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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
desiree.onceuponabookclub has commented on (26) products
Flowers of Darkness A Novel
by
Tatiana de Rosnay
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, March 14, 2021
A fascinating tale in near-future Paris, de Rosnay brings the sense of place and atmosphere that she’s known for in spades. I was utterly fascinated with this Paris of the future and in unraveling the multiple mysteries layered throughout the novel. I was particularly absorbed by how this novel is so much like, and also yet so different from one of my favorite novels, de Rosnay’s Sarah’s Key. While Sarah’s Key takes us back to Paris of World War II, Flowers of Darkness takes us about 15-20 years into the City of Light to come, as de Rosnay envisions it. It is a world where an unnamed catastrophic event has decimated the city, as well as other national capitals, not to mention the decimation of the Earth’s climate due to global warming. Yet, the main crux of the story centers around a mystery for the reader, as to why main character Clarissa recently left her husband of 20 years, along with a riddle that Clarissa is trying to solve for herself. If I had a complaint about this tale, it would be that while intriguing, I didn’t feel like the story wrapped up all the loose ends by the conclusion; and the imaginative future that pulled me through the story with ease, didn’t wrap-up with an obvious lesson for the reader. Yet, de Rosnay is an excellent novelist, who writes finely crafted and compelling prose that makes you think, and for that I do recommend Flowers of Darkness for anyone who enjoys a bit of spooky suspense or a touch of a post-apocalyptic future.
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What's Worth Keeping
by
Kaya McLaren
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, March 14, 2021
What’s Worth Keeping is a life-affirming novel that explores important themes such as love, family, perseverance, and finding your way when you feel lost. Not only that, it is full of wonderful imagery and metaphor. From Oklahoma City to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State, McLaren imbues the novel with a definite sense of place, from the South Central plains to magical, forested mountaintops. This is the story of Amy, Paul, and Carly – a woman, her husband, and their teenage daughter – who are all lost and floundering in life. Amy is a recent cancer survivor recovering from a double mastectomy and hysterectomy. Paul, many years later, is still suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from his role as a first responder at the Oklahoma City Bombing. Carly is angry and lashing out over her fear that she will be overcome with cancer like her mother and grandmother; and is also questioning the fruitfulness of going to college as she planned.
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Siri, Who Am I?
by
Sam Tschida
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, March 14, 2021
Siri, Who Am I? is laugh-out-loud funny – as in splitting-your-sides, tears-running-down-your-face, can’t-even-talk-you’re-cracking-up-so-hard kind of funny! A tale for a modern era, a young woman wakes up in the hospital without a clue who she is. Mia doesn’t have any ID on her when she lands in the emergency ward, but she does have her cell phone, a set of house keys and the yellow Prada party dress she was wearing when admitted. In a moment of inspiration (or is it desperation?), Mia grabs her cell phone and starts going through her contacts list and apps for clues. This doesn’t prove as easy as one would have thought, however, and she embarks on a madcap search to retrace her steps via her Instagram posts in order to – literally – find herself. In a world where nothing really happens unless it’s posted online, Mia begins to question who she was pre-accident and if that’s really the Mia she was meant to be. Funny, charming, and beguiling, this novel is sure to put a smile on your face an Instagrammable glimmer in your heart. Five stars for an original and highly-entertaining read! A big thank you to Sam Tschida, Quirk Books, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review. #SiriWhoAmI #SamTschida #QuirkBooks #NetGalley
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Neighbors
by
Danielle Steel
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, March 14, 2021
First off, for those Danielle Steel fans out there (and I know you’re out there!), take note that rather than the romance that Steel is famous for, Neighbors, while it does have some romantic elements, is better fitted into the women’s fiction genre. The novel is enjoyable read with a strong sense of metaphor. The incredibly famous and beautiful actress Meredith White, who has spent the last 15 years as a recluse holed up in her San Francisco mansion, invites three sets of neighbors to come stay with her after a devastating earthquake. The earthquake, which of course is an analogy representing the neighbors’ lives, shakes every one up, causing them to analyze where their lives have been going and what is really important in life. The neighbors, who have never met each other, or their famous neighbor Meredith, are a varied cast of characters including: abusive husband Andrew, his former nurse wife Tyla, and their two children Will and Daphne; business VIP and sugar daddy Joel and his young girlfriend Ava; elderly, blind, renowned pianist Arthur and his night care worker and aspiring novelist Peter. Also playing a large part are Charles the security company owner who comes around checking on the various neighbors after the quake; and Meredith’s house managers and closest and only friends over the last 15 years, Jack and Debbie.
