Rachel G. (roach808) - reviewed on 6/12/2025 + 222 more book reviews

SO WEIRD. An interesting concept, explorers searching for an ancient civilization that turns out to the The Louvre, but it was twisted so strangely with art that comes alive and uses a modern day genetically modified dog (with pig genes) to help them escape into some other plane of existence before the Louvre falls into fault? Oh and there are see through artistic depictions of Jesus Christ who fight over which one of them is really Jesus Christ. Also the explorers are all weird a-holes.

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Bridget A. reviewed on 6/11/2025 + 14 more book reviews

I have always liked Hercule Poirot books (and the movies made from them), but I had a hard time with this one. Maybe it was because Monsieur Poirot was now "retired". He also seemed more pedantic when talking to his friend/fellow lodger Inspector Edward Catchpool of Scotland Yard.

The four people whose "crimes" started the ensuing misery were almost caricatures for whom I couldn't feel anything.

Agatha Christie loved her "red herrings", but this started with a significant one and kept looping through more until the end of the book. I almost didn't finish reading it because it seemed like there was a word count to achieve instead of a mystery to be solved.

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Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 6/11/2025 + 705 more book reviews

To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock is book 2 of the Best Laid Plans series. It was fun to continue with characters from To Catch a Coronet, but it can be read on its own.

Vivienne Poppy is an authoress fleeing home to escape a very unpleasant marriage arranged by her arrogant bother. When her carriage is intercepted by a masked highwayman, she's alarmed but also intrigued by his chivalry. Then she meets Sir Sebastian Larkby and realizes her ill-chosen pen name has caused unintended consequences. Will she agree to a surprising solution or she forfeit her writing career?

I enjoyed this Regency romance filled with humor and adventure, especially the witty banter and physical attraction between hero and heroine. The marriage of convenience and mistaken identity tropes made sense and were well-crafted. The number of times Sebastian had to rescue Vivienne was a little excessive, but having the roles reversed at the end was great.

Sebastian's grandmother was a sweet addition to the cast of characters, even though her recovery was a bit implausible. The ending felt a bit rushed when an important storyline was left unresolved.

Thank you to the publisher and JustRead Tours for the review copy of this novel; all opinions are my own.

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Becky W. reviewed on 6/11/2025 + 42 more book reviews

I absolutely loved it!! I am a big, big fan of Jodi Thomas!!!

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jjares reviewed on 6/11/2025 + 3529 more book reviews

This is a stunningly beautiful book with just a line of information about each bird highlighted. These must be some of the most beautiful birds on Earth because they are culled from across the globe. I know this book was formulated for patients with dementia, but anyone would enjoy this book, particularly children (because of the short info about each bird).

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Marci (marcijo28) - reviewed on 6/11/2025 + 382 more book reviews

I'll say it again, Ed McBain is a master story teller and this read is evidence. A nice build up on multiple plots to a clean conclusion.

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jjares reviewed on 6/11/2025 + 3529 more book reviews

I found the opening chapters to be redundant and boring. However, the book soon divides into sections of the country (for example, The Northeast or The Southeast). Then, readers can hone in on the area of the country they wish to study. After dividing up the country, there are additional chapters on hidden gems and lesser-known accessible spots, festivals, food trails, music and arts gatherings, and local highlights. The author mentions the names and states of these adventures, but you will need to get more information from another source.

Kudos to the author for listing several online sites that are useful for travelers with disabilities. These are the sites I copied to use on our next trip. Overall score = G+.

Wheelmap.com - a mobility app that tells you if something is accessible!
Moovit.com - a mobility app that tells you if something is accessible!
AccessNow.com - lists inclusive activities and venues in cities worldwide.
iAccessLife.com - designed for wheelchair users, offering reviews of restaurants, hotels, and attractions based on their accessibility.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 989 more book reviews

Wheeler-Dealer by Rita Moreau

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fun, quirky, cozy mystery series debut.

Wheeler-Dealer is the first book in author Rita Moreau's fun and quirky cozy The Ghost and Camper Kooky Mystery series. With its retirement-age protagonists, memorable secondary characters, and road trip storyline, I was primed for a good story before I even finished the first chapter! When 60-ish Mabel Gold's husband leaves her for a younger woman, she decides to buy an RV and head west with a friend and her husband. But when a member of their traveling group is murdered, Mabel and the flamboyant ghost who came with her used camper investigate, hoping to win points with St. Peter so the ghost can finally enter the gates of heaven.

Mabel Gold is the plucky divorcee who tells the story and is able to see and communicate with Irma, the Airstream-tied spirit of a Las Vegas madam. I enjoyed their extensive backstories, which really allowed me to gain a complete picture of these two sassy characters (and many of the others, too) and form a strong connection to both. The murder plot unfolds at a deliberate pace, but the meticulous preparation lays a solid foundation for what is to come and for the series going forward. As the reason for Irma to move along from purgatory is the completion of good deeds, she assists Mabel and Lili in getting to the bottom of what's going on. There's never a dull moment with Irma around, and Mabel had me laughing a number of times as well. However, the story could benefit from some cleanup of repetitive mentions of characters' concerns or explanations. Still, I definitely look forward to getting into the next book in the series.

I recommend WHEELER-DEALER to cozy mystery fans who enjoy more mature main characters and a bit of the woo-woo and ghosts in their stories.

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Elizabeth R. (esjro) - , reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 1002 more book reviews

This is the second book I have read by John Marrs and I think his writing is just not my cuppa. Good plots but the pacing drags. This one has a lot of twists - too many.

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Rachel G. (roach808) - reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 222 more book reviews

Hm, well, this is hard to put into words, but it's got an Alice in Wonderland aspect (maybe that is intended?), and also has time-space continuums that I can't really follow well, and then there's the whole "is it madness or is it colonlialism and racism?"

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Marcia C. reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 698 more book reviews

What a fascinating book. Demonstrates, with convincing examples, that Asian cultures often use quite a different plot structure than Western cultures. Includes a compelling analysis of how Disney crammed the traditional story of Mulan into a Western heroic framework that is quite different from the original Chinese story.

Highly recommended for writers and avid readers.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 989 more book reviews

Wolf of the Nordic Seas by Jennifer Ivy Walker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Gloriously immersive tale of vengeance, romance, sacrifice, and destiny!

Wolf of the Nordic Seas is the second book in author Jennifer Ivy Walker's exciting Valiant Vikings historical fiction series, and while featuring characters from the previous novel, it can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone. With honorable and selfless characters willing to do what they must as the trusted leaders of their people, the atmospheric Normandy setting, and its consuming and immersive narrative, I was absolutely hooked from the very first scene.

Lady Elfi Thorfinnsdottir unexpectedly becomes the Heiress of Etretat when her brother is killed defending their home from the attack of Alberic of Soissons and his Frankish army. She assumes the role of chatelaine of the Chateau Blanc when, during a second attack, the lord, her father, is taken prisoner and held hostage by the same man. The price of his safe return? Her hand in marriage!

The marriage proposal is part of Alberic's political machinations to regain control of the Viking-held territory. Elfi is torn between saving her father, who will be executed should she refuse Alberic's terms, and causing her brother's ultimate sacrifice to be for naught. She calls upon the aid of the other Viking lords, who rush to her defense with men, arms, and another marriage proposal; this time, to the renowned sea-going warrior Njord Ivarrsson, also known as the 'Wolf of the Nordic Seas,' she accepts.

Elfi, trained as a shieldmaiden by her brother but protected by her father, chafes under the restrictions he enforces because she is female. The fact that her value resides solely in her marriageability, dowry, and now, the Chateau Blanc as its heiress is a hard pill for her to swallow. However, to safeguard her home and those who depend upon her strength and wise decisions, including her captive father, she readily sacrifices her future to secure their safety.

