Late Spring Update and a Romance Duology

 

Pink Magnolia in Amsterdam

Hello, My  Lovelies!

It's been a minute since I last posted here.  It has been a very eventful spring, y'all.  We left for a European trip on our 37th wedding anniversary (March 19th) and while we were there, my mother called in distress.  I'm an only child, so there isn't another sibling to help.  By the time we got to her, her blood sugar was dangerously low.  After an almost three week stay in the hospital, followed by an equally long stint in a SNF, we had to make the tough decision to find a smaller place for her to live, and we also decided to place her in a small apartment on an assisted living floor.  We were lucky because the beautiful, historic building was in the process of being renovated, so her studio apartment is like brand new on one of the prettiest streets on Birmingham.  That's the important part, y'all.  She is no longer in my hometown but in Birmingham!  I am sleeping so much better at night knowing she is no longer two counties away.  She is so happy, and giggles every time I'm with her because she loves her new home so much.  

We moved Mom in last week, and her apartment is so cute.  The only thing she wanted from her old home was a pair of paintings she purchased in Paris.  I decorated the entire apartment around the paintings!  I feel so fortunate to have her near, and I'm able to see her often.  We decorated her new home during the month she was in the SNF, so once she was discharged, we were able to take her straight to her new digs.

I read a lot this spring while traveling and while sitting at the hospital while my mom was resting.  I also was able to take small drawing pads and watercolor bookmarks with me while caring for Mom and traveling.

I am making tag journals each month chronicling the books I read.

This is April's journal. 

I will post about these later this summer.

This is an example of the bookmarks I'm painting and placing in my tag journals.

The stars represent the book's rating.

This is a tulip I drew on our trip to The Netherlands.

Are you going anywhere for Memorial Day Weekend?  If so I have the perfect beach, lake, or staycation duology (The Cade Siblings Duology) by Baleigh Jayne for your reading pleasure.

The first book in the series is entitled Tied Together.

According to Goodreads:

In the bustling heart of Paris, where cobblestone streets whisper tales of romance, two friends find themselves tied together in an unexpected journey.

Alana Cade never thought her three year love story would end over a bowl of pasta, but after coming to the realization that her ex was kind of the worst, she’s sworn off men and thrown herself into her work at Impress Magazine. It’s been a full year of no dates, no swooning, and no complications. Now she can’t help but notice the strong and steady friendship she has in her coworker, Alex Ashford, and how it would be so easy to fall into something more.

Alex, one of Impress Magazine’s top editors, has never been able to take his eyes off of his witty and charming colleague, Alana. Her determination, focus and drive make her all the more attractive, but Alex has never made it out of the friend zone.

Bound by their shared passion for success, Alex and Alana embark on a business trip to the enchanting city of Paris. As they explore the city's hidden treasures, from cozy cafés to moonlit strolls along the Seine, Alex and Alana begin to see each other in a different light. With every stolen glance and lingering touch, their friendship blossoms into something more. But as they navigate the delicate balance between professional obligations and newfound desires, Alex and Alana must confront their fears and insecurities, risking it all for a chance at happily ever after in the City of Love.

Will they be able to overcome and fall into the timeless magic of Paris, or will the obstacles in their way keep them apart?

Tied Together is a low stakes, sweet romance that will tug on your heartstrings and remind you what it feels like to love again after heartbreak.

My Review:

I absolutely love Alana and Alex's love story.  Of course I love the setting: Paris during Christmas can't be beat for a romance novel.  It also has a few of my favorite romance novel tropes such as forced proximity (they are sharing an apartment with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower); he falls first; workplace romance; friends to lovers; and a Christmas activities list.  One if my favorite scenes is something Alex does for Alana to help her get into the Christmas spirit.  I don't want to tell you what it is because it would spoil it for you!

Another trope that is also fun is that they are vying for the same promotion, and both are hard workers and deserving of recognition.  Could this professional (yet friendly) competition be the cause of a third act break-up?  Hopefully not because Alex is such a total "cinnamon roll" hero!

Baleigh Jayne is my new favorite romance author.  Her characters are so relatable and likable.  I also appreciate that her romances are "closed door" and very sweet.  Spoiler alert:  Pay attention while reading this one because there are clues about shenanigans that might be playing out at home in New York in the second book in the duology, The Best for Last.

The second book in the series is Best for Last.  At first I didn't think I'd like this one as well as the first, but I was mistaken.  I loved it!

