reecaspieces

Overview

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

“One of the most beautiful books of motherhood and what we pass on to those that come after us.” —Jenna Bush Hager, Today

The New York Times bestselling author of the “mesmerizing and evocative” (Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet returns with a powerful exploration of the love that binds one family across the generations.

Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living.

As Washington’s former poet laureate, that’s how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has truly come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help.

Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America.

As painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who’s loved her through all of her genetic memories. Dorothy endeavors to break the cycle of pain and abandonment, to finally find peace for her daughter, and gain the love that has long been waiting, knowing she may pay the ultimate price.

Review

Afong Moy was the first Chinese person to be brought to the USA. Dorothy, the poet laureate of Washington, is experiencing severe bouts of depression and she seeks help. She discovers some past regressions from a previous life or rather from a previous relative, Afong Moy. And this leads to many discoveries about herself and possibly a past life lover.

This story follows several characters through several time periods. Some time periods were more interesting than others. But all the characters are related through one person, Afong Moy. And what they are experiencing in their lives all go back to her.

I fluctuated between 3 and 4 stars. I ended up giving this book 4 stars based on originality and uniqueness. Plus, this book had me researching Afong Moy. And yes she did exist! So, this story is very unique in its premise. It is just slow in places.

Need a good book which will have you reflecting on your life…THIS IS IT! GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!

I received this novel from the publisher for an honest opinion.

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The Witches of Moonshyne Manor

Bianca Marais

On Sale Date: August 23, 2022

9780778386995, 0778386996

Trade Paperback

$16.99 USD, $24.99 CAD

Fiction / Magical Realism

400 pages

About the Book:

A coven of modern-day witches. A magical heist-gone-wrong. A looming threat.

Five octogenarian witches gather as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor. All eyes turn to the witch in charge, Queenie, who confesses they’ve fallen far behind on their mortgage payments. Still, there’s hope, since the imminent return of Ruby—one of the sisterhood who’s been gone for thirty-three years—will surely be their salvation.

But the mob is only the start of their troubles. One man is hellbent on avenging his family for the theft of a legacy he claims was rightfully his. In an act of desperation, Queenie makes a bargain with an evil far more powerful than anything they’ve ever faced. Then things take a turn for the worse when Ruby’s homecoming reveals a seemingly insurmountable obstacle instead of the solution to all their problems.

The witches are determined to save their home and themselves, but their aging powers are no match for increasingly malicious threats. Thankfully, they get a bit of help from Persephone, a feisty TikToker eager to smash the patriarchy. As the deadline to save the manor approaches, fractures among the sisterhood are revealed, and long-held secrets are exposed, culminating in a fiery confrontation with their enemies.

Funny, tender and uplifting, the novel explores the formidable power that can be discovered in aging, found family and unlikely friendships. Marais’ clever prose offers as much laughter as insight, delving deeply into feminism, identity and power dynamics while stirring up intrigue and drama through secrets, lies and sex. Heartbreaking and heart-mending, it will make you grateful for the amazing women in your life.

Review

A mob is coming after Moonshyne Manor. The mayor and the city members want to tear it down for commercial real estate. But, the coven of witches that live there are not giving up easily. This is their home and they will fight till the death…oops…it may come down to that in the end!

This book started strong and had me laughing out loud. It did slow down a bit in the middle and could have been a good bit shorter. But, I found it creative and engaging, especially where Persephone is concerned. I mean…she has a dog named Ruth Bader Ginsburg for goodness sakes! It goes around with a crocheted collar. What’s not to love!?!

This is more than fun novel…it is that, but it touches on a lot of todays issues. So, it has some serious situations which just add to this fantastical tale.

Need a good story about friendship with strong feminist feelings which will have you laughing out loud…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

About the Author:

Bianca Marais cohosts the popular podcast The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing, aimed at emerging writers. She was named the winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies in 2021. She is the author of two novels, Hum If You Don’t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, as well as the Audible Original The Prynne Viper. She lives in Toronto with her husband and fur babies.

Social Links:

Author website: https://www.biancamarais.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biancamaraisauthor 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/biancam_author/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biancamarais_author/ 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Moonshyne-Manor-witchy-rom-com/dp/0778386996/ 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor-bianca-marais/1141674843?ean=9780778386995 

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/books/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor/9780778386995 

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780778386995 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780778386995 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor 

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor/id1609763913 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Bianca_Marais_The_Witches_of_Moonshyne_Manor?id=WKteEAAAQBAJ 

Libro.FM: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488215506-the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor 

Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor/9780778333920-item.html 

Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor-by-bianca-marais-paperback/-/A-85998293

Overview

The latest in the New York Times bestselling Cork O’Connor Mystery Series from the “master storyteller” (Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author) follows Cork in a race against time to save his wife, a mysterious stranger, and an Ojibwe healer from bloodthirsty mercenaries.

The ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux has had a vision of his death. As he walks the Northwoods in solitude, he tries to prepare himself peacefully for the end of his long life. But peace is destined to elude him as hunters fill the woods seeking a woman named Dolores Morriseau, a stranger who had come to the healer for shelter and the gift of his wisdom.

Meloux guides this stranger and his great niece, Cork O’Connor’s wife, to safety deep into the Boundary Waters, his home for more than a century. On the last journey he may ever take into this beloved land, Meloux must do his best to outwit the deadly mercenaries who follow.

Meanwhile, in Aurora, Cork works feverishly to identify the hunters and the reason for their relentless pursuit, but he has little to go on. Desperate, Cork begins tracking the killers but his own skills as a hunter are severely tested by nightfall and a late season snowstorm. He knows only too well that with each passing hour time is running out. But his fiercest enemy in this deadly game of cat and mouse may well be his own deep self-doubt about his ability to save those he loves.

From “an author who never disappoints” (Bookreporter), this is another gripping and richly told addition to a masterful series.

Review

Henry is preparing for the end of his life. But, as usual, life throws a curve ball and Henry ends up protecting a woman on the run and Cork must do everything in his power to find out why someone is chasing this woman. This could have deadly outcome if Cork does not succeed.

Henry is one of my favorite characters in any series. He ranks right up there with Agent Pendergast. Henry is as old as dirt and everyone in the whole novel expects him to die any day. But, Henry being Henry, continues to show everyone his strength and his Indian ways…and these are not to be laughed at.

This story had me guessing which way it was going to go! And believe me, it could have gone many different directions. I love a story which twists around and leads the reader on a merry chase! And this one definitely does that!

This is number 18 or 19 in the Cork O’Conner series. Amazon has it at 19, Goodreads has it as 18. When you get this many…it may be time to stop. And I really believe that is why I only gave this 4 stars. I absolutely love this author. And no, I have not even come close to reading all these in this series. But, I am already kinda of tired of them. But, I guess if it’s selling books for this author he will continue to keep this series alive.

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

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

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And yes…I met him at Book Expo several years ago…I miss book expo…anyway…he was such a super nice man!

Overview

Sandy Gingras’s Paradise Girls features a broken engagement. A ruined vacation in paradise. One adorable little girl. The perfect recipe for the chance of a lifetime…

It’s Christmas time, and Mary Valley is in a funk. She’s a writer for home magazines, but she’s lost touch with what home means. Her life seems meaningless. The last house she wrote about was a gazillion-dollar mansion with a moat! Plus, she’s estranged from her daughter, CC, and granddaughter, Larkin, and mired in a dead-end relationship with her boss.

Daniel is a man adrift since his son Timmy was killed in Afghanistan. He’s living on a houseboat in Florida with Timmy’s three-legged dog, Tripod, and taking tourists out on fishing charters. But his life is on the edge. He’s painting his houseboat black, and he can’t stop thinking about “getting lost at sea.”

When Mary’s boss tells her he’s spending Christmas with his ex, she books a trip with her family to The Low Key Inn, a hotel on the edge of the Everglades. But things go wrong from the get-go. CC bails out of the vacation, and Mary is stuck with an unhappy Larkin. The hotel is dated and down on its luck, and perhaps its owner is a witch. Then Mary meets Daniel, casts a hook into his head and wrecks his boat.

This is the story of how wounded people can help each other heal, how lost people can help each other find their way home. How life can become a love story….

Review

Mary has just broken up with her boyfriend and has decided to run away to a well deserved vacation. She ends up taking her young granddaughter with her after her daughter backs out at the last minute. Things just go down hill from there. She wrecks a boat, she loses her wallet…just to name a few.

Mary is a character I wanted to slap most of the time. She is very wishy washy and will not stand up for herself. She just takes and takes and takes, especially from her daughter and her boyfriend. Enter Daniel! Daniel is a fabulous character with a 3 legged dog named Tripod (not original at all 🤦🏻‍♀️). Daniel is struggling with his own issues but he can’t help but feel a connection with Mary.

Quite a few eye roll moments in this read. Now, I did finish it. I might not have if I had been reading it physically. But, I have more patience with a book if I am listening to it. No idea why!

I am definitely in the minority on my review of this read. And usually I love these types of books. But, this one just didn’t sit well with me. I almost gave it 2 stars. However, I did like several of the characters and the setting is perfect. An old, outdated hotel by the Everglades…I can just picture some of the decor!

Now, don’t let my review stop you from trying this book, especially if it is your genre. This novel definitely has a few perks.

Need a book with a great setting and an adorable dog…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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Overview

An unforgettable debut novel about family secrets, falling apart, and coming together.

Dublin 1996. Joan Egan lives an enviable life. She and her husband, Martin, and daughter, Carmel, are thriving in Dublin at the dawn of an economic boom. But everything changes when Joan receives a letter from Emma, the daughter who she and Martin gave up for adoption thirty years before, asking for a life-or-death favor.

While Joan grapples with the guilt over giving up her baby long ago, she must confront her present as the cracks in her marriage become impossible to ignore and simmering tension with Carmel boils over. Meanwhile, Carmel and Emma must come to terms with the perceived sins of their mother, to imagine a future for their family before it is too late.

Spanning the nineties and the sixties, with Dublin as its backdrop, The Making of Her is the tender and page-turning story of marriage, motherhood, a culture that would not allow a woman to find true happiness—and her journey to finally claim it.

Review

Joan has a secret. One she wishes she never kept. But, because of her situation, she felt it was better for everyone. However, as her life moves along and she gets older, she realizes she has made a terrible mistake. She is not sure if she can ever correct it or make amends for it. Due to a circumstance beyond her control, she just might get the opportunity to at least try and make it better. She knows she can never make it right but she just might have the chance to help every one heal from her terrible decision.

Joan definitely comes into her own as this story moves along. And I wanted to slap her husband and her mother-in-law so many times. And yes, I know quite a few people like that. I mean, GOD FORBID, that you do not come across as perfect. So, let’s damage everyone’s life to make sure yours is spotless. Can you tell this book elicited major reactions for me! That’s the sign of a good book!

The premise of this book has been used numerous times. But, it is never boring. And I love the way this author used this plot to create strong female characters, especially one which is a late bloomer. But when she decided to roar…she ROARED!

This is a captivating tale full of hurt, pain, love and healing.

Need just an all around great read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

Purchase Here

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BECOMING FAMILY

Author: Elysia Whisler

ISBN: 9780778386469

Publication Date: August 16, 2022

Publisher: MIRA Books

Book Summary:

Contemporary romance for fans of Jill Shalvis and Lori Foster, returning to the characters of the Dogwood County series, Book 3 follows Tabitha Steele as she plans to have her best year ever.

On her thirtieth birthday, Tabitha realizes she hasn’t much to show for her life since she left military service. Tabitha makes a hasty vow that she will make this the best year of her life, which is a tall order considering her mish-mash of unfulfilling jobs, her stagnant social life, and the crippling PTSD she has to overcome on a near-daily basis. But she thinks she can do it with the help of her beloved service dog, Trinity.

Chris Hobbs, the playful and wild-hearted bad boy of the Semper Fit gym, is Tabitha’s complete opposite. Which is why, despite his habit of dating any woman who bats an eye at him, he’s always steered clear of Tabitha, even though they’ve formed a tight friendship. Especially because of that.

Review

Tabitha is struggling with her PTSD and with the direction of her life. She is determined that within this year she will discover what she is good at and where she wants to go with her career. But, life tends to get in the way. Enter Chris…Chris has his own family issues and reservations. But, life continues to throw these two together.

The first book I read by this author was Rescue You . I really enjoyed that one, so when this one as offered, I took it. This is on the same vein as Rescue You and I loved it.

This story is full of wonderful animals and the characters have a connection which can’t help but draw you into the story. I love Tabitha. She is broken and knows she has issues. But she keeps up the fight! And then there is Chris! He is like most men…and he is not! He is funny and witty and NOT looking to settle down. But there is just something about Tabitha!

Need an all around good romance with great rescue dogs…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

About the Author

Elysia Whisler is the author of RESCUE YOU and other coming titles in the Dogwood County series. She was raised in Texas, Italy, Alaska, Mississippi, Nebraska, Hawai’i and Virginia, in true military fashion. Her nomadic life made storytelling a compulsion from a young age. Her work as a massage therapist and a CrossFit trainer informs her stories. She lives in Virginia with her family, including her large brood of cat and dog rescues, who vastly outnumber the humans.

Author Website: https://www.elysiawhisler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElysiaWhisler/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElysiaWhisler

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysiawhisler/ 

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/rpukw53

Buy Links:

BookShop: https://bookshop.org/books/becoming-family-9780778386469/9780778386469  

Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780778386469_becoming-family.html 

Barnes & Noble:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-family-elysia-whisler/1140304086?ean=9780778386469 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Family-Novel-Dogwood-County/dp/0778386465/ref=sr_1_3?crid=10IFRJHYTD09R&keywords=becoming+family&qid=1659626577&sprefix=becoming+family%2Caps%2C55&sr=8-3 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Becoming-Family/Elysia-Whisler/9780778386469?id=8292090795540 

Powell’s: https://www.powells.com/book/becoming-family-9780778386469

About The Book:

After the death of her beloved husband and becoming a single parent to her nine-year-old son Alexander, overworked scientist Helen desperately needs an escape. So when Alexander proposes a trip to Greece—somewhere he’s always dreamed of visiting—Helen quickly agrees.

After spending several days exploring the tourist-filled streets, they stumble upon the ancient city of Mystras and are instantly drawn to it. Its only resident is Elias, a mysterious tour guide living on the city’s edges…both physically and temporally.

In 1237, Elias’s mother promised his eternal service to the Profitis Ilias in Mystras in exchange for surviving a terrible illness. But during his 800 years of labor, he’s had one common enemy: the noble Lusignan family. The Lusignan line is cursed by a deadly disease that worsens with each generation, and a prophecy hints that Elias’s blood is their only hope for a cure. He has managed to survive throughout the centuries, but the line has dwindled down to the last Lusignan and he is desperate to avert his family’s destiny.

When Elias runs into Helen, he meets his match for the first time—but he unwittingly puts both her and her young son in danger as a result. With time running out and an enemy after them, Elias and Helen are forced to choose between the city they love, and each other.

Review

Helen is an overworked and wounded scientist. Her husband has recently passed away and she is struggling to find the correct balance to raise her son. So, when an opportunity arises for her and her son to visit Greece, they jump at the chance. Little do they know this will change all aspects of their future.

Helen and her son are damaged and I felt and instant connection. Helen is smart and hard working. I love her scientific study on Huntington’s disease. This hooked me right from the start!

I did enjoy both time periods in this novel. I learned so much in both. But, and this is unusual for me, I liked the present day better than the Ancient Greece sections. Basically because I felt a better connection to the characters.

The only reason I gave this 4 stars is because it is a bit long and drawn out in places. But…that is minor because I so loved reading about Ancient Greece. Add in the science…and I was hooked.

This is a unique tale you do not want to miss!

Need a wonderful dual timeline novel…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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About The Author:

Melodie Winawer is the author of THE SCRIBE OF SIENA (2017), which was praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Bustle, and Real Simple, and was declared a “Must Read Book” by the New York Post. SCRIBE has been translated into German, Czech, Polish, and Norwegian . Winawer is also the author of the recently published ANTICIPATION (November 2021), which was a starred review Publisher’s weekly “Pick of the Week”, called one of the “Best books released in November” and “Best Historical Fiction Fall 2021” by BuzzFeed, and is now a Target Recommends Pick.  Melodie is also a contributor to WE ALL FALL DOWN; STORIES OF PLAGUE AND RESILIENCE, an anthology of short stories by nine historical fiction writers. A physician-scientist and associate professor of neurology at Columbia University, Melodie has published over fifty scientific articles. To find the energy to write, she relies on unflagging enthusiasm and green tea. Melodie lives with her spouse and their three children in both New York City and Vermont. http://melodiewinawer.com/

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