It's December first, a day Harriet York looks forward to all year, and usually it unfolds with clockwork precision. Each Christmas, she decks out her It's December first, a day Harriet York looks forward to all year, and usually it unfolds with clockwork precision. Each Christmas, she decks out her tree, grabs a blueberry Danish from the local pastry shop, and ushers in the season with candy canes and an avalanche of Yuletide spirit.
This year, however, the universe has a different plan...
Morning chaos ensues. A freak entanglement with her cat and a troublesome garland sends her crashing to the floor, and she then gets roped into helping her hapless mailman distribute a mountain of misdelivered packages. By the time she finally reaches the bakery, there isn't a Danish pastry to be seen. Not a crumb. So, with a rip in her tights and a bruised sense of holiday joy, Harriet limps into the festive season a bit off track.
Enter Nolan Callahan, the ghost of Christmas past — efficient, thorough, succinct and (most inconveniently) a total hottie. Harriet York is his assignment, but even a hundred years on the job has not prepared him for this particular Christmas cracker.
I was on the hunt for a festive romance, and Good Spirits delivered in spades. If you're craving a charming escape so Christmassy that you can almost smell the peppermint, then this is the one for you!...more
"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." ~John Wayne
From those halcyon days when I sat cross-legged on the shag carpet of our TV r"Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." ~John Wayne
From those halcyon days when I sat cross-legged on the shag carpet of our TV room, mesmerized as Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise ventured into the unknown, I was hooked. Somewhere between Earth and a far-off world teeming with tribbles, I became a card-carrying sci-fi devotee.
In Project Hail Mary (the audiobook version), Andy Weir introduces Dr. Ryland Grace — a junior high science teacher who's flawed, funny, and utterly lovable. Sealed inside a high-stakes environment that pulsates with tension, Grace embarks on a mission that must not fail. But it was the emotional gravity that held me fast. Weir balances hard science with heart, and amid the equations and alien encounters, he rekindled the childhood awe I hadn’t realized I'd lost.
I went in knowing almost nothing about this novel, and I won't spoil the joy of discovery for anyone else. But I will say this: Ray Porter's narration is flawless! He breathes life into every character. I never wanted the journey to end.
Even if science isn't your thing, you will fall for this crew and their quest. Hands down, my favorite read of the year. It's out of this world!...more
"I have a theory that each man's life is like a pack of cards, and those we meet and sometimes love are shuffled with us."
Daphne du Maurier is one of "I have a theory that each man's life is like a pack of cards, and those we meet and sometimes love are shuffled with us."
Daphne du Maurier is one of my favorite authors. Her writing grips me so completely that I find myself holding my breath without realizing it. I stepped into her world of short stories with some trepidation, knowing that crafting a truly great short story is no easy feat. But du Maurier proves, once again, that whether the canvas is broad or brief, she reigns supreme as the queen of gothic suspense.
The Birds ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nat Hocken tends a farm in the south of England. Scarred by war, he builds a life of quiet routine. But this December there is change in the air. The birds gather, shriek, and swirl with a terrible purpose. Nat senses it: nature is no longer passive. It has a plan. Du Maurier's tale inspired Hitchcock, but hers is the more haunting vision. Spare, brutal, and unforgettable. Readers beware; this story doesn't just unsettle, it lingers…
Monte Verità ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A nameless narrator leads us on a breathtaking climb, both literal and emotional, as he and his closest friend Victor navigate a lifetime of profound love, aching loss, and the haunting allure of a mountain keep that defies entry and explanation. It's a place that holds the secrets of the universe, and perhaps something more... If you read just one story from this collection, make it Monte Verità.
