Review: Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a confession.  I turned down an advanced copy of Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett because I thought it would be too romantic for me.  It was being billed as romantasy, and even with the fantastic cover and the lure of cats, I just felt I wouldn't like it.  But, this book did not give up on my.  It kept showing up everywhere.  It was recommended to me repeatedly.  Finally, I decided to put it on hold at the library and let fate decide when/if I should read it.  Well, it came off hold so fast, fate was sending an unmistakable signal.  I now regret turning down the ARC.  There is romance, but I feel in love with the dedication to cat rescue.  The cat shelter isn't a throwaway concept.  It is actually important to the story!  I'm sorry for misjudging you.  If you are passionate about cat rescue and don't mind a little romance, check this out!

Bonus points for so many cats who aren't forgotten throughout the story.  

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Review: The Ministry of Time

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley was billed as a time travel romance which put me off from reading it.  I don't read much romance.  However, a trusted, bookish friend told me I had to give it a try.  In fact, she didn't believe me that it was being a called a romance.  I took her word and started reading.  Honestly, I also wondered why romance was a selling point for it.  There is romance, but it is really about a lot more than that.  It's historical fiction, mystery, and thriller.  It reminded me of the TV show, Beforeigners, and the book, The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.  That is high praise from me because I loved them both.  I really appreciate that this is inspired by real people and real events.  I like an Arctic exploration story.  Graham Gore was a bit of a hottie with a good reputation, so I could see why he is a leading man type. As a former bureaucrat, I am also a sucker for government agencies.    It had so much more going on that I even enjoyed the romantic parts.  

If you like time travel, check this book out even if romance is not your thing. 

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Review: Moonlight and Magic

Moonlight and Magic by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Moonlight and Magic is the fourth book in the Betwixt & Between series by Darynda Jones.  I listened to the audiobook narrated by Traci Odom.  I definitely recommend reading at least one other book in the series before this one for a couple of reasons.  The first reason is the books really do build upon one another so you lose something if you skip around or over any of them.  The second reason is this book focuses a bit more on Annette, the best friend of the main character of the series.  I'm glad she got her own story, but if you started here, it would make less sense.  As to whether you should lister to it or read it, up to you.  My library only had the audiobook, so that's what I went with.  

Moonlight and Magic has plenty of the spicy romance and humor that you get with a Darynda Jones book.  We learn more about Annette and what is going on with her own magical journey.  I'd be really careful about crossing her.  A lot of things that can heal you can also kill you.  If she offers you a coffee, definitely do not drink it no matter how caffeine starved you may be.  Now we just need a book five!

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Review: Beguiled

Beguiled by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beguiled is the third book in the Betwixt & Between series by Darynda Jones.  I recommend reading the books in order to really appreciate the story.  They build on each other.  They are pretty fast reads, so it isn't asking much to just read them all.  

Beguiled is spicy romantasy.  That's not my usual thing, but I love the humor and the characters are always fun.  There is also a coffee dependency that I can relate with hard.  It doesn't hurt that the main character is close to me in age and gives me hope that I can find a hot Scot living in my basement.  I haven't found him yet, but he must be down there somewhere!  I just need to move a few more boxes.  If you like stories of the paranormal, witches and warlocks, and things that go bump in the night, check this out.  Have a fan ready because you will need it!

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Review: Interstellar MegaChef

Interstellar MegaChef by Lavanya Lakshminarayan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interstellar MegaChef is the first book in the Flavour Hacker series by Lavanya Lakshminarayan.  The second book isn't out yet, so you would have to start here.  That would be my recommendation anyway, since this book is the world-building.  It is self-contained so you don't need to read the second book if you aren't ready for a series right now.  

I love a reality cooking competition, so the title of this book really drew me in.  I also love donuts and was very disappointed that I didn't see any in here.  I did however get very hungry while reading and want to eat lots of snacks.  I really enjoyed the diversity of characters and food in this book.  I did not enjoy that some main characters are really unlikeable and what felt unnecessarily mean.  Then again, that may just be a reflection of the world we live in today.  People are unnecessarily mean, especially to people who don't look like them.  I most identified with the Wanderers so that probably didn't help how I felt about Serenity Ko and the potential future of tech.  More space donuts, please!

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Review: They Tried Their Best

They Tried Their Best by Kimlyn Stanyon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of They Tried Their Best by Kimlyn Stanyon from the author via NetGalley.  The book is available now.

I don't always read books just because of their cover, but I did in the case of They Tried Their Best by Kimlyn Stanyon.  It is a beautiful cover!  Yes, I was swayed by the dogs.  I have a type.  This is a novella that is billed as experimental and weird.  I didn't find it that weird at all.  That may say something about me. As a single woman, I could completely relate to the interactions the narrator has with the men in her life.  That part felt very real.  It probably isn't a bad idea to think about building a bunker now too.  There is a twist that I won't give away.  I think that might be the "weird" part.  I liked it.  I appreciated the illustration at the end.  Cute!  If you are looking for something different that you can read in a sitting or two, check this out.  It is cozy dystopia.

Bonus points for Honey, Boo, and not selling out your best friends to save yourself. That would have been my condition too.  

