An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes 

by Sabaa Tahir 

Razorbill, 2015. 446 pages. Young Adult Fiction. 

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear. 

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire's impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They've seen what happens to those who do. But when Laia's brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire's greatest military academy. 

There, Laia meets Elias, the school's finest soldier--and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he's being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined--and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself. 

This was such a wonderful start to a series. Both characters have deep and interesting with compelling arcs that make you want to keep reading to see what happens and how they will become more connected. The voices for the audiobook was especially entertaining and would be a book I recommend as an audio option. 

 If you like An Ember in the Ashes, you might also like: 

Daughter of the Pirate King 

by Tricia Levenseller 

Feiwel and Friends, 2017. 311 pages. Young Adult Fiction. 

When her father, the ruthless pirate king, discovers that a legendary treasure map can be found on an enemy ship, his daughter Alosa knows that there's only one pirate for the job herself. Leaving behind her beloved ship and crew, Alosa deliberately facilitates her own kidnapping to ensure her welcome on the ship.

Shadow and Bone 

by Leigh Baradugo 

Henry Holt, 2012. 358 pages. Young Adult Fiction. 

Orphaned by the Border Wars, Alina Starkov is taken from obscurity and her only friend, Mal, to become the protegé of the mysterious Darkling, who trains her to join the magical elite in the belief that she is the Sun Summoner, who can destroy the monsters of the Fold. 

ME

Miracle Creek Christmas

Miracle Creek Christmas

by Krista Lynne Jensen 

Shadow Mountain, 2020. 363 pages. Romance. 

Riley Madigan escapes to the sleepy mountain town of Miracle Creek after her relationship with an A-list actor ends badly. At least for a time, she hopes her new job as a high school art teacher will bring her the peace and quiet she is looking for. The last thing on her mind is love. 

Mark Rivers was a firefighter until he got trapped in a wildfire and suffered third-degree burns on his face and body. After a year of recovering, Mark is trying to piece his life back together but struggles both emotionally and psychologically. He's been a recluse until he forces himself to attend his niece's school play and sees Riley, the school's art teacher. Immediately, Mark feels a connection to her. Maybe it's the kind way she greets his niece or the way the art she created for the school play is reminiscent of his late mom's artwork. Either way, Mark feels driven to get to know her, but first he'll need to build up the courage to talk to her. 

When Mark asks Riley to work on a special nativity, he finds himself falling for her, particularly because Riley doesn't seem bothered by his scars. Is her affection for him real or is she simply overcompensating, pretending he's not different? One thing's for certain, in a small town that views Mark as a fragile hero, it's hard to pursue a relationship without everyone in his business. And although Riley has sincere feelings for Mark, is she really ready to risk her heart? 

Broken hearts and lives are mended as the town of Miracle Creek comes together to celebrate a Christmas to remember. 

This is such a cozy Christmas book that will give you all the warm feels that a cute Hallmark Christmas movie would. The setting is picturesque with characters that are not perfect and have deep scars that need to be healed making the story more fascinating as you root for the characters. This is a great book to read to get you in the Christmas spirit or if you just need a feel-good story. 

 If you like Miracle Creek Christmas, you may also like: 

For Sale By Owner 

by Marlene Bateman 

Covenant Communications, 2016. 260 pages. Romance. 

McKenzie Forsberg is headed home. She's quit her big-city job to return to her roots in the small town of Lake Forest. Kenzie hopes to buy her childhood home from her brother, Tom, as a way of revisiting the peace and security she's been missing in her life. But soon she is shocked to discover that the house has a pending sale, and Tom won't budge from the sale--not even for his sister. Handsome widower Jared Rawlins catches Kenzie's eye until she realizes that he's the one who is buyin her house--but he can only cose the deal if he sells his own house by Christmas Eve. Jared is more than a little interested in Kenzie but has second thoughts when it seems that she may be sabotaging the sale of his home. Slippery feelings of animosity and distrust ensue, with both Jared and Kenzie denying the chemistry between them. But then an unexpected discovery about their connected past puts a new twist in the dynamic. Now, can they set their differences aside and come to terms on a relationship that could last forever? 

The Doctor and the Midwife 

by Sarah Alva 

Covenant Communications, 2020. 239 pages. Romance. 

As a midwife running her own home birth practice, Audrey Novak deals with pressure like a superhuman. Until, that is, she meets her handsome and arrogant neighbor, Dr. Ammon Parker. Ammon, who believes only in modern medicine, is just as unprepared for the infuriating--and inconveniently beautiful--midwife. When the two are repeatedly called to the same labor and delivery unit, their clashing ideals and fiercely independent personalities threaten to derail both their professional goals and their pride. Outside of work, Audrey is a passionate rock climber, tantalized by a secret route she's heard about in an online forum. Her hunt for the climb's location leads her to the intriguing BelayingonofHands, a man who claims to have set the route. Soon their anonymous virtual flirtation and witty exchanges deepen into a true connection. But when Audrey discovers the man from online is actually Ammon, she's blindsided. It seems they have more in common than she could have imagined, but will their differences keep them from making the climb to true love together? 

ME

Avatar the last Airbender, the official cookbook

Avatar the last Airbender, the official cookbook: recipes from the Four Nations

by Jenny Dorsey

Insight Editions, 2021. 127 pages. Nonfiction 

From the shores of Kyoshi Island to the crowded streets of Ba Sing Se, this official cookbook collects signature dishes from all four nations, like vegetarian plates of the Air Nomads, fiery entrees from the Fire Nation, seafood from the North and South Poles, and delectable cuisine from the Earth Kingdom. 

Any fan of the TV show will love this cookbook. It is so colorful and calls back to moments of the show such as Sokka and the cactus juice. Each recipe has a little narrative about or from the character and why they like the food. Zuko talks about one of his favorite foods, sizzle crisps, in the Fire Nation section of the book and it is a recipe I will be trying in the future. 

If you liked Avatar the Last Airbender, the Official Cookbook, you may also like: 

Marvel Eat the Universe: the Official Cookbook

by Justin Warner 

Insight Editions, 2020. 143 pages. Nonfiction 

Prepare to eat like a Marvel Super Hero with Marvel Eat the Universe: The Official Cookbook. Chef Justin Warner invites you to pull up a chair and explore the Marvel Universe through these creative dishes inspired by Marvel's heroes. 

Disney Villains: Devilishly Delicious Cookbook 

by Julie Tremaine 

Insight Editions, 2021. 126 pages. Nonfiction 

Featuring more than 50 recipes inspired by dastardly Disney villains, including such tasty morsels as deviled dragon eggs, spinning wheel potatoes, Jolly Rodger brisket, and bowl of worms pudding. 

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: the Official Cookbook and Entertaining Guide 

by Kim Laidlaw

Insight Editions, 2021. 189 pages. Nonfiction 

When Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, travels from his world of Halloween Town to Christmas Town, he learns that celebrations and holidays don't just appear out of thin air. Every party takes time and work to make it unique, and this book will help you achieve a party of which both Jack Skellington and Santa Close would be proud. There are ideas in each chapter for decor, crafts, and favors, but the book is designed to inspire readers to make an everyday dinner or a movie night that is memorable. 

ME

Rakes and Roses

Rakes and Roses 

by Josi S. Kilpack 

Shadow Mountain, 2020. 303 pages. Romance 

When Harry Stillman finds himself deep in debt after a losing streak at the gambling tables, he turns to Lord Damion, a generous nobleman whose agrees to pay off Harry's debt, provided Harry turns his life around. Unbeknownst to Harry, Lord Damion is actually Lady Sabrina in disguise. Keeping her secret identity hidden from Harry proves difficult when she starts to lose her heart to the handsome rake. 

This book has a great message about second chances and not giving up on someone when they have nothing. Harry goes through a beautiful metamorphosis as he starts overcoming his gambling and alcoholism. Lady Sabrina is strong character who helps Harry become a better man by giving him opportunities to change and not giving up on him but not going easy on himself either. The love story between the two is sweet and natural. The only thing I wish the story had more of was seeing Harry reconcile with some of his friends and family members. 

 If you liked Rakes and Roses, you might also like: 

The Noble Smuggler 

by Sian Ann Bessey 

Covenant Communications, 2020. 246 pages. Romance 

Despite living at her father's inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him--completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be. When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father's death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded mid-charade, Jonas's life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler's daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again--until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past--secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever. 

