3.7 Stars

The owners of Hopgood Hall, Alexis, Cheryl, and Drew, agree o host a reality baking show. They could do with some money to repair and maintain the estate. Their temperamental chef, Marcel Gasquet, heads the show, promising good ratings and extra business for the estate. 

Of course, things are complicated off-screen. Juliette Hammond, one of the contestants, makes enemies in a blink, and everyone seems to know she’ll do anything to win the contest. However, none of them imagine she’d get killed in the process. 

With Marcel as the prime suspect, Alexis once again has to play detective and find the killer to save the estate. The local PI, Jack Maddox, is more than happy to help, and together with Alexis, they will get to the bottom of the case. 

The story comes in the limited-third person POV of Alexis and Jack. 

I missed out on book one of the series, though it wasn’t a problem in reading book two. This works well as a standalone with enough information to fill the gaps and provide the backstory. 

The plot moves at a decent pace (slow in the second half) but has enough twists, developments, and red herrings to keep the reader invested. 

There’s a subplot of Alexis and Jack’s ‘will they/ won’t they’ relationship. I didn’t feel much invested in it, but I dislike Patrick (the other guy), so Jack has my vote. 

The book also takes up a couple of social issues and weaves them into the plot. It doesn’t get preachy and stays true to the genre. 

I’m not too impressed by the reveal (though I guessed 70% right). While I see the intent, the whole thing feels a little bland (even cozies need some excitement). A bit of drama might have enhanced the scene. 

Cosmos is Alexis’ black feral cat, larger than average and something people might mistake for a panther. I see his appeal, though I want to ‘really see’ how he terrorizes others instead of hearing about his growling, hissing, etc. Cosmos’ aggressive personality doesn’t come all out in this book. His playfulness and love for Alexis and Jack is easy to see.  

The baking contest is the main theme. However, we don’t get much of it. I expected there would be at least a couple of full-fledged scenes where we actually see the contestants baking. There are only passing references. We get a lot of ‘love cooking’, ‘passion of baking’, etc., but see none of it. 

Though the book is set in a small town, it doesn’t exactly give the same vibes as a small-town cozy. This one is limited to the estate, which works for the plot. There’s already a filming crew, so it makes sense to limit the characters. 

Alexis is level-headed, and Jack has good instincts. They do make a good pair (investigation-wise and otherwise). I feel I’ll connect more with them when I read the next book or two (I sure intend to). 

To summarize, A Contest to Kill is an engaging cozy mystery with characters I could grow to love. Cosmos is already a favorite for being a smarty. Looking forward to the next in the series. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Marcela Torres from Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #AContestToKill 

 3.7 Stars 

Brenda Jones wants something more than routine and boring from her life. She decides to leave her three decades of marriage with Colin after the surprise anniversary celebrations planned by their daughters, Zara and Millie. However, she’s in for a shock when the girls fly them to Las Vegas to recreate how Brenda and Colin got married. 

Aiden Gregg is having relationship issues of his own. But when Zara tracks him down on Facebook and messages him to ask if he can take his parents to the anniversary celebrations, he agrees to the surprise reunion plan and hopes something good might come out of it. 

However, Zara and Aiden don’t know what happened that fateful day thirty years ago. How will their plan affect their parents and their lives? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Zara, Brenda, Eileen, and Aiden. 

The premise gives enough hints about what could possibly go wrong with Zara’s plan. While I could guess some of it, the rest ends up as a nice surprise. 

The characters are the strength of the book. Each of them is different and somehow comes together to create a wholesome package. Since this is women’s fiction, we don’t have outright villains but more like losers (especially one idiot). 

The book also has some beautiful messages without being preachy. Yeah, it does get a little slow in the first half (to establish the setting and characters as well as to sustain the suspense). The themes of love, family, relationships, friendship, acceptance, self-love, etc., are well done. 

My favorite scenes are the ones between Millie and Zara. They are two totally different people, but their sibling love (and playful rivalry) come across clearly. It’s not perfect, but they are family and important to each other. 

We also have a couple of love tracks on fast-forward with mixed results. There just isn’t enough time or space for these to grow organically (since the premise takes up most of the limelight). Though I like that we have HEA, I’m not too happy with 4x-paced developments. A couple of more scenes for each couple would have made it better. The second half needed another 15 pages or so to establish and give each pair the space they deserve.  

The book does balance serious issues with lighthearted banter and some chuckle-worthy scenes. It isn’t a heavy read, though it does feel like one at times. 

To summarize, One Moment in Time is a feel-good book with some worthy themes and a sprinkling of love. The characters are pretty much consistent throughout and most are easy to like (and support). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Marcela Torres from Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #OneMomentinTime 

 

This is a beautiful and heartwarming book! I love the characterization, be it Grandma Farida, Nyla, Ruth (Nyla’s mom), Jess, or Ray. 

The book is written in poetic verse, which was a little hard to read until I remembered my friend’s advice (Rosh, thank you) to read such books the same way I’d read prose. So I stopped bothering about the rhythm and paid more attention to the plot. It really helped. 

The story deals with different issues like racism, bullying, parental loss, family and relationships, friendships, Alzheimer’s, etc. None of it goes overboard or preachy (kids might feel a little overwhelmed when Nyla is bullied). This isn’t a book about stories but about people. 

The plot is well done (though it needs suspended belief in some places). I guessed half of it right and was surprised by the rest. A majority of it is realistic enough, though as MG fiction, the book does simplify a few issues towards the end. 

Nyla does take a few risks but doesn’t come across as reckless. In fact, her vulnerability is highlighted, showing that what she did wasn’t exactly a smart thing. However, kids should realize that such acts of bravery are risky and can lead to scary situations. 

The presentation is quite intriguing. I like the use of concrete poetic styles to emphasize emotions. However, I’m not sure how it’ll work on Kindle or smartphone. I found it easier to read the book on my desktop. 

There are no illustrations in the ARC. I expected at least a couple of them, so that’s one major disappointment. With a cover like that, I hope the final copy has a few illustrations to enhance the story. 

The book has happy and sad moments. Jess is a delightful character, and her dialogues are too good. She’s far from perfect, which makes her even more endearing. 

I love the use of Elachi (cardamom) and Haldi (turmeric) as last names. Such a wonderful idea! 

The aspects of being a mixed-race child, the sense of uncertainty stemming from the lack of belongingness, etc., are effectively portrayed. 

To summarize, The Stories Grandma Forgot is a heartwarming book for kiddos and adults. It’s not without a few flaws but will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and peace. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Hachette Children's Group, and Orion Children's Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheStoriesGrandmaForgot 

 4 Stars

Nonna Maria has to deal with not one but two cases in this book. First, her goddaughter is accused of stealing an expensive necklace by a guest in the hotel she works. Second, the dead body of an unknown woman is found in the corner of a road. 

Since Nonna Maria’s young friend thinks he killed her by mistake, she is set to find out who the woman was and what she was doing in Ischia. Though the little island is overflowing with tourists, this woman sure isn’t one of them. 

It’s up to Nonna Maria to solve both cases and help the local carabinieri, Captain Paolo Murino. 

The story comes in the third person POV. 

I’m always happy to try a cozy mystery, and this one turned out to be quite satisfying (despite a few minor issues). 

Though this is the second book in the series, I didn’t feel as if I missed much. It works very well as a standalone. 

The writing is simple and easy to read. I could finish the book in 1.5 days (which is always a plus). The plot has two threads, and both move at a good pace. 

Nonna Maria is the Italian and sterner version of Miss Marple. She is quick-witted, independent, and has a fixed approach to things. She is very matter-of-fact in her dealings but is also a loving woman who helps others however she can. 

The cases, as such, are a little too easily solved. Some of it seems to stretch things a bit. This can be an issue for some readers. I know it would bother me, too, but I feel it fits the setting. 

I love the island and its old-world charm. Despite the changing times, the island seems to have not completely adapted. This applies to the good and bad things. My favorite parts are about the thought process of the islanders (which isn’t that different from the rest of the world), the hypocrisy and gender bias, and yet the affection they have for each other. 

Another plus point is that Captain Muniro respects Nonna Maria. He follows the rules of his job but also works with the old lady to solve the cases. No unwanted animosity here. 

Since the book is set in Italy (my second cozy series from the country!), it has to have mentions of delicious food. I’m tempted to try Nonna Maria’s coffee recipe (though I’ll have to exclude one ingredient, lol). All those episodes of David Rocco’s Dolce Vita made it easier to know the dishes. 

Our septuagenarian sleuth seems almost invincible at times. I don’t know how she gets so much cooking done (I love to cook but not as much as she does) and has the energy to solve cases. But yeah, they don’t make people like that anymore, so it kinda feels realistic too. 

