The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman by Robin Gregory

The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman by Robin Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman by Robin Gregory reads much like a fable about a little boy who has a lot going against him. First, he's a foundling, seems slow to develop and is quite limited in many ways. However, he does seem to have magical powers that astound not only the nuns who first take him in, but the parents who ultimately adopt him. Misfortune seems to follow Moojie around, and he spends much of his time recovering from one disaster to another in this fantastical coming of age story. The plot itself is meaningful and written in a poetic style, often with made up words that will appeal to the younger audience. While a little hard to follow the story sometimes, the overall message is a positive one and is something we can all aspire to in our lives. After all life is about making choices.

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Broken Promises by Anne Willow

Broken Promises (Past Imperfect Mystery Book 1) by Anne Willow is a cozy mystery that will not only entertain, but you will learn a little about antiques in the process. This mystery features Julie, a likable young woman who has taken over her Aunt's antique shop "Past Imperfect" in a small, cozy town. Julie is escaping a somewhat troubled relationship, and taking over the shop seems to be just what she needs to start over. The author does a great job of describing the shop, the town and the townspeople. Julie seems to fit in just fine until she becomes a prime suspect in a murder case. Unfortunately for her, the victim was killed with an antique letter opener,and one that Julie is familiar with. Now she must figure out what exactly happened. This is a well rounded mystery, with a touch of the warm and cozy, curses of the past, and some history. Overall, a satisfying read that will appeal to a broad audience of readers. Highly recommend for a light reading diversion.

The Foundling's Path by Jemima Brigges

Living in the Shadows: The Foundling's Path - Part 1 by Jemima Brigges
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Living in the Shadows: The Foundling's Path - Part 1 by Jemima Brigges is a great story featuring two unlikely protagonists, one being Nell, a foundling, or unwanted child, and Meg, an herbalist gypsy who helps Nell when the child shows up on her doorstep, injured and afraid. Brigges has done a beautiful job of rendering this novel, showing the complexities of the time in the early 1800's. Women were not held in high esteem, in particular those who had no real roots or family. Certainly they were often mere servants, and expected to always acquiesce in every circumstance. This tale is reminiscent of the Bronte sisters' works, with plenty of detail that truly depicts the day to day harshness of life, and the struggle to survive while maintaining one's self respect and dignity. Wrapped in the travails of the women's lives is a good little story, one that will resonate with many readers with its cadence and clarity. Highly recommend.

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Murders of Misfortune by Ian D. Wright

Murders of Misfortune: A gripping story of a missing daughter and a trail of lies, blackmail and murder. by Ian D Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murders of Misfortune: A gripping story of a missing daughter and a trail of lies, blackmail and murder. (Murders of Consequence, Necessity & Misfortune Book 3) by Ian D. Wright starts off with a hellish crime and from there develops into a fine mystery. This crime meshes nicely with the balance of the book that focuses on a missing young woman named Felicity. However, she has been missing for roughly five years, and her mother barely took notice. With that premise, the author introduces us to a pair of young journalists, Emily and Steve Moon who come to investigate how Felicity went missing. Their quest will take them across the globe, into some wild places, not the least of which is the seedy underbelly of London in the 1960's. This novel has a fast pace, with good characters, an interesting plot, and plenty of complexity. A not to be missed mystery.

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Behind the Door (Hidden Motives, #1) by Adriana Gavazzoni

Behind the Door by A. Gavazzoni
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Behind the Door (Hidden Motives, #1) by Adriana Gavazzoni is an erotic mystery thriller with an engaging plot and sympathetic characters. When Simone meets Carl, the last thing she wants to do is assist him with his latest legal case. But as a gifted and thoughtful psychiatrist, who specializes in not so common sexual behaviors, and when Carl describes his case, Simone can't help but try and pitch in to help him. Carl is defending his long time friend Mark, who may have accidentally killed his girlfriend during sex. There is a good mix in this book, and the alternating views that pivot from Mark's detailed journal to the present day for Simone, is a good literary device, and flowed quite smoothly. Lara is the person who has been killed, and even though she is dead, her character is well described; she seems like a flamboyant and crazy lady. There is a lot of detail here about deviant sex practices, but beyond that, the story is substantial and works well on it's own. Overall, a suspenseful read, full of twists and turns, with a solid ending. Highly recommend and looking forward to reading more from this author.

