Review: Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Jenn
Review: Jane Steele by Lyndsay FayeJane Steele by Lyndsay Faye
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on March 22, 2016
Genres: Historical Fiction, Thriller
Pages: 432
“Reader, I murdered him.”

Young Jane Steele has suddenly found herself an orphan, her father dying years before, her mother taking her own life. Now, she's forced to reside with an aunt who despises her and a cousin who forces himself upon her.  She agrees to be sent to a girls school where, unfathomably, the torment is worse. She flees once again not before taking the life of her tormentor. Now in London,  she discovers that her aunt has passed away, her childhood home now has a new owner. The fates seem to be aligning, for the new owner, Mr. Charles Thornfield, is seeking a governess.

Assuming a new name, she becomes a governess, living within the very walls she once called home. The new residents are quite interesting, their pasts a deep and dark mystery.  Jane has a past of her own, and as she gets closer to Thornfield and the young girl in his care, she wonders how long she can maintain her facade.

Why should you read this book?

  1. It’s inspired by  Charlotte Brontë’s classic Jane Eyre. My favorite classic.
  2. Hello, Lyndsay Faye!?!?

A bit more explanation: when I learned the premise of this book, I knew I had to have it. Never did I worry about how my favorite classic would be twisted and distorted.  A long-time fan of Faye’s writing, I put full and complete trust in her writing abilities and knew from the very beginning that this book would be tremendous…and it is!

Sure, Jane Steele’s a serial killer but she doesn’t kill just out of fun, but instead to protect herself and the lives of those she cares most about. She’s cunning, brilliant, hard-headed, and intimidating  in a time period in which women didn’t have much more regard than livestock.  They existed to care for their spouses and their family and, if they had neither, they become governesses.

Now, don’t read the premise of this book and dismiss it as an absurd retelling of a treasured classic. For that, it is not.  There are only minor similarities between the two, Jane Steele actually referring to Jane Eyre on occasion.  Jane Steele is actually quite the opposite of Jane Eyre. She doesn’t stand by and let life, and the men in it, take advantage or control of her. Jane Steele wields a knife and isn’t afraid to use it.

With Faye’s tremendous skill, she is able to generate a truly thoughtful, contemplative, historical thriller. It’s not weighed down by overly formal prose, instead it pulls you on immediately with a perfect combination of descriptive detail and witty humor.  I quickly became enamored by Jane Steele’s character. I wanted her to be my BFF.  Sure, she’s a serial killer but one with genuine feeling and remorse. I wanted to hug her after she lost her mother, was forced to leave her family home, only to deal with years of additional abuse.

Honestly, I could go on and on about this one. There is so much to capture, to share, to enjoy.  Bottom line: “Reader, I devoured it!” So highly, highly, recommended.

Posted in Historical Fiction, Review, Thriller | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Review: The Crooked Heart of Mercy by Billie Livingston

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Jenn

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Crooked Heart of Mercy by Billie LivingstonThe Crooked Heart of Mercy by Billie Livingston
Published by William Morrow on March 8, 2016
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Ben awakens in a hospital room, a bullet wound to his head. He's unsure of his identity, or what brought him to be hospitalized.  His wife, Maggie, struggles to get by with her husband in a psych ward, her priest brother at the heart of a scandal.  Rather than facing the tragedy that brought them all to this place in life, she must forge ahead and attempt to make a new life for herself.  All three individuals, rather than facing this tragedy together, are painfully suffering from it individually. While they may never find true redemption and peace, all three must overcome their own personal issues and face their fears together if they are going to survive.

There has been quite a bit of discussion in the book world lately regarding the ability to enjoy a book if you cannot or refuse to connect with the main characters.  I can’t think of a better example than this title. Maggie and Ben are still reeling from the death of their toddler son, a death that could have been prevented had they not been high on prescription drugs.  Estranged, they are now facing this loss alone. Add in Maggie’s brother, an alcoholic priest with no interest in celibacy, then you have one hot mess of lead characters.

While I’m not saying it was easy to connect with these incredibly flawed and, at times, despicable characters, I was able to see past that, see their pain, and take them for what they were: victims.  Now, that’s not to say they are blameless victims.  I’m not giving them a pass for the horrific incident for which they are responsible.  Instead, I see them as incredibly pained individuals, suffering from a series of poor decisions that will taint their lives permanently.

