The Lost House by Melissa Larsen @macmillanaudio @minotaurbooks #audiobook #bookreview

Overview

In Melissa Larsen’s The Lost House comes the mesmerizing story of a young woman with a haunting past who returns to her ancestral home in Iceland to investigate a gruesome murder in her family.

Forty years ago, a young woman and her infant daughter were found buried in the cold Icelandic snow, lying together as peacefully as though sleeping. Except the mother’s throat had been slashed and the infant drowned. The case was never solved. There were no arrests, no conviction. Just a suspicion turned into a certainty: the husband did it. When he took his son and fled halfway across the world to California, it was proof enough of his guilt.

Now, nearly half a century later and a year after his death, his granddaughter, Agnes, is ready to clear her grandfather’s name once and for all. Still recovering from his death and a devastating injury, Agnes wants nothing more than an excuse to escape the shambles of her once-stable life—which is why she so readily accepts true crime expert Nora Carver’s invitation to be interviewed for her popular podcast. Agnes packs a bag and hops on a last-minute flight to the remote town of Bifröst, Iceland, where Nora is staying, where Agnes’s father grew up, and where, supposedly, her grandfather slaughtered his wife and infant daughter.

Is it merely coincidence that a local girl goes missing the very same weekend Agnes arrives? Suddenly, Agnes and Nora’s investigation is turned upside down, and everyone in the small Icelandic town is once again a suspect. Seeking to unearth old and new truths alike, Agnes finds herself drawn into a web of secrets that threaten the redemption she is hell-bent on delivering, and even her life—discovering how far a person will go to protect their family, their safety, and their secrets.

Set against an unforgiving Icelandic winter landscape, The Lost House is a chilling and razor-sharp mystery packed with jaw-dropping twists that will leave you breathless.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

Review

Forty years ago, a young woman and her infant daughter were found buried in the cold Icelandic snow, lying together as peacefully as though sleeping. Except the mother’s throat had been slashed and the infant drowned. The case was never solved. There were no arrests, no conviction. Just a suspicion turned into a certainty: the husband did it. When he took his son and fled halfway across the world to California, it was proof enough of his guilt.

Agnes has just lost her beloved grandfather and she is determined to clear his name. She is a character with some huge flaws and she is a bit wishy washy. This is what I liked about her…I know, I know, not my usual character choice. She pulled at my heart strings a bit. I loved her mind set even if she doesn’t know where to turn in most of her choices.

I did fluctuate between 3 and 4 stars. This is more of a 3.5 star rounded up. It just was a bit slow and draggy in spots. Yes! I did figure it out pretty quickly. However, the setting and the characters kept me reading.

This is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. She is pretty dad blame good!

Need a mystery with a great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Distractions by Liza Monroy #bookspotlight @wunderkindpr

THE DISTRACTIONS

By Liza Monroy

Regalo Press; January 14, 2025

Overview

Solitary tech worker Mischa Osborn is mourning the shelving of her passion project—an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of love—when a chance encounter with a social media celebrity leads her spiraling into an all-consuming obsession. Simultaneously, someone—or something—is watching.

Mischa Osborn spends her days as a ProWatcher—keeping distracted people on task and lonely ones accompanied—from her Brooklyn Megabuilding, while eating PetriMeat Steax and working out with her favorite personal trainer, a straight-talking algorithm named Tory.

Her carefully constructed, isolated existence is suddenly upended by a chance realspace encounter with a HighlightReel celebrity, Nicolás Adán Luchano. On their first date, hiking in Kuulsuits and watching DroneBeez pollinate flowers, Mischa experiences a brief but intense realspace connection.

Mischa takes to relentlessly watching Nic onReel. As Mischa’s ReelWatching spirals into an all-consuming obsession, and even realspace stalking, Mischa takes increasingly desperate measures to be seen and valued, sucking others into her vortex of obsession until she completely loses control.

Meanwhile, someone is equally obsessed with Mischa, tracking her every move and perhaps even influencing her choices.

A tale of how technology enables obsession, envy, and unrelenting comparison, told through an eccentric cast of interconnected characters, The Distractions invites us to reflect on who we are watching, and why.