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Review: If You Tame Me

If You Tame Me by Kathie Giorgio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If You Tame Me by Kathie Giorgio drew me in with the promise of an iguana.  It is right there on the cover!  That's all I needed.  I like animals.  I like all animals.  I have considered having an iguana, some other lizard, or an amphibian.  They are interesting.  I have always been afraid I would not be able to keep them alive.   Then along comes Audrey who convinced me that a middle-aged, single woman living in Wisconsin can have an iguana.  There are also parakeets in this book.  I love birds and have had parakeets.  They are a joy.  Maybe I will also get parakeets again. I digress.  There is more to this story than the animals.  Audrey is facing a lot of the issues that women of an age living in today's world are facing.  She has younger friends who don't see these issues the same way she does and is trying to understand them.  Been there.  There were a few things that I thought Audrey was maybe a little too sheltered or naive about or maybe that was just a reason to explain these things for an audience who might not be hip to what single life is currently like.  There is some romance in this book.  If you are not a big romance person (I am definitely not), you can still enjoy this.  

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Review: Shards of Honour

Shards of Honour by Lois McMaster Bujold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shards of Honour is the first book in the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold.  I was recommended this series as something I might like based on many of the other authors I read.  Should you start here?  That's up to you.  The series is not necessarily written in read order.  Lots of people suggest starting with The Warrior's Apprentice instead and coming back to this later as a sort of a prequel to that.  The author actually includes a whole section on the recommended reading order.  You may want to do some research on your own before you decide where to start.  Wherever you start, the writing is great.  I can see why this was recommended to me.  The characters are interesting and engaging.  This book has a bit of romance, whereas other books in the series are more adventure-focused.  I'm looking forward to reading more.

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Review: The Haunting of Maddy Clare

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of The Haunting of Maddy Clare written by Simone St. James and narrated by Pamela Garelick.  This is the kind of book that works well in any format.  You don't lose anything by listening, and it goes by very quickly.  I listened to the whole thing in a day.

The story follows paranormal researchers investigating the poltergiestish haunting of a barn by a mysterious young woman who was believed to have taken her own life there.  She's pretty scary, and she does not like men very much.  It didn't take much for me to guess why, but this is set in the past so people weren't so quick to put two and two together.  Or if they did, they didn't express it because that wasn't the thing to do.  Ghosts aside, there is a romance blooming here too.  That wasn't my favorite part but some people might like a little spice with their ghosts.  If you like a good ghost story and don't mind some mushy bits, check this out.

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Review: An Inquiry Into Love and Death

An Inquiry Into Love and Death by Simone St. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to An Inquiry Into Love and Death written by Simone St. James and narrated by Rosalyn Landor.  Either audiobook or written format are great ways to consume this.  It is not so complex that you lose the plot while listening.  It also went by very quickly.  I finished it in a day.  

Simone St. James is always a great choice for a good ghost story.  This one is no exception.  This one has a somewhat gothic feel to it.  Young woman inherits an estate in a haunted area full of quirky locals who may or may not be dangerous.  A dashing inspector comes out to investigate the death of her relative even though nobody necessarily suspects foul play.  Sparks but not so much that it overwhelms the spooky bits.  It is a little bit Jane Austen meets Shirley Jackson.  

Bonus points for Sultana and Poseidon.

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Review: The Reinvented Heart

The Reinvented Heart by Cat Rambo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of The Reinvented Heart edited by Cat Rambo.  It is an anthology of short science fiction/romance stories by female and nonbinary authors.  I learned about it when Naomi Kritzer read a section of her story at WisCon a few years ago.  I really wanted to hear the rest of the story, so I sought out the book.  The anthology also includes a bunch of my other favorite authors, so I knew I would enjoy a good portion of it.  I don't normally read romance, but when it is presented in an interesting fashion, I am open to exploring it.  And while this can be considered romance, it is not traditional, formulaic romance.  The topics covered make you really think about love and what it means. We call it romance, but the anthology is really more about love in all its many facets.  If you like science fiction, give this a read even if romance isn't your thing.  The writing is excellent.

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Review: Fang Fiction: A Novel

Fang Fiction: A Novel by Kate Stayman-London
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London from Dial Press Trade Paperback via NetGalley.  It is available for purchase now!

I don't usually read romance, but I make an exception for Kate Stayman-London.  Fang Fiction is really for anyone who is into vampires, romance or not.  With Halloween coming up, this was a perfectly timed read.  I mean, what if vampires are real?  And what if you accidentally found yourself thrust into their very dramatic lives because you just happened to be a fan-atic of a book series about vampires.  It could happen.  It might be a dream come true even.  It could also be your worst nightmare if you didn't really pay attention to the details.  Besides having interesting characters and a unique plotline, I love the way this is also told in an epistolary-type fashion with commentary from a variety of characters.  If you want something delightful, and a little steamy, to read this holiday, check it out!  If you aren't into romance, I suggest making the Kate Stayman-London exception.  

Bonus points: I usually reserve bonus points for a very particular inclusion in books.  I'm making another exception here.  Kudos to Kate for including diverse characters so that many people can see themselves reflected here.

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Review: I Did Something Bad

I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

Those who know me know I don't read much in the romance genre. Nothing against romance (I used to read it voraciously). I'm just in a different Era of my life now, and it hits different now. But, I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War grabbed my attention for two reasons: 1) The book title is also a Taylor Swift song, and 2) it was billed as a mystery thriller with romance. I was ...ready for it! The title could have been a coincidence. After reading the book, I don't think it was.  I have reasons.  It definitely was a mystery thriller with romance.  That's the kind of romance I can read.  I also seem to have a thing for books about a journalist writing a piece on a celebrity, so there's that. I almost forgot I was reading a romance, and that is some of the highest praise I can give. 

Now here is the other reason you should read this book. It takes place in Myanmar!  Pyae Moe Thet War is from Myanmar.  This is not someone pretending they know what Myanmar is like. For me, it was fun to be taken somewhere new and given insight into a different culture.

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Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book in the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas.  I would definitely start here because it builds the world of the series.  It reminded me a lot of Beauty and the Beast and a less gruesome Game of Thrones.  If you like either or those, I would pick this up.  The story moves quickly, so I ended up reading it in about two days which says something because it isn't super short.  There is fantasy, romance, and intrigue involved.  I can see why this series is currently very popular.    

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Review: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman is classified as a romance but even I could stomach it, so don't let that turn you off if romance isn't your thing.  If you like books and trivia, this is a fun read.  Nina Hill is a character I very much enjoyed spending time with even if we both probably would have preferred to be alone.  I can also be fiercely competitive at trivia and very much enjoyed the trivia competitions.  I have played some of those teams before.  If you are looking for something delightful, curl up with this book.

Bonus points for Phil!

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Review: The Ghost Ship

The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

The Ghost Ship is the third book in the Burning Chambers series by Kate Mosse.  It is not necessary to read the first two books before this one unless you want the backstory of the family that leads to the main character in this book.  This book goes in a new direction: pirates!  I loved that the main character, Louise, not only pursues her love of sailing to the point of captaining a ship but that she uses her wealth and privilege to take on the worst of the worst, slavers.  Louise ends up bucking societal norms than more ways than that.  You can't help but cheer her on even though you know she plays a dangerous and deadly game.    

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Review: Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren is the kind of romance someone who is not into romances can enjoy.  I'm not even sure how it first came to my attention.  I'm pretty sure no algorithm looked at my typical literary preferences and decided to send this my way.  But however it ended up on my list, I'm glad it did.  

As someone who embraces her weird, I found the title character, Hazel, extraordinarily relatable right down to the random assortment of animals that live with her.  And Josh isn't half bad himself.  He's not some jerk who needs to be reformed or see the error of his ways.  He appears to be a nice, normal, well-adjusted guy.  How refreshing!  If you are looking for some fun, light reading and can stomach romance, pick this up.  

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Review: ‎The Graveside Bar and Grill

‎The Graveside Bar and Grill by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Graveside Bar and Grill is a short story by Darynda Jones that takes place in the Charley Davidson universe.  This story takes place after the 13th book in the series.  If you haven't read the series, don't start here.  If you have read the series and always wanted a little more Donovan St. James in your life, here's your chance.  This has everything you have come to expect from this series, something dark and sinister, something supernatural, a good dose of humor, and some really hot romance.  These novellas give me hope that this series isn't totally finished.

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Review: A Hard Day for a Hangover: A Novel

A Hard Day for a Hangover: A Novel by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of A Hard Day for a Hangover, the third book in the Sunshine Vicram series by Darynda Jones, from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.  I would have read it eventually anyway because I think Jones writes fun books with characters I enjoy.  

I do recommend reading this series in order.  It took me less than a week to read all three books.  I had been saving up the first two while I finished other series. When I received this one, it was time to jump in.  I'm not going to spoil anything by saying each book builds on the one before it.  Jones also dishes up a diverse cast of characters who we are slowly learning more about and are all highlighted as assets for what they bring to the story.  It is refreshing.

I tend to read Darynda Jones for the humor, but if you like a dash of something spicy in your stories, Jones will serve you up a huge, hot helping of dark and brooding.  I don't know if I would actually want to date these guys, as noble as they may be, but please smolder at me.  At the same time, I literally laugh out loud every time Sunshine has the birds and bees chat with her daughter, Auri.  I had never heard the expressions "sin cave" or "devil's doorbell."  Thank you for educating me as well.      

Bonus points for Randy.  I was already enjoying the characters, but Randy put me over the top with joy.  

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Review: A Good Day for Chardonnay

A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Good Day for Chardonnay is the second book in the Sunshine Vicram series by Darynda Jones.  I highly recommend reading the first book before you get here.  Not only do these books go by fast, but they are delightful to read.  

I like to think that if I had had children I would parent like Sunshine Vicram.  I am only just picking up on why Darynda's characters are always obsessed with coffee.  I get it now!  It is not all Sunshine and rainbows in the town of Del Sol though.  Some very dark things happen, but they are balanced out enough with light that you aren't going to be totally bummed reading this.  

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