Category Archives: Rated B

January 18, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Grey

Title: A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Grey
Berlin Bookmobile Series Book One
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 318 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes a new series that follows a bookmobile driver-turned-matchmaker who learns that her Amish patrons need a whole lot more than just new books to read.

Aaron Coblentz has a secret: he’s been studying to take the GED to get promoted at work. But he can’t let his Amish family know, not when his older brother already left the faith just a year after getting baptized, practically crippling the family. When Aaron asks bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for some additional study guides, she does one better. She arranges for Kayla Kaufman to be his tutor.

Kayla has a secret, too. Her life has been turned upside down in a matter of months—her mother’s death propelled her father into a constant state of depression, and unable to deal with his erratic behavior, her longtime boyfriend has broken things off. But despite losing those she holds most dear, she hasn’t completely given up on love. Only now she seeks to find it in the sweet romance novels she secretly checks out from Sarah Anne’s bookmobile.

As Aaron and Kayla’s study sessions start to feel less like work and more like pleasure, they soon realize that happily ever afters don’t only happen in fiction; sometimes they happen when you least expect it.

From a “skilled storyteller who reminds the reader that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life” (RT Book Reviews), A Perfect Amish Romance is a moving and deftly told story that paints a heartwarming picture of the magic of true love.

Review:

A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Grey is a heartfelt Amish romance.

Aaron Coblentz knows how his parents will react if he tells them he wants to get his GED. So he studies in private until he needs a tutor to get him ready to take the test. He is from a big happy family with loving parents who hold their children tightly after their oldest son goes Englisch. Aaron is a kind-hearted and  compassionate young man who is a hard worker.  But his lack of world experience is a handicap while studying for his upcoming GED test. Aaron is well-known by bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller so he has no worries about being tutored by the young woman she recommends him to.

At one time Kayla Kaufman considered leaving her Amish faith behind. So she has already passed her GED test. She is a little wary of Aaron’s need for secrecy but she could use the money she earns from tutoring him. Kayla lives with her father whose continued depression from her mamm’s death means she has a heavy load of responsibility. She loves her father, but she is growing weary of the constant strain of worrying about keeping a roof over  their heads.

Despite their slightly inauspicious first meeting,  Aaron and Kayla soon become friends.   Their friendship has a bit of a tenuous feel to it to begin with since Kayla has a few trust issues. After her dad leaves for his annual trip to FL, Kayla relaxes her guard and enjoys her time with Aaron. As their friendship turns romantic, will Kayla take a chance and risk her heart again?

A secondary story arc revolves around a budding romance between Aaron’s sister Tiny (Elizabeth) and their neighbor Joel Lapp. Tiny is never quite certain that Joel is interested her beyond friendship so doubts plague their relationship. When Aaron misconstrues a situation involving Joel, will his interference put an end to Tiny’s hopes of a romance?

A Perfect Amish Romance is a sweet Amish romance that also deals with true to life issues. Aaron and Kayla are delightful characters that are very easy to like. Kayla’s home situation with her dad adds depth and substance to the well-developed storyline. Aaron’s  quest for more education is at odds with his Amish faith and he does not want to worry his parents. Sarah Anne is a wonderful woman who cares deeply for the people she meets through the bookmobile. With this charming first installment, Shelley Shepard Grey’s new Berlin Bookmobile series is off to a marvelous beginning.

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Filed under A Perfect Amish Romance, Amish, Berlin Bookmobile Series, Contemporary, Gallery Books, Rated B, Review, Romance, Shelley Shepard Gray

January 11, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: The Last Exit by Michael Kaufman

Title: The Last Exit by Michael Kaufman
Jen Lu Mystery Series Book One
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Futuristic, Sci-Fi, Mystery
Length: 298 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Perfect for fans of Ben Winters and Cory Doctorow. In this thrilling near-future novel, the secret to eternal life is closely guarded by people who will do anything to protect it–even if it means destroying everything in their path.