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This Time Next Year
by
Sophie Cousens
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, December 01, 2020
A delightful rom com, this one had me smiling from start to finish! It was the perfect pick-me-up after a couple of heavy reads. Pie baker Minnie Cooper’s life has been jinxed from the very moment of her birth 30 years ago on New Year’s Day. Having been robbed of her title as the first baby of the new 1990’s decade, as well as of the name she was to be given, the only kind of luck Minnie seems to have is bad luck. When she meets Quinn Hamilton, the boy who beat her out as baby new year, and the name Quinn, Minnie cannot believe her bad luck once again. But there’s more to Quinn than first appears. A joyful tale of mishaps and misunderstandings, This Time Next Year is sure to put you in a feel-good mood. A big thank you to Sophie Cousens, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.
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The Skylarks Secret
by
Fiona Valpy
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, December 01, 2020
Another entry in the flooded field of WWII novels, The Skylark’s Secret was enjoyable enough to finish, but that’s about it. There were a couple of “surprises” in the novel, but they fell a bit flat. And somehow, rather than foreshadowing leading to a satisfying turn of events, I was often left wondering why something wasn’t resolved, only later to have the t’s crossed and i’s dotted. If you’re someone who just can’t get enough of WWII historical fiction, then you’ll probably love it. I, however, was left feeling rather blasé about the story. The Author’s Note in the back of the book was quite interesting, though – it would have been nice if Valpy would have focused more of the novel on the historical events mentioned therein. They were present, but more as background than meat.
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The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks
by
Julie Valerie
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, November 26, 2020
A cute follow-up to 2019’s Holly Banks Full of Angst, The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks follows the same formula as the first. Holly, newly moved to the Village of Primm, has lofty goals to have and do it all in what is supposed to be suburban utopia. In her efforts to be the best wife, the best mother, and the best neighbor, crazy hijinks of course ensue. And through it all, Holly fails miserably, and once again learns that having and doing it all isn’t as important as family and friends. The perfect light read when you need a lift of spirits, or a great gift for that friend or sister who needs a loving reminder that being overwhelmed in life is normal and that’s perfectly okay. Thank you to Julie Valerie, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for this honest review. #ThePeculiarFateOfHollyBanks #JulieValerie #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley
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After All I've Done
by
Mina Hardy
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, November 12, 2020
Hold on to your britches, people, because I’m about to lay down every cliché comment and passé phrase in existence in describing this book. I – LOVED – THIS – STORY! I was on the edge of my seat. Biting my nails. Couldn’t put it down. On pins and needles waiting to see what happened next. I finished this one in just two evenings after work this week! Thrills, and chills, and whatever else ends in “ills” including a main character suffering from anesthesia-induced amnesia (that’s a kind of “ill”, right? Ha ha.) Diana is fresh out of the hospital after both a devastating car crash and an appendectomy. Due to side affects from the surgery, she has a big gaping hole of several months in her memory, which she finds severely disorienting and more than a little disturbing. She often seems to “get things wrong” and even her close friends and family patronize her with little comments such as, “Oh, Diana, you just forgot”. But Diana is certain that’s not the case. She finds little things that just don’t feel quite right - like the “to do” list in her night stand drawer that she can’t remember writing – what do these things mean? What else has she forgotten and is not remembering? One thing that she IS sure of is that her husband is sleeping with her best friend.
