“Spitting gold” Carmella Lowkis

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atria Books (Simon & Schuster). To be published May 14, 2024.

It was April of 1866 and, for the past two years, Sylvie thought her former life as a medium was behind her. She and her sister Charlotte had earned their living pretending to banish or raise ghosts for money, learning everything from their parents. After a con gone wrong cost them their business and almost landed them in prison, she married a rich older man who took her away from her drunken, abusive father and the life of poverty she’d led. Though she felt guilty about leaving Charlotte, she needed to save herself and agreed to his request that she leave the life of a medium behind her forever.

One rainy day Charlotte surprised her by showing up at her home begging for help as their father was dying, there was no money, and she needed Sylvie. A rich family was eager to dispel a ghost who had been haunting them and, if successful, the payout would help Charlotte and her father. Sylvie knew what her husband had forbidden her to do but her love for Charlotte overcame her reluctance. Unfortunately, she’d soon find out that ghosts, as well as the living, can be revengeful. The peaceful life she’d led for the past two years was about to forever change.

I LOVED this book! I voraciously read it from cover to cover, eager to see what would next befall the sisters. The author’s research into life in 1866 France for the rich and those living on the outskirts of acceptable society was eye-opening.

Highly recommended for Adults.

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

“Thirsty” Jas Hammonds

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Roaring Book Press (Holtzbrinck Holdings Ltd.). To be published May 14, 2024.

Blake is getting ready to leave for college in a few months with her best friend Annetta and her girlfriend Ella. When she came out as a Lesbian four years ago her parents barely cared, though her father seemed disappointed. Though he’s Black her White mother never took an interest in Blake’s Blackness, leaving her to figure out how to manage her hair and find Black role models. When she was with Ella and her rich parents in their beautiful home, Blake could forget about her issues and pretend their wonderful life was hers.

Though she and Ella had been together for years Blake felt tremendous feelings of insecurity and doubt that had followed her since middle school. They only went away when she was drinking, so Blake drank a lot. When she was drunk, she became Big Bad Bee, loving how she became the life of the party.

The three of them are all pledging the Serena Society, an exclusive group of powerful women of color. Blake believes having them as role models will be her ticket to belonging. Unfortunately the more pressure she puts on herself to live up to Society standards during the pledging process, the more she drinks. Though others warn her she has a drinking problem, Blake assures them she’s fine. But is she really?

This story of a young woman’s struggles with alcohol, insecurity, doubt, and racial identity is why librarian S.R. Ranganathan once said many years ago “For every book there is a reader.” Thank you Jas Hammond for pouring your soul into “Thirsty”, opening up about your own struggles with alcohol through Blake’s actions. Young readers facing the same difficulties will know there is hope for them too.

Highly recommended for ages 15 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

“A better world” Sarah Langan

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atria Books (Simon & Schuster). Published April 9, 2024.

In a world set 70 years in the future, Earth’s resources have been destroyed by mankind’s many interferences. Air has become barely breathable, jobs and food are scarce, the weather doesn’t make sense, and people are constantly angry. Linda knows she and her husband can’t raise their fifteen-year-old twins much longer in this environment, so it seemed like a miracle when they were accepted to live in Plymouth Valley, a private, invitation-only company town where they will have a clean, healthy, and safe life. All they must do is follow the rules.

At first, they struggled to adjust but soon became regulars with strange rituals practiced by residents. As Linda began to investigate these rituals, she soon realized Plymouth Valley’s yearly Winter Festival held a frightening significance for the town. Though she begged her family to leave, no one was allowed to leave. Linda will have to do all she can to save them from the horrors she suspects before it’s too late.

This seemingly omniscient view of Earth’s future is appallingly on track based on how Earth’s resources have been abused over the centuries. One can only hope towns like Plymouth Valley don’t come into being, or our future as humans is forever lost.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

“The daughters of Block Island” Christa Carmen

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Thomas & Mercer. Published 2023.

Blake had grown up in an orphanage, and felt abandoned, so used drugs and alcohol to forget her past. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she was able to trace her mother to Block Island. Though she had been struggling to stay sober for years, she was determined to find her mother. Blake headed to the island where she booked herself into White Hall, an ancient mansion with a history of murder and intrigue which was also a B&B. That night she was haunted by a long-dead relative of the owners and, as the days passed with more hauntings, Blake was terrified. Despite the ghost, constant rain, and gloomy atmosphere, she had leads on her past from a friendly local. She didn’t know her time on the island would be cut shorter than she had planned.

