Musings of a Bookish Kitty: May 2016

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Houses don't always dream. ~ Opening of June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Crown, 2016

Fiction; 400 pgs

From Goodreads:

Twenty-five-year-old Cassie Danvers is holed up in her family’s crumbling mansion in rural St. Jude, Ohio, mourning the loss of the woman who raised her—her grandmother, June. But a knock on the door forces her out of isolation. Cassie has been named the sole heir to legendary matinee idol Jack Montgomery's vast fortune. How did Jack Montgomery know her name? Could he have crossed paths with her grandmother all those years ago? What other shocking secrets could June’s once-stately mansion hold?

Soon Jack’s famous daughters come knocking, determined to wrestle Cassie away from the inheritance they feel is their due. Together, they all come to discover the true reasons for June’s silence about that long-ago summer, when Hollywood came to town, and June and Jack’s lives were forever altered by murder, blackmail, and betrayal. As this page-turner shifts deftly between the past and present, Cassie and her guests will be forced to reexamine their legacies, their definition of family, and what it truly means to love someone, steadfastly, across the ages.

Guilt and regret weigh heavily on Cassie Danvers. She is clearly depressed, in the opening chapter of the novel, isolating herself from the world around her, preferring to sleep and dream with the ghosts of the house rather than actually live her own life. She isn't sure what to believe when Nick comes knocking on her door with the news she may be the granddaughter of a famous movie star. While the promise of money is nice, it isn't what most drives Cassie in wanting to know the truth about the movie star, Jack Montgomery, and her grandmother. Had her grandmother been keeping secrets from her? Why hadn't her grandmother trusted her? Who was her grandmother really?

Cassie's quiet life is upended by the arrival of Jack's daughter, Tate, and her assistants Nick and Hank. Tate appears to be perfection incarnate, and yet she is demanding and clearly troubled, her own life not quite as stable as it appears on the surface. She does not want to believe the fairy tale marriage of her parents was in fact a lie. Hasn't she already lost enough?

As the women peer into the past, hoping to find answers, the reader learns the story of June and her young friend, Lindie. In 1955, the town of St. Jude, Ohio was thriving. Hollywood was in town to film a movie and June was preparing for her upcoming wedding. It would be a summer neither women could forget.

I really enjoyed this book. The atmosphere of both time periods was rich and detailed. My favorite time period in the book was whichever I was in right at the moment I was reading.

For those who love stories about old houses, Two Oaks, will appeal to you. It comes alive with its spirit and those of the ghosts longing for life to fill the halls and rooms again. I would love to have explored the house more; so much history to be found there! St. Jude itself could also be said to be a character--from its hey day to it's decline with time and age, and yet still a jewel.

Although June is the title character in the book, this is also very much Lindie's story too. She and her dad live across the street from Two Oaks. Lindie's only friend is June. She wants nothing more than for June to be happy, and she worries that June's marrying Artie Danvers will be a mistake. She's enamored by the film people and takes a job as an assistant, running errands, helping with costumes and doing whatever else is asked of her.

This book is so rich in characterization. It's hard to know how much to go into without risk of spoiling something. June loves Two Oaks and St. Jude. She has a good head on her shoulders for the most part. She has a difficult decision to make--follow her heart or listen to her head. Lindie is a bit of an outcast. She hates wearing dresses and is often the butt of jokes among other girls her age. She knows she is different, knows her love will likely remain unrequited, and yet she takes what she can get, and will do anything for her friend, June.

Cassie seems like a lost soul in the beginning, but over the course of the book she grows as a character, coming back to herself, regaining control of her life. Tate Montgomery and her entourage are pure Hollywood. Wealthy, entitled and yet fragile. I especially liked Nick who would do anything for Tate, and yet had a soft spot for Cassie. Hank would also do anything for Tate--and she does. She always seems to have everything under control. There's also the other Montgomery sister, Elda, who has less a role in the novel but is an important character nonetheless. I'm still not quite sure what to make of her even after finishing the book. She's one of those people I imagine I wouldn't like at first, but would grow on me after awhile.