As a mother myself, I can’t even begin to contemplate their decisions or the situation they find themselves in now.  In the opening pages I hated them, wanted to send them to the depths of hell for their actions.  Then, as I read each of their points of view, I could see that they were already in their own individual hell.  At this point, I was able to see past my feelings of hatred and dislike and see that they were individuals, human beings, that needed one another in order to survive.

I don’t think I need to state that this is quite a dark read. While I wouldn’t say there was a bright ray of sunshine at the end, there was certainly an awakening of sorts. It was devastating to follow Maggie, Ben, and Maggie’s brother, Francis, finally face the pain they have been avoiding and, ultimately, come to terms with what lies ahead.

This isn’t a book that I can/would recommend to everyone, given the subject matter.  Yet Livingston’s beautifully executed prose is what brings it all together for me. Honestly, this is the only thing that allowed me to overcome my initial feelings of disgust toward these characters: the author’s ability to bring them alive (full of flaws and suffering) on the pages before me. They were genuine individuals, reeling from a loss for which they were responsible. Despicable characters, yet I found myself rooting for them at the end.  That’s what I call skilled writing.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me the opportunity to participate in this tour.

Posted in General Fiction, Review | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Review: The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Invisible Guardian by Dolores RedondoThe Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo
Published by Atria, Simon & Schuster on March 8, 2016
Genres: Crime Fiction, Thriller
Pages: 384
Source: the publisher
Homicide Inspector Amaia Salazar left her small home town as soon as she was able, haunting memories from her past still loom heavily.  When the body of a teenage girl is discovered, she's called back to work on a case. It isn't long before her past becomes rushing back, overwhelming her with terrifying nightmares of her childhood.  Yet, she must push it all behind her in an attempt to solve this case now plaguing her hometown.

Her hometown is surrounded in old pagan beliefs. Her family, and the other townspeople, believe a mythical creature known as the Basajaun (the Invisible Guardian), is responsible, given the scene surrounding the body.  When other girls are found killed in a similar fashion, however, Amaia is certain a sadistic killer is responsible, one that is human, not mythical.

In fighting the demons of her past, it clears her mind to see the evil that resides right in front of her.

I’m thrilled to see that this is the first in a new series Homicide Inspector Amaia Salazar.  This novel has many of the components I look for in a good read: dynamic, flawed characters, well-developed storylines and, a bonus, a town submersed in myth and legend. Additionally, the setting is one I haven’t experienced yet before and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author portrayed it to readers. By the end of the novel, I felt as though I was there myself, her skilled writing bringing the setting alive.

Amaia is an extremely flawed, incredibly realistic character, full of her own personal drama. The reader is granted bits and pieces from her past as the novel progresses, urging us to continue on Amaia’s journey to face her childhood memories.

The author’s use of descriptive text has put off some readers, based on other reviews I have read. Personally, I adored it. It immersed me in the work, making me feel as though I was an active presence, keeping me captivated through the entirety of the text.  This can be a challenge, particularly in a thriller in which the pacing ebbs and flows. I certainly didn’t experience it in this novel, however.   I felt compelled to read it during every waking moment.  Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | 1 Comment

On Celebrating 8 (!!) Years of Blogging

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Jenn

JennsBookshelvesBirthday

 

Wow, eight years! I nearly forgot to celebrate my own blogiversary again. Perhaps it’s like birthdays; the older you get, the less you celebrate. I was going to let this one go by without celebrating, but then I was like “Hot damn, eight years is a lot of work! I’m going to celebrate!”

 

In past years, I’ve shared wisdom and advice about what I’ve learned in the past several years of blogging. This year, however, I’m going to celebrate because I am the happiest I’ve ever been in blogging. It’s not because the access I get to review copies, or the great people I’ve met (ya’ll are still pretty damn awesome).  Instead, it’s because I finally found myself. Found me. Found my blogging place.

How did I do it? Did I wake up one morning with all the answers? Heck no. Blogging is hard work, much less surviving eight years of it. I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’ve grown from them.  To be perfectly honest, I’ve stopped giving a damn. Not about blogging in general, but about making other people happy. I always tell new bloggers to blog for yourself and, I have to say, I’ve finally found that happy place.