According to Goodreads:

Charlie Cade has spent his life on the ice, but with his contract up for renewal with the New York Rangers, the one thing he’s not prepared for is the spotlight. After years in the shadows, his agent insists he needs a picture-perfect relationship to keep his place on the team. Enter Cami Slate, his sister's best friend and the last person he ever imagined as his solution.

Cami’s life is in constant always changing, always in flux. Whether it's shoes, men, or her latest obsession, commitment isn't her strong suit. When her mom corners her about her love life and constantly asks if she's bringing a date to her sister’s wedding, Cami needs a quick fix. So, when Charlie asks her to fake-date him, it seems like the perfect (if not completely ridiculous) solution to their problems.

But as the two of them navigate the world of fake romance, they start discovering a few things they didn’t like how much they’ve always meant to each other, how much they want to mean to each other, and how hard it is to pretend when the chemistry is all too real.

Will Charlie and Cami’s love survive the pressure of pretending, or will they find that the real thing was right in front of them all along?

My Review:

This book is considered a hockey romance, and it is an immensely popular sub-genre.  Charlie plays for the New York Rangers, and he really wants a contract renewal so he can remain in the city because his sister and close friend Cami live there.  His agent's solution is to appear more likable by being more social with his teammates, dating, and community involvement.  Cami agrees to "date" Charlie, and this storyline begins during December while Charlie's sister Alana and Alex are falling in love in Paris.  Readers got a little bit of a hint that something was up with Charlie and Cami in Alana and Alex's book, Tied Together.

I do like the tropes in this one: friends to lovers; fake dating; opposites attract; best friend's brother; his grumpy to her sunshine; and a dual POV.   Charlie's character is one of my favorite romance heroes I've read in a very long time.  He has an interesting backstory, and there's a very good reason why his circle is so small.  Cami is equally as likable because she is so kind, adventurous, and loyal to her friends.  One of the very cutest hobby day and community service montages ever is featured in this book.  Just picturing Charlie trying one of Cami's many tried-yet-abandoned hobbies was too much fun for me.

I was also pleasantly surprised because this is the first hockey romance I've ever read, and I really liked it.  I know nothing about hockey: I'm Southern, y'all!  But it was a lot of fun, and I think this book along with its sister book would be great additions to your beach or lake bag this summer.  You are welcome! 

I recently celebrated a big birthday, and I was gifted a Flower Arranging Workshop at Stone Hollow Farmstead.  I will share what I learned next week.

Meet City the Cat.  He was my friend during the workshop.

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Late Spring Update and a Romance Duology

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Literary Friday: Morally Gray Characters

 

Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies!  I have been participating in the 20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge, and I pledged to read fifteen books.  I think I'm going to make it, y'all!  Next week will be my final post for summer reading.

This week I'm sharing with you our book club selection for August and three books with morally gray characters.  There is definitely a trend currently in fiction (especially fantasy and "romantasy") of morally gray main characters.  I don't see this trend going away anytime soon.  But before I get into that, I want to share our book club selection: Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell.

According to Goodreads

An aimless young woman starts writing to an accused serial killer while he awaits trial and then, once he’s acquitted, decides to move in with him and take the investigation into her own hands in this dark and irresistibly compelling debut thriller.

Recently ghosted and sick of watching her friends fade into the suburbs, thirty-something Hannah finds community in a true-crime forum that’s on a mission to solve the murders of four women in Atlanta. After William, a handsome lawyer, is arrested for the killings, Hannah begins writing him letters. It’s the perfect outlet for her pent-up frustration and rage. The exercise empowers her, and even feels healthy at first.

Until William writes back.

Hannah’s interest in the case goes from curiosity to obsession, leaving space for nothing else as her life implodes around her. After she loses her job, she heads to Georgia to attend the trial and befriends other true-crime junkies like herself. When a fifth woman is discovered murdered, the jury has no choice but to find William not guilty, and Hannah is the first person he calls upon his release. The two of them quickly fall into a routine of domestic bliss.

