THE PRINCESS PLAN by Julia London

January 23, 2020

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 A Royal Wedding Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

Princes have pomp and glory—not crushes on commoners

Nothing gets the tongues of London’s high society wagging like a good scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefited from an anonymous tip about the crime, prompting Sebastian to take an interest in playing detective—and an even greater interest in Eliza.

With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more salacious than a prince dallying with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And when things heat up behind closed doors, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes first—his country or his heart.

This is the introduction to a new series by the fabulous Julia London. It is set in England, but the prince is from Alucia, whatever that is. The political machinations are really what this book is all about, but it is the relationship between Eliza and Sebastian that brings the romance. Everyone loves a good scandal, so a murder in the highest echelons of society keep the gossip going. Eliza is smart, and it is her intellect that really attracts Sebastian.

The secondary characters are so well developed, especially Eliza’s family, including her father, who is blind. Eliza had been badly hurt when she was younger and is determined to never put herself in that situation again. She has declared herself a spinster and is happy with that. She is brash and outspoken and I loved her! But she also can’t help falling for Sebastian, even though she knows that can never be as he is upfront with her about his marriage prospects, which are entirely political. Of course, there has to be a happy ending, and Sebastian is smart, too, and he finagles a way to make that happen.

Lots of suspense, lots of humor and some steamy sex make for a terrific read. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.

1/2020 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE PRINCESS PLAN by Julia London. HQN; Original edition (November 19, 2019).  ISBN 978-1335041531. 400 p.

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DEEP STATE by Chris Hauty

January 22, 2020

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From the publisher:

In this white-knuckled, timely, and whip-smart debut thriller, a deadly plot against the president’s life emerges from the shadows of the Deep State.

Recently elected President Richard Monroe—populist, controversial, and divisive—is at the center of an increasingly polarized Washington, DC. Never has the partisan drama been so tense or the paranoia so rampant. In the midst of contentious political turf wars, the White House chief of staff is found dead in his house. A tenacious intern discovers a single, ominous clue that suggests he died from something other than natural causes, and that a wide-ranging conspiracy is running beneath the surface of everyday events: powerful government figures are scheming to undermine the rule of law—and democracy itself. Allies are exposed as enemies, once-dependable authorities fall under suspicion, and no one seems to be who they say they are. The unthinkable is happening. The Deep State is real. Who will die to keep its secrets and who will kill to uncover the truth?

As the title implies, Chris Hauty’s first novel deals with the possibility that there is a group of people operating behind the scenes that are manipulating national events in the United States. It is a situation that apparently is known to exist by many people without the means to control it. The novel is a work of fiction but based on distinct possibilities could be what is happening.

Haley Chill, a young woman from West Virginia, has just finished a tour in the army and looking for something to do. She has had a good several years, distinguished herself and had the fortune to become the woman’s boxing champion for her army group. She has gotten herself a place as an intern with the newly elected president’s staff working at the White House. Richard Monroe, the new President, is controversial and in many respects divisive. The Deep State group wants him dead due to the many problems surrounding him and his political outlook.

The action starts immediately when the White House chief of staff is found dead in his home. The only clue to who killed him is found by Haley who tells no one of her findings and attempts to launch her own investigation. She understands that it is the work of the so-called Deep State and that is the conspiracy that must be found and destroyed. Quite a mission for a young girl just out of military service but she is up to it.

There is no problem finding action in the story, and the words flow keeping the reader glued to the pages awaiting the outcome. The ending is not telegraphed at all, but is quite satisfying and will do its part in Hauty’s readers coming back for more.

1/2020 Paul Lane

DEEP STATE by Chris Hauty. Atria/Emily Bestler Books (January 7, 2020). ISBN 978-1982126582. 288p.

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ONE SUMMER IN PARIS by Sarah Morgan

January 21, 2020

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From the publisher:

To celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Grace has planned the surprise of a lifetime for her husband—a romantic getaway to Paris. But she never expected he’d have a surprise of his own: he wants a divorce. Reeling from the shock but refusing to be broken, a devastated Grace makes the bold decision to go to Paris alone.

