Vengeance: a dramatic new look in the the infamous battle on its 150th anniversary

Vengeance: The Last Stand of Custer, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull by Tom Clavin is a dramatic new look at the events leading up to the infamous battle as the 150th anniversary approaches. On June 25-26, 1876 The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand, was fought between the combined forces of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army. The battle would result in a devastating defeat of the US forces and the most significant victory of the Great Sioux War of 1876. Featuring the points of view of the US Forces and the arrogant Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer as well as the Native American figures of Sitting Bull and Crazy House, the book looks at the impact on the Plains Indians and the events leading to the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890. 

I remember studying the famous battle in history classes and I always sided with the Native American as Custer was an arrogant, narcissistic man whose ego was boosted by his celebrated bravery at the Battle of Gettysburg (1863). He was searching for more and more fame and envisioned it as he would be the one to end the Native American resistance. What he didn’t envision was his failure and his own demise as he underestimated the Native American forces and their determination to fight for their way of life and freedoms. Mr Clavin deep dives into the historical record and presents the nitty gritty of the events which shaped the individuals involved with this massive battle and how the events shaped the US response in the aftermath. Vengeance is filled with action, legendary characters and the profound impact on the US, the Native Americans and the American West. I highly, highly recommend Vengeance. 

Vengeance: The Last Stand of Custer, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull

Is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Things We Hide from the Light: when the shadows one tries to hide and the one who helps them fight back

Things We Hide from the Light is the second book in the Knockemont trilogy by Lucy Score. Nash Morgan was the good Morgan, always with an easy smile and charm for everyone in town. Now Nash is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has given way to panic attacks, nightmares and missing pieces in his memory. While he tries to hide it, he is a brooding shell of himself and is desperate to keep his struggles from everyone. That is until his new next door neighbor moves in. Lina Solavita is smart, sexy and sees the shadows behind his forced smile. When she helps him through one of the worst panic attacks yet, he realizes that Lina may be the key to feeling like himself again. However, they both have secrets, secrets that could keep them apart for good; unless they are willing to fight their shadows for the simple chance at love. 

Things We Hide from the Light is a great continuation in the Knockemont series. While it doesn’t have the banter and tension that the first book had, it had its own struggles and sweet moments between Nash and Lina. Their story was definitely more slow burn, emotional and with psychological struggles. I loved to see Nash return stronger and more aware as he discovers issues within the department and moves to deal with them. I also loved the addition to his dog, Piper, and her own anxiety which in turn helped Nash with his. I liked Lina’s job as it was a bit unconventional and yet adds to the drama and adventure of the story. I also learned a lot about panic attacks and methods to calm them. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the third and final book in this trilogy. I highly recommend Things We Hide from the Light. 

Things We Hide from the Light is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Sweet Waters: a sweet clean romance with plenty of faith and drama

Sweet Waters is the first book in the Otter Bay series by Julie Carobini. With her mother remarried and her own heartbroken as she was left at the altar, Tara Sweet leaves her home in Missouri to return to Otter Bay, California where she has nothing but fond memories. She meets the handsome but complicated Josh Adams, a local firefighter. As the truth of the past reveals multiple secrets, Tara realizes that her idyllic memories have turned into a soap opera. Soon, she finds herself at odds with families, her faith, the quirky townspeople and even Josh, despite their budding romance. Can she face the truth and be set free for the life she desperately wants? 

Sweet Waters is a sweet, clean romance with plenty of faith and drama. I liked the faith aspects and the characters struggles with the secrets they discover. I liked Tara and her sisters; although, their nicknames for each other were annoying and grating at times. I liked the relationship between Tara and Josh as well. I loved the descriptions of the small town and the beach areas. Overall, it was an enjoyable read; however, I am not sure if I will continue the series. If you enjoy clean romance with plenty of faith and drama, I recommend Sweet Waters. 

Sweet Waters is available in paperback and eBook

Summer Island Book Club: a second chance romance and old friends

Summer Island Book Club is the first book in the Friendship Beach series by Ciara Knight. Widowed Julie Boone thought she was content with her life until her daughter, Bri, shows up with a surprise. Bri had invited her three childhood friends to celebrate Julie’s fiftieth birthday. Julie begins to panic. The arrival of her friends begins to overwhelm her once peaceful life with melodrama, makeovers and matchmaking schemes especially with the handsome new stranger in town. Trevor Ashford comes to their small town after his failed marriage. His only wish is to open a small boat charter company and live quietly. That is until Houdini, a mischievous ferret, leads him on a merry chase and into the arms of Julie. Will Julie and Trevor take a second chance for love?

Summer Island Book Club is a sweet, mild romance with the meddling antics of old friends. There was a little humor especially with Houdini. His antics were pretty funny. Ms Knight certainly gave him a great personality. Unfortunately, there isn’t an actual book club in the story. It is what Julie and her friends called themselves during their childhood. At first, I was a bit confused as to why Julie wouldn’t want her old friends to come back to the island. Then I understood. I did enjoy Julie as she slowly starts to reclaim herself and her passions beyond her what if questions. Overall, it is a sweet, quick read story. A great story for a weekend read. If you enjoy second chance romances and old friends, I recommend Summer Island Book Club. 

Summer Island Book Club is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Parisian Chapter: a story of friendship, literature and finding home in the City of Lights

The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles is a story of friendship, literature and finding home again. Paris, 1995, Lily Jacobsen and her best friend Mary Louise wanted to pursue their dreams in the City of Lights. After five years of their shared tiny walkup and surviving on brie and baguettes, Mary Louise suddenly moves out. Lily feels so alone before she gets a job as a programs manager at the American Library, following in the footsteps of her beloved French neighbor, Odile, back home. Fueled by Odile’s stories of heroic World War II librarians, Lily sees a chance to make her own experiences. At the library, she discovers the library is in financial trouble. In the attic, Lily discovers a box that may contain information about Odile’s time at the library. Could what she finds help save the library? 

I loved Janet Skeslien Charles’ book, The Paris Library and I was eager to once again visit the American Library. Sadly, I was bored and disappointed. There were too many characters with chapter POVs. I couldn’t connect with any of them, especially Lily. I found her to be whiny and annoying. I wasn’t sure what the conflict between Lily and Mary Louise was and if Mary Louise’s reason to move out was fully explained. Or maybe I missed it. I also wasn’t aware this book was supposed to be a spin off of The Paris Library. It just doesn’t have the same impact I felt when I read The Paris Library. Overall, I was bored and underwhelmed. I didn’t see the power of friendship, literature of finding home again. It was not the story I was expecting. I do not recommend The Parisian Chapter. 

The Parisian Chapter is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Tip Off: it was supposed to be a simple summer job

The Tip Off is a short story by Karen McQuestion. When Geoff comes across the death notice of an old boss, his wife Marcy thinks about that one summer job. The Lakeside is a prestigious restaurant and Marcy was counting on generous tips and counting the day until the fall semester. There she meets unfriendly and standoffish coworkers, an owner who is a little handsy, and an overall unwelcoming atmosphere. The only bright side is Geoff, a fellow college student, who works in the kitchen. When Geoff shares his suspicion about inconsistencies with the restaurant's inventory, finances, and the strange behaviors of the managers. He is convinced something is off and convinces Marcy to help solve the mystery. Their investigation turns into something far more serious and Marcy must decide if their questions are worth more than just her job. 

Karen McQuestion is one of my go-to authors and when I got the chance to read her new short story, I jumped at the chance. There was so much happening in this story that I didn’t notice it was nearly the end. At the beginning of the story, when Geoff brings up the death of their old boss, I was a bit surprised at Marcy’s nonchalant indifference. However, as she looks back at the summer, her indifference made sense. Then I was engaged in their investigations as there seemed to be nefarious activities going on. There were definitely characters acting cagey when their behaviors were noticed. There was a nice little twist at the end that surprised me. Overall, it is a great quick read for an afternoon. I actually didn’t want the story to end. I highly recommend The Tip Off. 

The Tip Off is available in eBook

A Match for a Bookish Bride: a clean historical romance with a bit of mystery

A Match for a Bookish Bride is the first book in The Mystery Matchmaker of Ella Pointe series by Tess Thompson. In the spring of 1910, Amelia Young saw an advertisement in a Boston newspaper that would change her life. A wealthy family is in need of a secretary on Whale Island and this person must have an affinity for books. It fit her perfectly. When she is offered the position, she packs her merger belongings and travels to Washington state. Her new employer is Benedict Tutheridge. She didn’t expect him to be handsome or interesting but she knows that he would never see her as more than an employee. After the death of his father, Benedict is expected to run the family business. He fully expects his new secretary to be a man and is shocked when his new secretary is a beautiful woman. As the two work together, they find themselves drawn together. Do they risk their work relationship for something more? 

After reading the prequel, The Making of a Matchmaker, I was intrigued about the Tutheridge family and the matchmaker who would find their perfect matches, even the mystery behind the death of the Tutheridge patriarch. I enjoyed Amelia as a woman who pulled herself up from a poor beginning through hard work and her love of books. Benedict is a man who was tortured by his father and believes every horrible thing his father believed about him. However, it is when Amelia arrives, she begins to break out the falseness of what Benedict believes about himself. My heart broke for Benedict and I had my suspicions about his difficulties. The family dynamics were a great source of drama as they deal with their past and the situation surrounding their father’s death. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy clean, historical romance, I recommend A Match for a Bookish Bride. 

A Match for a Bookish Bride is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook