Reading Fanatic Reviews
Books to Add to Your TBR list... or Not!Hey, ya’ll! I’m VERY behind getting my reviews up on the website! I’ve increased the reading and reviewing, leaving less of my leisure time available to update this website. I’ll do weekly posts with links to my reviews at Amazon; you can also check out my Amazon and Goodreads profiles.
By the way, I’m now a top 50 Amazon.com reviewer (#12 currently) and the top 8 US reviewer of all time on Goodreads (and top 9 in the world)… and the #6 US reviewer and #8 in the world in the past year. Cool stuff!
I hope to make updates to this site soon!
The Clan of the Woodlands: The Innocent by V. K. Ludwig
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
The Clan of the Woodlands: The Innocent*
I Love This Series
When I read the first book of this series, The Bastard, I was pleasantly surprised to find a well-written and complex world as well as characters I came to care about. I could tell by the hints given that there was much that I did not know about the world this author had created. So I was looking forward to this second book in the series, not only find out the protagonists’ story but to also get a deeper glimpse into this many-layered world.
The author has delivered another excellent story that gives a much wider window into the series’ world. In terms of character and story, this book flips the basics of the first story. Instead of having a woman go from the Districts to one of the clans, we have a clanswoman going to the Districts. At first, it seems like it’s almost meant to be a cultural exchange, for each side can learn more about the other; the Districts view clanspeople as almost feral and have believed and propagated lies about them for generations. In fact, in her very first moments in the Districts, Autumn faces prejudice against her people and their way of life time and time again in a way that even pierces her tough demeanor. However, Autumn is destined to become a part of much, much more.
As this is at its heart a romance, I would be remiss if I did not mention Max. Max is a scientist in the Districts, and he has discovered that male fertility in the Districts is dropping off at an alarming rate because of the special water they drink to control natural reproduction. In fact, the male population may be sterile in just a matter of years. He thinks he has a solution, creating a new version of the water that will knock out the genetic mutation that is harming male fertility while still tamping down attraction and desire (what the water is meant to do). His idea is shot down by a council member, but he determines to go ahead on his own and do a personal experiment—which could be of great detriment to his career if and when he is found out. His lab assistant figures out what he is doing and points out that he needs a control subject; she tells him that she believes the clanswoman could be the perfect one.
The book alternates between the perspectives of Autumn and Max. In Autumn’s sections, she shows herself to be of strong will and character, even if that is sorely tested by both her brother and her treatment in the Districts. Max is the perfect unreliable narrator; this is actually a hard thing to pull off, I think, so kudos to the author for doing a brilliant job at this. We don’t realize how unreliable he is until he meets Autumn. Their first meeting, oh, my gosh! Even though Ruth, his assistant, has warned him multiple times to be charming, it soon becomes apparent that he has absolutely no clue what that means. In fact, in their first scene together, Max reminds me of a bumbling Mr. Darcy. I’m a huge Jane Austen fan, and I always have loved the bit in the book (or movie) where he insults Elizabeth at the assembly, but he doesn’t do it directly to her face and perhaps doesn’t even really know that she could be listening. Max, on the other hand, insults Autumn repeatedly to her face with rude questions, and he truly has no clue that he is being so insulting. There was at least one point where I literally laughed out loud at his absolute imbecility and social ineptness in knowing how to talk to anybody, let alone a woman. He goes so far as to think that she’s spoiled because of her reaction to him, not that he’s a completely insensitive jerk!
The author did an excellent job showing how their initially fractious relationship evolved into one of attraction. It seemed to grow naturally, given their characters and circumstances. Just like in the first book, too, the author is able to weave in universal themes about prejudice, authority, power, the true meaning of love that is beyond physical, reproductive rights, and personal freedom into the story that seems organic; she has made the themes the lifeblood of the characters in this harsh world.
I really could go on and on about this book, as I genuinely did enjoy it. Instead, I will let what I’ve said above stand and describe the book’s story no more. Suffice to say that much lies in store for both Autumn and Max, which will take them places that they have no clue about when their stories start. The book did have some issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage. I think the author needed to read this book out loud to herself or have Word do it for her so she could have caught many of the dropped or wrong words.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I feel this one ripped the roof off the greater social unrest that was only hinted at in the first book, and I am looking forward to the next story to see the shading that it can add to this complex world.
