Category: book review

March 1, 2022

Grace Among Thieves

Grace Among Thieves is the nail-biting third book in the Grace Michelle Mystery historical series. If you like bright-but-beset heroines, breathtaking twists and turns, and the glamor of a lost age, then you’ll adore Kari Bovée’s riveting tale.

About Grace Among Thieves

A priceless heirloom worth its weight in lives. Can she crack the case before she becomes a killer’s trophy?

Hollywood, 1924. Grace Michelle’s professional star has risen. Now a successful costumier for a major studio, the ambitious woman has just about everything she wants. But when the father she thought was dead reaches out to reconnect, the talented designer doesn’t know what to think… especially after his new wife is kidnapped.

Discovering her dad is mixed up with a stolen Russian artifact, Grace puts her sleuthing skills to work to rescue the abducted lady. But with a famous actress murdered in connection with the missing valuable and a man she put away stalking her for revenge, the frazzled amateur detective fears getting to the bottom of this crime will leave her six feet under.

Can she hunt down the treasure before it bankrupts the lives of everyone she loves?

My Thoughts

There is so much to love about this historical mystery that I could not put down. I love our characters, the unique plot and their development.

Grace is an amazing young woman who comes from a difficult background – losing her parents at a young age, becoming homeless and finding a way on their own on the streets. She is strong, calm and fiercely protective of her loved ones and those who are in her care. She is also empathetic and kind – she is the pillar in the storm in this book. She also has an ability to solve crimes and think fast on her feet. She not only helped solve her own sister’s murder, she now finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery. This time the stakes are even higher, when her Father (whom she longed believed dead) returns to look for her help. The mystery keeps evolving as the story unfolds and definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I loved the plot and the twists in this story. You were never too sure what to expect next and that is my favourite part of a story. Solving the crimes and the mystery behind the valuable, historical item hits very close to home for Grace in this story but she keeps her cool about her through every step of the novel. There were a few times that my heart was sore for her character as she dealt with many emotions that having her Father back in the picture would resurface. But throughout all of this, her character was focused and some of that may have had to do with the calming, spiritual presence of her sister (yes – her sister who was murdered is still very much a part of this story). The ending was definitely not what I expected but made the story.

Grace Among Thieves is a fast paced, suspenseful novel that will have you on the edge of your seat as you dive into Grace’s Hollywood world.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

When she’s not on a horse riding along the beautiful cottonwood-laden acequias of Corrales, New Mexico; or basking on white sand beaches under the Big Island Hawaiian sun, Kari Bovée is escaping into the past—scheming murder and mayhem for her characters both real and imagined in her historical mystery novels.

Kari Bovée writes the award-winning Annie Oakley mystery series and the Grace Michelle mystery series. In 2020, she was honored with First Place in category for the Chanticleer International Clue Awards for her book Folly at the Fair. In 2019 she was awarded the NM/AZ Book Awards Hillerman Award for her novel Girl with a Gun. The novel also received First Place in the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards in the Mystery/Crime category, and won First in Category in the International Chanticleer Murder & Mayhem Awards. It was also a finalist in the 2019 Next Generation Indie Awards. Her novel Grace in the Wings won First in Category for the 2019 International Chanticleer Chatelaine Awards. Peccadillo at the Palace won Grand Prize in the 2019 Goethe Awards, and was a finalist in the 2019 Best Book Awards Historical Fiction category.

Kari Bovée has worked as a technical writer for a Fortune 500 Company, has written non-fiction for magazines and newsletters, and has worked in the education field as a teacher and educational consultant.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

Enter to win a $35 PayPal gift card, autographed copy of GRACE AMONG THIEVES, and gift basket containing mouse pad, mug, and tote bag courtesy of the author of the Grace Michelle Mysteries! Enter here.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 16, 2022

Royal Trivia: Your Guide to the Modern British Royal Family

Royal Trivia: Your Guide to the Modern British Royal Family is geared toward fans of Netflix’s The Crown or anyone who loves the royals, this book is a great way to keep up with (and quiz your friends about!) one of the most iconic families in the world.

About Royal Trivia: Your Guide to the Modern British Royal Family

Test your knowledge of Kate, William, Meghan, Harry, Diana, Charles and Elizabeth II!

This collection of fascinating facts and anecdotes about the British monarchy will keep you in the know and ready to impress with tid bits on all your favorite modern royals—perfect for cocktail hour (or afternoon tea) conversation. From the jaw-dropping weddings and headline-making fashion moments, to the births of new royals and history behind the most regal events, this book has trivia for any enthusiast. Inside you’ll find the royal scoop, including:

Details about the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Drama decoded, from the Sussexes’ move to Montecito to the Cambridges’ path to the throne.
Facts about Princess Diana’s royal courtship Sartorial specifics (hello, revenge dress).
And so much more!

Geared toward fans of Netflix’s The Crown or anyone who loves the royals, this book is a great way to keep up with (and quiz your friends about!) one of the most iconic families in the world.

My Thoughts

Similar to Rachel, my first exposure to the royal family and all things British was through my Mom. She adores the royal family and had us waking up early to watch weddings, events and funerals. Her cabinets are full of commemorative cups, plates and more of the royal family. While I think they are a lovely family and love watching their weddings and following them on television, I must admit that I didn’t know too much about them.

I couldn’t wait to dive into this adorable book that promised a collection of facts and stories about the famous family. The book covers The Cambridges, The Sussexes, Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth, as well as providing a family tree and further resources if you would like to learn more. Although each chapter covers a specific branch of the family (such as Will and Kate, Harry and Meghan) you will find some additional tidbits of information on other figures of the family in these chapters. The facts that were contained in the book were new to me (some I knew a little bit about for example, that Prince William was the first royal born at a hospital or Princess Diana’s struggles with bulimia) and were not what I was expecting at all. I had no idea that a then 19 year old Princess Elizabeth and her 14 year old sister, Margaret, were able to leave the Palace and celebrate with the public on May 8, 1945 – what street did she dance down and what did they experience? Or that Princess Diana was laid to rest with a gifted set of rosary beads and a photo of her children – but who were those beads from?

Royal Trivia was easy to read and I appreciated the smaller size of the book, which would make it great for trivia nights. It has a wealth of knowledge on the royal family with interesting facts that are geared towards both those with limited knowledge of the royal family and for those who cannot get enough. Royal Trivia will make a great gift for those who love all things royal, especially with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year (70 years of service to her people!).

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Authors

Rachel Bowie is cohost of the Royally Obsessed podcast, recently named one of the best podcasts of 2021 by Town & Country. She’s also director of special projects for PureWow.com, a role that has led her to cover the royals—say, test driving Kate Middleton’s go-to coat brand or penning an op-ed about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s future beyond the Palace—among other subjects for over six years. Her love of the royals was sealed at a young age following the death of Princess Diana, but also growing up as a mega-fan of Prince William.

Roberta Fiorito is cohost of the Royally Obsessed podcast, recently named one of the best podcasts of 2021 by Town & Country. She’s also senior editor of branded content at Gallery Media Group, and has covered the royal beat for PureWow.com for over five years, meticulously poring over every Meghan Markle sighting and Kate Middleton outfit choice. She’s been a devotee of the royals ever since her family moved to Scotland for a year, where she was immersed in U.K. culture and history.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

January 28, 2022

The Healing of Natalie Curtis Book Review

Author Jane Kirkpatrick weaves a lyrical tale based on a true story in The Healing of Natalie Curtis that will keep readers captivated to the very end.

About The Healing of Natalie Curtis

Classically trained pianist and singer Natalie Curtis isolated herself for five years after a breakdown just before she was to debut with the New York Philharmonic. Guilt-ridden and songless, Natalie can’t seem to recapture the joy music once brought her. In 1902, her brother invites her to join him in the West to search for healing. What she finds are songs she’d never before encountered–the haunting melodies, rhythms, and stories of Native Americans.

But their music is under attack. The US government’s Code of Offenses prohibits American’s indigenous people from singing, dancing, or speaking their own languages as the powers that be insist on assimilation. Natalie makes it her mission not only to document these songs before they disappear but to appeal to President Teddy Roosevelt himself, who is the only man with the power to repeal the unjust law. Will she succeed and step into a new song and a new future?

My Thoughts

Natalie is a young woman caught in time – she was once a classically trained pianist on her way to her debut when a breakdown and illness halted her career and life for her in general. Now she finds herself at home, forcing herself to get up and carry on with life but not really living. Her brother, who he himself had made his way to the West to find himself, encourages her to come visit him and this is where her story really begins.

Natalie not only finds physical healing, capturing a portion of her strength and love of life – she finds such beauty not only in the natural environment but the amazing people she meets. She finds the power of music again when she meets the Indigenous community in this area and the music and dancing of their people. But she is also confronted first hand with the unjust and terrible laws that are tearing apart and destroying the Indigenous community. She is a first hand witness to the cruelty of the laws that are not only taking away their rich culture but an attempt to erase them from history. Natalie at first does not know how to help but she knows there is something she must do. She uses her position to push the importance of preserving the Indigenous way of life – their music, their history and culture and language. She devotes her time to establishing trust and recording the songs, dance and stories of the people (there were so many Indigenous people that she worked so hard to try to capture) but in a way that ensured it was their voice speaking and that she did not add her own influence and voice.

