ŷ������

I finished listening to Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur, Under the Mistletoe #4, and it’s a unique meet cute.
my review

The Paris Library �� Janet Skeslien Charles �� 3.5*** (rounded up)
This is a work of historical fiction based on the real story of the librarians and staff at the American Library in Paris during WW2. The dual timeline features Odile in 1939, and Lily in 1983. I loved all the literary references. In both cases there will be betrayals and the parties involved will have to come to terms with whether they can forgive. Charles did a fine job of exploring the various emotions and reactions to incredible stress.
LINK to my full review

Ask Not about the Kennedy men’s abuse of women was a mixed bag for me as I had big issues with the amount of “creative license�� taken. My three star review:
/review/show...

Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook �� Celia Rees �� 3.5***
This was an interesting twist on the typical WW2 story, taking place after the war. It is a spy novel at its heart, so there are twists and turns in the plot, betrayals and double (even triple) crosses. I liked the central premise and enjoyed reading the recipes that Edith uses to convey information, though I never did crack that code!
LINK to my full review

Where The Stars Still Shine - Trish Dollar
Genera: Mystery & Suspense Thriller
4��
Review:/review/show...

Can This Be Christmas? by Debbie Macomber

My review 3��

/review/show...

Due or Die - Jenn McKinlay - (Connecticut)
Library Lovers Mystery Series Book #2
3��
Review: /review/show...

I finished listening to:

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose, Perfect #1, and it’s a bumpy ride.
my review


The Holiday Cottage by Sarah Morgan and it’s another holiday story with depth.
my review

I snuck in one more Christmas cozy - I'll Bee Home for Christmas by Cathy Wiley /review/show...

Here is my 3.49 rounded to 3 stars review of Beyond Mountain Park: An Odyssey of Love by Kathy McWhirter

/review/show...

Historical Fiction / Historical Romance
Mainly set in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Descriptive
Depicts several historical events of the time between 1916 and 1931.
More telling than showing at times.

My review of Unnatural Causes by P.D. James

/review/show...

The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman

I wanted to say 'Yes' to Backman's latest work, but the result is a slightly mixed 'Maybe'. Not his best work IMHO. He's much better at full-length serious fiction.
/review/show...

Dragon Pearl �� Yoon Ha Lee �� 3***
First book in the Thousand Worlds series. This space opera is a quest, an adventure, and a coming-of-age story. I was intrigued by the world the author has created, melding traditional Korean folk tales / mythology with a futuristic space odyssey plot. Thirteen-year-old Min is determined, resourceful and intelligent, but she is young and makes several mistakes.
LINK to my full review

My review for The Ascent

/review/show...

The Magnificent Ruins reminded me of the 1980s soap opera like Dallas. My 3.5 star review:
/review/show...

Got to fit in a Christmas read ...


A Snow Country Christmas �� Linda Lael Miller �� 3***
A typical cowboy Christmas romance. The tropes are all here, but who cares. Love the snowy setting, the Christmas cheer, the uber wealthy Branson who has managed to get unique and spectacularly appropriate gifts for virtually everyone, and the fiercely independent Raine who is ready to succumb to “Mr Hollywood.��
LINK to my full review

Liz wrote: "The Magnificent Ruins reminded me of the 1980s soap opera like Dallas. My 3.5 star review:
/review/show..."

That's exactly why I have been staying away from it. Something about the premise just screams 'soap opera'!

My review for She Doesn't Have a Clue

/review/show...

Artificial Condition �� Martha Wells �� 3***
Book two in the Murderbot series. Science fiction is not really my jam, but I am enjoying this series. It feels fresh and inventive, and I’m surprised by how much I connect with Muderbot and ART �� two non-human characters that fully support this story.
LINK to my full review

I finished listening to Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria, Under the Mistletoe #5, and it’s a cute story despite the steamy ending.
my review

Jacqueline In Paris �� Ann Mah �� 3.5***
This is historical fiction that gives the readers a glimpse into the life of a young Jacqueline Bouvier, spending a year as a student in Paris shortly after the end of WW2. Mah did extensive research, and while most of Jackie O’s private papers have remained private, many of the people she came in contact with have made their remembrances available. What we see is a young woman just beginning to spread her wings and try independence from family.
LINK to my full review

Here is my 3.32 rounded to 3 stars review of What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen:

/review/show...

Thriller
Book 2 in the Catherine Ling series
I had trouble staying engaged with this one despite the danger, suspense, and action. It was slow at times and somewhat repetitive. Despite this, I did enjoy it and wanted to know what would happen next.

My review of Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor

/review/show...

Frontier Christmas �� Ana Leigh, Carolyn Davidson & Kate Bridges �� 3***
There are three novellas in this collection of Christmas stories set in the latter part of the 19th century: Ana Leigh’s The Mackenzies: Lily, A Time for Angels by Carolyn Davidson, and Kate Bridges�� The Long Journey Home. They are all predictable historical holiday romances, and suitably entertaining.
LINK to my full review

A Very Indian Christmas: The Greatest Indian Holiday Stories of All Time

A nice collection of essays about Christmas in India. I found it genuine and well-written, but not sure how much appeal it would hold for those outside of India.
/review/show...

Hark! The Herald Angel Falls �� Tricia Goyer �� 3***
This is number 31 in the Sugarcreek Amish Mystery series (I think), but the first one of the group that I’ve read. It is a charming cozy mystery featuring an Englischer woman, and her Amish mother-in-law as the amateur sleuths. I like how the women go about gathering information and deliberating about possibilities. I figured out the perpetrator as soon as the character was introduced, but still enjoyed watching how the women (and law enforcement) came to the same conclusion.
LINK to my full review