June has a bit of everything from a family saga, to romance to mystery and dual narratives, taking readers from the present back to 1955. There is drama and heartache. Hope and family. I was entranced as I read. I didn't want the story to end. And yet, what a great ending it was. I honestly didn't expect to be as taken with June as I was. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

To learn more about Miranda Beverly-Whittemere and her work, please visit the author's website. She can also be found on Goodreads and Twitter.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about June on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review.

© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (05/31/2016)

It was a weekend for reading! We spent a good part of it on the road, traveling to and from my in-laws. I finished Jesmym Ward's Salvage the Bones this evening after we arrived home, and thought I would share a bit with you. Set in Mississippi, this novel is about a teenage girl named Esch and her family. Her alcoholic father is preparing for a hurricane, her brother Skeetah is trying to keep his pit bulls pups alive, and another of her brothers is hoping to get a scholarship to a basketball camp for the summer. Esch, at 15, is pregnant.

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

China's turned on herself. If I didn't know, I would think she was trying to eat her paws. I would think that she was crazy. Which she is, in a way. Won't let nobody touch her but Skeet. When she was a big-headed pit bull puppy, she stole all the shoes in the house, all our black tennis shoes Mama bought because they hide dirt and hold up until they're beaten soft. Only Mama's forgotten sandals, thin-heeled and tinted pink with so much red mud seeped into them, looked different. China hid them all under furniture, behind the toilet, stacked them in piles and slept on them. When the dog was old enough to run and trip down the steps on her own, she took the shoes outside, out them in shallow ditches under the house. She'd stand rigid as a pine when we tried to take them away from her. Now China is giving like she once took away, bestowing where she once stole. She is birthing puppies.

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from page 88 of Salvage the Bones:

They cannot tell, but it is there. Perhaps Skeetah saw when I walked from the water and put on my clothes. I do not know, but I will not give him the chance to see again now. I will not let him see until none of us have any choices about what can be seen, what can be avoided, what is blind, and what will turn to stone.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

The opening paragraph brought back the memory of my dog Riley who liked to play with my husband's shoes. He wasn't so much trying to nest with them as entice us to play with them. I finished Salvage the Bone Monday evening and hope to get my review written and up on my blog at some point.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday Beach Reads Week --which is a difficult theme for me to take on. I could list books I think fall under the category of Beach Reads, but the truth is I don't really read at the beach. And my reading during the summer months--when people are likely to be at the beach-- doesn't really change in terms of the type of books I read. So, instead. I thought I would go with the Top Ten Books you should read if you are stuck at home alone on a stormy summer night (although I'm not sure "stuck" would be the appropriate word to use--because any reading time should be embraced, right?).

1. Storm Front by Jim Butcher and any of the other books in the Dresden Files series that follow. This is a fast-paced urban fantasy novel about a modern day wizard with his own Chicago-based agency. It's got its dark side, but it's also funny in spots.

2. Rachel Caine's Weather Warden Series is perfect if you are into urban fantasy and paranormal romance. You'll never think of a storm or tornado the same way again.

3. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins is the perfect choice if you prefer to settle in with something thicker with a Gothic feel. Don't be afraid to pick up this classic and read it. It's perfect reading for a stormy night.

4. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is a modern Gothic classic that will have you reading long into the night.

5. If horror is more your style, I highly recommend Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box.

6. Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke offers a more subtle thrill, and is set in the middle of a snow storm.

7. For a quiet ghost story that will be much less likely to leave you checking under your bed, you might want to give The Uninvited by Cat Winters a try.

8. Perhaps you are more of a romantic at heart and would do best with Karen Marie Moning's Beyond the Highland Mist.

9. This might be a good time to finally give George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones a try. You know you've been wanting to. Winter is coming, after all.

10. If you are looking for sweet dreams, perhaps you'd be better off sticking with Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove.

What books would you recommend for a stormy summer night?

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi

Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top, when the wind blows, the cradle will rock . . .

The nursery rhyme played itself in her head over and over again as she tried to fall asleep. ~ Opening of A House for Happy Mothers

A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi

Lake Union Publishing, 2016

Fiction; 316 pgs

Many women struggling to conceive will be able to relate to Priya's longing to have a child. Miscarriage after miscarriage and failed fertility treatments add to her heartbreak and disappointment. After researching the topic, Priya convinces her reluctant husband to give surrogacy a try. They settle on a clinic in India called A House for Happy Mothers.

