Stop the Press! Winter’s chill is setting in, and if you’re anything like me, now’s the perfect moment to bulk up your “want to read” list. This edition brings you a diverse array of genres, from historical fiction and feminism to Christian thriller, time travel, and contemporary fiction. Join me on a literary journey spanning Russia, California, Wyoming, Alabama, England, France, Iran, and the Philippines. I should be jet-lagged with all that traveling through my eyeballs! Among these pages, you’ll find some real gems (and, in my humble opinion, a couple of duds). Here’s hoping you discover something delightful to while away the chilly hours. Extra! Extra! Read All About […]
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Sisters in Arms
Sisters in Arms explores the history of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps’ 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, called the “Six Triple Eight.” The 6888th had 855 women, amongst whom were three Latinas. They were among the first Black women allowed to serve in the US Army during World War II. This historical follows Grace Steele and Eliza Jones, from their recruitment in New York City to their mission in Europe. As part of the 6888th, their task is to tackle a substantial backlog of mail. The novel not only addresses the challenges of wartime but also the harsh realities of segregation and prejudice. Despite its historical significance, my journey through […]
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No Two Persons
The heart of No Two Persons beats with Alice Wein, an aspiring writer who weaves her pain into a striking debut, Theo, inspired by her brother’s tragic overdose. The book, told through loosely intertwined short stories, explores how one novel can affect people from all walks of life. We follow characters like Alice, a lonely bookseller, a homeless teenager, a free diver pushing limits, an outraged artist, and a grieving widower. Each person connects with something unique in Alice’s creation, changing their viewpoints unexpectedly. As a fellow author, I connected with the dream of wanting to create a story that not only gets read but passionately shared. Yet, No Two […]
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The Lost English Girl
Author Julia Kelly takes us on a journey to Liverpool in 1935, where we meet 18-year-old Viv Byrne, who was raised in a strict Catholic home. She finds herself in a difficult situation when she becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with a Jewish saxophonist Joshua Levinson. To avoid the shame of being an unwed mother, Viv and Joshua hastily tie the knot. But Viv’s overbearing mother offers Joshua a large amount of money to disappear on their wedding day, knowing the child will now be born in wedlock. He agrees and heads off to New York City to chase his dreams of jazz stardom. Five years later, Viv has […]
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Were the Lost Wander
The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds. Life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death. Even as John and Naomi are drawn to each other, the trials of the journey and their disparate pasts work to keep them apart. When a horrific tragedy strikes, decimating Naomi’s family and separating her from John, the promises they made are all they have left. Both will have to make […]
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101 Books to Read for Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, and I always try to dive into a book by at least one indigenous author during this time. So, after some solid research and recommendations from fellow readers, here’s a list of top-rated fiction and nonfiction books you might want to check out. We’ve got three categories to explore: First up, books penned by Native American authors, showcasing their unique voices and perspectives. Then, there are bestselling works by non-Native authors that still explore Indigenous culture and issues. Finally, there are several honorable mentions. These gems might not have gathered as many reviews, but they’re worth your consideration. Oh, and just a heads-up. I […]
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The Tehran Initiative
The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg is a gripping, action-packed thriller that picks up where The Twelfth Imam left off. In this book, things are even more intense as Iran conducts its first atomic weapons test, setting off a chain of events that could change the world as we know it. Millions of Muslims believe their long-awaited messiah, the “Twelfth Imam,” has arrived, sending shockwaves across the globe. Israeli leaders fear that Iran, under the influence of the Twelfth Imam, might launch a devastating nuclear attack. The president orders CIA agent David Shirazi to sabotage Iran’s nuclear warheads before Iran or Israel can launch a devastating first strike. The […]
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Take My Hand
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a powerful and eye-opening novel that addresses a disturbing piece of history. Set in 1973, it follows Civil Townsend, a newly graduated nurse who returns home to work at the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic. Her supervisor assigns her to give the Depo-Provera birth control shot to India and Erica Williams, who are only 11 and 13 years old. The girls have not yet reached puberty and are not sexually active, which leads Civil to question the motives behind her assignment. When Civil later learns the girls have been sterilized without their consent, she embarks on a legal battle against the clinic. The courtroom […]
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Burning Ground
Burning Ground by D.A. Galloway begins in 1971. It is the story of Graham Davidson, a young man grappling with survivor’s guilt after losing three siblings. Estranged from his father and searching for purpose, he stumbles upon the concept of vision quests from a Crow Indian. Graham lands seasonal work in Yellowstone National Park, which sets the stage for a spiritual journey that takes a rather unexpected turn. During a full moon at a sacred thermal area, something extraordinary happens—he finds himself transported back in time one hundred years. There he joins the Hayden Geological Survey, which explored the region that one year later became Yellowstone National Park. A menacing […]
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Mastering the Art of French Murder
Tabitha Knight arrives from Detroit for an extended stay with her French grandfather. Thanks to her neighbor and friend Julia Child, she is learning how to cook for her Grandpère and Oncle Rafe. The night after Child’s sister, Dort, hosts a party at Child’s apartment, a guest named Thérèse Lognon is discovered dead in the basement. The murder weapon is a knife from Julia’s kitchen. When Inspector Merveille reveals that a note, in Tabitha’s handwriting, was found in the dead woman’s pocket, Tabitha conducts her own investigation to find the actual killer before she or one of her friends ends up in prison. Much to the inspector’s consternation, Tabitha gathers […]
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