Adventure, romance and international intrigue is the mission of this novel by Emily Mims. The protagonists are an unlikely pair to say the least. Preston Ramos has a racial prejudice against Sabina for her Romani roots and right the from the beginning the pair is at odds. When trouble involving their brothers brings them together and sets them off on a mission to South America, things heat up between them. The language is pretty salty, so be prepared for that. If you are looking for a contemporary romance, high adventure and lessons learned, this is the book for you.

I love books about food, so this one was on my list to read. Stanley Tucci does a good job as a storyteller, and I especially liked his reenactment of his exchange with his parents as they are leaving the house. Pretty good stuff.  The recipes are a nice addition. The highlight of this book, however, was the descriptions of his battle with cancer. That’s when I felt the book really got down to it and wasn’t just trying to be entertaining. I have nothing against entertainment, but I also appreciate some connection with the characters in a book, in this case, the author. It also reminded me that I am getting old and out of it as he kept mentioning that he was name-dropping, but I had no idea who any of those people were (except Colin Firth). If you love Stanley Tucci (or are IN LOVE with Stanley Tucci – which many of my female friends claim to be) you will also love this book. It’s a good read any way you slice it.

This is another delightful addition to the cosy mysteries that take place in the village of Bunburry. Reading these books is like paying a visit to old friends. This particular story advances the budding romance of Alfie and Emma, although things are not going smoothly at all. The story revolves around a lost play by none other than Oscar Wilde, and an ensuing murder. The plot was intriguing and the characters vivid. I especially enjoy the references to the clever Oscar Wilde and his famous wit. I wish the books were longer, but then again, there always seems to be a new one in the works. If you would like a trip into a charming English village with a detour into the world of mystery, immerse yourself in this series. You won’t regret it. This book is a wonderful addition.

This book is an addition to the Durango Street Theater series. I must admit that although the story was vivid and engaging, it dealt with profound trauma brought about by sexual violence and torture that I found difficult to get past. Having grown up with my father who had PTSD from his prison camp experiences during WWII, I can attest to how profound and long-lasting are the effects of torture and trauma are, even on the strongest of people. I suppose it was difficult for me to imagine the main character of this book being able to overcome the profound damage to her psyche enough to be able to tolerate the touch of a man, even one she was attracted to or in this case, begins to love.

Having said all that, I must admit that this book’s plot and characters have stuck with me more than other books I have read recently. The sheer drama of not only Sasha’s history but that of her love interest (he’s traumatized too) was memorable to say the least.

The book is well written and has the usual elements of a romance novel but be aware of the subject matter if reading about rape and torture is a negative for you. A good story, but not the usual fare.

This book is another episode in the Malabar House series that teeters between being a historical novel and a crime/mystery. I thought I had the whole thing figured out by the third chapter, but I must admit that I was totally wrong! The solution to the mystery was much more convoluted and steeped in a history that I knew nothing about. That made it all the more fun to read.

Of course, I am totally sympathetic to the main character, Persis Wadia, who is making her way as an independent woman in post-independence India. Having to be twice as good at her job than any man, she struggles against not only the view of women from society at large, but also by some of her colleagues, all of whom have been exiled to Malabar House for some indiscretion or other. It is the dumping ground for misfits and cases no one else wants to touch, but Persis persists… and succeeds.

There is a thread of romance running through the books as well, and in this incarnation, we finally get some movement in the relationship between Archie and Persis. I must admit I’m rooting for Archie, but anything serious between them is fraught on so many levels, not the least of which is the idea that Persis would have to give up her hard-won position on the police force if she was ever to marry… and an Englishman? Much sturm und drang in this relationship. And her father adds to the emotional upheaval in a totally unexpected way. This is a story of the unexpected.

Mr. Khan is also a master of metaphor. It lends so much to the story, the setting, the atmosphere of the book. A good writer immerses the reader in the world of the story, and this author is a master at it.

