldn’t bring myself to read every word but I did skim it so I would know where the short story went.

Others I enjoyed for lack of a better word. I had to put aside my fandom of Holmes and ACD and read them for themselves which at times was difficult.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Night Vanishing by Dick Wybrow

TITLE: The Night Vanishing
SERIES #: Painter Mann #2
CHARACTERS: Painter Mann
AUTHOR: Dick Wybrow
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/16/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After the events of The InBetween, dead private investigator Painter Mann goes to New Orleans to find clues about the identity of his murderer.

Instead, he becomes embroiled (you gotta watch out for getting embroiled, it can sneak up on you) in case involving two-headed monsters, voodoo witches and hundreds of missing ghosts.

He’s also being “hunted” by the Ghost Wranglers, a popular cable TV show determined to find the ghost PI known as Painter Mann.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is an interesting story. The concept is a different one. Painter Mann is dead but still investigating just like he did when he was alive.

He is working on a case but also dealing with a paranormal investigation team (Think Ghost Hunters).

I probably would have given this story 4 instead except I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and there was a bit I didn’t understand.

I would probably try the next in the series just to see if it’s worth it.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

TITLE: The Country Guesthouse
SERIES #: Sullivan’s Crossing #5
CHARACTERS: Hannah & Owen
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/07/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A summer rental, a new beginning…

Hannah Russell’s carefully crafted plans for her life have been upended without warning. When her best friend died suddenly, Hannah became guardian to a five-year-old named Noah. With no experience at motherhood, she’s terrified she’s not up to the challenge. She and Noah need time to get to know each other, so she decides to rent a country house with stunning views on a lake in rural Colorado.

When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by the owner, a handsome man who promises to stay out of their way. But his clumsy Great Dane, Romeo, has other ideas and Noah immediately bonds with the lovable dog. As Hannah learns to become a mother, Owen Abrams, who is recovering from his own grief, can’t help but be drawn out of his solitude by his guests.

But life throws more challenges at this unlikely trio and they are tested in ways they never thought possible. All three will discover their strengths and, despite their differences, they will fight to become a family. And the people of Sullivan’s Crossing will rally around them to offer all of the support they need.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers an emotional and triumphant novel about the fierce power of a mother’s love.

REVIEW:
Another sweet romance from Robyn Carr. This story focus’s on Hannah and Noah. When Hannah’s best friend dies she leaves her most precious gift to Hannah…. Her son Noah. And in this story we watch them both heal together from the loss of someone who meant the world to them.

Owen is a good guy who is dealing with his own grief but he has his own helper, Romeo, who steals the scenes he is in. But then I love dogs if they are written well into a story and Romeo is.

Another great story from Robyn Carr. *Check out Carr’s series Virgin River as a Netflix original series*

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine

TITLE: Bitter Falls
SERIES #: Stillhouse Lake #4
CHARACTERS: Gwen Proctor
AUTHOR: Rachel Caine
PUBLICATION DATE: January 28, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s investigating a cold case no one else could—by going places no else would dare.
In spite of a harrowing past still haunting her, Gwen Proctor is trying to move forward. Until a new assignment gives her purpose: the cold-case disappearance of a young man in Tennessee. Three years missing, no clues. Just Ruth Landry, a tortured mother in limbo. Gwen understands what it’s like to worry about your children.
Gwen’s investigation unearths new suspects…and victims. As she follows each sinister lead, the implications of the mystery grow more disturbing. Because the closer Gwen gets, the closer she is to a threat that looms back home.
In a town that’s closed its ranks against Gwen; her partner, Sam; and her kids, there’s no bolder enemy than the Belldene family—paramilitary, criminal, powerful, and vengeful. As personal vendettas collide with Gwen’s investigation, she’s prepared to fight both battles. But is she prepared for the toll it could take on everyone she loves?

REVIEW:
In Bitter Falls Gwen takes on the case of a missing child that has not been seen or heard from in years. But Gwen is not a quitter. She will do everything she can to find the answers good or bad for a grieving mother. But the real question is what will Gwen have to sacrifice to get those answers.

Gwen and her family have had to endure more than their fair share of trials and tribulations over the last few three books. I think that Bitter Falls is their toughest test yet. I enjoyed this book a lot and was very happy that I picked up for review.

I am looking forward to what is next in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Family Next Door by Fiona Cummins

TITLE: The Family Next Door
CHARACTERS: Garrick & Olivia
AUTHOR: Fiona Cummins
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/28/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For Sale: Lovely family home, ready for your updates. Friendly neighborhood setting close to park; secluded.

If not for the bodies discovered in the woods behind their new home, Garrick and Olivia Lockwood couldn’t have afforded to buy number 25 The Avenue. It’s the fresh start they and their two children badly need. Soon, these terrible crimes will be solved, they tell themselves, and once Garrick has remodeled, he’s confident they’ll sell the house for a profit.

But the darkest secrets can reside on quiet, ordinary streets like this–behind the doors of
well-kept houses and neighbors’ friendly faces. Secrets that can destroy a family, or savagely end a life, and will surface just when they’re least expected . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I liked most of this story. The reason I say most is there is a bit of what I would call “horror” and it was really descriptive. A bit too descriptive for me. I have never been a fan of horror movies. I enjoy suspense and I liked the suspense part of this book and the story was interesting but the horror was just too much.

Taking the horror out of it I liked the characters and I think I would enjoy the same story told with less graphic details.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Virgin River by Robyn Carr

TITLE: Virgin River
SERIES #: Virgin River #1
CHARACTERS: Melinda & Jack
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Netflix Original Series!

Welcome back to Virgin River with the book that started it all…

Wanted: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against a backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad, she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to reenergize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving—the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she’s made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning.

But a tiny baby abandoned on a front porch changes her plans…and former marine Jack Sheridan cements them into place.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release of Virgin River. I have read a few from this series but didn’t start from the beginning so I was happy to see the release. It is now a series on NetFlix and the show is great which made me want to start reading the books from the series that I have not read so I understand the show a bit better.

I was not disappointed reading this even though I had seen the NetFlix show. As always the book is better but not by much. They did a phenomenal job with the show. But Robyn Carr is a great author and drags you right into her world.

Visiting Virgin River is always a pleasure and the start of the series is no exception.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Sunday Series Presents:

TITLE: A Discovery of Witches
SERIES #: All Souls Trilogy #1
CHARACTERS: Diana Bishop
AUTHOR: Deborah Harkenss
PUBLICATION DATE: February 2011
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Deep in the stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

 

 

 

 

 

*****

TITLE: Shadow of Night
SERIES #: All Souls Trilogy #2
CHARACTERS: Diana Bishop
AUTHOR: Deborah Harkenss
PUBLICATION DATE: July 10, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night takes Diana and Matthew on a trip through time to Elizabethan London, where they are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana seeks out a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey.

 

 

 

 

 

*****

TITLE: The Book of Life
SERIES #: All Souls Trilogy #3
CHARACTERS: Diana Bishop
AUTHOR: Deborah Harkenss
PUBLICATION DATE: February 2011
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The #1 New York Times bestselling series finale and sequel to A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night

Bringing the magic and suspense of the All Souls Trilogy to a deeply satisfying conclusion, this highly anticipated finale went straight to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In The Book of Life, Diana and Matthew time-travel back from Elizabethan London to make a dramatic return to the present—facing new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home, Sept-Tours, they reunite with the beloved cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency. 

 

 

About the author:
Bestselling novelist Deborah Harkness is also a professor at the University of Southern California. A prize-winning historian, she specializes in the history of science and Europe in the fifteenth through the seventeenth centuries. She has been studying history—particularly the history of science, magic, and alchemy–for more than twenty-five years, so it’s safe to say she knows her way around a library card catalog or the computerized equivalent. Her career in fiction began at an airport bookshop in September of 2008 when she noticed the shelves were lined with supernatural fiction and asked herself “If there really are witches and vampires, what do they do for a living and why don’t I know any of them?” Her debut novel, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, was her answer to that question.

The first book in the All Souls series, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES sold more than a million copies in the United States, also appearing in thirty-eight foreign editions, and was adapted by Sky into a television show of the same name. Deborah continued to tell the story of the Bishop and De Clermont families in SHADOW OF NIGHT, THE BOOK OF LIFE, and most recently, TIME’S CONVERT. She is currently at work on Book #5 of the All Souls Series. For updates, including a tasting menu of the books, music, people, and places which inspire and sustain her in the classroom and at her writing desk, you can subscribe to her monthly newsletter “The Blast” on her website: www.deborahharkness.com.

FACEBOOK |  TWITTER | PINTEREST  | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS  |   AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

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Kimberly reviews The Lion, The Leopard And The Wolf by Eliza March

TITLE: The Lion, The Leopard And The Wolf
SERIES #: Enchanted Mountain #1
CHARACTERS: Mac, Adam & Trent
AUTHOR: Eliza March
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/07/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Macalister Cameron’s fantasy comes to life when she’s snowbound in Fantasy Lodge with two incredible men vying for her attention.

“What if your romantic fantasy became possible? Two gorgeous hunks, one dark and surly, the other blond and bright, lived to please and fulfill you? What if you burned with passion and only these two alpha males could satisfy you? What if you found out they had a dangerous secret, and it included you?”

REVIEW:
When I requested this book I figured it was erotica but this is nothing but sex. There is no story behind it. It is like a modern day cheap porn. No story just get to the sex and in this case with it being three of them there is a lot of sex. M/F sex and M/M sex and of course M/M/F sex.

If you are looking for a quick read with not much more than sex this is the one for you.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Under A Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Under A Firefly Moon
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls #4
CHARACTERS: Cheyenne & Wyatt
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/21/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Blue Hollow Falls may be a small Blue Ridge Mountain town, but it’s big on love–and second chances . . .

When former barrel racer Cheyenne McCafferty left the circuit, she left her past behind too. Now, as part owner of Lavender Blue farm, she’s content rescuing and rehabbing horses, and growing a new business. She’s only got one regret: letting go of Wyatt Reed. When he professed his love, she was too young and foolish to know her heart. After that he disappeared. But when his beloved horse turns up on the auction block, Chey makes a bid and wins more than she bargained for . . .

Chey believed she was ready to face Wyatt again, to explain herself. But seeing the man he’s become, she’s unsure. Gone is the quiet, gentle boy she knew. In his place is a rugged, confident adventurer who’s seen the world. Yet the longer Wyatt sticks around, the clearer it is that the feelings of their youth aren’t so easily dismissed now that they’re adults. In fact, the timing may be just right to make the dreams they’ve shared under a firefly moon come true . . .

REVIEW:
Donna Kauffman is one of my favorite authors and this is just another example as to why. This is a very quick read even though it is about 300 pages.

In this latest Blue Hollow Falls novel Chey and Wyatt meet back up Years ago they were teenage friends until Wyatt admitted his feelings for Chey and the friendship splintered. But now they are adults and life is different.

I have always loved Kauffman and her writing style. I love the way she writes her characters. They are so “real”. You want to be their friend. And being as I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains I can picture every scene she writes of this beautiful area of the country.

Donna Kauffman is always worth the read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Phantom Echoes by B.D. Wilson

TITLE: Phantom Echoes
SERIES #: Ghostlines #1
CHARACTERS: Holden
AUTHOR: B.D. Wilson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/30/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Being a psychic doesn’t mean you have to believe in Ghosts.
Unfortunately for Holden, his best friend refuses to accept that.
Holden can read the history of an object just by touching it. It’s been a struggle most of his life and every time he’s tried to use it for a beneficial purpose it’s gone horribly wrong.
But when his best friend convinces Holden to step in for a paranormal investigation, it turns out hauntings are as real as psychics. Sticking with the investigation risks landing him in the hospital again. Leaving means abandoning the ghosts who are repeating the night of their deaths over and over forever. Can he really walk away when he might be the only one who can help?

REVIEW:
This was a short story that honestly could have been longer and may have been more interesting. The concept is great. And who doesn’t like a psychic suspense? But being so short we don’t get to know the characters enough.

I believe I would have enjoyed this being a full story instead of a short story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly reviews Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

TITLE: Gideon the Ninth
SERIES #: The Locked Tomb #1
CHARACTERS: Gideon the Ninth & Harrowhark Nonagesimus
AUTHOR: Tamsyn Muir
PUBLICATION DATE: September 10, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

THE LOCKED TOMB TRILOGY
BOOK 1: Gideon the Ninth
BOOK 2: Harrow the Ninth
BOOK 3: Alecto the Ninth

REVIEW:
Where to begin with this book? Let’s start with the cover. Is this not one of the most amazing book covers you have ever seen? If you buy the hardback the edges of all the pages are black (sigh). It looks amazing on my shelf, I am looking forward to getting the other two books in the trilogy too.
Okay on to the story.
It took me a long time to get into this story and I mean a very long time. At about 50% I was finally feeling the story. At 60% I was hooked. The story took a long time to develop. There were many times that I was confused over who was who and everyone’s nicknames for each other. I think what made it hard to get into is that you don’t know the history of the world or the characters right away. It is a slow trickle of information in the book.
But the one character that I loved from the start was Gideon. Everyone loves an underdog. Gideon is great! I loved her sassiness and forwardness.
And with the ending of Gideon the Ninth…… Well I can’t tell you that.

But overall I did enjoy this necromancers sci-fi story. I am looking forward to Harrowhawk the Ninth.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Vendetta Road by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Vendetta Road
SERIES #: Torpedo Ink #3
CHARACTERS: Ice & Soleil
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan pushes the limits in her next novel in the Torpedo Ink series.

Isaak “Ice” Koval is on a club mission when he sees a woman who stops him dead in his tracks. Soleil is a sweet, sexy, girl-next-door type. She’s an innocent who should be nowhere near the rough-and-ready world of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club. But Ice knows Soleil belongs with him—and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

After a life of drifting from one thing to the next, Soleil Brodeur is determined to take control of her life. When her breakup with her manipulative fiancé turns ugly, Soleil searches out the stranger who offered her a lifeline and ends up in a Las Vegas biker bar where she meets a gorgeous, dangerous man straight out of her most secret fantasies.

High on adrenaline, she finds herself falling faster than she thought possible. But Soleil knows little about the territory she’s stumbled into, and even less about what it really means to be Ice’s woman.…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I want to preface this with I am comparing this to other Christine Feehan books and not what I would have given any other author having read this book. I have read a lot of Feehan books and for some reason this one just didn’t do it for me.

It was almost like this book was rushed and had a bit too much sex. The sex in Feehan’s books is always good. It always is hot and written to entice. But the other part of the book just didn’t meet the standards of other books written by her…..

Now with that being said… As I said I am comparing it to Feehan books and not other authors. Comparing it to other authors would have brought the review numbers higher. Feehan is one of the best.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.