A Dangerous Temptation by Jillian Eaton
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
A Dangerous Temptation*
An Unlikely but Believable Couple
I have read several of Jillian Eaton’s books now, and I have enjoyed them. This book is no exception. The author is very good at manipulating both the reader’s emotional heartstrings and the characters’ thoughts and actions. The prologue, showing the hero coming upon his newly murdered wife five years before the bulk of the story, immediately makes the reader have great empathy and sympathy for the hero. She immediately switches it up with the scene of this book’s hero and heroine’s meet-cute told from the perspective of the heroine. The switch is jarring because of the sharp differences not only in the circumstances of the scenes but the voices of the characters. The heroine comes across as smart but a little naïve and as someone who has a good sense of humor and sense of self. The hero and heroine have a near instant and actually believable chemistry that is off the charts and only continues to grow as the book progresses. Because of the loss of his wife, the hero is a wounded soul seeking to avenge his wife’s death. The heroine isn’t quite willing to give him up despite the darkness she can sense within him or the difference between their social standings.
I enjoyed this book very much, both the romantic aspects between this unlikely couple and the suspense plot of finding and bringing the hero’s former wife’s murderer to justice. A solid historical romantic suspense!
Italian Summer Series by Lily Zante
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Italian Summer Series*
Superficial
This set of books didn’t quite do it for me. While I like a good contemporary romance, these stories and characters are superficial and actually made me feel uncomfortable reading them. I hate a heroine who thinks she’s all that and a bag of chips and even put down their own girlfriends who are good people (even if not exactly like them or living the life that they would lead). Still, if you’re looking for a meaningless little set of romances to while away your time on vacation, this might be your cup of tea.
California Can Wait by Marci Bolden
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, and Indigo (Chapters)
California Can Wait*
Not as Good As Other Books by this Author
As one who’s really enjoyed Ms. Bolden’s first four novels of the Stonehill series, I was looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, compared to those stories, I didn’t feel like this one was as well written. Right on the first page, I saw a wrong word choice (a communicable disease, not a communal one). I felt like the couple, Andi and Graham, had a good rocky beginning as often happens in a romance, but they started to have an attraction to each other even during that which didn’t seem realistic. Their problems from the past seem like good fodder for motivations and conflict, but I didn’t feel the urgency or tension for most of the way along the story. The couple didn’t have chemistry for me. I thought the book ended too abruptly. Minutes before it ends, it looks like All Is Lost, but then it is resolved, and—BOOM!—the novella is over. I would have liked to have gotten a glimpse into more of the actual resolution and how they move on from there, both as a couple and professionally. As the one who adored that the author knew how to pull emotional heartstrings in the Stonehill series, I found this book to be a disappointment.
Carried Away by Ava S. Quill
Available at Amazon, Kobo, Mondadori, and Angus & Robertson
Carried Away*
The Power of Music
In this somewhat confusing short story, a young woman who is a violin prodigy wins acceptance into a special music school after a brilliant audition. When tragedy strikes, she has trouble coming back to her music. What will happen when one who was blown away by her audition tries to help her find her passion again?
As someone who has played music for a long time, I found the author’s portrayal of what it is like to be carried away by music—which happened several times in this short story—to be accurate. The power of music is amazing! This story is told from the perspective of the young man who witnessed her audition and wanted nothing more than to work with her. As often happens in short stories or novellas, there was a bit of an information dump right at the start, and the time between the major performances seems was more told than shown. This story seems to take place in something other than the modern world, but I can’t quite put my finger on it just from this short story. It almost seems like a fantasy in nature than anything contemporary or historical, though it does have aspects of both olden times (like forms of address) and modern times (like references to jobs). That’s the part that made it confusing. Perhaps all will be revealed when the main story is published later this summer.
The Happy Balance by Megan Hallett and Nicole Jardim
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo, and Bol.de
The Happy Balance*
Can Food Affect Your Hormones?
In this intriguing vegetarian cookbook, the authors posit that women can eat in a way that helps keep their hormones in balance, whether they are still menstruating or are in perimenopause or menopause. They even have a section in the book where she described the endocrine system and the hormones that can affect us cyclically or after we are no longer having cycles. Some of the general advice about eating healthy is just that, general—the type that you see in many books or on websites about carbs, sugars, etc. The recipes themselves look creative and fun for those who eat a vegetarian diet. There is quite a lengthy section on breakfast ideas, including juices, smoothies, and breakfast bowls. There are also sections on lunch and dinner (of course), salads (including a lovely one on jarred salads), sides, desserts, and DIY (like making your own nondairy milks and nut butters). Quite a lot of the recipes seem to be involved or time consuming. Most of the recipes have common ingredients, though some do have some offbeat ones that you would need to order online or get from your favorite local health food store.
