Book Review: A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones

 

From the publisher:

Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.

Like we said, the new day can take a hike.

A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones was released December 6th, 2022 by St. Martin's Press.

My thoughts: It's a good mystery novel with plenty of snark and humor. It has both serious mysteries and lighter ones. And in addition to Sunshine and her Sheriff's department investigating, her daughter Auri can't keep herself from lending a hand even though she is only in high school.

If you've read the first two books in this series, then this one is a must read. Some plot arcs that have taken place over all three novels are resolved.

If you haven't read the first two books, in theory you could read this one and enjoy it as a stand alone. There are plots and subplots that are only in this novel. But, you would get so much more if you started with book one. 

I liked the characters and the setting of small town Del Sol, New Mexico. It's a fast paced book. Pace increases the further you get into the story. And there's a little heat between Sunshine and Levi.

Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It has humor, interesting plots and subplots, good characters, and an interesting setting. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy some humor with their mysteries and don't mind a hot scene or two between characters.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #456: Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

Beauty, grace, and a resting witch face…

Bewitched meets Yellowjackets in Maureen Kilmer’s Hex Education when a former coven reunites to stop their lives from going up in flames.

On the outside, luxury realtor Sarah Nelson looks like every other mom in the neighborhood—running errands, navigating the school pickup line, and begrudgingly volunteering at the high school concession stand. Yet she has an edge that others don’t: She’s a witch! She uses light magic in secret, small ways, almost like an enchanted personal assistant. And absolutely no one knows about it.

Except her estranged ex-coven. In college, when she and two friends, Katrina and Alicia, first uncovered the magic, it didn’t take long before they used it to improve their lives. Yet, they made a mistake one night, and their dorm went up in flames and burned to the ground. After that terrible night, the coven scattered. And no one ever found out that the fire was their fault. Their secret was safe, until the three reunite at a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the fire. Suddenly, the magic doesn’t seem to want to stay small any longer. Her familiar—an overweight orange tabby cat named Katy Purry—begins to argue with her. Her self-brooming broom goes full Martha Stewart. Her fridge overdoes it and stocks thirty pounds of sliced turkey for school lunches.

As it grows more and more difficult to hide the magic and the past, Sarah, Katrina, and Alicia once again gather to harness their power, and keep their secrets safe…before they find out if polite society still burns witches.

Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer is expected out September 19th, 2023 from G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Why am I waiting on this book? I think it sounds interesting and potentially humorous. An overweight familiar named Katy Purry and 30 lbs of turkey in the fridge are a couple of the things that sound like they might be funny. I'm also interested in how their magic is supposed to work and what they want to use it for. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry

 

From the publisher:

After solving a crime blamed on Vodou in New Orleans’s French Quarter, Vodou priestess turned amateur detective Reina Dumond has returned to her benevolent work as a healer. But when her friend and enigmatic client Evangeline “Vangie” Stiles comes to her for a spell, Mambo Reina quickly realizes what Vangie really needs is a sleuth.

Something is amiss in the Stileses’ marriage. Five thousand dollars has inexplicably appeared in the bank account Vangie shares with her scam-artist husband, Arthur, and she smells trouble. So does Reina. Especially when her investigation into Arthur’s likely new con leads to murder. Considering the manner of death and the signs on the victim’s body, Reina recognizes it for what it is: ritual magic of the vodouisant kind.

As Reina digs deeper, she encounters a conspiracy exploiting vulnerable youth—one of whom may have abilities just like hers. With the help of her friends Darryl and Tyka, Reina must hone her ever-evolving skills to uncover a mystery that reaches further than she imagined.

The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry was released February 28th, 2023 by 47North.

My thoughts: 

 The main character, Mambo Reina, is a fully fleshed out character. She has her good points and her flaws. Often she rushes in where angels fear to tread seemingly without thought to the possible consequences. Despite the flaws, she is a likeable amateur detective. Her beau, Roman, I didn't like as much. I don't think they are well suited for each other, but time will tell. Her found family on the other hand, including Darryl and Tyka, are a perfect fit. And Houngan Lucien is full of surprises.

The pace of the novel was good. It started out slow and speeded up as the book went on. It did slow down again towards the end, but I think that's because it was setting up possibilities for a sequel.

I did like the plot. I felt it was quite original and the author points out in the afterword that something similar had been in the news at one point, but unsurprisingly I missed it. I liked how she was set on her course by a question from Miss Vangie. And that led to a whole domino chain of events. Also, in this book it shows just how strongly her desire to find her mother motivates Reina.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. There is more than one mystery to solve even though they are connected. The plot idea is original as is Mambo Reina. It moves along at a good rate once it gets going. And I'm looking forward to book 3. I need to see where some of the loose ends will be sewed up.

If you enjoy paranormal cozies with a fleshed out female lead, this could be a good book for you as well as the previous book in the series, Quarter Storm. It's definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #455: The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.
 
One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon. Bottom line: Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.
 
The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m.  insisting that they leave town immediately?
 
Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.

The Mostly True story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley is expected out March 28th, 2023 from Berkley. 

Why am I waiting on this book? I like the pairing of the older woman with the younger. And I like the idea that the older woman is mysterious and very much functional. And I really want to know what causes the road trip and see what happens.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: Lone Women by Victor LaValle

 

From the publisher:

Adelaide Henry carries an enormous steamer trunk with her wherever she goes. It’s locked at all times. Because when the trunk opens, people around Adelaide start to disappear.