Asha, the mother of two, is talked into being a surrogate mother by her husband and his family. They desperately need the money, barely able to afford the hut they live in. She also longs to send her son to a better school. He is obviously a gifted child, and would benefit from a better education.

The cultural differences between both Asha and Priya are stark, from the roles women play in society to the lives they lead, including the economic disparity between the two. Priya is the daughter of a Caucasian man and an Indian mother. She was born and raised in the United States, and has made a life for herself in the Silicon Valley. Her husband, an Indian-American who immigrated to the United States, still has family in India. They live comfortably, although the stress on the job market does worry them in the current economy. Asha, on the other hand, has always lived in a small village. She, her husband and two children live in a hut with a tin roof. They use a communal water source and struggle to make ends meet as best they can. Asha's marriage was arranged and she is more submissive in her role as wife.

The money offered to Asha for having someone else's baby is more than she has ever seen in her life. Even despite her reservations about being a surrogate, she reminds herself of the money, and the good it will do. Many of the women Asha encounters at the House for Happy Mothers are in similar boats, needing money. Several of the women have come back again and again to have a baby, realizing the money that seems so great in the beginning doesn't go as far as they had hoped--or it was mismanaged by their husbands.

I found the beginning of the novel to be somewhat slow. It took me awhile to warm to Priya, even though she was the character I could most identify with. Asha's story stood out to me at first, perhaps because of her situation. I soon was invested in both characters' lives.

The author is very honest in her portrayal of her characters, and I think this is what I liked best about the novel. Priya and Madhu are not perfect, nor is their marriage. That same can be said for Asha and her husband. Throughout the novel, the author does not hold back from sharing the strain their situations have on their lives and their relationships, including their relationships with others. Priya's relationship with her mother has always been strained, and becomes more so with her decision to use an Indian surrogate. It was interesting to see the dynamics play out between all the characters, including Priya and Asha. The reader also sees the characters grow as individuals and in their relationships, providing some balance.

For all I felt for Priya and wanted her to be able to have the baby she longed for, I couldn't help but feel for Asha. She was not comfortable with what she was doing no matter how many times she tried to justify it to herself. She had doubts, both morally and emotionally. How do you grow a baby inside of you and not get attached? The party line was that the surrogates are giving gifts to families who want but cannot have children. And yet how much of it is really just about the money? Even for the doctor who runs the clinic. It is a business, after all.

Priya does wonder if she is doing the right thing. Is she exploiting Asha? Her mother feels she is. Malladi does not shy away from introducing that idea in the novel. The author takes a more subtle approach, leaving it (mostly) up to the reader to decide. The use of surrogates in India has been on the rise in recent years. Impoverished women are the perfect target, vulnerable and in need of money to better their own lives or those of their families. They enter into a contract to have a baby for middle-class to wealthy families overseas. It's an agreement believed to be beneficial to both parties--a business transaction providing much needed money to the surrogate and giving a baby to a family that wants a child. Often the surrogates feel shame, hiding their condition, lying that they lost the babies after they are born--at least as was depicted in the novel. There are no regulations in place currently and prices are much lower than you would find in the United States and other European countries for surrogacy services. It is obvious why this has become such a popular practice. As I read Asha's story, I could not help but feel uncomfortable with her situation, feeling that she and the other women were being taken advantage of.

I found A House for Happy Mothers to be an emotional and thought provoking book. As I said, I was left feeling uncomfortable to some degree. Author Malladi takes on a controversial and relevant topic, offering the reader a glimpse at two different sides of the issue. Her attention to the cultural, social and economical differences and the emotional impact on both parties were right on target. I have read several of Amulya Malladi's novels in the past and enjoyed each of them. This one is among her best yet.

To learn more about Amulya Malladi and her work, please visit the author's website. She can also be found on Goodreads and Twiter.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about A House for Happy Mothers on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.

© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (05/24/2016)

At the moment, I am reading my second runner up in my May TBR List poll, Shadow Revolution, the first in the Crown & Key series, by Clay and Susan Griffith. Set in Victorian London, this urban fantasy novel is about a group of magically inclined people who discover a pack of werewolves living among them. They join together to route the werewolves out and save London.

