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Apostles of Mercy (Noumena, 3)
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Apostles of Mercy is the new alternate history first contact novel from the instant New York Times, Wall Street Journal and LA Times bestselling Lindsay Ellis.
First Contact has not been going well. The nations of Earth are rapidly militarizing against the arrival of the Superorganism, an alien civilization that promises to destroy humanity before it can develop into a real threat. The Superorganism has done it before to their distant transient relatives and they could easily do it again. But the alien Ampersand and his human interpreter Cora Sabino are done with trying to save humanity from both the Superorganism and itself; to them, this is a civilization that does not deserve to be saved.
When a strange new form of communication between the two of them reveals to Cora how alien Ampersand truly is, she begins to question her blind devotion. But she soon learns of a danger that may force them to leave Earth before either of them are ready: a group of superorganism enemies that have been wreaking havoc on Earth for decades. Existence on the margins has made them desperate and bent on revenge against any of Ampersand's race whose path they cross. Before Cora and Ampersand can make their final escape, these hostile aliens stage an attack, and take that which is most dear to both of them.
Ampersand's enemies will not consider any form of truce; the greatest threat to them is not from the Superorganism, but from an increasingly fearful and violent human civilization newly aware of their existence. Cora and Ampersand must go to extreme measures to take back what was stolen and prevent wholesale human extermination; but in doing so they may be no better than the civilizations they are trying to escape.
First Contact has not been going well. The nations of Earth are rapidly militarizing against the arrival of the Superorganism, an alien civilization that promises to destroy humanity before it can develop into a real threat. The Superorganism has done it before to their distant transient relatives and they could easily do it again. But the alien Ampersand and his human interpreter Cora Sabino are done with trying to save humanity from both the Superorganism and itself; to them, this is a civilization that does not deserve to be saved.
When a strange new form of communication between the two of them reveals to Cora how alien Ampersand truly is, she begins to question her blind devotion. But she soon learns of a danger that may force them to leave Earth before either of them are ready: a group of superorganism enemies that have been wreaking havoc on Earth for decades. Existence on the margins has made them desperate and bent on revenge against any of Ampersand's race whose path they cross. Before Cora and Ampersand can make their final escape, these hostile aliens stage an attack, and take that which is most dear to both of them.
Ampersand's enemies will not consider any form of truce; the greatest threat to them is not from the Superorganism, but from an increasingly fearful and violent human civilization newly aware of their existence. Cora and Ampersand must go to extreme measures to take back what was stolen and prevent wholesale human extermination; but in doing so they may be no better than the civilizations they are trying to escape.
The Museum of Innocence (Vintage International)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Reference
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Reference
Book Type: Paperback
There was a story somewhere in there....the whole novel is centering on one man's obsession with the woman who got away. And unfortunately I do not find the writing style of this author to be very enjoyable. I read Snow and found it terrible waste of words and this one becomes just as tedious. It has no redeeming qualities. Im an avid reader from Jane Austin, Dickens to Heinlein, and Jules Verne I have wide range. I read politics, science, cookbooks, if they are worth my time. This is published because the the author is riding the tide of the Kite Runner euphoria and cashing in on it. But he cant create hals as good story line as that was.
A Very Woodsy Murder
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
A Very Woodsy Murder is the first installment in the Golden Motel Mysteries series set in the small town of Foundgold, California and featuring TV script writer Dee Stern and her ex husband turned best friend and systems analyst Jeff Cornetta. Wanting to take a break from the LA lifestyle the two purchase a rundown motel in the Sierra mountains and along with a long list of DYI projects they adopt the previous owners dog, Nugget.
Their first guest is Michael Adam Baker. He's a previous colleague of Dee's and not someone that she enjoyed working alongside. Turns out that Michael had grown up in the area and rubbed quite a few people the wrong way. When his body turns up dead in the woods behind the cabin, the suspect list is long and with both Dee and Jeff at the top.
Tensions are running high between the two police forces tasked with solving the murder, the Deputy Sheriff's office and the Park Rangers. Dee and Jeff decide to track down the killer on their own and in the meantime uncover quite a few hidden secrets about the dead man and some of the townspeople.
