Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Full Bodied Murder by Christine E. Blum


Blum opens the first novel of her new Rose Avenue Wine Club series with the main character having just left her marriage and moving with her dog across the country. Written in the first person point of view, the perspective is limited to what Halsey knows, which leads to some characters feeling underdeveloped. While more is learned about them along the way, there are loads of different characters in this novel, which may confuse readers —readers will have to pay very close attention and take notes.
Annie "Halsey" Hall is welcomed into her new neighborhood by being invited to a wine club run by the residents on her new block.  She enters the first house she comes to with the door open and stumbles onto a murder scene. Now she is a suspect and the police are focusing on her, so Halsey takes it upon herself to play detective and begins looking at everyone a bit closer — even those in the wine club who have decided to help her find the murderer. Some strange things are happening on and around her block ... will she straighten it all out before the police decide that she is the killer?(KENSINGTON, Dec., 320 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by: 
Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews
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Monday, June 11, 2018

A Christmas Return by Anne Perry


This new novel in Anne Perry’s Christmas Novella series features Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, Mariah Ellison. Charlotte doesn’t make an appearance, as the book revolves around the grandmother and her younger years. If this is the first Anne Perry book you have picked up, it will be confusing due to the many established characters and history. If you are looking for a short, quick read, this is the one for you.
Mariah Ellison has secrets in her past that are brought to the present after a mysterious Christmas gift is delivered to her door. She is summoned by a friend she last saw 20 years ago because her friend’s deceased husband’s reputation is at stake. Mariah is asked to figure out what happened all those years ago when her husband supposedly tragically died. Will she be able to discover the truth behind what happened? Or will she be too late to save her frail friend from public ruin? (BALLANTINE, Nov., 192 pp., $20.00)
Reviewed by: 
Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews
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Thursday, June 7, 2018

Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones




SHADOWSONG

Author(s): 
S. Jae-Jones
Jae-Jones has created an enthralling storyline in this sequel to her debut, Wintersong. This is a coming-of-age novel and written in the first person limited point of view. The story takes place six months after the main character returns to "the world above." It’s best to read this as the second of a duology, though it is detailed enough to be read as a standalone. You will laugh, cry, be shocked and even annoyed! Shadowsong perfectly ties up all the loose ends but leaves the reader wanting more. You will not want to miss this amazing tale; prepare to stay up late just to see what happens next.
Liesl and her sister have heard tales all their lives about the Goblin King and the Underground. Liesl has retrieved her sister from the Underground after her abduction by the Goblin King. Joseph, Liesl's brother, is stuck in a faraway land after the death of his mentor. Liesl and her sister receive money from a mysterious, music-loving benefactor to travel to Joseph. The old laws broke when Liesl returned from the Underground, causing chaos and the Wild Hunt to walk above. Will Joseph thank or turn on Liesl for keeping the whole of his existence secret? And can Liesl save her brother, plus the austere young man she met and the world above before the Wild Hunt finds her? (THOMAS DUNNE, Feb., 400 pp., $18.99, 15 & Up)
Reviewed by: 
Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews
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Mount Hope by Sarah Price

Price creates an enthralling Amish retelling of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Written in the third person limited point of view, we follow a young Amish girl as she grows up. Fanny makes us think of Cinderella, the way she helps her cousins and aunts. We feel for Fanny and her daily struggles as she tries to live with a family that is really not her own, especially when her uncle starts pushing her to marry someone she feels is unsuitable. We encounter love, heartache, deceit, adultery and more. Recommended for anyone looking for a fast, enjoyable read.
At age 10, Fanny Price is sent to Mount Hope, Ohio to live with a prosperous family on her mother's side that she never met because her father could not provide for his large Amish family. Fanny didn't see this move as the blessing it was until she is sent back home eight years later. When Fanny first arrived, Elijah Bontrager, her Aunt's then 13-year-old stepson, was the only one to befriend her and stick with her through the years. Fanny never wants to lose the friendship she has with Elijah, but Elijah only sees her as a sister. (REALMS, Sep., 304 pgs, $14.99)

Reviewed by Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews
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Friday, September 1, 2017

THE TWO OF US by Victoria Bylin

Inspirational Romance
Victoria Bylin
4 stars

Written in the third person, this fast-paced novel overcomes many emotional, physical and spiritual obstacles. Readers see the characters’ spiritual struggles and how they prevail over their doubts and fears. This great inspirational romance follows two couples in very different situations. Job well done!

SUMMARY:
Nurse practitioner Mia Robinson gets a call one day from her young sister Lucy with some life-changing news. Not only is Lucy planning to marry her boyfriend Sam in Las Vegas, but she is also pregnant! Determined to stop the wedding, Mia has no idea that the man she meets hours before the ceremony has strong ties to Sam. Police officer Jake Tanner has vowed to support Sam in any way he can after Sam’s mom died in the line of fire, including being his best man and helping the couple convince Mia to take a chance on love, like they did. Sam, who is still in school, worries about being away from his new wife for extended periods of time. Lucy agrees to live with Sam in the guest room of Jake's home and care for Jake's mother, who has dementia, during the day, giving each the companionship they need. Jake wants nothing more than to create a camp for boys like Sam, to honor his partner and teach other individuals simple things like how to change a tire. Will Jake see his dreams realized or will the town stop him, letting past events, and Jake's mothers mental decline, influence their judgement? Will Mia be able to step out of her comfort zone in order to find her own happiness or will she let her fears overwhelm her and ruin everyone else's happiness? (BETHANY HOUSE, Aug., 352 pp., $13.99)



Jenny Flacone
9780764217388
August 8, 2017
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