Waiting on Wednesday #96: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Expected publication: February 9th 2016
by Philomel Books

This week the book I am waiting on is Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. It's not due out until February 2016, but as soon as I heard about it, I had to add it to my TBR list. 

Synopsis from Goodreads.com: 

The author of Between Shades of Gray returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.
Told in alternating points of view, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff—the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

Perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson's critically acclaimed #1 New York Times bestseller Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity.

Why am I waiting on it? Ruta Sepetys other books have gotten rave reviews. Shades of Gray received awards. My brother and mother both read it and raved over it. I think that Salt to the Sea will be a great introduction for me to her writing. It doesn't mention it in this synopsis, but she is also supposed to fit in the Amber Room mystery into this book. That particular mystery I find fascinating. So, award winning writer, great disaster, and great mystery seem like they will blend together to make a really good book.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Murder At Barclay Meadow by Wendy Sand Eckel

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can participate, just do the following:

• Grab your current read and open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Expected publication: July 28th 2015
by Minotaur Books

Night had crept up the lawn, making shadows of the men as they worked. The lights on their vehicles bathed the house in manic red and blue flashes like a disco. 
- location 57 on my Kindle

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

Rosalie Hart’s world has been upended. After her husband confesses to an affair, she exiles herself to her late aunt’s farmhouse on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With its fields untended and the house itself in disrepair, Barclay Meadow couldn’t be more different than the tidy D.C. suburb she used to call home. Just when Rosalie feels convinced things couldn’t get any worse, she finds a body floating in her marsh grasses. When the sheriff declares the death an accident, she becomes suspicious. The dead girl, Megan, reminds her of her own daughter, and she feels a responsibility to find out the truth.

Rosalie confides her doubts to her friends in her creative writing class, and they ask to join her investigation, beginning the search in earnest. Meanwhile, Rosalie works on restoring Barclay Meadow to its former glory—with help from the rugged Tyler Wells, a farmer who once leased the land. When Rosalie discovers her aunt’s favorite bread recipe on a yellowed index card, she begins baking, and with her deep love for nourishing others rekindled, she starts to feel alive again. But as she zeroes in on the truth about what happened to Megan, she begins getting ominous threats. Determined to get justice for Megan and protect the new home she’s begun to build for herself, Rosalie races to catch the killer in this deftly plotted and heartwarming debut perfect for fans of Jessica Beck and Carolyn Hart.

So, it's a murder mystery, "a cozy debut." And I can tell you this much, the sheriff is not at all happy with her sleuthing ways. Much of the writing is like the teaser, at least so far. I'm about 40% through. Would you keep reading? Does this style suit you? 

And please drop a note in the comments and let us know about your teaser so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Review: Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

Expected publication: August 4, 2015
by Kathy Dawson Books

I could easily see someone saying to Digby, "Trouble is your middle name." It never gets said outright, but it certainly seems true. Digby is the first person that Zoe Webster meets on her first day of school in the suburbs. And trouble soon follows. They both end up in detention for being late and are assigned to work on a project together. 

It becomes clear though that Digby has his own projects in the works and they pretty much aren't school related. Unless you think looking for a missing teen is vaguely school related. Digby thinks her disappearance could be somehow linked to the abduction/disappearance of his sister back when he was little. He recruits Zoe to help him in his hunt. Along the way, his friend Henry gets involved. By the end of the book, a few others have gotten swept along in Digby's wake as well.

Digby comes across as a sort of cross between Sherlock and Ferris Beuller. Zoe complains, "He's rude, he doesn't take no for an answer, and he treats you like a book he's already read and knows the ending to even if you yourself didn't yet." If nothing else, the word eccentric could describe Digby and his behavior. 

Zoe's parent's split up before the book starts. Zoe and her mother move away from New York City to a quieter suburban city. At least it appears quieter when they first move there. As soon as Zoe gets involved with Digby, the underbelly of the city starts to be exposed. Life is less than smooth with Digby, but it is much more interesting. Up until Zoe meets Digby, she appears to have been a lot quieter and generally well behaved.

I really enjoyed the book. I loved the characters, especially Zoe and Digby.The plot progresses at a steady pace for the most part with periods of intense activity as they get into trouble. The sense of humor is enjoyable, kind of snarky and sarcastic for the most part. The writing is well done. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you like the sound of Digby, it's worth checking out. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The quote comes from an ARC and may appear differently in the final copy.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Chef Maurice and the Wrath of Grapes by J.A. Lang

Chef Maurice and the Wrath of Grapes by J.A. Lang is a humorous cozy mystery released July 13, 2015 by Purple Panda Press. This is book 2 in the Chef Maurice series. The good Chef and his friend Arthur have quickly become one of my favorite sleuth pairings. A sample chapter is available on J.A. Lang's website. My review is below the synopsis. And don't forget to enter the giveaway via the link below.

Synopsis:
An invitation to dinner at the home of renowned wine collector Sir William Burton-Trent soon finds Chef Maurice in the middle of an all-too-real murder mystery party, when Sir William is found dead in his own wine cellar.

The guests are acting all innocent, but which one is only playing the part? The pushy Californian film director? The seductive French winemaker?

Or could it be, against all narrative decency, the butler who did it?

With the help of food critic friend Arthur Wordington-Smythe, a large kipper sandwich, and the newly formed Cochon Rouge Wine Appreciation Society, Chef Maurice must get to the bottom of matters before events turn decidedly sour…


My Review:
Chef Maurice is at it again along with his close friend and food critic Arthur Wordington-Smythe. Someone has killed the host of the first meeting of their wine appreciation club. It appears to be a locked room murder case. Chef Maurice is on the spot and on the case immediately much to the chagrin of Lucy the head of the local police department.
Will our bumbling chef to all appearances be able to solve the mystery before someone gets away with murder? 

I absolutely love Chef Maurice and Arthur. The good Chef has so much up his sleeve at any given time there is no telling where they will end up or what they will do in the name of solving the mystery. The sprinkling of French from the Chef adds to his character. Arthur is the perfect foil to the Chef's actions.

PC Lucy is also on the case and trying to keep the Chef from accidentally destroying evidence. She is also dating one of Chef's assistants, Patrick, who is less than skilled in the art of dealing with women. It is a wonderful subplot.

The action and pace are perfect. The writing is well done. And the characters are really rather perfect for the mystery. I love humorous mysteries. I give this one 5 stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Now for the giveaway - from the author:

http://www.jalang.net/chef-maurice-giveaway/

Waiting on Wednesday #95: The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

This week I am waiting on The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle. It's due out August 18, 2015 from Corgi Children's. 

Blurb:

It's the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom.

The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara's life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara's family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.

But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?

Why am I waiting on it? It sounds like it's either paranormal or magical realism. Which do you think it is? Either way, it sounds interesting to me. You can read an excerpt from the book on the USA Today website. 

What book are  you waiting on this week? Share a link or the title in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can participate, just do the following:

• Grab your current read and open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

I heard the psssht of a soda popping open. I turned to see Digby offering Henry something from a little cooler. Who brings a picnic to a break-in? This fricking guy.

(Zoe's observation while she is out of the car to spray fake snow on the lens of a video camera.)
p. 71

Trouble is a Friend of Mine is due out August 4, 2015 from Kathy Dawson Books. The quote is from an ARC and may appear differently in the final copy.

Would you keep reading? I am. My review will follow in a few days. I am enjoying the book so far. 

What's your teaser this week? Leave it or a link in the comments so we can check it out.

Happy Reading!

Review: Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau is the conclusion to her Testing Trilogy featuring Malencia Vale, a 16 year old University student. That age is not unusual for students to be attending University in this dystopian world.

First, a word. These books are best read in order. Otherwise the horror of the Testing isn't at all clear until later in this book.

Graduation Day pretty much picks up where the last one left off. Cia aka Malencia also has an internship with the President's office. In the beginning of this book, she rides to tell the President that one of her employees has been killed by the rebel leader Symon. In return, the President gives Cia a list of people that need to be killed in order for there to be an end to the Testing and a code to get resources from a room on the fifth floor.

Cia realizes that she can 't accomplish this all on her own, but she agonizes over who to trust and how she will know they are trustworthy. The only one she knows for sure is Tomas, her love.

Will she be able to go through with killing the people on the list? Who can she trust to help her if she does? Will this really end the nightmare of the Testing? And what really happens to all of those that fail in some way?

