Month: December 2023

Book Review: Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison #HistoricalFiction #LagunaBeach #California

BonnieReadsAndWrites13 Comments

I am recreating this review of Hotel Laguna because I originally had it posted as a mini review along with the review of another book and I think it deserves its own spot in the sun. It’s one of my favorites of the year.

This is beautifully written, captivating historical fiction set in two timelines: During World War II when women are being called into the workforce, and after World War II when the same women are forced to give up their jobs. I think of the earlier timeline more as flashbacks than a true dual timeline novel, as eventually the reader is only shown the post World War II timeline.

Forced out of her job as a riveter in Los Angeles, and with nowhere to go after the war ends, Hazel ends up in Laguna Beach as an assistant to a well-known artist, Hanson Radcliffe. Hanson is an alcoholic with a secret past. Determined to do a good job and also dealing with Hanson’s many personality problems, Hazel doesn’t want to reveal her own heartache–she has a secret past too.

I absolutely loved every bit of this book. Hazel’s journey from lonely girl in Wichita to working with airplanes in Los Angeles seems to end sadly, but takes a new direction in Laguna Beach. I loved all of the quirky characters and the sense of community. The Pageant of the Masters is a real event in Laguna Beach, and it was a treat watching Hazel become part of it. I could see the live depictions of classic paintings come alive through the author’s descriptions. The Hotel Laguna is also a big part of this book and comes alive as almost a character unto itself.

This is a journey of discovery set in a magical place. I recommend it to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from Hampshire, England, Nicola Harrison moved to California when she was 14. She studied Literature at UCLA and received an MFA in creative writing at Stony Brook University. She has short stories published in The Southampton Review and Glimmer Train as well as articles in Los Angeles Magazine and Orange Coast Magazine. She has an essay in the anthology Mom’s Don’t Have Time. She was the fashion and style staff writer for Forbes and had a weekly column at Lucky Magazine. Nicola has spent many summers in Montauk and currently lives in Manhattan Beach, California.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | X (formerly Twitter) | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK

BUY LINKS

Amazon | Google

Sunday Post: Happy New Year’s Eve!

BonnieReadsAndWrites52 Comments

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by 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 the rules here: Sunday Post Meme. I’m also linking up with Sunday Salon over at Readerbuzz

Another year is fading away, and with the next one comes my retirement and a whole new life later in the year. I’m definitely excited. Above are some Christmas pictures. Doug took a new Christmas photo of the 3H gang, Hermann, Holly, and Harold. He also got a “Harold carrier” for Christmas and got into the Christmas spirit. The bottom picture is my Jadeite collection used as Christmas dinnerware. We don’t use it often, but I sure love it. 

For now, we’ve got family coming to visit for New Year’s’, so we’re getting ready for them. We also plan to watch some football tomorrow. ROLL TIDE!!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I can’t believe how fast this year passed. I’m going to be posting my Top 10 favorite books of the year very soon. 

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG

On Monday I reviewed Christmas Pie by Jodi Taylor.
On Tuesday I reviewed The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
On Wednesday I participated in WWW Wednesday.
On Friday I reviewed Random in Death by Nora Roberts.
On Friday I also participated in Book Blogger Hop.

Next Week on the Blog

I’ll be choosing my Top Ten Books I Read in 2023. I’m going to do two Top Tens, one for Traditionally Published Books and one for Indie Books. 

I’m still choosing my books to review next week so I’ll post that later.

NEW FOR NEXT YEAR

I want to start reviewing Classics as well in 2024, so you may see a review of Pride and Prejudice or Gone With the Wind pop up. I’ve decided to open my mind up to the Romance genre a little bit, but some of them will be Classics.

BOOK HAUL

(Publisher’s Description) The trees that circle Someday Valley near Honey Creek are dressed in their fall finest, providing a pretty backdrop for the local businesses—including the little bookshop loved by schoolteacher Cora Lee Buchanan. There, under the watchful eye of owner Noah O’Brien, Cora Lee and her sister, Katherine, meet each Wednesday. Their talk mostly revolves around one subject: their father, known to everyone in town as Bear.

