The Book Pusher: September 2018

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Many ask me why I don't label my mini reviews with a ranking of 1-5. The answer is very simple. I never review books I can't give either a 4 or 5. Believe me, I read far more than eight or ten books a month. Some I don't review because they are a reread, but others I don't review because I can't give then a high rating. Rather than shame a writer who poured their heart into the story, I choose to not review. So, enjoy the books! I know you will. ;-) 

NOBLE HOUSE James Clavell: historical fiction (classed as anything before 1970)

This is another of Clavell's excellent historical fictions about Asia. This time it's Hong Kong in 1963. As always there are a lot of characters, but they are skillfully woven into the tapestry of a riveting story. The backstory of the Straun's and their company is wonderful. As always, Clavell gives a good read.

THE LIGHT OF HIDDEN FLOWERS Jennifer Hanford: Women's Fiction

Missy Fletcher grinds along in the shadow of her confident, extroverted father. But something's missing. Something she must learn. Lovely Story and Good Read.

WHERE WE BELONG Catherine Ryan Hyde: Coming of Age

A lovely coming of age story that shows what love, trust, and responsibility truly looks like.

BELLEWETHER Susanna Kearsley: historical Fiction

Kearsley's done it again! You'll get caught up in the dual timeline, root for the characters, and learn what love does to protect and survive. A brilliantly plotted, inspired story you can't miss. Read it Now!

MORGAN'S RUN Colleen McCullough: Historical Fiction

Taking a figure from history and telling his story can be fraught with many potholes, but McCulough is a master at this type of story. In MORGAN'S RUN, she takes a man who many wrote off, but who is a founder of Australia. Great Read!

DIGGING IN Loretta Nyan: Women's Fiction

Grief and life can be challenging, but allowing yourself to breathe, grow, and live is the message of Nyan's lovely story. Let Paige Moresco teach you how.

THE ART OF INHERITING SECRETS Barbara O'Neal: Women's Fiction

With an intricately detailed story worthy of long contemplation, O'Neal has created mystery, love, intrigue, and a fully realized old home--a character as much as the people. Enjoy!

UNSTRUNG Laura Spinella: Women's Fiction

This is one of the most amazing books I've read lately. Olivia Klein's life is both haunting and uplifting. I'm amazing and transported as only singing choral music has in my life. Her main character is a symphony violinist and Spinella describes the feeling of providing the door knob into Heaven that I've experienced singing in a choir. An amazing read. Get this one! Read it now! You'll never forget it.

Next Post: IWSG, of course!

The Book Pusher: August 2018

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THREE DAYS MISSING Kimberly Belle: Women's Fiction

With a tautly plotted, tightly written story of a mother's worst nightmare, two mothers become connected even though they couldn't be more different. This is a page turner of a story!

SHOGUN James Clavell: Historical with elements of Romance

Clavell's Asian Saga is a periodic reread for me. Here's the book that caused such a stir with it's debut in 1975 and it became a hit mini series as well. The book tells the story of old Japan, replete with samurai, ninja, geisha, and characters who will live forever--Toda Mariko, Yoshi Toranaga, and the English pilot who turns their live upside down-John Blackthorne. 

THE WAY OF BEAUTY Camille Di Maio: Women's Fiction

Centered on New York's Penn Station, Di Maio crafts a story of three generations of women who challenge and cooperate with the ways of life and family. Good Read!

LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb: Historical Fiction

Told through evocative letters from the home front and the trenches of WWI, the authors enchant, intrigue, and best of all, honor our ancestors for their steadfast honor and love. Good read!

AT HOME IN MITFORD Jan Karon: Christian Ficiton

In the first of her Mitford novels, Karon tells a story of decency, caring, and love. All of us can learn at lot from Father Tim and his neighbors.

MADAME TUSSAUD Michelle Moran: Historical Ficiton

There's more to the story of this artist than we know. A survivor and business woman who must thread her way through the French Revolution, she will be remembered for her artistry. This is a story that is by turns fascinating and horrifying. You can't look away from one riveting page to the next. Amazing fictionalized biography!

A Continuation of the Bumper Crop of Mini Book Reviews: J. Bourne, L. Bujold, J. Clavell, A. Royce

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I told you I read a ton of books over my blogging holiday. So, dive in and find a good read. ;-)

MY LORD AND SPYMASTER Joanna Bourne: Historical Romance

This is another wonderful Joanna Bourne romance! Her historical details are lovely and the characters are enticing. This is what all historical romances should be like. 

ETHAN OF ATHOS Lois McMaster Bujold: SF-Space Opera

An ingenious and twisty tale of gender roles and espionage as only Lois McMaster Bujold could create.  

NOBLE HOUSE James Clavell: Historical Suspense

This is another of Clavell's excellent historical fictions about Asia. This time it's Hong Kong in 1963. As always there are a lot of characters, but they are skillfully woven into the tapestry of a riveting story. The backstory of the Straun's and their company is wonderful. As always, Clavell gives a good read.

ONCE BELOVED Amara Royce: Historical Romance

Another of the Needlework for the Needy has found a chance for love--but only if she faces her anxieties and returns to her hometown. 


Next Week: A bit of humor to tide us over...
 

November Mini Book Reviews: K. Belle, J. Clavell, E. Havey, A. Nathan, A. Weir

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THE ONES WE TRUST Kimberly Belle: Women's Fiction

A tough and tender story of trust--earned, misplaced, and redeemed. Set in the present tangles of life and loyalty, THE ONES WE TRUST is a powerful exploration of love in all its forms.