The year is 1915, and Adelaide is in trouble. Her secret sin killed her parents, forcing her to flee California in a hellfire rush and make her way to Montana as a homesteader. Dragging the trunk with her at every stop, she will become one of the “lone women” taking advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those who can tame it—except that Adelaide isn’t alone. And the secret she’s tried so desperately to lock away might be the only thing that will help her survive the harsh territory.

Crafted by a modern master of magical suspense, Lone Women blends shimmering prose, an unforgettable cast of adventurers who find horror and sisterhood in a brutal landscape, and a portrait of early-twentieth-century America like you’ve never seen. And at its heart is the gripping story of a woman desperate to bury her past—or redeem it.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle is expected out March 28th, 2023 from One World.

My Thoughts:

Adelaide Henry is a strong woman. She's able to leave most of her past behind her, save what's in her trunk. Not that she doesn't have regrets perhaps, but rather that she is moving forward - taking positive action in light of what went before. Whatever is in that trunk though must be mighty important. But, it's for her eyes only. Dangerous things happen when other people open her trunk. I found the mystery surrounding the trunk irresistible. 

I liked Adelaide and the other women she befriends out in the sparsely populated area of Big Sandy, Montana. Some of the other folks, not so much. They were sneaky and kept the dark side of themselves hidden for the most part. I especially enjoyed watching her friendship with Grace and Sam grow.

The pacing of the book was good. The building of tension and the twists was nicely done as well. I found it hard to put the book down. The ending surprised me in a good way.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. This blend of historical fantasy, western, and horror makes for a good read. You might also consider it as part of the weird western genre. I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy those genres or if you've read other works by Victor LaValle.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #454: What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and a golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez is expected out November 14th, 2023 from Wednesday Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I haven't been reading much YA, but this one appeals to me. It sounds like it will be part adventure and part mystery with a helping of magic. The idea intrigues me. I want to know what happens to her when she gets to Egypt.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Last Kingdom by Steve Berry

 

From the publisher: 

King Ludwig II of Bavaria was an enigmatic figure who was deposed in 1886, mysteriously drowning three days later.  Eccentric to the point of madness, history tells us that in the years before he died Ludwig engaged in a worldwide search for a new kingdom, one separate, apart, and in lieu of Bavaria.  A place he could retreat into and rule as he wished.  But a question remains:  did he succeed? 

Enter Cotton Malone.  After many months, Malone’s protégé, Luke Daniels, has managed to infiltrate a renegade group intent on winning Bavarian independence from Germany.  Daniels has also managed to gain the trust of the prince of Bavaria, a frustrated second son intent on eliminating his brother, the duke, and restoring the Wittelsbach monarchy, only now with him as king.  Everything hinges on a 19th century deed which proves that Ludwig’s long-rumored search bore fruit--legal title to lands that Germany, China, and the United States all now want, only for vastly different reasons.  

In a race across Bavaria for clues hidden in Ludwig’s three fairytale castles--Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee--Malone and Daniels battle an ever-growing list of deadly adversaries, all intent on finding the last kingdom.

The Last Kingdom by Steve Berry was published February 21st, 2023 by Grand Central Publishing.

My Thoughts:

The premise was interesting and creative regarding the missing land deed. And the book accurately portrayed which groups would be interested in it. One group did surprise me, but the reasoning and reality for its involvement made perfect sense. There was a lot of history and a touch of current events. Action packed, the plot generally moved forward at a brisk pace.

For me this was a 4.5 star read which I rounded up to 5 stars. The number of characters involved in the intricate plot had my head spinning a little at times. I almost felt as if I should take notes to follow who was doing what aligned with which group on the surface and in reality. The afterword is interesting and detailed. If you enjoy reading where ideas come from and what's real and what's not, it is not to be missed.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #453: Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell'Antonia

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

Two exes. One misbehaving mother. Surprising magic. The perfect recipe for Halloween chaos.

Flair Hardwicke knows the deal: Magic is real, love isn’t, and relying on either ends in disaster. She’s seen the havoc romance and witchcraft wreaked on her mother’s life, and Flair swore off all of it long ago, after the boy she thought was her destiny ditched her. But then her strictly no-magic life falls apart, and Flair inherits her grandmother’s home and bakery in Rattleboro, Kansas.

When the cookies Flair decorates as Tarot cards unleash the magic of the family deck she stole as a child, luring Flair’s mother to town, tempting Flair’s magic-obsessed daughter, ensnaring Flair’s ex in a curse she can’t break, and bringing Flair’s first love back to town, Flair has to accept that while she may have given up on magic, it refuses to give up on her.

As Flair’s attempts to control the Tarot cards play into the hands of a powerful witch, Flair must find a way to accept her magical heritage in order to save those she loves from a danger she’d never anticipated. Part Gilmore Girls, part Practical Magic, this romp of a tale is KJ Dell’Antonia at her very best.

Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell'Antonia is expected out September 12th, 2023 from G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Why am I waiting on this book? I love a good witchy book. And I find tarot cards fascinating. The combination of the two in a magical story sounds perfect.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!