The book ends with a lead to the next book, and I am totally excited to read it. Book three sounds like it will up the danger levels. What else does a reader want? ;) 

To summarize, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Stolen Necklace is a delightful cozy mystery with a beautiful setting and intriguing characters. Pick it up when you want something light and breezy but with some food for thought. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Bantam, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NonnaMariaandtheCaseoftheStolenNecklace #NetGalley 

*** 

 4.2 Stars

Alice loved books for as long as she could remember. It wasn’t surprising when she wanted to become a writer. However, her initial stories seemed to be just like her- detached and uninvolved. Yet, she finally writes a novel that comes from within her mind and soul. Her debut novel is hers. But it also belongs to countless readers who connect with it. 

Nine people come across Alice’s book in different ways. Each of them finds something unique yet familiar. They relate to the book in ways one wouldn’t seem possible. Does the book belong to the author or the readers who find themselves in it? 

The book comes in the limited third-person POV of ten characters. 

This book doesn’t have the standard story arc or plot. It is more like a series of short stories with a common theme and a couple of recurring characters. Going into the right information and expectations is important. It doesn’t tie everything with a little bow. It’s got open endings, which make sense. 

The story starts with Alice and how she writes her debut novel Theo in 2010. Then it takes us to Lara, a manuscript reader working for lit agent Madeline. We get a glimpse into Lara’s life and how Theo’s manuscript affects her. And so on, the book takes us through the lives of eight more people. 

While some characters hit the mark, a few stories fall flat. However, the overall impact sustains well. The book stays true to the title theme- no two persons ever read the same book. It’s hard to write more without spoilers, so let’s say that the characters are all going through different issues. 

I enjoyed the insights I got about the preparation for audiobook narrations. It’s fascinating to see how much work the narrator has to do to bring the words alive through their voice. 

I do wish that we get to know more about Theo, the book. Though bits and pieces of information are scattered in other characters’ stories, it doesn’t complete the picture. Though I connect to the concept, I’m not fully sure how and which part of the book influenced the character. Not sure if the vagueness is deliberate, but it didn’t work for me. 

However, I love how certain things come together at the end and show that art influences art. We never know which piece of art or a phrase from a book will open a new dimension and provide options we didn’t know existed. 

To summarize, No Two Persons is a unique and novel take on how a book can influence different people in different ways, and sometimes, fiction is what we need to handle reality. The author’s note is short, sweet, and icing on the cake. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 4.5 Stars

Learning tarot is fun but also scary and overwhelming. I started a few books but abandoned them due to different reasons. The cover of this book grabbed my interest, and the page count seemed reader-friendly (considering it includes an array of topics). 

Tarot Magick provides an introduction to tarot readings, choosing a deck, caring for it, reading the cards, learning the spreads, and a handful of spells to try (at the end). This is a lot to digest, except that everything is brief, crisp, and to the point. Both upright and reversals are covered. 

The focus of the interpretation is on the symbolism, which is something I’m still trying to work with. Though the book has cards designed by the author and illustrated by Viki Lester, the author explains the symbolism of the standard RWS (Raider Waite Smith) deck. I read the interpretations while zooming in on the images I have with me. This helped me get a better idea of the details I missed until now. 

The book has plenty of illustrations (all the major arcana are full-page illustrations) and is so, so lovely! The darkish color schemes bring out the necessary details. I love their vibe- powerful, confident, artsy, and magical. 

To summarize, Tarot Magick is a vibrant and informative book that will help a tarot learner get more comfortable with the cards and their symbolism. I know I will continue to refer to this book for a long time. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Leaping Hare Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TarotMagick 

 4 Stars

Remy Blake was just five years old when his survivalist father takes him into the woods to live alone and trust no one. When his father dies a few days before Remy’s eighth birthday, the boy is torn. Should he go back to the ‘collapsed civilization’ and get killed or continue in the forest? 

Anne’s childhood rejections make her accept children no other foster families want to support. However, things haven’t been good, and Anne wonders what will happen to her current family with two foster children. Yet, she knows that she will accept a third.  

A few seasons later, Remy is found around the small rural town of Blaire. Anne knows Remy needs her and takes him to their home. The family must now work together to stay together. It’s not easy when they have to explore their own issues, perspectives, and lives before trying to understand the other. 

The story comes in a (not-so-limited) third-person POV of Remy and Anne. 

I love how the author writes vulnerable young characters with large hearts. Dreaming of Flight was my first book by her, and I loved it. Remy here is a more complex character but a wonderful little boy. 

The other characters, Anne, Peter, Janie, Chris, etc., are also well done. Though the kids (Peter & Janie) don’t get much space, they shine whenever they appear on the page. 

The first half of the story has a great pace. It helps in speeding through the hardships and sufferings of the little boy. I’m glad about it. The second half is slow and heavy. Though some of it is necessary, the abrupt change in pace makes the book uneven. 

The book explores many themes from today’s world- Covid pandemic, school shootings, etc. It tries to present how people handle situations and the consequences of going to extreme lengths for ‘survival’. 

We sure read many books about abusive foster parents. But this one presents them in a positive light. Anne and Chris are good parents to the kids. In fact, the bonds and issues between the couple and the kids seem natural and easy to empathize with. 

I also like the importance of not lying to kids or trying to keep them in the dark. While we have to be mindful of their mental health, it is also important to make sure they understand the dangers of the real world without feeling overwhelmed by it. 

While the book gets unrealistic in some places (quite a few), it does the job it intends to do- establish that there is good in the world despite the dangers and fears. 

To summarize, Just a Regular Boy is a heartwarming story of a little boy finding a family to call his own and a woman cherishing her family’s love to heal her past wounds.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #JustaRegularBoy 

 3 Stars

Pamela Colman Smith is ten years old when she first sees the image of a man standing atop a cliff with one foot in the air and two paths to choose from. 

Aleister Crowley feels his life change forever when his loving preacher father dies and his mother can’t stand the sight of him. 

The Golden Dawn group is working on various magical experiments to create a powerful tarot deck, no matter how long it takes. 

The Lyceum Theatre is flourishing with Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, Bram Stoker, and William Terriss shouldering the work. 

In a chance incident, a young Pamela goes to the Lyceum Theatre and realizes it’s the place to find magic. Years later, she is back to audition at the same theatre and takes up the job of illustrating the tarot deck for Golden Dawn. However, Aleister Crowley, now a powerful magician, is determined to own more magical power. 

With Irving and Terriss to protect her, Pamela must learn about her hidden powers and a second sight to illustrate the cards and control her gifts. 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

Don’t read the Goodreads blurb. 

What I Like: 

As a tarot learner, I loved the premise based on real people. The Raider White Smith deck was first illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith (a piece of information lost for years before it came to light). 

The climax is wonderful. Magic is unleashed with full force, and seeing Pamela understand her powers to save people she admires and loves. It is the best part of the book. 

Ahmed, the Egyptian scholar, is my favorite character. His resentment towards the English ‘scholars’ who want to benefit from ‘exotic’ magic without acknowledging the cultural heritage comes out clearly. I echo his sentiments. The idea of ‘discovering’ treasures in other lands and claiming them as the world’s property is something the international chor bazaar (I mean the British Museum) excels at. 

Despite the issues I have with the book (listed in the next section), I can’t help but feel happiness bubbling inside me each time little bits of tarot symbolism are mentioned. Newbies are told to focus on the imagery as well as the standard interpretation, and the book highlights why this advice is so important. 

The blurb doesn’t suit the book. The said events don’t occur until after 70%. The first 55% establishes the backstory. As such, this isn’t a problem because we do need to know the characters. However, the entire thing reads like a badly patched-up assignment. 

The story has three tracks- Pamela’s, The Lyceum Theatre, and Aleister Crowley’s. They merge in the second half. However, the execution is choppy and full of info dump. It reads more like an early draft needing a capable developmental editor. 

Many real-life people are characters in the book. That’s fine too. But they seem to have no personalities and feel like cardboard cutouts. It doesn’t help that none of them, including Pamela and Crowley, are explored in depth. Since the book has a what-if premise, exploring Pamela’s second sight (or synesthesia) and Crowley’s obsession with magic shouldn’t be a problem. 

There are issues with time jumps and connections between scenes. The transition is jumpy, jerky, and hard to follow. It doesn’t help that the characters seem surreal and impossible to connect with. It’s hard to keep track of things (though I can go with the flow, I can’t help but feel confused when it is erratic). 

Despite the scenes with paranormal elements, most of them don’t make an impact except for the climax. This could be because the aspects are not detailed. They are mentioned but not explored in full. A book dealing with magic, the occult (light & dark) should present the supernatural in all its glory. Bring it on! 

To summarize, Magician and Fool has great potential but falls flat almost throughout (until the climax, which is a gem). A solid round of structural editing and polishing should make this a 4-star read. Still, I look forward to book two (I do love tarot). 

You don’t have to be a tarot reader to enjoy the book, but knowing the basic symbols and cards will help visualize them easily. 

Thank you, NetGalley and SparkPress, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MagicianandFool 

***** 

 3 Stars

Mid to late 1700s 

Deborah Samson comes from a Puritan family in Plympton, Massachusetts. She is bound out as a servant when her father abandons the family to sail on the seas. Deborah grows into a strong and determined young girl who wants to fly high and achieve great things. The hardships she faced made her ready to face anything in life. 

