Review: The Assimilated Cuban's Guide to Quantum Santeria by Carlos Hernandez

The Assimilated Cuban's Guide to Quantum Santeria is a 4 star collection of science fiction and fantasy short stories by Carlos Hernandez.

The topics of the stories are varied and most have a Cuban as the lead character. From the ghost of a man's mother living in a bullet hole in a wall, to a selkie-like creature, to people masquerading as robotic pandas the book is full of interesting stories. The last story in the book is the one that gives the book it's title. It wasn't my favorite, but it shows that Santeria is an adaptable religion if nothing else.

Most of the stories have some humor to them as well as being creative. Some of the stories end kind of abruptly, but it works for them. They are short stories after all and not novellas.

I would recommend this collection for people who enjoy their science fiction and fantasy with a dash of humor and an interesting cultural perspective.

I gave this book 4 stars for the quality of the writing and because I enjoyed it. It's due out February 15, 2016 from Rosarium Publishing.

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

Waiting on Wednesday # 122: Murder at the 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane

"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:
April 26th 2016 by Minotaur Books

The book I am waiting on this week is Murder at the 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Murder at the 42nd Street Library opens with a murder in a second floor office of the iconic, beaux-arts flagship of the New York Public Library. Ray Ambler, the curator of the library's crime fiction collection, joins forces with NYPD homicide detective Mike Cosgrove in hopes of bringing a murderer to justice.

In his search for the reasons behind the murder, Ambler uncovers hidden--and profoundly disturbing--relationships between visitors to the library. These include a celebrated mystery writer who has donated his papers to the library's crime fiction collection, that writer's missing daughter, a New York society woman with a hidden past, and one of Ambler's colleagues at the world-famous library. Those shocking revelations lead inexorably to the tragic and violent events that follow.

Why am I waiting on this book? I love a good mystery set in a library. What better library to use than the New York Public Library? And the mystery sounds layered and interesting.  Combined it looks like it will make a good book. 

Teaser Tuesday: The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky

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:
 February 16th 2016 by Orbit

"She often wondered why she stayed. What place was there for the Goddess of Wilderness in a city of grids?"
~ 3% through

"I'm like a numb limb," Theo said after a long pause. "Unfeeling one moment, then I move wrong and there's searing pain, but I sort of want to keep beating on myself, hoping I'll wake up and this'll all  be over."
~11% through

What are your teaser sentences this week? Share them or a link in the comments so we can check them out. Thanks for coming by!

Review: Stiff Competition by Annelise Ryan

Stiff Competition by Annelise Ryan is the seventh book in the Mattie Winston mystery series. It's due out January 26, 2016 from Kensington.

In this book, Mattie Winston is a new mother just returning to work. On her first day back, there is a murder in a hunting area involving a bow and arrow. Lars Sanderson, a developer, seems to have many enemies and several girlfriends. There is no dearth of suspects. As that mystery progresses, Hurley's daughter Emily disappears. Hurley is Mattie's steady relationship and her son's father. They put off getting married because of difficulties Hurley has been experiencing with Emily as the two of them get used to being father and daughter. Hurley's gut tells him Emily's disappearance is not the usual cutting class. When she doesn't show up for days, it would seem that Hurley is right.

Dom keeps Matthew, Mattie's son, while she is at work. Izzy, her boss, is Dom's significant other. There is character development between the two of them as Dom reaches an important decision about whether or not he wants to have children in the future.

Basically, there are 2 mysteries going on concurrently. I wanted to know who killed Lars, but he wasn't a very likeable character. And we only got to know him from other's points of view after his death. Emily's disappearance gets a little less page play until about 80% through, but it is key to character development for both Mattie and Emily. Even Hurley's character benefits from this mystery in terms of growth.

The one thing I could have done without in this book was the amount of description given to Mattie's breastfeeding and the details as to what it involved. The rest of the book was fine. And I have nothing against breastfeeding, it just was too much information. I really didn't need to know what made her milk let down.

I gave this book 3.5 stars instead of 4 stars because of all the breastfeeding details going on. I still would read another book by this author. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

Quickie Review: Under Magnolia by Frances Mayes

Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir by Frances Mayes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was hard to get into. At first, it was a little hard to follow. Eventually, I wanted to know what was going to happen, but I didn't want to read it to find out. It is written very picturesquely, though. And if you enjoyed her other books, you would probably enjoy this one as well. It just wasn't for me.