A bold moon hung over the dark London cityscape. A shroud of fog obscured the ever present grime as yellow smudges of gas lamps created black silhouettes of the skyline. London showed its hidden nature only at night. People moved like wraiths, appearing out of nowhere, shades made suddenly solid.

The misty moonlight gave the city an otherworldly aspect in which Simon Archer reveled. He nodded amiably to passersby, but his senses were tuned to the indistinguishable world around him, listening, feeling for a shred of anything out of place.

(Extra Long) Teaser from 13% of Shadow Revolution:

"Sir, I appreciate the exhibition of your manly virtues; however, I am perfectly capable of deflecting his repartee. But by all means, continue with your pummeling if you feel the need."

Surprised, Simon's jaw snapped shut. There was only a moment's pause before he said, "I profusely apologize for coming to your rescue."

"I accept your apology sir. And I thank you for making me the center of attention."

"Most women find that appealing."

"I'm not most women."

"Clearly."

and at 17%:

"Mad dog?" he intoned with a bemused cock of his head.

Kate threw her sword to the side. "Well, shouting werewolf seemed pointless."

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

It doesn't take long for the action to start in Shadow Revolution. It's clear not much gets by Simon Archer. I couldn't help but share the long teaser of conversation between Simon and Kate. It's obvious Kate is no slouch. I quite like her so far. Simon's not so bad himself. Shadow Revolution seems like it will be an action packed novel with a bit of wit on the side.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is Ten (or so) Books I Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed. Sometimes my initial reaction after finishing a book changes the more I reflect and think about the book. It can happen from the moment I finish a book to when I write my review or being over the course of a long period of time. Here are a list of ten books in which I came to feel differently about over time. Admittedly, my shift in thinking is usually not by much. I cannot think of a book I liked and then came to hate or vice versa.

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green ~ I loved this book when I read it. And while I still think it is a great read, time has made me wonder if perhaps I wasn't caught up in all the hype and enthusiasm over the book when I read it. When I think of it now, I can't help but wonder if it was too saccharine, even given the subject matter. A little too perfect?

2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov ~ I really liked this book upon finishing it, and now consider it among my favorites. I think what kept me from thinking of it that way when I read it was because of the subject matter--it really is disturbing--but ultimately, this was a brilliant book on many levels.

3. The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall ~ This was such a unique and weird book. I liked it at the time I read it, but I like it even more now in retrospect.

4. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls ~ Well written, this book is a favorite for many. It never has been for me. What I liked most about this one was the author's positive attitude through it all and how reselient she is, but nothing about her story really stood out for me. Maybe because I hear and see the same and worse just about every day while on the job.

5. The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris ~ At one time, I counted this series among my favorites. Now, not so much. Maybe because I eventually read similar books I liked better or the later books just weren't as good. I am not sure. I have no regrets reading the books--they were fun and enjoyable, but part of me wonders what it was I saw in the series in the first place. At least in terms of considering it a favorite.

6. Emma by Jane Austen ~ Another one I liked upon finishing, but love in retrospect. I found Emma annoying and didn't think much of her for too long. Now I think she's one of my favorite Austen characters--at least in terms of character growth of Austen's I've encountered so far.

7. The Twilight Trilogy by Stephanie Meyer ~ I actually found all three books to be fun reads, even with the less than stellar writing. It wasn't until later when such a big fuss was made between the lovers and haters of the series, that I took a closer look at the books. I still don't dislike the books (well, maybe the last one), but I definitely like them less and find myself more critical of them now than I once was.

8. The Girl on Legare Street and The House on Tradd Street by Karen White. I enjoyed both these books, but admit the main character grates on my nerves a bit. Still, I think highly of these books--the writing style and the world White's created, especially the ghosts and the way she brings Charleston to life. At one time I wasn't sure I would want to read on in the series, but now I'm pretty sure I will.

9. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne ~ While overall I liked this book, I still had mixed feelings about it, and over the years, the criticisms have stood out more so for me.

10. Room by Emma Donaghue ~ I liked this book more upon finishing it than I do now. The overall impact of it was much more powerful right after finishing it, but as time has passed it hasn't stayed with me as much as I had expected. I haven't even been compelled to see the movie the way I normally am with books I really liked.

What about you? Are there any books that you liked or disliked and had a change of heart down the road?