The Apple Tree ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This story blends gothic atmosphere with a touch of magical realism. It's eerie, clever, and oddly satisfying. I didn't expect to cheer for nature — but I did. Apple tart, anyone? ...more
"You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore." ― William Faulkner
Counting Miracles begins like a gentle drift do"You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore." ― William Faulkner
Counting Miracles begins like a gentle drift down a sunlit river—fingers trailing in the water and not a care in the world. For much of the novel, I followed three distinct lives: Tanner, a former Delta Force soldier searching for his identity; Kaitlyn, a single mom and doctor who is stretched thin; and Jasper, a reclusive man who is judged by his scars but is blessed with a quiet wisdom.
Their paths converge in unexpected ways, and in the final sixty-three pages, I found myself swept into a vortex of emotion that I hadn’t anticipated.
Though the blurb doesn't mention it, this is unmistakably Christian fiction. If you're looking for a story that blends emotional depth, faith, and healing, this one might be for you.
"The greatest thing is to have someone who loves you and—and to love in return. People who haven’t got it—or had it—don't believe that, but it’s the t"The greatest thing is to have someone who loves you and—and to love in return. People who haven’t got it—or had it—don't believe that, but it’s the truth."
Ross Poldark rides back into Cornwall, fresh from fighting in the American Revolutionary War, expecting warm hugs, a cozy hearth, and maybe a kiss or two from his beloved Elizabeth. Instead, his father is dead, Elizabeth is engaged to his cousin, and his estate is being run by two perpetually pickled servants. Chickens, without a responsible human to keep them in check, have taken over the parlor. Not exactly the welcome-home party he had in mind!
But Ross isn't one to wallow (at least not outwardly). With grit in his soul and nothing left to lose, he rolls up his sleeves and sets out to rebuild his life. What follows is a deliciously dramatic tale of resilience, romance and reinvention, all set against the wild, windswept beauty of Cornwall.
Winston Graham serves up an 18th-century saga brimming with a brooding hero, sharp-tongued locals, and fortunes that hinge on copper mines and card games. Ross is the kind of character who makes you want to cheer, sigh, and occasionally shake him by the collar.
So go ahead—step into the late 1700s, where the wigs are powdered, the stakes are high, and emotions run deep. You’ll be glad you made the trip!...more
"He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." ~ Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
From the moment I met the fla"He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." ~ Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
From the moment I met the flawed and completely lovable characters in Broken Country, I knew I wouldn't come out of this experience unscathed. Each character's humanity was vividly portrayed, showcasing their happiest moments, darkest hours, and the choices they made—both good and questionable. The narrative felt raw and incredibly real. I imagined myself as a shadow in a corner, watching their story unfold and hoping for a positive outcome because I loved them all: Beth, Frank, Gabriel, and the rest.
Was the plot unpredictable and shocking? For the most part, no, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment one bit. Hattie Morahan narrated the audiobook version, and her expert delivery was impressive.
Broken Country is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and utterly captivating tale. I approached this book knowing very little beyond the blurb, so I'll keep this review spoiler-free, hoping that if you get a chance to read it, you will love it, too. It was a perfect escape....more
"Coincidence and intention are two sides of a tapestry, my lord. You may find one more agreeable to look at, but you cannot say one is true and the ot"Coincidence and intention are two sides of a tapestry, my lord. You may find one more agreeable to look at, but you cannot say one is true and the other is false."
And so I entered the world of Fuwaad ibn Abbas, a merchant from Baghdad, who by coincidence (or intention) stumbles upon a wondrous metalsmith’s shop. Bashaarat, the store owner, cordially greets Fuwaad. As he peruses the fascinating items on display, the craftsman casually mentions that he has something even more fantastic in the next room. Would Fuwaad like to see this extraordinary object? He wondered.
"Of course he would!" I exclaimed. "Take us to see this magical marvel at once!" My anticipation was electric, sparking like a molten blade in the process of being forged.
The clanging of metalwork faded into the background as Bashaarat spoke of his discovery — a gateway of seconds. He then stepped up to a metal hoop positioned chest-high in the middle of the room and gave a demonstration.
“Bashaarat thrust his arm through the hoop from the right side, but it did not extend out from the left. Instead, it was as if his arm were severed at the elbow, and he waved the stump up and down, and then pulled his arm out intact. I had not expected to see such a learned man perform a conjuror's trick, but it was well done, and I applauded politely. "Now wait a moment," he said as he took a step back. I waited, and behold, an arm reached out of the hoop from its left side, without a body to hold it up. The sleeve it wore matched Bashaarat's robe. The arm waved up and down, and then retreated through the hoop until it was gone”
Fuwaad and I were both skeptical, but our curiosity was piqued, and we were eager to unravel this mystery.
The metalsmith shared with the merchant that there was more.
How could there be more? I pondered as I hurried after the two men as they entered another chamber. A large, polished metal circle waited silently — a gateway of years…
This is the best short story I’ve read this year! The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate is a brilliant tale that left me mesmerized. Take an hour to visit Bashaarat’s emporium. You’ll be glad you did.
Many thanks to my Goodreads friends for pointing the way to this terrific tale. It’s free to read HERE....more
"I desire the things which will destroy me in the end." ― Sylvia Plath
When I picked up Death in Venice on a whim, I thought I was in for an exciting It"I desire the things which will destroy me in the end." ― Sylvia Plath
When I picked up Death in Venice on a whim, I thought I was in for an exciting Italian mystery. This was not that...
On holiday in Venice, a successful and severely repressed Gustav von Aschenbach fears his best years as an artist are behind him. But The Muses, with their wicked sense of humor, place Tadzio, an exquisite Polish boy, in his path. The events that unfolded placed it solidly in the category of a Greek tragedy. (Mann even threw in an abundance of God and Goddess references for good measure.) Having never experienced what he described as love, Aschenbach is utterly lost.
I asked myself: Can a deep admiration of another’s physical beauty to the point of life-altering obsession be classified as love? Aschenbach knew nothing about Tadzio. The boy could have been a vapid, passionless creature for all he knew. To me, love is something more profound, a connection of souls. And who knows, maybe a soul connection can happen without ever speaking a word? But I’m no love doctor.
The writing is elegant, the poetic prose conjuring some splendid scenes. That being said, the story itself didn’t set me on fire. It held my interest, but Mann’s beautiful writing was the hero of the piece. I give the story three stars and the writing five stars, settling in the middle at four stars. Silver-tongued Simon Callow expertly narrated the audiobook.
"It was the smile of Narcissus bending over the water mirror, the deep, enchanted, protracted smile with which he stretched out his arms to the reflection of his own beauty, an ever so slightly contorted smile—contorted by the hopelessness of his endeavor to kiss the lovely lips of his shadow—and coquettish, inquisitive and mildly pained, beguiled and beguiling."...more
I haven’t read much fantasy recently but have enjoyed many of Ursula K. Le Guin’s works, so I rolled the dice, and “To hear, one must be silent.”
I haven’t read much fantasy recently but have enjoyed many of Ursula K. Le Guin’s works, so I rolled the dice, and she did not disappoint with this tale of Ged, a true-born wizard, and his harrowing journey.
The build was slow, but when dragons made their entrance around the halfway point, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough —my hands were a blur.
A Wizard of Earthsea is a magical romp across enchanted lands and blackened seas to find one wizard’s truth - and maybe his redemption......more
"There are more things in Heaven and Earth." — William Shakespeare
"He has a curious way of moving through his rubbish. He leans into it, skimming d"There are more things in Heaven and Earth." — William Shakespeare
"He has a curious way of moving through his rubbish. He leans into it, skimming down the corridors like a fearless biker on a hairpin bend."
The 'he' in the above quote would be Cathal Flood. His name fits, as he is a cantankerous Irish disaster and hoarding is his specialty. At six feet nine inches, Mr. Flood, though frail with age, is still a force to be reckoned with. He has run off every home carer sent his way, and rumor has it that some had barely escaped Bridlemere (the neglected mansion Flood calls home) with their lives.
