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A Song of Home is the third novel in the Pearl Spence series In this novel we find Pearl living in Bliss with her father and Ray, leaving the thoughts of Red River Oklahoma and her mama far behind her.
Pearl settles into a new routine of school, helping Aunt Carrie at the farm, hanging out with Ray or getting lost in a good book and then Opal shows her how to dance. But things change when Mama comes home unexpectedly and pregnant! It isn’t the happy return that Pearl had wished for.
This is a delightful story of the great depression and the swing era. In this novel deals with a couple of issues; one is forgiveness and the other is the racial conflict that was happening at that time.
This book teaches us to reach out with love and to treat others as we would want to be treated; whether we are poor, the color of our skin or the choices we have made in life.
The author has an ability to bring the characters to life and make you feel like you are right there amongst the characters. Ms. Finkbeiner has done a brilliant job bringing the characters to life. I love how she writes the story through Pearl's eyes and makes us realize that our actions have consequences, our children watch what we do and how we react.
A very good book and a great ending to this series. This novel can be read alone by itself, but I highly recommend that the whole series be read.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
  
Good Girls Don't Die (D.I. Grace Fisher #1)
Good Girls Don't Die (D.I. Grace Fisher #1)
Isabelle Grey | 2014 | Crime
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is another of the books that has been on my "to be read" pile for far too long ... January 2015 to be precise ... how bad is that but at least I finally got round to reading it and continuing on my quest to get my "to be read" pile down this year - only another few hundred to go 😬

Anyway, this book is the first in the series featuring D.I. Grace Fisher; a complex and wounded character recently moved to Essex following a difficult set of traumatic events that are gradually revealed in and amongst the investigation into a missing person of one young lady and murder of another ... are they connected? What follows is an intricate plot with a number of suspects but told in a way that was logical and, I think, realistic. However, there is more to this book than the crimes, it skims the surface of office politics, bullying in the work place, obsession and domestic violence as well as freedom/intrusion of the press ... all of these threads work really well together and fit seamlessly into this story.

The characters are an interesting and eclectic bunch. I particularly liked Grace and fellow team member, Lance; I found them engaging and plausible and I got a sense of a really strong relationship building between them and am looking forward to getting to know them better in subsequent books in the series.

The writing is easy to read and flows well and although this book is not full of action or suspense, there is definitely an underlying darkness and threat that is ever present and that makes this book engaging and enjoyable and one I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a new series to read in this genre.

Belated thank you Quercus Books and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review and for introducing me to yet another great author.
  
LL
Lyle's Lynx (Itayu Lake, #6)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lyle's Lynx is the sixth book in the Itáyu Lake series, and this one definitely follows on from the previous book. Lyle has come to Itáyu Lake after his ex-lover. However Adriano has definitely moved on. He has found his mate in Ignacio, a demon. When Lyle chases after him, he also finds his mate in Kai, a Lynx shifter. Lyle is ashamed of his reaction when he met Kai though, and so he needs a bit of time and space before he can accept him. Kai graciously gives him all the space he needs, whilst keeping an eye on him from afar. Soon though, Lyle turns up at Kai's door and realises that he has received a whole lot more than just a mate!

This was a brilliant addition to the series, with lots of character growth from Lyle as he shows he's not just a cheating-ho. He is now loyal Lyle, and is prepared to stand up for his new family, no matter what. This is very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow for me. I enjoyed the fast pace of this book, and the relationship that still managed to grow between them. Definitely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Songstress (Records of the Three Realms #1)
The Songstress (Records of the Three Realms #1)
Joshua Killingsworth | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Songstress is the first book in the Records of the Three Realms series and the reader travels to a bygone age very similar in nature to China or Japan. It starts in a tearoom where Kari is trying to protect the young girl she sees as a sister from being taken as part of the Emperor's harem. Kari ends up going too and has to learn how to bend but not break as things are thrown at her that she had absolutely no comprehension about.

This is a rich and intricate tale, woven with skill, to make each scene come alive. Each word is used to the best of it's capability. The world-building is outstanding and the characters help to bring this world to life. Although this is a long book, it doesn't feel that way, as I found myself fully invested in the characters and what was happening to them now.

This is book one in a series so don't expect everything to be tied up neatly. It does finish nicely... for now, although if you are like me, you will definitely want the second book as soon as it becomes available.

This was a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed and was engrossed in from start to finish. With a hint of magic all the way through, this is a book to be savoured. Absolutely recommended by me.
  
Never an Amish Bride
Never an Amish Bride
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ever heard the saying once you read one you have read them all? Well, that is what my husband told me when he saw that I was reading an Amish book. He said, “How many differences can you see in the Amish, isn’t the point that the Amish are plain, as in nothing ever happens with them?”. I dropped my book. Case in point, Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London.