A Witch Too Hot by Paula Lester and M. E. Harmon
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
A Witch Too Hot*
Love the 50ish Protagonist, But…
As a woman of a certain age, I love that the heroine of this book is a fifty-something, with all that that entails and so much more! Cas has recently discovered that she has magical powers, but she has no idea how to use or control them. Some of her friends in their mixed-magic community are helping a little when they can, but her magic doesn’t act or react as anyone expects. The council hasn’t been able to give her a mentor because of an important election that they are in the midst of. When one of Cas’ neighbors is found dead, she becomes a suspect. She also has a romantic interest and wants to run for siren (that election I talked about). To say that Cas has a full plate is an understatement. Her talking cat, Echo, is meant to be her guardian, but he spends a lot of time away.
As you can tell, this is a busy book! In fact, I think it is a little too busy. The murder doesn’t happen until the 30% mark, which doesn’t give a lot of time to develop the intricate subplots necessary for a good cozy. A lot of time is spent on the political aspect of the story, which is an intriguing look at the politics of race and disenfranchisement. The book is actually well written and engaging, as I was drawn right into Cas’ world and all the things that were upsetting her figurative applecart; I just thought that too much was going on that didn’t have to deal directly with the mystery or Cas herself.
Gluten-Free Vegan Baking for Every Occasion
Available at Amazon (KU), Barnes & Noble, Thalia, and Bol.de
Gluten-Free Baking for Every Occasion*
Baking Tips and Tasty Recipes for a “Free” Lifestyle
This book is ideal for vegans and people who must eat gluten free but still love their baked goods. The book starts with the author’s own journey into gluten-free vegan baking, and she follows this up with a solid section of information including tips and pantry essentials. The recipe chapters themselves are divided much like you would probably think they should be, with sections on each major type of sweet or savory baked good, like bread, cakes and cupcakes, pies and tarts, and cookies and brownies. There’s even a chapter on breakfast baking. Some recipe goes beyond just gluten free and vegan; some area also oil, nut, soy, or grain free; these are clearly marked. The recipes themselves look pretty straightforward, and some of them are derived from classics, like hummingbird cake and key lime pie. Others are just plain yummy sounding, like Apple Cinnamon Donuts with Maple Glaze and Salted Caramel Cupcakes. The only downside I see is that there aren’t enough photos of the recipes. While not every cookbook needs to show a picture of every recipe, I think it is more important for gluten-free cookbooks to have pictures because success is often elusive in gluten-free baking, so it would be good to know what success looks like for each recipe. That said, I still think this is a fantastic collection of a variety of recipes that would interest those who must eat gluten free or who choose to be vegan.
Celestial Watercolor by Elise Mahan
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Celestial Watercolor*
Beautifully Illustrated, But a Little Light on Instruction
In this beautifully illustrated book, the author gives tips and insights on how to make watercolors of the constellations of the signs of the zodiac, the moons of the year, and the seasonal night sky. While she does have a brief section going over tools and techniques and more detailed information about how to each different celestial painting type, you will most likely need to be already well-versed in watercolor before attempting what she suggests. The sections on the signs of the zodiac and types of moons themselves not only show her lovely paintings of each sign, but you also get brief lessons about astrology and the moons! If watercolor interests you, or if you want to paint the night sky, or if you love astrology, you will most likely find inspiration in this charming art book.
Raffia Crochet by Wool and The Gang
Only available in paperback
Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Raffia Crochet*
Ten Basic Crochet Projects Using Raffia
In this book, designers for Wool and the Gang have gathered ten patterns that use their yarn Ra-ra-raffia. Most of the designs are for accessories and things for around the house, like a placemat, backpack, or shopping bag. The first pattern is for a hat that actually does look like it would be perfect for summer. I’ve been a crocheter and a knitter for a long time, but I had never heard of raffia being used like yarn to make projects. Other than the plant hanger, I actually liked the projects in this book; they seem very functional (although I wish the placemat was rectangular and not round). I could see how for specific items, especially the bags, raffia could be a good material from which to make them. The patterns are mostly simple and straightforward. For a few of them, there are instructions given how to jazz them up a little with some applique. If you’ve done much crocheting, there’s little here that’s beyond your reach. There is a section in the back that does give some description of technique, like how to do a magic loop. The book is limited with only ten projects. I also felt that there was some inconsistency in how the patterns were written. But if you are interested in some basic raffia crochet projects, you might enjoy this book.
Jamie Brydone-Jack
Reader, Editor, Writer
I’m an avid reader, for both fun and work/business. I enjoy a wide variety of books, including literary fiction, romance, thrillers, cozy mysteries, and fantasy for fiction and history, contemporary issues, philosophy, music, medicine, and cookbooks for nonfiction. I’m a freelance copyeditor who also does beta and alpha reading. I have two websites that are all about romance and mystery. You can also follow my reviews at Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
Used To Build My Websites
NetGalley Badges