Books, Books, Books, and a Cat

 I really enjoy Rainbow Rowell's novels and this one did not disappoint.  The connection between Shiloh and Cary is the bread and butter of any good romance.   There were many laugh out loud moments as well as times when I wanted to throttle the main characters and tell them to get their act together.  The novel was told in a non linear fashion which helped the reader stay present with what the characters were experiencing but also gave  great back story and insight into their motivations.  I also loved the setting of this book.  I don't often read books set in Nebraska and any time I read about characters who went to high school in the 1990s it always makes me nostalgic.  The romance in this book was more of a slow burn but it was well worth it. I definitely recommend this novel and look forward to reading more covers by this author.

Imagine being transported into your favorite television show and living out the main character's life.  I adored this premise because I have felt the same way at one point in my life. This novel alternates between Brynn and Josh's point of view.  Both are characters that you can fall in love with.  Brynn is struggling with her new life which means the loss of her best friend after her divorce and a roommate, Josh.  Josh is a bartender struggling with the loss of his father and his family's bar.  They both get transported into Brynn's favorite television show that was canceled years ago.  What follows is a magical rom-com that I adore.  There were so many moments to fall in love with in this book.  This is a great romance with some steamy scenes.  It also has great characters that you are rooting for as well as a dash of magic.  There is also a wonderful message at the heart of this book.  I highly recommend Prime Time Romance. ...

  This was an extremely enjoyable rom-com! What made it even better is that it was written by one of my favorite authors who usually writes fantasy novels.  This had all of the perfect elements of a romance that you can lose yourself in.  Set in the Yukon, the reader gets alternate view points between Daphne and Chris.  Both characters were strong, funny, and likable.  I found myself rooting for both of them and wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next.  There was also a great message behind the story.  I love when the author can write an entertaining story that can also inspire you.  This was a fun, romance and I can't wait to see what this author writes next!

     Oye is unique in that it is a series of phone calls that tell a story.  I'll be honest that it was a little confusing at times.  Most of the story is told by Luciana as she calls her sister who is away at college.  In the phone calls you learn all about her grandmother who at first was left alone during a hurricane and then later is going through a health crisis. There is a lot that goes on and there are some really interesting back stories about the grandmother.  However this book just wasn't for me.  I didn't like the phone call format.  I just wasn't as invested as I would have liked to be.  Plus there were italics that showed when other people were talking but I had a hard time following who was speaking.  I would recommend this book to people looking for a unique type of book about family relationships. 

  What an amazing woman! I feel horrible to admit that I knew nothing about Frances Perkins and I majored in history in college. I am in awe of all that this woman accomplished in her lifetime. The fact that she is not more celebrated is a travesty! This novel is great historical fiction. In reading about Frances, I never felt bored or lost interest. Sometimes this can happen when writing about real people especially someone who is in politics. I thought the author did a great job describing aspects of her life that are not known about. I feel like I learned a lot, but I was also entertained and wanted to keep reading. This was a wonderful book that really enlightens the reader about Frances Perkins and all that she did to improve our country. Historical fiction at its finest!

 This book is a must read of the series!  First of all there is so much more to this novel than just a murder mystery set in Victorian Scotland. Mallory is an extremely likable and strong character.  I love the fact that she is bringing her 21st century skills to the 19th century.  Second, I learned a little more about the struggle that women faced to practice in the medical field.  Third, I loved that the author keeps you guessing and I never quite figured out the mystery until it was finally revealed.  Plus this novel has a really interesting twist that helps fill in some of the gaps from the previous novels.   I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, time travel, murder mysteries, and strong female characters.  Also this novel touches on ancient Egypt which is always a fascinating subject.  I can't wait to read more.  

  This was a love story unlike any that I have read before.  Augusta Stern is probably the first main character that I have ever read about in her eighties. The book does have a dual timeline so we learn about Augusta in 1987, but also about her life growing up in the 1920s.  There was so much to enjoy.   The background of what Augusta's life was like growing up Jewish in New York City during the 1920s was really interesting.  Seeing how she handled the loss of her mother as well as the struggle to become a pharmacist when women were still expected to just marry and have babies.  The best part though was her relationship with her Aunt Esther and the magic/mystery surrounding her.  The reader also learns about Irving and what his life entailed.  However, hands down, the best part of the book was Augusta and Irving's life in their Florida retirement village.  This was a fantastic novel about second chances with a dash of magic.  This ...

  From the first couple of pages I was intrigued.  Boys who have been lost for months suddenly appear out of the woods.  Flash forward 15 years and now one of those lost boys finds lost girls.   Emilie, wants to find her sister that she has never met.  She wants Jeremy to find her but it means he must go back into the woods where he was lost.  To do that he is going to need his best friend and former lost boy, Rafe.  However there is so much more to this story.  I loved how the book was set up.  The world building was impressive and I felt like I was transported to the woods.  This story is a fairy tale but it is also about friendship, love, and family.  What I liked most was that the characters had to overcome their own personal demons in order to succeed on their journey.  A great version of an adult fairy tale. It just needs a sequel.  

  This was a great sequel to "The Last Mrs. Parrish."  I really enjoyed the first book and did not see the big twist so I had high hopes for this book. I was not disappointed.   This book picks up about a year after the first one.  As much as the reader would wish for a happy ever after ending for Daphne, that is not what is happening when it comes to her older daughter.  In an effort to help her daughter's mental state, she ends up back in Connecticut for the summer.  The book tells Daphne's story, as well as Amber's, just like the last book.  This book however, also introduces us to a new character, Daisy Ann. She was a great addition and I enjoyed figuring out how she was going to fit into the story.   The book was another great thriller and I enjoyed the drama and tension.  It is a must read especially if you enjoyed the first book.  I enjoyed getting to know the characters even more and Amber's backstory was really interes...

  Neferura will transport you back to ancient Egypt, into a world filled with drama, espionage, and court politics.  It is a fascinating, account of one of the only daughters of two pharaohs.  Hatshepsut was the first female pharaoh who did amazing things with her rule during a time when women ruling should have been unthinkable.  This story delves into her rule but the main focus is on her daughter, Neferura. What I really enjoyed about this book was Neferura is portrayed as a strong female whose life is not as easy as one would think for having a mother who is a pharaoh.  She has always had to placate her half-brother Thutmose III, who is co-ruler with her mother.  Thutmose hates Neferura and will do all that he can to over throw Hatshepsut and Neferura.  Neferura must use her own wits to figure out a way to out smart Thutmose before he finds out a way to get rid of her permanently.   I love a story that is set in ancient Egypt and this one...