Audrey, a young woman from London, has left behind a heartache of her own when she arrives in Paris. A job in a bookshop is her ticket to freedom, but with no money and no knowledge of the French language, suddenly a summer spent wandering the cobbled streets alone seems much more likely…until she meets Grace, and everything changes.

Grace can’t believe how daring Audrey is. Audrey can’t believe how cautious newly single Grace is. Living in neighboring apartments above the bookshop, this unlikely pair offer each other just what they’ve both been missing. They came to Paris to find themselves, but finding this unbreakable friendship might be the best thing that’s ever happened to them…

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Sarah Morgan is a prolific romance writer and her “From Manhattan with Love” series is one of my favorites.  A few years ago, she shifted from writing romance to women’s fiction.  One Summer in Paris has been gathering virtual dust on my Kindle for about a year now.  As I’ve been trying to clear out the ever-growing number of to-be-read titles on my Kindle it was time to finally go for it.  This is a somewhat tricky review to approach.  On a surface level, I enjoyed reading One Summer in Paris, it is a quick read, the descriptions of Paris and its food are of course charming, but in the end, the book as a whole didn’t sit well with me.  The main highlight of the book is the unexpected friendship that grows between Grace and Audrey as they work together in a quaint bookshop.

After her husband’s devastating betrayal Grace has been struggling with feeling useless and learning how to navigate her life without her husband at her side.  Audrey, on the other hand, has already had to be more independent than any teenager should.  She has practically raised herself while dealing with a severe learning disability, while her mom struggles with alcoholism and is often neglectful if not downright abusive.  Seeing these two women from vastly different backgrounds support and learn from each other was the best part of the book.  Each of them begins to overcome their fears and gain confidence, while of course finding a little romance.  Then, however, things begin to take a turn plot-wise, all working towards an ending that feels a little forced and not earned.  A storyline involving Grace’s beloved grandmother, Mimi, in particular, feels like an afterthought and was not well developed.  Most important though, I feel that in Morgan’s desire to give her characters happy endings, Grace and Audrey never get to fully reflect on the trauma and difficulties they have experienced and how they have changed as a result.  As a reader this left me with some feelings of frustration by the end of the book.

While One Summer in Paris is packed with beautiful descriptions of Paris, its art, architecture, and food, even the complex friendship between Grace and Audrey wasn’t enough to keep me from feeling that this book still lacked something when it came to actual substance and character growth.

ONE SUMMER IN PARIS by Sarah Morgan. HQN Books (April 9, 2019). ISBN  9781335507549. 400 p.

1/2020 Caitlin Brisson

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WIFE AFTER WIFE by Olivia Hayfield

January 20, 2020

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The basic premise of this new telling of an old story reimagines Henry VIII morphed into a Rupert Murdoch type figure, without having learned a thing in the past 472 years.

Harry Rose is a British business tycoon whose media empire puts him near the top of every list of billionaires worldwide. This fast-paced, fun, yet engrossing read follows Harry’s marital trail of tears. Being married to one woman doesn’t work for Harry; he has one affair after another, and some of the mistresses even become wives. As a young man, he marries Katie, a devout Catholic with infertility issues. Eventually, she bears him a daughter, and not long afterward, Harry falls madly in love with wife number two, Ana, the “ice queen.” Harry’s blindly devoted secretary becomes his third wife, followed by a couple more, and he has children with several of them. But it is the burgeoning #metoo movement that creates a comeuppance for Harry, retribution for at least some of his wives, opportunities for his daughters, and a fitting end to this ultimately feminist tale.

Verdict: This story will resonate with readers, even ones those not familiar with British royal history. For readers who enjoyed the updated Jane Austen books like Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal and Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, and are ready to branch out.