View all my reviews

Waiting on Wednesday #121: Quick and the Dead by Susan Moody

"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 most anticipating is Quick and the Dead by Susan Moody. It's due out May 1, 2016 from Severn House Publishers.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Introducing outspoken female sleuth Alex Quick in the first of a brand-new mystery series."
When her business partner, acclaimed art historian and university professor Dr Helena Drummond, disappears, Alexandra Quick is consumed by guilt. Shortly before she vanished, Helena had complained of being menaced by a stalker, and Alex had dismissed her fears as groundless. Now Alex, a former police detective, is determined to use her finely-honed investigative skills to find out what s happened to her friend and colleague.
But the more she uncovers, the more Alex realizes how little she really knew Dr Helena Drummond. As it becomes increasingly clear that the woman she thought she knew so well has been keeping a great many secrets from her, Alex must decide: is Helena a victim or is she a killer? 

Why am I waiting on this one? A new "outspoken female sleuth" with a missing partner who might be a victim or a killer. It definitely sounds like it has good possibilities, especially for being a bit of a thrilling read. 

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: The Assimilated Cuban's Guide to Quantum Santeria by Carlos Hernandez

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:
 February 15th 2016 by Rosarium Publishing

"But how'd you do it? You can't just walk up to a pig and put a leash on it and say it's yours."

Gustavito rocked his head back and forth as if to say, "Well, actually, yes you can."

"Stealing is like magic," Jesus explained. "The secret is misdirection."

~ p. 135, in the short story More than Pigs and Rosaries Can Give

The Assimilated Cuban's Guide to Quantum Santeria is a collection of science fiction short stories by Carlos Hernandez.

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

Waiting on Wednesday #120: Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

"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 Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler. It's due out June 21, 2016 from Random House. 

Synopsis from Goodreads.com: 

‘You can’t get around Kate Battista as easily as all that’

Kate Battista is feeling stuck. How did she end up running house and home for her eccentric scientist father and uppity, pretty younger sister Bunny? Plus, she’s always in trouble at work – her pre-school charges adore her, but the adults don’t always appreciate her unusual opinions and forthright manner.

Dr Battista has other problems. After years out in the academic wilderness, he is on the verge of a breakthrough. His research could help millions. There’s only one problem: his brilliant young lab assistant, Pyotr, is about to be deported. And without Pyotr…

When Dr Battista cooks up an outrageous plan that will enable Pyotr to stay in the country, he’s relying – as usual – on Kate to help him. Kate is furious: this time he’s really asking too much. But will she be able to resist the two men’s touchingly ludicrous campaign to win her round?

Anne Tyler’s retelling of The Taming of the Shrew asks whether a thoroughly modern, independent woman like Kate would ever sacrifice herself for a man. Its answer is as individual, off-beat and funny as Kate herself. 

Why am I waiting on this book? It's a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. And it's Anne Tyler. The 2 combined make it sound like it will be an awesome book.

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

Teaser Tuesday: Hawaii Five Uh-Oh! by Jill Marie Landis

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:
February 1st 2016 by Bell Bridge Books

After Em brought her home from the Estelles', Kimo was so worried he sat her down and had a heart-to-heart with her about how he feared she wasn't going to make it if she didn't overcome her PTMD, her post-traumatic monkey disorder.

At the rate she was going, Kimo said he was going to be forced to take her back to Kukuoloko where they could seriously medicate her. He loved her too much to have her stroke out over a little monkey business.

~51% through on my Kindle

The teaser sentences are about Kiki, the leader of the Hula Maidens.

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

Review: Hawaii Five Uh-Oh! by Jill Marie Landis

Due out February 1, 2016 from Bell Bridge Books, Hawaii Five Uh-Oh! by Jill Marie Landis has plenty of laughs and smiles as the Hula Maidens attempt to track down an art thief and killer. This is the fifth book in the Tiki Goddess Mystery series.

Kiki, the leader of the Hula Maidens, is recently out of the mental hospital and still feeling the strain of her recent attack by Alphonse the monkey. She is suffering from PTMD - post-traumatic monkey disorder. Meanwhile, a big shot director from the mainland is welcomed to Kauai by his neighbor with Em and the Tiki Goddess staff catering the event. While the party is going on, some seriously expensive paintings he has in his home are stolen. Kiki gets the idea that trying to solve this crime will help her overcome her PTMD. Roland asks them to stay out of it as usual, but of course, they get involved.

The Hula Maidens are a delight as they try to solve the mystery with their schemes and find time to perform. Roland and Em's romance simmers with promise. Louie, the owner of the Tiki Goddess bar, is ever present making up new concoctions and legends to go with them. At the end of the book, you can find recipes for some of the cocktails as well as for some of Kimo's ono (delicious) food.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Hawaii Five Uh-Oh! is a fun read. It's even better if you like Hawaii. Either way, the book is a good read with a mystery, some comic relief, and a touch of romance.

