Friday Linkups: Still Life

It's Friday linkup time!  I'm linking up with the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer, Book Beginnings of Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, and the Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice

This Week's Book Blogger Hop Question:
What is your favorite Valentine's Day read?

My Answer: 
Oh tough one!  I have two - the first is The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn which is a straight up historical romance and an amazing one and the second is The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie which has a strong romantic element but also a whole lot of adventure and fun hi-jinks!

This week's book is one that I've known since I started blogging that I absolutely needed to read.  I've always been a mystery reader and when I started reading blogs from other mystery readers I was shocked by how many fantastic series that I hadn't even heard of!  The Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny is one of those.  So back in December when I was thinking of books I really wanted to make sure I got to in 2017 Still Life by Louise Penny was high up on the list.  While I'm not as far along in it as I'd like (I had to take a break to read a mystery for review and I don't like reading two of a similar genre at the same time) I'm really enjoying it!

The Beginning: 
Miss Jane Neal met her maker in the early morning mist of Thanksgiving Sunday.  It was pretty much a surprise all around.

My Thoughts:
I love the matter of factness and the almost humor of the beginning.  It bodes well for the rest of the book.

The 56:
"Oh, Andy died."
Gamache raised an eyebrow.

My Thoughts:
So this really isn't as dramatic as is sounds because they're digging into the victim's back story but I do love how calmly Penny throws around death announcements.

So what do you think?  Keep reading?  Any books that you want to make sure you read in 2017?

Close to Home - Contemporary Romance Review

Close to Home (A Sanctuary Island Novel) by Lily Everett (Amazon link)

Rating: Very Good
Source: Publisher

Description:  When Tessa Alexander came to Sanctuary Island, she left behind a marriage to a man who didn’t love her the way she loved him. When she finally found the strength to set them both free, she discovered friendship and self-acceptance in her adopted hometown. Now she’s settled into a quiet life on her own—never expecting to see her husband again.
Johnny spent almost two years deep undercover, unable to let his wife into his cold, dangerous world. He’s shaken to the core when he comes home to find her gone. It’s painfully clear that Tessa is no longer the timid young woman he married—she’s become a force of nature, a brave and determined beauty. Johnny can’t let her go without a fight so he sets out to seduce his own wife. But will passion alone be enough to convince Tessa that her new life should include a second chance at happiness with a man who must learn to believe in love?

Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book: I enjoyed the first book in the Sanctuary Island series and wanted to read more.

My Impression:  After reading some dark mysteries I found myself craving a romance - preferably something sweet and simple and healing.    Well this one was definitely sweet and it was definitely healing but I'm not so sure how simple it was. These characters have some serious depth and some serious issues that have to be tackled as the story goes along.

The story itself reminded me of a historical romance - one where the husband in a marriage of convenience realizes that he's actually in love with his wife.  This is one that I wouldn't have thought would work in a contemporary but Everett did it brilliantly.  This was made sense and held together and was a completely plausible situation for both of these characters with their particular personalities to end up in.  At the beginning I was very concerned about the balance of power.  Tessa is very young and completely desperate when she and Johnny get married.  Johnny is young (though not as young) and is far more in control of the situation.  It could have very easily slipped into creepy territory and it was a relationship that I really couldn't see how it could get past the beginning.  How could it ever be a relationship not built on gratitude and desperation?

I really loved the way Everett developed their relationship in such a way that the reader got to know the characters as they got to know themselves.  It completely pulled me into the story and I absolutely flew through it.  She was brilliant with the addition of side characters - especially Marcus and Quinn.  They're the main couple in the next book and after meeting them in this book I cannot wait to read their story and read more about them.

This is only the 2nd Sanctuary Island book I've read but I had no problem getting to know the community and I didn't feel like I was missing out by not reading the previous books (though you can bet they'll be on my TBR).  This was a fantastic read with characters I really connected with, a setting I want to see more of, and a lot of heart.  My only complaint is that I seriously want a sticky bun after reading about the treas Miss Patty and Tessa are working on!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes!  I'm really looking forward to starting the next book in the series!

Would I Recommend this Book?: Absolutely!  I think most contemporary romance fans would enjoy this series - particularly fans of Emily March's Eternity Springs series.