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Sunday Post: Blog Lists & Fairytales

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about.

My husband said I have been crying for an hour as I finished my most recent read (I don't believe it was actually that long). Both happy and sad tears. It could have also been because the end of the movie Inside Out always gets to me too, although I wasn't really paying that much attention to it, admittedly. It was a good way to round out the day.

How have you all been? What are you up to this weekend?

I spent a good part of the day with Mouse at the park. She's all registered for this fall's soccer season. She'll be playing on an actual team. I am not sure how that will go over with my little loves-to-chase-but-not-really-go-after-the-ball soccer player. As long as she has fun, I will be happy. She also had her regular soccer class, and then she and I played at the park awhile. She as a pirate princess sorceress and me, as, well, I'm not sure. We steered our pirate ship around a bit, went looking for treasure in a cave that was guarded by a mean troll that we put to sleep with a lullaby. Mouse used her considerable charms to turn the troll into a friend and convince him to share the treasure with us once he woke up. That was after a chase around the playground. When it was time to go, my pirate princess sorceress threw her sparkly red shoes and refused to budge. I became the evil mother who forced her to return to her castle.

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you keep a Blog Roll List? (submitted by Elizabeth)

Kind of. I use The Old Reader as a way to keep track of the blogs I read, and some I subscribe to by e-mail. It was the closest I could come to Google's Reader, which was a huge loss I have yet to get over. I tried Feedly and Bloglovin' but neither really were a good fit. I used to keep a scrolling blog roll on my actual blog, but updating it was very time consuming. Blogs would become defunct, and I was constantly adding on. I suppose it takes some of the fun out of it for other bloggers or readers looking to discover new blogs. In the end though, I decided to do what worked best for me.

What about you? Do you keep a Blog Roll List?

New to My Shelves:

Salvage the Bones by Jessmyn Ward (Postal Book Club Pick)

The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman (from the publisher)

Curse of the Gargoyles by Rebecca Chastain (from the author)

The Secrets of Wishtide by Kate Saunders (Netgalley)

What I Am Reading: This week I read Charming by Elliott thanks. It was fun diversion from my more serious reading as of late. It's put me in the mood to read more urban fantasy, and I'm thinking of picking up another of my May poll picks. Maybe the second place winner. I just finished reading June by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore for an upcoming book tour. It's about a woman who is still mourning the loss of her grandmother when she discovers she is the sole heir to the fortune of a stranger. His family isn't too pleased and sets out to find out who this woman is, opening the past wide open.

What I Am Watching: I am all caught up with Fear of the Walking Dead--at least until Sunday night's episode airs. It got very interesting this last episode. I'm actually looking forward to seeing the next one. I also got a chance to catch up with Quantico. I have mixed feelings about the show, but no one can deny it had its shares of twists and turns. I doubt any of the characters had they been real people would have made it into the FBI. But what do I know?

Around the Blogosphere:

Over at Metaphors and Moonlight, Kristen talks about REALISM IN BOOKS – CHARACTERS
Greg of Book Haven leads a discussion about maps. Do you like it when an author includes a map? - Let's Talk About Maps
Jenclair of A Garden Carried in the Pocket has added yet again to my wish list! - The Golden Age of Murder and The Wicked Boy

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: Death Sits Down for Dinner by Tessa Arlen

A wet and miserable late-autumn day had turned into a bitterly cold winter night as the sun sank unseen below a horizon obscured by a bank of thick gray clouds. ~ Opening of Death Sits Down for Dinner

Death Sits Down for Dinner by Tessa Arlen
Minotaur Books, 2016
Crime Fiction (Historical); 320 pgs
Source: NetGalley

Tessa Arlen's series is fast becoming my favorite cozy mystery series. From the Edwardian English setting to the proper Mrs. Jackson and the ever persistent Lady Montfort, I adored the author's earlier book, and this second one was quite a delight to read too. The previous book was set in the countryside while this one was placed in London. It opens with Lady Montfort preparing to attend a birthday party for the well known Winston Churchill hosted by a close friend and patroness of one of England's largest charities. The evening does not go quite as planned when Lady Montfort stumbles on a body, a knife the obvious murder weapon.