This book ties up loose ends from the other 2 books. That's good. A lot of the what happens this time was internal. Not so good. Definitely important to the plot, but it makes for a slower read. The other 2 books had more action in them. Also, a lot of the action in this book was Cia and her friends discussing the issues of who could be trusted and how would they accomplish the deaths needed on the list. Since Cia isn't a fan of killing, it was a little surprising that she agreed to take on the task.

The action in the book was good and fast paced once it gets started. The ending seemed a little strange to me, but you need to read it yourself to judge.

In spite of tying up a lot of the loose ends from the other books, it still left open the possibility to further exploration in this world.

You can read an excerpt from this book at the website for the book.

I gave this book 3 stars because even though I enjoyed it, I didn't think it was quite as good as the first 2 in the trilogy. The writing is still good, but a lot of it was passive thoughts. The action was good, but there was a lot less of it than in the first 2 books. There were definitely enough twists to go around though.

If you enjoyed the first 2 books, you should read it to finish off the trilogy. It is not a standalone.

I borrowed my copy from my local library.

Waiting on Wednesday #94: Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

This week the book I am waiting on is Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. It's due out October 20, 2015 from Harper Perennial.

The synopsis from the publisher: 
From the creators of the wildly popular Welcome to Night Vale podcast comes an imaginative mystery of appearances and disappearances that is also a poignant look at the ways in which we all struggle to find ourselves...no matter where we live.

Located in a nameless desert somewhere in the great American Southwest, Night Vale is a small town where ghosts, angels, aliens, and government conspiracies are all commonplace parts of everyday life. It is here that the lives of two women, with two mysteries, will converge.

Nineteen-year-old Night Vale pawn shop owner Jackie Fierro is given a paper marked "KING CITY" by a mysterious man in a tan jacket holding a deer skin suitcase. Everything about him and his paper unsettles her, especially the fact that she can't seem to get the paper to leave her hand, and that no one who meets this man can remember anything about him. Jackie is determined to uncover the mystery of King City and the man in the tan jacket before she herself unravels.

Night Vale PTA treasurer Diane Crayton's son, Josh, is moody and also a shape shifter. And lately Diane's started to see her son's father everywhere she goes, looking the same as the day he left years earlier, when they were both teenagers. Josh, looking different every time Diane sees him, shows a stronger and stronger interest in his estranged father, leading to a disaster Diane can see coming, even as she is helpless to prevent it.

Diane's search to reconnect with her son and Jackie's search for her former routine life collide as they find themselves coming back to two words: "KING CITY". It is King City that holds the key to both of their mysteries, and their futures...if they can ever find it. 

Why am I waiting on it? It sounds interesting to me. Looks like a sort of Urban Fantasy book. It seems to be attempting to do what some of the best books do, have the characters experience personal growth as part of the story. I've added it to my TBR list since I love Urban Fantasy, and I am hoping it will echo also books like Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris and Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore. The description of the mysterious man reminds me of a trick Coyote might play. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Please share a link or the title in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can participate, just do the following:

• Grab your current read and open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

I straighten my shoulders and walk around the residence to the vehicle shed, trying not to look at the place where Raffe and I pushed Damone over the edge of the ravine.

p.12

Worry about my brother propels my body forward despite my fatigue. 

p.12 

Graduation Day is the conclusion to the Testing Trilogy by Joelle Charbonneau. 

Synopsis:

In a scarred and brutal future, The United Commonwealth teeters on the brink of all-out civil war. The rebel resistance plots against a government that rules with cruelty and cunning. Gifted student and Testing survivor Cia Vale vows to fight. But she can't do it alone. This is the chance to lead that Cia has trained for - but who will follow? Plunging through layers of danger and deception, Cia must risk the lives of those she loves - and gamble on the loyalty of her lethal classmates.

Based on the teasers, would you keep reading? Share a link to your teaser in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Some Strong Female Characters in Picture Books

Now for something different:

When my daughter was little, I wanted her to have exposure to books where the girl wasn't always being saved by a boy. These are a few of the picture books she came to love for their humor and adventure. 