Set in Washington D.C. in the near future, climate change has hit hard, fires are burning, unemployment is high, and controversial longevity treatments are only available to the very rich. Enter resourceful young police detective, Jen B. Lu, and her ‘partner’, Chandler, a SIM implant in her brain and her instant link to the Internet and police records, and constant voice inside her head. He’s an inquisitive tough guy, with a helluva sense of humor and his own ideas about solving crimes.

As a detective in the Elder Abuse unit, Jen is supposed to be investigating kids pushing their aging parents to “exit” so they are eligible to get the longevity drug. But what really has her attention are the persistent rumors about Eden, an illegal version of the longevity drug, and the bizarre outbreak of people aging almost overnight, then suddenly dying–is this all connected? Is Big Pharma involved?

When Jen’s investigations of Eden take her too close to the truth, she is suspended, Chandler is deactivated, and her boyfriend is freaked out by “the thing inside her brain.” This leaves Jen to pursue a very dangerous investigation all by herself.

Review:

The Last Exit by Michael Kaufman is an imaginative sci-fi mystery set in the future.

With an AI brain implant named Chandler, Jen Lu is a detective with the DC Metro’s Elder Abuse Unit.  Elder abuse has become a serious issue because parents must “exit” when they turn 65 in order to let their children receive the “Timeless” treatment that will save them from a rapid onset spongiform encephalitis. If they do not exit, their children will die a horrific death. Jen has heard mention of “Eden” which appears to be a black market version of the treatment. When she mentions her suspicions to her boss Captain Kyrie Brooks, he tells her there is nothing for her to investigate.  But when people begin dying from an advanced form of the encephalitis,  Jen ignores Brooks’ order and soon stumbles into a possible conspiracy. Will Jen uncover the truth before more people die?

Jen is in her late thirties and loves her career.  With her mother nearing the age of 65, Jen is struggling a bit with the upcoming exit.  Her childhood was quite abusive but her mother’s dementia has changed her into a completely different person. Jen has been in a yearlong casual relationship with Zach whose parents have no worries about their exit. Zach, on the other hand, is against their decision even if it might cost his life. Since Jen has not opened up to him about her childhood, he does not understand how she can be so at ease with what is about to happen to her mother.  Jen and Zach are growing closer, but since she is unable to tell him about Chandler, she is uncertain about the future of their relationship.

Jen’s partner Les is also her best friend but she is keeping her Eden investigation from him. So when she is forced to go a bit rogue, she is on her own except for assistance from an unexpected group of people. She is inventive as she gains access to details that will hopefully lead her to the answers she is searching for. Cool advances in technology are also quite beneficial when she discovers she only has a short period of time to catch the people responsible for distributing the drugs that are causing the multitude of deaths from the advanced encephalitis.  When she finds herself in a very dangerous situation, is there any chance Jen will escape? And will her suspects escape before they can be brought to justice?

The Last Exit is a riveting mystery with a fantastic cast of characters and a creative storyline. The sci-fi elements are richly developed and easy to visualize.  Jen’s investigation is fascinating and moves at a brisk pace. With intriguing twists and turns, Michael Kaufman brings this clever futuristic movie to an edge of the seat conclusion.  This exciting first installment of the Jen Lu Mystery series will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Crooked Lane Books, Futuristic, Jen Lu Mystery Series, Michael Kaufman, Rated B, Review, Sci Fi, The Last Exit

· 12:01 am

Review: Minus Me by Mameve Medwed

Title: Minus Me by Mameve Medwed
Publisher: Alcove Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 331 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Her life turned upside down by a grim diagnosis, a small-town Maine woman sets about writing a “How To” life manual for her handsome yet hapless husband in a novel Elinor Lipman (Good Riddance, On Turpentine Lane) calls “smart, funny-quirky, and so very satisfying.”