I don’t need to have my hands on the biggest, most up-and-coming book. I don’t have to go to the best bookish parties (although we bookish people do know how to party!). Instead, I’ve found myself in this place of calm and serenity, a wonderful balance between my personal life and my reading life.

So what changed this year? I incorporated my reading/bookish side with my creative/crafty side and set up an Etsy store.  When my brain just needs an escape, to focus on something other than life or, *gasp*, a book, I craft. Surprisingly, it’s been pretty successful, just celebrating my 200th order in just 5 months. Who embraced this side of me the most? My bookish community.  They became my first customers and my ardent supporters.  It reminded me of the bookish community that existed when I started blogging, so welcoming and supportive.

Additionally, I gave up on attempting to post something every day. Goodness know I read fast, but I can’t read THAT fast.  And, believe it or not, sometimes I just don’t feel like reading, or don’t feel like writing about the book I just read. And still, it’s ok. I didn’t lose any followers (perhaps it made me feel more…normal…) and my blog didn’t disappear. Given how hard I worked to post daily in the early years, this is a welcome relief.

I must give a special thanks to Sarah Knight (author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have with People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do).  Before writing this book, however, she was an editor I worked with regularly. She shared her favorite titles with me, so I was thrilled to read one she’d penned herself. Though I already had the framework of this philosophy, she helped me take another step forward, to embrace it and practice it. I can’t thank her enough (read her book!).

So, thank you all (and I’m going to give myself a pat on the back here, too) for the last eight years. It hasn’t been easy, some days have been a struggle, but it’s been worth it.  Here’s to another eight years!

Posted in Bookish Chatter | 13 Comments

Review: Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Jenn

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great WarFall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Beatriz Williams, Evangeline Holland, Hazel Gaynor, Heather Webb, Jennifer Robson, Jessica Brockmole, Kate Kerrigan, Lauren Willig, Marci Jefferson
Also by this author: Tiny Little Thing, Along the Infinite Sea, The Girl from the Savoy, A Certain Age, Cocoa Beach, The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter
Published by William Morrow on March 1, 2016
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
November 11, 1918 was a day of new beginnings. The Great War had ended, flocks of families were reunited with loved ones. Nine authors share stories of individuals looking forward to a better life, while simultaneously honoring and remembering those who they lost.

What can I say, I’m a sucker when it comes to classic, genuine love stories. There’s something romantic and heartwarming when it comes to loved ones reunited after such a tumultuous time in our world’s history. Many said goodbye, never knowing if their husband, brother, or friend would return. Far beyond the days of emails, Face-time and satellite phone calls, they had to put their faith in the strength of their loved ones fighting to protect our country.

Add several of the top historical fiction authors (some familiar to me, some new) and you have one of the very best collections of historical fiction stories published. I’m resistant to give much away, for readers should be given the opportunities to reveal and discover these stories themselves. While most stood out to me, capturing my heart and my attention, there were a few that failed to captivate me like the others. All in all, though, a truly remarkable collection of stories.

Not only did I learn of individual stories (albeit fictional) of the war, there were parts of history uncovered I was unfamiliar with. A segment of the Red Cross made up of artists who created masks for those deformed by their war injuries stands out above them all. Additionally, some not so bright, instead rather dark, aspects of the past, are uncovered as well. What joins all of these stories together is they are all filled with compassion, strength, growth, and most of all, love.

A must read for readers of all types. This is a title I will be recommending to everyone (including my book club!). I felt myself alternating between feelings of joy, of sadness. This title gave me chills, in the best sort of ways. Absolutely breathtaking! Highly, highly recommended.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours fro providing me the opportunity to participate in this tour!

Posted in Historical Fiction, Review | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Audiobook Review: Trust No One: X-Files, Book 1

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Jenn
Audiobook Review: Trust No One: X-Files, Book 1Trust No One: X-Files, Book 1 by Aaron Rosenberg, and Gini Koch., Brian Keene, Gayle Lynds and John Sheldon, Heather Graham, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Kevin J. Anderson, Max Allan Collins, Paul Crilley, Peter Clines, Ray Garton, Stefan Petrucha, Tim Deal, Tim Lebbon, W. D. Gagliani and David Benton
Also by this author: The Silence
Published by Blackstone Audio on July 28, 2015
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction
Source: personal copy
In this anthology, talented authors join forces to provide X-files fans with all-new stories featuring our two favorite FBI agents, Scully and Mulder.