This book is the first in a series and I loved the introduction to all the characters. This Never an Amish Bride is different and intriguing. I loved Ophelia London’ s character variations, their emotions were realistic and not over-dramatized, and the conflicts were believable. Both Lucas and Esther were engaging characters that I loved reading about. Ophelia London engaged my emotions in this book and appealed to my heart.

The main themes of this book are Faith, Trust, and Forgiveness. Ophelia London did a great job of showing those themes through the eyes of her characters. I particularly liked how Lucas handled the trials he went through; I wish I could handle situations as well as him.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the creative characters, the interesting storyline, and for making me look forward to the next book in the series.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
Ash And Quill
Ash And Quill
Rachel Caine | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
166 of 200
Book
Ash and Quill ( Great library book 3)
By Rachel Caine

The unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone and Paper and Fire unite to save the Great Library of Alexandria from itself in this electrifying adventure in the New York Times best-selling series. Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny.

Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the library's rule. Their time is running out. To survive, they'll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies - and to save the very soul of the Great Library.



Kinda bitter sweet reading anything by Rachel Caine at the minute and this kinda took a lot longer than it normally would. I love this world, I love the characters and this boom did not disappoint. The only small thing I struggled with was a little repetition with some things for example the book press we have several pages across the books of how this is built and works. I’m hoping she can get chance to finish this series!
  
His Lordship's Return (His Lordship’s Mysteries #3)
His Lordship's Return (His Lordship’s Mysteries #3)
Samantha SoRelle | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
HIS LORDSHIP'S RETURN is the third full-length novel in this series; Alfie and Nick are back and in London. Although they prefer the freedom they have in Scotland, Mrs Hirkin's husband has passed away and they return to be there for her. Unfortunately, they also find her granddaughter's fiance with a slit throat, which is NOT suicide as suggested. This takes them back to Spitalfields, in more ways than one.

The love between these two is palpable and fairly leaps off the page, even when they disagree. Nick wants to protect Alfie from ever having to return to Spitalfields and everything that holds. Alfie feels the same way, especially when he sees how the place and memories are affecting Nick. The mystery side of things was pretty clear, I thought, but although this is a mystery, it wasn't was drove the story for me. It's the connection between these two, plus the places and other characters that make it such a great read.

Absolutely recommended and I can't wait for the next one. I would definitely recommend you read this as a series though as you need to understand the predicament they are in and the feelings it evokes.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 9, 2023
  
TS
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
While I had heard (read) this described as 'the new Richard Sharpe', this is a novel that, if I'm honest, I was unsure of whether to purchase or not - those are some big boots to fill, after all, and I'd both read and later been disappointed in other books that made the same claim.

However, when I read the short prequel novella [b: Jack Lark: Rogue|23646134|Jack Lark Rogue|Paul Fraser Collard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424476493s/23646134.jpg|43253728], that was enough to convince me to start in on the series proper.

having now read this, it is very obvious where the template comes from, even down to the evil Sergeant Slater who is really Hakeswill in all but name. As the first in the series, however (even before said prequels), I am prepared to make allowances.

The novel actually starts with Jack Lark leading his troops to cross the Alma river (in the Crimea), before moving back to six months before to show the events that led up to this: events that see Lark (who is from the East End slums) deciding to impersonate his officer when said officer dies on the way to his new posting.

As for the battle of Alma itself: while it is one that I had heard of, it's not one that I am overly familiar with; not one as famous as (say) Waterloo or even the Battle of Balaclava that would later occur during the same war (the Crimean). As such, and interwoven in the latter part of the novel - I actually find the history just as interesting as the fiction.

I think I will be picking more of these up :)
  
Voklane (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria, #8)
Voklane (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria, #8)
Sarah Westill | 2024 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
VOKLANE is the eighth and final book in the Gen-Heirs series and what a bittersweet moment this is. I have loved all of these books, some more than others, and was so happy to see them go out with a bang, rather than a whimper!

Delanee and Voklane have been dancing around each other for a few books now, and I was really looking forward to their story. I was NOT disappointed. From the sparks that were constantly flying, to the protectiveness that worked both ways, there was so much to enjoy. I loved how the long story arc came to its conclusion, giving a satisfactory ending, although I personally think she got off lightly considering what she had arranged for others!

Because of Delanee, I also got to spend some time with my favourite family and look forward to seeing more of them in the future! I also go to see a creeper get his comeuppance, so that was worth it! 😆

A smooth writing style with some steam, this story not only gave Ryan and Delanee the spotlight, but also managed to give an update on all the other couples in a way that was completely natural to the storyline. And all that did was make me want to read them all again, so I say job well done!

A superb series that I am not ready to let go of just yet, and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 13, 2024