Several new books and books-to-movies to tell you about today.
First, Teresa has two new reviews up in her Agatha Christie movie/book series: The Mirror Crack’d From Side To Side (1992) Joan Hickson
EndlessNight (2013) Julia McKenzie
Under books, I have one in mysteries, one in LGBTQ+ for adults, and a children’s chapter book under YA (put there because I don’t have a specific children’s section). I don’t often get children’s books, so this was a new adventure.
Under YA: A 4 Sparkler review for the children’s fantasy “Frederick the Fly-Catcher” by Helen C. Johannes. A cute story about friendship and acceptance.
Under Mystery: “Death by Sample Size” by Susie Black. A 4 Sparkler cozy mystery with a quirky cover that made me look.
Under LGBTQ+ for Adults: “Fate’s Attraction” by Dirk Greyson – a 5 Sparkler wolf shapeshifter romance.
Blurb: A FATAL FIRST NIGHT The return of swashbuckling Gilded Age diva Ella Shane, an Irish-Jewish Lower East Side orphan who found fame and fortune singing male “trouser roles,” opens with a backstage murderon premiere night. Ella and friends aren’t at all sure about their colleague’s guilt, though it seems obvious. Meanwhile, newspaper reporter Hetty MacNaughten has finally escaped hats to cover a sensational murder trial. And then Ella’s British aristocrat beau shows up with more than romance on his mind. Before it’s over, the cast will have to sort out several interlocking mysteries…and find another Richard III. Will everyone survive to the final curtain?
BIO: Kathleen Marple Kalb grew up in front of a microphone, and a keyboard. Now a weekend morning anchor at 1010 WINS New York, she started out as a teenage DJ in Brookville, Pennsylvania. She worked her way up through newsrooms in Pittsburgh, Vermont and Connecticut, developing her skills and a deep and abiding distaste for snowstorms. While she wrote her first (thankfully unpublished!) historical novel at age sixteen, fiction was firmly in the past until her son started school and she decided to try again. She, her husband, the Professor, and their son, the Imp, live in a Connecticut house owned by their cat.
Ella’s beau, Gil, the Duke, originally trained as a lawyer. Over tea with Ella and the cast, he explains a major problem with the evidence in the murder trial reporter Hetty MacNaughten is covering, sparking a lively discussion:
“And so, Miss MacNaughten, however much you don’t like this Mrs. Van Vleet, you may not get to watch her hang,” Gil finished in an apologetic tone.
“It makes sense,” she admitted, with a frown.
“Anyway, the method is wrong,” Yardley said. “Women don’t stab people to death like that.”
“What?” Hetty wheeled on him. “A woman can’t kill?”
“Not at all.” Preston smiled wryly. “They do every day. But women like poison. Knives are messy.”
“I lean toward the gentlemen’s view on this,” Gil added. “Very rare for a woman to kill in such a grisly fashion.”
“See?” Yardley crowed. “You tell ’em, Barrister.”
It was clear by now that the nickname was going to stick, since it was, after all, appropriate, respectful, and a good deal easier in company than “Your Grace.” If we’re going to have a duke in the house, we have to call him something.
“Well, no insult intended to present company,” Gil began with a chuckle, “but women aren’t really made for killing.”
“What?” I asked. Speaking of bosh.
“You are the mothers of the race, after all, whether or not you ever actually raise children.” His eyes met mine with a terrifying intensity. “You are made for caring for others, protecting them. Made for love, if you will.”
For a measure or more, it was no longer a discussion of crime and politics in company. It had become a private moment between the two of us, each watching the other’s reaction, barely breathing.
Vladimir Corelia is the second son of the pack alpha. He’s happy with his role in the pack, but it seems the fates have other ideas. When the man he finds living in a cave, caring for a shifter baby and a litter of wolf pups, turns out to be his mate, it begins a chain of events that puts the whole pack in jeopardy.
Frankie Bowers can’t remember anything except a powerful sense of danger. He only knows he can’t go home. With no way to defend himself, he has to rely on Vladimir, a perfect stranger who happens to be his mate, to protect him and the young he’s looking after.
While Vladimir and Frankie’s attraction as mates grows stronger every day, so does the threat to their relationship—and to the pack. As Frankie regains his memory, the threat grows more and more ominous. Vladimir and Frankie must rise to the challenge if they hope to have any chance at the future the fates might have in store.
In Olivia Sanders’ world, people like her don’t survive very long. Special abilities are a threat to the corrupt government.
Olivia and those with similar abilities struggle to keep their secrets as new laws threaten them daily. Though hiding isn’t enough for Olivia. A healer and firestarter, she works with the resistance to ensure the safety of the people of her sector, toiling in an unforgiving world without freedom or hope with the goal that someday they will find both.
Poisoned by someone she should never have trusted and betrayed by her godfather, the former governor, who is using disturbing methods to control the population and grow his army, Olivia is forced to seek help from Luke Jamison, the leader of the resistance. They join forces with his brother, Matt, and Jillian Derrick, a hard-as-nails woman leading a band of “undesirables” to safety.
As conditions in the sector deteriorate and the death toll climbs ever higher, Olivia and Luke, along with Jillian and Matt, cling to the miracle of found love while facing the horror of a future without each other.
RELEASE DAY!! May 12th! The Shadow Guide; Challenging the Fates; Book One – Victoria Smith
Victoria Smith wrote her first romance at the age of nine and hid the story from her brothers to avoid being teased. Her mother recently found the folded notebook paper and, if you’re lucky, one day she’ll reveal the hero in that story. Now, she writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense and women’s fiction – always with a happy, or at least satisfying, ending.
I read two books over the weekend. Both were… interesting.
The first one, “Pan Drama” by Joe Cosentino is a four sparkler LGBTQ+ cozy mystery. It is a raucous addition to the Nicky and Noah series. You can see the full review under the LGBTQ for adults page.
The second book, A Reckless Heart by Jennifer Wilck, is a four sparkler contemporary romance retelling of Beauty and the Beast. See my review on the Romance page.
Happy beginning of May! Spring is fully underway here in the northeast and I am enjoying the warmer weather (though not the pollen it brings!).
New reviews for your consideration:
Under Teresa’s Movie/Book reviews, she has two new ones up. Both for the same book/movie: A Caribbean Mystery but they are different versions. The first review is the Julia McKenzie 2013 film. The second review is for the Joan Hickson version from 1989. Enjoy!
And under “Mysteries”, I have an anthology I just finished reading. So much fun. If you love cozy mysteries with a touch of the paranormal, definitely look for “Black Cat Crossing”. Each story in the anthology has a black cat as a main character. It’s a fun read that will introduce you to the ten authors and their series.
Sparkling Book Reviews 