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Small Change by Keddie Hughes

Small Change by Keddie Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Small Change by Keddie Hughes was a bit of a revelation. Not being familiar with Scottish football, and the extent to which people are addicted, this story struck at the heart of how enmeshed one can get in to a sport. Izzy is married to one such person in her husband Jim. As a volunteer at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Izzy is full of empathy, maybe too much so, when she meets Sean, a journalist. Their friendship is challenged because soon they will be looking into a murder of a young football fan. In addition, Sean happens to be the brother of one of Izzy's clients, and that's where much of the controversy starts and grows. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with lots of twists and turns, an interesting plot, and well drawn characters. The author has done a great job of creating realistic life situations that many can relate to, as well as an entertaining mystery. Highly recommend.

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Mudcat Moon: A Jake Eliam ChickenBone Mystery Book 3 by Cliff Yeargin

MudCat Moon: A Jake Eliam ChickenBone Mystery by Cliff Yeargin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MudCat Moon: A Jake Eliam ChickenBone Mystery (Jake Eliam ChickenBone Mystery Series Book 3) by Cliff Yeargin fits the bill if you are looking for an enticing mystery, some Southern vibes, and sports as well. This original mix works out quite well in this story, which first must be noted is 3rd in a series of funnily named books, Rabbit Shine and Hoochy Koochy, in that order. Jake, a baseball guy, is the main character who gets wrangled into becoming a bodyguard for a famous newscaster by the name of Cissy, and a beautiful one at that. This is quite a deviation from making baseball bats, his day job. Thoughtfully written, you can tell the author loves sports, much of the fun of the book is the insertion of the classic Southern drawl and euphemisms that characterize the South, while the many characters become entangled in a messy mystery. Strong plot, well drawn characters, this book is highly recommended.

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Review for Paper Ghosts coming Soon!

The Collapse of the Broadway Central by Michael Heslin

The Collapse of the Broadway Central by Michael Heslin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's not often that a novel is written in such beautiful, contemporary language as The Collapse of the Broadway Central by Michael Heslin. That contemporary language encapsulates a period of time in the 1970's that is both innocent by today's standards, and restless, as only the city of New York is. Fletcher, a writer for the New York Local, wakes up one day to an abrupt phone call, one that propels him into action after a rough night, and turns his world upside down, as he investigates the collapse of an infamous building, the Broadway Central. The author fully manages to capture the tenor and taste of New York, who its people are, the mysteries behind them, and the mangled lives they lead. Not only does Fletcher have to ferret out information about a young girl who was killed in the collapse, but he must also examine the motives of his newspaper. Strongly recommend this book written with an elegance and style not often seen.

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The Date by Louise Jensen

As only Louise Jensen can do, she hits it out of the park again with her latest, The Date. Immediately pulled into the book by the sympathetic lead female, Ali, this is a fast paced, edge of your seat book that keeps the reader guessing until the last few pages. Not only is Ali a sympathetic character, she is troubled with a troubled past. She is estranged from her husband Matt. She thinks going on a date will be kinda fun, even against her better judgement. What happens could never have been foreseen, and as she tries to put the pieces of the mystery together, the plot gets crazier and crazier. I loved this book, read it in a few long lounge sessions on the sofa, and went back and shook my head to clear my perception of the plot. Highly recommend.Many thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

The Kitchens of Canton by Isham Cook

The Kitchens of Canton by Isham Cook
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Kitchens of Canton by Isham Cook catapults the reader through time and space as our anti-hero, Jeff Malmquist, finds himself in New Gary, Indiana. A provocative comedy of errors, with hints of Hunter S. Thompson and Kurt Vonnegut running through it, this is a mind bending story that must certainly resemble an acid trip. While a spiky, enthralling commentary on the political meanderings of modern society, Cook throws in a good measure of sexual romps, androids, and future realms that tax the brain. Unless you can read various languages, much of the book is not readable. Breeze past that, and there is rampant humor and human degradation. Entertaining with a cutting edge, this book is wildly different and not to be missed.