©Library Journal, 2020

1/2020 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WIFE AFTER WIFE by Olivia Hayfield. Berkley (January 21, 2020). ISBN 978-0593101834. 464p.

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THE COUNTRY GUESTHOUSE by Robyn Carr

January 17, 2020

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Sullivan’s Crossing, Book 5

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers an emotional and triumphant novel about the fierce power of a mother’s love.

A summer rental, a new beginning…

Hannah Russell’s carefully crafted plans for her life have been upended without warning. When her best friend died suddenly, Hannah became guardian to a five-year-old named Noah. With no experience at motherhood, she’s terrified she’s not up to the challenge. She and Noah need time to get to know each other, so she decides to rent a country house with stunning views on a lake in rural Colorado.

When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by the owner, a handsome man who promises to stay out of their way. But his clumsy Great Dane, Romeo, has other ideas and Noah immediately bonds with the lovable dog. As Hannah learns to become a mother, Owen Abrams, who is recovering from his own grief, can’t help but be drawn out of his solitude by his guests.

But life throws more challenges at this unlikely trio and they are tested in ways they never thought possible. All three will discover their strengths and, despite their differences, they will fight to become a family. And the people of Sullivan’s Crossing will rally around them to offer all of the support they need.

Robyn Carr is one of my favorite authors. I love all of her series, and I was really excited when I saw there was a new addition to the Sullivan’s Crossing series. The setting is one of my favorites. But I must admit, I had a little trouble with this book.

I liked Hannah a lot, and I loved Noah. These characters were well developed and believable. On the other hand, Owen was a bit of an enigma to me. I didn’t feel like he was as well developed, even though his background was explored and was very dramatic. Something just felt off to me. Maybe it was the lack of chemistry between Hannah and Owen. They went from platonic to romantic without any real buildup. This book had a lot of telling, rather than showing, and I never like that as much.

Not my favorite, but I’m still glad I read it.

1/2020 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE COUNTRY GUESTHOUSE by Robyn Carr. MIRA; Original edition (January 7, 2020).  ISBN 978-0778309055. 336 p.

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A RUSH OF BLOOD by David Mark

January 16, 2020

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From the publisher:

Ten-year-old Hilda’s search for her missing friend has terrible consequences in this gripping psychological thriller.

When her friend Meda fails to turn up for dance class one evening, 10-year-old Hilda is convinced that something bad has happened to her, despite Meda’s family’s reassurances. Unable to shake off her concerns, Hilda turns to her mother, Molly, for help. Molly runs the Jolly Bonnet, a pub with links to the Whitechapel murders of a century before and a meeting place for an assortment of eccentrics drawn to its warm embrace. Among them is Lottie. Pathologist by day, vlogger by night, Lottie enlists the help of her army of online fans – and uncovers evidence that Meda isn’t the first young girl to go missing.

But Molly and Lottie’s investigations attract unwelcome attention. Two worlds are about to collide in a terrifying game of cat and mouse played out on the rain-lashed streets of London’s East End, a historic neighbourhood that has run red with the blood of innocents for centuries.

David Mark gives us a stand-alone novel with his current book. It is a horror story and if you like the genre a good one. The book takes place in England in modern times but with a haunting attachment to the murders by Jack the Ripper in the 1860s. The novel begins with 10-year-old Hilda beginning to worry about her friend Meda who hasn’t shown up for their dance class. Hilda tells her mother about her worries but with the result that Meda’s family doesn’t appear to be overly concerned about their daughter’s whereabouts.

Hilda’s mother, Molly, runs the Jolly Bonnet, a pub with links to the Whitechapel murders of a hundred years before. The scene is populated by characters reminiscent of a bloody past and an overriding interest by leading personnel in blood, its transfusion, discoveries of its nature down through the centuries, and its twisted use by the villain of the piece.

The individual committing crimes including the kidnapping of Meda is introduced at the beginning of the novel. This is done undoubtedly to paint a complete picture of the person, what has twisted him and made a homicidal maniac out of him. For those not averse to reading a novel steeped in horror, “A Rush of Blood” will be a rewarding experience with definite plans to read additional books by this author.

