Author: readersalley

10th Annual Goodreads Choice Award Nominees & Finalists

10th Annual Goodreads Choice Award Nominees & Finalists

GoodReads announces  the winners of their 10th Annual Choice Awards, the only major book awards decided by readers.

Still Me: A Novel

Me Before You Trilogy Book 3
By Jojo Moyes
Fiction

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life.

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you find the courage to follow your heart—wherever that may lead?

Funny, romantic, and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she discovers who she is and who she was always meant to be—and learns to live boldly in her brave new world.

The Outsider


By Stephen King
Mystery & Thriller

An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.

An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.

As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.

The Great Alone


By Kristin Hannah
Historical Fiction

In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, a desperate family seeks a new beginning in the near-isolated wilderness of Alaska only to find that their unpredictable environment is less threatening than the erratic behavior found in human nature.

Alaska, 1974. Ernt Allbright came home from the Vietnam War a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes the impulsive decision to move his wife and daughter north where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.

Cora will do anything for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, has little choice but to go along, daring to hope this new land promises her family a better future.

In a wild, remote corner of Alaska, the Allbrights find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the newcomers’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.

But as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own.

The Kiss Quotient


By Helen Hoang
Romance

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there’s not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he’s making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

Vengeful

Villains Book 2
By V.E. Schwab
Science Fiction

A super-powered collision of extraordinary minds and vengeful intentions—#1 New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab returns with the thrilling follow-up to Vicious.

Magneto and Professor X. Superman and Lex Luthor. Victor Vale and Eli Ever. Sydney and Serena Clarke. Great partnerships, now soured on the vine.

But Marcella Riggins needs no one. Flush from her brush with death, she’s finally gained the control she’s always sought—and will use her new-found power to bring the city of Merit to its knees. She’ll do whatever it takes, collecting her own sidekicks, and leveraging the two most infamous EOs, Victor Vale and Eli Ever, against each other.

With Marcella’s rise, new enmities create opportunity–and the stage of Merit City will once again be set for a final, terrible reckoning.

Going Home – A Beautiful Story About Friends And Family

Going Home – A Beautiful Story About Friends And Family

In 1970, Violet Hawkins’ only wish at eighteen is to escape her life in the Dayton, Ohio, foster-care system and make her way to the west coast to enjoy a mellow life and find the love she’s been missing all her life. She makes it to San Francisco, but soon learns she needs a job if she’s to live properly. A kind, young man named Kenton Chandler offers her a sandwich and a job at his father’s inn and vineyards. With nothing to lose, Lettie takes him up on his offer and begins a whole new life in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. She immediately falls in love with the land and is fascinated with the idea of growing grapes in order to make wines. She, Kenton, and Rafe Lopez become friends as she learns about running the small inn on the property.

At the same time she marries Kenton, a stroke kills his father. And then before she can tell Kenton she’s pregnant, he dies in an automobile accident. Heartbroken and burdened with the gift of the Chandler Hill Inn and Winery, she’s left with the task of making them a success. Struggling to raise a child alone while working to grow the business, Lettie makes a shocking discovery that changes everything.

Reader Reviews

“Going Home by Judith Keim is a beautiful story about friends, family, and overcoming struggles while building a beautiful life. Author Judith Keim does an amazing job making you fall in love with Violet (Letti) Hawkins. This is an amazing book!”Jamie Onderisin, Reviewer

 

“Author, Judith Keim, pulls us to a story spanning the 1970’s, 80’s, 90’s and very early 2000’s with all the background of what was going on at that time. The central character, Lettie Hawkins, a young woman finds herself in a world she could only have imagined. She spent her life in foster care and has no confidence and is very naïve about a lot of things. Lettie is a wonderfully imaginative, honest person and catches the eye of a young man who happens to be the son of a very famous man with great ambitions for his land and life. A first immature but wonderful love gives way to stability and marriage with another. She finds herself growing up and becomes a stronger individual once taken under their wings.

Lettie’s romantic relationships may be naïve, but her natural instincts for the land the Chandlers want to turn into a winery and Inn are mature. In the years staying and working at the Inn, she will know many joys and gain self-confidence. The price is great sorrow, though, and we are taken through times of the Vietnam war, PTSD, losing family and friends to cancer and accident, but gaining a beautiful daughter in the process and hard won success at the Inn and in the fields.