About the author

Liza Monroy is the author of The Distractions and three previous books. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, O (Oprah Magazine), Poets & Writers, Marie Claire, Longreads, Newsweek, Guernica, Catamaran, Jane, Self, Psychology Today, Jezebel, Publishers Weekly, Poets & Writers, Bust and many other publications and anthologies, including both editions of The New York Times’ Best of Modern Love, Best American Food Writing 2021, Goodbye To All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York, Oprah’s Little Book of Calm and Comfort, One Big Happy Family, and Wedding Cake For Breakfast. Learn more here: https://www.lizamonroy.com/

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This book release January 14!

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Praise for THE DISTRACTIONS and Liza Monroy: 

“Genius… this book has its own vocabulary but is also a hilarious and scathing commentary on our own moment, told with intelligence, curiosity, and a sense of humor.”

–Malena Watrous, author of If You Follow Me

“Smart, unexpected, engrossing, and thought-provoking.” 

–Karen Joy Fowler, author of Booth and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

“It’s the rare novel that has made me see the world differently.” 

–Elizabeth McKenzie, National Book Award longlisted author of The Portable Veblen and The Dog of the North 

“Liza Monroy has a magical voice, the kind that makes you want to read the next sentence and then the one after that to see what turn her writing will take next. She is observant, funny, and curiously wise about the culture we live and flounder in.” 

—Daphne Merkin, writer and critic for The New Yorker, essayist and novelist

“An all-around expert on romantic love, Liza Monroy delivers these lively, touching essays about love in the depersonalized time of tech. Spanning countries and dates – some more successful than others and all under the watchful eye of her mother, a profiler for the U.S. State Department – Monroy delivers an engaging chronicle for our times.”   

—San Jose Mercury News

“Liza Monroy is a great date — a masterful storyteller, witty, urbane, tender, and hilarious.”

—Dan White, author of  Under The Stars andThe Cactus Eaters

“…it is interesting to watch Monroy learn her lessons, to stop romanticizing her partners or assigning them to neat boxes, to assert boundaries and rules, even if they get broken. When she finally gets her happy ending, it feels earned.”   

—Publishers Weekly

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The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang #historicalfiction #bookreview @harlequinbooks

Overview

“[E]xpert plotting and nuanced historical details result in an exceptional story that enchants from the first page to the last.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review

“Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time.” —Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

An empowering, uplifting tale of two women from opposite sides of society, and their extraordinary journey of sisterhood, betrayal, love and triumph.

1800s China. Tightly bound feet, or “golden lilies,” are the mark of an honorable woman, eclipsing beauty, a rich dowry and even bloodline in the marriage stakes. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant—a muizai—to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that one day her golden lilies will lead her out of slavery.

Not only does Little Flower have bound feet, uncommon for a muizai, but she is extraordinarily gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with the highest class of a lady. Resentful of her talents, Linjing does everything in her power to thwart Little Flower’s escape.

But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, where Little Flower’s artistic prowess catches the eye of a nobleman. His attention threatens not only her improved status, but her life—the Sisterhood punishes disobedience with death. And if Linjing finds out, will she sabotage Little Flower to reclaim her power, or will she protect her? 

Review

I can honestly say, this book kept me captive me from start to finish.

Little Flower is sold as a child to the wealthy Fong family to be maid servant to their daughter, Lingjing. Lingjing is a spoiled, rich girl and is extremely jealous. As they grow up together, it is not easy. But when scandal strikes the Fongs, things become much worse.

There were so many times while reading this tale that I wanted to snatch Lingjing baldheaded. She does everything in her power to make sure Little Flower does not succeed in anything. The author creates such an emotional discourse between these two with their different circumstances and talents, I had to set the book down and take a break. But, that didn’t last long, I just had to know where life was going to lead them next!

The history and the culture is another area of fascination in this story. I have read a few books set in this time period in this country but this book took me through so many other levels of culture, like the silk weaving factory.

I loved everything about this tale. It is captivating, emotional and a wonderful story you do not want to miss

Need an emotional tale set in 1800 China…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis @duttonbooks #bookreview

Overview

From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.

Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. That is until an unbearable tragedy strikes.

New York City, 1978: Nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.”

Meanwhile, Charlotte is now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art. She’s consumed by her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.

The night of the gala: One of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing, and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening. Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, and a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger.

