book review

A Magical Read – Imaginary Things by Andrea Lochen

~ Erika K ~ 2 Comments

Imaginary Things
by Andrea Lochen

IMAGINARY THINGS.9.28.14

Rating **** (4 of 5 stars)

***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review***

Normally, books categorized as women’s fiction aren’t my favorites. The premise for this one sounded so intriguing though, that I wanted to give it a try as soon as I’d read the description. After losing her job in Milwaukee, Anna Jennings and her four-year old son, David, return to her grandparents home in the rural Wisconsin town of Salsburg to make a new start. As they settle into their new home, Anna is surprised and startled to find that she can actually see David’s imaginary friends, two dinosaurs that follow him almost everywhere and act as his playmates and protectors. Her grandparents’ neighbor, Jamie Presswood, who used to play with Anna when she would visit as a child, has also returned to Salsburg to care for his ailing mother. While Jamie seems intent on keeping his distance at first, the two eventual manage to resume their friendship, and start something more. Not sure if she is going crazy or if what she can see is really her son’s imagination, Anna struggles with her fear of not being a good enough mother to David, and of not being good enough to be loved again after her failed relationship with David’s father.

This story was magical, suspenseful, and heartwarming. Ms. Lochen has done a wonderful job of inserting fantastical things into mundane situations in a way that makes you feel that they utterly belong. The characters were so real, that I almost felt as thought I knew each of them personally by the end of the story. Anyone who is a fan of women’s fiction or sweet romance novels, or has ever tried to raise a child will love this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrea Lochen Image
Andrea Lochen is a University of Michigan MFA graduate. Her first novel, The Repeat Year (Berkley, 2013), won a Hopwood Award for the Novel prior to its publication. She has served as fiction editor of The Madison Review and taught writing at the University of Michigan. She currently teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, where she was recently awarded UW Colleges Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

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A Matter of Grave Concern, by Brenda Novak

~ Erika K ~ 7 Comments

A Matter of Grave Concern
by Brenda Novak

Audiobook, 9 CDs, Read by Michael Page

Matter of Grave Concern, A

My Rating *** (3 of 5 stars)

I listened to this as an audiobook during my commute back and forth to work. I have to admit that Historical romance is not one of my preferred genres, and someone who enjoys romance novels might have a different opinion of this book. I was in the library one Saturday afternoon with my two girls and wanted to grab something to listen to in a hurry. The title caught my eye, and I skimmed the beginning of the blurb on the back. I read just enough to make me think it was an historical mystery, and not even paying attention to the author’s name (which I would have recognized) I took it and checked out. Driving in to work that first Monday morning after picking it up, it didn’t take long to realize what I had. I might have stopped listening if I’d had another book to listen to in the car, but since it was all that i had with me, I kept going.

The story is about a young woman named Abby who’s father is a surgeon at Aldersgate School of Medicine. She decides to help the college keep their students by providing a corpse for the required anatomy classes. This requires Abby to deal with a group of resurectionists, or body snatchers. Little does she know that one of the gang is not what he is pretending to be. Max Wilder has actually joined the gang of grave robbers in search of his half sister, Madeline, who has gone missing and was last seen in the company of the gang’s leader, Jack Hurtsill.

This story had it’s ups and downs. At times the characters thoughts and concerns seemed repetitive and almost silly. Should she or shouldn’t she give in to Max. Will he or won’t he tell Abby the truth. I know some of that is necessary to help build tension, but it seemed a bit much. I’m not sure how I would have felt in Abby’s position as Max revealed one secret after another, instead of coming clean up front. It also seemed that after spending the first 2/3 of the book searching for Madeline, her part of the story was wrapped up in a rush. It was interesting to hear about what colleges were willing to condone to get the corpses they needed for their students to study medicine, however, and there was enough danger, suspense, and intrigue to keep my attention.

All in all, this was not a bad story, but there was too much graphic sex for my taste. If you don’t mind that, or are willing to do a little skimming, then it might be worth a read.

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Murder in Court Three by Ian Simpson

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Murder in Court Three
by Ian Simpson

Murder in Court Three

Rating **** (4 of 5 stars)

***NOTE: I received a free review copy of this book from NetGalley***

The body of Farquhar Knox, QC, has been found in courtroom number three, pierced through the heart with an arrow. It’s up to DI Flick Fortune and her team to find the killer. Things are made all the more difficult when a Chief Superintendent shows up on their suspect list, and the local paper implies that the very pregnant Flick and her department may not be up to the task at hand.