1/2020 Paul Lane

A RUSH OF BLOOD by David Mark. Severn House Publishers; Main edition (January 7, 2020). ISBN 978-0727889058. 224p.

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FROM THE GRAVE by Jay Brandon

January 15, 2020

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Edward Hall Series, Book 2

From the publisher:

Disbarred defence attorney Edward Hall discovers that in order to win his case he has to lose in this tense and twisting legal thriller.

“You want me to represent the most hated man in Houston?”

Disbarred Texas lawyer Edward Hall returns to the courtroom after accepting an offer from the District Attorney to represent the most obviously guilty defendant in town. It’s a poisoned chalice. Not only is his client charged with kidnapping the DA’s sister, he is already well-known for the previous kidnapping of a celebrity’s son.

But if Edward handles this well, he has a chance to regain his law licence. And Edward understand that by ‘handling the case well’, the DA means he needs to lose. Labouring under this impossible conflict of interest, Edward prepares for the trial with the help of his resourceful girlfriend Linda. But as the trial approaches, Edward finds himself having to solve and prove a completely different case: one of cold-blooded murder.

Edward (not Ed) Hall is a disbarred attorney due to having spent time in jail and becoming a convicted felon has gone back to his home town of Houston, Texas where he works at any job he can get. He has also been successful in moving in with Linda, a girl he has fallen in love with. His world looks brighter but he certainly misses practicing law.

Out of the blue, an opportunity presents itself to him in the form of an offer from the District Attorney. A man that was in jail at the same time as Edward stands accused of kidnapping a lady and extorting a ransom from her husband. The D.A. tells him that if he takes the case and goes to court with it his legal license will be returned. It is insinuated that he must handle the case the “right” way – losing and allowing the defendant to be put back in jail.

Edward takes the case and realizes that the lady kidnapped is the District Attorney’s sister and the man he is representing had helped him out several times while they were both incarcerated. He gets help from Linda who proves herself very resourceful. The trial, the preparations of both parties: the D.A. and Edward as the defense attorney is told very well with all the bumps and maneuvers that probably would occur in any real trial.

The story lays the groundwork for continuing Edward and Linda’s appearances in court, and it doesn’t hurt the storyline that Linda receives her court reporter’s license as the events proceed. Brandon has written previous books featuring Edward Hall and the present novel probably represents a new beginning for him with the added help his girlfriend.

1/2020 Paul Lane

FROM THE GRAVE by Jay Brandon. Severn House Publishers; Main edition (January 7, 2020). ISBN 978-0727889003. 240p.

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TWENTY-ONE TRUTHS ABOUT LOVE by Matthew Dicks

January 14, 2020

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From the publisher:

From the beloved author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend comes a wonderful new novel about a struggling man, written entirely in lists.

Daniel Mayrock’s life is at a crossroads. He knows the following to be true:

1. He loves his wife Jill… more than anything.
2. He only regrets quitting his job and opening a bookshop a little (maybe more than a little)
3. Jill is ready to have a baby.
4. The bookshop isn’t doing well. Financial crisis is imminent. Dan doesn’t know how to fix it.
5. Dan hasn’t told Jill about their financial trouble.
6. Then Jill gets pregnant.

This heartfelt story is about the lengths one man will go to and the risks he will take to save his family. But Dan doesn’t just want to save his failing bookstore and his family’s finances:

1. Dan wants to do something special.
2. He’s a man who is tired of feeling ordinary.
3. He’s sick of feeling like a failure.
4. He doesn’t want to live in the shadow of his wife’s deceased first husband.

Dan is also an obsessive list maker; his story unfolds entirely in his lists, which are brimming with Dan’s hilarious sense of humor, unique world-view, and deeply personal thoughts. When read in full, his lists paint a picture of a man struggling to be a man, a man who has reached a point where he’s willing to do anything for the love (and soon-to-be new love) of his life.