Enter Maud Dennen, who is not your average carer. She brings with her a retinue of saints and has a backbone made of steel. Good luck to Cathal Flood in dispatching her so easily…
"I look back at Bridlemere from the gate. From the street it’s a wall of dark green, a forest of leylandii grown up around Sleeping Beauty’s castle."
As Maud peels back chaotic layers of rubbish and navigates Cathal’s clowder of cats, she uncovers more than his no-wax flooring. Curious clues begin to pop out of a sink and fly at her from a pantry, and she begins to ask herself: What sinister forces are at work in this house?
"A pearl is an everlasting tear," he whispers. "A swaddled hurt."
Mr. Flood’s Last Resort is altogether a murder mystery, a haunting, and a fight to save what is left of a person once tragedy has taken its toll - all of it wrapped up in a magical realism enchilada. I laughed, cried, and gasped aloud as Maud and Cathal cagily maneuvered around each other while sorting out his mysterious manor. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with them both.
If you enjoy magical realism done well, this will be your cup of tea. What a fabulous read!...more
"I think I'm just breathing, that's all. And there's a difference between breathing and being alive."
With my seat in an upright position and tray tabl"I think I'm just breathing, that's all. And there's a difference between breathing and being alive."
With my seat in an upright position and tray table stowed, I braced myself for another adventure, courtesy of Mr. Boyne. However, as I cracked open the cover and read the first few lines, I quickly realized that no seatbelt on earth could secure me — I was in for one doozy of a ride.
"Seated opposite me in the railway carriage, the elderly lady in the fox-fur shawl was recalling some of the murders that she had committed over the years."
Tristan Sadler, our narrator, is traveling by train from London to Norwich, England, on a mission of utmost importance. The year is 1919, and he has returned from the Great War — though only in body; his soul remains elsewhere.
This book was not how I imagined it to be; it was so much more. Over the course of two days, I walked beside Tristan and witnessed love, loss, war, and unimaginable betrayal. By the end, I was wrung out but had cherished every moment.
If you haven't read Boyne yet, I highly recommend this spectacular novel. His writing is immersive, and his flawed, broken, and utterly human characters will leave you eager for more....more
"All great and precious things are lonely." ― John Steinbeck
Five brilliant, heartbreaking stars!
It's been quite a while since a book made me curse life"All great and precious things are lonely." ― John Steinbeck
Five brilliant, heartbreaking stars!
It's been quite a while since a book made me curse life for getting in the way of reading. A History of Loneliness certainly falls into that category. It was like settling into a comfortable chair with a cup of tea to catch up with a male friend who I hadn’t seen since school. And then, quite unexpectedly, he decides to pour out his life story! The revelations herein were as riveting as they were haunting and came burdened with horror.
Boyne's elegant prose drew me into the life of Odran Yates and darned if he didn’t make me love that sweet Irish lad. Odran was, I felt, an innocent soul, and everything and everyone around him did its level best to stomp the wholesomeness out of him. But in 1973, aged seventeen, he signed up for what should have been the safest place on earth: the priesthood. From his first day at seminary, Odran felt right at home and made a good friend in his cellmate Tom Cardle. A bonus, one would think. Life should have been grand for Father Yates—yes, it should have been...
As I turned the last page, I wondered if we will see the good we have accomplished at the end of our lives? Or will our focus center on all that we failed to do? And is looking at the world through rose-colored glasses an act of complicity? I, like Father Yates, prefer to see a kinder side of life, even if it ends up kicking the crap out of me.
"If I cannot see some good in all of us and hope that the pain we all share will come to an end, what kind of priest am I anyway? What kind of man?"
My heart ached to leave my new friend Odran to his life of loneliness. What a tragic and spectacularly written tale. A History of Loneliness will most likely be my favorite book of 2024....more
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