Peach Blossom Spring

 

Author: Melissa Fu

Publisher: Little Brown

Year: 2022

🌺 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰🌺 

Peach Blossom Spring is sweeping multi generational story that spans decades. It is the story of family, love, perseverance, and determination. 

The novel begins in a China as Meilin and her young son flee their home along with her brother in law and his family as the Japanese army advances into China during WWII. This begins their treacherous journey to find someplace safe. 

After the war, Meilin and her son Renshu are forced to flee to Taiwan when civil war breaks out in China. Meilin’s perseverance and hard work enable her to achieve her goal of a stable life and a good education for Renshu. Renshu graduates from college and gets accepted into a master’s degree program in the U.S. With his uncle’s help, he sets off for his new life in America. But life in America presents it’s own perils. 

This is an exquisitely written story of survival and dreams. Meilin is a wonderful main character. I loved that she always had a fable to tell Renshu especially when times were difficult. 

If you’re looking for an epic historical fiction tale that is not Europe-centric, pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Glad I read this with @thereadingteapot and @rjs.readingnook. Can’t wait to chat with them about it! 

QOTD: are you looking forward to anything special in May? 

My daughter and my daughter in law both have May birthdays. They were born on the same day but a year apart. 

#peachblossomspring #melissafu #littlebrown #china #taiwan #wwii #historicalfiction #multigenerational #familydrama #war #survival #bookstagram #booksta #kindle #buddyread 

Book Mail 📪

 

Returned from our stay at the beach to find this book in the the pile of mail that was waiting for me at the post office.

Synopsis: PI Pete Fortunato wakes up one morning with a bad taste in his mouth. This is never a good sign. When a beautiful woman wants to hire him to find her husband, he doesn’t hesitate to say yes. Within a day, Fortunato finds the husband in the apartment of his client’s young, stud lover. He’s been shot once in the head. Case closed. But when his client’s check bounces, and a couple of Albanian gangsters show up outside his building and kidnap him, hoping he’ll lead them to a large sum of money supposedly stolen by the dead man, he begins to realize there’s a good chance he’s been set up to take the fall for the murder and the theft of the money. 

In an attempt to get himself out of a jam, Fortunato winds up on a wild ride that takes him down to Texas where he searches for his client’s lover who he suspects has the money and holds the key to solving the murder. 

I’m always intrigued by a hard-boiled mystery and this one sounds like it’s right up my alley! Thank you to Sonya at Claire McKinney PR and Down and Out Books for this #giftedbook! 

QOTD: how’s your week going so far? 

I feel like I’m playing catch up on everything after a few days of travel. My priorities yesterday were to visit my mom and get a much needed haircut. Accomplished both. It was wonderful seeing my mom after being away. 

#bookmail #bookmailisthebestmail #crimefiction #mysteryfiction #hardboiledfiction #murdermystery #bookstagram #igreads #grateful #alwaysreading #booknerd #bibliophile 

I’ll Be You

 

Author: Janelle Brown

Publisher: Random House 

Year: 2022

📖 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲! 📖

I loved @janellebrownie’s last novel Pretty Things, so I couldn’t wait to read I’ll Be You. It did not disappoint. 

This is more a slow burning character study that kept me riveted and wondering what would happen next. 

Here’s what I liked: 

👯‍♀️ the main characters, Sam and Elli, are identical twins but with different personalities and interests

👯‍♀️ The twins are childhood tv stars. I enjoyed the peek behind the Hollywood curtain. 

👯‍♀️ POVs - we get both Sam’s and Elli’s points of view. Sam narrates the first half of the book and Elli narrates the second half. 

👯‍♀️ there’s a cult! 

👯‍♀️a fun, quick, and entertaining read 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley  and Random House  for the digital review copy. 

QOTD: what book are you trying to squeeze in before the end of the month? 

I’m trying to finish The Lioness in the next day or two. If I get really motivated and find a shirt book, I might be able to get one more in this month. 

#illbeyou #jenellebrown #randomhouse #netgalley #twins #hollywood #cults #crimefiction #suspensebooks #characterstudy #slowburn #childsstars #publicationday #pubday 

Sunday Shelfie

 

📸 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐞 📸

This is a quick #sundayshelfie of the books I’m leaving here at our beach house. Hoping a guest or two will enjoy reading one on the beach this summer. 

Now I must get back to channeling my inner Molly the Maid 😉 to finish last minute cleaning before we hit the road. 

Interested in an affordable beach rental on the beautiful Outer Banks of NC? Check out our place! 

#sundayshelfie #sundayfunday #mollythemaid #bookstagram #booksta #igreads #beachreads #summerreads #thrillerbooks #crimefiction #historicalfiction #romancefiction #fallinlovewithreading #beachhouse #vacationrental #outerbanks #obx #beachvacation #beachreads #corolla #northcarolina 

Never Saw Me Coming

 

Author: Vera Kurian

Publisher: Park Row

Year: 2021

📖 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 📖

A college has a special program for a selected group of students. The program is for a small number of students who have been identified as psychopaths- students who lack empathy and can’t comprehend emotions like fear and guilt. What could go wrong? 

What I liked: 

▪️anti hero main character

Chloe is a schemer and a liar. She has her own agenda and you know right from the start what she’s planning. I liked her character and was rooting for her. 

▪️the college campus setting

▪️lots of red herrings and twists

▪️pacing was good and it was a pretty quick read

▪️all around a fun and entertaining read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would definitely read a sequel to this one. 

We’ve been working like fiends trying to tidy up our beach rental. We’ve had a change in plans and will be heading back north tomorrow. Sad to leave just as the weather is really starting to warm up. The drive tomorrow and Monday will give me a lot of audiobook listening time though. Guess I better find a book to listen to. 

QOTD: What are you reading or listening to this weekend? Or give me an audio recommendation!

#neversawmecoming #verakurian #parkrowbooks #crimefiction #mysteryfiction #thrillerfiction #murdermystery #psychopaths #collegelife #whatcouldgowrong #librarybook #lovemylibrary #bookstagram #igreads #antiheroes #bookrecommendation #alwaysreading 

Dark Horse

 

Author: Gregg Hurwitz

Narrator: Scott Brick

Publisher: Macmillan 

Year: 2022

🎧𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄🎧

Evan Smoak, aka the Nowhere Man, is back in Dark Horse. Evan, chosen and trained since childhood to be super secret government assassin Orphan X, now tries to atone for his past by helping ordinary people who find themselves in dangerous situations. 

The person who needs Evan’s help this time around isn’t so ordinary. Aragon Urrea is a rich and powerful drug lord whose beloved daughter has been kidnapped by a rival cartel. Evan doesn’t work “bad guys” and the head of a major drug operation must certainly be considered a bad guy. But Even soon discovers Aragon rules with a velvet fist- providing for the people in his small town and providing second chances. Aragon runs a bad business, but does that make him a bad man? 

Evan agrees to rescue Aragon’s daughter from a truly dangerous and vicious man. While Evan works to infiltrate the violent cartel to rescue the girl, there’s turmoil on his  homefront too. Mia, Evan’s neighbor and love interest, must deal with a sudden and life threatening medical issue. Can Evan be there for Mia and her young son Peter and still carry on his Nowhere Man missions? 

This is the seventh book in the Orphan X series and it shows the most growth of Evan’s character so far. He’s forced to confront his feelings for Mia and Peter. He learns to respect Aragon, a man who tries to do good things even though he runs a dirty business. Evan even finds a new understanding of and admiration for some of his annoying neighbors. 

This is an entertaining thriller series with lots of action and mayhem. With each new book in the series, Evan’s character grows and becomes less one dimensional. Author Gregg Hurwitz keeps the action fast and furious, and the changes to Evan subtle and real as Evan allows more people into his regimented life. Scott Brick does a superb job with the audiobook narration. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How’s your weather this week? We’re windy and chilly here at the beach, but the sun is out. It’s better than being back home in PA where it’s snowing and the power is out. 

#darkhorse #orphanx #thenowhereman #evansmoak #thriller #audiobook #crimefiction #kidnapping #bookstagram #igreads 

Currently Reading

 

📖 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 📖

I’m #currentlyreading Peach Blossom Spring. The story is set in China during WWII and the devastation caused when Japan attacked. I know very little about that region and time period, so this is very enlightening. Can’t wait to discuss this with @thereadingteapot and @rjs.readingnook. 

This week has really gotten away from me. We’ve been busy with errands and getting the house ready for the summer rental season. Lots to do and the distraction of warm sunny weather isn’t helping me stay motivated to clean! 

QOTD: any plans for the weekend? Or what are you reading this weekend? 

We might go out to eat on Sunday for Easter if we can get a reservation. I think my husband wants to go to the garden center today to buy some flowers and get them planted. 

#currentlyreading #peachblossomspring #kindlepaperwhite #kindle #bookstagram #igreads #historcalfiction #familydrama #survivalfiction #wartime #china #bookworm #booknerd

No Second Chances

 

Author: Rio Youers

Publisher: William Morrow Books

Year: 2022

📖 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 📖

No Second Chances from Rio Youers is a rollercoaster adventure ride. Set in Los Angeles, it’s about Luke Kingsley, a washed up actor who has been accused of murdering his wife. But with no body and scant evidence, the police couldn’t make the charges stick. Luke knows he didn’t kill his wife, but with his career ruined and not much hope of ever finding out the truth, he decides to end it all. He’s saved by Kitty Rae, his next door neighbor and aspiring actress. While waiting for her big break, Kitty pays the bills as a drug courier. When she crosses the charismatic but psycho drug dealer she works for, Kitty finds her life in danger. This time Luke steps in to save her. Luke and Kitty are soon running for their lives as they try to chase down the truth of what happened to Luke’s wife and get away from Kitty’s vengeful boss. 

This fast paced thriller is all action and adrenaline. This is not a slow burning character driven novel. There’s lots of punches thrown, bullets, flying, car chases, and even an a wannabe Viking swinging an ax. Luke and Kitty are likable characters. I appreciated that Youers kept their relationship strictly platonic and didn’t fall into a clichéd romance. Johan, the deranged drug dealer, is an over the top bad guy and fit perfectly into the Southern California setting. 

I loved this high octane thriller and can totally see it being turned into an action movie. 🤞🏻 Total escapism action adventure fun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What’s everyone reading this week? I’m pivoting from my usually mystery/thriller to some historical/literary fiction with Peach Blossom Spring. 

#nosecondchances #rioyours #williammorrowbooks #crimefiction #thriller #thrillerbooks #suspencethriller #california #hollywood #bookstagram #igreads #designerdrug #murdermystery #justfriends #bookrecommendations #actionthriller #viking #drugkingpin #booklover #booksbooksbooks

Like a Sister

 

Author: Kellye Garrett

Publisher: Mulholland Books

Year: 2022

📖 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 📖

“𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮. 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴.”

When the body of disgraced reality star and influencer Desiree Pierce is found at a playground in the Bronx, the police rule it an overdose. Desiree’s estranged half sister Lena knows that can’t be true. 

I really enjoyed this is slow burning mix of mystery and family drama. Main character Lena narrates her search for the truth about Desiree as she tries to understand and come to terms with what happened. There’s lots of red herrings as Lena talks to Desiree’s best friend, former friends, and boyfriend. Lena discovers some uncomfortable truths about Desiree and must confront secrets in her own family.

I’m kind of surprised there isn’t more bookstagram love for this one. It’s a solid mystery with a relatable and likable main character. The NYC setting is fun and there’s tons of family drama boot. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Predictive text time! Type: I think we should all

I think we should all go to the beach house and get a new puppy. 😂 Sounds perfect to me! 

#likeasister #kellyegarrett #mulhollandbooks #crimefiction #mystery #mysteryfiction #newyorkcity #murderfiction #sisters #influencer #realitystar #familydrama #familysecrets #kindle #bookstagram #igreads #readerlife #bookworm #bibliophile #redherrings 

Currently Reading

 

📖 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 📖

Happy Tuesday y’all! Just starting this one today. Not sure how much reading time I’ll get this week. Our daughter and her two dogs are visiting for the week. We’ll be busy with lots of dog walking and looking for shells on the beach.

Synopsis: Claire is seven when her college-age sister Alison disappears during a family vacation on the fictional Caribbean island Saint X, only to be found dead days later. Although two resort employees are arrested in connection with the crime, they are soon released due to lack of evidence. Claire is now 25 and living in New York. Her parents have seemingly moved on from this tragedy, but Claire cannot. She experiences a chance encounter with one of the men who was initially accused of the murder, and becomes obsessed with him. She integrates herself into his life—under a false identity—in hopes of learning what happened to her sister. 

How’s your day going? 

#currentlyreading #thatsnotcoffeeinmycup #mystery #mysteryfiction #thrillerbooks #thrillerfiction #crimefiction #crimefictionbooks #saintx #vacation #caribbean #caribeanvacation #igreads #bookstagram #booksta #readerlife #celadonbooks #alexisschaitkin 

March Reading Wrap Up

 

📚 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐔𝐩 📚

March was a good reading month for me. It was also a change of scenery for us. We left cold, snowy, and wet PA behind for the not as cold and not snowy northern end of the Outer Banks of NC. Way more sunshine here and that makes me happy. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How Lucky- loved this story of independence, friendship, community, and positivity all wrapped up in a mystery. Daniel stole my heart. 

No Second Chances-a nonstop action thriller featuring a washed up actor and a Hollywood newcomer who gets involved with some really bad guys. Loved all the action! 

🎧Dark Horse- the latest in the Orphan X series features star crossed lovers, a Nowhere Man client with questionable morals,  a sociopathic cartel kingpin with a pet lion, and Evan Smoak becoming a tiny bit less rigid. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧When You Are Mine- a young police officer gets involved with a domestic disturbance that alters the course of her career and life. 

Food IQ: 100 Questions, Answers, and Recipes to Raise Your Kitchen Smarts- packed with info for home cooks looking to up their game. 

🎧Beneath the Stairs- a creepy haunted house story from a debut author.

🎧Girl in Ice- a linguist professor travels to a remote island off the coast of Greenland to try to decipher the unknown language of a young girl found on a glacier. 

Nine Lives- nine seemingly random strangers receive a list of names that includes their own. Then the people on the list start dying. 

The Council of the Cunning - a detective and his team are tasked with finding a billionaire’s son who disappeared in the jungle of Gautama ten years ago. 

Like a Sister- a young woman sets out to discover what really happened to her dead sister. Part mystery, party family drama. 

Ace of Spades - an anonymous texter is intent on ruining the lives of the only two Black students at an elite private high school. 

QOTD: what book are you kicking off April with? Or what book are you looking forward to reading this month? 

I’m starting the month with I’ll Be You from NetGalley. I’m also looking forward to reading Peach Blossom Spring, a buddy read with @thereadingteapot and @rjs.readingnook.