A pleasant debut with interesting characters, a furry canine and a mysterious bear named Smokey. Looking forward to more adventures at the motel, as Dee and Jeff settle in to their new lives.
Their first guest is Michael Adam Baker. He's a previous colleague of Dee's and not someone that she enjoyed working alongside. Turns out that Michael had grown up in the area and rubbed quite a few people the wrong way. When his body turns up dead in the woods behind the cabin, the suspect list is long and with both Dee and Jeff at the top.
Tensions are running high between the two police forces tasked with solving the murder, the Deputy Sheriff's office and the Park Rangers. Dee and Jeff decide to track down the killer on their own and in the meantime uncover quite a few hidden secrets about the dead man and some of the townspeople.
A pleasant debut with interesting characters, a furry canine and a mysterious bear named Smokey. Looking forward to more adventures at the motel, as Dee and Jeff settle in to their new lives.
The Book of Thorns
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
The subtitle of The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox reads "an enchanting tale of two sisters connected by magic." However, the story is not really about the sisterhood or the magic. This is a dark story of war, abuse, survival, murder, and vengeance, not a story of sisters united across time and place because of a shared gift. Reader beware: The book also includes some explicit scenes. I walk away, sadly not the reader for this story.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/05/the-book-of-thorns.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher's blog tour.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/05/the-book-of-thorns.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher's blog tour.
Knight of Ghosts and Shadows (Bedlam's Bard, Bk 1)
Author:
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Paperback
Ford W. reviewed on
Fae in LA, Ren Faire, Celtic music, magic songs. What more could you want?
This book draws you in from the first few pages. You start to see the colors yourself.
Jack and Susan in 1913
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Some of McDowell's books are among my favorites, especially The Elementals, Blackwater and Cold Moon Over Babylon. This, however, was a great disappointment.
Although not the first in his planned series of Jack and Susan books, I began with this since it was the earliest in terms of when the story happens. I found most of the plot preposterous and thought no one has a mouth wide enough to get that much of a tongue into a cheek.
I thought Susan was an ass, and the whole thing was like a burlesque skit -- possibly that was what McDowell had in mind. If so, he succeeded, but I expected more depth and less craziness.
Although not the first in his planned series of Jack and Susan books, I began with this since it was the earliest in terms of when the story happens. I found most of the plot preposterous and thought no one has a mouth wide enough to get that much of a tongue into a cheek.
I thought Susan was an ass, and the whole thing was like a burlesque skit -- possibly that was what McDowell had in mind. If so, he succeeded, but I expected more depth and less craziness.
Congratulations to Donna Jo Stone for publishing Joann, the fifth book in the Apron Strings series. This is the author's first full-length published novel, and I'm so excited for her!
In 1965, Joann, her sister Helen, and their father are running the general store their family has owned for generations in small town Louisiana. Joann's daily life is small and quiet until big personal events and world events disrupt it. I cheered for her as she discerns her future, and I could relate to her relationship with her father.
I was fascinated with the descriptions of running a small family-owned store, which reminded me of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox. I wonder if I was a shopkeeper in a former life. ;0)
Since the Apron Strings series centers around a cookbook that appears in eight novels, each set in a different decade, I expected it to play a bigger role in the story, but in the end, I enjoyed how it's included in this story.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this wonderful story.
In 1965, Joann, her sister Helen, and their father are running the general store their family has owned for generations in small town Louisiana. Joann's daily life is small and quiet until big personal events and world events disrupt it. I cheered for her as she discerns her future, and I could relate to her relationship with her father.
I was fascinated with the descriptions of running a small family-owned store, which reminded me of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox. I wonder if I was a shopkeeper in a former life. ;0)
Since the Apron Strings series centers around a cookbook that appears in eight novels, each set in a different decade, I expected it to play a bigger role in the story, but in the end, I enjoyed how it's included in this story.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this wonderful story.
Amish Witness to Murder (Amish Country Justice, Bk 18) (Love Inspired Suspense, No 1108)
Author:
Genres: Romance, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Romance, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
A fast-paced story that kept me turning the pages from start to finish. Beth returned home after some errands to find the barn on fire and her father locked in a struggle with an unknown assailant. She watched in horror as the man pulled a gun and shot her father, then turned his attention to her. Only the arrival of the fire department saved her life, but his attack left her temporarily blind. One of the volunteer firefighters found her and her father.......
Gideon is a former family friend. He and Beth were good friends until her sister set her sights on him. After Miriam's betrayal, Gideon cut himself off from Beth and her father. Now, he realizes what a mistake that was and regrets that he will never be able to make amends to the man who treated him like a son. He is determined to do everything he can to protect Beth and help bring the killer to justice.
I ached for Beth. From watching her father get murdered to being dependent on someone else for everything, it was hard for someone as independent and self-sufficient as she was. Harder still was being dependent on Gideon after the way he abandoned their friendship. Her reluctance to trust him was understandable. Gideon is determined to win back her trust and quickly realizes that Beth has always held his heart. It takes some time for Beth to come around and trust him with her heart again. I liked the ending and how she waited to be sure her feelings weren't affected by the danger they experienced.
The suspense of the story was terrific. Beth's fear was intense, but so was her determination to catch the murderer. The twists and turns involved in staying one step ahead of the killer's intention to eliminate the only witness to his crime kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The intensity increased with every attempt the killer made as he became more desperate to stop Beth from identifying him. Though I knew it would work out in the end, there were times when I wasn't sure how they would survive.
I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books in the series. Gideon's police officer brother-in-law, Steve, played an essential role in this book. I also enjoyed seeing Micah, Zeke, and Isaiah again and catching up on their lives. Now that we are done with the Bender family, I can't wait to see what the author has next!
Gideon is a former family friend. He and Beth were good friends until her sister set her sights on him. After Miriam's betrayal, Gideon cut himself off from Beth and her father. Now, he realizes what a mistake that was and regrets that he will never be able to make amends to the man who treated him like a son. He is determined to do everything he can to protect Beth and help bring the killer to justice.
I ached for Beth. From watching her father get murdered to being dependent on someone else for everything, it was hard for someone as independent and self-sufficient as she was. Harder still was being dependent on Gideon after the way he abandoned their friendship. Her reluctance to trust him was understandable. Gideon is determined to win back her trust and quickly realizes that Beth has always held his heart. It takes some time for Beth to come around and trust him with her heart again. I liked the ending and how she waited to be sure her feelings weren't affected by the danger they experienced.
The suspense of the story was terrific. Beth's fear was intense, but so was her determination to catch the murderer. The twists and turns involved in staying one step ahead of the killer's intention to eliminate the only witness to his crime kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The intensity increased with every attempt the killer made as he became more desperate to stop Beth from identifying him. Though I knew it would work out in the end, there were times when I wasn't sure how they would survive.
I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books in the series. Gideon's police officer brother-in-law, Steve, played an essential role in this book. I also enjoyed seeing Micah, Zeke, and Isaiah again and catching up on their lives. Now that we are done with the Bender family, I can't wait to see what the author has next!
The Return of Ellie Black
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean is an intriguing suspense novel that begins where most crime novels end. A young woman is found wandering in the woods, and her family and local law enforcement are surprised and relieved it's Ellie Black who suddenly disappeared two years ago. But she's completely traumatized - she won't share anything about her experience, she's can't sleep in her childhood bedroom, and she's constantly looking over her shoulder. Through flashbacks, readers learn about her captors and their abuse of her.
Police Detective Chelsey Calhoun is heavily invested in Ellie's case because her own sister vanished 20 years ago. This haunt her and impacts her personal and professional life. She's compelled to continue her investigation beyond protocol when Ellie's reappearance raises more questions than answers.
I appreciated that this story addresses the challenges of a crime victim's re-entry to reality, both for the person and their family members. This plot is compelling, well-written, and full of surprises. At the big twist, I gasped out loud.
Known for writing YA and adult romance, this is Emiko Jean's first suspense novel and the first of her books I've read. I hope she continues writing suspense and writes a sequel featuring Detective Calhoun.
Special thanks to the Thoughts From a Page podcast for allowing me to read this novel pre-publication and participate in an author interview as a patron perk.
Police Detective Chelsey Calhoun is heavily invested in Ellie's case because her own sister vanished 20 years ago. This haunt her and impacts her personal and professional life. She's compelled to continue her investigation beyond protocol when Ellie's reappearance raises more questions than answers.