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The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie

You can certainly rely on Catherine McKenzie to write a good thriller, and The Good Liar is no exception. Modeled after the events of 9/11, (loosely) we find that a building has exploded, killing people and disrupting lives. However, this time the tragedy occurs in Chicago, and fewer families have been affected. With stories intertwined, there is a lot going on in this book; unreliable characters add to the confusion, and at times, it can be difficult to discern what is going on. The characters themselves were somewhat hard to relate to, as they made horrific decisions, some worse than others, and not altogether believable. With that said, the story moves along at a pretty good pace, but with some repetition. You definitely have to approach this story with a sense of disbelief, because some of the actions of characters are so unreal. Overall, an interesting read, though not great literature by any stretch. Thanks to Netgalley.com for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Don't Shine by Christophe P Yerling PhD

Don't Shine: The Surprising Science of Workplace Performance and Why Doing Your Best Work May Be Hazardous to Your Career by Christophe P. Yerling Ph.D.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Don't Shine: The Surprising Science of Workplace Performance and Why Doing Your Best Work May Be Hazardous to Your Career by Christophe P. Yerling Ph.D. certainly grabs your attention right away with it's clever title. The foundation of the book however, is more firmly grounded in reality, and what happens when you change your tactics at work. Office environs can be tricky, from idle chat around the water cooler, to competition, to office bullying, at best it can be described as socially charged. The book is premised on a hostile working environment. The author basically has reconstituted a study that aligns with his theories, whereby, if you are nicer in the office, have more humility, and work together, then many office politics scenarios can be alleviated. This is an interesting take on a subject that is not often tackled, a quick read that could be of benefit to many.

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Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling by Tom Hoffman

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling by Tom Hoffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling (Orville Wellington Mouse Book 5) by Tom Hoffman is another great example of writing by this author, and unfortunately the last in the series. If you have been fortunate enough to read the previous books, you understand how wonderful they are, if not, you are in for a treat. Orville the Mouse and his girlfriend/friend Sophia go on plenty of interesting adventures, spanning time and space. That they are mice is irrelevant, they have such unique and human qualities, you get right into their characters. These are sweet,charming, and curious mice, always looking to learn more, and expand their horizons. Sophia is always encouraging Orville to deeply explore his dreams, as they have meaning beyond the dream realm. With the opening pages, and Orville entrenched in a rather scary dream, the author convincingly sets the tone for what is to follow. Another exciting adventure awaits the pair along with Proto, their intrepid friend. Not your usual science fiction, but one filled with action, metaphysics, high tech, and the bonds of friendship, this book is not to be missed, highly recommend.

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Inroads: The Killing of Callie Shane by Linda Amey

INROADS: The Killing of Callie Shane by Linda Amey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

INROADS: The Killing of Callie Shane by Linda Amey is a well written thriller/mystery that recounts the murder of a young teenager, Callie, 20 years earlier in a convenience store shooting. Callie was the daughter of Rebecca, a funeral director, and a well regarded member of her community. Even after so much time has elapsed, Rebecca can't quite get over it, and begins to think that her stepdaughter Nichole lied about the night that Callie was killed. This is a riveting story, with characters that feel so real. You can feel the grief of Callie's parents even though they are divorced. You can feel the anguish as Rebecca's ex husband becomes an alcoholic. He is tortured at the loss of his daughter. This story is subtly written, and fully illustrates the lifestyle in Texas, making the reader feel they are in that place with all of the characters. Amey has done a superb job of putting together this story, and with her background gives credibility and sensitivity to the subject of death. Highly recommend.

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Richard III and Clarence: Another Twisted Tale of the King's Travels by Kari August

Richard III and Clarence: Another Twisted Tale of the King's Travels by Kari August
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Richard III and Clarence: Another Twisted Tale of the King's Travels (Richard III and his Travels Book 2) by Kari August is a rollicking good time for fans of history, and those attempting to unravel British Royalty. Richard III was a dastardly character during his reign, mean and violent. That August can make him seem appealing at all in this book is commendable. With an opening scene with Richard speaking with God, an upcoming party where all must attend and be seen, this is a hilarious romp through history that will have you laughing hysterically. A bit of time travel combined with history makes for a unique and satisfying read. This one is worth delving into for comedic relief and a whole lot of historical education as well. Highly recommend.

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