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one_more_book's reviews
377 reviews
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I stepped out of my "genre comfort zone" with this one because I loved the title and book cover - great reasons to choose a book in my opinion! It's a cozy fantasy and I found that I enjoyed it very much.
Reyna, one of the wicked queen's private guards, and her girlfriend Kianthe, the most powerful mage in existence, just want to live normal lives, own a bookshop that sells tea, and meet good, trustworthy friends. Should be easy, right? Not so much when the queen sends her spies out to find Reyna who is accused of treason.
The book is filled with mishaps, murder, and a tantrum-throwing queen. But you also find good friends who are loyal to couple who bring the book store/tea shop to their small community
Reyna, one of the wicked queen's private guards, and her girlfriend Kianthe, the most powerful mage in existence, just want to live normal lives, own a bookshop that sells tea, and meet good, trustworthy friends. Should be easy, right? Not so much when the queen sends her spies out to find Reyna who is accused of treason.
The book is filled with mishaps, murder, and a tantrum-throwing queen. But you also find good friends who are loyal to couple who bring the book store/tea shop to their small community
The Orchid Papers by Kat Thurston
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What an intense book filled with deceit, twisting of facts, betrayals, deep secrets, manipulation, and whistleblowing based on a true story. Cass Hartmann has been happily married to her financier husband Mangus for twenty-five years, or so she thought. Until she's not.
As she is evicted from her family home and left destitute, despite her husbands wealth, Cass is thrown into a world she never imagined: having lived on the idyllic island of Jersey (UK) she finds that the vast amount of corruption in the courts and government block her every move at getting justice. Luckily, Cass is blessed with wonderfully loyal friends, Alex, Veronika, and Bella, who help her navigate the murky waters all of their husbands seem to be neck deep in as they seek truth and justice for themselves and the women of Jersey.
As she is evicted from her family home and left destitute, despite her husbands wealth, Cass is thrown into a world she never imagined: having lived on the idyllic island of Jersey (UK) she finds that the vast amount of corruption in the courts and government block her every move at getting justice. Luckily, Cass is blessed with wonderfully loyal friends, Alex, Veronika, and Bella, who help her navigate the murky waters all of their husbands seem to be neck deep in as they seek truth and justice for themselves and the women of Jersey.
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow, Victoria Christopher Murray just released another best seller! Harlem Rhapsody is an example of not only exquisite storytelling, but also exquisite research (you need to read Author's Note and Historical Note, too). In this book VCM gives us the opportunity to witness the birth of the Harlem Renaissance through the story of "the midwife" who birthed the majority of writers and poets of the movement - Jessie Redmon Fauset.
Jessie set the stage for elevating Negro writers and poets in the 1920s as well as her personal goals as the literary editor for "The Crisis", a magazine founded by W.E.B. DuBois - her employer, mentor, and lover. Harlem Rhapsody is a tribute to her intellect, drive, and passion for mentoring young writers and poets. Among those she helped catapult to fame are Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Nora Zeal Hurston, and Nella Larson.
Harlem Rhapsody is Jessie Redmon Faucet's story - her love of literature, belief in elevating Negros in the literary world, and her relationship with DuBois. I can easily see this book as the topic of a college level literature or history class as well as a book club selection.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Jessie and her mother host a group of women in their home shortly after moving to New York City. A banner across the room reads "Votes for Women - Equality is the Sacred Law of Humanity" - a suffragist quote that can also be applied to the horrific era of Jim Crow. Jessie proudly fought for equal rights for all.
Jessie set the stage for elevating Negro writers and poets in the 1920s as well as her personal goals as the literary editor for "The Crisis", a magazine founded by W.E.B. DuBois - her employer, mentor, and lover. Harlem Rhapsody is a tribute to her intellect, drive, and passion for mentoring young writers and poets. Among those she helped catapult to fame are Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Nora Zeal Hurston, and Nella Larson.
Harlem Rhapsody is Jessie Redmon Faucet's story - her love of literature, belief in elevating Negros in the literary world, and her relationship with DuBois. I can easily see this book as the topic of a college level literature or history class as well as a book club selection.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Jessie and her mother host a group of women in their home shortly after moving to New York City. A banner across the room reads "Votes for Women - Equality is the Sacred Law of Humanity" - a suffragist quote that can also be applied to the horrific era of Jim Crow. Jessie proudly fought for equal rights for all.
The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carolyn Brown
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Carolyn Brown always writes great, easy to read, enjoyable books about strong Southern women. This one does not disappoint!
Jancy is a twenty-two year old, down on her luck orphan just trying to get to her cousin's house in Louisiana. Of course, life gets in the way of her plans, as so often happens, and she ends up in the little town of Pick where she had lived for two years during high school. Her father had been a wanderer, so she never stayed in one are very long.
When her car catches on fire in the parking lot of the Strawberry Hearts Diner, she is both angry and devastated. She feels like she just can't catch a break. The owners of the diner recognize her from her time living in Pick and take her under their wings and into their hearts. Jancy's story (and now her life) is filled with both good and bad, but the good finally begins to outweigh the bad.
If you are looking for a quick HEA book, just pick up this one and enjoy!
Jancy is a twenty-two year old, down on her luck orphan just trying to get to her cousin's house in Louisiana. Of course, life gets in the way of her plans, as so often happens, and she ends up in the little town of Pick where she had lived for two years during high school. Her father had been a wanderer, so she never stayed in one are very long.