One day, she decides to become a boy and join the war as a soldier. The American Colonies have been fighting with the redcoats and the British army for freedom. What follows is her journey as a young soldier fighting for her country and the unexpected love she finds in the process. 

The story comes in Deborah’s first-person POV. 

I read two books by the author and enjoyed them both (in fact, I loved the first one). Sadly, this book left me with mixed feelings. 

The writing is beautiful where it should be and sharp when necessary. The war scenes are presented in a matter-of-fact tone with a subtle touch of emotions that suits the main character’s arc. The war and camping scenes have triggers (as they would). 

Though the pacing is slow, the takes us through different stages of Deborah’s life and how she establishes herself as Rob. Her vulnerabilities, doubts, fear, yearning for something better, lack of ability to connect with most people around her, and borderline obsession with Elizabeth (because a young girl needs someone to call her own) come out very well. 

The character does make some stupid decisions, reinforcing that she is far from flawless despite trying to be the best at everything she does. After all, she has no real guidance and is unaware of many things. 

The other characters are also well-etched, be it General Patterson, Agrippa, Deborah’s mother (a minor character), or the Rev. I don’t know Washington enough, so can’t say much about his characterization. 

However, my biggest issue is with the fictionized parts of the plot. I had a slight idea about an inserted love track (thanks to friends Marilyn and Ruchita). But I was disappointed when I read the author’s note. 

I’m not a fan of tinkering with real people’s lives in fiction (when using their names for the characters). While I love the idea behind the love story, I can’t agree with how it’s done (yeah, I know it could have been worse). Why kill a real person years before their actual death and bring together two people who weren’t together? The note mentions Deborah married a person called Benjamin. So given her character, it would make sense that she married for love. Why not use the same but take creative liberties to weave a love story with angst and bring them together? 

The last part of the book is probably the weakest. The lovers’ angst is well-done but stands out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the plot. I can’t help but wonder if the love track was even necessary (and if yes, couldn’t it have been handled better)? This comes from someone who loves love stories and romance books. 

To summarize, A Girl Called Samson is a good introduction to a real-life soldier woman who defied the odds but is definitely fiction with uneven pacing. How you like it depends on your reading preferences. All said and done, the land belongs to the natives. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #AGirlCalledSamson 

 4.2 Stars

The Gray Lady brings death. Coralie Floquet plans to marry soon but is worried after spotting the spectral of the Gray Lady. Tristan, aka Duke de Archambeau, asks Elinor to step in and help. The duo travels to a seaside estate to chase the spirit. 

However, Elinor realizes that there’s a lot of ill will around her, and people can’t stop gossiping about her relationship with the Duke. There’s even a case of stolen government documents to deal with. As always, it’s up to Elinor to solve the cases (with the Duke, of course). 

And… finally, Elinor might get to know the truth about the Duke’s dead wife. 

The story comes from Elinor’s POV. 

Finally, the romance track between Elinor and Tristan is established. They share some heated and cozy moments while also talking about the past, ghosts, and criminals. 

The concept of the Gray Lady is very well done. It’s not scary (at all) but includes paranormal elements to create the atmosphere. (I wish there was a spooky lighthouse scene!) 

Though there are different threads (subplots/ cases) in this one, there’s no confusion. In fact, the cases overlap when they should and head toward the next stage. 

This book ups the danger levels. I feel the next book will have more danger, given Elinor is getting to know her true powers and hidden strengths. 

I did miss Charlotte and Twyla in this one. Though Twyla was present only in the previous book, she made a strong impression. I so want to meet her again. 

The book has more focus on the lives of the aristocracy and their hypocrisy, which is necessary for the plot. It shows both sides of the coin. While I hate one character, I feel for another and have mixed feelings about the third. (No spoilers) 

Well, Elinor is betrayed (after all, there are multiple attacks on her), and I think I know who it is. Betrayal comes from someone you trust, so she is going to have a huge shock in the next book. 

The track about her father’s murder doesn’t progress in this one. But there is a positive development in another aspect. 

As always, the book deals with a few social themes by weaving them into the plot. The narration is a little slower this time, though it goes at a steady pace throughout. 

To summarize, Gray Lady is an atmospheric mystery with a dash of romance and a tease of danger. This book will not work as a standalone. Read the series in the right order to enjoy it fully. I’m waiting for book five now. 

My thanks to author Byrd Nash for the eARC of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.