miahpaws@gmail.com – Page 25

Horizon by Tabitha Lord

Title: Horizon
Author: Tabitha Lors
Pub. Date: 1-Dec-2015
Rating: 4 Stars

Horizon by Tabitha Lord is the first in a series, of at least one more book, and ends with a cliffhanger. While it is a sci-fi story, it is also heavy on the romance but nothing sappy (thankfully). Actually, the romantic scenes were well done and therefore nothing for me to quibble about.

The story opens from Caeli Crys’s point of view as a ship crashes on her planet. She is empathetic and she feels the terror of the crew in the moments before the actual crash. When she goes to investigate she finds that, of the two people on board, only one has survived, Commander Derek Markham. As empathetic, Caeli possesses the skill to heal with her mind and she quickly sets about saving Derek’s life. Continue reading “Horizon by Tabitha Lord”

Like Father Like Daughter by Christina Morgan

Title: Like Father Like Daughter
Author: Christina Morgan
Pub. Date: 12-July-2016
Rating: 5 Stars

Like Father Like Daughter has an opening scene that makes you want to devour this book. While I did not read it in one sitting it was close. The main character of Elizabeth “Libby” was so good. She was flawed in all the right ways and sometimes I just wanted to strangle her for making poor decisions. To me, things like this make a book a great read and not just a good read.

Libby Carter wakes up with a pounding headache to find her husband lying dead next to her. She cannot remember a thing about the previous evening. Though her marriage was not perfect she loved her husband. She would never kill him. Would she? Continue reading “Like Father Like Daughter by Christina Morgan”

Crown of Stars by Sophie Jaff

Title: Crown of Stars
Author: Sophie Jaff
Pub. Date: 6-Jun-2017
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Crown of Stars is the second book in the Nightsong Trilogy. It can be read as a standalone, which I am thankful for since I have not read the first book. It is a mix of fantasy and psychological thriller and is a true good versus evil story. The plot shifts between Margaret in the 17^th century and Katherine in the present.

Margaret is the daughter of a Traveler and has inherited supernatural gifts from her. The community is afraid of her and has shunned her. After her mother’s death, her father remarries and it is soon evident that Margaret will have to leave. She is finally able to secure a position as an alewife in the house of a young, wealthy lord whom she falls for. Tragically, her mother’s killer is now seeking her and she becomes determined to defeat him even at the cost of her own life. Continue reading “Crown of Stars by Sophie Jaff”

Mind Virus by Charles Kowalski

Title: Mind Virus
Author: Charles Kowalski
Pub. Date: 1-July-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

Mind Virus by Charles Kowalski is an award winning debut novel and a total adrenaline rush. As scary as the thought is, the events depicted could easily have been real. Given all the attention the media focuses on terrorism and religious extremism it is no wonder that the story will resonate with readers.

Robin Fox is a professor of world religions, ex-Army and conscientious objector. Since he is one of the few people in the world that has had dealings with a new deadly virus he is drawn back into the world of intelligence. As he works to uncover the mastermind behind the plot to kill people of faith, he is led on a chase which leads to various religious celebrations around the world. Robin must race against the clock to stop the planned attacks before this deadly virus is released into the populous. Then it becomes personal to him when his very dear friend Emily Paxton is kidnapped. I do not want to spoil a great story; therefore, I am intentionally being vague and stopping here. Continue reading “Mind Virus by Charles Kowalski”

Box of ARCs arrived.

It must be Christmas! Imagine my surprise when I found a box of books by the door when I arrived home from work. Since I was unable to attend BookExpo/BookCon, Flatiron Books was kind enough to send me these ARCs. I have already added them to my shelves at GoodReads and Library Thing. It was extra exciting to note that all six books had awesome reviews. I am eager to get started reading.

The Tourist by Robert Dickinson

Title: The Tourist
Author: Robert Dickinson
Pub. Date: 18-Oct-2016
Rating: 2 Stars

The Tourist by Robert Dickinson is a time travel novel that left me wanting. I did manage to get to the end, but it was a struggle at times. The tidbits of information that were supposed to move the plot along were few and far between and ambiguous at best. I love books that make me think and put all the puzzle pieces together in order to have that climatic moment where I can sigh with relief because I get it. That did not happen for me with this book. There were too many puzzle pieces missing for me to get a complete picture. Therefore, I was left wanting in the end.

Then to make matters worse the plot jumps around in time, to various places and different people. Making it more difficult to keep up with what was going on and whose time line I was reading about. I especially did not care for the use of second person for one of the characters. I have read other books were that technique worked well. Its use here turned murky waters to muddy. Continue reading “The Tourist by Robert Dickinson”

Used book store purchases

I managed to sneak in a trip to my local used book store. I was looking for books for my grandson and came home with more for me than for him. Isn’t there a buy one for someone and buy two (or three or four) for me rule?

In addition, my Book of the Month arrived today. Therefore, I believe I made out rather nicely. My only problem is my growing TBR list.

The Nazi’s Daughter by Tim Murgatroyd

Title: The Nazi’s Daughter
Author: Tim Murgatroyd
Pub. Date: 31-May-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

The Nazi’s Daughter is set in present day New York City and 1943 Europe at the height of WWII. Elise Van Thoof-Noman is the daughter of a very powerful Dutch Nazi. She is a prima ballerina that has suffered a career ending tendon injury. After recuperating in Paris, Elise heads off to a remote island off the coast of Holland. Once there she meets Pieter Goedhart a school teacher and reluctant resistance fighter. They are drawn to each other, but Pieter must take care with Elise. She cannot find out about the people he is hiding from the Nazis in his attic. If she does, it could jeopardize both their lives and the lives of those he is hiding. Continue reading “The Nazi’s Daughter by Tim Murgatroyd”

Hannah’s Moon by John A. Heldt

Title: Hannah’s Moon
Author: John A. Heldt
Pub. Date: 8-Feb-2017
Rating: 5 Stars

Hannah’s Moon is the last book in the American Journey series. Do not worry if you have not read any of the other books in the series, because this one can be read as a stand-alone and you will not feel lost. In fact, I have only read one other in the series, September Sky, which is the first one. The entire series is based on a sci-fi, time travel theme. Expect also to get a little romance, suspense and WWII history with this one.

Claire Rasmussen wants nothing more than to have a child. After numerous attempts with the last one ending in a still birth she and Ron, her husband, decide to adopt. They soon discover that in 2017 this route is difficult and a very long process. Fortunately for them, a distant relative enters into the picture. Professor Bell, a relative of Claire’s, does have a solution and offers to send them back to 1945 where adoptions are much quicker and red tape a lot less. Continue reading “Hannah’s Moon by John A. Heldt”

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Title: Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Pub Date: 1-Jan-2017
Rating: 4 Stars

Caraval is part fantasy, mystery, and romance all within a young adult wrapper. It is the first book of a series and, be warned, you are left with a huge cliff hanger on the very last page. If you hate cliff hangers you might want to wait until the sequel is out to read this one. That aside, this book is a suspense ride worth taking. It is full of twists that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

Scarlett and her sister Tella live with their cruel father on a small remote island. Not only is he a cruel man, but he is a powerful man and they are desperate to escape his clutches. Scarlett thinks by going through with an arranged marriage she will finally be free of him. Then just days before her wedding a letter arrives with three tickets to the fabled Caraval. A yearly dramatic performance/game in which members of the audience can participate, if they so desire, with the winner receiving a magical prize. Continue reading “Caraval by Stephanie Garber”