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

Review: The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

Small town love as in friendship and romance seems to be the theme in The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald.

Sara comes to visit Broken Wheel, Iowa from Sweden to meet her pen pal, Amy. Unfortunately, when she arrives she finds that Amy's funeral has just finished. Lucky for her the people in the town decide they need to look after her. She is provided with a place to stay - Amy's house. And there is a man who is out of work who is nominated to be her chauffeur since Sara doesn't drive. The townspeople go one further setting her up with a single man from amongst them whether he likes it or not.  Sara is treated well by everyone. Many won't let her pay her way. Wanting to give back to them in some way, Sara opens a bookstore in Amy's memory. She wants to share books with the people and show them that reading can be fun. 

There is more to it than that. There is a romance in store for her. And she develops a love for this small town as do the townspeople for her. There are mentions of other books scattered among the text. I would classify this as general fiction. It's the story of Sara and the town of Broken Wheel and how they change each other and learn to love one another.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5. The voice is a quiet, calm voice like reading Anne Tyler. The pace is slow in parts, but it does keep moving forward. I recommend this book for people who enjoy stories about small towns. It's a sweet book in many ways and a good read.

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend will be published January 19, 2016 by Sourcebooks Landmark.

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

Waiting on Wednesday #119: A Geek Girl's Guide to Arsenic by Julie Anne Lindsey

"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 A Geek Girl's Guide to Arsenic by Julie Anne Lindsey. It's due out March 6, 2016 from Carina Press. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:
It's been three months since Jake Archer rolled into town, accused Mia Connors of murder and stole her heart. She hasn't heard from him since. So when a man collapses at the fall Renaissance Faire, she's surprised to see the US marshal arrive on the scene. And shocked when he points the finger at her—again. Mia would sooner be able to resurrect the poor fellow than poison him.

Jake Archer's career has been rising fast, but it's about to come to a crashing halt. The Ren-Faire victim was in protective custody—Jake's custody—and they were painfully close to nabbing a major crime boss. If Jake doesn't solve the murder soon, he'll be fetching donuts instead of protecting his nation. A difficult enough task without the alluring Mia Connors in the way.

Working with Jake to catch the killer might push Mia into crazy-cat-lady territory. But with a murderer on the loose—and Mia's reputation on the line—they'll have to work fast to find the killer before the killer finds them.

Why am I waiting on this book? This is the second book in the Geek Girl's series. And while I haven't read book one yet, it sounds good. I am adding the series to my ever growing TBR list.

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

Teaser Tuesday: a Second Teaser from The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

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.

It was the smell of beer and fire that had taken her back to that evening, she realized as a gust of wind blew the smell over to her side of the street again. The force of the memories struck her like a slap in the face.

~ 37% through on my Kindle

"But does he have the slightest desire to marry her?" asked Caroline. 'And does she want to get married to him?"

"There's want and want," said Jen. 

~ 62% through on my Kindle

Two teasers for the price of one. I just liked the way the first one was written. The second one has more to do with the plot line. I'm about 62% through with the book. It's kind of a slow plot, but I am still enjoying it.

What are your teasers this week? Share them or a link in the comments so we can check them out.

Review: Thinning the Herd by Adrian Phoenix

Thinning the Herd by Adrian Phoenix reads a bit like watching a "B" movie. There's nothing wrong with that. It was a fast, fun read.

Our hero, Hal Rupert, is a dogcatcher by day or night depending on his schedule. In his free time, he works to keep the citizens of his fair city safe - both one shapes and shapeshifters. He especially likes to make certain his fair Desdemona, who works at Hot Topic and has nicknamed him Creep, is safe. Honestly on that point, he initially comes across as a bit of a stalker. His shapeshifting friends, Galahad and Nick, work with him to keep the city safe.

Hal becomes aware of the fact that some of the hippies and fortune tellers have been disappearing. As the plot progresses it becomes clear that Hal is pretty handy with a catch-pole. Every hero has to have a weapon of some sort, the catch-pole is Hal's weapon of choice.

There is some doubt in the beginning that Hal is anything more than fantasizing his abilities and role in the safety of the city. I also had a little trouble suspending disbelief at his ability to communicate with animals and shapeshifters in animal form, like Doctor Doolittle.There is just no explanation for it.

That being said, I enjoyed the book. I liked the characters. It was a fun read. I liked watching the character of Hal grow some under the pressures he encounters.

If you are looking for a quick read and enjoy "B" movies, you will probably enjoy this book. I give it 3 stars out of 5.

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