Churchill assures everyone the best of the authorities is on the case, but Lady Montfort, despite being told to stay out of it, cannot help but insert herself into the investigation. She knows there are things her friends, London society and the servents will not share with the police even in the face of murder.

Mrs. Jackson is anything but thrilled to be pulled into another murder investigation. She would much rather keep to her housekeeping duties, and when asked to help plan a big charity event in London, she is insistent that is all she will do. Soon, however, she is lured into the investigation too. What they find are secrets upon secrets. Time is short and the body count is on the rise. The two women must work quickly to find answers and stop a killer from taking another life.

Author Tessa Arlen vividly captures the world of London's high society as well as the politics of the time. The differences between the society class and the working class were stark during that time, which is why Mrs. Jackson's role in helping with the investigation always proves to be so invaluable. And yet cultural change is definitely in the air, even if in the slightest of ways. It is an exciting time in England's history.

I could have taken issue with two amateur detectives actively investigating a murder that they really had no reason to get involved in, but I so enjoy seeing Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson in action. There is one scene in the novel in which Lady Montfort's son calls his mother out on her involvement, which I thought was well placed. Even though her son's and her perspectives may be different about why she's decided to conduct her own investigation, I appreciated the author acknowledging how it might look to any observer (reader included) in such a natural way.

As always, I enjoyed spending time with the ever sturdy and reliant Mrs. Jackson as well as the too-curious-for-her-own-good Lady Monfort. Both are rather traditional in their thinking, and while reluctant to step outside their comfort zones, they both recognize that their ways might not be the only or even the best way. I like seeing growth in characters, and both of these women demonstrate insight and intelligence throughout the novel.

Death Sits Down For Dinner is a wonderful follow-up to Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman, one I enjoyed quite a bit. The mystery itself was intriguing at every turn. I look forward to reading more in this series and seeing what else Tessa Arlen comes up with.

For more information please visit Tessa Arlen’s website. Read Tessa Arlen’s blog at Redoubtable Edwardians. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (05/17/2016)

I must have been on a reading roll this weekend because I finished my May TBR List winner before I finally settled into sleep Sunday night. Charming is the first in the Pax Arcana series by Elliott James featuring John Charming, an ex-knight, former dragon slayer and witch hunter, in hiding. He's made a quiet life for himself in a small town, working as a bartender in a pub. All that changes when a blonde, followed by a vampire, walk in the door.

Once upon a time, she smelled wrong. Well, no, that's not exactly true. She smelled clean, like fresh snow and air after a lightning storm and something hard to identify, something like sex and butter pecan ice cream. Honestly, I think she was the best thing I'd ever smelled. I was inferring "wrongness" from the fact that she wasn't entirely human.

I later found out that her name was Sig.

Sig stood there in the doorway of the bar with the wind behind her, and there was something both earthy and unearthly about her. Standing at least six feet tall in running shoes, she had shoulders as broad as a professional swimmer's, sinewy arms, and well-rounded hips that were curvy and compact. All in all, she was as buxom, blonde and blue-eyed, clear-skinned as any woman who had ever posed for a Swedish tourism ad.

And I wanted her out of the bar, fast.

Teaser from 38% of Charming:

"That's pretty ironic," I said. He was close enough now that I had his scent despite the incense. I chose my words carefully. "Coming from a naga."

"I don't think so," he said, and from the pool behind him a twelve-foot wave gathered up and came crashing toward me.

and at 49%:

Sig busted the right door open with her shoulder like a linebacker and swiveled her SIG Sauer around the swinging edge, then saw three dead bodies and stopped. She gave me an eyebrow that said Really?

I shrugged.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

I knew going in this would be a high action urban fantasy novel, and it kicks off right away. John seems to know how to find trouble--or else it finds him.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Sunday Post: Cheesecake, Redshirts & the Winner of My May TBR List Poll

We went from a cool and rainy weekend last weekend to a sunny and warm one this weekend. I expect another rather ordinary week for us this coming week--not that I'm complaining. Often times I prefer those. As I sorted through a stack of letters and cards I had not yet filed away, I found a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory, and so my husband, Mouse, and I had lunch there after soccer on Saturday. Yum! At least it was yum for Anjin and me. Mouse was less than thrilled, but she's hard to please.

How did your week go? What have you been up to?

Is there a reason you chose Blogger over Word Press or a different platform? (submitted by Elizabeth)

Blogger is the platform my husband uses for his platform, and since I am not in any way as computer savvy as he is, I went the same route when starting mine. The free thing played into it too, of course. I do pay for my address now, but it's such a small annual fee. I was a part of a group blog on Word Press for a short time, but it never really took for me. I have been happy with Blogger for the most part, with only minor complaints, and have never felt the need to change. What about you? If you blog, which platform do you use and what made you chose it?

What I Am Reading: I finished reading A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi earlier this past week. I liked it better than I initially thought I would. I haven't picked up another book since finishing it--unless you count the audiobook I read Friday. Tonight I hope to start on my winner of my May TBR List Poll (see below for the winning book!). I'm quite excited about it too!

What I Am Listening to: When I switched over to my new cell phone, I lost the audiobook I had been listening to, Carsick by John Waters. I could easily have just downloaded it again, but decided against it. While funny at times, I just wasn't enjoying it all that much. It's there if I change my mind. Friday, while cleaning the house, I listened to John Scalzi's Redshirts, narrated by Wil Wheaton. It was my first John Scalzi book, but my second one narrated by Wil Wheaton. Like for Ready Player One, he was the perfect choice as a narrator. And I will definitely be reading more by John Scalzi.

What I Am Watching: I have not been watching anything really. I am officially a week behind on the three shows I follow. And I haven't had a chance to turn on Netflix to catch any of the other shows I want to get back to. My daughter has had reign over the television, watching Lalaloopsy, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Miles From Tomorrowland. It was actually the latter that settled me on listening to Redshirts, putting me in the mood for science fiction.

Around the Blogosphere:

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day - Litha Nelle shares her own struggle with Fibromyalgia.
Bookish Confessions: I Read Because I Can't Not Read - Annika writes, "The thing is, it keeps me happy. It makes me believe in humanity, and morality, and kindness and an assortment of other wonderful things (like dragons!)." This. Totally.

What's Going On Off the Blog: This section won't be nearly as long as last week. It was more of an ordinary week, both at home and at work. I was unable to spend too much time on the computer, and so am behind on responding to comments and visiting blogs (I hope to play catch up this next week).

I had a lovely Mother's Day. We went out for lunch and to see the movie Zootopia--such a cute movie. Mouse took along her red Howdy Doody lunch box filled with her "courage items" in case the movie was scary. The "courage items" were miscellaneous stuff, like a paper mustache, a small gift bag, a straw, a rock, and a stuffed baby koala among other things. We stopped by Barnes and Noble too as a reward for Mouse. It had been her first week without sucking her thumb (outside of nap or bedtime), she got to pick out a book of her choice. Of course, we had to take advantage of the stage in the Children's section, to read a few books.

Mouse's "Courage Box"

Mouse had her second swim lesson with Miss M this past Friday, and it went well. Based on many of your comments from last week, I am really glad I decided to go with the one-on-one lessons this spring/summer instead of the group ones. I went ahead and signed her up through the summer, although the time slot could be better. Maybe the summer won't be so hot this year? Yeah, like that won't happen.

The soccer classes continue to go well. Mouse is enjoying herself, which is the whole point of her playing. In the middle of a scrimage Saturday, Mouse plucked a white clover from the grass and brought it to me, just running off the field. It was adorable, but probably not what her coach was hoping she'd do. Haha!

Mouse decided to put her pillow ball on Parker.

He was a good sport.

Gracie is taking advantage of the tent in the living room.

This Past Week In Reading Mews:

Thank you for helping me choose my next read from my TBR collection:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month.

The winner of my May TBR List Poll is:

Charming by Elliot James

Charming by Elliott James ~ Once a dragon slayer and witch-finder, John Charming now leads a peaceful life, tending bar. That is, until a vampire and blonde walk through the door.

Thank you to all who voted! Charming won with 50% of the votes, 12 out of 24. The Shadow Revolution by Clay and Susan Griffith came in second with 37.5% (9 votes), and Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch came in last with 12.5% (3 votes). Charming certainly sounds like it will be a fun read, and I am looking forward to diving in--which I will be right now. Thank you again to everyone who voted!

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi

Though I love to see my children resting soundly, in the quiet of their slumber my uneasy mind retraces our journey. ~ Opening of When the Moon Is Low

When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi

William Morrow, 2015

Fiction; 384 pgs

As a child, Fereiba is treated like a servant by her stepmother. Her father caters to his wife and seems more absent than he is present. Fereiba longs to be loved and to go to school like her younger half-siblings. She is curious and hungry to learn. In the early part of the novel the reader sees a young Fereiba experience love, loss, and disappointment--life experiences that help mold her into the woman she will become.

As the Taliban regime takes over her beloved country of Afghanistan, life as Fereiba knew it changes completely. Violence and oppression become away of life. Her family lives in fear, hoping for a better future. They dream of fleeing the country like many of their other family members have already done. It isn't until Fereiba's husband, an engineer, is taken and killed by the Taliban, that Fereiba puts their plan into action. She knows that for her three children, one of which is a newborn, to have any sort of future, leaving the country is the only chance they have.

Nadia Hashimi's novel, When the Moon is Low, puts human faces on the some of the hardships endured by refugees. Fereiba and her children are desperate, lost and frightened. Fereiba is a mother who wants only to protect her children and keep them safe. The bonds of the family are tested. All they really have is each other.

The novel is told from the perspective of both Fereiba and her son Saleem, in alternating chapters. Both provide very compelling voices to the family's story. Fereiba is such a strong and resilient woman. She had to be for her children's sake. I related to Fereiba as a mother, and my heart went out to her and her children. Saleem is such a tough boy--tough in the sense of strong. He has to be, given all he goes through. He is your typical pre-teen to teenage boy, going through the typical developmental changes. He likes playing soccer and hanging out with other kids his age. And yet, his circumstances are far from ordinary. He takes on a great deal of responsibility and is ever loyal to his family. Hashimi is able to capture the boy and the man so thoroughly in his character, two sides of one coin.

Not much time is spent on Fereiba's daughter, but it is obvious she has had to take on new responsibilities too, growing up way too fast. She helps her mom in caring for her younger brother who is in desperate need of medical attention.

I fell in love with this novel from the start. The writing is beautiful. The characters feel so real. The story is such a sad one, intense, and heartbreaking, and yet there is also hope. Hope that they will reach their family in England. Hope that they will find a better life elsewhere. There was breath-holding and tears--both happy and sad.

I liked that Hashimi did not gloss over the refugee experience. Even while telling Fereiba and her children's stories, she also told the story of many others--how some had a more difficult time of it and others had it a bit easier. She paints a very realistic picture of the hardships and conditions refugees face--from the backlash, the lack of resources and support, including medical care, the cruelty of the system and certain individuals, as well as the helpfulness and kindness of some. I could not help but to feel emotionally involved in the story and come away wanting to help be a force of change, even if in a small way. Yet another reason I loved this book.

To learn more about Nadia Hashimi and her work, please visit the author's website. She can also be found on Goodreads, Facebook and Twiter.

I hope you will check out what others had to say about When the Moon is Low on the TLC Book Tours route!

Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. A copy of the book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.

Monday, May 09, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (05/10/2016)

I am in the middle of reading Amulya Malladi's A House for Happy Mothers. The novel follows the stories of two women: one in India, carrying the baby of the other who lives in the United States. Priya desperately wants a child of her own, and Asha needs the money to better the life of her children. I have read several of Malladi's books, which focus on cultural and women's issues.

Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top, when the wind blows, the cradle will rock . . .

The nursery rhyme played itself in her head over and over again as she tried to fall asleep.

When the bought breaks, the cradle will fall.

And down will come baby, cradle and all.

This one chance, she thought desperately. God, give me this one last chance.

Teaser from page 19% of A House for Happy Mothers:

She stroked her belly and then stopped; it was a futile gesture. This wasn't hers.

at 29%:

Priya wanted to scream. How dare Farah make light of this? Priya could hardly sleep. She was so scared about her baby growing up thousands of miles away in a stranger's belly. And this woman was making a joke about it?

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

I had hoped to be farther along in the novel than I am right now. The two women lead such different lives, living in different countries and being from different cultures and classes. I do not imagine this book will be filled with many surprises, but I am finding it interesting and thought provoking.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?