MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

November 9, 2015
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I didn’t realize how much I missed reading chick lit until I read this. Now it’s probably called women’s fiction since chick lit appears to have disappeared from book vernacular, but however it is being characterized, it’s a fun read, and an interesting one.

I love those books that ponder the road not taken; one of my favorites is What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarity (2011.) That book looked at woman who forgets the previous ten years of her life. This book looks at the future instead of the past, and it’s just as intriguing.

Hannah Martin is twenty-nine years old and still searching for…something. Her parents and sister moved to London while she was in high school, leaving Hannah to live with her best friend Gabby back in Los Angeles. She graduates from college and starts drifting from city to city, job to job, boyfriend to boyfriend – her last being Michael, a married man with two children, but never forgetting her first love, Ethan. They broke up during college but both still harbor the feeling of unfinished business.

Hannah decides to move home to L.A., and Gabby offers up her guestroom. Gabby is married to Mark, who Hannah likes well enough, and they all get along. Shortly after arriving, they go out to a club where Hannah runs into Ethan. Later that night, Gabby tells her she needs to get home and Hannah needs to decide whether to go home early with Gabby, or hang out with Ethan for a while longer.

The book then moves forward in two storylines; one in which she goes with Gabby, the other with Ethan. Told in alternating chapters, Hannah is living two different lives, a sort of choose-your-own-adventure with amazingly different results.

This was an engrossing story and a real page turner. I was torn between which life I thought she should be living, up until the very last page of the book. Reading this is like going on a roller coaster through Hannah and Gabby’s lives, and these characters were so well developed and likeable that I didn’t want the ride to end.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Washington Square Press (July 7, 2015).  ISBN 978-1476776880. 352p.

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CHRISTMAS BELLS by Jennifer Chiaverini

November 7, 2015
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I figured if I keep reading Christmas novels, eventually I’ll find one I can rave about…and here it is!

This book is a twofer – two stories told in alternating chapters that are set over a hundred years apart. The obvious inspiration of the historical story neatly focuses the modern day one, and I loved them both.

“Christmas Bells” is a Henry Wordsworth Longfellow poem (see below) that was turned into a Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Chiaverini tells the story of how the poem came to be written, which is a mostly a biography of Longfellow, and she does a terrific job. Starting at the beginning of the Civil War, right before the first shots are fired, we learn how Longfellow lived, the tragedies that befell him and his family, and about his home and its historical significance in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The alternating stories are about St. Margaret’s, a Catholic church in the nearby town of Watertown. Sophia is a music teacher whose job is threatened by budget issues. She also is the children’s choir director at the church. Her accompanist is in love with her, but it is an unrequited love due to various factors. Stories also are spun about two of the children in the choir, Charlotte and her younger brother, whose father is serving in Afghanistan.

One of the most memorable characters in the modern day story is Sister Winifred, a nun who has the rather unnerving habit of talking to herself. But she also has the uncanny ability to ferret out truths about her parishioners and the priest that seem other-worldly, or perhaps divine?

This is heartwarming, of course, but also fascinating and beautifully written. This will be the Christmas book I”ll be recommending this season.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

CHRISTMAS BELLS by Jennifer Chiaverini. Dutton (October 27, 2015).  ISBN 978-0525955245. 336p.

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I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
 Their old, familiar carols play,
 And wild and sweet
 The words repeat
 Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
 And thought how, as the day had come,
 The belfries of all Christendom
 Had rolled along
 The unbroken song
 Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
 Till ringing, singing on its way,
 The world revolved from night to day,
 A voice, a chime,
 A chant sublime
 Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
 Then from each black, accursed mouth
 The cannon thundered in the South,
 And with the sound
 The carols drowned
 Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
 It was as if an earthquake rent
 The hearth-stones of a continent,
 And made forlorn
 The households born
 Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
 And in despair I bowed my head;
 “There is no peace on earth,” I said;
 “For hate is strong,
 And mocks the song
 Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
 Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
 “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
 The Wrong shall fail,
 The Right prevail,
 With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

 

 

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TENACITY by J.S. Law

November 5, 2015
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Lieutenant Dan (Danielle) Lewis is a special investigator in the Royal Navy. Her assignment is to investigate a suicide on the submarine “Tenacity,” which occurred immediately after the man’s wife was beaten, raped and killed.