If you’ve read any other books in this series, do not miss this one. If not, start at the beginning and read all of them. You will not be disappointed.

No, this is not A Gentleman in Moscow, but it doesn’t have to be. Present here is the cheerful fatalism of four main characters: Emmett, Billy, Wooly and Duchess, who have been through so many hard times that their emotional reactions to circumstances that our hypersensitive society would find traumatizing, they handle with a shrug and a large dose of philosophical acceptance. The spark of energy in this book is Billy, a wide-eyed eight-year-old who idolizes and depends on his brother, whose sentence at a work farm is shortened due to the death of their father.

The inner workings of the minds of these characters are revealed to us through their actions as well as their attitudes. I understood and even sympathized with all of them, even though Duchess in particular, made me want to scream at times.

The one thing that most readers will have to get over is the fact that Mr. Towles seems to be allergic to quotation marks. I found this disconcerting through the first few chapters of the book, but eventually got used to it. Is this some new literary style, or is it similar to e. e. cummings who just couldn’t be bothered to hit the shift key? Also, switching from third person to first person and one character’s point of view to another’s with not so much as a “by your leave” had me a bit off balance at first, but I also got used to that as well. I don’t know that either of these things enhanced the book in any way, but the story was engaging enough that I settled down and let the author take me for a ride.

And The Lincoln Highway will do just that, take you for a ride. It travels through the 1950’s, back to the 30’s and even to the mythology of ancient Greece. There are many truths about life, all our lives, in this book and that is something that makes a novel a work of art and allows the author to speak to all of us. If you can get past the literary acrobatics, I think you will find this book worthwhile.

You should not let me loose in a used bookstore. I just come out with the fattest book imaginable and start devouring it. That’s what I did with Maeve Binchy’s Circle of Friends. It’s the first book I read by this author, and now I want to read all of them. Of course, it’s the characters. The story lets us nestle in with them, learn their strengths, their foibles, their inside jokes. This book just enveloped me and transported me to Ireland in the 1950’s and early 60’s. It only took me a week to finish. Every time I had to put it down, I just wanted to go back in there and see my friends, especially Benny and her best buddy, Eve. Although not everything worked out happily every after, it was as happy as life usually gets, and that was fine with me. Excellent work. I loved it.

The latest of Alexander McCall Smith’s Scotland Street novels, Love in the Time of Bertie, does not disappoint. I must say, I did have a bit of trepidation while reading this book, which is unusual for the series, but not unwelcome. I was excited to see what would happen next to our brave, little hero, who had a lot to cope with in this installment.

The thing I like best about most of Alexander McCall Smith’s novels is the gentle unfolding of the characters and the sprinkling of philosophy in these books. Even the most unlikeable character, Bruce, has a seriocomic revelation. All in all, this book is a worthy addition to the series. I can’t wait for the next one.

This addition to the Bunburry series finds Alfie in the midst of a family problem. His half sister has entered the picture, and with her his niece, who brings complications of her own. This mystery had me guessing until the very end. The characters and their relationships evolved and yet the characters remained the colorful people we’ve come to love. I think spending time with these characters is even more rewarding than finding the solution to the mystery. I guess that is what keeps me coming back. Pick this book up and read it. You’ll enjoy it.

I have to admit that I am addicted to cozy mysteries. This book by T.E. Kinsey hit the spot. Based on characters that he introduced in his Lady Hardcastle books, this one involves the musician “Skins” Maloney and his American wife, Ellie and the rest of the Dizzy Heights jazz band. When one of their number is murdered, the gang helps uncover “who done it” while also helping the police find a deserter. It is set after the WWI and there are many references to the Great War and to spots in London. I like that the author incorporates many of the places he knows well and does is research. It gives the story a ring of believability. I especially like the banter exchanged by the characters. It pulls the reader into the story like opening the door to a trusted friend. I highly recommend this book. If you like cozy mysteries set in the 1920’s, you’ll love this one.