reecaspieces

Overview

Revisit this small-town holiday romance by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak.

Cierra Santos is looking for a refuge and a place she can call home. After uprooting her whole life looking for a better future, her fiancé’s death leaves Cierra lost and confused. When she gets stuck in a snowstorm in the small town of Dundee, Ken Holbrook offers her a place to stay for the holidays, and during the time they spend together, Cierra finds safety and comfort in the man who showed her kindness at the lowest moment of her life. Now Cierra must be brave enough to trust and open her heart again for the prospect of true love and a new place she can call home.

Review

Cierra has shown up at Ken Holbrooks’ door. She is half frozen and needs a place to stay. Ken opens his home and his heart to this young lady. Now Cierra needs to be brave and let him in!

This is a lightening fast read. And I enjoyed it.

I loved Ken and his toughness. But Cierra and her vulnerability is what drew me into this story. I did feel these two needed of a jolt of chemistry. But this is a cute romance with a good bit of holiday cheer!

I did enjoy the narrator, Amy McFadden. She did a good job especially with the Spanish!

Need a quick romance to end out your reading year…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this from the publisher for a honest review.

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Chirp

Overview

The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time. 

1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette’s efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined.

1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized.

A spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few—the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above—Paula McLain’s unforgettable new novel chronicles two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving.

Review

The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time. 

This book has some beautiful phrasing. I actually wanted to take notes…and I am NOT a note taker. It is not a perfect book either. It has some places that drag just a bit. But Y’all! I just could not put it down. I had to know what was happening in each time period.

Alouette Voland’s situation broke my heart on so many levels. And then there is Kristof Larson whose bravery will make you gasp!

The author masterfully wove these two tales together through the tunnels under Paris. And believe me you learn a great deal and want to know more!

This book publishes January 6! Add it to your list today! This is one you do not want to miss.

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

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Overview

At the darkly glamorous height of the Roaring 20s, an independent Black intellectual and her bi-racial foster child are immersed in the vibrant world of the Harlem Renaissance – and a shocking murder on Striver’s Row – in this thrilling Jazz Age mystery for reader of Nekesia Afia, Jacqueline Winspear, Avery Cunningham’s The Mayor of Maxwell Street.

1926: Harriet Stone, a liberated, educated Black woman, and Lovey, the orphaned, biracial,
12-year-old she is bound to protect, are Harlem-bound, embarking on a new, hopefully less traumatic chapter in their lives. They have been invited to move from Connecticut by Harriet’s cousin, Junetta Plum, who runs a boarding house for independent-minded single women.

It’s a bold move, since Harriet has never met Junetta, but the fatalities of the Spanish flu and other tragedies have already forced her and Lovey to face their worst fears. Alone but for each other, they have little left to lose—or so it seems as they arrive at sophisticated Junetta’s impressive brownstone.

Her cousin has a sharp edge that makes Harriett slightly uncomfortable. Still, after retiring to her room for the night, she finally falls asleep—only to awaken to Junetta arguing with someone downstairs. In the morning, she makes a shocking discovery at the foot of the stairs.

What ensues will lead Harriet to question Junetta’s very identity—and to wonder if she and Lovey are in danger as well. It will also tie Harriet to five strangers. Among them, Harriet is sure someone knows something. What she doesn’t yet know is that one will play a crucial role in helping her investigate her cousin’s murder . . . that she will be tied to the others in ways she could never imagine . . . and that her life will take off in a startling new direction . . .

Review

1926: Harriet Stone, a liberated, educated Black woman, and Lovey, the orphaned, biracial,
12-year-old she is bound to protect, are Harlem-bound, embarking on a new, hopefully less traumatic chapter in their lives. They have been invited to move from Connecticut by Harriet’s cousin, Junetta Plum, who runs a boarding house for independent-minded single women.

This story started out very strong and then it sort of fell off in the middle.

I enjoyed the time period and the setting of Harlem in the 20’s. But there are a ton of characters to keep up with. I mean…it is a boarding house. But, I loved Harriet. She is intelligent and knows when to keep her mouth shut.

I enjoyed the hunt for the killer! Lots of deductions keep the reader guessing. I am looking forward to the next in this series!

Need a good murder mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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Overview

The latest thrilling installment in the bestselling Mercy Carr mystery series

Mercy and Troy are looking forward to baby Felicity’s first holiday season, and they’re determined to make it a Christmas to remember. At Northshire’s annual Solstice Soirée, hosted by Northshire’s finest and funded by Mercy’s billionaire pal Feinberg, Amy’s little girl Helena is sitting on Santa Claus’s lap. She’s telling him she’d like a Bitty Baby doll just like little Felicity when the bearded man leaps up, thrusts the toddler at her mother Amy, and staggers away from the festivities. He disappears into the woods. By the time Elvis and Mercy find him, Santa Claus aka the town mayor, is lying on his back, dead. A yule log made of oak sits on his chest, burning bright, a beacon of light on the darkest day of the year. 

This strange murder is the first of a series of similar Solstice-themed killings targeting the town’s most prominent citizens. Beloved family friend Lillian Jenkins, the grande dame of Northshire, could be next. Mercy and Troy and the dogs must team up with Thrasher and Harrington to capture The Yuletide Killer before he strikes again, this time far closer to home.

Review

This strange murder is the first of a series of similar Solstice-themed killings targeting the town’s most prominent citizens. Beloved family friend Lillian Jenkins, the grande dame of Northshire, could be next. Mercy and Troy and the dogs must team up with Thrasher and Harrington to capture The Yuletide Killer before he strikes again, this time far closer to home.

I have read a few of the Mercy Carr Mysteries. This one is NOT my favorite. If I heard one more time about how she needs to see her baby or what she is missing about her baby…I was going to pull my hair out.

That being said, the mystery itself will definitely keep you entertained. It is a bit strange and this makes you wonder what is going on in Northshire. Add in the best dogs in any book, Elvis and Susie Bear, and you have a good tale to get you through the holidays.

Need a Christmas time mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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