Both Cora Lee and Katherine worry about Bear Buchanan. They’ve no idea Bear has a secret life of his own. As for the sisters, Katherine, beautiful and self-absorbed, is in search of her third husband, while Cora Lee is in love for the first time. On warm nights, she climbs up to her building’s roof to chat with Noah and listen to the melody of the water below. Yet there is more intrigue afoot in Honey Creek . . .

Andi Delane has arrived in town to hear the last wishes of the father she never met. She was shocked to get a letter from lawyer Jackson Landry, and she has few expectations—of this mysterious will, or of Deputy Danny Davis who’s been assigned to protect her. But fall always brings changes, and this year there will be enough to alter not just the lives of those who call Honey Creek home, but the future of Someday Valley itself . . .

(Publisher’s Description) As daughter of a well-known matchmaker, Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love–and sees it as her ticket away from the sleepy village that only comes alive during the annual matchmaking festival. Enter Lord Osborne’s son, Andrew, who has returned to the festival after being disappointed by a rival matchmaker’s failed setup. Catríona seizes the opportunity to make a better match for the handsome man–and for herself!

Cattle farmer Donal Bunratty is in desperate need of a wife after loss left him to handle the farm and raise his daughter on his own. Shy and lacking the finer social graces, he agrees to attend the matchmaking festival to appease his daughter. But when he arrives, it’s not any of the other merrymakers that catch his eye but rather his matchmaker–who clearly has eyes for someone else.

Catríona will have to put all her expertise to work to make a match that could change her life forever. Will her plan succeed? Or will love have its own way?

Book Review: Random in Death by J.D. Robb #JDRobb #InDeath #Thrillers #BookReviews

BonnieReadsAndWrites9 Comments

BOOK DESCRIPTION (FROM PUBLISHER)

In the new crime thriller from #1 New York Times-bestselling J.D. Robb, a small and easily concealed weapon wreaks havoc, and the killer is just a face in the crowd.

Jenna’s parents had finally given in, and there she was, at a New York club with her best friends, watching the legendary band Avenue A, carrying her demo in hopes of slipping it to the guitarist, Jake Kincade. Then, from the stage, Jake catches her eye, and smiles. It’s the best night of her life.
It’s the last night of her life.

Minutes later, Jake’s in the alley getting some fresh air, and the girl from the dance floor comes stumbling out, sick and confused and deathly pale. He tries to help, but it’s no use. He doesn’t know that someone in the crowd has jabbed her with a needle—and when his girlfriend Nadine arrives, she knows the only thing left to do for the girl is call her friend, Lieutenant Eve Dallas.

After everyone on the scene is interviewed, lab results show a toxic mix of substances in the victim’s body—and for an extra touch of viciousness, the needle was teeming with infectious agents. Dallas searches for a pattern: Had any boys been harassing Jenna? Was she engaging in risky behavior or caught up in something shady? But there are no obvious clues why this levelheaded sixteen-year-old, passionate about her music, would be targeted.

And that worries Dallas. Because if Jenna wasn’t targeted, if she was just the random, unlucky victim of a madman consumed by hatred, there are likely more deaths to come.

BOOK REVIEW

This book was compelling from beginning to end. The author, as always, does a great job of detailing the crime and the investigation. The futuristic setting only adds to the appeal. The perpetrator is slowly revealed, but their horrible crimes splash across the page immediately from the beginning of the book. As Eve Dallas begins to peel away the layers of this crime, the reader will be transfixed, both by the complexity of the investigation and the potential for more crimes that would surely be coming.

This book is hard to put down.The characters just flame to life, and the personalities of the victims, their friends, and the perpetrator are so well described.

I listened to the audiobook as well, and the narrator Susan Ericksen portrayed teenagers in such an authentic way. She was also able to expertly convey drama, horror, grief, sadness, and love in such a powerful way.

Eve Dallas’s personal life is subtly layered throughout the book, but never takes over from the crime and investigation.

