This is the second book I’ve read recently about the Night Witches, and I have to say, I loved it just as much as the first. I am fascinated by these This is the second book I’ve read recently about the Night Witches, and I have to say, I loved it just as much as the first. I am fascinated by these women, and there’s always more to learn and another perspective.
Valka is living in Russia during World War II. Her country is broken apart, and she wants nothing more than to help in some way. She’s already a pilot, and she knows she’s a great one. An all-female group of pilots is named, and she signs up immediately.
Valka’s plane is rather delicate in the best of conditions, and her mission is to drop bombs on German soldiers. This job is not easy. No aspect of war is, including a good friend of Valka’s, Pasha, who is fighting on the front lines.
The war continues to worsen, and Valka is at a crossroads. Will she continue with the Night Witches?
Among the Red Stars is narrated by Valka with letters between Pasha and Valka included as well. I LOVED these complex characters and was completely invested in what happened to them.
Valka is fierce and indomitable while she is expected to be weak by the men around her. Pasha is vulnerable while he is expected to be fierce.
Gwen Katz’s author’s note gives insight into the research she conducted to write this story. It never feels fact heavy, though. Instead, it feels powerfully emotional, and I was drawn in and immediately captivated with the storytelling. I sincerely hope Gwen Katz is writing another book!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
I think The Sea Was a Fair Master is my first foray into reading flash fiction, and who knew that short, short stories could pack such a punch?
I was I think The Sea Was a Fair Master is my first foray into reading flash fiction, and who knew that short, short stories could pack such a punch?
I was also impressed with the mix of genres within these 83 pages. Fantasy, crime, horror, and science fiction, with themes that ran the gamut from love and loss to greed and pure hate.
In a collection of 23 short stories, Calvin Demmer’s talent shines. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to try something different. The stories are dark in nature, but well-written and hit their intended target...in a flash.
I received a complimentary copy for review. All opinions are my own. ...more
Secrets and mysteries in a small town. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wow, Fallen Mountains blew me away! If you are looking for standout in literary suspense, FallenSecrets and mysteries in a small town. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wow, Fallen Mountains blew me away! If you are looking for standout in literary suspense, Fallen Mountains is IT.
Transom Schultz is missing. He has just returned to his home town of Fallen Mountains, Pennsylvania, a quiet, atmospheric place, when he disappears. And Transom has some giant secrets.
Red is the sheriff in Fallen Mountains, and he has his share of secrets, too. He’s worried Transom’s disappearance is related to a crime he committed years ago…One Red helped him cover-up.
Who are the possible culprits in Transom’s disappearance? Possum was the victim of that long ago crime, and he wants revenge. Laney was somehow involved, and she’s desperate to keep Transom quiet. Chase used to be Transom’s best friend, but he has hard feelings over how Transom bought and mistreated his family’s farm.
Red is searching for Transom, but will he find him?
Kimi Cunningham Grant has a work of wonder right here. It has all my favorite storytelling elements, which is unusual in suspense. I loved the characterization, especially for Red. He is flawed and unforgettable; they all are really. The emotional connection between the characters is palpable and raw. The pacing and flow of the writing are both exceptional.
Overall, this is an atmospheric, well-written story centered on vivid characters with a backdrop of an intriguing mystery. I loved it!
Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
A post apocalyptic, dystopian, psychological thriller? Totally not my norm, and I was hooked! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wynter Roth has been a member of a doomsdA post apocalyptic, dystopian, psychological thriller? Totally not my norm, and I was hooked! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wynter Roth has been a member of a doomsday cult, and when she finally escapes, she enters a chaotic end-of-world scenario the cult predicted.
A long extinct disease re-forms in Alaska, emitting itself from the permafrost as it melts. The disease causes dementia in humans no matter the age.
Utter chaos is ensuing and an apocalypse is looming if something doesn’t change fast. Wynter’s sister arrives one night with medical samples that may offer understanding and perhaps uncover something much more sinister.
