The main story thread of this book is of a band who through hard work, musical skills, and probably a bit of luck as well hit it big on the music scenThe main story thread of this book is of a band who through hard work, musical skills, and probably a bit of luck as well hit it big on the music scene. You can imagine if The Beatles had formed in the US, but otherwise their story was the same as in real life and you’ll have a good idea of the timing and trajectory of The GooseBumps, the band at the heart of this book. This part in itself makes for an engrossing story. But note the title of this book. It isn’t about a band, it is about a song.
One of the original songs the GooseBumps write, sing, and have a hit with is the real star of this book. It not only is the big hit that everyone knows has to be played at every GooseBumps concert if you don’t want the fans to go home extremely disappointed, it is a song that inspires, comforts, and helps people in different ways. One of those songs that has a lot of meaning for people. Scattered through the book are stories of some of the fans of the song and how the song helped them. If you’re a music fan, especially one who pays attention to more than just whether it ”has a good beat” and you also notice the lyrics and what they mean to you, this book will strike home.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
Although I don’t have much experience living in small towns like the one where this took place, I have enough experience to recognize the accuracy of Although I don’t have much experience living in small towns like the one where this took place, I have enough experience to recognize the accuracy of the town depicted here with the small-town vibe, both positive and negative qualities being involved. These qualities add color and in some ways expands the viable theories in getting to the solution of the mystery. A likeable protagonist who is learning about the town along with the reader also helps the reader relate well to the story. If you like cozy mysteries, this should definitely do the trick.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
For those not familiar with this series, Sam Firecloud is able to communicate with the spirit of a person who has died and for some reason hasn’t moveFor those not familiar with this series, Sam Firecloud is able to communicate with the spirit of a person who has died and for some reason hasn’t moved on from this life to the next, essentially hanging around and, for lack of a better term, haunting people in this world. Typically there is a reason for this which needs to be resolved. With his partner, Lacey Fitzpatrick, Sam is called on to help understand and resolve these issues so the spirit can move on.
In some ways, this book is like the others in the series, at least at the high level above. But there is also a second major story thread which, while related to the main story thread, is presented in a different way. I won’t go into more detail to avoid spoilers, but will say that I was eager to figure out how both threads were going to resolve and was kept guessing and engaged in both parts of the story to the end.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
This mystery has multiple story threads which keep things interesting and keep the reader guessing how things are going to turn out. First, we have thThis mystery has multiple story threads which keep things interesting and keep the reader guessing how things are going to turn out. First, we have the protagonist, Detective Ramesh Ryan, who has just been promoted to a new position as a homicide detective. The challenges of being in a new position and figuring out how to work with and interact with others in the department is a challenge. That his partner was just transferred from another city and is learning her job as well as the both of them figuring out how to make their team work complicates things still further. Throw in some happenings in Ryan’s personal life and things get more complicated. All of this just makes figuring out the mystery and where the story is going to go that much less clear for the reader which is a positive for a mystery. The results are an engaging and entertaining read that draws the reader in as you try to figure things out along with Detective Ryan.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
I think it is fair to say that I’m having a lot of conflicting feelings about how to review this book. The story at a high level is a good one. I loveI think it is fair to say that I’m having a lot of conflicting feelings about how to review this book. The story at a high level is a good one. I love the characters. As the name of the series indicates, the protagonist is a strong and courageous woman who you can’t help but like and pull for her to get through these challenges. I enjoyed the different story threads and how they all fit together.
However, there are aspects of the author’s approach to writing that I found problematic. The book is a lot longer than it probably needs or should be because the story had a tendency to go down a rabbit hole. As a reader we would get a brain dump of what was going through one of the main character’s minds at a certain point, not unreasonable except the tendency to go into way too much detail was there. Then we’d get the same for what a more obscure character was thinking, which isn’t normal. The way it was done often had me thinking about the old writer’s adage to “show, don’t tell.” It felt like the reader was getting both shown and then told and told and told. At times the story took turns that stretched credibility, but I managed to get past those instances, and the reader was sometimes told things that I didn’t think were needed to understand the story and didn’t add anything to it, just bogging it down. I imagine some readers wouldn’t notice or take issue with the things that bothered me. If you think you’re one of those readers, the book has a lot of good points, so give it a try.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** ...more
This series appears to be a set of short reads, each of them with “10 little rules” to help a person in some way, whether that help is what might be cThis series appears to be a set of short reads, each of them with “10 little rules” to help a person in some way, whether that help is what might be classified as “self-help” or to help you understand something that is good to know in a better way. In the process you’ll potentially learn about some other subject that you might be interested in.
This specific volume involves travel and the ways it can expand a person’s view and understanding of the world. Mark Twain has been quoted as saying that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” (a quote included in this book at an appropriate spot), and that concept is one that runs through this book. The author had a goal of visiting every county or county equivalent in the US. He accomplished that goal and in this book delves a bit into the travel experience, but also what he observed and learned from the experience. A lot of this is political, but makes the point that we aren’t as far apart as it sometimes seems. While a short quick read it also references other articles and studies as well as having links to websites where more information about some places and subjects mentioned can be found. A fun, quick, and thought-provoking read.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** ...more
Judge Ferdinand Pitt, or Ferd, the nickname we get to know him as, is the protagonist of the book. He’s obviously had some success in life, in spite oJudge Ferdinand Pitt, or Ferd, the nickname we get to know him as, is the protagonist of the book. He’s obviously had some success in life, in spite of a history that required him to beat the odds to get to where he has in life. Then things spiral a bit out of control when his dad who he hasn’t seen since he abandoned the family when Ferd was a kid is charged with murder and as he tries to find out if his dad is guilty things start hitting even closer to home. Trying to juggle his judicial ethics, while also protecting his family, turns into a juggling act. In the meantime, as a reader, trying to figure out who did what along with the judge kept me very engaged. A good read.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
I think calling this book different and unique would be fair. It takes some things that are mysteries and imagines what the answers might be. Things lI think calling this book different and unique would be fair. It takes some things that are mysteries and imagines what the answers might be. Things like what happens after we leave this life. It imagines strange happenings and how to figure out why they are happening and how to deal with them. How all of this relates to the rest, what the ultimate answers are, and how it all fits together isn’t at all like anything I’ve read before. And, of course how it was all going to work out, especially for Millie, the main character, was something that mattered to me as the reader and kept me engrossed to the last page.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
I’ll admit to feeling torn about this collection. I think it might depend on how you generally approach reading short story collections. If you read oI’ll admit to feeling torn about this collection. I think it might depend on how you generally approach reading short story collections. If you read one or two stories, then do something else, that works. But if you tend to read several stories at a time without many breaks then I think these stories might feel too much the same. There’s nothing wrong with stories having a pattern. (Every novel in the romance genre has the same basic pattern at a high level.) With one exception these fit a basic pattern. I liked the two main characters, Joe Miller and Bill Kelby. A third character who shows up in most stories is Dr Delmonico, the police department psychologist. He sometimes stretches belief in the theories he comes up with, not that he comes up with them, but no matter how out there his theories seem to be, he apparently never gets anything wrong. In spite of these concerns, I still enjoyed reading these stories and meeting Miller and Kelby.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
This was a unique book that drew me in quickly and kept me engrossed to the very end. The concept is that there are a group of … we’ll call them soulsThis was a unique book that drew me in quickly and kept me engrossed to the very end. The concept is that there are a group of … we’ll call them souls I guess, who get assigned to be what are called collectors. These collectors are spirits who can potentially transport themselves anywhere on Earth under the right conditions. They have a duty to help “collect” the souls of humans who die and to transport these souls to drop off points where they then move on to where ever they go. Those souls who are assigned to be collectors get a small amount of training and then go through a whole lot of trial and error as they get a handle on it.
I’m afraid to say much more for fear of spoiling the story. As the main character, Madelyn, figures things out the reader goes along for the ride and tries to figure them out too. Madelyn has something happen that is extremely rare and no one is sure how to deal with it, which makes things more intense for a while. Then throw in things that feel just like this life, lots of other souls, some who help you, some who are trying to get in your way, and some that you’re not sure where they fall, keeps things interesting. I found the author’s sense of humor as well as a protagonist that I was pulling for along with the unique story world made for a great story.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** ...more
This was a quick, fun, and intense read. How things are going to work out for the main character Lenny weren’t obvious at any point right up to the veThis was a quick, fun, and intense read. How things are going to work out for the main character Lenny weren’t obvious at any point right up to the very end. (How I wanted it to end was up in the air too.) The story, while well out of my life experience, felt real. At the end we find out that while not a true story, it is based on a few real life people and events which I think helped keep it feeling real.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** ...more
Along with the copyright, dedication, and other content before the book actually begins is a notice that says the author will be donating a dollar froAlong with the copyright, dedication, and other content before the book actually begins is a notice that says the author will be donating a dollar from each copy of this book that is sold to an organization supporting survivors of sexual assault and adds that “if some men had an ounce of self-control, I wouldn’t have had to write this book.”
The author talks about some things you’re probably aware of and in some cases most of you have probably participated in them to some degree. If you’re enough of an adult to be reading this I doubt many won’t recognize themselves in the things discussed here at some point, regardless of your gender. Hopefully lots more your reaction will be “I didn’t realize that happened” or “I knew that kind of stuff went on, but I sure haven’t been involved in it.” Ultimately this book will get you thinking about a lot of things, maybe inspire those who need to do better to do so. But even if it doesn’t, it’s a fun read in spite of the deep subject. The author injects humor in lots of different ways. In fact, at one point the author says that if it “made you laugh, gasp, or squirm uncomfortably in public” that this was a good thing and the point of the book. It sure did for me. All three of those things at different times.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
Just like real life, I wasn’t sure where this story was going to go. In the process of finding out it caused a lot of thinking about family, both goodJust like real life, I wasn’t sure where this story was going to go. In the process of finding out it caused a lot of thinking about family, both good and bad, as I compared the Kerr family in the book to my own family. I contrasted the things they were experiencing, both positive and not so great things, to my life and that of others I have known. A good book exercises the mind and gets the reader thinking and this story definitely did that.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
A reporter like Branigan Powers, the protagonist of this series, trying to figure out what happened in a car crash that resulted in one college studenA reporter like Branigan Powers, the protagonist of this series, trying to figure out what happened in a car crash that resulted in one college student dying isn’t unusual. You’d expect a reporter might look into strange happenings. But teaming up with Malachi, a homeless man, to figure out what is going on is an interesting and unique twist.
As for the mystery, I was guessing the entire way, but never quite sure as Branigan and Malachi would uncover each clue making my previous guesses appear incorrect. As more came out I couldn’t help coming back to see how things turned out. A fun read.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
While there are some serious things going on in this story including the romance, it is also funny in so many ways. For a fan of music (yes, even thatWhile there are some serious things going on in this story including the romance, it is also funny in so many ways. For a fan of music (yes, even that twangy country stuff) as well being a person who likes to laugh and be a bit of a smart … well, you know … this book was one of the most fun and enjoyable reads I’ve devoured in a while. I’m glad I decided to give it a try.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
Wow. I’ve got to confess that while I’ve read quite a few books in the romance genre in my day and a least a few historical westerns, even some that cWow. I’ve got to confess that while I’ve read quite a few books in the romance genre in my day and a least a few historical westerns, even some that combine both like this one, neither fits my preferred genres. Yet I’ve also come to realize that stretching my wings and reading books outside of my normal genres is a good idea so I gave this one a try. I’m glad I did. It took me to a different time and on a grand adventure with a couple of characters (take that any way you want and it will fit) with Lula Mae and Gannon. An extremely fun read.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** ...more
This small collection of short stories was a fun read. The mix of sci-fi and more general fiction was a nice mix. But what really stood out for me wasThis small collection of short stories was a fun read. The mix of sci-fi and more general fiction was a nice mix. But what really stood out for me was how the author found a way to end many of the stories in a way that surprised me, yet felt like the correct ending, even if I didn’t see it coming. The “bite sized” stories are a nice change of pace to read in between a couple long novels that are my normal reading diet.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
This book gets you thinking in lots of ways, from advertising in general and how it works, to how it feels like we’re being targeted for ads on socialThis book gets you thinking in lots of ways, from advertising in general and how it works, to how it feels like we’re being targeted for ads on social media (okay, are being, it isn’t just a feeling). Then we throw in the current thing that is giving people concerns, for good reason, artificial intelligence and how that might figure into this. The result is something that should get you thinking, put you on guard, and just might make you feel a little bit paranoid, but justifiably so.
But woven in with this scary stuff is a lot of fun stuff. I’ve never been surfing nor will I ever be doing that, but the protagonist is an avid surfer and you’ll feel like you’re on the waves with her at times which is quite an adventure. If you love the city of San Francisco and surrounding area as much as I do then the descriptions of it as the protagonist enjoys her city and describes different parts of it will pull you in. If you aren’t already a SF lover, this might help you realize that you’ve been missing out and want to visit someday. This all helped offset as well as contrast with the more intense parts of the book and helped make the story even better.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** ...more
These were stories that were entertaining, thought provoking. While the characters often go through difficult things I still found myself amused and lThese were stories that were entertaining, thought provoking. While the characters often go through difficult things I still found myself amused and laughing at some of the stories, at least when they resolved in an unexpected and good way.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **...more
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