Well, as blissful as one can feel while secretly investigating their partner for serial murder…

My Review:

This was an unexpected choice for book club because we typically don't read many psychological thrillers/mysteries.  But I must admit that this one gave us plenty of fodder for discussion, and the main topic:  Hannah.  ***SPOILERS AHEAD***  I really wanted to like her, truly...because if I can't relate at all to a character, or if I can't find any redeeming qualities in said character, then I cannot enjoy the book.  Notice I'm talking about Hannah, not the man accused of being a serial killer.  I think I'd feel better if I had a diagnosis for her.  She's mental, in a narcissistic, sociopathic kind of way.  Since I'm not a mental health professional, I'm unsure what her problem(s) is/are, but I'd like to know.  She writes to a serial killer, leaves her state and home to go to Atlanta for his trial, she stalks his friends and family, and lets William (the accused killer) in her hotel room just hours after he's released.  Who does that?  Then she moves in with him and continues to try to prove his guilt.

There are a few surprises in the narrative, however several book club members solved the mystery very early on.  What surprises me most is that I didn't DNF the book.  It was like watching a train wreck that is horrifying, yet for some strange reason I could not look away (put the book down).  It's probably because Tasha Coryell is a very good writer.  Her characters are extremely well-drawn, even though nearly all of them (with the exception of a friend of Hannah's) are despicable.  One thing that Tasha also succeeds in is allowing the reader access to Hannah's thoughts.  This is perhaps one of the most creative if not frightening elements of the book.  It's not a place I ever want to be again.  As far as I'm concerned, Hannah can just keep her crazy thoughts in her own head and never should she (or Tasha) share them.  The twist at the end is horrific, and of course it's presented to us via Hannah's twisted brain.  I wouldn't have read this book had it not been a book club selection, however it did give us a lot to talk about.  I just felt like the discussion was more of a mean girl forum hating on Hannah, and the book itself was our "burn book."  I don't know how to rate it, but I'll probably give it either three or four stars out of five on Goodreads.  Although I hated Hannah, it was still very well-written.  

The next book I'll be reviewing is Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis.  It's a "cozy fantasy" about a morally gray dark sorcerer who probably at one point was fairly evil.  Cozy fantasies are becoming very popular, and one reason is because the reader isn't subjected to complicated "world building."  I purchased this book from Barnes and Noble as it was recommended to me in a marketing email.  I thought the premise sounded cute, so I purchased a copy.

According to Goodreads

A sharp-witted, high fantasy farce featuring killer moat squid, toxic masculinity, evil wizards and a garlic festival - all at once. Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, K. J. Parker and Travis Baldree.

It’s bad enough waking up in a half-destroyed evil wizard’s workshop with no eyebrows, no memories, and no idea how long you have before the Dread Lord Whomever shows up to murder you horribly and then turn your skull into a goblet or something.

It’s a lot worse when you realize that Dread Lord Whomever is… you.

Gav isn’t really sure how he ended up with a castle full of goblins, or why he has a princess locked in a cell. All he can do is play along with his own evil plan in hopes of getting his memories back before he gets himself killed.

But as he realizes that nothing – from the incredibly tasteless cloak adorned with flames to the aforementioned princess – is quite what it seems, Gav must face up to all the things the Dread Lord Gavrax has done. And he’ll have to answer the hardest question of all – who does he want to be?

Dread Lord Gavrax has had better weeks.

My Review

The Goodreads blurb states that those who enjoy Travis Baldree's books will like this one.  Baldree wrote the Legends and Lattes Series, and it's probably the most popular of all the "cozy fantasies."  Our daughters love his books, so I thought I'd probably enjoy Dreadful because of the comparison.  It also has a morally gray main character which is also very on-trend lately.  Lord Gav is morally gray only because he is the victim of his own magic and can remember very little of his history and current situation.  Apparently when he was the Dread Lord Gavrax, he was a most loathsome lord of not only his castle keep, but also of the village under his protection.  Because he can't really remember his evil ways, he questions whether or not he wants to be "that person."  He also doesn't know what trauma caused him to become the evil lord he once was.

And then there's the issue of the princess locked in his dungeon.  Gav was charged with kidnapping her, his assignment for an upcoming heinous ritual involving three other evil, dark wizards.  These wizards are just days away from arriving to his castle, and he must discover quickly what the purpose of the ritual is.  The castle staff composed of goblins quickly realize something is up with Gav, and I enjoyed the humorous scenes and dialogue as we learn secrets about his staff right along with the once-dark-now-gray lord.  As time is ticking closer to the ritual and the impending arrivals of the dark wizards, the mayor of the village decides to host a garlic festival at the same time to make-up funds from a pitiful harvest.  Gav is in way over his head trying to glean information from his rivals and stay on top of all the garlic festival planning and festivities.  It's enough to make anyone insane....oh, and did I mention he has a "thing" for the princess?  She is not your typical damsel in distress: she's smart, pithy, and not having any of Gav's attempts at flirting.