This is much more than a romance and tells of successful women who build, create, and love in equal parts and strength. I look forward to the second book in the series by Judith Keim.”Pam McCarthy – Reviewer

 

“Going Home is truly about the heroine and main character of the story, a green girl trying to find her way in the world. Quickly becoming disillusioned with life in California, Lettie meets what she hopes is a nice guy and agrees, on a whim to travel with him to Oregon for a job. She winds up accepting the job and her life truly changes in a very short time. This novel allows the reader to watch Lettie grow up into the woman she is meant to be. Tangled love interests, secrets that come to light, wine making by day, love making by night. and frustrated relationships between mother and daughter keep this book moving when it could have slowed down. I would say the book goes down easy enough but has a tender bite to it that needs to be explored.

Lettie’s joy and innocence and the way she connected with the land and the people around her really touched my heart. I also felt like she was real enough not some virtuous woman that only belongs on a pedestal. Well done, Judith Keim…. Going Home is about what home is and who we choose to make a place in our heart for along the way. I can’t wait to read the next one!!!!!”Tonya Pennington, Reviewer

Buy Links:

 

About the Author:

Growing up, books were always present being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. Information from the books was shared in general conversation, giving all of us in the family a wealth of knowledge and a lot of imagination. Perhaps that is why I was drawn to the idea of writing stories early on. I particularly love to write novels about women who face unexpected challenges and meet them with strength. A hybrid author who both has a publisher and who self-publishes, Ms. Keim writes heart-warming stories of strong women who face challenges and find love and happiness along the way. Her books are based, in part, on many of the places she’s lived or visited and on the interesting people she’s met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many, loyal readers love.  

Find Judith Online:

Books For Review – Week of January 14th

Books For Review – Week of January 14th

Air of Vengeance
Windhollows, Book 1
Trayner Bane
LightChange Media
Children’s Fiction

Stripped of his Essence at birth, Billy Molskin was destined for nothing. And now, as the Land of Windhollows is threatened by an evil darkness, Billy must not only confront the darkness, but also face the truth behind his father’s mysterious past. With the help of unlikely friends, Billy will encounter “the Spent” and face a painful decision that will shape his fate and the future of Windhollows.

Darkness Falls
Windhollows, Book 2
Trayner Bane
LightChange Media
Children’s Fiction

After turning Billy’s friends into foes, Rip Stinker releases the Spent’s destructive power throughout Windhollows. Reluctant to continue his father’s quest to uncover Rip Stinker’s evil plans, Billy teams up with friends Wendy Breeze and Teddy Franks on an adventure that will test his courage and friendship. Secrets are learned, and weakness becomes strength when darkness falls upon Windhollows.

Windhollow and the Axe Breaker
Windhollows, Book 3
By Trayner Bane
LightChange Media
Children’s Fiction

Billy uncovers secrets of the Axe Breaker and a mysterious history long hidden from the Lands, only to find his adventures have just begun. With the help of friends Teddy and Wendy, Billy must find the Four Stones of Lumite and thwart his enemy’s plans. But as the battle unfolds, will an unexpected loss plunge Billy into darkness?

Helen Harper Releases First Book In The City Of Magic Series

Helen Harper Releases First Book In The City Of Magic Series

Charley is a cleaner by day and a professional gambler by night. She might be haunted by her tragic past but she’s never thought of herself as anything or anyone special. Until, that is, things start to go terribly wrong all across the city of Manchester. Between plagues of rats, firestorms and the gleaming blue eyes of a sexy Scottish werewolf, she might just have landed herself in the middle of a magical apocalypse. She might also be the only person who has the ability to bring order to an utterly chaotic new world.

This is the first book in The City Of Magic series.

Reader Reviews

Magic and Mayhem and Monsters in Manchester, oh my! Once again, Helen Harper has produced a fun, light read that I zipped through in one sitting. Charley is a heroine both easy to and worth rooting for and I have become as fond of her as I was of Integrity Taylor from Helen’s ‘Highland Magic’ series [which I also highly recommend].

This story had good pacing and plotting and believable suspension of disbelief. The villain was beautifully mundane in such a magical world, but more than that I won’t say, so I don’t spoil the story too much.” – Hannah Bloczynski, Reviewer

 

“Strange things are happening in the City of Manchester, and Charley, Monroe, Lizzy and the gang are caught in the middle of it!

With all the unusual activities, the government evacuates and locks down the city, Max Strong (aka bad guy) steps in to rule over all who remain. When Lizzy (Charley’s best friend) is captured by Max, Charley and team devise a plan to rescue her.

Great book for the average fantasy enthusiast. I did find it quiet a dark book. However it was an enjoyable and a relatively easy read. Note there is some use of strong language.” – Michelle Knight, Reviewer

 

“Shrill Dusk has it all: an intelligent and compassionate heroine, a tough but vulnerable love interest, best friends standing strong, magic, monsters, and a villain in need of a good comeuppance. Highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy, as well as fans of Ilona Andrews, Annie Bellet, T. Thorn Coyle, Jolene Dawe, and Lisa Shearin.”Rebecca Buchanan, Reviewer

Buy Links:

 

About the Author:

After teaching English literature in the UK, Japan and Malaysia, Helen Harper left behind the world of education following the worldwide success of her Blood Destiny series of books. She is a professional member of the Alliance of Independent Authors and writes full time, thanking her lucky stars every day that’s she lucky enough to do so!

Helen has always been a book lover, devouring science fiction and fantasy tales when she was a child growing up in Scotland.

She currently lives in Devon in the UK with far too many cats – not to mention the dragons, fairies, demons, wizards and vampires that seem to keep appearing from nowhere.

 

Find Helen Online:
Coming in February: The Victory Garden

Coming in February: The Victory Garden

From the bestselling author of The Tuscan Child comes a beautiful and heart-rending novel of a woman’s love and sacrifice during the First World War.

As the Great War continues to take its toll, headstrong twenty-one-year-old Emily Bryce is determined to contribute to the war effort. She is convinced by a cheeky and handsome Australian pilot that she can do more, and it is not long before she falls in love with him and accepts his proposal of marriage.

When he is sent back to the front, Emily volunteers as a “land girl,” tending to the neglected grounds of a large Devonshire estate. It’s here that Emily discovers the long-forgotten journals of a medicine woman who devoted her life to her herbal garden. The journals inspire Emily, and in the wake of devastating news, they are her saving grace. Emily’s lover has not only died a hero but has left her terrified—and with child. Since no one knows that Emily was never married, she adopts the charade of a war widow.

As Emily learns more about the volatile power of healing with herbs, the found journals will bring her to the brink of disaster, but may open a path to her destiny.

Reader Reviews

“Interesting story from England during WWI. Emily Bryce is about to be 21 and really needs to feel more like an adult. She has two very protective parents who because they already have lost a son to the war are very wary of letting Emily become the grown-up she desires to be.

Everything begins to change when she visits a recovery center with her very restrictive mother. She meets a young man, Robbie Kerr, from Australia who was shot down in his plane. Emily feels a real warmth with Robbie and they look to become a couple . But when Robbie heals, he will be back off to the war.Emily realizes that it is time to break away from her restrictive parents and so she first volunteers at a recuperative center but they don’t have a place for her. And so she voluhteers as a ‘land girl’ …..someone who will work at a farm . There are many places for women doing farm work because so many men are away fighting the war. And this will turn out to be the turning point in her life.

Per usual Bowen will draw you into a fascinating story and you can ‘almost ‘ feel like you are actually there.”Dr. Stephen M. Bank


“This is the first non-mystery book by Rhys Bowen I have read. I am a huge fan of her mysteries because I love the accessible style, her capable ability to render a historical setting and world to life and her characters. Such memorable characters.

The Victory Garden proves that Bowen can write with easy elasticity in any genre. While I found the book lacked a certain emotional depth; it was still a worthy snapshot of one woman’s experience during a time when women were seen to have much more agency ( while the men were at war) and yet little ability to decide their own fate at all. It is in the crux of this double standard we find Emily, a 21 year old who works as a land girl and back breakingly does her bit for the war effort even while mourning the soldier she loved and lost.

It is the female friendships and sphere that rounded out Bowen’s usual talent for character and I was impressed by how quickly I fell into their world, their quirks and dialogue.

This is not so much a romance between a woman and a man; rather a woman and possibilities when all seems hopeless and uncertain and the makeshift community she becomes a part of.”Rachel McMillan, Reviewer


“It’s May of 1918 in Devonshire, England, WWI has been raging for almost 4 years and Emily Bryce is about to celebrate her twenty-first birthday. She is also about to celebrate her independence and become her own person. Her family has suffered the hardships of war, having lost their only son and brother to Emily, Freddie. Now with only one child, both parents have sheltered and over protected their daughter, her mother only wanting to have Emily marry “well.” Yet in one instant moment, that is all about to change and Emily’s life will never be the same again.

Bored with the tedium of life that is her everyday existence and wanting to do her part for England, Emily signs up to become a land girl, working on farms that no longer have the man power necessary to harvest and supply food for the country. Yet that is not all that she encounters, as she has fallen in love with a “fly boy” from Australia, a young man that captures her heart.

This book is well written, it shares the value of friendship when the world is being torn apart. As you follow along, you see the rise of independent women, those who now can stand on their own two feet, not only because they have no choice, but with the end of WWI times had changed, values that were once “tried and true” were no longer being adhered to.

With heartwarming and memorable characters, “The Victory Garden” was an enjoyable read. I read this book in one day, because once I started I had to finish it, I couldn’t put it down. I only wish this would be book one as part of a series.”Artisan Writing Blog

 

Buy Links:

 

About the Author:

Rhys Bowen is the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Royal Spyness Series, Molly Murphy Mysteries, and Constable Evans. She has won the Agatha Best Novel Award and has been nominated for the Edgar Best Novel. Rhys’s titles have received rave reviews around the globe.

On March 1, 2017, Rhys is excited to announce the publication of her first big stand-alone thriller, In Farleigh Field, set in World War Two at an English stately home.  It has already received stellar reviews.

Rhys currently writes two mystery series, the atmospheric Molly Murphy novels, about a feisty Irish immigrant in 1900s New York City, and the funny and sexy Royal Spyness mysteries, about a penniless minor royal in 1930s Britain. Her books have made bestseller lists, garnered many awards, nominations, and starred reviews. She was born in England and married into a family with historic royal connections. She now divides her time between California and Arizona.

 

Find Rhys Online:

 

Books For Review – Week of January 7th

Books For Review – Week of January 7th

Red Is For Rookie
Anne Greene
Elk Lake Publishing, Inc
Mystery & Thrillers

RED IS FOR RACE
Tracking a kidnapper is an unusual assignment for a private investigator. But Matt is Holly’s lifelong friend. During the race to save him, Holly discovers a lot more than she bargained for. Matt’s in love with her.

RED IS FOR RISK
Holly’s world has never been more dangerous. Her mother’s convinced Holly will end up dead, so she hires a PI to protect Holly. She needs Stryker’s savvy and expertise and is eager for his help, though she risks her heart working with the danger-loving man.

RED IS FOR REVENGE
Stryker’s past returns to haunt him. The kidnapper wants revenge. Stryker risks his life Holly. The dangerous race transforms Holly from a Rookie into a seasoned PI. But with the two men turning her life upside down, can Holly take the heat?

Almost Love
by Louise O’Neill
Quercus Books
Literary Fiction

When Sarah falls for Matthew, she falls hard.

So it doesn’t matter that he’s twenty years older. That he sees her only in secret. That, slowly but surely, she’s sacrificing everything else in her life to be with him.

Sarah’s friends are worried. Her father can’t understand how she could allow herself to be used like this. And she’s on the verge of losing her job.

But Sarah can’t help it. She is addicted to being desired by Matthew.

And love is supposed to hurt.

Isn’t it?

Murder in Costa Rica
L.D. Markham
Mystery & Thrillers

A suspense-filled murder mystery adventure set on a tropical beach in Costa Rica

Divorced, overworked, and full of doubts, Laura Humphreys escapes to paradise to volunteer for a sea turtle conservation project. Her vacation is shattered when a friend is murdered. The police are understaffed, a government official may be stalling the investigation, and Laura refuses to relent.

Antonio De La Torres, the lead government investigator, is determined to have an honest investigation. His attraction to Laura makes him even more committed to his goal but he may be running out of time.

Laura joins forces with the global conservation community and learns that paradise isn’t always what it seems.

 

Handbooks for Humans, Volume 1: Learn to Manage Your Attitudes in All Your Relationships

Handbooks for Humans, Volume 1: Learn to Manage Your Attitudes in All Your Relationships

In the traditions of Life’s Little Instruction Book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, and the Messiah’s Handbook, Handbooks for Humans will provide you guidelines to help make you a better person, and learn to manage our attitudes in our relationships with ourselves and others.You probably wish you were given instructions for living at birth. Because, the truth is, being human isn’t easy. Now, by putting in the effort, working with the guidelines in the Handbook for Humans, Volume 1, there is a path forward that makes it easier. You could probably read this book in a matter of minutes, glean some helpful insights, and toss it aside…or pay attention to each guideline, reflect, go more deeply inside, and do some work. As a reward, you can learn to articulate your feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and experiences which in turn create your attitudes. Your attitudes affect every interaction you have in this world. As one of the guidelines teaches us,Never stop learning.It’s never too late to be a better human.Handbooks for Humans, Volume 1 provides a platform for personal work and sharing, making it perfect for individuals, couples, and families.

Reader Reviews

“These days, most of us rush through our lives, consumed by work, school, family, and social obligations — and by technology. We rarely take the time to reflect on how we feel, who we are now, who we want to be, and how to get there. Many people feel a mild (or major) vague dissatisfaction or a longing or greater meaning, or would if they took time to reflect. This book is perfect because it is so versatile. Readers can scan all the guidelines quickly and feel a sense of promise. Go through each guideline in sequence, one at a time, savoring the thoughts and feelings and paths forward that emerge. Focus on one or a few guidelines that particularly speak to where they are now, work on those, and then return to others later. Do a lot of work all at once, or spread it out. There are so many ways to use this book, depending on the reader’s personality, lifestyle, and purpose. No matter who you are, this book provides value.”Valerie Overton, Reviewer


“Handbook for Humans is a treasure trove of pearls of wisdom and I look forward to coming back to each of them over and over. I was first introduced to Grace when she spoke at the Internal Family Systems Annual Conference in Fall 2017. In her speech, Grace spoke about the fact that when faced with something or someone that is “different,” we often default to the belief that because we do not understand what makes others “different,” we cannot accept those that we consider “different.” She encouraged us to lead with acceptance and assured us that understanding will follow, and her message was powerful. Her speech and this particular nugget of wisdom prompted lots of healthy self reflection within me and caused me to become a lifelong fan of Grace and her work. I highly recommend this Handbook and encourage all readers to spend time reflecting on the page which reads, “Acceptance must precede understanding. Understanding may lead to knowing. Knowing is never complete.” In these divisive times, I find it important to keep coming back to acceptance, with faith that understanding and knowing will follow. I, in turn, commit to spending time with this Handbook over the course of the next year mining for more pearls of wisdom that I know will spur more self reflection and growth. Thank you for your work, Grace. PS: I agree with another reviewer who recommended the print version of the book. I am an avid ebook reader, but for this book, I highly recommend the paper copy so that you can use it as a workbook or journal.”C. Gillen, Reviewer

“Handbooks for Humans is a wonderful book! It is a self-help, self-improvement workbook or journal. It is full of inspirational sayings and provide you guidelines. As you read these guidelines, you can see, feel and think of it as a new beginning. This book can involve personal work, reflecting, growth and sharing with others your experience. It makes you think about yourself, your life, and maybe understand other humans as well. This book empowers me and what I’m thinking. Thank you Grace for your amazing work. A must read for everyone. I highly recommend the paperback so that you can use it as a workbook or journal.”Greg Robinson, Reviewer

 

Buy Links:

 

About the Author:

Grace Anne Stevens is a writer and speaker on living authentically.

After over forty years as an engineer and manager in the tech world, she returned to school and received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology at the age of 62. She has participated in and seen life from many sides.

Each day she looks forward to what the future may bring on her own journey learning how to be a better human.

In 2016 Grace was selected by Amtrak as one of their Writer’s in Residence and named as Person of the Year by New England Pride TV.

Grace lives in Lexington Massachusetts and enjoys biking on her new e-bike, beaching and babysitting for her grandchildren, as she learns something new each day.

Find Grace Online: