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Some Like it Haute
Some Like it Haute
Diane Vallere | 2015 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Haute Time in a Small Town
Samantha Kidd has landed yet another temporary job in her home town of Ribbon, Pennsylvania. This time, she’s helping her ex-boyfriend’s maybe ex-girlfriend prepare a fashion show. Amanda is going to turn heads with this collection – assuming nothing goes wrong before then. Samantha thinks everything is going well, so she is surprised when she is fired the night before the big event. Then she is attacked on her way out to her car as she leaves. But when disaster strikes the show, Samantha begins to suspect that something larger is at work. Can she figure out what is going on?

The plot of this book started from page one and never let up. Samantha is facing quite a few challenges over the course of the story, and they always kept me engaged. While I don’t know much about fashion, it was used as a backdrop to the mystery, and I never felt left out. Having said that, Samantha’s fashion knowledge does provide her with a couple of clues that help her solve the mystery. Samantha is the strongest character in the book. The rest are interesting and hold our attention, but Samantha is the one who really shines. She’s also the one who gets the most growth, and I enjoyed watching that happen. I’m now anxious to see what happens to Samantha next.
  
Firekeeper's Daughter
Firekeeper's Daughter
Angeline Boulley | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Debut author Angeline Boulley crafts a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community, for readers of Angie Thomas and Tommy Orange.

As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.

The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, certain details don’t add up and she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of a criminal investigation.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, but secretly pursues her own investigation, tracking down the criminals with her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.

Now, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.
  
Avengers: Disassembled
Avengers: Disassembled
Brian Michael Bendis | 2006 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Young Adult (YA)
2
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Okay, so not long after I posted my review of HOUSE OF M, I wanted to jump right into AVENGERS: DISASSEMBLED. I know there is a lot of haters in regard to this, and even with that knowledge, I still wanted to give it a go, especially considering how much I enjoyed my re-reading of HOUSE OF M. Man, I wish I had gone with gut instinct instead of trying to be more liberal towards comics I had previously avoided!

It's hard to believe this was written before HOUSE OF M! This is like Bendis at his worst! None of the characters are written well! Tony Stark's a ridin' the "Immma Asshole Express", while Clint Barton (Hawkeye) was written like a misogynistic asshat! And that storyline? TERRIBLE! It was like an 'Afterschool Special' (D'oh! Showin' my age with that reference!) about nihilism!

And as bad as the writing and dialogue, the art varied. Look, I love me some David Finch, but here, hmmm, not so much! The male characters seemed okay enough, but dear God, I felt like most of the female characters were drawn more like fanboy commissions rather than the actual characters!

Here's the bottom line: <b>it sucked!</b> Skip it! You can read HOUSE OF M without needing this dumpster fire! Jus' sayin..
  
Hidden Gypsy Magic (A Witch’s Journey #3)
Hidden Gypsy Magic (A Witch’s Journey #3)
Tena Stetler | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
According to Goodreads, Hidden Gypsy Magic is the third book in the Witch's Journey series and is a connection between the author's Lobster Cove series and this one. This made for some confusion as characters and events were mentioned that I had no prior knowledge of.

Brock and Gwen both have Hidden Gypsy Magic (hence the title) but this story takes you along as they find out just how that affects Brock. Gwen already knows about hers and uses it most days at the Sanctuary. Brock is in for some surprises when he takes Gwen to his family cabin and also when he buys a home in Salem.

This was an interesting story with a good twist regarding the Salem Witch Trials. I loved how the painting featured and changed in the story. This is a fast-paced story with a lot going on - from poachers to heiresses who want our main male - so you need to pay attention to exactly what is going on and when.

Steamy in some places but not so it overtakes the story, this was a read that I enjoyed and can recommend.

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

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide
Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide
Tony Horwitz | 2019 | History & Politics
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Like many people I was stunned and saddened when the world lost Tony Horwitz. I had met Tony and his wife, Geraldine Brooks, at several book functions over the years, and I marveled at his comingling of journalism and storytelling, as he traveled the world in search of knowledge. I was introduced to Horwitz, as many were, with Confederates in the Attic. In this, unfortunately his last book, Horwitz travels the south again as he traces the footsteps of Frederick Law Olmsted, who would find fame and fortune as a landscape architect, with perhaps his crowning glory being Central Park in New York. Horwitz travels throughout the south and talks to people from all walks of life in an effort to figure out what has changed in America, or if it’s always been so divided. And if there is a pathway forward to forge a national consensus on anything. Like Bill Bryson has done in his travels, and Mark Twain did well over a century before, Horwitz has not simply written a book chronicling his journey, he has opened the heart of America, its majesty and its darkness for all to see. We all will miss Tony Horwitz and what he has brought to our collective conscience. If you’ve never read him, this would be an ideal place to start."

Source
  
I've not read that much about Superman, but my boyfriend has kept me updated on the plot. That background knowledge really helped when reading this volume, as it was pretty confusing.

The start took me by surprise; Lex Luthor as Superman, following the death of Clark. What's he doing as Superman, though? What are his true motives?

One thing to remember with this is that DC have several universes, meaning there are different Clarks/Supermans on different worlds. And this issue involves a Superman who is not on his home planet, and an extra Clark that nobody was expecting...

I love Clark's little family, and the way it's affected by his being Superman and everything. There wasn't much in this volume of the family together, though, as it is mainly based on the fight between Superman, Lex, Wonder Woman and Doomsday.

I would've liked more explanation in here on the whole situation with all the different Supermans, but I haven't read any previous issues so I suppose they might explain it. (Maybe I'll ask my boyfriend about it.)

One thing I haven't yet mentioned is the mysterious figure commentating on the battle, even intervening and stealing Doomsday away. I'm really interested to see where that's going.

As usual, the art is awesome. It's not my favourite comic, but I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars.
  
Swan Girl (Rifters #2)
Swan Girl (Rifters #2)
Isa Briarwood | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Swan Girl (Rifters #2) by Isa Briarwood
Swan Girl is the second book in the Rifters series, and although this book finishes perfectly, I'm holding out hope there is still more to come!

We reunite with Cate and Angus as they arrive in Ireland in 2083. This is a world completely unknown to Cate, and her struggles are real. Once Angus' parents are in the mix, things go a bit easier. This story is about choices - Cate's, Angus', and others.

It is incredibly well-written, with only a couple of moments when I had to go back and re-read something, just to be sure. The story wraps up nicely, bringing a tear to my eye! I loved how it all came together, but one of the best parts for me was when Cate when back to her time. What I want to know is what happens in the future with the knowledge she gave the doctor? See? I told you there should be more!

Full of action and adventure, this was a rip-roaring sequel that definitely fulfilled it's promise. Absolutely recommended by me.

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

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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