I am a fan of the epistolary novel and this is a very good one. The entire novel is written in lists, which makes for a very fast and fun read. Told entirely from Dan’s point of view, (these are his lists, after all,) and we learn about his work, his family, his life. At times very funny, at times serious, just like life.

Anyone who has ever owned or worked in a bookstore, or even a library for that matter, will appreciate the bookstore lists for sure. Like these:

Number of books sold today that I love
4

Number of books sold today that I despise
19

Number of books sold today that I despise that include vampires
6

And this little tidbit, the dark secret of the bookselling industry, #6 on a list entitled, “Things no one warned me about when I bought the bookstore:”

Most stolen book is The Bible

Dan is a very insecure man. Marrying a widow is not always easy, and Dan thinks he cannot live up to the husband that came before him but he struggles along anyway. He quit his job as a teacher to pursue the bookstore business, while Jill still teaches. As the old adage (which apparently no one told him about) goes, if you want to make a little money in a bookstore, start out with a lot of money. Dan’s business is tanking fast, and he is lying to Jill about it. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but his letters to billionaires go unanswered, for the most part, leading him down a different path. Let’s just say hijinks ensue, and how fun it is that I get to say that.

There are some serious issues brewing as well, and Dan handles those as best as he can. Those lists alternate between being laugh out loud funny and completely heart wrenching. I was completely immersed in Dan’s world, and didn’t pick up my head until I turned the last page.  If you haven’t read an epistolary novel, or you are not sure, take a look at this one, it’s very good. And I cannot help but recommend my favorite epistolary novel, Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger.

If anyone listens to this book, I’d love to know what you think. I wish I could hear just a snippet, I’m curious how a book like this works in audio form. Audible, why don’t you have samples to listen to before you buy a book?

Finally, there is a brief mention of why Dan makes his lists. It appears fairly early in the book on a list that follows “Why I’m always writing shit down” with another list, “Real reasons for lists:”

Compromise at first with therapist because journaling sucks

Finished with therapist but lists became a habit

Thinking on the page

Makes sense of things

Putting things in lists puts them out of my head and lets me sleep.

Which reminded me of my recent dive into Bullet Journaling (see review of Love Lettering.) I love when my books move me in a circle.

1/2020 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

TWENTY-ONE TRUTHS ABOUT LOVE by Matthew Dicks. St. Martin’s Press (November 19, 2019). ISBN 978-1250103482. 352p.

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THE GOD GAME by Danny Tobey

January 13, 2020

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From the publisher:

“Smart, propulsive and gripping, THE GOD GAME is an ambitious thriller and a terrifying examination of what could–and probably already is–happening in the world of artificial intelligence.”―Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away

A technological thriller with an all-too-believable premise, award-winning author Danny Tobey’s The God Game follows five teenagers obsessed with an online video game that connects them to their worst impulses and most dangerous desires.

They call themselves the Vindicators. Targeted by bullies and pressured by parents, these geeks and gamers rule the computer lab at Turner High School. Wealthy bad boy Peter makes and breaks rules. Vanhi is a punk bassist at odds with her heritage. Kenny’s creativity is stifled by a religious home life. Insecure and temperamental, Alex is an outcast among the outcasts. And Charlie, the leader they all depend on, is reeling from the death of his mother, consumed with reckless fury.

They each receive an invitation to play The God Game. Created by dark-web coders and maintained by underground hackers, the video game is controlled by a mysterious artificial intelligence that believes it is God. Obey the almighty A.I. and be rewarded. Defiance is punished. Through their phone screens and high-tech glasses, Charlie and his friends see and interact with a fantasy world superimposed over reality. The quests they undertake on behalf of “God” seem harmless at first, but soon the tasks have them questioning and sacrificing their own morality.

High school tormentors get their comeuppance. Parents and teachers are exposed a hypocrites. And the Vindicators’ behavior becomes more selfish and self-destructive as they compete against one another for prizes each believes will rescue them from their adolescent existence. But everything they do is being recorded. Hooded and masked thugs are stalking and attacking them. “God” threatens to expose their secrets if they attempt to quit the game. And losing the game means losing their lives.

You don’t play the Game. The Game plays you….

The God Game is an imaginative novel about a video game being ordered by high school students from a group of underground hackers. The group consists of what is thought of at their school as “nerds,” and are all interested in normal relationships with the so-called “normals.” The motto of the game is “Win and all your dreams come true – lose and you die.” And therein is the basis for an interesting novel by Daniel Tobey.
Tobey is a recognized authority on AI (artificial intelligence) and the idea that this is what is being dealt with is in the background of his book.  However, as soon as the students begin playing the game all sorts of what is normally impossible things begin appearing in a virtual world playing out via their phones and computers. The game begins texting them orders like worship me, obey me and complete a mission. They find that if they obey and successfully fulfill an order they will receive rewards in real life; if not, there is a punishment.
The God Game is an updated and fascinating book based on the science fiction literature about intelligent machines taking over from their creators and subjugating them as servants rather than the masters as originally conceived when the robots were built. The book is a draw for the reader, but not an all-nighter as much of the technical descriptions can be a bit over the heads of non-computer literate people. There is no problem, however, with understanding the events taking place and finishing the novel with an interest in reading more by Tobey.

1/2020 Paul Lane

THE GOD GAME by Danny Tobey. St. Martin’s Press (January 7, 2020). ISBN 978-1250306142. 464p.

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THE AMISH WEDDING PROMISE by Laura V. Hilton

January 12, 2020

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Hidden Springs Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

Could this bride’s wedding disaster be a blessing in disguise?
 
Grace Lantz always imagined her wedding day would be a blissfully happy occasion. But after a tornado swept through town, she finds herself relieved that the ceremony is delayed. After all, her groom-to-be hasn’t even bothered to check on her. Instead, it’s the handsome volunteer Zeke Bontrager who selflessly offers Grace his strong shoulders to lean on.
Zeke came to Hidden Springs to assist a community in need. He didn’t expect to meet his soul mate. Determined to ignore his feelings, Zeke promises to help reunite kind, beautiful Grace with her groom. But after spending time together, Grace confesses that she might not want to marry her fiancé after all. Can Zeke convince her that her true love is standing right in front of her? And can she find the courage to follow her heart?

I’ve read a few books over the years that were set in Amish country, but they were mysteries. I believe this is my first Amish romance. I have always been a little leery of them because I don’t like books where I feel like I’m being preached to, like some “inspirational” romances. Even though I love many of Debbie Macomber’s more mainstream romances, there are some that get on my last nerve. So it was with some trepidation that I picked up this book. Kudos to Hilton’s publicist, because she made it sound like something I would like. And I did.

Grace isn’t exactly the most chaste and dutiful daughter that she should be, which is probably why I liked her; 18-year-old Grace reminded me of my 13-year-old self! These characters seemed like real people, with all the failings that most of us have. There were dramatic moments due in part to the Amish lifestyle, but mostly I could relate.

Grace is engaged to a man whom she does not love, but is hopeful somehow because it makes her parents happy. When she meets Zeke, she realizes something is wrong in her relationship with her groom-to-be. When a horrific storm blows through the night before her wedding, it becomes clear that the tornado is quite the metaphor.

There was an inherent sweetness to the story which I really liked (as an antidote to reading three newspapers a day.) I was happy to be swept away to the gentler world portrayed here, even though many of the same problems that exist in the world outside the Amish also reside within. It was a good story with wonderful character development and a sweet romance. I am definitely more inclined to read other Amish romances now.

1/2020 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE AMISH WEDDING PROMISE by Laura V. Hilton. Forever (December 17, 2019). ISBN 978-1538700648. 352p.

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