Review

Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. That is until an unbearable tragedy strikes.

New York City, 1978: Nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.”

Annie is such an adorable character. She is smart as a whip! I could just picture her when she made her big mistake…you will have to read this to find out. But let me tell you, this just made her stronger and almost invincible.

Then there is Charlotte. Even though she is one of the first female architects, she let life beat her down (don’t get me wrong, it would have beaten me down too!). Her life turned out a lot different than she expected. It takes her a while, but she eventually realizes where she needs to be!

The dual timelines in this tale are expertly done! No doubt about it. I loved both sections of the past and the present.

This is not my favorite Fiona Davis novel. It just did not keep me as captivated as some of her other books. However, it is still 4.5 stars, rounded up! She is just an amazing writer. She always has a great story, with strong women characters surrounded by wonderful history.

Need a unique archeological tale….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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See How They Hide by Allison Brennan @harlequinbooks #bookreview

Overview

No matter how far you run, some pasts never let you go…

Two people were murdered—at the exact same time, in the same gruesome manner, bodies covered in the same red poppies…but on opposite sides of the country.

With Detective Kara Quinn investigating in Oregon and Special Agent Matt Costa in Virginia, the Mobile Response Team digs deep to uncover more about each victim. What is the link between the two, and why were they targeted?

Yet their search unearths more questions than answers—until they meet Riley Pierce, the only person still alive who might be able to help them find the killers.

Soon, it becomes clear this case is nothing like they’ve seen before as their investigation leads them to the hallowed grounds of Havenwood—an eerily beautiful place rooted in a terrifying past.

As more bodies turn up, all tied to the same community, Kara and Matt are desperate to piece the puzzle together before Havenwood’s leader sacrifices everything to keep her secrets buried.

Review

Two people were murdered—at the exact same time, in the same gruesome manner, bodies covered in the same red poppies…but on opposite sides of the country. With Detective Kara Quinn investigating in Oregon and Special Agent Matt Costa in Virginia, the Mobile Response Team digs deep to uncover more about each victim. What is the link between the two, and why were they targeted?

As with all Allison Brennan’s books, this is a bit too long. It doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy her books, I just find them longer than they need to be. And to be honest, I think this is one of my favorites by her.

There are a lot of intriguing aspects in this novel. I enjoyed the cult! This just made the story more dramatic and intense! Then there is Riley. She is a great character. She has had a life full of trauma and discord. She is truly struggling. Kara knows to handle her with kid gloves.

This is book 6 in the Quinn and Costa series. It is not necessary that you read them in order. They are stand alone books.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer #audiobookreview #bookreview @bookoutoure

Overview

A spellbinding and unpausable listen

‘Every story needs a happy ending. And you can’t have yours until you find the bookstore.’

1692. On the outskirts of Salem, a bookstore stands covered in overgrown vines. Inside, a young woman hides a linen-wrapped journal under a loose floorboard and runs away, panicked by the sound of hounds barking in the distance. The bookstore vanishes into thin air…

Present day. Stepping inside a pale-pink house on one of the oldest streets in Salem, Dora can’t believe she’s about to finally meet the mother she thought died tragically when she was just a child. But the excitement is short-lived. Dora’s mother has fear in her eyes, and with a trembling voice she whispers: ‘my life is in danger, and now so is yours…’

Desperate not to lose her mother all over again, Dora digs into her family’s mysterious past, and stumbles upon a seemingly impossible secret: the key to their survival is hidden in a bookstore that no one has seen for generations. 

Losing herself amongst thorny brackens and twisted ferns, Dora eventually finds the path that leads to the bookstore. But someone is watching her. They’ve been waiting for her.

As she pushes open the beautiful blue door hidden amongst the sharp brambles, and stands in front of rows of crumbling leatherbound books with faded pages, she has no idea of the secrets she is about to uncover. Or that her life is in more danger than ever before…

Review

This story was a unique change of pace for me. After the Christmas season, a witches tale was definitely needed.

1692. On the outskirts of Salem, a bookstore stands covered in overgrown vines. Inside, a young woman hides a linen-wrapped journal under a loose floorboard and runs away, panicked by the sound of hounds barking in the distance. The bookstore vanishes into thin air…

Present day. Stepping inside a pale-pink house on one of the oldest streets in Salem, Dora can’t believe she’s about to finally meet the mother she thought died tragically when she was just a child. But the excitement is short-lived. Dora’s mother has fear in her eyes, and with a trembling voice she whispers: ‘my life is in danger, and now so is yours…’

I love these dual timelines, and believe me, there is action in each one. It is hard to pick which timeline I liked the most. The 1692 in Salem is so interesting but the present day is more intense.

Dora is a character I enjoyed…heck I enjoyed all of them. They are quirky and serious all at the same time. Add in the pet crow and you have a fun, intense and unique story.

The narrator, Stephanie Cannon, is pretty good. There were places that I felt she was a bit overly dramatic. But that could have been me.

Need a good witchy tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch #bookreview #audiobook #nonfiction

Overview

Scott Brick, with his rich baritone and impeccable pacing, delivers a commanding performance of a riveting, unconfirmed WWII incident.” —AudioFileon The Nazi Conspiracy

From the New York Times bestselling authors of The Nazi Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy comes a true, little-known story about the first assassination attempt on John F. Kennedy, right before his inauguration.

Kennedy, the thirty-fifth president of the United States, is often ranked among Americans’ most well-liked presidents. Yet what most Americans don’t know is that JFK’s historic presidency almost ended before it began—at the hands of a disgruntled sociopathic loner armed with dynamite.

On December 11, 1960, shortly after Kennedy’s election and before his inauguration, a retired postal worker named Richard Pavlick waited in his car—a parked Buick—on a quiet street in Palm Beach, Florida. Pavlick knew the president-elect’s schedule. He knew when Kennedy would leave his house. He knew where Kennedy was going. From there, Pavlick had a simple plan—one that could’ve changed the course of history.

Written in the gripping style that is the hallmark of Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch’s bestselling series, this is a slice of history vividly brought to life. Meltzer and Mensch are at the top of their game with this brilliant exploration of what could’ve been for one of the most compelling leaders of the 20th century.

Review

On December 11, 1960, shortly after Kennedy’s election and before his inauguration, a retired postal worker named Richard Pavlick waited in his car—a parked Buick—on a quiet street in Palm Beach, Florida. Pavlick knew the president-elect’s schedule. He knew when Kennedy would leave his house. He knew where Kennedy was going. From there, Pavlick had a simple plan—one that could’ve changed the course of history.

This is a story that will make you gasp, cry and want to hit someone. I love how the authors create such emotion in a nonfiction book. This is what I love about Brad Meltzer. His nonfiction books read like novels. There is true life to the characters. Yes, they were real people, but a lot of times, authors miss this part of the story. Not Meltzer and Mensch.

This is well researched and to be honest, I want to know more. And he briefly touches on something in the assignation, I wonder if anybody else picks up on it. Not going to say a word here…you need to read this to find out.

Scott Brick is my favorite narrator of all time. And he is perfect for this book..HECK…he is perfect for any book!

Need a unique story about JFK…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today

I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Best of 2024! #5starreads #2024wrapup

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I had a fabulous reading year! I have put together all of my 5 star reads! I hope you add them to your list! Please….let me know which ones you enjoyed!

January

When the Jessamine Grows
The Heiress
Mrs Kennedy

February

The Women
The Teacher
The Uncharted Flight Of Olivia West
Queens of London

March

The Berlin Letters
The Girls We Sent Away
Forgetting To Remember
The Blues Brothers
Drive

April

The Royal Librarian
Darling Girls

May

Summers At The Saint
Tomorrow is for the Brave
Southern Man
Camino Ghosts

June

The Rom-Commers
The Paris Widow
Husbands & Lovers
A Happier Life

July

Shades of Mercy
The Lost Story

Maria

August

Scandalous Women
In Every Life

The Disappeared

The Berlin Apartment
All They Ask is Everything

September

Mademoiselle Eiffel
Hey Jesus, It’s Me

October

A Golden Life
The Colony Club
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

November

The Lies we Leave Behind
The Sunflower House

December

The Stolen Sisters
Beautiful Ugly
Uncultured

I hope the new year brings you great books and lots of reading time!

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The Illusionist by Laurie Buchanan #bookreview #seanmcpherson @gosparkpress

Overview

For fans of Louise Penny and Robert Dugoni, Illusionist is a contemporary crime thriller where PI McPherson must choose between killing an author at a writing retreat in the Pacific Northwest or letting a college student die.

When an illusionist joins the Pines & Quill writing retreat, one of the owners vanishes without a trace in the middle of everyone, but the surrounding would-be witnesses don’t see or hear a thing. That’s when crime boss Georgio Gambino makes a checkmate move against his nemesis, Sean McPherson. He forces a writer in residence to kill another writer and frame McPherson. In a video call, Gambino warns the writer, “If you don’t follow orders, your daughter will die.” Then, he pans the camera to prove access to her college dorm room. 

McPherson discovers that Carmine Fiore, Gambino’s second in command, covets his boss role and is staging a coup. As Gambino’s soldiers traffic drugs, weapons, and humans, Fiore plants incriminating evidence against the notorious Sureños gang. Can McPherson leverage that knowledge for a temporary truce and the gang’s help?

The writers in residence—a former NASCAR driver, a professional triathlete, an architect turned house flipper, and a world-renowned magician who may not be who she appears to be—band together with McPherson to create the illusion of a lifetime.

Review

In true Laurie Buchanan fashion, The Pines and Quill writing retreat will send you reeling…in more ways than one.

This retreat is perfect for the solitude of the writer. And trust me when I say…I want to go and just read. But life does not stay peaceful, even at The Pines and Quill.

Enter Sean Mcphersons’s nemesis, Georgio Gambino. He forces a writer in residence to kill another writer and frame McPherson. In a video call, Gambino warns the writer, “If you don’t follow orders, your daughter will die.” Then, he pans the camera to prove access to her college dorm room. 

Sean McPherson or “Mick” as he is called is my all time favorite. I love his intellect and his magnetism. The author uses all of his attributes to create this suspenseful tale you do not want to miss.

I love this series. It is not necessary that you read them in order, but trust me, you will want to read them all!

Need a good mystery with great characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the author for a honest review.

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The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan @harlequinbooks #bookreview #historicalfiction

Overview

In the heart of occupied WWII Paris, an elegant fashion house is the unlikely headquarters of a daring resistance network. Behind closed doors, courageous women vie to save loved ones and strangers alike from the Nazis in this powerful story of survival, friendship and second chances.

France, 1942

Once, Paulette Leblanc spent her days flirting, shopping and drawing elegant dresses in her sketch pad. Then German tanks rolled into France, and a reckless romance turned into deep betrayal. Blaming herself for her mother’s arrest by the Gestapo, Paulette is sent away to begin a new life in Paris, working as apprentice to fashion designer Sabine Ballard.

But Maison de Ballard is no ordinary fashion house. While seamstresses create the perfect couture gowns, clandestine deals and secrets take place out of sight. Mademoiselle Ballard is head of a vast network of resistance fighters—including Paulette’s coworker and friend Nicolle Cadieux—who help escort downed military men and Jewish families to safety.

Soon Paulette is recruited as a spy. Working as a seamstress by day, gathering information at glamorous parties by night, Paulette at last has a chance to earn the redemption she craves. But as the SS closes in, and Nicolle goes missing, Paulette must make life-and-death decisions about who to trust, who to love and who to leave behind…

Review

Once, Paulette Leblanc spent her days flirting, shopping and drawing elegant dresses in her sketch pad. Then German tanks rolled into France, and a reckless romance turned into deep betrayal. Blaming herself for her mother’s arrest by the Gestapo, Paulette is sent away to begin a new life in Paris, working as apprentice to fashion designer Sabine Ballard.

I am in the minority on this one. My friend over at Silvers Reviews loved this book. You can see her review here. We usually agree on most of the books we read. In my opinion, this is more of a 3.5 stars rounded up. This is why I always say…read the book yourself.

This story dragged a good bit for me. And because of the holiday season and the festivities, this is probably my fault. I just had a hard time connecting to this story. Plus, I have read several WWII books lately and it may mean I need a change. Now, I did enjoy it. It was just a tad slow.

All of that being said…this has family drama, secrets. and intensity. Sabine is tough, smart and connected. Paulette starts out a bit naïve. But, she soon turns into a good resistance worker with a unique flair.

Need a good French Resistance tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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