The power grid is failing, and as the situation continues to become more bleak, Wynter needs to take the samples to Colorado, and to get there, she needs the help of Chase, former military and someone she hopes she can trust.
The Line Between is action-packed and thrilling, while also having a possible romance on the horizon; all on the backdrop of an impending apocalypse. The cult perspective fascinated me, and Wynter and Chase were characters I loved right out of the gate. The story feels plausible, and I’m still pondering that this could actually happen.
With chapters alternating between past and present, I enjoyed both of the seamless timelines. Tosca Lee has written a page-turning, genre-spanning novel that left me breathless and full of adrenaline. Wow!
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
4 bright stars to Tiger Drive, a beautiful story of a dysfunctional family! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
In reading the synopsis of Tiger Drive, I was interested in th4 bright stars to Tiger Drive, a beautiful story of a dysfunctional family! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
In reading the synopsis of Tiger Drive, I was interested in this family’s story. The Sloan family lives in Nevada in a trailer park. Harry, the father, is an alcoholic, and Janice, the mother, is fed up with him. Everything has become overwhelming to Janice. She’s doing this all on her own, she’s drowning in debt, and she has kids to take care of (two young ones, and four mostly grown); but all she wants to do is sing in the Grand Ole Opry.
Carrie, one of the teen daughters, plans to escape life on Tiger Drive by going to college. She’s been saving every penny to have a different way of life. On the cusp of her leaving, Janice decides to run, too, giving her two young sons to Harry. None of this happens, though, because another secret of Harry’s is uncovered, his biggest yet.
All the Sloans want a different life, but how will they create one, and how successful will each family member be?
The talent of Teri Case shines in the complexity of her characters.. Starting with Harry, there’s a tenderness and a large amount of regret and shame built into his drinking and his discoveries of just who he has hurt physically and emotionally after his black outs. He doesn’t want to be this way, but he has no idea how to be different. The same is true with strong Janice. She’s been the mom and caretaker, but she’s tired, and she’s ready to let it all go to find her piece of the pie. Carrie is ready to run out the door, but at the same time, she feels an immense love towards her family, and she wishes she could help them all. It’s like they are on a ship that’s going under, and she’s trying to figure out who to put on the life raft with her. This richness carries on throughout each of the individual characters.
Tiger Drive is a well-written novel of a family in hard times that could be any family, one on the possible cusp of change, but one in which the secrets of the past continue to weigh it down. The stories of each character come together so beautifully because they are part of this thing called family, and love, though extraordinarily complex, continues to bind them together.
Overall, I found Tiger Drive to be relatable, vividly real, and written emotionally from the heart; a story of utter despair clashing with hope and faith at every turn.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
An Exaltation of Larks...wow, so many five star reviews from my Goodreads friends and worthy of every star. 5 stars from me, too! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
In 19An Exaltation of Larks...wow, so many five star reviews from my Goodreads friends and worthy of every star. 5 stars from me, too! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
In 1973, on September 11, Alejandro (Alex) Penda is a child living in war torn Chile, when his city, Santiago, is taken over in a military coup. Everything he knows is lost and destroyed, and his parents disappear.
Alex finds himself in the United States all alone where he is given shelter with the Larks, a wealthy family. Alejandro later marries one of the Larks, Valerie; however, understandably, he is always deeply affected by the loss of his parents in Chile.
On the same date, in a different year, in New York City, Javier Landes’ world falls apart as terrorism strikes his city. Javier is a male escort, and a wealthy one at that, when he is named guardian to his nephew who has lost his parents during 9/11.
Alex, Valerie, and Jav meet first in their twenties and later in their forties where they bond over the similarities between their life-altering experiences. Going forward, they will face their pasts separately and together.
At its core, this is a story of what makes a family and how love can join us all. The writing is exquisite, and the story is mind-bending in its loveliness.
An Exaltation of Larks is a brilliant wonder. I cherished my experience with it.
