This is a clever, well-constructed story that is part current time, part glimpses into the past. A past that is both true and tragic. Based in part on actual events that occurred in South Dakota in the 1880s and the 1970s, the story centers around the Pine Ridge Lakota tribe. As the daughter of a history buff, I grew up knowing about Wounded Knee and the events that transpired there. In this book, Sierra Masters’ old flame, Hunter, shows up at her home one day with photos that shock her and change everything she ever knew. Hunter is a film documentarian. She discovers that she was adopted and that her parents were part of the fight between the Native Americans and corrupted government. The descriptions of the Badlands are beautifully done, putting you right there in that stark landscape. But what really draws you in are the descriptions of the massacres that took place and the awful treatment at the hands of the white men. The terror and devastation are real. And Sierra “sees” it all as it happened. An evocative story with deeper meaning than just a good read – though it is definitely that. I also loved the reading list at the end so the reader can find out more information on this period of history.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58926515-whispers-through-time
This is the fourth book in the author’s Haunted Shores Mysteries. In this one, the main character, Darrell, his wife and 5-year-old son, Leo, drive from Maryland to Michigan to help his aunt celebrate her eightieth birthday. Along the way, Darrell discovers that his son has inherited his “gift” of being able to see ghosts. At a stop outside of Pittsburg, they visit a historical site of the Monogahela tribes… helping out these ghosts is the last thing Darrell wants to get involved with. Unfortunately, the fates have different plans for him as both he and Leo see the ghost of the missing Sheila and learn that she is not the only one to have gone missing recently. While trying to enjoy family time, they discover there are darker things going on in the small town of Saugatuck and the surrounding area.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233778534-red-shadows-at-saugatuck
I loved this story! I was expecting your standard cozy, but this is so much more. From the main character being part of a secret government experiment earlier in her life that lets her see ghosts, to the digital coding (and learning new words about it!) and the Russian mafia. She starts a business doing crochet and pulls in her best friend, juvie sister (Oona), sister’s friend (Jasmine), and the elderly Mary’s from the local church to help. Her brother is a cop and his partner is a hunk (of course). They find Jasmine’s boyfriend and his brother dead and the fun (not!) begins. There really is a lot going on in this story (loved the hidden basement!) and I can definitely see more books coming for Breezy and her “team”. This one has a satisfying ending with a surprise twist. Yes, it all may be a bit much for some people, but I really did enjoy this. And the crochet pattern at the end is a bonus. Definitely going to try that one.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127466841-first-time-s-a-yarn
Wow. This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go until the last. Luma is a good character, as are the others in the story. She is the one the elves have been looking for for twelve years—the one who will help free them from the wizards of another world who want to take over their world. There is action (a lot!), treachery, friendship, and even a dragon! She has to figure out how to come to terms with the fact that she is an elf and her life on Earth was an unfortunate accident of fate. She has no memory of before she got there, or of her powers, or how to use them, but everyone is depending on her to save the elf world. Unfortunately, there are just as many people who don’t want her to do it. If you’re looking for a decent fantasy story with lots of twists and turns, treachery and friendship, long lost love, and a war that could end multiple worlds. Or help them. Then you need to pick this one up. Definitely worth reading. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231904027-daughter-of-starlight
Oy vey! What a fun story! This is the second in a series and takes place at a Jewish home for seniors. Rose is at it once again with her friends to figure out who killed the nasty Vera Gold and why. It may be the day for atonement, but that’s not happening. I absolutely love Rose and can “hear” her voice in my head as I read (she sounds a little like Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl”). There a lot of Yiddish terms that the author does a good job of explaining without being over the top with it. And a few misses on Rose’s part – like when she talks about the Hippo laws (HIPAA). The imagery puts you right there, for instance when talking about the big store surrounded with a black moat lined with white stripes (parking lot). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59695699-a-pain-in-the-tuchis-a-mrs-kaplan-mystery
This was a really good murder mystery with lots of suspects and lots of family angst going on. I found it interesting that the two sisters who live there are very protective of the youngest sister’s 3-year-old son to the point that they won’t let Jess near him. They eventually reveal that he is autistic and doesn’t take well to strangers. The author had me guessing until the very end – which I loved. And there was a satisfying ending that lets you know the family will be a family in total as Jess realizes that she needs to be there for hers. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200055363-my-old-kentucky-homicide
Sparkling Book Reviews 