March Mini Reviews

Only two this month. Click covers to read Goodreads synopses.

I love how Paulette Jiles tells a story. A soldier miraculously comes out of a coma and eventually travels home to Missouri from Virginia. When he finally arrives at his family home he’s met with unexpected and terrible news. He resolves to avenge what transpired and the reader is along for the journey. I was riveted.
I had a library copy of the book but also the audiobook. Grover Gardner’s narration made listening easy.
Recommended to fans of the author’s News of the World and Civil War era fiction.

3.5 stars. While not my highest rated Mimi Matthews HR I was drawn into the story and invested in the HEA. I’m a fan.


 

February Mini Reviews

A compelling novel set in a small Wisconsin town. The equally small police force finds itself contending with murder, the opioid epidemic, and other nefarious events and people. The story grabbed me from the first page and left me hoping for more of the main characters in future books by Amy Pease.

A cute novella from one of my favorite authors.

Enjoyable second chance story. Can stand alone but I recommend the series be read in order. I loved the narration by Samuel Roukin and Elizabeth Knowelden.

A compelling and atmospheric whodunit. I really liked the way Gudenkauf’s story unfolded.


 

January Mini Reviews

This book has inspired so many locked room retellings. I did a hybrid read/listen. Dan Steven’s narration was great.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When a movie adaptation is planned for Chloe Anderson’s debut novel she can’t believe her good fortune. Until, that is, she learns of the actor cast as leading man. He’s THE Hollywood bad boy and it’s up to her to help clean up his PR issues. She’ll have to pretend to be his new love interest. What could go wrong?
Readers who love a fake relationship trope will want to grab a copy. It’s an easy, predictable read which is sometimes the perfect read.


Entertaining cat and mouse page turner. Great narration kept me listening to one more chapter.


Retired CIA agents living in Maine. One is visited by people from her past. My first Tess Gerritsen thriller. Can’t wait to see what the Martini Club gets up to next!


 

2 Extremely Short Reviews

 

 

Covers link to Goodreads

 

The story of a cover up involving an esteemed dean of a high profile medical school, his nefarious habits, a city wanting to gloss over the details and a reporter running into roadblocks and pushback from all involved – including his own newspaper. A non-fiction book that reads like a novel. A good choice on audio.


Peter Swanson’s nod to Agatha Christie – an addictive read/listen!


 

Mini Takes

a taste of heaven (short novel)Synopsis: “Create one perfect bite.”
Good little widow Sophia Brown always follows the rules. When the producer of a cooking competition requests an amuse-bouche, the chefs stick with proteins. Sauces. A savory concoction. She has only one shot to impress the judges on A Taste of Heaven. But in a moment of defiance, she creates an extraordinary dessert, one that combines both the bitter and the sweet, just like her own life.
That one bite changes everything.
After a year grieving for her dead husband, forty-seven-year-old Sophia is finally ready to break out of her shell. Unfortunately, there is a large, angry obstacle standing in her way. Scottish chef Elliott Adamson has a chip on his shoulder the size of Loch Ness, and he’s blocking her path to victory.
Spurred by her daughters, she embarks on a poignant adventure that takes her from the wildflower fields of Vermont to the wind-swept vista of North Berwick, Scotland. Fear, courage, and inspiration from unlikely places will mark this journey, and Sophia is determined to persevere until the very end.
A TASTE OF HEAVEN is a 57,000 word short novel that includes a foodie romance, second chances, and a wee bit of haggis.

My take: If you enjoy cooking competition shows and contemporary sexy romances you’ll probably like A Taste of Heaven. I found the novel to be entertaining and light and I wasn’t ready for it to end. I’d read a sequel!

Purchased.


carolina man - audioSynopsis: Marine Luke Fletcher is determined to do his duty—first to his country and now to his ten-year-old daughter, the unexpected legacy of a high school girlfriend. But his homecoming to Dare Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks challenges his plans for the future and forces him to face everything that’s missing in his life. He wasn’t prepared to lose his heart to this child he never knew. Or to fall hard for coolly reserved small town lawyer Kate Dolan.
Former military brat Kate knows Marines can make lousy fathers…and she’s got the scars to prove it. Giving her heart to a man who’s bent on leaving seems one sure way to have it broken.
Now, no matter what it takes, Luke must prove to Kate and to his daughter that Semper Fi is more than a motto—and to himself that there’s more than one way to be a hero.

My take: The third book in the Dare Island series, Carolina Man is my favorite so far. It’s an emotional addition to the contemporary romance series addressing issues such as the death of a young girl’s parent, abuse, and the importance of unconditional love from family. I liked Sophie Eastlake’s narration and look forward to listening to the next in the series.

Purchased.

#FitReaders Weekly Check-in and a Mini Review: Chronically Me

FitReaders2015

#FitReaders hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Fitbit steps:

  • Sat:     12,367
  • Sun:    11,875
  • Mon:  10,648
  • Tues:   11,521
  • Wed:   14,299
  • Thu:    11,938
  • Fri:        7,095

I walked outside almost everyday. Ah, fresh air 🙂

Treadmill reading:

Finding Glory (May26)

Outdoor audiobook:

stardust summer (audio - jukeboxaudio)


Mini Review:

Chronically Me: Flushing Out My Live and Times With IBS: A Memoir in Comics by Joy Spencer

chronically me (memoir)Joy Spencer’s memoir perfectly portrays the frustration of trying to find answers regarding a medical condition. Her frustration is conveyed by her humorous illustrations of medical appointments, treatments, and life with a chronic disease in general. I have to believe her book will put a spotlight on how people dealing with chronic diseases feel on a daily basis. Kudos to Joy Spencer! Recommended.