Annie and her devoted but comically incompetent childhood sweetheart Sam are the owners and operators of Annie’s, a gourmet sandwich shop, home to the legendary Paul Bunyan Special Sandwich–their “nutritionally challenged continual source of income and marital harmony and local fame.”

But into their mostly charmed marriage comes the scary medical diagnosis for Annie–and the overwhelming challenge of finding a way to help Sam go on without her. Annie decides to leave Sam step-by-step instructions for a future without her, and considers her own replacement in his heart and their bed.Her best-laid plans grind to a halt with the unexpected appearance of Ursula, Annie’s Manhattan diva of a mother, who brings her own brand of chaos and disruption into their lives.

Minus Me is a poignant and hilarious novel about the bonds of marriage, the burdens of maternal love, and the courage to face mortality, “with an ending readers will cherish (Caroline Leavitt, Pictures of You).”

Review:

Minus Me by Mameve Medwed is a charming novel that is poignant and surprisingly uplifting.

Annie Stevens-Strauss receives a diagnosis that she tries but fails to tries to tell her husband of seventeen years Sam. Since he is pretty hopeless with household tasks, she writes a manual full of helpful hints that range from the everyday to finding love again. Meanwhile, Annie puts off further testing until her self-absorbed mother, Ursula, makes a rare appearance in their small town in Maine. When Annie is swept off to New York for a doctor’s appointment by Ursula, will their unexpected time together be the best or worst thing for their fractured relationship? And what effect will her extended time away from Sam have on their marriage?

Annie and Sam own a  very popular sandwich shop so they spend most of their time together. Despite their almost magically happy relationship, they have experienced heartbreaking losses. Annie has always brushed off her best friend Rachel and Ursula’s observations that she spoils Sam too much. It is not until she receives her diagnosis that she realizes that Sam might not be equipped for the next stage in life.  In addition to writing the manual, Annie decides to not worry him until she receives confirmation of her doctor’s diagnosis.

Minus Me is a well-written novel with an engaging storyline and entertaining characters. Annie’s unexpected health crisis proves to be a surprising journey of self-discovery and healing. Mameve Medwed  concludes this winsome novel with a heartwarming a epilogue that is sure to delight readers. 

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Filed under Alcove Press, Contemporary, Mameve Medwed, Minus Me, Rated B, Review, Women's Fiction

January 7, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Portrait of Peril by Laura Joh Rowland

Title: Portrait of Peril by Laura Joh Rowland
Victorian Mystery Series Book Five
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Historical, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 325 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For fans of C. S. Harris comes Laura Joh Rowland’s fifth Victorian mystery where Sarah must confront her own ghosts–and face her most elusive and deadly adversary yet.

Victorian London is a city gripped by belief in the supernatural–but a grisly murder becomes a matter of flesh and blood for intrepid photographer Sarah Bain.

London, October 1890. Crime scene photographer Sarah Bain is overjoyed to marry her beloved Detective Sergeant Barrett–but the wedding takes a sinister turn when the body of a stabbing victim is discovered in the crypt of the church. Not every newlywed couple begins their marriage with a murder investigation, but Sarah and Barrett, along with their friends Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O’Reilly, take the case.

The dead man is Charles Firth, whose profession is “spirit photography”– photographing the ghosts of the deceased. When Sarah develops the photographs he took in the church, she discovers one with a pale, blurred figure attacking the victim. The city’s spiritualist community believes the church is haunted and the figure is a ghost. But Sarah is a skeptic, and she and her friends soon learn that the victim had plenty of enemies in the human world–including a scientist who studies supernatural phenomena, his psychic daughter, and an heiress on a campaign to debunk spiritualism and expose fraudulent mediums.

In the tunnels beneath a demolished jail, a ghost-hunting expedition ends with a new murder, and new suspects. While Sarah searches for the truth about both crimes, she travels a dark, twisted path into her own family’s sordid history. Her long lost father is the prime suspect in a cold-case murder, and her reunion with him proves that even the most determined skeptic can be haunted by ghosts from the past.

Review:

Portrait of Peril by Laura Joh Rowland is a clever historical mystery. Although this newest release is the fifth novel in the Victorian Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.

Photographer Sarah Bain and Detective Thomas Barrett have just finished exchanging their wedding vows when they become embroiled in another puzzling mystery.  The body of photographer Charles Firth has just been found in the crypt of the church and neither Sarah or Thomas can resist trying to find his killer. Sarah is dismayed to discover that Charles, whom she knew as photography store owner, is now a “spirit” photographer.  The case takes another turn once she meets his wife, Leonara and his book publisher Richard Trevelyan. Sarah, her friends Mick O’Reilly and  Lord Hugh Staunton look for answers within the world of spiritualists and a group lead by Jean Ritchie that tries to expose the charlatans who pose as mediums and spiritualists. When another murder occurs and someone Sarah cares for is arrested for the crime, she and Barrett are under pressure to locate the true killer.

Sarah’s marriage gets off on the wrong foot as her new mother-in-law Mildred continues to express her discontent with her son’s new wife. Thomas is caught between the two women as he tries to keep the peace but Sarah is furious and hurt when she finds out a secret he has been keeping. Throwing herself into the newest case takes her mind off her troubles as she tries to figure out who killed Charles. Could it be the man who has just developed a new machine that will hopefully detect a ghostly presence? Or is it Jean or one of her associates who has had unpleasant experiences with Charles’ wife Leonora?

In between trying to get her marriage on track and solve the latest murder, Sarah and her half-sister Sally Albert continue their efforts to clear their father Benjamin of the years’ old murder he is accused of committing. She also worries that her long time nemesis Inspector Reid will find her father and arrest him before she can find new leads that could exonerate him. Sarah knows the identity of the real killer, but she is continuing her search for evidence that will prove Benjamin’s innocence. But will the information she uncovers cause her to doubt her father’s assertion he is not the killer?

Portrait of Peril is a multi-layered mystery with well-developed characters and an intriguing storyline. Sarah continues to grow and evolve as she enters into matrimony with Thomas. Despite his worries about her safety, she has no intentions of giving up her career. Sarah’s investigation into Charles’ murder leads her down a thrilling and unexpectedly dangerous path. With plenty of twists and turns, Laura Joh Rowland brings this complex mystery to an action-packed conclusion. With an unanticipated turn of events in the final chapter, readers will be impatiently awaiting the next installment in the exciting  Victorian Mystery series.

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Filed under Crooked Lane Books, Historical, Laura Joh Rowland, Mystery, Portrait of Peril, Rated B, Review, Suspense, Victorian Mystery Series

January 4, 2021 · 11:57 pm

Review: One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite

Title: One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Fiction
Length: 316 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A shockingly powerful exploration of the lasting impact of prejudice and the indomitable spirit of sisterhood that will have readers questioning what it truly means to be an ally, from sister-writer duo Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, authors of Dear Haiti, Love Alaine.

ISN’T BEING HUMAN ENOUGH?

When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic.

One of the good ones.

Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there’s a twist to Kezi’s story that no one could’ve ever expected—one that will change everything all over again.

Review:

One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite is a poignant young adult novel.

After turning eighteen, Kezi Smith defies her parents when she takes her activism off the internet and into the streets. She and her best friend Ximena Levinson are protesting the recent murder of a Black man when Kezi is arrested. Upset and certain she is being wrongly detained, Kezi is manhandled while in police custody.  In the aftermath of chaos at the station, she is dead and her family is left grieving.

Kezi’s younger sister Happi deeply regrets their last exchange.  While Kezi’s short life is celebrated, Happi is left to deal with her conflicted feelings on her own.  But that changes when her older sister, Genny, convinces her to embark on the trip Kezi planned to take along Route 66 to commemorate the various stops from a treasured copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book. Although a reluctant companion on the journey, Happi unexpectedly finds peace both within herself and her sometimes turbulent relationship with Kezi.

Kezi is a star student with a bright future ahead of her after graduation. She is an extremely popular YouTube sensation with a huge following. She uses her platform to draw attention to social injustices and hopefully enact change.  Kezi does not like being at odds with her parents, but she refuses to give up the opportunity to join the protest. But she cannot foresee how much very wrong things will go as she comes to the aid of a fellow protester who is exercising his first amendment rights.

Happi is the complete opposite of her older sister. Although they were once very close, their relationship is a bit strained. Happi feel in love with acting and she is pursuing her dream of becoming an actress. She is prone to skipping school and partying just a little too hard on occasion. Her last interaction with Kezi haunts her as she tries to come to terms with the reality of Kezi’s death.

One of the Good Ones is thought-provoking young adult novel which deftly handles an all too frequent reality in America today. The characters are exquisitely developed with realistic human foibles and surprising strengths. Happi and Genny’s road trip turns intensely personal at one heartbreaking stop along their journey. With a very shocking plot twist,  Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite bring this incredible novel to a very unexpected conclusion.  An educational and sometimes heartrending novel that I greatly enjoyed and HIGHLY recommend to older teen and adult readers.

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Filed under Contemporary, Fiction, Inkyard Press, Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite, One of the Good Ones, Rated B, Review, Young Adult

December 28, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Alaska Mountain Rescue by Elizabeth Heiter

Title: Alaska Mountain Rescue by Elizabeth Heiter
K-9 Alaska Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic, Suspense
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Catching a kidnapper takes teamwork

…and a St. Bernard.

Alanna Morgan was raised in remote Alaska by a couple who called themselves her parents—not kidnappers. A jailbreak brings her face-to-face with the past she wants to escape and on a collision course with the woman who stole her childhood. Alanna can’t let other helpless victims be abducted and sets out with Chance, a therapy St. Bernard, by her side. But Desparre rookie police officer Peter Robak has other plans for the civilian investigator. Together, in the mountain wilderness in frigid temperatures, criminals aren’t the only threat they face. A wary alliance and a rescue dog will have to be enough to keep them alive and to catch a desperate fugitive.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

A K-9 Alaska Novel

Review:

Alaska Mountain Rescue by Elizabeth Heiter is an intriguing romantic suspense novel. While this latest release is the second novel in the K-9 Alaska series, it can be read as a standalone.

Alanna Morgan returns to the small Alaskan town where she was rescued from kidnappers five years earlier.  Darcy Altier, the woman who kidnapped her, has escaped from prison and Alanna believes she can help the police capture her. Alanna has mostly come to terms with her conflicted feelings about Darcy but she is nervous about seeing her again. She is certain she can figure out where Darcy is hiding but the local police are suspicious of her motives for searching for the escapee.

Rookie Police Officer Peter Robak does not trust Alanna’s reasons for trying to find Darcy. He and his partner Tate Emory go out of their way to ensure Alanna is not planning to help her kidnapper evade capture.  But Peter soon realizes he genuinely likes and is possibly beginning to care for Alanna. But his previous experiences leave him doubting he can fully trust her.

Alanna would rather work with the police, but after they brush her off, she begins her search. She starts at the most logical place she thinks Darcy might be.  But finding her kidnapper might be more complicated than Alanna thinks. She also does not count on Peter’s interference or her unexpected attraction to him. With time running out, will Alanna and Peter locate Darcy?

Alaska Mountain Rescue is an engaging romantic suspense novel. Alanna and Peter are beautifully developed characters who are very easy to like. The storyline is well-written and unfolds at a brisk pace.  The Alaskan setting is vibrantly developed and springs vividly to life. With a few unexpected plot twists, Elizabeth Heiter brings this suspenseful mystery to an edge of the seat conclusion.  I highly recommend the K-9 Alaska series to romantic suspense readers.

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Filed under Alaska Mountain Rescue, Contemporary, Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, K-9 Alaska Series, Rated B, Review, Romantic Suspense