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is a twist on the regular fairy tale. Prince Ronald and Princess Elizabeth are supposed to be getting married. Then along comes a dragon and kidnaps Prince Ronald. Princess Elizabeth takes it on herself to rescue him. However when she shows up wearing a paper bag, the Prince is less than thrilled. 

Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole is definitely different. The Princess doesn't want to get married. She would rather live alone with her pets. Her parents tell her she has to get married. So, she designs tests for the princes, which they mostly fail miserably. Then along comes Prince Swashbuckle.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans is a classic tale about feisty young Madeline who lives at a boarding school in Paris with her 11 other classmates. She makes life interesting for them. 

When she got a little older we shared Tam Lin as told by Jane Yolen. It's beautifully illustrated and a wonderful story about a brave young woman who must rescue her love from the Fairy Queen and in the process regains her ancestral home.

These are just a few of the picture books available with strong female characters. There are read-aloud books too such as Kathleen Ragan's Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folk Tales Around the World.

Do you know any books for elementary or middle-grade readers, particularly retellings, with strong lead female characters? Have any favorites? Please share them in the comments so we can check them out. 

Review: The Widow's Son by Thomas Shawver

Published July 7, 2015 by Alibi

The Widow's Son is the 3rd book in the Rare Book Mystery Series featuring rare book dealer Michael Bevan. This time around he is making a bid to join a prestigious organization of antiquarian book dealers and delving into a mystery regarding an offshoot Mormon group that seems to be intent on murdering the last member of a family they crossed paths with generations before. 

There were some good plot surprises, but I was disappointed that the crime Michael was going to investigate didn't occur until almost 40% into the book. The set up before that was interesting, but not in the way I expected. I expected less set up and more sleuthing. 

I love books and books about books. So, I really was excited to read this one. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I anticipated. The writing is good. The characters are interesting. And once the action begins, it really gets interesting. It's just that there was such a wait before that. 

I ended up giving this book 3 stars. It was good, but not great. I loved the sense of humor and the narrator, but I disliked the long wait until the action started. I would still give this book a read if you enjoy books about books. You might like it much more than I did. And I would still give other books in this series a chance as well.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Teaser Tuesday: The Widow's Son by Thomas Shawver

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can participate, just do the following:

• Grab your current read and open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and the author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Expected publication: July 7, 2015 by Alibi

As he led me to the door, Norman Tate cautioned me to never buy any ducks.

"Why not?" I asked, perplexed.

"Because with your kind of luck they'd jus' drown."

 - 12% through on my Kindle, location 353

The Widow's Son by Thomas Shawver is book 3 in the Rare Book Mystery series featuring Michael Bevan. The above quote came from an ARC so it may appear slightly different in the final copy.

Would you keep reading? I did. My review to follow soon. 

What's your teaser this week? Leave a link in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #93: Hunter by Mercedes Lackey

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

Expected publication: September 1, 2015
by Disney-Hyperion

This week the book that I am waiting on is Hunter by Mercedes Lackey. 

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:
Centuries ago, the barriers between our world and the Otherworld were slashed open allowing hideous fantastical monsters to wreak havoc; destroying entire cities in their wake. Now, people must live in enclosed communities, behind walls that keep them safe from the evil creatures constantly trying to break in. Only the corps of teen Hunters with lightning reflexes and magical abilities can protect the populace from the daily attacks.

Joyeaux Charmand is a mountain girl from a close-knit village who comes to the big city to join the Hunters. Joy thinks she is only there to perform her civic duty and protect the capitol Cits, or civilians, but as cameras follow her every move, she soon learns that the more successful she is in her hunts, the more famous she becomes.

With millions of fans watching her on reality TV, Joy begins to realize that Apex is not all it seems. She is forced to question everything she grew up believing about the legendary Hunters and the very world she lives in. Soon she finds that her fame may be part of a deep conspiracy that threatens to upend the protective structure built to keep dark magic out. The monsters are getting in and it is up to Joy to find out why.

Why am I waiting on this one? I've enjoyed the author's adult works and this is both the first one in a series as well as the first book by Mercedes Lackey that is being marketed to YA readers. I'm curious as to how it will be. I wonder if it will be as good as say The Heralds of Valdemar series. It's definitely a different direction. It appears to be a combination of dystopian and fantasy. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out. Happy Reading!