Set in no chronological order, these unique stories cover a vast time period, some when Scully first joined the bureau, to further down their careers.  Skinner is even permitted his own story. All-in-all, a must listen for avid fans of this series!

X-Files fans of all ages shouted with glee when we learned the show was making a television comeback.  Though the series did satiate my hunger, I knew the episodes were limited so I needed another quick fix.  When I heard about this anthology, organized by horror great Jonathan Maberry, I knew I had to listen.

First off, the narration was outstanding. When I first learned Bronson Pinchot was one of the narrators, I was a bit skeptical. Really?  Balki Bartokomous?  I’ll be the first to admit that he exceeded any and all expectations I had for this role. He captured Mulder’s voice so expertly, I often forgot it wasn’t David Duchovny himself narrating. Kudos to him!  Hillary Huber, too, captures Scully’s often sarcastic tone quite skillfully. Now that I’ve listened, I can’t imagine anyone else narrating!

Now, to the guts of the anthology: the stories! It’s a mixed bag, ranging from silly to chilling. I often found myself wondering why many of these hadn’t been turned into full television episodes, for they certainly had me wanting more.  There were a few that were “meh” in quality, but overall this was a well-done project!  Now that I know there is a second volume (titled The Truth is Out There, of course), I can’t wait to give it a try!

All in all, a must listen for all fans of the X-Files series, old or new! Highly recommended.

Posted in Audiobook, Horror, Review, Science Fiction | 1 Comment

Review: Free Men by Katy Simpson Smith

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Jenn
Review: Free Men by Katy Simpson SmithFree Men by Katy Simpson Smith
Published by Harper on February 16, 2016
Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
1788: Three men from vastly different lives meet in the woods of Alabama.

Bob is a man who knows no other life than slavery. His own brother took his life, unable to endure the life that fate dealt him.  Though bound by his wife and children, Bob is desperate to discover the land his brother talked about, a land out west where even black men were given the freedom to own their own land and home.

Cat is an orphan, brought up without the kindness and nurturing of a mother.  When his abusive father dies, Cat is sent off to an orphanage. Though this new life is better than the last, he yearns to experience that sense of family, of belonging.  When he finds love it is quickly taken away, the guilt festering within him, ever-present.

Istillicha, a Creek Indian, dreamed of becoming the chief of his tribe.  When that was stolen from him, he leaves his tribe to seek revenge for the atrocities committed against him.  His new path is indefinite, yet he knows that he cannot obtain his rightful spot in his tribe until it is complete.

These three men meet by circumstance, perhaps fate. All on a journey to find a better life, an existence they each believe they have earned. However, in order to obtain that life, they must complete an unspeakable act, one that bonds them much like the pain they each endure.

Told from the points of view of each character, the author has created an incredibly unique voice for each of them. Their history and the pain they endured is quite evident in their voices.  Though the level of anguish and hatred varies between the characters, they all share a pain that is buried deep within them, a pain that will take long to heal. This, plus the act they commit, bonds them indefinitely.

It was interesting to follow the characters on their journey, both before they were joined and following. Though they came from vastly different pasts, it was remarkable to see their similarities, how the manner in which their fates were dealt influenced their lives indefinitely.

This was quite the moving read, one that I truly did not want to end.  Though weighty and oftentimes difficult to read, the way the characters came to life on the page compelled me to continue.  When reading, have you ever forgot that you are reading a book, instead feeling as though you are in a room with the characters, listening to them tell you their story.  This is exactly how I felt while reading this book. It commandeered my every waking moment, forcing me to do go down my own road of contemplation and discovery. This is one of those haunting titles that will make you re-evaluate your own life, your own struggles, weighing them against the lives of those carrying much heftier weights on their shoulders.  Highly, highly recommended.

 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me an opportunity to review this title.

Posted in Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Review | 2 Comments

A Month in Review: February, 2016

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jenn

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February was a crazy busy month for me. It rounded out my crazy busy work season (and a 7.1 earth quake!), I finally have some quality time at home to read and spend with my family.

Thanks to all of my travel, I did get quite a bit of reading done! That’s not to say I didn’t suffer from a few reading slumps, but I was quickly able to recover.  Following are the titles I reviewed in February:

 

Thirteen books reviewed, in all. It’s not hard to see my favorites out of these listed, most come from authors I’ve been a fan of for some time, including Lisa Lutz, Ariel Lawhon, Alafair Burke, & Heather Gudenkauf.