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Book of Two Ways
by
Jodi Picoult
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, November 04, 2020
I was really excited to get this book – not only is Jody Picoult a well-known, #1 New York Times bestselling author, but there’s nothing I like more than a book where I can learn something. I love novels such as Barbara Quick’s Vivaldi’s Virgins where I learned about opera, Tracy Chevalier’s The Girl with the Pearl Earring that taught me about art, and especially Robert Harris’s Pompeii, which taught me about, well, the lava-buried civilization of Pompeii. So, I was super enthused to dive in and learn more about the ancient land of Egypt. Also, I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about this book! Unfortunately, this book did not live up the hype. While Picoult undoubtedly did her research, this tale comes off more as a vanity pet-project for which she shoe-horned together a story. The novel contains an immense amount of narrative background around Egyptology, archaeology, and scientific theory. Normally, learning new things would be right up my alley. However, these portions of the novel are thick, dry, and plodding. They feel more like lecture at a huge university auditorium, rather than our main character sharing her love, passion, and experience so that we see things through her eyes.
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The Brief and True Report of Temperance Flowerdew
by
Denise Heinze
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, November 03, 2020
An enjoyable read with a strong sense of time via author Denise Heinze’s language choices and colorful imagery. I especially appreciated the author’s dedication to portraying the relationship between the colonists and Native Americans as accurately as possible – not an easy feat in today’s politically-charged social atmosphere. Heinze doesn’t quite avoid, however, allowing modern-day feminist viewpoints from creeping into the story. Our main character, Temperance, and her hired maid servant, Lily, are likable characters with a relationship that goes beyond that of employer-employee. As they venture to, and endure the New World, they form a steady friendship and reliance on each other for companionship, and indeed, survival itself. The novel begins with a middle-aged Temperance looking back over her life and determined to tell the tale of what actually occurred at Jamestown in that first year that has been dubbed “The Starving Time”. Conditions were both primitive and harsh – over three-quarters of the settlers in Jamestown did not survive the first year. The tale gives us a brief glimpse of what America’s early pioneers endured to carve out a new life for themselves in the New World.
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November Of The Heart
by
Lavyrle Spencer
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, October 18, 2020
November of the Heart has stuck with me for a long time. This book came into my life at a time when I hadn’t been doing much (fiction) reading (*gasp*, I know! It was just what I needed to get me back into fiction. I was a total sucker for this one right from the start – a forbidden romance, a boating theme, a Norwegian male lead character – not to mention that historical fiction is my absolute fave. (This one set during the Victorian era.) I still clearly remember reading this during my lunch hours at work. I was 10 pages away from finishing it one lunch break when I couldn’t extend my lunch time any further and had to go back into the office. Total torture! A pleasant, minimalist read that will make you smile. It’s not the type of book that will win rewards for massive historical research, but I didn’t notice any anachronisms or other blatant faux pas’s, and the setting, mood, and love story at the heart of the novel are utterly charming. Great reading recommended for a light, spring day or for cozying up with a blanket on the couch in fall.
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All the Good Little Girls Keep Quiet
by
K. Kibbee
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, October 13, 2020
Olive Abernathy is a spitfire of girl who just turned 13 in the summer of 1979. She’s feisty, cantankerous, and not afraid to speak what’s on her mind. The one thing she longs for most is to get away from her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana where to be an Abernathy means to be shunned, spit upon, and avoided at all costs. When Olive’s mother punches out the mother of Olive’s best and only friend, Henry, Olive feels she’ll never survive the embarrassment of her “redneck” mother’s actions. When the call comes late that same night that Olive's beloved grandfather has died, she decides it's time to leave Louisiana and the Abernathy name behind for good. Olive stops by Henry's to say goodbye and, like any best friend would, he immediately packs up his suitcase and joins her... wherever they may be going. However, Olive and Henry may have gotten more than they bargained for as they traverse the country in a "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles"-like adventure. Joyfully drenched in colorful language (Olive's Mama has a saying for everything!), Kibbee richly portrays both place and time. Pull out your ViewFinders, GenX-er's - it's time for solid wallop of nostalgia. Well done, Ms. Kibbee - I enjoyed it every step of the way!
