Last Books of January
I can't believe another week has passed already. This weekend was full up with stuff we had to do so it felt almost like we had no weekend at all. Although I did get to sleep in on Saturday which is always my favorite part. lol Unfortunately, I woke up with a migraine on Sunday which is always an awful way to begin a day it finally faded by the afternoon and then I was just exhausted which is how it goes for me. First, the pain and then I am so tired I feel like I could sleep for a week and all my thoughts feel like they are trying to make their way through jello. I didn't use to get migraines very often, but as I have gotten older, I tend to get one or two month which is not optimal. Because let's face it life does not stop just because you are in pain. Enough complaining because I did have an overall good week even though it started out rough. In fact, my reading was really good this week they were all winners!
This week I read: 1 historical fantasy, 1 contemporary romance, 1 action/adventure, and 1 historical romance book.
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
Clara Johnson talks to spirits, a gift that saved her during her darkest moments in a Washington D. C. jail. Now a curse that’s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So, when the Empress, the powerful spirit who holds her debt, offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, a desperate Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District. Clara can’t pull off this daring heist alone. She’ll need help from an unlikely team, from a jazz musician capable of hypnotizing with a melody to an aging vaudeville actor who can change his face, to pull off the impossible. But as they encounter increasingly difficult obstacles, a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn. Conflict in the spirit world is leaking into the human one and along D.C’.s legendary Black Broadway, a mystery unfolds-one that not only has repercussions for Clara but all of the city’s residents. ~Goodreads Description
I loved this book. The author describes it as "a fantasy heist novel set during the Harlem Renaissance." Clara, our pov protagonist, is one of the better-written characters I have read this year. She felt like a real person who you could meet if you traveled back to the 1920s. She is kind-hearted but hides that aspect of herself by keeping everyone at arm's length. But as the novel progresses and she gathers more people around her you can see her slowly start to let others see the real person underneath. I love the relationships that develop between the group as the story progresses, and how they all grow closer and start to trust each other. I love a well written heist novel and this one was historical to boot so double kudos from me. I wish this was a whole series of books but since this one ends as well as it does, I am content with what we received from a very talented author. Highly recommended!
Call Me Maybe by Cara Barstone
I am still taking full advantage of my dad's generous birthday gift of an Audible gift subscription while it lasts so I am trying to listen to all the free books they have on their site before March when my subscription expires. This was another good book in the Love Lines series. I read Seatmate, which is the third in the series, last year and loved it so I definitely wanted to go back and read the other two books. I don't think Call Me Maybe was quite as good, but it was close. I loved both Vera and Cal they are just good people who meet through a customer service call and then just keep talking. The journey they go on is well-written and ultimately satisfying. One critique I had was the author did employ one of my least favorite tropes the one where one person overhears something out of context and draws all the wrong conclusions. I hate that trope. Other than that, it is a sweet love story, and I can't wait to read the last one in the series.
Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler
This was another good action/adventure story from Clive Cussler and Graham Brown. Although Cussler's books tend to be formulaic, I don't mind as they are good popcorn reads. This time I was reading a physical copy, but I do think these stories are better as audiobooks, with all the fast-paced action they remind me of the old-fashioned radio plays. I continue to love Kurt and Joe's friendship and how they genuinely care for each other underneath all the banter. Plus, I love the found family aspect of the Numa organization and how this book in particular emphasized their close bond. Another well-written part of this book was the villain. Sometimes Cussler's villains can be over the top in their evilness, but not this time instead he was complicated and was really driven by wanting to help his people. All in all, this book reminded me why I like both the Numa and Fargo series. When they are done right, they are really well-written stories.
The Duke of Ruin by Darcy Burke
This was a delightful regency romance. I really enjoyed both protagonists. Diana and Simon are both good people who have suffered much misfortune. Diana is a smart, pragmatic, and soft-spoken heroine. Simon is humorous, friendly, and very lovable. Together they are a couple of sweethearts who are easy to root for. Most of this book takes place during a road trip which is one of my favorite storylines. I love all the details of travel and of course, we always get the ever lovely, "Oh no, there is only one bed" trope. The way they slowly but surely fell in love with each other was a delightful read and I am glad I picked up this book.
Reading Challenges 2023:
Mount TBR: The Monsters We Defy, Devil's Gate
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: N/A
50 State Challenge: By Night (South Dakota)
Jellybean Challenge: Duke of Ruin (Finished!)
How was your guy's weekend?
This week I read: 1 historical fantasy, 1 contemporary romance, 1 action/adventure, and 1 historical romance book.
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
Clara Johnson talks to spirits, a gift that saved her during her darkest moments in a Washington D. C. jail. Now a curse that’s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So, when the Empress, the powerful spirit who holds her debt, offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, a desperate Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District. Clara can’t pull off this daring heist alone. She’ll need help from an unlikely team, from a jazz musician capable of hypnotizing with a melody to an aging vaudeville actor who can change his face, to pull off the impossible. But as they encounter increasingly difficult obstacles, a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn. Conflict in the spirit world is leaking into the human one and along D.C’.s legendary Black Broadway, a mystery unfolds-one that not only has repercussions for Clara but all of the city’s residents. ~Goodreads Description
I loved this book. The author describes it as "a fantasy heist novel set during the Harlem Renaissance." Clara, our pov protagonist, is one of the better-written characters I have read this year. She felt like a real person who you could meet if you traveled back to the 1920s. She is kind-hearted but hides that aspect of herself by keeping everyone at arm's length. But as the novel progresses and she gathers more people around her you can see her slowly start to let others see the real person underneath. I love the relationships that develop between the group as the story progresses, and how they all grow closer and start to trust each other. I love a well written heist novel and this one was historical to boot so double kudos from me. I wish this was a whole series of books but since this one ends as well as it does, I am content with what we received from a very talented author. Highly recommended!
Call Me Maybe by Cara Barstone
I am still taking full advantage of my dad's generous birthday gift of an Audible gift subscription while it lasts so I am trying to listen to all the free books they have on their site before March when my subscription expires. This was another good book in the Love Lines series. I read Seatmate, which is the third in the series, last year and loved it so I definitely wanted to go back and read the other two books. I don't think Call Me Maybe was quite as good, but it was close. I loved both Vera and Cal they are just good people who meet through a customer service call and then just keep talking. The journey they go on is well-written and ultimately satisfying. One critique I had was the author did employ one of my least favorite tropes the one where one person overhears something out of context and draws all the wrong conclusions. I hate that trope. Other than that, it is a sweet love story, and I can't wait to read the last one in the series.
Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler
This was another good action/adventure story from Clive Cussler and Graham Brown. Although Cussler's books tend to be formulaic, I don't mind as they are good popcorn reads. This time I was reading a physical copy, but I do think these stories are better as audiobooks, with all the fast-paced action they remind me of the old-fashioned radio plays. I continue to love Kurt and Joe's friendship and how they genuinely care for each other underneath all the banter. Plus, I love the found family aspect of the Numa organization and how this book in particular emphasized their close bond. Another well-written part of this book was the villain. Sometimes Cussler's villains can be over the top in their evilness, but not this time instead he was complicated and was really driven by wanting to help his people. All in all, this book reminded me why I like both the Numa and Fargo series. When they are done right, they are really well-written stories.
The Duke of Ruin by Darcy Burke
This was a delightful regency romance. I really enjoyed both protagonists. Diana and Simon are both good people who have suffered much misfortune. Diana is a smart, pragmatic, and soft-spoken heroine. Simon is humorous, friendly, and very lovable. Together they are a couple of sweethearts who are easy to root for. Most of this book takes place during a road trip which is one of my favorite storylines. I love all the details of travel and of course, we always get the ever lovely, "Oh no, there is only one bed" trope. The way they slowly but surely fell in love with each other was a delightful read and I am glad I picked up this book.
Reading Challenges 2023:
Mount TBR: The Monsters We Defy, Devil's Gate
Cloak & Dagger Challenge: N/A
50 State Challenge: By Night (South Dakota)
Jellybean Challenge: Duke of Ruin (Finished!)
How was your guy's weekend?