Submarines are notoriously inhospitable to women, and this one is no exception – one hundred hostile men and Dan, who isn’t much of a team player anyway. But investigate she does, despite the fact the captain refuses to stay in port and sets out on their next mission, with Dan on board.

The crew aboard are not happy nor helpful, and Dan is in danger every step of the way. Law, a former Royal Navy Submarine engineer, ups the tension significantly as he brilliantly recreates the claustrophobic feel of living on a submarine. The unusual setting adds a great deal of interest but never slows the action in this fast paced nail-biter.

This is the first book of a series featuring this flawed but dynamic character, and shows great promise as the series moves forward.

Copyright ©2015 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TENACITY by J.S. Law. Henry Holt and Co. (November 3, 2015).  ISBN 978-1627794565. 320p.

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A SPECTER OF JUSTICE by Mark de Castrique

November 4, 2015
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Sam Blackman Series

Two little boys are orphaned when their parents are killed during a domestic violence trial. The people of the small town of Asheville, North Carolina pull together and plan a fundraiser for the boys.

Private investigator Sam Blackman had been testifying when the murders occurred and feels guilty, so he agrees to help out when his girlfriend Nakayla asks him to work with the Asheville Apparitions, who want to create a fundraising ghost tour of the town, using members of the group as reenactors. Sam agrees to act as storyteller at the bridge where a woman hung herself years earlier and her spirit is seen from time to time.

When the first tour group comes by, an actual woman tumbles down from the bridge dangling from a noose and very much dead. Then another of the reenactors dies in a recreation across town in an old hotel, and the hunt is on for the killer.

Sam and Nakayla work with the police to help solve the murder, while more of the town’s history unfolds. Lots of interesting characters and some nice twists help make the pages fly by, and readers who enjoy small town mysteries and ghost stories should enjoy this.

Copyright ©2015 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A SPECTER OF JUSTICE by Mark de Castrique. Poisoned Pen Press (November 3, 2015).  ISBN 978-1464204746. 252p.

 

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THE CROSSING by Michael Connelly

November 3, 2015
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Bosch Series

This is the beginning of a new Harry Bosch. Connelly has gone where he swore he wouldn’t go and Harry is working for his half brother, the Lincoln Lawyer himself, Mickey Haller.

After being forced into retirement – can’t say early, Harry’s been a cop longer than most – but nonetheless there is a lawsuit pending. He’s bored. Working on an old motorcycle just isn’t enough to make him happy.

Enter Mickey, who asks him to look into a murder. Harry balks, he considers defense work as going over to the dark side. But as Mickey explains the case, and swears his client is innocent, Harry agrees to look at the discovery evidence and see if there are any holes in the investigation.

Of course he finds some, he is not the legend of the homicide department for nothing. As uncomfortable as he is working for a defense lawyer, even his brother, he is more uncomfortable with a shoddy investigation and a man in jail who may not belong there. And more importantly, a killer on the loose in his town.

As far as I’m concerned, Connelly is the best crime fiction writer out there, and his latest just proves it. Don’t miss it.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE CROSSING by Michael Connelly. Little, Brown and Company (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-0316225885. 400p.

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NO GOOD DEED by Allison Brennan

November 3, 2015
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Lucy Kincaid Novels (Book 10)

All hands are on deck when former DEA agent turned murderer Nicole Rollins escapes on her way to testify against drug lord Tobias, leaving several dead law enforcement officers and a bus load of frightened children who narrowly escaped a bomb on board the bus.