Njord Ivarrsson had a rough start in life but has made the most of his opportunities to rise to where he is now. At the order of his king, he leaves this northern home to defend the Chateau Blanc and wed Elfi, removing her from her father's hostage equation. I loved that Elfi and Njord were both strong, matched characters, and they had an immediate connection with one another. However, a prophecy foretold that Njord would find his mate across the seas in a distant place, ushering in the magical, paranormal elements of the story.

What follows includes a political chess game of thwarted ambitions, treachery, vengeance, and a satisfying romance that transcends fate. I recommend WOLF OF THE NORDIC SEAS to historical fiction readers who enjoy a good slow-burn romance and a touch of paranormal elements in their stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Lisa B. (lillylisa) reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 2 more book reviews

Enjoy reading this author.

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Regina C. (flyinggems) reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 484 more book reviews

It was an easy read but it just plops along.

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jjares reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 3529 more book reviews

This is the fairly interesting story of how the adoration of tulip bulbs led to a speculative bubble among the Dutch during their Golden Age. With the wealth of the Dutch East India Company, more Dutch had disposable income. The importation and adulation of tulips led to the first speculative bubble that caused widespread financial ruin.

The most interesting part, however, was the journey and arrival of the tulips in the Netherlands. Suliman the Magnificent was a lover of tulips. It was a fantastic trip to the Netherlands. I particularly appreciated the fact that Charles River Editors included illustrations of the tulips they mentioned.

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jjares reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 3529 more book reviews

This short work didn't speak to me at all. There were a few interesting bits, but nothing exceptional. I liked it when Eve saw the moon drop out of the sky and wondered about it. I am not a fan of Mark Twain. Perhaps it was written too long ago for it to resonate with me.

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Janice R. (jan478) reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 114 more book reviews

Very remarkable women know as Hedy Lamar becomes a hero and inventor! Ms. Benedict takes these women and makes them remarkable. Hedy escapes a brutal marriage and was making a good living as a Hollywood leading lady but feels guilty for not helping other Jews since she knew what Hitler's plans were for them.

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Les C. (the-ump) reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 22 more book reviews

Good read.

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Sharry G. (thriftygram) reviewed on 6/10/2025 + 9 more book reviews

Very interesting

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W. R. (NYbooks) reviewed on 6/9/2025 + 108 more book reviews

In 1964, at the time the Civil Rights Act had just passed, a young motherless girl accompanies her black nanny to register as a voter. A heated incident forces the young girl to run away with her nanny and also escape from her neglectful father and pursue a clue about the mother she never knew.

Very good book. The characters and language leap off the pages.

Themes touched upon include family conflicts, race, guilt and regret, female bonding and empowerment.

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Robin M. (robinmy) - , reviewed on 6/9/2025 + 2162 more book reviews

His first week on the job, Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Agent Garrett Addison is sent to investigate a murder. He and his team quickly realize that sixteen-year-old Julie Kerrigan may be the latest in a string of related murders. With a possible serial killer on the loose, they call in the FBI for help. Special Agent Jordan Lambert returns to her hometown of Nashville to help with the case. She is surprised when she sees that Garrett is working the case. She and Garrett had a relationship while they attended the police academy. It came to an end when she left to join the FBI. Now they will be working closely together to catch a killer.

This is the last book in the Nikki Boyd series. It starts out in 2004 when Garrett discovers that his victim is actually the third victim of a serial killer. I was confused at first when Nikki was nowhere to be seen for the first 100 pages. When she finally shows up in the story, it makes sense. Her younger sister was one of the victims of the serial killer. (We know about this from the previous books.) The situation puts Nikki on a career path in law enforcement.

This book is billed as romantic suspense. The mystery was interesting but a little slow moving. It felt like the team would investigate a murder, notify the parents, canvas for witnesses, and come to a halt when there was no evidence for them to follow. This happened several times. The suspense picked up in the last half of the book which kept me involved in the story. The romance portion was problematic. I have to say that the 14 years that this story covered had to be the slowest slow-burn romance in history. Both Garrett and Jordan cared for each other; but were afraid to say anything. Every time Jordan came back to Nashville after a new murder, Jordan would think about what it would have been like if she never left her hometown and stayed in her relationship with Garrett. Of course, she did nothing about it and neither did he. I wanted to scream. Overall, a slow-paced but decent mystery with a boring romance. My rating: 3.5 Stars.

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Jan S. reviewed on 6/9/2025 + 395 more book reviews

Ok read

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Michael B. (Ichabod) reviewed on 6/9/2025 + 167 more book reviews

Never an End for the Sea

Found adrift at sea in a barrel, a baby boy is rescued and embraced by the people of a small coastal village in Donegal. Fisherman Ambrose Bonnar immediately bonds with the infant and pushes for adoption. Christine, his wife, accepts her husband's wishes, but their son, Declan, resents his new sibling, Brendan, as an unwelcome intruder.

"The Boy from the Sea" is told by the collective voice of the villagers, in a Greek chorus style. We see the effect Brendan has on both the town and the family that has taken him in.

Brendan's distant nature, heightened by his mysterious background, sets him apart. While the locals are reticent to embrace miracles, they hold a deep reverence for the ocean's mystique. Drawn to him, people seek his guidance and blessings. He never claims special powers, instead he listens confidentially to people, never commenting, and then responding with the simplest of blessings. Most villagers adopt the mindset that "it couldn't hurt."

"There's some around town who believe the boy's special, on account of the way he first appeared... People like to tell Brendan what's troubling them... and from what I hear, he may give them a blessing of some sort..."

In addition to Brendan, the heart of the book lies in the fishing village itself. Ambrose loves both the sea and his ship, the Christine Dawn. His life and the town's prosperity hinge on fishing, a way of life naturally expected to pass to his sons. Declan, who has staunchly rejected Brendan, seeks his father's attention by working alongside him on board.

Phyllis, Christine's sister, has consistently questioned the family's decision to adopt Brendan. Her resentment stems from her role as caretaker for her father, Eunan, who suffers from advanced dementia. Additionally, she frequently asks Christine for money. This is another sibling rivalry, although not nearly as all-consuming as Declan's and Brendan's.

The pacing is leisurely as the village informs us how they are coping with the world's changes. The central focus is on Ambrose's business struggles and the brothers' deteriorating relationship as they grow. Then, as in real life, tragedy strikes, and their world turns upside down. This is where author Garrett Carr shows us the life choices our characters will make.

An exceptional debut novel, "Boy from the Sea," provides a rare portrayal of a tight-knit Irish fishing community. Last year's outstanding "Coast Road" covered a similar setting, but with a much different emphasis. Both books, however, touch upon the struggles of timeworn communities to keep pace with a changing world.

This is a place well worth visiting.

"There's never an end for the sea." ~ Samuel Beckett

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Susan G. (onstagegirl) reviewed on 6/9/2025 + 87 more book reviews

Twenty years later after this book was published, has anything changed? I was hesitant to read since published in 2005; however, the issues still exist today. A relevant read for anyone working in the healthcare industry.

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Alice B. reviewed on 6/9/2025 + 3708 more book reviews

Dr. Harriet Bailey comes across the interesting tail of a 1940s snowstorm and flock of sheep had a Yorkshire Shepherd who never came back as Harriet Delves into the historical record to separate fact from fiction she brings to light so long buried secrets and begins to develop theories about what happened so long ago, but when almost urgent need arises his search for truth of the past is stalled all over the Yorkshire countryside flock the sheep are dwindling and it's happening too often to be blamed on broken fences or the carelessness of owners when she learned that Doreen Danby prize winning ram Prince charming is among the missing Harriet realizes that the sheep are simply wondering away someone is stealing them and she believes it's for very specific reason Harriet will need all her skills to find the sheep wrestler and recover the animals before more harm is done.

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