Talia had grown up on Block Island and left many years ago. She and her mother had a toxic relationship and she found island life stifling. One day she received a letter from someone who claimed to be her sister, found dead on Block Island after mailing it. Despite misgivings, Talia was anxious to talk to her mother and find out about this sister. After booking herself into White Hall, Talia soon found out its ancient secrets were tied in with very modern ones. Someone didn’t want her finding out about them and, if she wasn’t careful, there would be another body in the B&B.

The more I read the more I couldn’t put it down, reading in one sitting until 2:30 A.M. to find out what was going to happen. Though it was night, and the book was getting creepy, the suspense was killing me. I couldn’t sleep until the mystery was solved. The author did a great job hiding the murderer’s identity, throwing in red herrings to keep readers off the track. Well done, Christa!

Highly recommended for Adults.

“The brighter the light” Mary Ellen Taylor

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Montlake. 2022.

In 1938 Ruth was born in a bungalow at a seaside hotel. Since no one knew who had left her there, she was adopted by the owners. As the years passed Ruth resented how she had to work hard during tourist season to keep the hotel running. When she was twelve years old, beautiful Carlotta came to perform for two weeks that summer. Ruth admired her so much and was sure she was her birth mother. She didn’t know the summer of 1950 would lead to changes in her life she’d never tell anyone, even her daughter and granddaughter.

When Ivy was 17, she left everyone behind for a more exciting life in New York City. Though Ruth dearly missed her granddaughter she knew Ivy had to find her own way back. In 2022, after the hotel was destroyed in a hurricane, Ruth knew all she had left to give was her seafront home. Though Ivy had not been back home in 12 years, after her grandmother died, she returned to sell the house and leave again. However, as she began to sort through Ruth’s belongings, Ivy learned things she’d never known. As she faced her past and tried to figure out her future, she realized Ruth had climbed mountains for her just as her great-grandmother had done for Ruth. The grandmother who had raised her had secrets that were only now being revealed, and it was up to Ivy to honor her in the best way she knew.

In alternating voices from the past and present, Ruth and Ivy tell their stories of loss, love, hope, and redemption. I believe this book would be wonderful as a Hallmark movie, and hope producers will take the time to read it and put it on the big screen. I’ll be there with my tissues all ready.

Recommended for Adults.

“Thicker than water” Megan Collins

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atria (Simon & Schuster). To be published July 11, 2023.

At a very young age Julia’s mother taught her to never trust a man, and those words reared their ugly heads when her husband was accused of murder. Though Jason had a knight-in-shining-armor complex, and had disappointed her many times, Julia never thought him capable of murder. However, with Jason in a coma and the evidence against him piling up, Julia is filled with questions. Did she really know the man she married? Is he guilty?

Sienna would never believe her brother committed such a heinous crime, as he has always been her rock in every storm. Julia, her sister-in-law, is her best friend but is wrong to think he could have murdered anyone. Since neither Julia nor the police believe he’s innocent, and he can’t talk for himself, it’s up to her to prove his innocence. The police will serve him an arrest warrant as soon as he wakes up, and Sienna is determined to have evidence to prove his innocence. She will stop at nothing.

Through alternating voices, Sienna and Julia compete for the reader’s attention. Collins spins such a fine web of deceit that it’s not until the final pages we receive answers to our many questions. “Thicker than water” will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Ever since” Alena Bruzas

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Rocky Pond Books (Penguin Random House). To be published May 23, 2023. (Includes “Author’s Note” and “Resources.”)

Ever since seventeen-year-old Virginia was twelve, she has safely slept at her best friend Poppy’s house to get away from her drunken father and his friends. Virginia, Poppy and their three other besties have been inseparable over the years, but she could never tell them why she hated her body and couldn’t stop having random sex. Everyone at school thought she was easy, especially the boys. Drinking helped her forget but, when Poppy unexpectedly decided to stay with her grandfather the summer of their senior year, the painful memories she’d kept bottled up began to fester.

Without Poppy, Virginia is broken. She has no anchor and no place to go at night and is back to wandering the streets seeking shelter. Poppy’s boyfriend Rumi seemed to sense her loneliness, and the friendship they’d had for many years began to grow. When Lyra, Rumi’s eleven-year-old sister, talked about a secret friend Virginia realized the same person had been her friend when she was eleven. She knew this person was planning on hurting Lyra, but to help her Virginia would have to reveal a secret she’s been hiding for six years. She must get the courage to speak because only her story can save Lyra.

Virginia’s pain and strength make her a very believable character, helping readers who have been victims of sexual abuse feel as if they’re not alone. Her powerful story should be paired with Laurie Halse Anderson’s “Speak” and “Shout.”

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Before we were innocent” Ella Berman

Rated 4 stars **** ARC. ebook. Berkley (Penguin Random House). To be published April 4, 2023.

Evangeline and Joni had been friends for years before Bess moved to their neighborhood. Their high school was full of kids who accepted their parent’s wealth and McMansions as due to them, which was a huge learning curve for Bess who hadn’t come from money. Their acceptance allowed her to fit in, and they soon became inseparable. Shortly after graduation Ev’s parents offered her a trip to Greece to stay at the family estate before they left for college, so she invited Bess and Joni. Little did Bess know the summer of 2008 would turn into a nightmare when, shortly before they were to return, she and Joni were accused of murdering Ev.

Because of what happened in Greece Bess refused to go to college and spent the next ten years blaming herself for Ev’s death. She walled herself off in the desert, working from home so she could have minimal human interactions. When Joni knocked on her door one night and asked her for an alibi because her fiancée had disappeared, Bess was drawn back into the summer of 2008. Through flashbacks and the present time, what really happened in Greece and how it ties into Joni’s sudden appearance is slowly revealed.

The emphasis here is on “slowly revealed,” as I think the events of 2008 and 2018 could have been less drawn out. However, it was an interesting storyline, full of complicated twists and ponderings of the heart, so I will recommend it for adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Boys I know” Anna Gracia

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Peachtree Teen (Peachtree). To be published July 26, 2022.

All her life Jane’s parents forced her and her older sister Wendy to follow a regime of studying and working hard. From a young age both were forced to play the violin. Perfect Wendy always won the competitions they had to endure, while Jane always finished third. Both are expected to go to college on music scholarships and become doctors, but Jane is tired. She can never be good enough for her Asian parents, while her mother’s criticisms weigh heavily on her. As a result, she decides to put forth minimum effort and forge her own rebellious path.

Unfortunately bad sexual and emotional relationship decisions, an inability to decide what to do after high school, and sparring with her mother consume every waking moment. Growing up in Iowa with all White friends has left her feeling like the token Asian, while visiting a college with lots of Asians leaves her feeling as if she’s not Asian enough. Jane is torn between what she’s become, wondering if she can be something different, and whether or not she even wants to try. “Boys I know” is the story of a confused Asian teen trying to find her way in the messy maze she’s made of her life.

Anna Gracia does a very good job showing the pressure put on Asian students by their parents and the tension felt when they fail to live up to expectations. She details unconscious (and conscious) micro aggressions and stereotypes, hopefully enlightening readers to educate themselves about Asians and to think before they speak.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Path lit by lightning: The life of Jim Thorpe” David Maraniss

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Simon & Schuster. To be published August 9, 2022. (Includes “Notes,” and “Selected bibliography.”)

Jim Thorpe was born during a time when Native Americans struggled to hold onto their culture and land while their children were uprooted and sent to government boarding schools. Thorpe was sent to the Carlisle Indian School, where leadership believed “Kill the Indian, Save the Man” was justification for its evils of assimilation into the White world. Excelling at football and track Jim was chosen to represent the United States at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, where he won gold in the pentathlon and decathlon and set a decathlon world record.

Though he was the greatest athlete in the world, Jim’s awards and trophies were taken and his records erased when it was revealed he played semi professional baseball during breaks from school. As a result he spent his life working menial jobs, playing sports for small change, and hoping for a coaching job that never materialized. “A man has to keep hustling” Thorpe often said, but died a poor man.

Sympathetic to Thorpe’s plight and other Native Americans, Maraniss’ well-researched biography draws on rich primary source materials to supply information on Thorpe as well as important figures and events of the time. One hundred and ten years after Jim Thorpe’s victories plans are still under way to restore his records because, though the IOC finally gave medals to his family in 1983, Thorpe’s results are still not part of the Olympic record.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.