Lucy Kinkaid and Sean Rogan are just two of the agents trying to find Collins amid a massive manhunt, but there is contention about who the real mastermind is behind her escape. The general consensus is that she has fled the country but Kinkaid has her doubts about that too. Most of the agents believe Tobias is running the show, but Kinkaid, a psychological profiler, is leaning more towards Collins being in charge.

Brennan turns the tables a bit in this 10th entry into this terrific series, offering up the antagonists’ point of view, and the tight plotting and all the action make this a true page turner. This chilling, twisty tale of revenge is the denouement of the last few books of the series, but there is enough explanation to allow new readers to be able to enjoy this latest entry on its own.

Copyright ©2015 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

NO GOOD DEED by Allison Brennan. Minotaur Books (November 3, 2015).  ISBN 978-1250064332. 480p.

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BLUE VOYAGE by Diana Renn

November 2, 2015
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Zan’s not exactly a bad kid, but things haven’t been easy of late and it’s caused her to act out a bit. So her mom decides they could both do with a change. A blue voyage cruise in Turkey with Zan’s aunt is an opportunity to get away while offering support to the recently widowed Jackie.

Zan’s uncle was killed in an unfortunate hiking accident and, though there’s no evidence to suggest otherwise, it seems Jackie has become convinced it wasn’t an accident at all. Jackie was to accompany her husband on the cruise where he would lead a group on a tour of archaeological sites. Now the cruise is a chance for Jackie to officially say goodbye.

In spite of the fact that the area is under increased watch thanks to a boom in antiquities smuggling, Zan’s trip begins well enough. The small boat is tight, but the scenery is gorgeous and even Zan can’t resist the pull of the blue ocean and the ancient cliff walls. She even makes a friend in fellow traveler Sage. But Zan’s trip to paradise soon turns dangerous when she becomes entangled in the smuggling ring’s plans, forcing her to risk everything in order to save the people she loves most.

Blue Voyage is a teen mystery that’s actually quite perfect as a cross over for adults. Renn’s pacing and plotting are spot on. There are hints of the danger to come as we embark on the tale, but the main focus in the beginning is on setting the scene and giving the reader a chance to get to know Zan and her family.

The story moves from the cruise to Istanbul and eventually Cappadocia with Renn taking readers on a tour of their own through Turkey’s archaeological history. This history, it should be noted, is something Renn herself has taken great pains to portray as accurately as possible. And it’s this history paired with the current political tension and Zan’s own family drama that provides a tense framework for the story.

Between the exotic locale, the promise of a treasure hunt, and a possible underlying murder mystery to connect it all there’s not much more you can really ask for here. Blue Voyage comes together as a fabulously fun read for anyone looking for a great adventure.

11/15 Becky LeJeune

BLUE VOYAGE by Diana Renn. Viking Books for Young Readers (October 13, 2015).  ISBN 978-0670015597.  464p.

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THE DRESS SHOP OF DREAMS by Menna van Praag

October 31, 2015
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This is a fabulist, wondrous story about a girl, the guy whose been in love with her for most of their lives, and her grandmother.

Scientist Cora Sparks lost her parents in a house fire when she was a young child. Her grandmother, Etta, raised her, and they are very close. Etta owns a very special dress shop, where the dresses pick the customers, Etta adds a few special stitches and the customers find their lives changed – a bit fantastical yet somehow believable in van Praag’s fine hands.

In the book shop down the street, Walt, the owner, has been in love with Cora since the first time he laid eyes on her when he was just ten years old. Walt has another job besides the bookstore; he reads books aloud on the local radio station each evening, and women are falling in love with him because of his voice. But he has no interest in any of them.

Unbeknownst to Walt, his boss at the radio station is answering all his fan mail, and eventually strikes up a correspondence with Milly, a young widow. Despairing of ever winning Cora’s heart, Walt meets Milly and they form a relationship, but he doesn’t know about “their” letter correspondence.

Meanwhile, Etta is determined to get her granddaughter’s mind out of just her work and to get her to realize that Walt has feelings for her. Etta’s magic starts a lot more than she expected – Cora decides to try and find out how her parents died. The fire was ruled an accident, but Etta tells her she was never convinced of that.

There are several storylines here that flow seamlessly together and make the pages fly by. This truly is one of my favorite reads this year, and were it in my power, I would make everyone who reads this review go read this book! It reminded me a bit of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern but not quite as complicated, or maybe more like The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey  – it has that fairytale quality to it.

I loved this magical read, and just might read it again – which is high praise indeed.

10/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE DRESS SHOP OF DREAMS by Menna van Praag. Ballantine Books (December 30, 2014). ISBN 978-0804178983. 336p.

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FALLING INTO BED WITH A DUKE by Lorraine Heath

October 30, 2015
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Hellions of Havisham, Book 1

This is the first book of a new series, and I can’t wait for the rest. This author was new to me, although I have heard of her from patrons who love her books, and now I know why.

Minerva Dodger has been on the marriage market for six seasons but the only men interested in her are after her large dowry. She has been holding out for love, but given that her looks are on the plain side she is giving up.

Determined to have some fun, she finagles entrance to the Nightingale club, where women are masked and ready for sexual liaisons with men who are not. Respect for privacy is the rule, and Minerva finds herself with the very eligible Duke of Ashebury. She wants to lose her virginity, and he is happy to oblige…but things don’t go exactly as planned.

They meet up at a ball, but the Duke doesn’t realize who he is so intrigued with. She knows, but has a hard time believing someone as eligible as the Duke would want anything to do with her.

This was a fun albeit predictable read, although really, pretty much all romances are. And that’s what keeps drawing me back for more. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

10/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

FALLING INTO BED WITH A DUKE by Lorraine Heath. Avon (October 27, 2015). ISBN 978-0062391018. 384p.

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FOOD WHORE by Jessica Tom

October 29, 2015
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A Novel of Dining and Deceit

I do love me some foodie fiction so I was very excited to hear about this debut novel. Jessica Tom is a food blogger from Brooklyn, NY who blogs about dining in New York and also posts her own recipes. I poked around her site and found out the original title was “Bad Taste” which I have to say I much prefer. Food Whore will be a turnoff for some people and I wasn’t particularly enamored of it. But the publisher was, so there you go.

The book centers around Yale graduate Tia Monroe who has been accepted into a graduate food studies program at NYU. She moves to NYC as does her boyfriend, a botanist, who lands the job of his dreams. Tia has applied for an internship with her idol, Helen Lansky (think Ruth Reichl) and brings a gift of cookies for her. She is waylaid by Michael Saltz, the uber powerful NY Times restaurant critic, who tosses the cookies and keeps her from Helen.

Saltz is enamored of her palate and facility with language and offers her a deal she can’t refuse. His palate has gone awry; he has lost all sense of taste. He offers her an unlimited budget and access to a personal shopper at Bergdorfs, lunches and dinners at the best and hottest restaurants in NY in exchange for her writing his reviews (that he revises at will) and she is sucked in. He dangles the internship with Helen as she struggles to resolve the internship she’s been assigned at one of New York’s finest restaurants – in the coat room.

This tangled web eventually closes in on Tia, but not before she ruins several relationships along the way. The publisher is promoting this as “The Devil Wears Prada meets Kitchen Confidential,” which certainly got me to read it, but it is more about the evils of ambition then what really goes on…where? In a restaurant? At the New York Times? At the graduate school of New York University? Really none of those, so that was a bit disappointing. Nonetheless this was a good story, it drew me in even though I really didn’t like any of the characters. I know I was supposed to forgive Tia, even understand why she did what she did, but maybe I’m not the most forgiving person because I couldn’t.

10/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

FOOD WHORE by Jessica Tom. William Morrow Paperbacks (October 27, 2015).  ISBN 978-0062387004. 352p.

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