GAI JIN James Clavell: Historical Fiction

Gai-Jin is Clavell's last book. Though not as good as Shogun or Tai-Pan, it has a complex and compelling story with multiple characters.

A MOTHER'S TIME CAPSULE: Elizabeth Havey: Short Story Anthology

 Elizabeth Havey's collection of short stories show the sad, sweet, scary, and truth of motherhood. Read them and experience the emotional highs and lows of one of the most important roles women are blessed with. 

THE GOOD NEIGHBOR Amy Sue Nathan: Women's Fiction

Amy Nathan's done it again! I was hooked by the first page and all in by the end of the first chapter. Izzy Lane's story showcases the ease of creating a new life online and the dangers of secrets.

THE MARTIAN Andy Weir: Science Fiction  

This is a total Science Fiction rush! Brilliantly written, THE MARTIAN is a great example of maintaining character voice throughout a narrative. Andy Weir has written a compulsive, hard SF story that's so human. Everyone who reads it will care about his main character. Bravo! 

 I'm taking a blogging break due to some minor hand surgery and the Holidays. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and other celebrations you may have. See you in January! ;-) 

4 July Mini Book Reviews : Re-read Edition--L. Bujold, J. Clavell, D. Gabaldon

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PALADIN OF SOULS Lois McMaster Bujold: Fantasy with a healthy dose of Women's Fiction

Must Read for the 3-D characters who portray what heroic really means and a universe that is as multidimensional as the people in it. This is a fantasy and the sequel to The Curse of Chalion. Read Curse first.

TAI-PAN James Clavell: Historical Fiction

I periodically reread Clavell's Asian Saga for the amazing stories and vivid characters. TAI-PAN is the second in the series and is set during the founding of Hong Kong. With a tightly plotted story and an unforgettable main character--Dirk Straun--Clavell proves he is a mastery storyteller. Good read

WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD Diana Gabaldon: Historical Fiction

Diana Gabaldon has again crafted an amazing story, a masterpiece that ties up the threads from its predecessor, AN ECHO IN THE BONE, with a roller coaster of a ride. She writes every single one of her POV characters' hearts, minds, and souls with humanity. WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD is my second favorite of all the Gabaldon books. But be forewarned: There's more coming in this story. As always Diana Gabaldon's book is an absolutely Must Read!

April Mini Book Reviews: 4 Books to Consider...K. Callihan, J. Clavell, D. Ducharme, C. O'Flynn

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 SOULBOUND Kristen Callihan: Historical-Paranormal-Steampunk Romance

Really! I know you were blown away by the genre designation on Callihan's latest, but if you've read her Darkest London series, you know that's what it is. ;-) Her deep characters and whiplash plot will pull you in and keep you reading. Warning: This is on the erotic side of romance. Reader beware.  

SHOGUN James Clavell: Historical

Clavell's Asian Saga is a periodic reread for me. Here's the book that caused such a stir with it's debut in 1975 and it became a hit mini series as well. The book tells the story of old Japan, replete with samurai, ninja, geisha, and characters who will live forever--Toda Mariko, Yoshi Toranaga, and the English pilot who turns their live upside down-John Blackthorne.

THE OUTER BANKS HOUSE Diann Ducharme: Historical Romance

Ducharme's hypnotic historical will pull into a world you've never visited before--the North Carolina Outer Banks in 1868. And immerse you in an unlikely romance between a planter's daughter and a "banker" fisherman. I dare you to forget this one once you've read it. ;-)

THE EXPATRIATES: SONG OF THE SENDING Corinne O'Flynn: YA Fantasy

This is a richly detailed coming of age and quest story that draws you into a world of wonder and surprising revelations. I will be looking for part two of this new series. 

Next Week: Author Interview with Alice Wisler

Genre...again and Mini-Reviews III

It seems that everything is based on genre these days--finding an agent, pitching publishers, and marketing. That can be limiting to writers who write stories that cross genre lines or take on characteristics of several genres. I'll admit to being a omnivorous reader who will read anything. ; ) If it has a strong main character, I'm happy. All of these books have main characters who come alive. You won't forget them.

CASTAWAY DREAMS Darlene Marshall (romance)
Award-winning author, Darlene Marshall's latest at first seems as frivolous as Daphne Farnham's wardrobe. But like the frilly dresses, lovely hats, and perfect shoes hide the truth about Daphne's true nature, Marshall's light romance hides deep character development. It's a delight to see what's at the heart of the story. Castaway Dreams is a light and racy romance full of wit. Great read.

PAINTING NAKED Maggie Dana (literary women's fiction)
This one is racier than my usual read, so be forewarned.
The MC has a coming-of-middle age story. Jillian Hunter will win you over and make you think about the assumptions we all make about life. Good read.

TAI-PAN James Clavell (historical)
I periodically reread Clavell's Asian Saga for the amazing stories and vivid characters. TAI-PAN is the second in the series and is set during the founding of Hong Kong. With a tightly plotted story and an unforgettable main character--Dirk Straun--Clavell proves he is a mastery storyteller. Good read

Julia Spencer-Fleming--the Clare Ferguson and Russ Van Alstyne mystery series:
Not only are Spencer-Fleming's books wonderful, intricate mysteries, she also creates deep, rich characters. The developing relationship between Clare Fergusson, the Episcopal priest, and Russ Van Alstyne, the police chief, is amazing for it emotional reality. If you read mysteries, read these books! If you love real characters, read these books. I've read the first four--In the Bleak Midwinter, In a Fountain Filled with Blood, Out of the Deep I Cry, and To Darkness and To Death. I can't wait to read the next three books.

Do you have a favorite genre? What is it?
Or do you join me in the omnivorous reader group? ; )