Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

 


Title: Nefertiti
Author: Michelle Moran
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Rating: Liked
Alerts/Warnings: Plague, Murder, Forced Abortion, etc
Premise: "Raised far from the Egyptian court with her sister, Mutnodjmet, the beautiful and ambitious Nefertiti becomes the wife of the radical new pharaoh, Amunhotep, encouraging his plans to overturn Egypt's state religion and making powerful enemies in the process.

Raised far from the Egyptian court with her sister, Mutnodjmet, the beautiful and ambitious Nefertiti becomes the wife of the radical new pharaoh, Amunhotep, encouraging his plans to overturn Egypt's state religion and making powerful enemies in the process. - See more at: http://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1010114082_nefertiti#sthash.EGQaIuXy.dpuf

Opinions: I found this novel fascinating. It wasn't told from Nefertiti's point of view, but from her sister's, Mutnodjmet. Mutnodjmet's story made me cry, and there were many times I would have loved to just smack Nefertiti in her behalf. But that just shows how intriguing this book is. I became so involved in the story, and some of the choices made that affected a nation, that I struggled to put the book down for the last two days.

This book does take a look at some of the possible difficulties that people faced in Egypt at that time, but also shows the strengths they had and their beliefs. Even though I may disagree with some of their lifestyle decisions, I am completely fascinated by the lives they lived. And Mutnodjmet is now one of my favorite characters of all time, for her loyalty to family, but her strength in learning to stand for what she believed in, in her own way.

Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack

To read my reviews of the other books in this series, click here: Lemon Tart, English Trifle, Devil's Food Cake, Key Lime Pie, Blackberry Crumble, and Pumpkin Roll.



Title: Banana Split (Culinary Mystery #7)
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Mystery
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "Sadie Hoffmiller need some time to rest, and where better than in beautiful Hawaii? But when Sadie finds herself entangled--literally--with a body, she is forced to face the compounding fears that are making her life so difficult to live. Her determination to focus on her healing soon takes a backseat, however, when she meets the son of the woman whose body she discovered and decides to help him" (King County Library System).

Sadie Hoffmiller need some time to rest, and where better than in beautiful Hawaii? But when Sadie finds herself entangled--literally--with a body, she is forced to face the compounding fears that are making her life so difficult to live. Her determination to focus on her healing soon takes a backseat, however, when she meets the son of the woman whose body she discovered and decides to help him. - See more at: http://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/979279082_banana_split#sthash.lcsQas8k.dpuf

Opinions: Banana Split was fascinating to read. Compared to the others in this series, it stood out because Sadie was having to deal with her own personal demons from the previous books as she tried to help Charlie, a Hawaiian boy in the foster care system, find out what happened to his recovering addict mother.  Having personal family members who are dealing with depression and anxiety, I felt a little more connected with Sadie allowing me to understand her feelings a little bit better as she tried to overcome here fears and not letting the anxiety control you.

I also loved the location for the story. Hawaii is always amazing, but I here Kaua'i is outstanding. I loved Josi's interpretation of life there and it reminds me of the time I stayed on the North Shore of O'ahu. I loved being taken back to my time there. The warmheartedness of the people, the beautify of the surroundings, the warm breeze and humid air.  (Okay I'm ready to go back.)  Anyway, the plot was intriguing, the character's growth wonderful, and the recipes delectable.   However, the questions I had at the end of the last book didn't get resolved in Banana Split, so I guess I'll just have to read the next book Tres Leche Cupcakes to find out more  ;-).

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

 To see Stephanie's review of this book, click here: Tuesdays at the Castle.


Title: Tuesday's at the Castle (Castle Glower #1)
Author: Jessica Day George
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: MG Fantasy
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "Eleven-year-old Princess Celie lives with her parents, the king and queen, and her brothers and sister at Castle Glower, which adds rooms or stairways or secret passageways most every Tuesday, and when the king and queen are ambushed while traveling, it is up to Celie--the castle's favorite--with her secret knowledge of its never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom" (King County Library System).

Eleven-year-old Princess Celie lives with her parents, the king and queen, and her brothers and sister at Castle Glower, which adds rooms or stairways or secret passageways most every Tuesday, and when the king and queen are ambushed while travelling, it is up to Celie--the castle's favorite--with her secret knowledge of its never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. - See more at: http://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/908964082_tuesdays_at_the_castle#sthash.F807xMY3.dpuf

Eleven-year-old Princess Celie lives with her parents, the king and queen, and her brothers and sister at Castle Glower, which adds rooms or stairways or secret passageways most every Tuesday, and when the king and queen are ambushed while travelling, it is up to Celie--the castle's favorite--with her secret knowledge of its never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. - See more at: http://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/908964082_tuesdays_at_the_castle#sthash.F807xMY3.dpuf

Opinions: I have yet to read a Jessica Day George book that I didn't like. This specific book is now when I'm my top 15 of my favorite books to read. The plot feels like a retelling of an older story, but with a unique twists. The Castle is my favorite character of the whole book. I'm intrigued by the fact that the castle is alive in its own unique way, and is in charge of who will be the King of the entire country. The was it shows its approval of some characters versus others is hilarious, and it is usually spot on about the person's character.