This thriller is horrifying, enthralling, and captivating throughout. J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) has done it again. She has created another quality book that keeps us all mesmerized. 

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

PURCHASE LINKS

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Kobo

Book Blogger Hop: Exchanging Gifts

BonnieReadsAndWrites10 Comments

Book Blogger Hop is run by Billy @CoffeeAddictedWriter. There is a different bookish question each week.

ANSWER: Of course! My husband and I are book lovers, and most of the people I’m close to are book lovers. We don’t always give or receive books, but we often give book-inspired gifts. I don’t get a lot of books as Christmas gifts because I get so many for free as a blogger. But I get book-inspired gifts like Harry Potter t-shirts and collectibles, or movies inspired by books. I got the DVD of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris last year. 

Last year, my husband and I unknowingly gave each other books from the same author/series! We ended up only overlapping a few.

What about you? Do you exchange Christmas gifts with other book lovers?

WWW Wednesday: What Are You Reading 12/27/23

BonnieReadsAndWrites23 Comments

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking On a World of Words. 

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CURRENT READ

This is the latest Eve Dallas. I’m only about halfway through, but it is COMPELLING. Teenagers are being murdered at clubs, and Eve is on the trail of the killer, who is injecting teens with a lethal substance while they dance, and then slipping away.

JUST FINISHED READING

I did a lot of reading while I was off for Christmas. 

CHRISTMAS PIE is another Christmas Story by Jodi Taylor, who always releases a short story on Christmas Day. This is my favorite one ever! For the last several years I’ve enjoyed the Christmas tradition of reading Jodi’s latest story, and I thank her for that. My review is here.

THE WOMAN IN ME by Britney Spears should scare the crap out of you, especially if you don’t have trustworthy people in your life. My review is here.

CHARLIE HUSTLE by Keith O’Brien shares all the dark secrets about Pete Rose, who I still think should be in the Hall of Fame. This isn’t published until April, so my review will come later.

WHAT AM I READING NEXT?

Publisher’s Description: 

As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.

I will start this soon. I’m doing a blog tour for this book with Austenprose PR later this month.

Inspired by the true events of the most notorious evictions in Irish history…

1861, Donegal, Ireland

Ten years ago Declan Conaghan’s father died in the Great Famine, and since then, Declan has kept his promise to keep his family out of the workhouse. But all that is threatened with the arrival of new landlord, John Adair. Adair is quick to cause trouble and fear among his tenants. When he turns them off his land, Declan has no option but to break his promise…

Declan is in despair until he receives a letter from America offering him the chance of a new life and salvation for his family. But it would mean signing up to the US Army and fighting for Lincoln. Despite knowing nothing of war, or US politics, Declan leaves behind all he knows.

Set against the wild landscapes of Ireland and the turbulent times of the American Civil War, this sweeping narrative takes us on an epic journey to understand the strength and endurance of the human spirit.

This is the only book on my Netgalley shelf that is late, but I also picked up the audiobook and I’ll be listening to it soon.

UPDATE

Christmas was wonderful. I’m back to work, but luckily I can listen to audiobooks while I drive, and that helps me keep up with my reading. Looking forward to New Year’s and the Rose Bowl. ROLL TIDE!!!

Book Review: The Woman in Me, a #Memoir by #BritneySpears

BonnieReadsAndWrites13 Comments

This is written very simply as if Britney is speaking directly to the reader. She talks about her childhood, her father’s alcoholism and abuse, and her rise to stardom. Then she begins to show us how she ended up under her father’s control legally. My take on this is that she was overworked, reeling from a breakup and the loss of her kids, and her family took advantage. In my opinion, they’d been living off of her too long and didn’t want it to end.

The most shocking part of the book to me was that when her father got the conservatorship, he told her “I’m Britney Spears now.” Everything she did was with his permission. She couldn’t even eat what she wanted. And she remained under his control for 13 years. Yet while she was supposed to be so unwell, he had her working nonstop. She became his dancing puppet and golden goose. Her court-appointed attorney did nothing, and she was basically locked away, brought out only for performances. It is shocking and sad. Then she tells us how she finally gained freedom, and how close she feels to her fans.

It was a sad read. It reminds me of a book I read recently set in the 1920s about a husband who sent his wife to an asylum because he wanted her money. At the time I thought that couldn’t happen in this day and age. But I was wrong.

Nobody helped her for a long time. In my opinion: The media wanted its story. Her mother and sister wanted the life they were accustomed to, and her father wanted control. Britney just wanted her kids. This is a compelling story that I read in one sitting, and it’s a warning to women that things like this can still happen.

Although the writing style is not as complex as I would like, this gets 4.5 stars for the content and for shining the light on a situation that I thought couldn’t happen in the 21st Century. I think all women should read this. This is rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Apple Books

Google

Kobo

Book Review: Christmas Pie by Jodi Taylor

BonnieReadsAndWrites8 Comments

This is another Christmas gift from Jodi Taylor, as she always releases a story on Christmas day. Christmas Pie might be my favorite one yet. This is part of the Chronicles of St. Mary’s series, and this novella is told from the point of view of fan-favorite Markham. It ranges from oh-so-funny to a bit sad. There is always a lot of humor followed by some tears in this series, and this one is no exception.

To start the story off, Markham, Max, Peterson, and Sykes go off on a time jump to 1660s London in search of an authentic Christmas Pie, or mince pie. They’re supposed to just buy some pies and bring them back to Mrs. Mack. Of course, it’s never that simple, and they find themselves in the middle of another life-threatening adventure. Markham’s point of view is hilarious and at the same time very moving. Markham has arguably the most intriguing backstory of all the characters, and it is important to read the other books in the series to understand what is going on.

There are some questions answered in this book, a revelation, and a few surprises. We know a lot more about Markham now, but it seems there is always more to learn. He remains the most interesting character in this series, in my opinion.

This is the most hilarious pie-shopping trip you will ever take. Go along for the ride with Markham and you won’t be disappointed.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google | Kobo

Sunday Post: Merry Christmas Eve!

BonnieReadsAndWrites48 Comments

Doug took this Christmas picture three years ago, and I use it every chance I get.

Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a place to catch up on the week, share news, and showcase new books. 

It’s Christmas Eve. I’m going to make omelets this morning and we’re having chili tonight. I made some chocolate chip cookies yesterday, and I’m making a chocolate Yum Yum tomorrow. So, with the Christmas candy that’s in the stockings, that’s enough dessert for this week. I’m going to make an Ooey Gooey Butter Cake for New Year’s. I found that recipe in one of my Mom’s recipe books. 

I know I asked about food-related traditions last week, but I was wondering if you have other non-food Christmas or holiday traditions that you follow. One of our favorite traditions is the way we label our gifts. The gift-giver on the label is a hint as to what’s inside. For example, many years ago I gave Doug a DVD player. So the label said To: Doug From: Dick Van Dyke. Because his initials are DVD. Right now I have a gift waiting for me from Elizabeth Zott (fictional characters are allowed), so I assume it’s something regarding science or food. It’s a really fun tradition because we make attempts to guess the present before we open it.

What non-food holiday traditions do you share with your loved ones?

Big shout out to Gail Meath, who made me a new logo for the website. Here it is:

She sent me a few different colors and styles, and I’ll be using them all. I appreciate you so much Gail! The ebook of the prequel novella to Gail’s JAX DIAMOND series, called TWO OF A KIND, is free right now, so pick it up on Amazon HERE while you can.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG

Last week I reviewed A Winter By The Sea, did a double review of The Curse of Penryth Hall and Coconut Drop Dead, and also reviewed The Girl Who Tried To Change History. I did a Spotlight of The Finding Machine and participated in Book Blogger Hop.

NEXT WEEK ON THE BLOG

I plan to review Pierogi Peril, The Seamstress of Acadie, and The Lily of Ludgate Hill. I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday and Book Blogger Hop. I’m going to be working on a list of my Top Ten Books of 2023 as well, to be posted after the New Year.

BOOK HAUL

I already had the ebook of Random in Death by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts), but I picked up the audiobook this week as well.

I also picked up The Ark and the Dove, The story of Noah’s wife! I’ve never thought about her too much, so this should be interesting.

Have a wonderful Christmas! Remember to share your holiday traditions in the comments below! 

Indie Spotlight: The Finding Machine by Lucy Lyons #IndieSpotlight #HistoricalMystery

BonnieReadsAndWrites2 Comments

Indie Spotlight is my effort to help Indie Authors with marketing. It’s the biggest task indie authors have, so if I can help even a little bit, I’m happy to do it. You can help too by sharing this post with your social media followers. Below see a book description, author bio, and purchase links for THE FINDING MACHINE by Lucy Lyons. 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

HER FATHER’S MYSTERIOUS INVENTION… A 1920s COLD CASE… CAN ALEX FOLLOW THE DOTS TO SOLVE IT?

One winter morning in 1998, Alex Martin inherits a mysterious invention from her late father. The Finding Machine solves mysteries. But the biggest mystery of all lies deep within its wiring — the unsolved disappearance of a little girl, dating back seventy years.

What happened to the girl, all those years ago? Who was she?

Alex and her handsome housemate, Antony, must follow the dots to solve the mystery. But, as dark family secrets are revealed, will the Finding Machine bring them together…or push them further apart?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucy Lyons worked in London as an editorial illustrator before realising she loved writing novels so much, she wanted to do that full-time.

She now lives in leafy Surrey with her illustrator husband, two grown-up boys and a bearded dragon called Pancake. When she’s not at her desk writing, she loves to escape into the garden and other worlds.

Lucy writes page-turning mystery novels with a sprinkling of magic.

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | AMAZON UK

*Kindle Subscribers in the US can borrow this for free.

Indie Weekend: The Girl Who Tried To Change History #Indiebooks #Indieauthors #timetravel #timetravelfiction #WWII

BonnieReadsAndWrites7 Comments

Indie Weekend is my effort to help Indie authors with marketing. Marketing is a daunting task, and if I can help even a little, I’m happy to do it. You can help too by sharing this post with your social media followers. Below is my review of The Girl Who Tried to Change History. It’s time travel fiction. As a lot of you know, that is my favorite subgenre, especially when it’s a mashup with historical fiction! I reviewed this for the November 2023 issue of Historical Novels Review.

BOOK REVIEW

2009: What would you do if a mysterious man sat down beside you in the park and offered you a chance to travel in time? That is what happened to Vivienne Riley, a Ph.D. history student specializing in World War II. She accepts and is tasked with saving children in Germany prior to the war as part of an experiment to see if these children would have made a difference in the world. When she arrives in pre-war London in 1939, she meets handsome, kind RAF pilot Andrew Sheffield. As history begins to unfold and bombs begin to fall, Vivienne tries to help the war effort while desperately hoping for Andrew and herself to survive and stay together.

As I always say, in time travel stories, there must be a distinct method of travel, as well as rules set by the author. Although the method of time travel is not completely revealed in this book, it is made clear that it is advanced, secret technology and in the form of an object. The bearer of the object, Gunther, serves as a rather unlikable guide throughout. There is also a rule about death that is unique and interesting, as well as one forbidding involvement in the lives of others. This is mainly a story of how profoundly people can impact each other, and how even the smallest interaction can cause big changes. The ugliness of war is also explored, as Vivienne struggles while watching the events she has always studied in books come alive. This is a thoughtful, vivid portrayal of World War II London and Germany, and the impact one person can make on the world. Anyone interested in World War II history and time travel fiction will enjoy this novel.

My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no partial star option.

I received a free copy of this book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Kaplan lives in Washington, DC, where she works as a policy advocate on food security and hunger issues. She studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and holds a master’s degree in comparative politics with a focus on Europe. She has been a passionate student of history for her entire life, particularly the World War II era, which helped inspire her to write this book. Kaplan is also an avid traveler and has visited more than forty countries, enjoys yoga and barre classes, and is currently finishing her second novel.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

BEFORE YOU GO

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