B Reviews / Book Reviews / C+ Reviewsancient-Rome / family relationships / First-Person / Flavia Albia series / Historical / historical mystery / murder-investigation / Private-investigatorNo Comments
In the first century A.D., during Domitian’s reign, Flavia Albia is ready for a short break from her family. So despite the oppressive July heat, she returns to Rome, leaving them at their place on the coast. Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, the famed private informer (now retired), has ... more >
B- Reviews / C+ Reviewscareers / Contemporary / corporate recruiter / family relationships / home improvement / Scientist / Virginia2 Comments
Dear Ms. Clayborn, Your Chance of a Lifetime series, about three women who split lottery winnings from a single ticket, came to my attention recently. I purchased your debut, Beginner’s Luck, after a reader in my Goodreads timeline raved about its sequel. Beginner’s Luck is the story of Ekaterina “Kit” ... more >
Book Reviews / C ReviewsCanada / Contemporary / grumpy hero16 Comments
Dear Jackie Lau, I am a fan of grumpy heroes in general and I also enjoy the fake relationship trope so this book sounded like my catnip. While there were definitely things I liked about it, it didn’t quite knock my socks off either and it took me a while ... more >
Book Reviews / C+ ReviewsAlternate History / Frankenstein / medical school / steampunk / Victorian4 Comments
Dear Alisa Kwitney: In the mid-2000s, I read five of your chick-lit books, and graded all but one A or A-. For me that marks you as a Very Good Author. (The fifth book, your last chick-lit Flirting in Cars, got a B+ from me, so, still a very good ... more >
Book Reviews / C- ReviewsArtist / cartoons / European-Historical / France / French-Revolution / Georgian / Historical fiction / nurse6 Comments
Dear Ms. Coffman, There’s something uniquely disappointing about reading a bad book from a favorite author. I felt this way recently after reading your historical novel, Veronique, after years of reading your wonderful Gothic romances—Moura and The Alpine Coach are wonderful, but my favorite is The Dark Palazzo, a dreamy, ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews / C+ Reviews / DNF Reviews / Reading ListsFantasy / historical romance / Reading lists / YA fantasy9 Comments
Song of the Current by Sarah Tolscer This YA fantasy debut had been on my radar since Cecilia Grant, who knows the author, mentioned it online, prior to its publication. When the price was discounted recently, I purchased it and have no regrets. Caro is the daughter of a wherryman. ... more >