Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Sunday, April 08, 2018

Bookish Thoughts: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Brutus was dead. ~ Opening of Clean Sweep

Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #1) by Ilona Andrews

NYLA, 2012

Science Fiction/Fantasy; 235 pgs

Source: I purchased this copy for my personal reading pleasure.

You just have to tell me a book is by wife and husband writing team Ilona Andrews, and I know I will want to read it. It doesn’t really matter what it is about. Still, the Innkeeper Chronicles would have caught my attention even without the authors’ name attached. This fantasy/science fiction mash-up sounded irresistible.

Dina Demille seems like just your average person running a bed and breakfast in a small Texas town. When neighborhood pets start winding up dead, killed by a possible wild animal, Dina focuses her attention on the new resident in neighborhood, Sean Evans. Could he be behind the attacks? Dina will protect her neighborhood at all costs. Armed with a rather deadly broomstick and accompanied by her adorable Shih Tze, Dina is an Innkeeper, her home a way station for travelers from other worlds. She is tasked with caring for her guests and protecting theirs and the inn’s secrets.

Sean Evans may be new to town, but he has made the small Texas town his home and will do whatever it takes to protect his territory. Dina pegged him for a werewolf right away, and despite his initial protestations, he does finally admit to it. Dina and Sean reluctantly join forces to find out figure out who or what is threatening their idyllic neighborhood.

Then vampires arrive on the hunt for the predators that are lurking in Dina and Sean’s backyard—and the situation only grows more complicated from there. Dina must stand her ground and find a solution fast.

This series is just plain fun! It’s full of magic, a sentient inn, humor, literary references, werewolves, vampires, and otherworldly travel. I loved Dina and Sean and Beast and even the inn’s permanent guest, Caldena, who was both amusing and frightening.

In Clean Sweep, we learn how attached Dina is to the Inn itself, how the two provide each other with strength and magic. Dina grew up in an inn, both her parents being innkeepers before they mysteriously disappeared several years ago. Dina and her brother searched everywhere for them, but are uncertain of their fate. While her brother still searches, Dina knew the time had come to put down her own roots, and so she brought a dormant inn back to life. The Inn, Gertrude Hunt, is as much a character as Dina, and I wish I could explore her hallways and rooms.

Sean Evans had never known his own ancestor’s history, believing all his life he was some sort of aberration of a human. Dina opens his eyes to the truth, about his parents’ origins and how that tied into who he is, and the pieces begin to fall into place.

I admit I hadn’t paid too much attention to the description and so had really only been expecting fantasy—and so was pleasantly surprised when it turned out there was a very firm science fiction thread in the novel as well. It added to the richness of the world Ilona Andrews created.

Tensions were high, the humor spot on, and with a bit of romance on the side, Clean Sweep had me from the opening lines, and I couldn’t wait to dive into the second book once I finished this one, and that's just what I did.

Ilona Andrews is a husband and wife writing team. For more information about the authors and their books, visit their website.

© 2018, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Saturday, April 07, 2018

Weekly Mews: Easter Loot & April's TBR List Poll

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by the wonderful Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking to Stacking the Shelves hosted by the great Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.

I hope April has gotten off to a good start for all of you! Mouse has been enjoying her spring break and spending time with her grandmother. We had to replace our garbage disposal this week, which wasn't quite as easy as it first looked like it might be. The old one took a lot of effort to finally remove. You never realize how reliant on modern conveniences you are until you cannot use them. The in-laws are in town this weekend to celebrate Mouse's birthday. It is a month late, but they had a prior commitment and with my mom's cancer treatment up in the air at the time, it just seemed better to postpone the family celebration. Mouse, of course, didn't mind once I explained to her that this meant her birthday would last all that much longer--and she'd get more party time.

My Kindle Paperwhite, Charlotte, had a little accident about a week and a half ago. My hairbrush fell on it and cracked the screen. It's a decent size crack, I'm afraid. I can still read on it, but after much thought, I finally decided that it might be time to put those Amazon gift cards I have been hoarding to use. I love my Paperwhite and considered getting a new one, but ultimately decided to give the Oasis a try. So, in the next couple of weeks I should have it in hand. I am most excited about the ability to alternate between reading and listening to books. Ask me in a few months if I actually use the feature, will you? Now to think of a name!

Life should be getting back to normal here this next week, and then you will hopefully start seeing me around the blogosphere a bit more. That is the plan anyway.

New to My Shelves:

Easter Bookish Loot:

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation by Mindy Johnson

(Anjin's book)

Sightwitch by Susan Dennard

The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

Gift Card E-Book Purchases:

Kindling the Moon (Arcadia Bell, #1) by Jenn Bennett

Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas, #1) by Zoraida Córdova

Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante (Maggie Hope, #6) by Susan Elia MacNeal

What I Am Reading: I dove into A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle earlier this week, and finished reading it Thursday night. I last read it when I was in elementary school, and so my memory of it was next to nothing. I have not yet seen the movie, but I want to. I hear it is different, which isn't surprising.

I have also been spending time catching up with Les Misérables and War and Peace (at least for the time being). I was trying to put my daughter to sleep one night and thought she might enjoy my reading a bit about Cosette as Cosette goes into the forest at night for water, and meets Jean Valjean for the first time.Three chapters later, she was still not sleepy, but I decidedly was. I haven't read further yet knowing she wants me to read more to her. I read a bit more of War and Peace to her as well. The part where Rostov comes home on leave from the war. She keeps asking for more, and I hate to say no . . . I'm going to make a Classics reader out of her yet!

Next up I think I will start the classic The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge. It seems to be calling my name the loudest.

What I Am Watching: I had been watching the new American Idol season and am not all that impressed. Going back and forth between that and The Voice, I definitely know which show fits my tastes more. And so I am done with American Idol, I think.

I have not had a chance to watch this past Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead yet, so I have some catching up to do. I accidentally read a couple spoilers though, although I do not think they will impact my viewing of the episode when I get to it. I am anxious to see how the season will wrap up in the next couple weeks. I have heard rumors of Morgan moving to the Fear of the Walking Dead show, which I missed the second season of. I might have to give Fear another try just for that reason if it is true.

My daughter discovered My Babysitter is a Vampire, and so we have been watching that. The title still confuses me a bit. It's a cute show though.

What I Am Worried About: My mom will be having surgery this next week. Thank you for your continued good thoughts and prayers. It really does mean a lot. On a more minor note, my back is giving me trouble again. Hopefully a little extra caution and care will help with the pain, and I will be back to normal soon.

What I Am Looking Forward To: Life getting back to a somewhat more predictable pattern. And Disneyland, which is still upcoming.

What I Am Grateful For: Family and such supportive friends (like you!) and coworkers. I am also grateful for Ghirardelli chocolate, especially the dark chocolate ones filled with raspberry, and ice cold water.

This Week In Reading Mews:

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).

I had wanted to dive into Hazel Gaynor's historical fiction work long before having read her and Heather Webb's Last Christmas in Paris this past fall, but just haven't managed to. Now seems the perfect time! But which book should I start with? Please help me decide!

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor

A voyage across the ocean becomes the odyssey of a lifetime for a young Irish woman...

Ireland, 1912 . . .

Fourteen members of a small village set sail on RMS Titanic, hoping to find a better life in America. For seventeen-year-old Maggie Murphy, the journey is bittersweet. Though her future lies in an unknown new place, her heart remains in Ireland with Séamus, the sweetheart she left behind. When disaster strikes, Maggie is one of the few passengers in steerage to survive. Waking up alone in a New York hospital, she vows never to speak of the terror and panic of that fateful night again.

Chicago, 1982 . . .

Adrift after the death of her father, Grace Butler struggles to decide what comes next. When her great-grandmother Maggie shares the painful secret about the Titanic that she's harbored for almost a lifetime, the revelation gives Grace new direction—and leads both her and Maggie to unexpected reunions with those they thought lost long ago.

Inspired by true events, The Girl Who Came Home poignantly blends fact and fiction to explore the Titanic tragedy's impact and its lasting repercussions on survivors and their descendants. [Goodreads Summary]

A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor

In 1912, twenty-year-old Tilly Harper leaves the peace and beauty of her native Lake District for London, to become assistant housemother at Mr. Shaw’s Home for Watercress and Flower Girls. For years, the home has cared for London’s flower girls—orphaned and crippled children living on the grimy streets and selling posies of violets and watercress to survive.

Soon after she arrives, Tilly discovers a diary written by an orphan named Florrie—a young Irish flower girl who died of a broken heart after she and her sister, Rosie, were separated. Moved by Florrie’s pain and all she endured in her brief life, Tilly sets out to discover what happened to Rosie. But the search will not be easy. Full of twists and surprises, it leads the caring and determined young woman into unexpected places, including the depths of her own heart. [Goodreads Summary]

The Girl From the Savoy by Hazel Gaynor

Presenting a dazzling new historical novel … The Girl From The Savoy is as sparkling as champagne and as thrilling as the era itself.

Sometimes life gives you cotton stockings. Sometimes it gives you a Chanel gown …

Dolly Lane is a dreamer; a downtrodden maid who longs to dance on the London stage, but her life has been fractured by the Great War. Memories of the soldier she loved, of secret shame and profound loss, by turns pull her back and spur her on to make a better life.

When she finds employment as a chambermaid at London’s grandest hotel, The Savoy, Dolly takes a step closer to the glittering lives of the Bright Young Things who thrive on champagne, jazz and rebellion. Right now, she must exist on the fringes of power, wealth and glamor—she must remain invisible and unimportant.

But her fortunes take an unexpected turn when she responds to a struggling songwriter’s advertisement for a ‘muse’ and finds herself thrust into London’s exhilarating theatre scene and into the lives of celebrated actress, Loretta May, and her brother, Perry. Loretta and Perry may have the life Dolly aspires to, but they too are searching for something.

Now, at the precipice of the life she has and the one she longs for, the girl from The Savoy must make difficult choices: between two men; between two classes, between everything she knows and everything she dreams of. A brighter future is tantalizingly close—but can a girl like Dolly ever truly leave her past behind? [Goodreads Summary]

Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful April and Happy Reading!

Thursday, April 05, 2018

Where Is Your Bookmark? (A Peek Into A Wrinkle in Time & My Best/Worst March Reads)

I will likely be finishing A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle before the day is out--or at the latest, this weekend. Even with a house full of company. I will find a way. Somehow. I am so close! This is actually a re-read for me, although it's been so long since I last read it, it might as well count as the first time. It is one of my husband's childhood favorites, and I quite enjoyed it too (even if I liked The Wind on the Door better).

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

It was a dark and stormy night.

In her attic bedroom Margaret Murry, wrapped in an old patchwork quilt, sat on the foot of her bed and watched trees tossing in the frenzied lashing of the wind. Behind the trees clouds scudded frantically across the sky. Every few moments the moon ripped through them, creating wraith-like shadows that raced along the ground.

My thoughts: Such a famous first line, and one I imagine most have heard of before even if you might not have known where it came from. I love this opening. I can just picture it in my mind and feel the storm building outside.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

The trees were lashed into a violent frenzy. Meg screamed and clutched at Calvin, and Mrs. Which's authoritative voice called out, "Qquiett, chilldd!"

Did a shadow fall across the moon or did the moon simply go out, extinguished as abruptly and completely as a candle? There was still the sound of leaves, a terrified, terrifying rushing. All light was gone. Darkness was complete.Suddenly the wind was gone, and all sound. [page 56]

My thoughts: You would almost think that page 56 is close to the beginning of the book, the way the theme of the storm has continued to this point, wouldn't you? I assure you though, much has happened, and something even bigger is about to occur. Can't you just feel it coming reading this passage?

What do you think? Have you read this childhood Classic? Does this sound like something you would be interested in reading?

Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is Best/Worst Read in March.

While I still found it entertaining, Ashlyn Chase's Hooked on a Phoenix didn't quite work for me when all was said and done.

On the other hand, my favorite read of the month was The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez. It was an emotional and poignant novel about two immigrant families in the United States.

What was your favorite and least favorite books read in March?

Wednesday, April 04, 2018

Bookish Thoughts: The Prime Minister's Secret Agent by Susan Elia MacNeal

There will always be England! ~ Opening of The Prime Minister's Secret Agent

The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (Maggie Hope Mystery #4) by Susan Elia MacNeal
Bantam, 2014
Fiction/Historical; 306 pgs

It had been awhile since I last visited with my favorite World War II British spy, Maggie Hope. I had not planned to dive into The Prime Minister’s Secret Agent when I did, but I needed a new book to start, and it was the one that caught my attention.

This is the 4th book in the Maggie Hope series by Susan Elia MacNeal. Maggie got her start as one of many secretaries for Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Having grown up in America, raised by an aunt, Maggie feels more at home in England, the home country of her father. Having proven to be quite resourceful and observant when she breaks a German code involving a devious plot, Maggie earned her way up the chain into Secret Agent status. Now, however, after experiencing the war first hand, Maggie is teaching future spies in Scotland, trying to push down the memories of the recent past.

While each of the books in the series can be read alone, I highly recommend reading them in order. Each one builds on the other, and details about Maggie’s life are revealed along the way that play a major role in each of the novels. While normally I try to avoid giving away too much in past books, I am going to risk it here. If you plan to read the series, starting with book one, you might want to stop reading now.

Much of the first part of the book is centered on Maggie as she struggles with Post Traumatic Stress. She’s hardened herself, numbing herself to much of what goes around her. She contemplates the worth of continuing to live. She is in a very dark place. And really, it is no wonder given all she has experienced over the last few years. Against her own desires, Maggie is ordered by her superior to visit her friend and former roommate who is performing in Edinburgh. There is nothing like murder to draw someone out of their funk, and it does just that for Maggie when she witnesses the death of a dancer on stage. Maggie puts all of her energy into finding out who was behind the poisoning, which may now be inadvertently killing her friend.

The novel is divided into three different threads. There is Maggie’s plot line, of course. There is Clara, the Nazi spy (and Maggie’s mother) who is facing death in a short amount of time unless she opens up about what she knows. And then the countdown to December 7, 1942, when the United States is finally drawn into World War II. The Japanese are planning their attack on Pearl Harbor, an attack that might not have been a big surprise if red tape, misogyny and political and branch rivalries hadn’t gotten in the way. It was one of those tense story lines in which I know what will happen, and yet I was practically biting my nails in suspense just the same.

Big Spoiler Section (highlight to read): I found it particularly interesting that over the course of the novel, Maggie never gave in to see her mother, even with her mother promising to reveal Nazi secrets only to Maggie. I imagine a face off is coming, but I hold Maggie in high esteem for putting her mother off after everything. Clara doesn’t deserve the time of day. Of course, it doesn’t help that the reader knows Clara doesn’t want to see her daughter due to guilt or devotion. It is hard to feel sympathy for such a manipulative and devious woman.

I am so glad I dove into The Prime Minister’s Secret Agent when I did. I enjoyed every minute of my visit with Maggie Hope, and look forward to visiting again soon.

To learn more about Susan Elia MacNeal and her books, please visit the author's website.

Tuesday, April 03, 2018

Wishing for Wednesday: Speakeasy & On a Cold Dark Sea

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. (Based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.)

Speakeasy by Alisa Smith
Release Date: April 10, 2018 by Thomas Dunne Books

In this literate and action-packed historical thriller, set during World War II, a plucky code-breaker fights to keep a deadly secret as her Bonnie-and-Clyde past threatens to catch up with her.

Thirty-year-old Lena Stillman is living a perfectly respectable life when a shocking newspaper headline calls up her past: it concerns her former lover, charismatic bank robber Bill Bagley. A romantic and charming figure, Lena had tried to forget him by resuming her linguistic studies, which led to her recruitment as a Navy code-breaker intercepting Japanese messages during World War II.

But can Lena keep her own secrets? Threatening notes and the appearance of an old diary that recalls her gangster days are poised to upset her new life.

Whom can she really trust? Is there a spy among the code-breakers? And who is it that wants her dead? [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: This actually was published last year by an independent publisher in Canada, but now is being put out by Thomas Dunne. It's the first I have heard about it, and just from the description, I am sure you can guess why I want to read it. World War II. Code breaking. Bonnie and Clyde type past. Secrets. This one has my name written all over it.

On a Cold Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell
Release Date: April 10, 2018 by Lake Union Publishing

On April 15, 1912, three women climbed into Lifeboat 21 and watched in horror as the Titanic sank into the icy depths. They were strangers then…

Con artist Charlotte Digby lied her way through London and onto the Titanic. The disaster could be her chance at a new life—if she hides the truth about her past. Esme Harper, a wealthy American, mourns the end of a passionate affair and fears that everything beautiful is slipping from her grasp. And Anna Halversson, a Swedish farm girl in search of a fresh start in America, is tormented by the screams that ring out from the water. Is one of them calling her name?

Twenty years later, a sudden death brings the three women back together, forcing them to face the impossible choices they made, the inconceivable loss, and the secrets they have kept for far too long. [Goodreads Summary]

Why I want to read it: This time of year often seems to bring out my love for historical fiction, and how can I resist a novel about three women who survived the Titanic, coming together decades later, and having to face a secret they've kept all that time? You are right. I can't.

Do either of these sound like books you might be interested in reading?
What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?