There's a lot going on in this book, and I love all of it.  I love the humor, characters, hilarious dialogue, and surprising plot points.  If you want to try reading the cozy fantasy genre, this is a good one to see if you might like reading them.  I thought it was so much fun! 

Finally, I'll be reviewing the first two books in a trilogy.  This series is extremely popular on Instagram and BookTok.  The second book came out last week, and I reread book one before reading book two.  I love this series so much!  The characters are definitely morally gray, yet they are very likable and relatable.  

Assistant to the Villain is the first book in the series.

I will be reviewing it first.

Assistant to the Villain

According to Goodreads

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

My Review

Apprentice to the Villain is one of my favorite books.  It is so cute, and it is also considered a cozy fantasy with a morally gray male main character.  Also, this one is considered a "romantasy," but the romance takes a backseat to the action and magical aspects of the narrative.  This is definitely a slow burn in the romance department: it mostly consists of Evie saying embarrassing (usually slightly risqué) things that totally discomfits the Villain.  It's almost as if she's punched him in the gut!

Evie and the Villain have an interesting "meet cute" in the Hickory Forest when she stumbles upon the Villain while he's being pursued by the King's Valiant Guards.  He saves her from being discovered, and she uses her scarf to bandage a wound he's suffered during the chase.  He takes Evie back to his Massacre Manor where he promptly hires her as his assistant.  

Evie's new position as the Villain's "sunshiny new assistant" puts her immediately at odds with the office's human resources administrator named Karen Becky.  Becky is all business all the time.  She is a rules follower, and she doesn't suffer fools or anyone not falling in line lightly.  Kingsley, the resident frog who wears a crown, takes an immediate liking to Evie.  Kingsley is a favorite character because he communicates by holding up little signs, like "HALP" (his spelling not mine) and "DANGER."  It's amazing how well Hannah Maehrer illustrates Kingsley's personality with very small and concise actions.  All the characters in the book are both caricatures of typical office workers (think The Office) and yet they are also very well-drawn with interesting back stories.

Usually I read these "romantasy" books because one of my daughters begs me to read them.  I actually read this one on my own, and I'm so happy that I did because it's laugh out loud funny.  The only problem for me is that it ends on a cliffhanger, and it was not fun waiting for book two to be released.  If you are interested in reading more genre fiction, especially "romantasies" or cozy fantasies, I highly recommend it.  The story is fantastic, and the Villain who begins as more black than gray (he does torture and kill his prisoners) is revealed to be more and more gray as the story progresses.  This is the true genius of this book.  I would give it more than five stars if I could.

NOTE:  For those of you who are still unsure about a cozy fantasy, think The Princess Bride.

Apprentice to the Villain

According to Goodreads

LIMITED FIRST PRINT RUN―featuring spray-painted edges, while supplies last in the US and Canada only (NOTE:  This is the edition I read).

"An engaging love story about finding strength in vulnerability." ―Kirkus Reviews

NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. ―Mgmt

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat…er, out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs―Kingsley’s included―point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies...including their nemesis, the king.

Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so…so…delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

My Review:

NOTE:  This review will be short because I don't want to post any spoilers from Assistant to the Villain since I'm posting both reviews on my blog at the same time.

What I will tell you is that this sequel takes up right where the last book left off.  I was not expecting such an emotionally charged beginning to Apprentice, so I was completely caught off guard.  This installment to the series explains a little more about how some people have magic, and others don't.  Unfortunately it seems that people received their magic after a struggle or trauma.  We learn more about how the Villain wields his magic,  how it works, and what could be affecting it.   Evie doesn't seem to have any magic, but I'm betting that eventually she will.  The entire kingdom of Rennedawn is held together by very old magic, and the story of how the kingdom came into being is told to children as if it were a fairytale: some residents doubt that there is any truth to the tale.  The story also includes a prophecy of what could happen in the future when the magic fails, and what can be done to save Rennedawn.  There are forces competing to hasten events to prevent the kingdom's loss of magic then impending destruction.  This book also ends on another cliffhanger that is similar to the last one.  I am definitely looking forward to the next book because they keep getting better.

