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Added Mar 06, 2024
The Disappearance of Astrid BricardThe Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, Book
by Lester, NatashaBook - 2024Book, 2024
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
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Mizza Bricard, at a party surrounded by the most scandalous women in Paris - including Coco Chanel - sees what society expects of a woman alone in the world. That night, she vows to never be gossiped about because of who has paid for her pearls, a vow that drives her through decades and couture houses until finally her name is remembered and a legend created.
The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is a fascinating deep dive into the fashion industry from the 1900s, through to today. Mizza Bricard existed in real life and started as a pattern maker for Dior in 1946, eventually becoming known as his muse.
Mizza's fictional daughter, Astrid, arrives in New York determined to change the fashion world forever but becomes best known for her dance on a table while wearing her daringly short, silver lamé dress and no underwear. And then Astrid disappeared…
The author did an incredible job combining a real-life character with a handful of fictional ones to spotlight what fashion designers had to accept at the time - being invisible as men got the credit for their ideas.
I felt the story lost some momentum during the star-crossed-lover bits Astrid and Blythe, both suffered through. (There's no doubt in my mind, however, that romance lovers will think that's the best part of the book!) For me? It was the fashion industry parts of the book that were the most captivating.Mizza Bricard, at a party surrounded by the most scandalous women in Paris - including Coco Chanel - sees what society expects of a woman alone in the world. That night, she vows to never be gossiped about because of who has paid for her pearls, a…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
When his mentor in Rome, (Luca, a Scully partner who’s dying of pancreatic cancer) asks him for a favor that will take him far from home, Mitch finds himself at the center of a sinister plot that has worldwide implications—and once again endangers his colleagues, friends, and family.
The Exchange is a wee bit of a follow-up to The Firm, a book Mr. Grisham wrote in 1991. This book very lightly touches on the events from The Firm, but not nearly enough to make clear what took place back then. I loved The Firm (the book and the movie) so I anticipated loving The Exchange equally well. There were some characters I fell in love with, such as Mitch and Abby's twin sons, and Mitch's boss at Scully, who was a cool dude with a ponytail and a big heart. I also really liked that Abby played a more significant part in this book and that she was a cookbook editor.
I'm not sure why Mitch had to go back to Memphis for a death penalty case that fell through when it had nothing to do with the rest of the book. (Maybe there is going to be a third book, featuring Mitch's former co-worker he visited while in Memphis?)
Anyway, Mitch is desperate to rescue Luca's daughter, and the kidnappers want 100 million dollars for her return. From there, it's mansions, luxury cars, and private planes as Mitch jets from country to country ... yet no one at the international Scully offices wants to pitch in towards the ransom. Not even Mitch's own office.
Ultimately, The Exchange is an entertaining book with a lot of action and I have a feeling it's going to be hugely popular. I definitely liked it, although I didn't love it.When his mentor in Rome, (Luca, a Scully partner who’s dying of pancreatic cancer) asks him for a favor that will take him far from home, Mitch finds himself at the center of a sinister plot that has worldwide implications—and once again endangers…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
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Many thanks to both Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Tainted Cup, by Robert Jackson Bennet. Expected publication: February 6, 2024.
The author has described The Tainted Cup as “a murder mystery set in a fantasy empire”, and it's the start of RJB's new Shadow of the Leviathan series. It features Ana Dolabra, a detective whose brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities, and her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver which means he has the capability of "engraving" what he sees into his mind.
The The Tainted Cup has quite a complex beginning and I found myself lost as I attempted to understand an unfamiliar fantasy world filled with many unfamiliar characters and the unfamiliar names they all had. It wasn't until I was nearly halfway into the book I felt myself being pulled into the plot.
I really liked Din and found his engraving capability to be extremely interesting. On the other hand, Ana's near-constant manic grinning felt a bit cartoonish.
Lastly, I must say that the mystery of a man dying when a tree grew out of him was definitely unique and I'm not likely to forget it any time soon!Many thanks to both Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Tainted Cup, by Robert Jackson Bennet. Expected publication: February 6, 2024.
The author has described The Tainted Cup as “a murder mystery set…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
The Ghost Orchid is the 39th book in the Alex Delaware Series, and it's an incredible addition to the series!!
I think my favorite part of this series is the camaraderie that Alex and Milo share. If you are searching for a compelling police procedural - one that brims with suspects, twists and turns, and an adorable dog named Blanche, give this series a spin. (The Ghost Orchid can even be read as a standalone.)
Big thanks to both #Ballantine and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Ghost Orchid #JonathanKellermanThe Ghost Orchid is the 39th book in the Alex Delaware Series, and it's an incredible addition to the series!!
I think my favorite part of this series is the camaraderie that Alex and Milo share. If you are searching for a compelling police…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
Don't Forget to Write is on my list of the best books I've ever read!!
It takes place during the 1960s and tells the story of headstrong Marilyn Kleinman, who gets shipped off to her great-aunt Ada for the summer, as punishment for the hilarious opening scene of the book. Aunt Ada is a matchmaker. She is also a platinum blonde who wears Hermes scarves, and red lipstick. She drives a 1960 Plymouth convertible and has been known to wear fur, even during the summer. Ada is definitely not what Marilyn expected, and under her care, Marilyn starts to bloom into the independent young woman she was meant to be.
Don't Forget to Write has such huge heart. I laughed. I became teary. I laughed some more. I found myself wanting to be Ada!!
If you are looking for a wise, warmhearted, witty, humorous, joyful, and completely unforgettable book look no further. You need to read this book!!
Edit ReviewDon't Forget to Write is on my list of the best books I've ever read!!
It takes place during the 1960s and tells the story of headstrong Marilyn Kleinman, who gets shipped off to her great-aunt Ada for the summer, as punishment for the hilarious…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
Mariah Ellison is shocked to discover that her friend, Sadie Alsop has disappeared. Why would she have invited Mariah to visit over the Christmas holidays and then vanish in thin air?? Has Sadie run away? Has she been kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? And how long can she survive if she has no shelter from the bitterly cold weather?
I guess I expected a bit more joy in this Christmas novella. It felt a little dreary to me, until the end. I really enjoyed the only other Christmas novella I'd read by this author (A Christmas Legacy) so I was positive I would love A Christmas Vanishing, as well. This one had a message of responsibility and redemption, as well as life lessons ... but it felt a wee bit too dreary to me.Mariah Ellison is shocked to discover that her friend, Sadie Alsop has disappeared. Why would she have invited Mariah to visit over the Christmas holidays and then vanish in thin air?? Has Sadie run away? Has she been kidnapped? Has someone harmed…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
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Many thanks to both Citadel and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Zenith Man. The expected publication date is February 20, 2024.
The author is a criminal defense attorney and former state legislator in the Georgia House of Representatives. Alvin Ridley was a local character who once sold and serviced Zenith televisions. Years after his trial, Alvin was diagnosed with being on the autism spectrum, a revelation that sheds light on much of his lifelong personal battle—and shows how easily those who don’t fit societal norms can be castigated and misunderstood.
Like the book blurb states: Zenith Man is part true crime, part courtroom drama, and full of local color, Zenith Man is also the moving story of an unexpected friendship between two very different men that changed—and perhaps saved—the lives of both. I couldn't have written that paragraph any better!! It's such a shame it took so long for people to understand what it means to be on the autism spectrum.
I was fascinated by Alvin but less interested in reading about the author's life.Many thanks to both Citadel and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Zenith Man. The expected publication date is February 20, 2024.
The author is a criminal defense attorney and former state legislator in the Georgia…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
Many thanks to both #GrandCentralPublishing and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Still See You Everywhere.
This book is #3 in the Frankie Elkin series and the expected publication date is March 12, 2024.
I really like the Frankie Elkin series! D.D. Warren is still my favorite but I can never resist one of the Frankie books. I love that she searches for the missing persons that the rest of the world has forgotten. Still See You Everywhere is a "locked island" or "locked atoll" mystery with 12 strangers, MANY secrets, and no way to call for help. Different and oh so interesting!
I'm the first to admit that not all of the book was believable but I was so entertained; I didn't care!Many thanks to both #GrandCentralPublishing and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Still See You Everywhere.
This book is #3 in the Frankie Elkin series and the expected publication date is March 12, 2024.
I really…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
HUGE thanks to both G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Three-Inch Teeth!! This book is #24 in the Joe Pickett series and the expected publication date is February 27, 2024.
I have read every book in this fabulous series and plan on reading all of the future books, as well! Mr. Box is a Wyoming native and has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, small-town newspaper reporter, and editor, which adds to the authenticity of Joe Pickett, et all.
Three-Inch Teeth is a little darker than some of the previous books and a couple of things happened that made me sad, but life isn't made up of just sunshine and rainbows, is it? I hope this series never ends!
I found this book to be unputdownable and highly recommend it!!HUGE thanks to both G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Three-Inch Teeth!! This book is #24 in the Joe Pickett series and the expected publication date is February 27, 2024.
I have read every…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
I adore the Ryder Creed series. Not only because of my love for Ryder's sweet (and brilliant) little scent dog, Grace, but also because I've learned things with every Creed book I've read. This time I learned about soldiers being forced to leave their working dogs behind to fend for themselves when the soldiers were pulled out of Afghanistan. Utterly heartbreaking. (But, hooray for the ones who have been rescued!) Equally heartbreaking was reading about houseless/homeless having to choose between a hot meal and a warm bed OR keeping their loving companions with them.
I prefer the books that center on the Ryder Creed characters and SAR dogs. I don't like the books with Maggie O'Dell in them as well - and this book seemed to stretch credibility in the way the Creed storylines flipped back and forth with the O'Dell storylines, before ultimately being brought together.
However, Midnight Creed was absolutely another addictive installment in the series. I didn't want to put it down!! Now begins the wait for Chasing Creed to be written...I adore the Ryder Creed series. Not only because of my love for Ryder's sweet (and brilliant) little scent dog, Grace, but also because I've learned things with every Creed book I've read. This time I learned about soldiers being forced to leave…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
Can you imagine opening your diary only to find someone else has written in it?? Freaky!! I enjoyed this book a lot. Clare and her daughter Georgia may have been the "stars" of <i>The Stranger Diaries</i>, but my favorite character, hands down, was DS Harbinder. Her sardonic voice was spot on!
The book is mostly written in the first person and written from the perspectives of Harbinder, Clare, her daughter Georgia, and the mystery person writing in Clare's diary. For some reason, the author chose not to identify who was speaking, or sharing their thoughts at the beginning of each chapter. I truly disliked that.
FYI: Clare's sweet dog did get injured but <b>but the dog lived.</b>Can you imagine opening your diary only to find someone else has written in it?? Freaky!! I enjoyed this book a lot. Clare and her daughter Georgia may have been the "stars" of <i>The Stranger Diaries</i>, but my favorite character, hands down,…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 13, 2024
Comment:
What a compelling and exciting book!! I've enjoyed each and every book Mr. Connelly has written and he hits it out of the ballpark with this one! In Resurrection Walk, Harry Bosch and his half-brother, Micky, team up to exonerate a woman who’s already served five years for killing her ex-husband. She swears she's innocent. (When I read that this book had Harry Bosch in it, I heaved a big sigh of relief. I was so afraid for Bosch after reading Desert Star)
I love the relationship "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Harry Bosch share. It was fascinating to read how they each contributed insight into the case that the other wasn't aware of. I do, however, question Maggie McFierce's part in Resurrection Walk. It didn't seem to add anything to the rest of the book. It's a small nitpick, though. The other 99% of the book was a perfect combination of my faves: A police procedural and a courtroom thriller. I didn't want to put it down!
I highly recommend Resurrection Walk!!What a compelling and exciting book!! I've enjoyed each and every book Mr. Connelly has written and he hits it out of the ballpark with this one! In Resurrection Walk, Harry Bosch and his half-brother, Micky, team up to exonerate a woman who’s…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Feb 05, 2024
Comment:
After That Night is a deep dive into Sara's horrific rape during her medical school years. It was touched on in the Grant County Series but I have to admit to not being mentally prepared for the graphic details of Sara's rape, or the details of the other rapes that are found in this book.
So, without further ado, some trigger warnings: a rape club, misogyny, victim shaming, and stalking. These things are alluded to and not described in detail, for the most part.
Sara, Will, Faith, and Amanda embark on a dangerous and difficult journey as they uncover more cases. Faith's son, Jeremy, gets involved as well, much to Faith's frustration at not being able to stop him.
On the positive side, the ending of the book was brilliant and, all in all, I'm happy to have read it.After That Night is a deep dive into Sara's horrific rape during her medical school years. It was touched on in the Grant County Series but I have to admit to not being mentally prepared for the graphic details of Sara's rape, or the details of the…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Jan 05, 2024
Comment:
I. Loved. This. Book. It's a mystery, a police procedural, and a western, combined with a wildly different and fascinating plot element! I don't want to write more than that lest I ruin it for people who haven't read Calico, yet.
It sounds cliché, but this truly was a page-turner and I couldn't BEGIN to guess how things would wrap up at the end of the book. I'm already looking forward to reading Calico again, and I RARELY read books more than once!I. Loved. This. Book. It's a mystery, a police procedural, and a western, combined with a wildly different and fascinating plot element! I don't want to write more than that lest I ruin it for people who haven't read Calico, yet.
It sounds cliché,…
Added Nov 15, 2023
ValleriM's rating:
Added Nov 15, 2023
Comment:
I enjoyed Home at Night until about the middle. I was so happy to have another visit with Mercy, Elvis, Troy, Susie Bear, et all. The Grackle Tree Farm sounded amazing and I found myself wishing I could explore it!
I was thrilled to see Susie Bear no longer being described as having a pumpkin head. However, the description of that sweet dog's head seems to have been replaced by the description of Troy's pickup as being a Ford F150, as well as Troy having a big hand. Over and over and over. 😂
A LOT was going on in Home at Night and I felt like it led to a lack of continuity. By the end of the book, there just were too many coincidences and it started feeling almost like Mercy had ESP.I enjoyed Home at Night until about the middle. I was so happy to have another visit with Mercy, Elvis, Troy, Susie Bear, et all. The Grackle Tree Farm sounded amazing and I found myself wishing I could explore it!
I was thrilled to see Susie Bear…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Nov 15, 2023
Comment:
I have loved nearly all of the Andy Carpenter series. Especially the parts that have made me smile or laugh ... and that would be up until Laurie's love of decorating for Christmas and playing Christmas songs earlier and earlier each year. That had an easy solution, right? Just stop reading the books with Christmas themes.
Well, Flop Dead Gorgeous had its share of oft-repeated catchphrases. I'm not sure if I have just read too many of these books, but Mr. Rosenfelt this is for you: I truly feel that what is funny the first couple of times it's read stops being funny when repeated over and over.
On the positive side, it made me very happy to see all of Andy's gang together! I also love the fact that the author has promised his readers that Tara will never die!! I'm not throwing the towel in on this series, yet! On to the next one!I have loved nearly all of the Andy Carpenter series. Especially the parts that have made me smile or laugh ... and that would be up until Laurie's love of decorating for Christmas and playing Christmas songs earlier and earlier each year. That had…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Nov 15, 2023
Comment:
There’s something about Grackle Tree Farm that people are willing to kill for...
I enjoyed Home at Night until about the middle. I was so happy to have another visit with Mercy, Elvis, Troy, Susie Bear, et all. The Grackle Tree Farm sounded amazing and I found myself wishing I could explore it!
I was thrilled to see Susie Bear no longer being described as having a pumpkin head. However, the description of that sweet dog's head seems to have been replaced by the description of Troy's pickup as being a Ford F150, as well as Troy having a big hand. Over and over and over. 😂
A LOT was going on in Home at Night and I felt like it led to a lack of continuity. By the end of the book, there just were too many coincidences and it started feeling almost like Mercy had ESP.There’s something about Grackle Tree Farm that people are willing to kill for...
I enjoyed Home at Night until about the middle. I was so happy to have another visit with Mercy, Elvis, Troy, Susie Bear, et all. The Grackle Tree Farm sounded amazing…
ValleriM's rating:
Added Nov 07, 2023
Comment:
Here is Win's opinion of himself:
Mega-rich
Swoonworthy
Intelligent beyond words
Snazzy dresser
Highly trained in Martial Arts
Able to recover from being beaten with a tire iron in 4 short days
Here is my opinion of Win:
Insufferable
Braggart
Emotionless
Inane
Narcissistic
Haughty
Pretentious
Offensive
Arrogant
Pompous
100% Unlikeable
I'm sure you get the idea by now.
Bottom line:
This series (if a book #2 is written) needs to die a slow and painful death.
There have been books by Harlan Coben I have enjoyed reading. Win was more of a Lose.Here is Win's opinion of himself:
Mega-rich
Swoonworthy
Intelligent beyond words
Snazzy dresser
Highly trained in Martial Arts
Able to recover from being beaten with a tire iron in 4 short days
Here is my opinion of…
An Evil HeartAn Evil Heart, eBook
by Castillo, LindaeBook - 2023eBook, 2023
All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 3 copies
Holds: 0 on 3 copies
ValleriM's rating:
Added Nov 07, 2023
Comment:
Evil can exist anywhere ... and no one is quite as they appear to be.
Returning to Ohio’s Amish Country is always a pleasure because it means spending time with Kate Burkholder and her fiance, Tomasetti. And as thrilled as I was to get my hands on An Evil Heart, I have to say that this one was a bit darker and more graphic than usual. But still, I found An Evil Heart to be un-putdownable as it wove between the murder of a young Amish man, and Kate's wedding in four days. Hang on to your hat because this is a murder case that spirals out of control!!
I first discovered this series in 2016 and I hope it goes on forever!Evil can exist anywhere ... and no one is quite as they appear to be.
Returning to Ohio’s Amish Country is always a pleasure because it means spending time with Kate Burkholder and her fiance, Tomasetti. And as thrilled as I was to get my hands on…
Added Nov 03, 2023
ValleriM's rating:
Added Oct 19, 2023
Added Oct 19, 2023
ValleriM's rating:
Added Oct 13, 2023
Comment:
Big thanks to both Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of That Others May Live, by Sara Driscoll.
Expected publication November 28, 2023.
When word comes in about part of a twelve-story condo building in Washington, D.C. collapsing, every search-and-rescue worker and K-9 team is needed on-site immediately, before the rest of the structure collapses, too.
Talk about a book grabbing you from the very beginning! Is it domestic terrorism? Structural failure? There's no time to figure it out. It was heartwrenching reading about what the SAR workers went through as they searched desperately for survivors. Every moment counted - and a wrong move could trigger a deadly chain reaction for those buried beneath.
That Others May Live was filled with tension, but also included fascinating details about search and rescue by canines, and humans, as well.Big thanks to both Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of That Others May Live, by Sara Driscoll.
Expected publication November 28, 2023.
When word comes in about part of a twelve-story condo…
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