I appreciated that this story addresses the challenges of a crime victim's re-entry to reality, both for the person and their family members. This plot is compelling, well-written, and full of surprises. At the big twist, I gasped out loud.
Known for writing YA and adult romance, this is Emiko Jean's first suspense novel and the first of her books I've read. I hope she continues writing suspense and writes a sequel featuring Detective Calhoun.
Special thanks to the Thoughts From a Page podcast for allowing me to read this novel pre-publication and participate in an author interview as a patron perk.
Resurrection Walk (Lincoln Lawyer, Bk 7)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Jan S. reviewed on + 367 more book reviews
Good read
Quicksand: What It Means to Be a Human Being
Author:
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Book Type: Paperback
Frank F. reviewed on + 352 more book reviews
I didn't quite get it. I thought it was supposed to be this authors thoughts on dying, and on being a human being, but is falls short. Part might be its a translation.
i was all over the place while listening to this book. perhaps because the book itself was all over the place. i loved the locales of maryland, d.c. and west virginia. all familiar to me. and WV beloved. i live 20 minutes over the border into PA from WV and it truly is a magical state. there is historical fiction at play in this book. about the silver bridge accident in 1967 that took the lives of many people, including the main character's parents. the narrator, jane oppenheimer, has a fabulous voice and she kept me going, even when i wasn't loving the story. if you're into cryptids (Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster) you will love this because it is about the Mothman. i'm not. so that part of the story was difficult/boring for me. but there was plenty more to dig into. there is a ton of dysfunctional nuclear and extended family dynamics at play which really underscore the entire story, however subtly they appear. there are fabulous dogs, a mix of husky and labrador, which pleases me to no end as my own dog is one of those. we call her a "huskador" but the book calls them "luskys". there is some lovely romance, too, in the form of a white knight who studies cryptids. oops, the main character is cassie. she is forgetful and clumsy and legitimately confused about her place in this world. she's definitely going through a mid life crisis and her husband lives in the basement. oy. there are writers and scholars and weathermen and NPR shows and a big snowstorm and christmas and a hibachi steak house. it is a seemingly free for all that comes together beautifully in the end.
A beautiful story. His words took me right there.
If Something Happens to Me
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Hardcover
Ryan Richardson remembers the night Alison Lane was taken and a cloud of suspicion was over Ryan as everyone was suspecting him but he was never charged. Now he has entered law school and put his past behind him. Ryan gets a call from his father while traveling in Italy. He tellls Ryan that Ali's car has been found submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali's handwriting: If something happens to meâ¦.
This story is told by different characters POV with a twist after twist which kept me guessing until the very ending. I have read all of the other books written by Alex Finlay and they just get better and better. If you like fast-paced thrillers then you will love this book. I am now looking forward to his next book as I think he is an excellent writer and I know you will enjoy reading him too.
This story is told by different characters POV with a twist after twist which kept me guessing until the very ending. I have read all of the other books written by Alex Finlay and they just get better and better. If you like fast-paced thrillers then you will love this book. I am now looking forward to his next book as I think he is an excellent writer and I know you will enjoy reading him too.
I really loved this sweet and uplifting book about a girl whose mom abandons her but who is helped by two elderly folks who have experienced their own loss. The accents of the readers of the audiobook make it all the more enjoyable.
Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on + 347 more book reviews
Good story of who is going to get what they want.
If you are a fan of Edmund Crispin (actually Bruce Montgomery) then you know the principle character of his novels, Gervase Fen---a professor of English Literature at Oxford, solves crimes often using obscure clues. So it's always a treat when he explains to Scotland Yard inspectors how he did it. And, unlike Sherlock Holmes' own Yard adversary, Fen's inspectors happily come to him for leads.
This book has 26 short stories, mostly. Except for three of them, all the rest are only 5-6 pages or shorter. The longest one, "We Know You're Busy Writing, But We Thought You Wouldn't Mind If We Just Dropped in for a Minute," describes a crime which was never solved. But then Gervase Fen wasn't in the story. Actually, there are a few stories here which are not "solved" with an arrest. But the punishment was there nevertheless.