My Fair Gentleman 

by Nancy Campbell Allen 

Shadow Mountain, 2016. 248 pages. Romance 

In this Regency twist of My Fair Lady, Jack would rather be at sea than fixing the mistakes of his grandfather, the late Earl of Stansworth. Instead, he finds that inheriting his grandfather's wealth and title--and securing the welfare of his sister and mother--means joining the ranks of high society and living with the aristocracy. Luckily, Ivy Carlisle, the granddaughter of a dear friend of Jack's late grandmother, is willing to teach him etiquette and properly introduce him into society. Jack soon learns that his challenge isn't surviving his new lifestyle but surviving the conspiracies against him--as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor. 

 ME

Lakeshire Park

Lakeshire Park

by Megan Walker 

Shadow Mountain, 2020. 312 pages. Romance 

Amelia Moore needs to secure her sister's engagement to Sir Ronald or else the two sisters will be left destitute. The only problem is that Peter Wood has the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry--one that Amelia has no choice but to win--but competing against Peter makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim--her heart. 

One aspect that I loved about this book is that even though the two main characters, Amelia and Peter, are rivals they don’t always act like rivals and instead have witty conversations between each other and have some amusing adventures together as they both try to help their sisters. The story moves at moderate pace with very few slow moments. All in all, I devoured the book in a couple of days. 

 If you like Lakeshire Park, you might also like: 

Married to the Marquess (Arrangement #2) 

by Rebecca Connolly 

Phase Publishing, 2015. 267 pages. Romance 

To hate and to scold...Derek Chambers, Marquess of Whitlock, has a problem: his wife. She is the single most horrifying aspect of his life, and the only thing he has ever enjoyed about her are their truly spectacular fights. As such, he prefers having as little to do with her as possible. So, when she unexpectedly summons him to London, he surprises himself by going, and finds his life turned upside down in ways he never thought possible. 

To loathe and to perish...Katherine despises her worthless and irritating husband, and nothing bothers her more than the fact that he actually came to London when she sent for him. Worst of all, now that he has come, she needs him to stay. With her. And with his every smile making her heart race, she begins to wonder if there could be more to him than meets the eye. 

Edenbrooke 

by Julianne Donaldson 

Shadow Mountain, 2012. 264 pages. Romance 

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So, when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke. 

 ME

One of Us is Lying

One of Us is Lying 

by Karen M. McManus 

Delacorte Press, 2017. 360 pages. Young Adult Fiction 

Pay close attention and you might solve this. On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention. 

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. 

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. 

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing. 

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher. 

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app. 

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose? Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them. 

Although this book had a lot of stereotypes when it came to characters it was still fast-paced and engaging. It switches perspectives from all four characters letting you get to know them and their lives. It was so interesting to read from so many viewpoints and yet still not trust them since even from the reader they were keeping secrets. If you are a fan of mysteries then you will enjoy this book. 

 If you like One of Us is Lying, you might also like: 

Truly Devious

by Marueen Johnson

Katherine Tegen Books, 2018. 420 pages. Young Adult Fiction 

When Stevie Bell, an amateur detective, begins her first year at a famous private school in Vermont, she sets a plan to solve the cold case involving the kidnapping of the founder's wife and daughter shortly after the school opened. 

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs 

by Caitlin Doughty 

Norton & Company, 2019. 222 pages. Nonfiction 

Best-selling author and mortician Caitlin Doughty answers real questions from kids about death, dead bodies, and decomposition. Every day, funeral director Caitlin Doughty receives dozens of questions about death. The best questions come from kids. What would happen to an astronaut's body if it were pushed out of a space shuttle? Do people poop when they die? Can Grandma have a Viking funeral? In Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?, Doughty blends her mortician's knowledge of the body and the intriguing history behind common misconceptions about corpses to offer factual, hilarious, and candid answers to thirty-five distinctive questions posed by her youngest fans. In her inimitable voice, Doughty details lore and science of what happens to, and inside, our bodies after we die. Why do corpses groan? What causes bodies to turn colors during decomposition? And why do hair and nails appear longer after death? Readers will learn the best soil for mummifying your body, whether you can preserve your best friend's skull as a keepsake, and what happens when you die on a plane. 