Books I’m Looking Forward to in March:

Coming up in March:

My blog turns eight! Wow, how time has flown by. I still haven’t decided how I’m going to celebrate!

 

How was your reading month?

Posted in Bookish Chatter | 1 Comment

Review: A Disguise to Die For: A Costume Shop Mystery by Diane Vallere

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: A Disguise to Die For: A Costume Shop Mystery by Diane VallereA Disguise to Die For by Diane Vallere
Published by Berkley Publishing Group on February 2, 2016
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Source: the publisher
After  Margo Tamblyn's father has a heart attack, she returns home to Proper City, Nevada to help run Disguise DeLimit, the family's costume shop.  She's not there long before they receive a big order: Blitz Manners, a local from the "rich" part of town, needs forty costumes for his themed birthday party.  His party planner and venue of choice has changed last minute, but money is no object when it comes to Blitz's happiness. Margo quickly pulls together enough costumes to make a detective themed party.

A real detective is what they need, for on the day of Blitz's party, he's found dead, Margo's friend Ebony standing over his body with a carving knife.  It becomes Margo's mission to clear Ebony's name, no matter the cost.

I just love discovering new cozy series! This is certainly a fun one! Margo’s father always wanted her to have a better life than he, he wanted her to get away from the costume shop business and start a life of her own.  While she tried to do as her father asked, the costume shop is home to her. It gives her the freedom to showcase her quirky sense of style, dressing up in a new costume every day.  She’s certainly a fun and spunky character! Determined, too, for she’ll put her own life in danger in order to clear the name of her dear family friend Ebony, a woman who filled the role of mother after her own mother passed away giving birth to her.

The town, too, is quite quirky. Costume-themed parties are a thing with battling costume shops willing to stop at nothing to make an extra buck.

I can’t wait to see where this series goes. I recently discovered this author’s other series, the Material Witness series, and I adored it. Both are quite similar (the other set in a fabric shop) yet both have distinct characters! If you haven’t read either of these series I do encourage you to give them both a try! Highly recommended!

Posted in Cozy Mystery, Review | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Review: Ginny Gall by Charlie Smith

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Ginny Gall by Charlie SmithGinny Gall by Charlie Smith
Published by Harper, HarperCollins on February 2, 2016
Genres: Literary Fiction
Pages: 464
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher
Delvin Walker was just five years old when he and his siblings were abandoned by their mother after she was accused of killing a white man.  Cornelius Oliver, owner of the town's Negro funeral home, takes Delvin in under his wing.  Delvin, already witness to death, learns the ability to comfort those in distress and to see hope life despite all the turmoil around him.

The mounting violence surrounding Delvin, including a church burning and a lynching, reaches an apex when he fears being accused of killing a white boy. Though still haunted by his own mother's disappearance, Delvin embarks on a journey of his own, riding trains through a country on the cusp of the Great Depression.  He finds love, but just before he is able to fully accept his life is on the mend, he is accused of raping two white women. Finding imprisonment to be just as unjust and cruel as enslavement, he struggles with a desire to escape.  Given the chance to choose his own fate, Delvin is once again forced to see through the dark to the light.

 

Reading the premise, you can surmise that this novel has a dark and foreboding tone. Rising above all this, however, is one individual’s determination and refusal to relinquish to a fate that is pre-determined based on his skin color and of life-altering situations beyond his control.

Chilling, however, are the similarities between Delvin’s life in the 1930s South aren’t much different than what his life would be had he lived in more modern times.  Had he not been as determined and headstrong as he was, Delvin would have become a society’s preconceived notions, all based on his skin-tone alone.

This is a simultaneously powerful and daunting read.  The prose is poetic and profuse; I stopped and read several passages aloud.  It would make for the perfect audio listen.

That said, this characteristic, a deeply detailed read, might seal the fate for some readers. This isn’t one of those novels that you read in a few sittings. Instead, it’s one that you pick up between others, for you’ll need a bit of levity and simplicity.

All in all, however, I highly recommend this read. Delvin, with his hope and determination, will have a lasting impact on my heart and soul.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to take part in this tour!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments