“The Tin Rose” by Anne Renwick

“The Tin Rose” by Anne Renwick

An Elemental Web Tale Book 1

This is what I call a short and oh so sweet story. I just adore the world that Anne Renwick has created in this series and this story is no exception. In this one Lady Emily and Luca and racing to find a cure for a deadly poison. Readers were first introduced to these characters in “The Golden Spider” and they continue to delight. This story has romance and action, good and evil all in about 50 pages. Oh, and don’t forget all the cool steampunk contraptions. Short story perfection with this one!

Alinefromabook’s rating:  5-star-rating 5 stars!!

Happy Reading!

Links:   Amazon US   |   Goodreads   |   Author’s website

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“Stuff You Missed In History Class” from HowStuffWorks – Podcast

If you’ve been following me for any time you know that I like history, especially what I like call history’s quirky corners. And this podcast is full of them. There is a library of 11 years of episodes to choose from so if you can’t find something here you’d like to know more about than I don’t know where to send you. Each episode runs about 15 mins. and the hosts give you and in depth look at a particular person or event in history. Recently I enjoyed episodes about “How the Hearst Castle Works” and “The Caning of Charles Sumner on the Senate Floor”. The cover every era of history from the Ancient World to Modern Day politics and every corner of the world. I also like that at the end of every episode they will point you to further resources on the topic on the internet so you can keep digging if you’re so inclined. The hosts are very congenial and I find the presentations very well organized. So all you history buffs, if you haven’t come across this podcast yet you need to check it out.

Alinefromabook’s rating: 5-star-rating  5 stars!!

“A Measure of Darkness” by Jonathan Kellerman & Jesse Kellerman

“A Measure of Darkness” by Jonathan Kellerman & Jesse Kellerman

Clay Edison is a deputy coroner whose last case earned him a suspension. But things are going great with his girlfriend and he’s back at work. Then that middle of the night call comes. There’s been a shooting in an East Bay neighborhood and there are multiple victims, including a Jane Doe. Clay decides to take on identifying Jane, which will turn out to be quite a project. While this is going on, his brother is released from prison and shows up for Thanksgiving with a big surprise.

I think this series is a great collaboration from the Kellermans. In the beginning I wasn’t quite sure what to think about Clay but he quickly grew on me. I loved how the story was not limited to the investigation but brought in the challenges of Clay’s personal life as well. My favorite character though, may well be Clay’s girlfriend. She is so supportive but at the same time has a way of keeping him rooted in reality. I like that this story has a real life feel to it. That being said, the story is full of twists and mysteries and action enough to satisfy any mystery lover. The fact that this story is set in California is just a bonus for me. Definitely check this series out.

Alinefromabook’s rating:  4-5-star-rating 4.5 stars!!

Happy Reading!

Links:   Amazon US   |   Goodreads   |   Author’s website

“Down the River Unto the Sea” by Walter Mosley

“Down the River Unto the Sea” by Walter Mosley

Narrated by Dion Graham

Joe King Oliver used to be an NYPD detective, and a good one too, until somebody set him up to take a fall. Then he was a prisoner and what he experienced in Rikers Island would change him and his life forever. Years later, Joe is a private detective with a teenage daughter, an ex-wife, and a wounded soul. Then he gets a letter from the woman who helped set him up and he decides it’s time to find the person who orchestrated his downfall and set things right. Along the way there’s a kidnapped young girl to find, an ex-con comes to his assistance, and his daughter’s life is put in danger. The question is, can Joe connect all the dots before more people get hurt?

This is a gritty story that takes the reader into some really dark places. That being said, I enjoyed it very much. Joe King Oliver is a great character. He’s obviously damaged by his experiences and doesn’t try very hard to hide it. He’s also a very thorough and effective detective. The bright spot in this story is his daughter. She is a typical teenager but she worships her father. I really loved the way the author wrote their relationship. Joe’s devotion to her equals her love of him and it was refreshing to see a teenager who had a good relationship with a parent. The same can’t be said for her relationship with her stepfather though. I found all the players in this drama to be unique and felt true to life. The story is written at a really good pace that keeps the reader engaged throughout. Overall, I think this is a well-crafter first novel.

The narration of this story really shines. Dion Graham has voice like honey and I kept listening as much for the sound of his voice as for the story itself. I will definitely be watching for this narrator on future books.

Alinefromabook’s rating: 4-5-star-rating  4.5 stars!!

Happy Reading!

Links:   Amazon US   |   Goodreads   |   Author’s website

“The Bright Sessions” Podcast

This is an audio drama which I have been loving. The story is about a therapist, Dr. Bright, who works with patients known as “atypicals”. Each of her patients has a type of superpower, such as, hearing other people’s thoughts, time traveling, or dream walking. Dr. Bright’s goal is to help them to understand and live with their ability. At the same time Dr. Bright is affiliated with an organization call the AM whose stated goal is to help atypicals but who may have some less than helpful activities going on.

I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this podcast and the characters, the acting and the story quickly had me hooked. There is of course a lot of drama but also intrigue, action, and romance. I found this to be well written and very creative. I would recommend starting at the beginning in order to really get the story. I think you can find this on just about all podcast apps and at their website thebrightsessions.com. If you enjoy stories that are a little bit out there, I think you will love this one.

Alinefromabook’s rating: 5-star-rating  5 stars!!

 

Weekly Round-Up 9/30/2018

Welcome to the round-up everybody. It’s a sunny day here in North Dakota and I have been busy. I decided this weekend to go through my entire TBR and take off any books that I was no longer interested in. I’ve made it about halfway through my list so far and there has been some radical changes. Let’s see exactly how the numbers have changed so far.

TBR – Last night I removed 44 books from the list leaving me with a total today of 219 books to be read. I did not actually finish reading any books this past week and I didn’t add any either.

Goodreads Challenge – Complete disaster here. I am 5 books behind schedule for this challenge.

NetGalley score – Still at 86%.

John Connolly Challenge – No change here.

Coming Up – I have no clue at this point and am now afraid to make predictions. Going forward I’m going to change from a weekly round-up to a monthly round-up because week to week I’m just not doing as much reading as I used to. So that’s what’s going on here. I hope you all have a great week!

Happy Reading!

 

“A Georgian Heroine” by Joanne Major & Sarah Murden

“A Georgian Heroine” by Joanne Major & Sarah Murden

The Intriguing Life of Rachel Charlotte Williams Biggs

It’s easy to think of the Georgian period as all fancy dress and good manners … until you read this book. Rachel Charlotte Williams Biggs has barely reached adulthood when she is stalked, kidnapped, raped and held captive for 2 years by a man who claims to love her. But there is still a whole life to be lived where she will work as a spy for the government, be held captive by the French, and never have the opportunity to be with the man she has always loved.

With little to go on, the authors have crafted the story of Rachel Bigg’s life. It seems at times that the universe is set against her but she is nothing if not persistent and capable of pulling herself up from her adversity time and time again. I found this story very intriguing and written in a style that kept me wanting to know what happened next. If you’re looking for something a little different in the way of biography, then check this one out. I definitely recommend it.

Alinefromabook’s rating:  4-star-rating 4 stars!!

Happy Reading!

Links:   Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |   Goodreads

Weekly Round-Up 9/23/2018

Morning readers! I hope you are enjoying your Sunday. Are you happy it’s fall? I know I am. I don’t think my numbers have changed much this week but let’s take a look anyway.

TBR – I added one audiobook to the list this week And I finished 2 books. The total on the TBR as of today is 266.

Goodreads Challenge – I am 4 books behind. Ugh!

NetGalley Score – The only real bright spot. I am 86%.

John Connolly Challenge – I haven’t yet started on book 8, not sure when I’ll be able to pick it up.

Coming Up – I have 2 reviews that I need to post. I’m currently reading “A Measure of Darkness”.A Measure of Darkness I’m about a 1/3 of the way through and so maybe(??) I’ll be able to finish it this week. After that I’m not sure. Give me your opinion. The next two books on my list are “The Tin Rose” by Anne RenwickThe Tine Rose and “Baby Teeth” by Zoje Stage.Baby Teeth Which one do you think I should read next, leave your vote below.

Happy Reading!

“The Lovers” by John Connolly – Audiobook

“The Lovers” by John Connolly – Audiobook

Narrated by George Guidall

Listening to this story was like a chocolate truffle melting on the tongue. This story is the most personal of the books so far in that the mystery Charlie is trying to unravel is that of his father’s suicide. This incident, obviously, had a huge impact on Charlie’s life and at this point in time he has lost his PI’s license and been working as a bartender. He decides to take a week off and travel to New York to try and determine once and for all what drove his father to take his own life. In the process, he opens up a hornet’s nest of secrets. He comes in contact with former colleagues of his father, revisits his own former home in the city and has a heart-to-heart with the rabbi who was there when Charlie was born.

I really enjoyed this opportunity to learn more about Charlie Parker’s life and family. Who could have imagined all of the supernatural events that surrounded Charlie’s birth? Only the mind of John Connolly. I have to also give high praise to the narrator for his excellent reading of this story. He really kept my attention throughout. This series continues to thrill and boggle my mind, and I highly recommend it.

Alinefromabook’s rating: 5-star-rating  5 stars!!

Happy Reading!

Links:   Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |   Goodreads   |   Author’s website

Weekly Round-Up 9/16/2018

Weekly Round-Up 9/16/2018

Well, as it turns out I didn’t finish reading anything this week so there is nothing to report book-wise. Since I had used up all my credits on Audible I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts this last week. Question: would you guys be interested in reviews of podcasts? This new job I have is really cutting down on my reading time. I’ve also dabbling a little bit into Librivox recordings which are free to listen to. Would reviews of those be interesting?

What I’m Currently Reading: I’m still working on “A Georgian Heroine” by Joanne Major & Sarah Murden, which I’m a little over half way through. It’s a fascinating story and I would love to finish it today if I can sneak some reading in between chores. I have started reading “A Measure of Darkness” by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman. This story has started out with some real intensity so I’m hopeful that I will enjoy it. I will be posting my review of “The Lovers” by John Connolly today or tomorrow. I’ll catch up with you guys again next week. If you are in the path of Florence my thoughts are with you.

Happy Reading!