A Mini-Mystery By: A Friend

I'm so thankful that I have become acquaintances with a number of authors over the years.  One emailed me this short mystery that she plans on entering into a contest at the end of the month.  I do hope it wins.  A story of rooted deep in an angering part of American history, couple with a family mystery.  Packed with a lot of emotion it deserves to win! 

Wind and Truth By: Brandon Sanderson

WOW...just, WOW! What I love most of Sanderson's work is that his characters are so vividly drawn, that no matter how long it is between books, I never had to reread the previous book in the series to refresh my memory. Everything from book 4 (and 1, 2 & 3) came flooding back as I dug into book 5. There are so many wonderful layers to the stories in this installment that it's impossible to pinpoint all of them in a piddling review. Suffice it to say this richly layered story is well worth the time it will take to get through all 1330 pages. Sanderson is one of the most astonishing story-tellers and we are blessed to live in his world!

Scarlet By: Stephen R. Lawhead

A re-read of the second book in the King Raven series.  This one focuses on Will Scarlet, who is our narrator through most of the story. The really wonderful thing about this seasons, is that the books are social histories of Wales and England in the 11th century cleverly disguised as the Robin Hood myth. 

Good People By: Patmeena Sabit

Oh this was so good!  An epistolary novel, brilliantly structured.  I don't want to give too much of the plot away so I won't go into specifics.  Told via interviews, press releases, newspaper articles, news reports and press conferences, this mystery is a cleverly disguised social commentary on xenophobia, Islamophobia, our addiction to sticking our noses in other people's business, and what is and who's truth is truth.  Stunning!

Hood By: Stephen R. Lawhead

A re-read of this book after many, many years.  It still holds up.  Setting the tale of Robin Hood in Wales (read the end notes as to why) makes for a fascinating read-and historically it fits.  Great introduction to the characters we know and have come to love, but they have an edge that isn't there in other tellings.  Lawhead's work is just so good!

 

You Should Be So Lucky By: Cat Sebastian

I really enjoyed this one!  Charming and lovely and at times laugh out loud funny, this look at two very different men falling in love is an absolute delight.  Set in 1960 amongst the world of baseball, interesting and real characters navigate some real difficulties.  The side characters are too fantastic-particularly Eddie's mother-she is a hoot! 

Backhanded Compliments By: Katie Chandler

Never in a million years did I think I would, let alone enjoy, and book with tennis as it's backdrop.  Chandler has written a wonderful love story and made tennis interesting to me!  Kudos to her!! Luca and Juliette's journey is messy, thorny, lovely and real (and the tennis games are exhilarating)!  

We Are All the Same in the Dark By: Julia Heaberlin

A dark and twisted mystery, within a mystery, within a mystery.  Very atmospheric, tense and somewhat creepy.  Despite all that it is oddly hopeful.  I can't explain it-read it and you'll see what I mean!

 

All the Colors of the Dark By: Chris Whitaker

I can't even described how brilliant this book is!!  It's a mystery, it's a psychological thriller, it's a family drama, it's a love story, it's a bit of everything!  It is exquisitely written. Full of twists and turns and wrenching heartbreak, All the Colors of the Dark provides all the feels.  This is one not to be missed!

The Balusters By: David Lindsay-Abaire

A viciously funny piece! This was a at times funny, at times very uncomfortable, visit with a Neighborhood Association Board.  Diverse people, personalities and histories collide in this look at what preservation means to different people.  As with Lindsay-Abaire's work, things are not always what they seem to be, and as soon as you scratch the surface, the blood will flow!