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The Daughters of Foxcote Manor
by
Eve Chase
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, October 06, 2020
A heart-warming ending that made this book all the worthwhile. And a fun mystery-thriller to boot! This is one of those spooky-types of novels that I love – you know, the one that takes place in the shadowy and enigmatic forest where your imagination runs wild and you’re constantly thinking you just heard something go “bump in the night”. And you keep on turning the pages to try to unravel the story faster than the author can spool it out for you. It’s a story of great depth, though, too. In addition to what you’ve read in the “book blurb”, it’s a story about family, a story about three women of different generations just trying to find their way, and a solid cast of supporting characters who round it all out and tie everything together. My favorite character had to be Hera, one of the children that main character Rita nannies for – her “voice” might just stay with me for a while to come. In short, The Daughters of Foxcote Manor has it all – it has romance, it has heartbreak, it has… humanity. I read it in just over a day and it only took me that long because I still had laundry and dishes to do too. Foxcote is really close to being a five-star rating for me, which is not super-common as I read a lot and it can be a bit hard to really draw me in. The writing, however, is great; and the story really good. If I could award it 4-1/2 stars, I certainly would! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this tale, as the well-wrapped-up conclusion will leave you smiling.
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Paris Model A Novel
by
Alexandra Joel
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, October 06, 2020
This is one of those novels where the author takes all the loose ends and ties them up in a nice little bow at the end, which is really refreshing. And, too, there was so much more to this novel than at first appeared. I am a reader who loves atmosphere, and “travelling” new places through my books, and this one did not disappoint – from Australia to Paris to the French countryside, so many new things to experience through this story! *Thank you to Alexandra Joel, Harper Perennial publishers, and GoodReads Giveaways for providing a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.* As to one reason why I say there’s so much more to this than at first expected: We know from the back cover that our main character, Grace, becomes a model in Paris and falls head-over-heals in love with the tall, dark and handsome Philippe who just might have more history in his past than he is willing to reveal. What we don’t fully absorb, although it’s referenced (I’m not relating any spoilers here) is that the first third of the novel takes place in Grace’s (and the author’s) native Australia – and this is one part of the book I truly loved. Never having been to the Land Down-Under myself, I was fascinated by the rural life Grace led there, along with the knowledge Grace needed to thrive on the sheep farm run by her father. The descriptions of the Australian countryside – the sunny weather, the work on the farm - were quite captivating.
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Once Again
by
Catherine Wallace Hope
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, October 06, 2020
Erin Fullarton is doing her best just to survive day-to-day. Eighteen months earlier, her only child, 6-year-old Korrie was killed, and Erin has struggled ever since to move forward. Her marriage is in a shambles, with her husband recently moving out to give her the time and space she needs to recover. As she tries to gird herself to face this, the 500th day since Korrie’s death, Erin receives a phone call from Korrie’s school, saying that Korrie has a fever and will Erin please come pick her up. Erin soon realizes she’s shifting back and forth between present time and 500 days ago, “The Day Of”. In a race against time, Erin strives to see if she can change the events of that fateful day. A wild ride full of “what if’s” and quantum physics, I was completely engaged as I rushed to the end in just two evenings after work. One finds it hard to believe this is Ms. Hope’s first novel. Bravo! #OnceAgain #CatherineWallaceHope #AlcovePress #NetGalley
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Why Birds Sing
by
Nina Berkhout
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, October 06, 2020
Dawn doesn’t need complications in her life. She’s busy brooding day after day over her flamed-out opera singing career, spending hours each day streaming her last, humiliating performance. It wasn’t what she expected for herself, but she’s on hiatus now while her voice heals, and at least now she and her husband of five years, Ash, have time to start the family they’ve always wanted. So the last thing she needs is her brother-in-law, Tariq, whom she barely knows, moving in with them. Nor does she want to tutor a bunch of quirky, amateur whistlers in need of a coach. Tariq, who didn’t even attend their wedding, nor did he stay long at Ash and Tariq’s father’s funeral, shows up the very next day, with African Grey Parrot, Tulip, in tow. And Dawn, who storms down to her agent’s office after meeting with the whistling group, finds out that her contract with the opera company requires her to work or she doesn’t get paid. So, Dawn trudges back to meet with the amateur siffleurs (whistlers), angry and short-tempered in her dealings with them. And, she gets roped into taking Tariq to his chemotherapy appointments, as her husband can’t cancel his twice daily stops at his aging mother’s house, both breakfast and dinner, for a visit. hat Tariq wished, without ever actually voicing his preference. The novel is one of pain and loss, struggle and redemption, and finding that new path in life, as the one we thought we were on doesn’t always lead us where we thought.