I enjoyed this story and while it did speak to Natalie and the work that she did, it also told the powerful story of the Indigenous people, what they suffered at the hands of the government and ensured that this story was at the fore front. It is a truly special story.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of 40 books, including Something Worth Doing, One More River to Cross, Everything She Didn’t Say, All Together in One Place, A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award. Jane divides her time between Central Oregon and California with her husband, Jerry, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Caesar. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

January 28, 2022

A Deep Divide Book Review

In A Deep Divide, with her past behind her, she has nothing — and everything — to lose.

About A Deep Divide

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can’t let go of the deep-rooted fear that he’s just like every other wealthy man she’s known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

My Thoughts

Emma Grace is a girl on the run from her past – a past so many would envy from the outside, until they learn the truth of her family, greed and the importance of money over family.

At a very young age, Emma Grace had to learn the hard way that money and power mean more to the world to her Father then even her and the love of family. Despite the wealth and privilege she has, she escapes in the middle of the night and never looked back. While she finds employment that she loves, she is constantly on the run – never allowing herself a break, never allowing herself a friend or ever allowing her guard down. She changes everything about herself to ensure that no one will know her past, mostly out of fear for her own life.

All of this changes when she arrives at the Grand Canyon. Whether it is the sheer beauty of the Grand Canyon in all of its glory and power, or out of exhaustion, Emma Grace learns to trust again. She finds friendship for the first time in a long time, and you find your heart aching for her. You want her to know her worth and that she deserves such a beautiful future, one that is as kind, full of love and patience just like her. When she meets Ray, he is so much like her in his views on society and money, it almost feels to good to be true. You want her to trust him, but you can also understand why she would hold a part of herself back. The story takes quite the turn, when her past collides with the present for better or for worse. She finds herself at a crossroads – she must either walk away or finally confront her past in order to move forward with her future.

I loved every moment of this special story, and would love to see a part two to Emma Grace’s story. I fell in love with her character and her journey through healing, trusting again and overcoming fear and uncertainty to embrace our future. A definite must read!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction books including The Heart of Alaska series and The Treasures of Nome series. Kim and her incredible husband of twenty-nine-plus years have two adult children. She loves the gift of story and is passionate about music and Bible study. You can connect with Kimberley on her website www.kimberleywoodhouse.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

January 28, 2022

After She Falls Book Review

In After She Falls, she’s always had that fire in her. She just needs to find it again.

About After She Falls

Strong-willed Adri Rivera nearly achieved her goal of being a professional mixed martial artist, but then she fell in love with a man who knocked all the fight out of her. When their abusive, tumultuous relationship finally comes to a head, Adri flees with their young daughter to her small hometown in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she must face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together again.

A hardened Max Lyons can’t believe Adri is back in town after abruptly cutting him and everyone else off years ago. Despite the distance that grew between them, he feels compelled to help her regain her independence and offers her a job at his gym. But regaining each other’s trust is another matter, made even more complicated by the lingering spark between them. As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, she trains for a big tournament with Max’s help, but they’ll both have to confront their own doubts in order to rise victorious.

My Thoughts

After She Falls is an amazing tale of strength, healing and growth as Adri leaves her abusive husband in order to salvage a life for her and her daughter in the town she grew up in. She finds a lot of her healing back fighting – something her heart and mind never gave up on.

Adri is an incredible character who landed on hard times. At a very young age, she met and fell in love with a man who was not all he seemed to be. He pulled her away from her family, friends and everything she loved after she fell pregnant with their child. Adri did everything she could to keep her family together, until enough was enough. She flees their home with their daughter and returns to her hometown and the man who raised and loved her. While she wants to move on with her life, when she comes in contact with an old friend (and flame) and martial arts – she knows the only way to move forward is to complete all of the things that she had left undone. This is true for not only her martial arts but also her relationships.

While this novel could be triggering for some individuals, I do feel it has a very strong message for readers. While her husband did everything he could to control Adri and make her feel no sense of control or worth, once she left him Adri learned how strong she truly was. She learns to let go of her past, things she could not change or control and move forward. She learns to not only love herself but she learns to love and trust in others again. She also finds her strength in competing, allowing herself to dream big and train hard. After She Falls is a powerful story of faith, strength and courage.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Carmen Schober is a debut novelist, wife, full-time mother to two daughters, avid boxer, and Rocky enthusiast. A graduate of Kansas State University, where she earned a master’s degree in English literature and creative writing, she currently lives in Manhattan, Kansas. She has published sports fiction in Witness magazine and Hobart Pulp, and she regularly blogs about faith, family, and fighting. Learn more at www.carmenschober.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.