This one does have more romance between Evie and the Villain, and we get even more points of view in this book which I also like.  Normally I don't like "head hopping" or multiple points of view, but Hannah Maehrer does an excellent job with this.  Still, like the first installment, this one is much more about magic, lots of action, and a heart-stopping race against time rather than romance.  And the way in which Evie becomes the Villain's apprentice is super-cute.  I think anyone who enjoys fairytales, humor, witty dialogue, unexpected plot points, and a little romance will absolutely love this series.  If I were only allowed one shelf with my very favorite books on it, this series would be included.  That's saying quite a lot, My Lovelies!

Thank-you for reading my blog and Literary Friday reviews!  I will wrap up summer reading next week.

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Literary Friday: Morally Gray Characters

Friday, August 23, 2024

Literary Friday: Two Romances and a Classic

 

Happy Literary Friday!  How are y'all?  Is it hot in your neck of the woods?  It was very hot for Independence Day, and we had the best vacation.  It was truly a blessing having the whole family together for a week!  

Today I'm sharing three mini reviews with you of books I read while on vacation.  Two are romances, and one is a literary classic.  I'll start with the romances.

The first book I'll share with you is considered a "dark romance," and I ordered it from Barnes & Noble because they were selling an exclusive special edition.  I thought the book was pretty, and it's also a retelling of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast.  I have enjoyed retellings over the years, and I thought I might like it.  I did not realize it was considered a dark romance when I ordered it, and I wasn't aware of how popular this sub-genre is becoming.

The book is entitled One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti, and it is Book One in the Grimm Bargains Series.  Notice the pretty cover and beautiful edges.  The endpapers are also pretty with drawings of thorns.

According to Goodreads:

Information is power, and those who control it live like gods.

In my world, billionaires play deadly games of insult and influence where magic is the dirtiest weapon of all. Here, even a powerful princess can be swallowed by the darkest of shadows . . .

My name is Alana Beaumont, and due to a recent tragedy, I’m the sole heir to Aquarius Social, a family business being systematically dismantled by an unseen enemy. My father’s solution is to give me in marriage and create a coalition with a competing family, so I’m torn between my thirst for revenge and my duty. Now I just have a week to finish my hunt before the wedding.

There’s nothing like an assassination attempt to cut short the best of plans—even worse is my unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the Beast whose social media empire is driving Aquarius under. The richest, most ruthless of them all, he protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go.

Adam may think he can lock me in his castle forever, but I’m not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m going to take pleasure from every minute of it . . .and we’ll just see who ends up shackled.

My Review:

First I'll share what I did like about the book.  There are four powerful families who control the world's four largest social media platforms.  They are not only powerful due to their wealth: The are also powerful physically, and receive longevity based on the ability to "charge" specific crystals.  Engagement on the platforms also increase this power.  I thought how the families wielded and remained in power was truly like a modern fairytale.

The plot and love story between Alana and Thorn were well written.  The story moved at a very fast paced, which I liked.  What I didn't like about it was that it definitely had a dark element (although most fairytales have this, I know), and it was a wee bit too spicy for me.  The author does provide trigger warning to readers at the beginning.  I will probably give it a high rating on Goodreads because it is very well written for what it is.  I'm just not into dark romance I've decided.

The second book I'm reviewing is Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle.  My daughter gave it to me for Mother's Day.  She wanted to purchase something for me from a very cute online shop called Wildflower Fiction, and Sarah Hogle is a favorite romance writer of hers.

These are all the extras that came with my book.

According to Goodreads:

A steamy second-chance romance about a magical florist’s unexpected reunion with her high school sweetheart as she fake dates his soon-to-be stepbrother.

A small, magical town tucked away in rural Ohio, Moonville is the perfect place for flora fortunist Romina Tempest to expand her shop, where she uses the language of flowers to help the hopeful manifest their love lives. After giving up on her own big romance eleven years ago, at least she can bask in the promise of others’.

So, when the shop’s potential financier shares news of his wedding, Romina jumps on the opportunity to discuss buying the business. What better place to negotiate a deal than at a wedding, even if she has to fake-date her chaotic colleague Trevor to get an invitation? But all hell breaks loose when she discovers Trevor’s soon-to-be stepbrother is none other than Alex her high school sweetheart. Her greatest love. The boy who, eleven years ago, broke her heart, and who now thinks she and Trevor are dating. 

What starts as an innocent misunderstanding becomes a week-long fake dating scheme, as Romina resolves to make Alex pay for breaking her heart. The only issue? She can’t deny their still-burning connection. Caught between proving to Alex what he lost, and coming clean and risking her business, Romina must decide whether giving Alex another chance means going back on herself, or finally releasing her hold on the past.

My Review:

First of all, I did not think that this romance was as steamy as the book blurb claims.  There is a lot of flirting and sexual tension between the two main characters Romina and Alex, but honestly I think this story is more of a slow burn.  The best thing about this book is the witty dialogue between well-drawn characters, and the magical realism elements are definitely charming.  The book's "misunderstanding" is well played, and it is a brilliant plot point that enhances Romina and Alex's reuniting.  If you like second chances love stories, magical realism, situational comedies, and  witty and entertaining dialogue, then you should love Old Flames and New Fortunes.

The classic I read is Elizabeth von Arnim's The Enchanted April.  It was part of my quarterly The Literary Book Club Subscription Box.

I have made a commitment to read and reread classics, and for this reason I subscribe to The Literary Book Club Box.  I like it because it has encouraged me to read classics I might not pick up.  Elizabeth von Arnim was a piece of work, I tell ya!  Originally from Australia, she was married German royalty, and after his death she had a multi-year affair with H.G. Wells.  Then she married British aristocracy, Frank Russell, the eldest brother of Bertand Russell.  

According to Goodreads:

A recipe for happiness: four women, one medieval Italian castle, plenty of wisteria, and solitude as needed.

The women at the center of The Enchanted April are alike only in their dissatisfaction with their everyday lives. They find each other—and the castle of their dreams—through a classified ad in a London newspaper one rainy February afternoon. The ladies expect a pleasant holiday, but they don’t anticipate that the month they spend in Portofino will reintroduce them to their true natures and reacquaint them with joy. Now, if the same transformation can be worked on their husbands and lovers, the enchantment will be complete.

The Enchanted April was a best-seller in both England and the United States, where it was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and set off a craze for tourism to Portofino. More recently, the novel has been the inspiration for a major film and a Broadway play.

My Review:

Arnim wrote this novel while staying in a real fifteenth century castle while vacationing in Portofino.  She does an amazing job depicting the castle setting of the novel, and the reader truly is immersed in a well-researched sense of place.  There are four main characters in the novel: four women who travel to Portofino to spend the month of April in a castle with stunning gardens and views.  Lotti Wilkins is the vivacious young wife of a not so very delightful barrister husband.  She and a fellow member of her women's club,  pious Rose Arbuthnot, both see the newspaper ad on a miserably rainy winter's day.  In order to afford the rent, they find two other women to join them.  Mrs. Fisher is an elderly woman who lives in the past.  She clings to Victorian manners, and is a bit of a tough nut.  Lady Caroline "Scrap" Dester is a twenty-something socialite who is vapid and conceited.  There is a reason for her conceit and entitlement because she is so incredibly beautiful and charming that even when she attempts to be aloof others don't perceive her intentions.

I enjoyed this classic far more than I thought, mostly because of Lotti's character:  She is sunshine!  There is also a magical element to her personality as she's clairvoyant:  She sees events that will happen in the future, and she acts on this information with total conviction.  This is the reason why the married women (Rose and Lotti) invite their husbands to Portofino to stay for the remainder of their vacation because Lotti "sees them" at the castle.  There are a few surprises and twists to the plot that maintained my interest, and at the very least the novel is a lovely companion for the armchair traveler.  

... Why, it would really be being unselfish to go away and be happy for a little, because we would come back so much nicer.

Do any of these titles appeal to you?  What are you currently reading?

So far, I've read:

An American in Scotland

Death At a Scottish Wedding

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

All the Light We Cannot See

One Cursed Rose

Old Flames and New Fortunes

The Enchanted April

I pledged to read 15 books this summer, and I'm almost halfway there!

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Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

Literary Friday: Two Romances and a Classic

Friday, July 12, 2024

Literary Friday: A Fun Mystery Series

 

Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies!

Shelley and I went to a local fundraiser today and lunch.  Since we were gone a big chunk of the day, I'm posting my Literary Friday post rather late in the evening.  Better late than never, right?

This week I'm sharing the Finlay Donovan series with y'all.  I started reading it when I was going through treatment and I wasn't blogging much.  I really wish I'd written reviews of these books earlier because they are laugh out loud funny.  My local librarian who knows my taste thought I'd love Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and she was correct.  She's the queen of genre fiction, and I think I've enjoyed at least ninety percent of her recommendations if not more.  Librarians truly are treasures (especially ours).

Here are the books in the series so far:

They are in publication order top to bottom, left to right.

I will give the Goodreads synopsis first, and then a very short review for all four books.  I don't want this post to be extremely long!  If you want, you can read the review for book one and skip to the end of the post.  I wanted to go ahead and write mini reviews to post on Goodreads and also share them here on the blog.

According to Goodreads:

"Getting the job done" for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

Finlay Donovan is killing it . . . except, she’s really not. She’s a stressed-out single-mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in the new book she promised her literary agent isn’t written, her ex-husband fired the nanny without telling her, and this morning she had to send her four-year-old to school with hair duct-taped to her head after an incident with scissors.

When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer, and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet . . . Soon, Finlay discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.

Fast-paced, deliciously witty, and wholeheartedly authentic in depicting the frustrations and triumphs of motherhood in all its messiness, hilarity, and heartfelt moment, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.

My Review

This book is so funny that it made me laugh so hard my sides hurt.  Finlay is definitely a morally gray heroine: she has taken and spend an advance for a book she hasn't even started writing yet, and her deadline is days away.  While meeting with her agent in a coffee shop, a lady overhears her talking about the plot of her book, and she literally thinks Finlay is a contract killer.  Said lady "hires" Finlay to kill her not so delightful husband for a hefty fee.  I won't give away too many spoilers, but just suffice it to say that the man dies not by Finlay's hand, but she gets all the credit and the money for the hit.  She even attracts the attention of a local mob boss.  Y'all, this is definitely a comedy of errors.  The humor makes it "slightly" cozy, but there are also plenty of suspenseful twists and turns.  

According to Goodreads:

Finlay Donovan is―once again―struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish.

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like.

Meanwhile, Vero's keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay's first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes... and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.

With her next book's deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn't a noose at the end of it...

From Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead―the hilarious and heart-pounding follow-up to Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

My Review:

This was a nice installment in the series, and I thought it was hilarious about her ex-husband Steven's being a target of a possible hit because of his womanizing habits.  I like her new love interest Detective Nick Anthony: the internal conflict Finlay has about being involved with the Russian mob while dating Nick is a fantastic plot point.  I also love her children's nanny Vero.  She just might be my favorite sidekick in all of fiction.

I kept thinking about this song while I was reading this book.  This is for your listening pleasure!

According to Goodreads:

Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she's a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had "borrowed" in the process of saving the life of Finlay's ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.

Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.

Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen's police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay's looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob's clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero's past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.

From USA Today bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun—the highly anticipated, hilarious, and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series…

My Review:

I want reiterate what the synopsis says, but I must say that Book Three in the series is my least favorite so far.  There is a LOT going on in it, and I feel so sorry for Finlay because she needs to meet her book deadline, find information for Feliks the mob boss, and attend an intensive citizen police academy camp.  That's a lot, and this one needs to be read a bit more carefully, too.  Finlay's frenzied life made me nervous in this one....I was more nervous than amused, and that's why I would rate this one slightly lower than the rest of them.  A plus in this book is that she and her hot cop enjoy each others' company in his dorm room (three times!): They are really stepping-up their relationship!

According to Goodreads:

From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice―the fiercely anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride.

Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back.

But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco's already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay's night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side.

If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?

My Review:

I read this one early this week.  Like the others, Finlay finds herself in a mess with the Russian mob and seedy loan sharks.  I wasn't crazy about the Atlantic City setting (in winter, no less), but I did think that Elle Cosimano was clever in how she brings the entire cast to Atlantic City not knowing what Finlay and Vero are truly up to.  I also like how Javi, Vero's childhood friend and love of her life, is in this book, and their plot line is very well-written.  Almost all of the loose ends in Finlay's life were tied-up by the end of the book.  Almost.  I can't wait until Book Five!

Do you enjoy reading mysteries and suspense-thrillers?  Based on my reviews, do you think you'd enjoy this series?

Until next time...

Happy Reading!

Ricki Jill

Literary Friday: A Fun Mystery Series

Friday, June 21, 2024