This was a very enjoyable read. It’s the third in a series of traditional police procedurals from author Ian Simpson, but the first one that I had read. I was worried after seeing the long list of characters included at the beginning of the book that I might feel lost or have trouble keeping everyone straight, not having read the two previous books. This was not the case, however, and Simpson does a good job of making his characters distinct and recognizable. A very well-written mystery with several sub-plots and lots of red herrings, I would recommend Murder in Court Three to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

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Kids Book Review – Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

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Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
by Chris Grabenstein

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Rating:**** (4 of 5 stars)

Kyle Keeley loves games. Especially games created by the fabulous Mr Lemoncello. When the new library comes to town and offers 12 lucky essay contest winners a chance to be the first to see it by participating in an overnight event full of food, games, and prizes, Kyle decides he has to be one of the participants. Even better, he discovers that none other than Luigi Lemoncello himself is the mastermind behind the incredible new library.

Once the overnight event is finished, Kyle and the other 11 winning students find themselves still locked in, and invited to participate in one more game. They have to find a way to escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s library. With the clues provided in the puzzles and games presented to them, and an entire library at their fingertips, Kyle and his team of friends have to use all of their wits to win the game and find the exit before time runs out.

This was a fun story full of references to books I loved as a kid. My daughter had fun trying to figure out the puzzles as the story went along, and it kept the whole family entertained. We’re looking forward to the next installment in this series.

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Oh Say Can You Fudge by Nancy Coco

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Oh Say Can You Fudge
by Nancy Coco

Oh Say Can You Fudge

Rating ****( 4 of 5 stars)

***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Book #3 in the Candy Coated Mystery series

Allie McMurphy runs the historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop on Mackinac Island. Still seen by some as an outsider, she’s worked hard to get onto the Star Spangled Fourth Committee to help plan the island’s Fourth of July celebration. After missing several calls from her fireworks expert while working out a recipe for a new red, white, and blue fudge, Allie finally tries to return his call but gets no answer. Worried that something might go wrong with the fireworks show she is in charge of, she heads over to the warehouse where the fireworks are being stored and arrives just minutes before the building explodes.

With several recent fires and now an explosion, it appears that there may be an arsonist running around the Island. As if that wasn’t enough to keep Allie busy, the committee is insistent that finding replacement fireworks at the last minute is her responsibility, since she is the one who wanted to hire someone new for this year’s fireworks show. Allie has to make sure the fireworks go off without a hitch and stay out of the way of an arsonist who seems more and more determined to stop her from finding the culprit.

This was the third book in the series, but the first I had read. I was happy to find that the author briefly re-introduced returning characters so I had no trouble keeping up with the cast and their relations to Allie. The mystery kept me guessing until near the end of the book. It was suspenseful and humorous, with just a touch of romance thrown in for good measure. The heroine herself is a likable person, and her puppy Mal makes her that much more endearing.

There are several very yummy sounding fudge recipes included in the book as well. The recipes in this volume were all pie-flavor themed. I can’t wait to try the Coconut Cream No Bake Fudge or the Strawberry Cream Pie Fudge, and to read more books from this series!

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Kids’ Book Review – Sleeping Cinderella and Other Princess Mix-ups

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Sleeping Cinderella and Other Princess Mix-ups
by Stephanie Clarkson & Brigette Barrager

Sleeping Cinderella and Other Princess Mix-ups

My mom won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway, and had my 11 year old review it for her. Her review is pasted below – I would note that this book seems to be intended for a younger audience, but it is written in cursive, so any second or third graders who haven’t learned cursive yet might need someone to read it to them. That’s half the fun of kids books anyway though, right?

Cloie’s Rating – ***** (5 of 5 stars)

I really liked this book because it really changes my favorite fairy tale princess. It showed how the princesses really didn’t like their house and life so they switched with another princess. In the end the princesses learn to compromise with what they didn’t like so they could live a happy life. It changes the ending of the fairy tales and shows how they change their fate.

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Lessons learned from The Girl on the Train

~ Erika K ~ 2 Comments

The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train

My Rating: ***** (5 of 5 stars)

Rachel Watson rides the train into London each day to get to work. Her train happens to stop across from one particular house almost every day, and Rachel has created imaginary identities, Jason and Jess, for the man and woman she sees frequently in their back garden. When Rachel hears the news about a missing woman named Megan, she soon realizes that Megan is her “Jess”, and she becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her.

The story is told from three separate perspectives – Rachel, her ex-husband’s new wife Anna, and the missing woman, Megan. Each woman knows only a part of the story, and we are left to piece it together as we go. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page right up to the very end. It’s full of terrible people, pitiful people, and broken people. Both Rachel and Megan had me wanting to alternately shake them, and then give them hugs to comfort them. I felt emotionally exhausted after finishing the book, but I didn’t walk away empty-handed. There are several life lessons to be taken away at the end.

1. Men are not to be trusted.
2. People are not always what they seem.
3. If he does it with you, he will do it to you.
4. Women are not to be trusted.
5. Alcohol can be your best friend and your worst enemy. Both at the same time.
6. Therapy can help.
7. Your memories are not to be trusted.
8. Life is pain.
9. People lie. (A lot.)
10. If you do everything right, nothing can go wrong. (Wait, I think that was supposed to say everything…)

Although I really enjoyed this book, I think it’s time to read something a little more light-hearted! 🙂 Review of “Oh Say Can You Fudge” will be coming soon.

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Chimera by Vaun Murphrey

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Chimera
by Vaun Murphrey

Chimera (The Weaver #1)

Rating ***(3 of 5 stars)

Book 1 of the Weaver Series

***NOTE – I received a free review copy of this book from NetGalley***

The is the story of Cassandra Rainbow, who has been held in captivity since her parents were killed in front of her when she was 5 years old. Now, eight years later, she is rescued by her Uncle Gerome, an uncle she didn’t know about. She goes to live with Gerome and his wife Maggie in a compound with other Weavers, like them. Having been in captivity since she was a child, it takes her some time to adjust to her new found freedom, and to understand who, and what, she is. Even though she is only thirteen, she decides that she will try to stop a civil war and kill the man who held her captive and murdered her parents. That would be enough for any teenage girl to deal with, but Cassandra also has to get used to the idea of a twin sister she never knew she had. An invisible twin, who lives in the web and talks to Cassandra inside of her head. When her uncle brings home a friend from another planet, things really start to get interesting….

A unique premise, and a good start to a new young adult series.

Warning to younger readers – there are a few brief scenes describing inappropriate and unwelcome touching near the beginning that might be disturbing.

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The Case of the Killer Divorce

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The Case of the Killer Divorce (Jamie Quinn Mystery Book 2) by Barbara Venkataraman

The Case of the Killer Divorce (A Jamie Quinn Mystery, #2)

My rating: **** (4 of 5 stars)

**I was generously provided with a free copy of this book by the author**

This was another quick, fun read in the Jamie Quinn series. Working on a divorce case lands Jamie in the middle of another murder investigation. Jamie’s friends Grace and Duke the PI are back in this installment to lend her a hand. I really enjoyed the secondary story-line in this one just as much as (if not more than) the mystery itself. It was nice to learn more about Jamie’s past right along with her. I’d recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. Buy from Amazon

Better Homes and Hauntings

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My drive to work is nearly an hour each way, and I like to listen to audiobooks during my commute. I just finished this one on my way home last night. If anyone else has read this book, I’d love to hear what you thought of it. Let me know in the comments!

Better Homes and Hauntings
by Molly Harper

Better Homes and Hauntings

My Rating: *** (3 of 5 stars)

This was a quick, fun read. Deacon Whitney, heir to what remains of the Whitney fortune, assembles a group of people to help him revamp his family’s ancestral home, located on its own island off the New England coast. His family has been plagued by bad luck and financial misfortune through the years, but Deacon is a successful software engineer and has the funds available to redo the old family home. Joined by a cousin who wants to find out who really killed their great-great grandmother years ago and hopes to break the family curse, an old friend, a landscaper, and an organizational expert, Deacon and his new found friends encounter ghostly presences and jealous ex-business partners. There are some spooky moments, some humor, and plenty of romance along the way.

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