Rekindling Her Heart by Virginia Barlow

Ascendant by Michael MIller

Wild Magic by Alexandra Ivy

These were the books I enjoyed the most in January and February of 2024. Each weekend day, I will give you another set. I hope you like them as much as I did.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

Murder at North Pond by London Levett

A Cure for Spring Fever by Barbara Robinson

Heart-Healthy Cookbook for Beginners by Allison Chandler

CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR BRAIN FITNESS: 90-DAY CHALLENGE TO SHARPEN THE MIND AND STRENGTHEN COGNITIVE SKILLS by Aimee Lucido & Matthew Stock

Nonfiction, Puzzles, Brain Health

5*****

Blurb: Boost your memory and broaden your knowledge with 90 days of easy-to-hard crossword puzzles! Looking for mental stimulation, hoping to ward off brain fog, or wanting an enjoyable way to expand your knowledge? Challenge yourself with Crossword Puzzles for Brain Fitness and test your mind with 90 days of crossword puzzles that progress from easy to hard—all while having fun! With helpful tips for getting unstuck and bonus puzzles to keep your good habit going, you’ll be amazed at the improvement in your recall, focus, and mental dexterity in just three short months.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book – though I will admit, I love doing crosswords to begin with. This book starts with easy ones and builds to harder ones. Though the title says 90-Days, there are actually 100 puzzles in the book – and an answer key in the back. And there’s a mixture of subjects so you can pick and choose. Plus there are hints at the beginning on how to do puzzles if you’re new to them. The biggest plus for me was the size. It’s large print so you don’t have to squint or squeeze your letters into tiny boxes. Overall, a really good crossword puzzle book.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

@zeitgeist #partner

@penguinrandomhouse #partner

ONE QUESTION A DAY TO STAY CLOSE & CURIOUS by Gina Senarighi

Nonfiction, Self-help, Journaling, Couples

4****

Blurb: Couples who maintain a sense of fascination about one another report longer relationships and more passionate connection. What’s more, couples who understand each other’s inner worlds fare better through life’s unexpected ups and downs. One Question a Day to Stay Close & Curious brings couples together to laugh, share, and explore who their partner is, what shaped them, and who they wish to become. A journal for all couples—married and unmarried, new and decades seasoned—the questions here will bring you together for conversations to support a lifetime of love.

Thoughts: This is a really good book except for one thing – I don’t know many men who would do this. But if you were to use this in conjunction with marriage or couples counseling, I think it would be amazing.

That being said, I’m going to use this as a personal journal. And suggest to others who do journaling to do the same, whether or not you use it as a couples workbook. The questions are insightful and make you look deeper into yourself (and your partner if done together) and maybe learn a thing or two.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

@zeitgeist #partner

@penguinrandomhouse #partner

A CHRISTMAS STORM by D. V. Stone

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Novella (72 pages)

5*****

Blurb: In the spirit of Dickens, a delightfully sweet holiday story about family love and the opportunity for second chances. An early storm is brewing in Upstate New York, and military wife Lacey Prescott is caught unprepared when it turns into a blizzard. Defeated by her own lack of preparation and the recall of her husband’s Christmas holiday leave, her joy in the season is replaced by bitterness and anger. In an unexpected turn of events, Lieutenant Matthew Prescott’s leave is reinstated. But the journey home is not an easy one since a Nor’easter stands between him and his family. Amidst the storm’s fury, Lacey gets a glimpse of the past, present, and possible future, while Matt gets assistance from a mysterious stranger. In a heartwarming story of determination, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unexpected kindness of strangers, the possibility of a Christmas reunion brings a sense of hope with a message of love and support from friends and family that embodies the true spirit of Christmas.

Thoughts: I loved this story. The characters, the setting, problems… all put together in a sweet little holiday read. The setting – New England in the midst of a heavy snowstorm – and all the issues that brings with it (lack of power, heavy snow, etc.). Missing military family that’s deployed overseas. All these add up to a realistic background for the story.

Okay, so some of it was a bit trite – I knew who/what Albert was from the moment he sat down on the plane. But it was so cute. And the dreamscape with Lacey and her mother delving into her past, present, and future – strains of “A Christmas Carol” by Dickens. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t still enjoy the story. D.V.  Stone never fails to give you a story that will tug at your heartstrings.

Definitely recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

LOGIC PUZZLES BOOK FOR BRAIN FITNESS by Lana Barnes

Nonfiction, Puzzles

4 1/2 ****

Blurb: 90-Day Challenge to Sharpen the Mind and Strengthen Cognitive Skills Enlarged Print, Easy to Hard!

Thoughts: I love puzzle books. Unfortunately, the publisher sent me this one as an ebook – and it definitely does not work as an ebook. I strongly suggest you buy this book – but as a paperback one and not as a download.

Now, that being said, the few puzzles I was actually able to do were fun and well done. There are levels from easy to medium to hard with an extra section that is a mix. And, yes, there are answer keys at the back of the book. The puzzles include logic grids (for logic and reasoning), sudoku (numbers), Calcudoku (numbers and problem solving), Battleship (logical deduction, reasoning, spacial deduction), Kakuro (methodical thinking), and Masyu (visual intelligence).

Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

@zeitgeist #partner

@penguinrandomhouse #partner

THE NATURALIST SOCIETY by Carrie Vaughn

Fiction, Historical Romance, Paranormal

3***

Blurb: In this magical tale of self-discovery from New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn, a young widow taps into the power that will change the world—if the man’s world she lives in doesn’t destroy her and her newfound friends first. In the summer of 1880, the death of Beth Stanley’s husband puts her life’s work in jeopardy. The magic of Arcane Taxonomy dictates that every natural thing in the world, from weather to animals, can be labeled, and doing so grants the practitioner some of that subject’s unique power. But only men are permitted to train in this philosophy. Losing her husband means that Beth loses the name they put on her work—and any influence she might have wielded. Brandon West and Anton Torrance are campaigning for their expedition to the South Pole, a mission that some believe could make a taxonomist all-powerful by tapping into the earth’s magnetic forces. Their late friend Harry Stanley’s knowledge and connections would have been instrumental, but when they attempt to take custody of his work, they find that it was never his at all. Tied together by this secret and its implications, Beth, Bran, and Anton must find a way for Beth to use her talent for the good of the world, before she’s discovered by those who would lay claim to her rare potential—and her very freedom.

Thoughts: I really wanted to like this story more than I did. This author is a particular favorite of mine, but this wasn’t like other books of hers that I’ve read. It wasn’t a bad story – rather quite fanciful. And I will admit that at times, I felt like stopping – but I’m glad I read on as the ending was worth the read. I just wish something nasty had happened to one particular character (not naming names here).

I liked Beth and her “gumption” – even as it led to her imprisonment in a sanitarium thanks to her family and a rival. But it was that gumption that served her well as she escaped. She was a woman of intelligence—and Arcane abilities (magic), an accepted practice in this universe, though not for women. Her husband used her skills to forward his fame and after his death, her family took her over. But she had two male friends who helped her and became her lovers as they were to each other. And yes, there was a threesome going on here.

So, recommendations – I honestly can’t say I’d ever read something like this again. Parts of it were entertaining, but a lot of it was slogging through stuff that seemed to have nothing to do with the story other than to give background to historical characters in this Arcane universe. There was obviously a lot of research done into ornithology and taxonomy as the characters were naturalists.

Thus – I recommend the book as one that might appeal to historical romance readers with an interest in birds.

VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (ON A DEAD MAN) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

3***

Blurb: Ever since a man was found dead in Vera’s teahouse, life has been good. For Vera that is. She’s surrounded by loved ones, her shop is bustling, and best of all, her son, Tilly, has a girlfriend! All thanks to Vera, because Tilly’s girlfriend is none other than Officer Selena Gray. The very same Officer Gray that she had harassed while investigating the teahouse murder. Still, Vera wishes more dead bodies would pop up in her shop, but one mustn’t be ungrateful, even if one is slightly…bored. Then Vera comes across a distressed young woman who is obviously in need of her kindly guidance. The young woman is looking for a missing friend. Fortunately, while cat-sitting at Tilly and Selena’s, Vera finds a treasure Selena’s briefcase. Inside is a file about the death of an enigmatic influencer—who also happens to be the friend that the young woman was looking for. Online, Xander had it a parade of private jets, fabulous parties with socialites, and a burgeoning career as a social media influencer. The only problem is, after his body is fished out of Mission Bay, the police can’t seem to actually identify him. Who is Xander Lin? Nobody knows. Every contact is a dead end. Everybody claims not to know him, not even his parents. Vera is determined to solve Xander’s murder. After all, doing so would surely be a big favor to Selena, and there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her future daughter-in-law.

Thoughts: This was a good story and the character of Vera grew on me – though to be honest, I didn’t like her at first. It wasn’t the “voice” – though that took me some time to get into – but more her meddling and insistence on certain things. But by the end of the book, I understood her a lot better and got where she was coming from. What the reader has to understand is that this is the way Chinese mothers are (and a lot of other mothers too!) They want the best for their children and if that means getting mixed up in a murder/human trafficking case, that’s what they’ll do. So when Vera befriends a young woman whose friend dies, she tries to help the girl figure out what happened. Which will also benefit her son’s soon-to-be fiancé (hopefully!). But Vera has no idea of the huge case she is opening up and how much trouble it will bring her.

Recommended with the caveat of the horrible practice of human trafficking and what goes with it.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Berkley, for providing this book.

THE BEAST OF AROS CASTLE by Heather McCollum

Fiction, Historical Romance, Scottish

4****

Blurb: Ava Sutton is on the run from a dangerous man and makes her way safely to Scotland. Masquerading as a titled, English lady, she must convince the darkly handsome chief of the Macleans of Aros to wed her before she is tracked down. Tor Maclean, the new chief of Aros Castle, has sworn off marriage. Despite his efforts to scare away the Englishwoman his father arranged for him to wed, Tor is nonetheless drawn to her passion and beauty. But he doesn’t know if he can forgive the untruths that have come to light for a chance at a once in a lifetime love…

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. Yes, the characters came across as a bit standard: the grouchy Scottish laird who doesn’t trust women, especially English women; the plucky English woman who stands up to him; the villagers, etc. And yes, there could have been a bit more description in the settings, but… for a bit of escapism with a couple of twists that got my interest and a HEA that satisfies, I say nicely done. So if all you’re looking for is a decent story with a hot Scot and a stubborn lass, go for it.

Recommended.