Review: The Girl Is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines - Blog Tour

Title: The Girl Is Murder
Series: Debut!
Author: Kathryn Miller Haines | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Mystery/Historical
Reading Level: YA












Description from Goodreads:


Iris Anderson is only 15, but she's quickly mastering the art of deception in this YA novel for fans of Veronica Mars. It's the Fall of 1942 and Iris's world is rapidly changing. Her Pop is back from the war with a missing leg, limiting his ability to do the physically grueling part of his detective work. Iris is dying to help, especially when she discovers that one of Pop's cases involves a boy at her school. Now, instead of sitting at home watching Deanna Durbin movies, Iris is sneaking out of the house, double crossing her friends, and dancing at the Savoy till all hours of the night. There's certainly never a dull moment in the private eye business. 


My thoughts:

As a fan of both historical fiction and Nancy Drew, I knew The Girl Is Murder was a must read. Iris Anderson is a wonderful main character that does an amazing job of giving us a glimpse into life of a 15-year-old girl living in 1942. She is dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s suicide and her long absent father’s return from Pearl Harbor (minus one leg). With money tight, Iris finds herself leaving her fancy private school and life on the Upper East Side behind for a life as a public school student and a new home in the less desirable Lower East Side. When she discovers her father is late with the rent and having difficulty fulfilling his job as a private investigator, Iris decides to help him. He asks her to stop, but Iris quickly learns how much she likes the role of investigator and it leads her into all kinds of sticky situations over the course of the story.

I enjoyed the mystery aspects of The Girl Is Murder very much. The author did a fantastic job of walking us through the steps of solving the whodunit without making the pending outcome predictable. Iris was also a narrator I adored. I loved watching her transformation from beginning to end. By the end of her story she has a certain sense of the world she wasn’t privy to at the start. I also enjoyed watching the way the relationship between Iris and her father developed. At the beginning he was almost a stranger to her. After living most of his military career away he suddenly becomes her soul parent. Iris had so many changes and adjustments in such a short period of time. I felt these molded and shaped her character in quite a positive way.

The Girl Is Murder is a highly enjoyable read that I most definitely recommend. I’m so excited this is a series debut and look forward to more adventures with Iris Anderson.

My Rating:

Review & Giveaway: The Circle Cast by Alex Epstein (Blog Tour)

Title: The Circle Cast
Author: Alex Epstein | Author Website
Available: Now
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Fantasy/Historical












Description via Goodreads:


How did an exiled girl become the most powerful witch in legend? 

Britain, 480 AD. Saxon barbarians are invading, pushing the civilized British out of their own island. Morgan is the daughter of the governor of Cornwall. But when her father is murdered and her mother taken as the King's new wife, she has to flee to Ireland to avoid being murdered herself. 

But Ireland is no refuge. She's captured in a slave raid and sold to a village witch. As Morgan comes of age, she discovers her own immense magical powers. She falls in love with a young Irish chieftain, and makes him powerful. 

But will her drive for revenge destroy her one chance for love and happiness?

My thoughts:

The Circle Cast speculates about what the life of Morgan Le Fay may have been like and what events lead to her legend becoming what it is today. As a huge fan of historical fiction, especially historical fiction that encompasses folklore and it’s characters, The Circle Cast was a big hit with me. It was like getting a story within a story.

Morgan, originally known as Anna, flees her home after her father is killed by a man desperate for both power and Anna’s mother. The story takes place over many years of Morgan/Anna's life beginning when she is just 11 years old. When she leaves her home and sets out for Ireland she never expects to become a slave, a faux Christian, or the powerful figure she eventually evolves into. Her path is cluttered with numerous obstacles which just makes her tale even more engrossing. Her will to survive, even if it was driven by revenge, is powerful and guaranteed to pack an emotional punch. 

I’ll admit this isn’t a time period I have read much from. It dates back much farther than my normal reading choices. Diving into The Circle Cast with it’s references to history, religion, and lore from so many different places and cultures was both enlightening and refreshing. I enjoyed every moment I spent familiarizing myself with Morgan and the world she lived in. This is a book that will make readers long for more knowledge about the characters. I don’t know about you, but any book that can make me Google will always hold a special place on my bookshelf.


While The Circle Cast is technically Young Adult I feel it can easily appeal to even exclusive readers of adult fiction who enjoy folklore and history.

My Rating:

Giveaway Details:

4 e-books are for grabs over the course of the blog tour. 

1 winner will be chosen each week.

Follow The Circle Cast Blog Tour & comment for your chance to win!

Review: A Golden Web by Barbara Quick

Title: A Golden Web
Author: Barbara Quick | Author Website
Available: Now
Genre: Historical
Reading Level: Young Adult












Description from Goodreads:

Alessandra is desperate to escape.

Desperate to escape her stepmother, who's locked her away for a year; to escape the cloister that awaits her and the marriage plans that have been made for her; to escape the expectations that limit her and every other girl in fourteenth-century Italy. There's no tolerance in her quiet village for Alessandra and her keen intelligence and unconventional ideas.

In defiant pursuit of her dreams, Alessandra undertakes an audacious quest, her bravery equaled only by the dangers she faces. Disguised and alone in a city of spies and scholars, Alessandra will find a love she could not foresee -- and an enduring fame.

In this exquisite imagining of the centuries-old story of Alessandra Giliani, the world's first female anatomist, acclaimed novelist Barbara Quick gives readers the drama, romance, and rich historical detail for which she is known as she shines a light on an unforgotten -- and unforgettable -- heroine.

My thoughts:

A Golden Web speculates how the life of female anatomist, Alessandra Giliani, might have progressed. She was a brilliant young girl fascinated by medicine and how the human body worked. Unfortunately, she lived during a time period when it was not acceptable for women to be intrigued by such things. Her interests risked her being burned as a witch if discovered. 

This fictional biography begins when Alessandra is just an infant, and ends when she is a grown woman. I really enjoyed reading about this new (to me) and fascinating character. According to the author’s notes at the end there isn’t much information about Alessandra’s life or family, but I think she did a wonderful job of piecing together what her life may have been like.    

The first part of the novel, that took place while Alessandra lived at home with her family, was well paced and nicely detailed. The author took time to explore the sibling dynamic, and show the love Alessandra felt for her family. I loved this and found all of the characters absolutely endearing. Once Alessandra arrives in Bologna to study medicine things seemed to become a bit more rushed. I would have loved to see more time dedicated to her life in Bologna. I also would have liked to see more of a focus on the relationships she formed while there. It all seemed to happen so fast. Also according to the synopsis she “will find a love she could not foresee”. This had me expecting the romantic element to play a larger role in the plot than it actually did. Unfortunately, the relationship between Alessandra and her love interest lacked the development I’d hoped for. 

Even with a few minor complaints I still found this book very enjoyable, and it was a very quick read that had no problem holding my interest. I just would have liked to see the author explore Alessandra’s life in Bologna more. I’d recommend A Golden Web to both adults and older teens who enjoy books based on the lives of real historical figures.

My Rating:

ARC Review: Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Title: Vixen
Series: The Flappers #1
Author: Jillian Larkin
Available: Today!
Reading Level: Young Adult


4 out of 5 Stars












Description from Goodreads:


Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.
 
Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?
 
Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . . 
 
Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . . 


My thoughts:


Happy Book Birthday to Vixen! The first in author Jillian Larkin’s The Flappers series. 


Vixen follows three young women during the roaring twenties. Gloria is engaged to a man any woman would consider a catch, but the chemistry is lacking. When she visits an illegal speakeasy with friends, she finds herself smitten with a man she shouldn’t be. It also awakens a desire to perform on stage she didn’t even know she had. Lorraine is Gloria’s best friend, but in all honesty not a good friend at all. She is jealous, and willing to do just about anything to be the center of attention. Even if it means hurting the people she claims to care for. Clara is Gloria’s cousin believed to have moved in with Gloria’s family to help plan the up and coming nuptials. Believed by all to be a well behaved farm girl, but in actuality Clara has lived a life both Gloria and Lorraine just might envy. She is hoping to escape her past scandals, and start new in Chicago. 


This book was so much fun. I’ve always found flappers fascinating. From the clothes, to the hair, and of course the dancing. I’d love to think I would have been dancing the Charleston at an underground speakeasy had I been alive in the 20’s. I’ll skip the mob interactions though. Those guys were a little scary.


Vixen contains a nice mix of characters. Readers are sure to identify with at least one of the main characters. Lots of drama, secrets, romance, and even a little mystery to keep you glued to the pages. I love that the author touched on the difficulties of an interracial relationship during the era. Gloria really surprised me. She had a rebellious nature I never anticipated. Lorraine was always around to wreak havoc. As much dislike as I have for her meddling character, she was without a doubt a necessary evil for the plot. Clara was sweet and paying the price for her past mistakes. I enjoyed watching her relationship with Gloria progress, while she tried to hang on to her secrets. The plot flows nicely, and the characters also develop well as it progresses. The ending leaves you with questions without being a dreaded cliffhanger. All in all a solid series debut, and one I look forward to continuing.

Buy from Amazon:

Source: Around the World Tours

Review: The Body at the Tower by Y. S Lee (The Agency #2)

Title: The Body at the Tower
Author: Y. S Lee
Series: The Agency Book #2
Available: Now
Publisher: Candlewick
Number of Pages:
Reading Level: Young Adult


5+ out of 5 Stars


*Spoilers for the first book below*




Description from Y. S Lee’s website:


July 1859. A bricklayer falls to his death from the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament – the most recent horror in a string of scandals that plagues the building site. With the British people eagerly watching the installation of Big Ben, Mary Quinn disguises herself as a 12-year-old boy laborer to uncover the grim truth. Her fellow workers are suspicious. Mary’s secret past distracts her. And then James Easton returns…


My thoughts:


In The Body at the Tower, we meet up with the lovely Mary Quinn again. About a year has passed since we last saw her in A Spy in the House. She is offered an assignment at a local building site where a suspicious death has occurred. Mary will have to play the part of a young boy. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Mary accepts even though she knows this assignment will most likely stir up memories from her life before Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls saved her from execution. While working incognito, James Easton comes back into her life. Worried about blowing her cover, Mary continues to behave as a young boy named Mark Quinn, while wondering if James suspects who she might really be.


I was so excited to spend time with Mary again. She continues to struggle with the mixed heritage she is afraid to claim, but also ashamed to deny. We catch a glimpse of a more emotional side of Mary in this novel, as she reflects on the course her life has taken. I love the growth her character experiences during this installment.  I was ecstatic to see James return. I think a fist pump might have occurred along with a "Yippee it’s James!”. I was convinced his leaving for India was the end for him and Mary. Things continue to be on the complicated side for these two, but I absolutely love the chemistry they create. The ending was a little disheartening, and is bound to make the wait for the next book feel like forever. 


I don’t hide my love for The Agency novels, and recommend them to others every chance I get. I gave The Spy in the House 5 Stars. I loved the newest addition even more, and felt it deserved my first 5+ rating. I can’t say enough about these books. Intriguing mysteries, fascinating characters, an interesting setting, and enough romance to satisfy without overshadowing the plot. Even those who aren’t fans of historical books should check these out. Mary Quinn might just change your mind. I’m so sad this is just a trilogy, and not a series I can enjoy for years to come.

Y. S Lee on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Books in this series:

A Spy in the House - My Review

A Body at the Tower

*Received from publisher for review.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory

Synopsis from Hachette Book Group:

HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT...
Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie's love for a chance at vengeance.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she's tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie's love - this time forever.

Other books in this trilogy:

Knight of Desire

Knight of Pleasure

Fun Extras:

Excerpt read by the author

Author Bio (5 Fun Facts, Q & A, and how she became an author)

Five Fun Facts about Knight of Passion

Margaret Mallory’s Website and Twitter

Thanks to Anna at HBG I have 3 copies of Knight of Passion to give away. 


This contest is now closed!

Rules:

Open to residents of the U.S and Canada. 
No P.O Boxes please.

Book will ship directly from publisher.

Ends June 30th @ Midnight CST

Fill out this form.

Thanks for entering, and don’t forget to read my review of Knight of Passion!

Review: Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory

Title: Knight of Passion
Author: Margaret Mallory
Available: Now
Publisher: Forever
Number of pages: 384
Reading Level: Adult

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis from Hachette Book Group:

HOW CAN THIS PASSIONATE KNIGHT...
Renowned beauty Lady Linnet is torn between two desires: revenge on those who destroyed her family or marriage to her childhood sweetheart Sir James Rayburn. One fateful night, she makes a misguided choice: she sacrifices Jamie's love for a chance at vengeance.

TRUST A BEAUTY WITH A PAST?
Jamie Rayburn returns to England in search of a virtuous wife-only to find the lovely Linnet as bewitching as ever. Their reckless affair ignites anew, even hotter than before, although Jamie vows to never again trust her with his heart. Then just as Linnet begins to make amends, she's tempted by one last opportunity to settle old scores. But a final retribution could cost her Jamie's love - this time forever.

My thoughts: 

Knight of Passion is the third book in the All the King’s Men Trilogy.  I had no problem reading it as a standalone. If you read Knight of Passion, I can promise you’ll want to read the first two.  Margaret Mallory has such a beautiful, and descriptive writing style.  I was swept away by the story of Jamie and Linnet’s rocky love affair.

This is the story of a couple sharing an intense love, but separate long term goals.  The beautiful Linnet seeks revenge, while the noble Jamie wants a wife and children. After ending things on dramatic terms they are reunited after 5 long years.  The connection is still present, as is their differences. Jamie and Linnet are a couple you can’t help but to root for.  They are so perfect together, but both are too stubborn to sacrifice pride for love.  

I loved the language, the vivid descriptions of places and things, and the impassioned love shared between Jamie and Linnet.  I enjoyed the mystery laced in perfectly with the love story.  Knight of Passion is a fabulous book that I highly recommend.

*I received my copy from Anna with Hachette Book Group in exchange for my honest review.

Want to win a copy of Knight of Passion?  I have 3 copies to give  away.  Check out this post for all the details.

Add this book to your wish list:

Goodreads | Amazon

Review: A Spy in the House by Y.S Lee

Title:  A Spy in the House (The Agency #1)
Author:  Y.S Lee
Available:  Now
Publisher: Candlewick
Number of pages:  335
Reading Level: Young Adult

5 out of 5 Stars!

I borrowed this book from my local public library.






Description from Goodreads:


Introducing an exciting new series! Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment.

Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past.


My thoughts:


What a delightfully unique book!  I was engrossed from the moment I met Mary Quinn.  The idea is so very different from anything else I’ve read.  It was like a historical Nancy Drew novel.  In the prologue we meet 12 year old Mary. She is found guilty of theft, and sentenced to hang for her crime. I was so relieved to see her given a second chance in the form of Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. Chapter one jumps ahead several years and we meet older Mary. While most girls raised in this time period want to be mothers and wives, Mary is all about the Victorian Girl Power!  She’s an empowering character, and an excellent role model.  Just a young woman striving to make a mark in the world while keeping secrets from her past buried. What secrets? You’ll have to read and see.  


A Spy in the House is a book I had trouble putting down.  It is beautifully written,  contains inventive characters, and hosts an intricate plot.  A first-rate start to a new young adult trilogy.  I can’t wait to read the next installment, A Body at the Tower.

Y.S Lee on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I’m "waiting on” 

The Body at the Tower (The Agency #2) by Y. S Lee

Releases August 2010

I read the first book in the trilogy, A Spy in the House, over the weekend and fell in love. Review coming soon :)

Description from Goodreads:

This is another colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel about the exploits of agent Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary Quinn is rescued from the gallows and taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. The school turns out to be a front for a private detective agency. At age 17, Mary takes on her first case (A Spy in the House). In this, the second book of the series, Mary Quinn sets out to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death at St. Stephen's Tower, better known as the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. The accident occurred after hours in a highly public part of town and despite the presence of night watchmen. Mary, disguised as Mark Quinn, becomes a builder's assistant to find out the truth about the body at the tower.

What book are you “waiting on”?

Review: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Title: Magic Under Glass
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Available: Now
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Number of pages: 240
Reading Level: Young Adult

4 out of 5 Stars

My copy was borrowed from my local public library







Description from Goodreads:

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

My thoughts:

Magic Under Glass is an enjoyable story of a girl with big dreams, and the challenges she faces because of the color of her skin. As the mom of biracial children, I’m thrilled to see a novel with a main character of color. I loved the author’s writing style, and felt the characters were well developed for such a short novel. I connected with Nimira instantly, and quickly grew attached. If I could change anything about this book it would be the length. Even just 50 more pages would have made for a “meatier” plot, and a possible 5 star rating from me. The ending also didn’t provide the closure I was hoping for. I understand it is setting us up for a sequel, but I wasn’t thrilled that the primary conflict was left unresolved. So both of  my complaints lean towards me wanting more. If there was ever a good complaint to receive, I think that would be it. I can’t wait for the sequel, Magic Under Stone.

I would recommend Magic Under Glass to readers that enjoy fantasy novels especially those set in a historical time period. I feel it is a safe read even for young teens.  If you like faeries and magic check this one out.

Magic Under Glass Trailer

Jaclyn Dolamore on the web:

Website | Blog