This Book is a Top 10 for the Year Read

 

I picked up this book from my local library and I am so happy that I gave it a shot. It's not my normal genre, but is always good to branch out.  This story grabbed me and didn't let go. Joe Milan Jr. puts our main character through the wringer!  

In the most broad sense, this is a coming-of-age story.  A story where our main character thinks he knows who he is and his place in the world only to have his preconceived notions of himself turn out to be very, very wrong.  The book takes place in the Pacific Northwest and South Korea. Don't let the title throw you off, this isn't really a book about a football star.  I just finished a fantasy YA book that had similar themes, and for me what makes The All-American stand out is that this isn't a story where our MC has any unique skills or abilities. He is just an average Joe.   He gets beat down and loses the little he has and at times he has no one and only maybe five bucks to his name --and he doesn't even know how to properly pronounce his name!  

Five Stars, please give this book a read!

Rogue Justice by Stacey Abrams

 

On June 1st, I went with a friend to see Stacey Abrams in conversation with Jake Tapper.  Not only is  Jake Tapper on CNN, but he actually has written a few fiction books...mystery fiction books. This event was all about two writers talking about the craft and their upcoming books. As part of the event, I got a copy of Rogue Justice that has a signed bookplate.  

Rogue Justice is the second book in Stacey Abrams' Avery Keene series. Avery Keene is a super smart Supreme Court clerk who finds herself in the crosshairs of some super bad people. Together with her smarts and her Scooby Doo band of eclectic friends she basically has to save the world from fascism.  Stacey Abrams writes intricate and interesting thrillers. Both books in this series are can't put down books so plan your time well before opening this book, and know as soon as this book ends you'll be ready for the next book.  If I recall correctly Stacey Abrams is working on that book now. Can't wait! 

5 stars!  

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

This is the follow-up book to Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House.  I didn't refresh myself prior to starting this book which I listened to versus read with my eyes. I enjoy the narrator for this series and I was able to pick back up in the world fairly easily.  I liked that this book tied up some storylines that I really needed to be tied up, but left off just as our heroes go to another realm.  I'll be reading book three the moment it is available. 

One of the reasons I really enjoy this series is how magic is centered at Yale University. It makes sense that if there were magic that it would flourish at universities, a place teaming with new adults having experiences for the first time and discovering what they want to become. 

If you like fantasy, or if you liked Leigh Bardugo's other series, definitely give this one a try, I think you'll be quite pleased. 

Now apropos of nothing, I saw this online recently and I beg to differ. I like my chili over spaghetti and topped with cheese and onions. I've never had it with cinnamon rolls. How about you? 

 

Where Does The Time Go?

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

I swear the last few weeks have gone by in the blink of an eye and I really slacked off on posting here!  I have been reading, as always I'd like to read more, and since there are only so many hours in the day and I swear I spend at least three hours a day minimum on just laundry, dishes, and cooking--I'm working on getting back to listening to more books. Audiobooks are amazing and it helps me to keep up with what I want to read. 

I have decided this is our Midwestern Summer.  In May I traveled with friends to Wisconsin. In June Tom and I went to a wedding in Kohler, WI.  At the end of June we went  and stayed in Downtown, Chicago and during the 4th of July weekend we went on a day trip to Crown Point, IN.  In August we are going to Minnesota and then I think in September we are going to St. Louis.

The Midwest is awesome.  I highly recommend you make a plan to visit us here in the Midwest.  I am partial to Chicago since we live in the suburbs. Chicago has amazing food--so many restaurants. And loads of free activities. While w were downtown I went to a free concert in Millenium Park for example. 

Bookwise I have several books to blog about including:

Big Little Spells Thank You Net Galley

 

This book is the follow-up to the book Small Town, Big Magic. I believe that this book takes place right after book one.   Big Little Spells will be out on August 29th, so you have plenty of time to read that book and then pre-order this book.  

I liked aspects of this book and didn't connect with other aspects. If you like stories involving witches, this one takes place in Missouri, but it's a secret witchy town so no 'humans'. I felt a bit lost as I read, not knowing if more of the motivations and backstories would have been clearer if I had read book one.  The book is told from the POV of our main character Rebekah she was exiled from her community when she was a teen and this book references her teen years frequently but I didn't feel like I had a good understanding of what the deal was, even when the big incident of her teen years is revealed.  I could have benefited from a whole book with her and her sister and her friends from their senior year of HS. 

I liked that Rebekah had been in therapy and used those techniques to deal with issues that came up when she arrived back home. For the romance portion of the book, because this is a closed-door romance, I would have enjoyed a lot more build-up and pining. If you like witch books and don't really care for detailed romance I think this book will be a good fit for you--the romance is there and is a plot point but it's not too in your face--I apparently do like in-your-face romance! 

I read other reviews of this book and it seems that the consensus is if you like Hazel Beck's works or enjoyed the first book in the series, you are going to love this one! 

3 stars--thanks Net Galley for the ARC!  All opinions are mine! 

Those Empty Eyes- An Engaging Thriller

 

I've enjoyed every Charlie Donlea book I have read so I was excited to put this on hold at my local library and waited eagerly for my hold to come up.  This book is told mainly through the POV of a young woman who was accused of killing her own family and even after vindication in court, conspiracy theories abound and she has to take on a new identity.  This is just the tip of the iceberg of this story, so you are not being spoiled here. 

This book is a stand-alone story, BUT for fans of Charlie Donlea like me, about 80% into this story a side character from Charlie Donlea's book universe arrives on the scene.  The book has a resolution to all the questions the book asks, but also leaves room where I could see Charlie Donlea writing about the further adventures of our MC or one of the villains! Fun stuff! Great for vacation reading! 

5 stars!

****** 

My own personal writing update, I've started drafting my story!  I've written about 2000 words so far, just a really rough draft and who knows where it will all end--but I'm having fun getting to know these characters! 

The Sunday Post - School is Out For Summer

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

Happy summer my friends!  My last day at school was on Monday!  My plan is more reading--the last few weeks I was busy and wasn't finding the time to read. I did go to a book talk with Stacey Abrams interviewed by Jake Tapper.  I enjoyed her first book in this political thriller series While Justice Sleeps and this one takes place just a few months later.  Stacey Abrams is very good at that sense of urgency that make a good thriller and her plots are possible, not likely but not impossible where it takes you out of the story. 

And speaking of thrillers I recently finished reading Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea, whose books I always enjoy; I'll post a review of that book this week. 

I finished watching Queenmaker on Netflix, it is a Korean political thriller and it's quite good. If you liek a thriller, check it out!  What have you been up to? How is your summer going? 

 

Rehearsed to Death By Frank Anthony Polito

Here is the first paragraph of the description  of Rehearsed To Death:

"Hart to Hart via HGTV, this fabulous new quozy (queer cozy) mystery series by award-winning author and playwright Frank Anthony Polito’s features a gay couple who solve crimes while renovating houses in suburban Detroit as part of their hit reality show Domestic Partners. Now, their foray into community theater proves a major risk thanks to some deadly improvisation . . ."

When I was a wee lass, I LOVED Hart to Hart, the best detectives on TV!  So it's no wonder I enjoy this new series by Mr. Polito.  This is the second book in his series, and it's rare in two ways.  1. Instead of one amateur slueth we have an engaged couple--fun! I like having a couple instead of someone all on their own. 2. The couple in question is gay, there aren't very many cozy mysteries that have gay characters. 

In this book, the action and drama takes place on and off the stage as PJ's play Blue Tuesday is being produced and JP is the male lead.  I really enjoyed that in book one the focus was on their HDTV show and now in this book we have a focus on the play and the theater, a change of venue, really fun.

The story is told from PJ's point of view, almost as if we are reading his diary and I like this style.  If you read this book, keep in mind that this is going to be filled with humor alongside the more serious themes of murder and whatnot! 

4 Stars for Rehearsed To Death 

Thank you Net Galley for the electronic ARC, all opinions are my own!

Thank You Net Galley! A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert

 Because I enjoy Victoria Gilbert's Booklovers B & B Cozy Series, I requested her new mystery A Cryptic Clue from Net Galley. I'm not sure if this book is categorized as a Cozy, but it does have cozy elements, including an amateur sleuth, and no swearing. 

 I think it is more in Agatha Cristie's or Sherlock Holmes's style.  Cam Clewe is a thirty-something second-generation multi-millionaire (maybe even a billionaire?). He hires Jane Hunter, a former college librarian, to catalog his extensive collection of books, memorabilia, art, and more on his sprawling estate.   Cam is a handsome introvert with anxiety issues and perhaps OCD or ADHD.  Jane has a past that involved domestic violence.  Of course, not too much time passes before someone stumbles across a body, and Cam asks Jane to help him investigate who's the killer--since he is a prime suspect.

Victoria Gilbert gives us a large, but manageable, cast of suspects and some nice red herrings.  This first book solves the main mystery of who killed the person who died at Cam's estate, and in the end, Hunter and Clewe decide to work together to solve cold cases. I enjoyed the mystery and the pairing of 30-something Cam and 60-something Jane--something a little different in the main characters. If you enjoy mysteries, give this book a try, you'll enjoy it! 

My First Amazon First Read WOW-- So Good!

 

I usually forget to check out the free Amazon First Reads, but this month I remembered and I chose this book based on the cover. It looked interesting.  I read it in three sittings it was so good. This is the first book in what will hopefully be a nice series. As such it has several things going for it:

1. I was easily able to keep track of the characters.

2. A big bad problem was solved at the end of the book, so there's nice closure while plenty of other plates are in the air to make me want to read what happens next. 

3. Both POV characters are women. This seems like a rarity and I'd like to read more of it. 

The world-building is strong and the magic system is well thought out.  Some of what happens is really creepy and I would say this book has elements of Horror.  In total coincidence, part of the magic in this book involves people becoming stone statues, an element that is also in the KDrama Alchemy of Souls that I just finished watching.  

What do you think? Have you read anything else by Beth Cato or are you looking for a new fantasy book to read? 

5 Stars