Bruce Montgomery actually wrote film, concert and church music for a living. Writing was probably a profitable sideline. He died from his alcoholism. That was unfortunate, as I've enjoyed all his stories, and, with this book, I've read them all.
This book has 26 short stories, mostly. Except for three of them, all the rest are only 5-6 pages or shorter. The longest one, "We Know You're Busy Writing, But We Thought You Wouldn't Mind If We Just Dropped in for a Minute," describes a crime which was never solved. But then Gervase Fen wasn't in the story. Actually, there are a few stories here which are not "solved" with an arrest. But the punishment was there nevertheless.
Bruce Montgomery actually wrote film, concert and church music for a living. Writing was probably a profitable sideline. He died from his alcoholism. That was unfortunate, as I've enjoyed all his stories, and, with this book, I've read them all.
Antidote to Venom (Inspector French, Bk 17)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on + 347 more book reviews
Good mystery of a man who is failing with everything, except with explaining his innocence.
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas (Lakeshore Chronicles, Bk 12)
Author:
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Hardcover
Feel good light romance. When Brenda discovers her husband's cheating on Christmas Eve, they divorce. She rebuilds her life donating a lot of time with a dog rescue/relocation organization. She hates Christmas - everything bad happens at Christmas, including her father's untimely death when she was a child. Can she get through filling in to help deliver a van full of rescues to a northern climate to distract her? Can she learn to trust and love again?
Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on + 347 more book reviews
Good mystery of a reclusive girl who had everyone thinking the wrong things about her.
Just One Touch (More Than Men) (Harlequin American Romance, No 670)
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on + 347 more book reviews
Good story of a man who wasn't ready to have a woman.
Rosalind Harper has hired genealogist Mitchell Carnegie to help discover the identity of the Harper Bride, a ghost that haunts Harper House. Mitch talks to Roz's relatives and searches old books and diaries, looking for the identity of the ghost known as Amelia. Who was she and why does she haunt this house? Roz and Mitch grow closer as they work together to discover Amelia's past. This does not make the ghost happy at all. Her rage threatens Roz and the people she loves.
This is the second book in the In the Garden Trilogy. I liked both Roz and Mitch, but their romance was kind of boring. I couldn't feel any chemistry between them. I was looking forward to the ghost story in this book, but the pace was slow. I guess it is hard dragging it out over three books. The most interesting part of the story for me was Roz's ex-husband returning to Memphis and making her life miserable. Roz knows he is behind most of her troubles; but doesn't have any evidence to take to the police. I thought these portions of the story were the highlights of the book. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is the second book in the In the Garden Trilogy. I liked both Roz and Mitch, but their romance was kind of boring. I couldn't feel any chemistry between them. I was looking forward to the ghost story in this book, but the pace was slow. I guess it is hard dragging it out over three books. The most interesting part of the story for me was Roz's ex-husband returning to Memphis and making her life miserable. Roz knows he is behind most of her troubles; but doesn't have any evidence to take to the police. I thought these portions of the story were the highlights of the book. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
Melissa M. (MemoRandom) reviewed on + 78 more book reviews
Macomber fans get two for one, with Return to Promise (2000) and Buffalo Valley(2001) published under one cover as A Country Christmas.
Return to Promise - Rancher Dan and wife Jane, known as Dr. Texas, have separated. Is there hope for a reconciliation in time for Christmas?
Buffalo Valley - Vaughn, just out of the army, is ready for a wife and a home. His career-oriented fiancee is unsure. Vaughn visits Buffalo Valley, Nebraska, and meets another young lady. Life in Buffalo Valley is about family and friends - and Vaughn begins to question his feelings for his fiancee. Can Christmas clarify this precarious situation?
Return to Promise - Rancher Dan and wife Jane, known as Dr. Texas, have separated. Is there hope for a reconciliation in time for Christmas?
Buffalo Valley - Vaughn, just out of the army, is ready for a wife and a home. His career-oriented fiancee is unsure. Vaughn visits Buffalo Valley, Nebraska, and meets another young lady. Life in Buffalo Valley is about family and friends - and Vaughn begins to question his feelings for his fiancee. Can Christmas clarify this precarious situation?
Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed on + 347 more book reviews
Interesting star trek kind of movie, with an interesting end.
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