The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden & the Trial of the Century 

by Sarah Miller 

Schwarts & Wade Books, 2016. 288 pages. Young Adult Nonfiction 

Examine the Borden murders, using newspaper articles to recreate the events and the trial and acquittal of Lizzie Borden while exploring Lizzie's story to theorize on what may have happened. 

ME

Blackout: How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation

Blackout: How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation 

by Candace Owens 

Threshold Editions. 2020. 300 pages. Nonfiction. 

It's time for a black exit. Political activist and social media star Candace Owens explains all the reasons how the Democratic Party policies hurt, rather than help, the African American community, and why she and many others are turning right. Well-researched and intelligently argued, Blackout lays bare the myth that all black people should vote Democrat – and shows why turning to the right will leave them happier, more successful, and more self-sufficient. 

If you like Blackout, you might also like: 

Why We’re Polarized 

by Ezra Klein 

Avid Reader Press. 2020. 312 Pages. Nonfiction 

America's political system isn't broken: it's working exactly as designed. In this book, journalist Ezra Klein reveals how that system is polarizing us-- and how we are polarizing it-- with disastrous results. In examining the structural and psychological forces behind America's descent into division and dysfunction, he shows that everyone engaged in American politics is engaged, at some level, in identity politics. Now our racial, religious, geographic, ideological, and cultural identities have attained a weight that is breaking much in our politics and tearing at the bonds that hold this country together.

Slave Stealers: True Accounts of Slave Rescues Then and Now 

by Timothy Ballard 

Shadow Mountain. 2018. 254 pages. Nonfiction

Although they have lived centuries apart, two stories come together about fighting the evils of slavery and sex trafficking. Told in alternating chapters are the stories of Harriet Jacobs, a brave African-American Woman born into slavery in North Carolina in 1813, and Timothy Ballard, a former special agent for the Department of Homeland Security and now the founder of the modern "underground railroad", an organization called Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R). Ballard tells the story of how Harriett never lost faith or courage to win her freedom and how her example has provided the blueprint he needed to start O.U.R and save the slaves in the modern world. 

ME

A Proper Scandal

A Proper Scandal 

by Esther Hatch 

Covenant Communications, Inc. 2019. 222 pages. Romance. 

Grace Sinclair has been callously cast out of her home after six years living with the vicar and his family. Thankfully, Grace's estranged Aunt Bell from London has agreed to care for her. But, it takes only a moment's acquaintance for Grace to ascertain that her aunt has married a detestable rake who may not be able to resister her beauty. Recognizing the danger of having her lovely niece too near her husband, Aunt Bell gives Grace an ultimatum: the young woman has two weeks to find a man to marry, after which she will be turned out. With time not on her side her only choice is to entrap a man so society forces them to marry. But Grace is a proper lady and lying and deceiving go against her nature. She quickly realizes that a worthy suitor might not be so easy to ensnare. 

If you like A Proper Scandal, you might also like: 

The Kiss of a Stranger 

by Sarah M. Eden 

Covenant Communications, Inc. 2011. 252 pages. Romance. 

When Crispin, Lord Cavratt, thoroughly and scandalously kisses a serving woman in the garden of a country inn, he assumes the encounter will be of no consequence. But he couldn't be more mistaken--the maid is not only a lady of birth, she's the niece of a very large, exceptionally angry gentlemen, who claims Crispin has compromised his niece beyond redemption. The dismayed young lord has no choice but to marry Miss Catherine Thorndale, who lacks both money and refinement and assumes all men are as vicious as her guardian uncle. 

The Regency Years: During Which Jane Austen Writes, Napoleon Fights, Byron Makes Love, and Britain Becomes Modern 

by Robert Morrison 

W.W. Norton & Company. 2019. 366 Pages. Nonfiction.