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The Last Letter from Juliet
by
Melanie Hudson
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, September 12, 2020
Another novel I bought twice! Ha ha. I was completely absorbed in this tale – it was so good! It’s one of those that leaves you with such a bittersweet feeling at the end, because the story was so enjoyable, but you’re heartbroken that it’s come to an end. I definitely can be hard to impress when in comes to WWII novels, since I’ve read SO many. This is one of those rare exceptions that dazzles. Told from two different narrators in two different timelines, we first meet Katherine who reluctantly agrees to her uncle’s invitation to spend Christmas in Cornwall, rather than the young widow spending the holidays alone. Uncle Gerald has arranged for Katherine to stay in an empty cottage that was owned by an elderly Angels Cove resident. The cottage, still furnished with the former resident Juliet’s belongings, appeals to Katherine’s curiosity. As she peruses the items of the cottage in those lonely hours, Katherine stumbles upon Juliet’s memoirs, and we, like Katherine, are instantaneously drawn in to that book-within-a-book that neither of us want to put down. #TheLastLetterFromJuliet #MelanieHudson #HarperImpulseandKillerReads #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #OnceUponABookClub #OUABC
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Long Flight Home
by
Alan Hlad
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, September 11, 2020
I liked this book so much I bought it twice! After passing my original copy on to my mom, I later was bummed I no longer had it, so what did do? I of course ordered another copy. (Ha ha.) From the beautiful cover art, to the steadfast, stubborn, yet loveable character of Susan Shepherd, this novel is an utter gem. If you follow my reviews, you’ve likely seen me say that I’ve read enough WWII novels to choke a horse… Okay, so I would never wish to actually choke a horse, but you get what I’m saying. You’ve also likely seen me mention that I’m really hoping authors will start focusing on a different era for once. That said, I unabashedly immediately fell in love with “The Long Flight Home”. And I have to admit I’ll never look at a pigeon the same way again! Susan Shepherd and her grandfather Bertie raise homing pigeons in 1940’s rural England. As fears mount of a German invasion, Susan is roped into a government scheme to drop pigeons into occupied France, with the hope they’ll bring back critical intelligence from behind enemy lines. Susan’s pigeons are as dear to her as pets, especially Duchess whom she has raised by hand from an egg. While she does her part for the war effort, she is skeptical of the plan, and afraid for her pigeons. Susan is also not afraid to speak her mind to the military men and reveal the holes in their plans.
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Certain Age
by
Beatriz Williams
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, September 05, 2020
As a historical fiction fan, and based on the proverbial judging of this book by its beautiful cover, I expected to completely fall in love with this book. I have to say, though, that I did have a bit of trouble getting through it. I’ve thought about the reason why this is the case, in the weeks since I finished the novel, and I’ve concluded that the author simply did TOO good of a job with her characters. The writing style was excellent, and I’m encouraged to read some others of Ms. Williams’ novels, yet I found I didn’t really care for the main character, Teresa. That said, though, I can’t argue with Williams’ portrayal of this woman of “a certain age” as a bit world-weary and cynical, living a life where her husband has cheated on her from the very outset of their marriage. She can’t help but have a dim outlook on life and relationships, and her submerged bitterness is what got to me and why I didn’t enjoy the novel more. But that’s a case of faulting the book for being excellently written, no?
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Accidental Beauty Queen
by
Teri Wilson
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, August 27, 2020
A lovely beach-read with a whole lot of heart – this is not your average lay-by-the-pool, sunny-day read! I’ll be honest, I almost didn’t pick this book up. It sounded a bit predictable and beauty queens just aren’t my style, if you know what I mean. But I’m so glad I did! Pouring through this in one evening after work, I went through the proverbial stages of entertainment: I laughed, I cried, it tugged at my heart-strings. A multi-layered story of family – with all of its accompanying joys and frustrations – and of self. Of living through someone else’s eyes, learning to see things from a different perspective, and of realizing you can both love yourself and who you are while also embracing new experiences. This was quite a gem of a story that I am happy to give four stars, which is unusual for me - a beach read would normally rate at a three for me if I enjoyed it, as I typically prefer a more literary-style read. But “The Accidental Beauty Queen”, with its surprisingly hidden layers and stirring emotional depth, definitely earned that extra star!
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The Last Piece
by
Imogen Clark
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, August 09, 2020
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. They say not to judge a book by its cover, and while the front cover of this is just gorgeous, I was less than wowed by the back cover narrative. And I wasn't super enthused by the first chapter either. However, much to my pleasant surprise, this is a lovely story of hope and love and loss and moving on. I can't tell you why I liked it without spoiling it for you, however, if you're looking for a heart-warming, life-affirming beach-read, then definitely pick this one up! It might make you cry a bit, but it just might make you smile too!
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A Spell for Trouble: An Enchanted Bay Mystery
by
Esme Addison
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, August 02, 2020
A wholly-original, debut cozy-mystery that certainly ups the ante for this genre. Multi-layered story lines, atmospheric cultural interest, along with a healthy dose of the fantastical, add just the right flavors to draw readers in. I reached the last page reluctantly, left with a yearning for just a taste of Aunt Lidia's delectable Polish cooking, eager for an alchemy and spells lesson from Cousin Minka, and wishing I could drop in for a day to walk around the beautiful Bellamy Bay. A big thank you to GoodReads, Crooked Lane, and Esme Addison for providing a copy of this book via GoodReads Giveaways. Alex Daniels is in a rut and desperately due for a life makeover. Her father, who raised her alone since her mother drowned when Alex was just a girl, has just died. Alex has also just parted ways with her fancy New York City employer, in a career she loved. She's feeling rudderless and decides that visiting her mother's family in North Carolina, whom she hasn't seen in 20 years, might be just what she needs right now. But, as you might expect, things with her family, and the town of Bellamy Bay, are not all that they seem. Quite tied to her newly-revived family connections, Alex can't stop herself from investigating when her Aunt Lidia is arrested for murder. But, will she solve the case before she, or others of her family, get hurt?
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On Ocean Boulevard
by
Mary Alice Monroe
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, July 20, 2020
Fall in love with the South Carolina low country in this pleasant day dream of a beach read. Linnea has just moved from California back to her family home in Charleston after losing her job and breaking up with her boyfriend. Against fears that she is a failure, she looks to rebuild the future that she had planned before life went so completely off track. Bolstered by the inspiring advice from her Aunt Cara, Linnea finds that while the best laid plans may go awry, the unexpected may just be exactly what she is looking for. Meanwhile, Cara, after mourning the passing of her beloved husband several years before, has, to her surprise, found love again and is planning a big, fancy wedding - all while tending to life's other amazing blessing - a young daughter all her own, after thinking that the opportunity of motherhood had passed her by. But, will this mean big changes ahead for Cara? And, at this point in her life, is she ready and/or willing for those changes? All of this set against the backdrop of the soothing sand, cicadas, and beaches of South Carolina. Not to mention the loggerhead turtles who prove that they can beat all odds, just like Linnea and Cara. Sit back in your beach chair, grab a margarita, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Coastal South. #OnOceanBoulevard #MaryAliceMonroe #GalleryBooks #Giveaways #GoodReads
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How the Penguins Saved Veronica
by
Hazel Prior
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, July 12, 2020
If you loved the book “A Man Called Ove”, the movie “Gran Torino”, adorable penguins, or just plain get a kick out of your crotchety, old neighbor or grandparent, then this book is for you! It’s the heartwarming tale of an octogenarian who realizes perhaps it’s not too late for her to make up for lost time. Veronica McCreedy is set in her ways. She knocks about all alone in her giant mansion, getting mad at her daytime caregiver Eileen for doing the unthinkable, such as leaving doors open (Veronica hates unclosed doors) or questioning Veronica’s memory (she still remembers all of her Shakespeare from her school days, you see). However, she realizes that she much closer to the end of her life than the beginning, and wants to get her affairs in order. Not having any family to give her money to, except a grandson that she has only recently met for the first time, Veronica thrusts herself upon some penguin researchers in Antarctica, determined to, despite their objections over her visit, ascertain whether their cause is deserving of her millions. Through the scientists, Veronica’s grandson, and a rescued penguin chick, a side of Veronica that has been closed off for decades upon decades opens up, to the surprise of everyone, including Veronica herself. You’ll devour this playful, yet life-affirming, tale and come away smiling, and musing about what Veronica and her new penguin family get up to next. A summer must-read. #HowThePenguinsSavedVeronica #HazelPrior #Berkley
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Where the Lost Wander
by
Amy Harmon
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, July 08, 2020
Saddle up to a couch cushion and don’t forget your box of tissues because you’re going to need ‘em! A fascinating journey, and an emotional odyssey, the kernel for this tale began with the captivating account of an ancestor, John Lowry, who was the 5x great grandfather of Harmon’s spouse – a man with an unusual mixed heritage of a Pawnee Native American mother and a “white” father. Hop on the wagon train as they navigate the Oregon Trail from Missouri across the mid-1800’s landscape toward a free land grant and a new start in California. Along the way, you’ll fall in love with spunky, young, widow Naomi May, with her zest for life and creative spirit, as well and the stoic, practical, muleteer John Lowry who’s looking to strike out on his own for the first time. Not to mention the rest of the May family with its passel of sons, Naomi’s quirky former in-laws, and a whole gaggle of personalities bumping along together in the wagon train. This wouldn’t be yarn about the Oregon Trail, however, without danger around every river bend – imperilment from wild animals, clashes with a Native American tribe or two, and subversion by fellow pilgrims. Your heart will yearn for Naomi and John, who are inexplicably drawn to each other from their first meeting back in Missouri, and you’ll breathlessly read on to see if their budding attachment can survive the tests thrown at them by “the trail”.
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Last Train to Key West
by
Chanel Cleeton
desiree.onceuponabookclub
, June 30, 2020
Three women. Each one searching. Will they seek what they want most before the Great Labor Day Hurricane drowns their dreams? Helen, pregnant with her first child, desperately wishes a better life for herself and her unborn baby, far away from her abusive husband. New York socialite, Elizabeth, who has fallen on hard times, travels on Flager's famous East Coast Railway all the way from New York to Key West, only to find that the man she is looking for is no longer in the island town, but may be further north in Islamorada. Mirta Perez, a Cuban beauty, and predecessor to the Perezes appearing in "Next Year in Havana" and "When We Left Cuba", stops in Key West on her way to Islamorada with her new husband, Anthony, for a brief honeymoon before returning to their home in New York. The fast-moving, electric story moves from Key West to Islamorada, Islamorada to Miami, as one of the worst storms in history bears down on the string of paradisaic islands. Characters so real they sit right beside you as the story unfolds. You find yourself rooting for them unceasingly, as one obstacle after another tries to belay their dreams.
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