Books, Books, Books, and a Cat

This was another excellent book by Charmaine Wilkerson.  Part of the book takes place in France where Ebby is trying to get away from being left at the altar by her fiance.  Ebby has grown up in an affluent black family but her life has been touched by tragedy.  When she was young her brother was killed during a home invasion.  As we follow Ebby's story we also learn about a vase that was created by a slave and ancestor of their family.  The book transports the reader in time to learn more about the vase and Ebby's ancestors from when her ancestor was captured in Africa to how the vase inspired their family's transformation today.   This was a story that flowed even though there were different view points and time periods.  I was fully engaged the entire time as I was invested in Ebby's family and what really happened with Baz and the vase.  I also thought it brought up important social issues that still need to be addressed.  A wonderfu...

 This was an excellent start to a new series.   Zo has lost everything when she learns that she has received an inheritance from an unknown relative.  She travels to Divinity, Louisiana and finds out that she stands to inherit millions as well as a home but there are some very strange and constricting conditions.  She soon finds out that everything she has known is not what it seems.  She is thrust into a  world of witches and other paranormal creatures.  She must keep her head and find out everything she can if she is going to survive. Karen Marie Moning is one of my all time favorite authors because of her writing. She blends mystery, romance, fantasy, and suspense in this must read story.  I love that Zo is a strong female. She is an interesting character who is not afraid to fight for what she thinks is right.  The best part of the book was how the author kept unfolding the events so that I had to read more.  The ending is a cli...

This was more family drama than a mystery/thriller. Set on Capri, the Lingate family is once again vacationing at the home where Sarah Lingate died in 1992.  Her death was ruled a suicide but many people disagreed with that verdict.  Now in the present another disappearance has occurred and events seem to be repeating themselves. Told from several different points of view the reader is left wondering what really happened to Sarah, and Lorna.   I enjoyed reading about the picturesque setting however in terms of keeping my interest this book failed.  The book was a little slow and predictable at points.  I also ended up not liking any of the characters.  All of them were selfish and money hungry.  It is hard to be invested in a book when you really don't like the characters.  There were a couple of twists at the end but I am left with several questions.  Overall, this book was only ok for me.  

An amazing novella that had me sobbing yet filled with hope. I love Sophie Kinsella's books and I really hope she gets her happy ending. This book is based on her life yet it is fiction. However as a reader you can sympathize with what she really must be going through based on Eve's life. My own father died of cancer and this book really resonated with me. If you have ever read any Sophie Kinsella book, you have to read this book. I will warn you though bring the Kleenex but know that as heartbreaking as it is, it is filled with hope, strength, and love.

  Greek mythology meets colonial America, yes, that is a must read for me!  This novel alternates from the past and present.  The past is Thelia's life as a siren having been banished to an island when she failed to protect Proserpina. The present is Thelia in Roanoke, on a quest to save her sisters and herself.   This was such a unique book filled with action, mystery, violence, and a little romance.  It was a story of survival and women empowerment.  The writing flowed and I was completely invested in what was going to happen.  I did enjoy the Colonial America setting more than when Thelia is on Scopuli.  The author did a great job of showing what it would be like for a former Greco/Roman woman who was turned into a monster, to become a Colonial American woman.  The entire premise was engaging.   If you enjoy historical fiction novels especially ones with mythology and strong female characters this is a unique book that you w...