A surprising history of the era that brought our modern world decisively into view. Though the Victorians are often credited with ushering in our modern era, the seeds were planted in the years before. The Regency (1811- 1820) began when the profligate Prince of Wales replaced his insane father, George III, as Britain's ruler; around the regent surged a society of evangelicalism and hedonism, elegance and brutality, exuberance and despair. The arts showcased extraordinary writers and painters such as Austen, Byron, the Shelleys, Constable, and Turner. Science gave us the steam locomotive and the blueprint for the modern computer. Yet the dark side of the modern era was visible in the poverty, slavery, pornography, opium, and gothic imaginings that birthed Frankenstein. And all the while, the British Empire fought in foreign lands: the Napoleonic Wars in Europe and the War of 1812 in the United States. Exploring these crosscurrents, Robert Morrison illuminates the profound ways this period shaped and indelibly marked the modern world.

 

 ME

American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI

American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI

by Kate Winkler Dawson

G.P. Putnam’s Son, 2020. 325 pages. Nonfiction. 

Known as the 'American Sherlock Holmes,' Edward Oscar Heinrich was one of America's greatest forensic scientists, with a skill level that seemed almost supernatural. Heinrich spearheaded the invention of new forensic tools that police still use today, including blood spatter analysis, ballistics, lie-detector tests, and the use of fingerprints as courtroom evidence. His work, though not without its serious - some would say fatal - flaws, changed the course of American criminal investigation. Based on years of research, American Sherlock captures Heinrich's life, work, and legacy. 

If you like American Sherlock, you might also like:

A Desperate Place 

by Jennifer Greer 

Crooked Lane Books, 2020. 311 Pages. Mystery. 

The body of a famous actress is unearthed from its shallow grave in the small town of Medford, Oregon. Local reporter, Whit McKenna, is trying to lick her wounds and get her life back on track when she is called to cover the murder. Working with her best friend, medical examiner Katie Riggs, race across the clock to find the killer as more bodies are discovered. 

Blood, Bullets, and Bones: The Story of Forensic Science from Sherlock Holmes to DNA

by Bridget Heos

Balzer & Bray, 2016. 264 pages. Nonfiction. 

An account of the history of modern forensic science from the first test for arsenic poisoning in the 1700s to criminal profiling, fingerprinting, blood splatter analysis, DNA evidence, and all the milestones in between. 

ME

Georgana's Secret

Georgana’s Secret

by Arlem Hawks

Shadow Mountain, 2021. 316 pages. Romance 

As a young girl, Georgana Woodall dreamed of beautiful dresses, fancy balls, and falling in love, but when her mother dies, she cannot face a future under the guardianship of her abusive grandmother and instead chooses to join her father on his ship disguised as his cabin boy, "George.” Lieutenant Dominic Peyton is new to the crew and strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. He decides to take the shy captain’s cabin boy under his wing only to start discovering that George is really a woman. Not wanting to put her in danger from the rest of the crew he keeps her secret as well as his growing affection for her. But life in the Navy is not easy. As both of them struggle with their feelings for one another they also have to survive battles with the enemy and rising tension among the crew. 

If you like Georgana’s Secret, you might also like: 

Becoming Lady Lockwood

by Jennifer Moore

(2015) 

With the arrival of Captain Sir William Drake, widow and heiress Amelia Beckett's plans quickly go awry for Drake is out to prove that Amelia's marriage to his brother was a fraud. Left with no choice, Amelia joins the captain on his return voyage from Jamaica to England, and the two quickly find that ship life does not allow for evasion. Amelia and William are ceaselessly thrown together, and amidst fierce storms and ocean battles, what began as antipathy seems to be evolving quite unexpectedly. 

The Guise of a Gentleman

by Donna Hatch 

(2010) 

Although she longs for adventure Elise strives to be a perfect English Lady for the sake of her son. She doesn’t plan on falling in love with the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared must complete one last assignment for the Secret Service before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared's past...or still love him when the truth is revealed. 

A Captain for Caroline Gray

by Julie Wright

(2021) 

Taking a one-way trip aboard the Fishing Fleet to India after a third failed London season, outcast Caroline bonds with unconventional ship Captain Thomas Scott during the voyage. Captain Scott is captivated by her fiery spirit and becomes an unlikely ally. An undeniable attraction blossoms but a relationship between them is impossible unless Caroline decides to be brave enough to love the sea captain rather than marry a man she has never met before.

ME

Fangs

Fangs 

by Sarah Andersen 

Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2020. 100 pages. Graphic Novel 

Elsie the vampire is three hundred years old, but in all that time she has never met her match. That is until she meets Jimmy one night in a bar. Jimmy is a charming werewolf with a wry sense of humor and a fondness for running wild during the full moon. Together, Elsie and Jimmy enjoy a genuine fondness for each other’s unusual habits, macabre lifestyles, and monstrous appetites. 

 This was my first time really diving into one of Sarah Andersen’s works and I really enjoyed it. It was a quick read but told a fun and cute story about a couple as they navigate their relationship and become accustomed to one another’s differences. It shows the awkwardness, humor, and love that all relationships go through with a paranormal twist. If you have enjoyed Sarah Andersen's Adulthood is a Myth or if you are just looking for a good Saturday morning graphic, then be sure to check out this book. 

 ME

The Best-Laid Plans

The Best-Laid Plans

by Sarah M. Eden 

Covenant Communications, 2021. 134 pages. Romance 

Newton Hughes has long dreamed of pursuing a career in law, an acceptable choice for a gentleman of status and wealth. His parents, however, disapprove of his ambition, urging him instead to take his rightful place as a gentleman of leisure—with a suitable wife of their choosing, of course. 

 Ellie Napper would like nothing more than for her parents to abandon their incessant efforts to marry her off to the greatest possible advantage. Her lack of matrimonial enthusiasm drives her family mad, but she refuses to feign frivolity in order to make herself more palatable to potential suitors. When Ellie and Newton are introduced through their mutual acquaintance, Charlie Jonquil, they commiserate over their shared plight. In desperation, they hatch a plan: Ellie and Newton will feign an interest in each other—enough to convince their parents not to push them toward unwanted matches but not enough to cause whispers or expectations. Their plot quickly spirals out of control, but the greatest complication is the one they didn't see coming: their plan never included falling in love. 

This is the perfect book to read if you are a fan of Sarah Eden’s Lancaster and Jonquil series. It introduces new characters that will lead into a new series of books and the romance is so sweet and simple. The story has a Cinderella quality and is fast paced and keeps you glued to the pages. It is a short book so perfect for those searching for a quick and fun read. If you have not read any of Eden’s books you don’t to read them in order to understand and enjoy this book. 

 ME

The Shadows Between Us

The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

Feiwel and Friends, 2020. 326 pages. Young Adult

Eighteen-year-old Alessandra Stathos, the second daughter of a minor nobleman, is tired of being overlooked and has a plan. 1) woo the Shadow King. 2) Marry him. 3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself. Sounds simple Enough. But she is not the only one in the castle who is trying to kill him. She needs to keep him alive long enough to become queen all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

This book was such a fun way to start the year. It was so different to have the main characters so ruthless and cunning and I loved it. The chemistry between Alessandra and the Shadow King was intoxicating and their interactions with each other were hilarious. Alessandra is a woman who knows who she is, what she likes, and what she wants and she doesn’t apologize for it. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator did a wonderful job differentiating the characters and putting ream emotion into the words. The story came alive more due to the excellent narration. If you are a fan of Sarah J. Maas’s series, Throne of Glass you will enjoy this because it has a similar writing style and characters. 

 ME

How to Hang a Witch

How to Hang a Witch

by Adriana Mather 

Knopf Books, 2016. 368 pages. Young Adult 

After moving from New York to Salem with her stepmother,15-year-old Samantha Mather finds herself ostracized from many in town due to her ancestor being Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for the infamous witch trails. Sam becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves the Descendants because their ancestors were some of the witches that were hung by Cotton. To add to her problems, she befriends a rather handsome and angry ghost who helps her as they discover she is tied to ancient curse affecting anyone attached to the trials. Her only hope is to work with ghost and the Descendants before it is too late.

 I really enjoyed this book.  It was a great read to have during October and the author did the audio narration and did an amazing job. The Salem witch trials are so fascinating and I liked how the author tied the trails into bullying and how some of the practices from that tragic time are still in practice today. The characters were well thought out and the twists and turns of the story made it easy to want to keep turning the page. I highly recommend this book! 

ME

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts
by Nancy Campbell Allen

Shadow Mountain, 2020. 308 pages. Romance                   

                                       

Activist Emme O'Shea has been chosen to speak at an important summit in Scotland regarding shifter rights. But when a death threat arrives she is placed in protective custody. Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, who is all too familiar with Miss O'Shea and her antics, has been assigned to guard Emme and to escort her to the summit before midnight on the last night. But getting her there safely will be a challenge, especially when the two of them realize they might be falling in love with each other.   

I loved going back into this world that Nancy Campbell Allen has created. It has all you could want - fairytales, steampunk, and paranormal. This book is the Cinderella story with the main characters having a rocky relationship at the start because of their respective positions. But once they put that behind them an adorable love story unfurls. The story keeps your attention has you reaching for the next page. Emmeline and Oliver have such great banter with each other that it makes you sigh and laugh at the same time. You do not need to read the previous books in order to understand and enjoy this story but, for those that do, it is fun to see the characters from the previous books. I both listened to the audio and read the book. The narrator for the audio does a remarkable job. 

ME

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Stalking Jack the Ripper

By Kerri Maniscalco 

Brown and Company, 2016. 326 pages. Young Adult.

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. 

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

I really enjoyed this book! I listened to the audio version and the narrator did such a great job that I found myself laughing out loud to the charm and applauding the characters when they did something daring. It was so interesting to follow this infamous crime scene through this story and bring it life. It is considered a young adult but the way it reads it can easily be entertaining for adults. Not a lot of teenage drama but enough of real-life drama to keep it interesting. You won't want to stop listening or reading. 

 ME

Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not 

by Sarah M. Eden 

Covenant Communications, 2020. 256 pages. Romance 

Julia Cummings has long been acquainted with loss-her mother, her brother, her sister, her friend, all gone too soon. But the loss that pushed her grief to the limit as a young girl was that of her best friend, Lucas Jonquil, who abandoned her without looking back. Now, eight years later, Lucas has returned to Lampton Park, and Julia has steeled herself-she will never forgive the man who broke her heart. 

After losing too many of his friends and family to early deaths, Lucas vowed to live life to the fullest. And after traversing the world, he has returned from his adventures to find his family and home as he left them-except for Julia. The little girl he left behind has blossomed into a captivating lady, a lady who makes it clear she despises him. With little hope of reconciliation, the former friends are blindsided when their parents make a shocking announcement. Lucas and Julia have been betrothed without their knowledge and are to marry immediately. Now Lucas must rely on the help of his closest friends to win the heart of a lady who loathes him-a lady he s coming to love more deeply every day. 

If you are a fan of Sarah M. Eden books, especially the Jonquil series, then you will adore this book. There are so many hidden gems throughout the book and you will love making the connections between the two generations. I don’t read a lot of Georgian historical romance books but this was a great book to get into the era. Sarah did a marvelous job of brining it to life, including all of the interesting fashion choices of that time, like powdering the hair. The story flows well and is easy to read while quickly capturing your attention to the point that you cannot put it down and stay up with the story. You will be sighing, crying, and laughing at the sweet and tender moments as well as the frustrating ones. A perfect start to a new series.

 -ME

Kintsugi: the Japanese art of embracing the imperfect and loving your flaws

Kintsugi: The Japanese Art of Embracing the Imperfect and Loving Your Flaws
by Tomas Navarro
Sounds True, 2019. 273 pages. Nonfiction

Cultivate inner strength and rebuild your life with the ancient principles of kintsugi. When we lose a person we love, a job, or our health, it can feel like a precious piece of ourselves falling to the ground and shattering. But in the Japanese art of kintsugi, that's where the creation of beauty begins-in the delicate re-joining and mending of shards with loving attention. Psychology Tomas Navarro encourages us to approach our lives in the same way.

The imagery of a pot being broken and then put back together with gold, making it worth even more, and then comparing that to our lives is one of my favorite comparisons that I have ever heard. The book does a wonderful job of giving guidance and advice on how to improve ourselves while at the same time appreciating our flaws and weaknesses and improving upon them. It stresses the importance of living and not just surviving which includes all of the painful lessons life can throw at us. The book is an easy and fast read and you will want to keep turning the pages to discover the little truths the author has written.

-ME