I also appreciated the relationship between the royal siblings. They looked out for each other,learned from each other, and trusted each other. I loved that she was mapping out the Castle and getting to know it on a personal level. Princess Celie was also an intriguing main character. She trusted, and could interpret, the signs the Castle was giving her. She is smart, kind, and funny. She even instigated several practical jokes on those in the Castle who were against her family.  I seriously had a difficult time  putting this book down.

Pumpkin Roll by Josi S. Kilpack

 To read my reviews of the other books in this series click here: Lemon Tart, English Trifle, Devil's Food Cake, Key Lime Pie, and Blackberry Crumble.



Title: Pumpkin Roll (A Culinary Mystery #6)
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Mystery
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings:  None
Premise: "Sadie Hoffmiller is in Boston, Massachusetts, with her boyfriend, Pete Cunningham, babysitting his three young grandsons. The boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, and Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such Halloween-induced ideas. Then Mrs. Wapple is attacked in her home, and Sadie finds herself embroiled in a series of unexplained occurrences with life-or-death consequences" (King County Library System).

Sadie Hoffmiller is in Boston, Massachusetts, with her boyfriend, Pete Cunningham, babysitting his three young grandsons. The boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, and Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such Halloween-induced ideas. Then Mrs. Wapple is attacked in her home, and Sadie finds herself embroiled in a series of unexplained occurrences with life-or-death consequences. - See more at: http://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/931134082_pumpkin_roll#sthash.louiLXtH.dpuf

Sadie Hoffmiller is in Boston, Massachusetts, with her boyfriend, Pete Cunningham, babysitting his three young grandsons. The boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, and Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such Halloween-induced ideas. Then Mrs. Wapple is attacked in her home, and Sadie finds herself embroiled in a series of unexplained occurrences with life-or-death consequences. - See more at: http://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/931134082_pumpkin_roll#sthash.louiLXtH.dpuf

Opinions: Sadie Hoffmiller as a character is just fun to read. She seems like a twist on Miss Marple, but widowed instead of single.  She still has the brightness, humor, and intelligence that you get from Miss Marple.  On top of that you get loads of absolutely mouth watering recipes that tie into the story.  (Side note: I just found out that after the series is complete a cookbook containing all the recipes will be released. Though I still think I'll buy the entire series.) 

This book felt different than those that I've read leading up to it. This one had more of a creepy feel dealing with the possibilities of ghosts and psychopaths, perfect for the Halloween/Fall time frame that the book is set in. Sadie is forced to look at what she believes versus what is happening to her, her "boyfriend" Pete, and his grandchildren. I think the creepy feeling increased because there were children involved. However, I think Josi didn't a fantastic job with the plot twists, and intertwining the feel of Boston into her story. I really enjoyed reading Pumpkin Roll and found it hard to put it down. The end made me do a double take and with my jaw dropped. I'm eager to see where her next book, Banana Split, takes Sadie next.

Speaking From Among the Bones by Alan Bradley

Sorry for the lack of posts last month. Between the holidays, kids going back to school, and some family trials, life just got in the way making it hard for me to read a book.

But today I just finished reading my first book in months and I loved it. So here you go:

To read my reviews of other books in this series, click here: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, A Red Herring Without Mustard, and I am Half-Sick of Shadows.



Title: Speaking from the Bones (Flavia de Luce series #5)
Author: Alan Bradley
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Mystery
Rating: LOVE
Alerts/Warnings: Mild Swearing, Some scientific descriptions of death associated with murder mysteries
Premise: "Eleven-year-old amateur detective and ardent chemist Flavia de Luce is used to digging up clues, whether they're found among the potions in her laboratory or between the pages of her sisters' diaries. What she is not accustomed to is digging up bodies. Upon the 500th anniversary of St. Tancred's death, the English hamlet of Bishop's Lacey is busily preparing to open its patron saint's tomb. Nobody is more excited to peek inside the crypt than Flavia, yet what she finds will halt the proceedings dead in their tracks: the body of Mr. Collicutt, the church organist, his face grotesquely and inexplicably masked. Who held a vendetta against Mr. Collicutt, and why would they hide him in such a sacred resting place?" (King County Library System).
Opinions: If you love murder mysteries, you will love the Flavia de Luce series. I LOVE this series. Lets face it, chemistry is not my strong suit, and this series revolves around the chemical aspects and breakdowns revolving around murders. And yet I can not get enough of reading these books. I love how strong of a character Flavia is. She is a beautiful mix of brilliant chemistry genius and eleven year old girl. And she is able to use both facets of her personality to get the job done. I love her tenacity, but the thing I loved most about this book is how much she grows as an individual while her family is going through some grave financial times.

Her life at Bucksaw, her ancestral home, is frail and her relationships with her family are changing as she is forced to grow. I loved that she found a threat of continuity in the mysterious death of Mr. Collicutt to hold on to while everything remains uncertain at home.  Also, with each book I read, I love Dogger, Flavia's father's man, more and more. He is a fascinating, mysterious, in-depth character who teaches and watches over Flavia while taking care of her whole family in his quiet ways. Most of all, the ending had me floored. I instantly had to go to my library website to see if I could check out the next book.  It apparently it just came out last month.  I'm 6th in line.  UGH!!!!