*The reader should be aware that this book involves sensitive topics like sex and language, as have been pointed out in other reviews.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. ...more
5 southern charm and an apocalypse stars to A Pocket Watch, Spray Paint & Morphine! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A Pocket Watch, Spray Paint & Morphine: How Viv the5 southern charm and an apocalypse stars to A Pocket Watch, Spray Paint & Morphine! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A Pocket Watch, Spray Paint & Morphine: How Viv the Librarian Weathers the Boom is as quirky as its title, and I loved every second.
Listen to this - this book is billed as a soft science fiction with cozy southern charm, and I’d say that fits.
Viv is a retired librarian enjoying a nice bubble bath when she is startled by a loud boom. She finds no one in her house, including her husband and her beloved dog, and when she heads outside, her neighborhood is empty, too.
Clearly some sort of apocalypse has happened, and Viv is not prepared in any way for this type of scenario. Who would be?
She searches her town and finds some other fun, unusual survivors. The group forms an unlikely alliance when more horror strikes: the climate changes, and they consider moving to a more livable area. If Viv leaves, she may never see her husband again.
A Pocket Watch is cozy, and it is absolutely charming. It reads like a breeze, and Viv is a sensational main character. My favorite aspects included the southern flair and themes of tenacity and family.
Overall, this book is vibrant, eccentric, witty, charming, and fun. I’ll be watching for Kimberly Lynne’s next effort!
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. I enjoyed it so much, I bought a copy. All opinions are my own. ...more
Wow, Trust Me gets off to a nail-biting and intriguing start! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A woman is accused of a murder she says she did not commit, while a journaliWow, Trust Me gets off to a nail-biting and intriguing start! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A woman is accused of a murder she says she did not commit, while a journalist is grieving an enormous loss. These two join forces, but how and why?
If you are familiar with the Casey Anthony trial, this story will feel similar in some ways. That trial even plays a role in the book.
Mercer, the journalist, has lost her family in a tragic accident. She is having a very hard time (understandably so) when she is asked to write a book about the trial of Ashlyn Bryant, a hated woman, who may have murdered her own daughter, Tasha. Like most of America, Mercer finds Ashlyn despicable, and it’s easy to see why writing this novel would be hard for a grieving mother. Can Mercer write this book?
Ashlyn is one of those characters that makes your skin crawl at times. She is a compulsive liar and just thinking that she may be guilty makes it easy to judge her. It is uncanny how many lies she tells and how she begins to believe her own stories.
Trust Me had me doubting my feelings of Ashlyn’s guilt or innocence over and over again. In a book entitled “Trust Me,” just who can you trust?
The tension was paramount, the writing smooth…I loved to hate Ashlyn and felt compassion for Mercer’s character. Trust Me had me fully invested in demanding justice for Ashlyn’s daughter.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary book. All opinions are my own.
Sasha is mom to teenage son, Zac. Her husband is not around, and she is also responsible for her alcoholic mother, Annie.
Zac has reason to suspect heSasha is mom to teenage son, Zac. Her husband is not around, and she is also responsible for her alcoholic mother, Annie.
Zac has reason to suspect he has a secret sibling, and Sasha is faced with the past she has tried desperately to forget.
Annie is aging and feels like she is being visited late husband Joe. She is reliving some secrets from her past as well, and as she does, she is determined to confront all she has worked hard to bury.
Trauma, secrets, and lies are at the heart of the difficult mother-daughter relationship between Annie and Sasha, but this isn’t just their story; I t’s a story of family across generations beginning in the early 1900s through the present day. Specifically, it addresses how World War II trauma affected a family long after the war was over.
I was completely invested in What’s Left Unsaid. Stories of family dynamics are my favorites, and families evolving across time are especially interesting. This book is deeply affecting with so many topics to think about. The Stein family’s story is vividly realistic; it truly could be any family. Warm and well-written, with forgiveness at its core, I found What’s Left Unsaid engaging and compassionate and a novel well worth reading.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader
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