Long Bright River by Liz Moore

Long Bright River by Liz Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I could not put this book down, I struggled with narrator Mickey through the whole book (I do not like unreliable narrators) her internal struggle between being the smart sister, now a cop with dignity, a responsible mother to young son Thomas, was always fraught with her trauma from childhood, her feelings of insecurity at work that stopped her from being a really good cop, her need to keep silent about everything (stopped her from getting answers about her sister, Simon, the search for a killer, and partner, Truman who is on disability) and this constant pushing away of people or thoughts made her constantly a target---of despair, insecurity, and betrayal (she betrays herself over and over). The opioid struggle in Philadelphia is depicted starkly, authentically by Liz Moore, while also providing the reality of class struggle, drugs, alcohol, and the disintegration of families and society. While Mickey's sister, Kacey struggles throughout with drug addiction or being missing I found her to be bigger than life when she appeared on the pages toward the end of the book; she is a lifeline to Mickey, always sticking up for her, and always being honest with Mickey (about Simon, the Fitzpatrick & O'Brien family) whether Mickey believes her or not. I loved Mrs Mahon her landlady and Thomas her son and saw those two characters as pivotal to keeping Mickey focused and on track about her parental dignity and self worth. A compelling mystery touching on family ties, family dsintegration and the opioid crisis in Kensington (and everywhere else).

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The Bone House (Cab Bolton, #1) by Brian Freeman

The Bone House by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great new series by Brian Freeman; I loved detective Cab Bolton with his many intimacy issues, but he was astute enough to listen to Hilary Bradley about her much maligned husband. With a murder taking place in his Florida, Cab Bolton decides to follow his suspects back to their home in an isolated Michigan town. With the town sheriff against him, Cab begins to interview and uncover a vast web of deceit, murder, and crimes. I was blown away by the ending, never saw that coming! This book had a superb, spine tingling plot, normal and broken characters, and a suspenseful story that kept me turning the pages. Going to get the next Cab Bolton on my kindle to read in this corona virus quarantine period of our lives!

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A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook was awesomely narrated by Polly Stone! My heart ached for Christina and her brother, Al but they loved their home, family, and each other during a life that gave her happiness, physical pain with her arms and legs, and her friendship with Betsy and Andrew Wyeth. Andy was quirky, shy, quiet but driven to paint and paint he did---he literally takes over the upper rooms of Christina and Andy's home and prodigiously paints their farm, Christina and Andy in their normal routine. I loved this foursome, Andrew Wyeth and bubbly Betsy his friendly, outspoken, kind wife and Christina and Al who the reader sees grow up with a taciturn father and cold mother, assorted brothers, relatives, and the people of their shore town in Maine. With a view of history, a small farming community, and the life and personalities of Christina and her brother, Kline moved this reader with her words, characters, history of the times, and how the beauty of art rescues Christina and her world.

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The Warrior's Curse (The Traitor's Game, #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Warrior's Curse by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic series, and this 3rd book was heartstopping, pulse pounding and thrilling. What one thinks about the characters Kaestra, Simon, Harlyn and many others in this must read fantasy will be upended many times over in this saga but most important is Kaestra's charge to kill Lord Endrick. What happens after is many people clashing, lying, betrayals and lies. I rooted for Kaestra the whole book!

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Hart and Soul by Lori Foster

Hart and Soul by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this e-novella by Lori Foster because her SBC Fighters is one of my favorite series (I love all her other series too and stand alone novels). The fighters, like Hart, care about others as well as the regimented work and strengthening they require before matches. I loved the chemistry between Lisa and Hart; their larger than life personalities and their banter with each 0ther.

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Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the #MGBookChat this Monday 3/23/20 at 9PM EST to discuss novels in verse for middle grades, come join us! This is Shari Green's (@sharigreen) 3nd novel in verse I have read (and loved) about hearing impaired Macy McMillan who is going through a lot as 6th grade is ending. Her mom is remarrying, she is in a fight with her best friend, and she had to help her elderly next door neighbor pack up and move. Macy is feisty, happy with just her and her mom, and really doesn't need to see why things have to change. I loved how Shari Green moves Macy through loss (her fight with Olivia),a new friendship (who knew next door Iris was named after the Rainbow Goddess, Iris) and dealing with moving away once her mother gets married. Macy's growth, state of mind (and heart) were authentic, compelling; readers will relate to the wisdom she gains as she experiences truth, hope and happiness. An awesome read!

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The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner

The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Ben Gartner for the advance reader copy, The Eye of Ra, in exchange for an honest review. Kids will dive right into the adventures of siblings, John and Sarah, as an afternoon exploration of a cave finds them time travelling to Ancient Egypt. What a shock and surprise when John and Sarah find themselves standing in sand and meeting a young boy, Zach. As they become friends with Zach and his friends, they live with Zach’s family and help with chores, cooking, and building the pyramid. Ben Gartner has thoroughly researched this exciting, thrilling novel into the building of the first pyramid as well as family life, food, and culture of Ancient Egypt. I liked seeing timid John become more comfortable and involved in many daring experiences such as the scorpions and the crocodile attack which will have 3rd and 4th grade readers turning those pages for more Ancient Egypt excitement. Nothing fazes Sarah, she is always willing to jump into new experiences. Readers will love the sibling dynamic; they were heartfelt and authentic with their solidarity and disagreements. Ben Gartner has thoroughly researched this exciting, thrilling novel into the building of the first pyramid as well as family life, food, and culture of Ancient Egypt. I can’t wait to read more adventures and mysteries by Ben Gartner, highly recommended!


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