The Fifth Petal - Blog Tour Mystery Review

The Fifth Petal (Lace Reader #2) by Brunonia Barry

Rating: Very Good
Source: Blog Tour

Description:  Salem’s chief of police, John Rafferty, now married to gifted lace reader Towner Whitney, investigates a 25-year-old triple homicide dubbed “The Goddess Murders,” in which three young women, all descended from accused Salem witches, were slashed one Halloween night. Aided by Callie Cahill, the daughter of one of the victims who has returned to town, Rafferty begins to uncover a dark chapter in Salem’s past. Callie, who has always been gifted with premonitions, begins to struggle with visions she doesn’t quite understand and an attraction to a man who has unknown connections to her mother’s murder. Neither believes that the main suspect, Rose Whelan, respected local historian and sometime-aunt to Callie, is guilty of murder or witchcraft. But exonerating Rose might mean crossing paths with a dangerous force. Were the women victims of an all-too-human vengeance, or was the devil raised in Salem that night? And if they cannot discover what truly happened, will evil rise again?

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: Salem is one of those topics that I can't resist!

My Impression: This is one of those books that I really don't even know where to start with when talking about it.  I think I've started this review about 4 times only to delete paragraphs of discussion that frankly begins to ramble.  In order to get my thoughts about this book across in a way that makes sense to anyone that isn't me I'm going with list form!

1.  This is not a simple mystery.  The characters are fully formed, the history is essentially a character in itself, there are paranormal elements, town politics, and multiple mysteries going back to 1692.  That being said the book doesn't feel disjointed - it just feels fully developed.

2.  I found the characters interesting and complex.  Rafferty is driven to find the truth and he doesn't like feeling pressured because of the victim's social position and his concern for Rose and for Callie feels very real.  I enjoyed meeting Towner and those around her and getting to know her as the book went along though probably to know her best I should go back and read the first book.  Callie was the most compelling for me.  She genuinely cares for Rose and wants to help her, she's learning about her gift and her past but at the same time has a lot of fear.  All the characters including minor ones where people that were interesting and made me want to learn more about them.

3.  The history of Salem itself is fascinating and very dark.  Barry really made it come alive and it became very vivid.

4.  I had no idea how this was going to unwind in any form.  There is a heavy paranormal aspect but to me it didn't read as particularly paranormal it just felt like one more element that made the story richer.

5.  This isn't a fast read as there were times I needed to think about what was going on or even at times take a break when things got a little too overwhelming or too grim.  However, it was an engaging read.  I wasn't completely pulled in until around 35% but even before then I wanted to read it, I wanted to find out what happened next.

Overall, if you're looking for an unusual and thought provoking read with well drawn characters and a crazy intense mystery and aren't bothered by a somewhat slower pace this is a fantastic book to grab.  While it is the 2nd in the Lace Readers series I believe the first book focuses on the back story of one character (Towner) and not knowing the details in no way impacted my enjoyment or comprehension of this book.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Absolutely!  I want to get a copy of Barry's first book in this series right now!

Would I Recommend this Book?: Yes definitely but this isn't a read for when you're in the mood for something light.

Amazon | Books-A-Million

IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Wish Had More/Less X

This Week's Top Ten Tuesday topic from The Broke and the Bookish is Ten Books I Wish Had More/Less X in them.  There aren't ten books that I wish all had more of the same thing in them but there are definitely 10 books I've read that I wish had more or less something in them so I thought I'd break this down book by book!

1.  A Book I Wish Had More Ghosts in Them

The Wicked City by Beatriz Williams - I really enjoyed this dual timeline book but for the timeline set in present day I wanted more ghosts and I wanted them to realize it was ghosts way earlier!

2.  A Book I Wish Had a Little Less Chaos

Teetotaled by Maia Chance - I love Lola, the heroine of Chance's 1920s era cozy mystery series, and enjoy watching her adventures and mishaps but I could have used a mishap or two less in this book.

3.  A Book I Wish Had a LOT Less Pages

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - I know this is probably an unpopular opinion but while I loved Eight Cousins by Alcott Little Women was not a favorite.  I could have used waayy less of it.

4.  A Book I Wish Was a Little Spookier

Thornyhold by Mary Stewart - I really expected this book to be spooky.  There's witches and an old house with unknown nooks and crannies but instead it was kind of sweet.  I mean it was a good read and all but it just was not what I expected!

5.  A Book I Wish Had Way Less Boat

Nobody But You by Jill Shalvis - I love Jill Shalvis really I do.  Her contemporary romance stories are basically guaranteed fun and I always enjoy them but my review for 3/4 of this book could be wrapped up in one sentence - "Just sell the boat Sophie!"

6.  A Book I Wish Had More History

Nine Lives by Wendy Corsi Staub - This may be because I'm a massive history nerd but while I really enjoyed Nine Lives I really wanted more history of the setting - Lily Dale, famous for its' psychics, spiritualists and who knows what else.  I would have loved it if the plot had more about the history of the place.

7.  A Book I Wish Made More Sense

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll - Maybe it's because I didn't read these books as a child but I was not a fan of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.  While I could at least follow along with Alice reading Through the Looking Glass was like reading someone describing their dream for 100+ pages and then just coming to a stop.  I have no idea what was going on.

8.  A Book I Wish Had More Books in the Series

The Beekeeper's Ball by Susan Wiggs - This has all the indications that there's going to be another book.  It's listed as #2 in a series, there's hints of a mystery that are discovered right at the end of this book and a new character appears who seems to have no other purpose than to be the main character in the third book.  But is there a third book??  No there is not and it's been YEARS.  I'm still hoping though!

9.  A Book I Wish Had More of the Side Characters

Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander  - I love this cozy mystery series set around a bakery in a theater town in Oregon and I really love the world Alexander has created but I wanted more of the side characters in this latest book!  We only see them occasionally and I wanted more!

10.  A Book I Wish Had Less Characters and Subplots

Lovers and Newcomers by Rosie Thomas - I loved Iris and Ruby by Thomas and really wanted to love this one as well.  While I liked it it just had so many characters who all had so much history and baggage that it was hard not to get a little lost.

So those are my more or lesses!  Anything you wished some recent books have had more or less of?

On Second Thought - Women's Fiction Review

On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins (Amazon link)

Rating:  Very Good
Source: Little Bird Publicity for Blog Tour

Description:  Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is being blindsided by a breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her older half sister, Kate, who’s struggling with a sudden loss of her own.

Kate’s always been the poised, self-assured sister, but becoming a newlywed—and a widow—in the space of four months overwhelms her. Though the sisters were never close, she starts to confide in Ainsley, especially when she learns her late husband was keeping a secret from her.

Despite the murky blended-family dynamic that’s always separated them, Ainsley's and Kate’s heartaches bind their summer together when they come to terms with the inevitable imperfection of relationships and family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book: I enjoyed a previous book by Higgins in one of her contemporary romance series so I was curious to see how she did with a more series book.

My Impression:  Reading this book was just one of those perfect reading experiences.  I was sick in bed and wanted something to distract myself from the fact I felt terrible.  I didn't really expect it to work but before I knew it I was sucked into the world of Ainsley, Kate, Nathan, Eric and the rest of their world.  Sore throat, runny nose, and headache disappeared and I finished this book in a day.  It was exactly what I needed - entertaining without being silly, emotional without being melodramatic and full of characters that felt so real I could picture them.

I found the family dynamics interesting in their super messed up blended family situation.  Being part of a blended family myself I found the confused loyalty issues that Kate suffers from to be very true and the distance between her and Ainsley felt very natural.  As well Ainsley's desire for a closer relationship felt true to form.  This feels like a real family with history, hidden jokes, and the regular irritations that occur in any family.

I loved Ainsley.  I loved how hard she tried just to be happy and to take care of those around her.  She desperately wanted to be close to her sister but had never really been sure how to make that happen.  It's easy to understand that her desire to belong is one of the things that keeps her with Eric despite everyone around her knowing he's not worth her effort.  I loved how her story line progressed and that not only did her relationships with those around her develop but she got a better handle on what she herself wanted.  It was really a joy to watch and I'd really like a few of her outfits!

I didn't connect with Kate's story as much as I did Aisnley's.  I liked Kate and my heart broke for her multiple times as she struggles to figure out just what her life has become and what she's going to do. My main problem was with the way her story developed.    It always felt more like things happened to her versus her taking control of her life and I wanted better for her.

The dual narration really worked and I loved seeing through the eyes of both women. I loved both stories and I loved seeing their thoughts on each other and the people in their lives.  This was a thoroughly enjoyable read with characters I won't forget any time soon.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Absolutely!  I really enjoyed this read.

Would I Recommend this Book?: If you like women's fiction this was a really good read.  Perfect for a beach read or a sick day or just a little escapist reading!

This Week in Reading - February 5th

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.  I'm also linking up with What are You Reading hosted by Kathryn over at Book Date

What I Got:

Last Chance Matinee by Mariah Stewart - I was a huge fan of Mariah Stewart's romantic suspense and while I've found her Chesapeake Diaries series a little inconsistent when they're good I've really loved them.  I'm super excited about this first book in the Hudson Sisters series about 3 sisters forced to work together to restore an old theater in order to claim their inheritance.  (Publisher)

Somebody's Baby by Donna Alward - I'm super excited about this book which is the 3rd in the Darling, VT series.  I really enjoyed the first book in the series and this one involves Rory Gallagher a veterinarian and brother to the heroes in the first two books.  (Publisher)

That's it for this week so far but I'm planning on going to the bookstore later (I'm writing this Saturday morning) so there may be a few more!

Currently:

Reading: The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry and Still Life by Louise Penny.  I've just started both so I don't have any thoughts on them yet but I'm super excited to finally be reading Louise Penny!

Listening:  I finished a radio adaptation on The Hound of the Baskervilles and really enjoyed it.  I don't think I've really read the story since we read it in school 20+ years ago but I do know I liked it way better now than I did at the time.  I'm next in line for The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware which I'm super excited for and until then I'm listening to podcasts.  

Watching: I've been catching up on the 3rd series of The Librarians and really enjoying it.  It's a bit cheesy but still lots of fun.  

Off the Blog:

The plague has hit our house which I suppose is only fair because we've all been really healthy for months.  J came home from work early one day took a nap  and was okay.  Then the Tornado was complaining about a headache when I picked him up from school and it turned out he had a low grade fever.  He missed a day of school but for the most part felt fine.  Then of course I woke up not feeling well and spent 3 days in bed.  I'm not sure if I'm just wimpier or if the bug was getting stronger as it went along.  I'm hoping the latter is the case.  The good thing was that I was actually able to read for some of the time.  Usually when I'm sick reading isn't going to happen but this time I managed to get a good bit read which was nice.

Our anniversary was this week (14 years) and we had talked about going out for a nice dinner this weekend but decided to put it off since I can't taste anything.  Instead we went out Saturday for lunch and some fun shopping. I woke up Saturday feeling like a human but I have a feeling I'll be dragging pretty soon!  

On the Blog:

What Happened:

Monday: The Wicked City - Blog Tour Historical Fiction Review
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - My Top Ten Favorite Picture books
Wednesday: Somebody Like You - Blog Tour Contemporary Romance Review
Thursday: At Close Range - Romantic Suspense Review

Friday: Friday Linkups with Teasers from Sad Cypress
Saturday:  The Tower Treasure - Middle Grade Mystery Review

What's Coming Up:

Monday: On Second Thought - Women's Fiction Review

Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Wish Had More/Less __ in Them

Wednesday: Fifth Petal - Blog Tour Mystery Review

Thursday: Close to Home - Contemporary Romance Review

Friday: Friday Linkups with current book

Saturday: TBD

Have a great week and happy reading!

The Tower Treasure - Review

The Tower Treasure (Hardy Boys #1) by Franklin W. Dixon
Rating: Good
Source: Library
Description: A dying criminal confesses that his loot has been secreted "in the tower."  Both towers of the looted mansion are searched in vain.  It remains for the Hardy boys to make an astonishing discovery that clears up the mystery.  (from Goodreads) 

Genre: Middle Grade Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: My current favorite podcast Super Serials had an episode talking about this one and since I didn't read many Hardy Boys books I thought it might be fun to pick this one up.

My Impression:  Growing up I read everything that had even a mention of Nancy Drew.  I read the originals, the Case Files (which were so bad but I loved them), a spin-off series called River Heights (so so so bad), and just about everything else I could get my hands on.  For some reason I didn't read many Hardy Boys books.  I don't know if there was enough Nancy stuff to keep me busy or if they just never appealed to me.  I did read a few and I remember them as being a little more adventurous than Nancy so I was excited to see what I thought of them as an adult.  I was glad I did because this was a lot of fun!  Since this is Joe and Frank's first case the whole investigation thing is fairly new to them and they turn to their father for help.  Luckily he's a very successful PI so he has lots of suggestions.  The boys have a large group of friends who are always willing to assist and it definitely comes in handy in this case.
There's definitely a dated quality to the story but for me that added to the charm.  I liked that the boys did a mix of figuring things out on their own and going to an adult (usually their father) for help.  It was a fun read and I finished it in 1 sitting.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes I would. I probably won't be collecting them all but I will definitely pick up a later one to see how the series progresses.

Would I Recommend this Book?: Yes.  I may pick a few out for the Tornado when he gets a little bit older and if you enjoyed them as a child I think you'd still enjoy them now.