When her car catches on fire in the parking lot of the Strawberry Hearts Diner, she is both angry and devastated. She feels like she just can't catch a break. The owners of the diner recognize her from her time living in Pick and take her under their wings and into their hearts. Jancy's story (and now her life) is filled with both good and bad, but the good finally begins to outweigh the bad.
If you are looking for a quick HEA book, just pick up this one and enjoy!
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I had tried reading this a few years ago and couldn't read past the first murder. However, I recently picked it up again and really enjoyed reading it! I guess the first time was just not the right time for me.
I loved the four main characters - they were diverse in backgrounds and personalities, all got along well, and worked well together to solve the murder(s). The supporting characters were well developed and some were quite likeable, too.
The story line of four octogenarians living in an independent living facility creating their "Thursday Murder Club" is entertaining and made for a great story. Since they each had different backgrounds, they pooled their skills, divided the workload, and enlisted (or was it manipulated?) the help of two local police investigators.
I loved the four main characters - they were diverse in backgrounds and personalities, all got along well, and worked well together to solve the murder(s). The supporting characters were well developed and some were quite likeable, too.
The story line of four octogenarians living in an independent living facility creating their "Thursday Murder Club" is entertaining and made for a great story. Since they each had different backgrounds, they pooled their skills, divided the workload, and enlisted (or was it manipulated?) the help of two local police investigators.
Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
I often forget how much I love books by Jull Shalvis until I pick up another to read. She explores topics that are sometimes difficult to read about, let alone experience. In "Lost and Found Sisters" the major theme is grief. Not just losing someone you love, but how that grief can disable you, make you unfeeling, angry, cast off, all alone, empty, and how difficult it is to work through that grief and heal your heart & soul.
Quinn Weller lost her best friend/only sibling to a fatal car accident two years earlier. For two years Quinn has been numb; going through the motions of her daily life with no enthusiasm or life. When she learns that her parents have kept a great secret from her, she feels shattered once again and takes off to the small town of Wildstone to learn the truth and claim an inheritance she knew nothing about. Her inheritance is not money, but something much more complicated and difficult to comprehend.
As she learns more about her mysterious and baffling inheritance, Quinn comes to love the quirky town and its residents. Quinn also learns to open her heart again . . . and finds that she is still truly blessed in spite of the life-changing secret her parents kept from her.
Quinn Weller lost her best friend/only sibling to a fatal car accident two years earlier. For two years Quinn has been numb; going through the motions of her daily life with no enthusiasm or life. When she learns that her parents have kept a great secret from her, she feels shattered once again and takes off to the small town of Wildstone to learn the truth and claim an inheritance she knew nothing about. Her inheritance is not money, but something much more complicated and difficult to comprehend.
As she learns more about her mysterious and baffling inheritance, Quinn comes to love the quirky town and its residents. Quinn also learns to open her heart again . . . and finds that she is still truly blessed in spite of the life-changing secret her parents kept from her.
Dreaming of You by Julie Carobini
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
A sweet novelette belonging to the Sea Glass Inn series. Guiliana and Tom’s meeting by chance in the spa is funny and awkward and makes you want to know more of their stories. The characters are well developed, realistic, and likable. There is no true protagonist as the main characters do well enough on their own to create the ups and downs of a new relationship.
James by Percival Everett
Lessons I've learned in childhood were reinforced by reading James:
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I finished reading this last week and am still processing it.
Lessons I've learned in childhood were reinforced by reading James:
*treat others with respect
*help others by reaching out to them - even when all you have to offer is friendship and support
*it's not what's on the outside that is important, it's what's on the inside and how you live your life
*be a friend
*take the high road (you know, "when they go low, we go high")
*treat others the way you want to be treated
*be the change you want to see
What lessons have you learned from the reading of "James"?
Peace, my friends.
Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I love the candor of Brooke Shields book: no holds barred, she shares exactly what the thinks! One of the most refreshing aspects is that no topic is taboo - she shares not only her successes, but also her failures (real or perceived) about relationships, parenthood, parents, work, sex, menopause, empty nests, and much more. r story is filled with introspection and is well researched with resources in the Notes section.
I found it amazing that this "child star" (since infancy) managed and grew into a truly wonderful emotionally healthy woman in spite of have an alcoholic parent/agent. She seems like the kind of woman you would love to sit down with and just talk about any and everything!
I found it amazing that this "child star" (since infancy) managed and grew into a truly wonderful emotionally healthy woman in spite of have an alcoholic parent/agent. She seems like the kind of woman you would love to sit down with and just talk about any and everything!
The Secrets of Good People by Peggy Shainberg, Boo Walker
challenging
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
The Secrets of Good People is a bit different than Boo Walker's usual books: it's a mystery AND he was asked to finish an incomplete manuscript after the original author's death. This had to be a difficult task as it was not his own story to tell, but he had to find the voice to do justice to Peggy Shainberg's unfinished manuscript. Kudos for taking on such a daunting task!
A whirlwind courtship and wedding for Frank and Catherine, a move to a small island in Florida, a murder the day after they arrive, and of course, the secrets of good people are all combined in this murder mystery! And yes, there is a love story involved, which was my favorite part.
Detective Quentin Jones is reminiscent of the 1970s characters many of us watched on television: part Jim Rockford, part Columbo. Boo Walker expertly captures the landscape and slang of the 1970s as he weaves his magic into the eclectic cast of neighbors/characters as their stories and secrets are exposed. This was an enjoyable read, not a thriller (thank goodness), but definitely a good mystery.