2 Terrific Books - and Both of Them Are Romances!

I didn't plan on reading back-to-back romances.  Not because I'm not a big fan of romances, because I am.  But because I try to not read the same genre for two books in a row.  So did I not enjoy the 2nd one as much as I normally would because of that?...absolutely not!  I loved both of these books.  And other than both of them being in the same genre, they couldn't have been more different.  Let me explain.

The first one is A Summer to Remember, by Erika Montgomery.  This is her 1st book, from 2021.  She has written a second one, that came out in 2023, called A Place on the Island.  I will be sure to get my hands on that one too.

But what about AStR?  The story revolves around 30-year old Frankie Mason, who owns a movie memorabilia store in Hollywood.  Her mother, who opened the store years earlier, has recently passed away and, evidently, hid a lot of stuff from Frankie, including who her father is.  Well, a package is delivered to Frankie that includes a picture of her mother with a very famous actress and actor taken over 30 years ago. And she learns that the movie festival this actress started is still going strong.  So Frankie travels to where the festival takes place to learn more about her mother and, maybe, who her father is.  I can't even begin to tell you all the secrets her mother kept from Frankie.  Oh, did I tell you that this is a romance?  Let's not forget about that.  The only other thing I will tell you is that there is a moment late in the book where I got chills.  Never mind the tears that I usually shed.  These were bona fide chills!

The second book is from an author that I've read a number of times and have always liked.  Her name is Katherine Center, and the book is called Hello Stranger.  This is Katherine's 10th book and, I think, my 4th.  And, man, did I enjoy this.  One of the reasons that it's so different from Erika's book is that it's really funny.  I laughed out loud a whole bunch of times.  But it also has a unique storyline.  The protagonist, Sadie, is an artist.  And she has made the final 10 out of 2000 entries for an art contest that features portraits!  She can't wait to put all of her time and energy into winning the contest.  It will be the break she needs to become a well-paid artist.  But, then, something happens as she's crossing a street.  And when she wakes up, she finds out that she prosopagnosia, aka face-blindness.  This is a condition in which you see faces, but they are in a jumble of pieces. It's likened to reading a book that is upside down.  How is she going to draw portraits?  You will obviously have to read Hello Stranger to find out.  And, just like A Summer to Remember, this is a romance. How does that play into it?  

I had a lot of reactions to this book.  One time I said out loud "Ooh." Another time, I rolled my eyes at one of the characters.  There were also a few tears...here and there.  But what I want to really tell you about is Katherine's Author's Note.   She explains what a romance is. We all know that the two main characters will end up together.  But Katherine calls that anticipation, NOT predictability.  She says...I'm going to stop here.  This is something you will want to read.  I know you will enjoy the book.  You couldn't not (is that usable English?!).  But make sure you read her Author's Note.  Because I think, like me, that you will start looking at romances differently.

    

A Very Good Spy Novel

Defector in Paradise is the perfect book for me.  It not only teaches me something I don’t know.  But it also does it with a fascinating storyline.  This is Book #2 in the Owen Roberts’ trilogy.  And here’s the thing:  It doesn’t matter if you haven’t read Book #1.  I didn’t even know there was a Book #1 until after I finished DiP!

So I have to say I don’t know much about intelligence officers and what they do.  Having been alive throughout most of the Cold War, I have an outline of what went on between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.  But this book goes deep into how it played out.  The story is about a Russian spy who has been in the U.S. for 30 years and who has established himself as a potential very high level political figure.  And Owen Roberts is literally the only person who can stop him.  He does get some help from another in-country Russian.  But he pretty much has to expose the mole or that spy will be in a position to wreak havoc on our political system.

Not only is there a lot of spy stuff, but there are plenty of other elements too.  There are alliances that wouldn’t normally take place.  There are Russian thugs who have just one thing in mind.  There is the guts and cunning of an intelligence officer (Owen, of course) who has a plan to keep the free world free.  And let’s not ignore a little romance along the way.

Defector in Paradise will definitely hold your attention until it ultimately becomes unputdownable.  Get a hold of it, and maybe you/I will check out how it all started in Book #1, The Clandestine Education of Owen Roberts.  

Dugoni does it again!

Everybody knows what a big fan of Robert Dugoni I am.  I have read many of his books and have thoroughly enjoyed every one.  The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is one of my favorite books all-time!

When I received an ARC of Beyond Reasonable Doubt from his publicist, I was extremely happy!  But then I noticed that it was Book 2 of a new series, and I hadn’t read (or even been aware of) Book 1.  So I asked Megan about it, and she was kind enough to send me a copy of Her Deadly Game.  I devoured it!

So what is it about, you ask?  Keera Duggan is a prosecutor on the rise in Seattle.  Unfortunately, though, she has a bad break-up with a colleague which leads her to going from prosecution to criminal defense.  In fact, she ends up working for the family business, which was founded by her father and also includes her two sisters.  And, as luck would have it, she immediately takes on a case in which an investment advisor is accused of murdering his wealthy wife.

Let me say that I’ve always liked books where much of it takes place in the courtroom (does everybody know Sheldon Siegel? - if not, get to it!).  This is definitely no exception.  Bob has created a powerful story about a criminal defense family with some great courtroom drama.  And on top of all that, is it possible the defendant has secrets that Keera uncovers and doesn’t know what to do with?  I would say that, yes, it’s possible!

I didn’t need proof that I would enjoy Bob Dugoni’s latest.  But the proof was definitely in the Her Deadly Game pudding.  Don’t hesitate to grab a copy so you can follow right up with Book 2, which hits the bookstores on October 22.  

The Incorrigibles, by Meredith Jaeger...Get To It!

I'm always very happy when Meredith Jaeger gets a new book to her adoring readers (of which I am one!).  They are always enjoyable, interesting reads.  Her latest, The Incorrigibles, follows 2 timelines. The 1st is 1890 and focuses on a young Irish woman, Annie, who comes to America and lands in San Francisco as a maid in a mansion. We soon find out what sends her to San Quentin.  The 2nd is 1972 and is about a woman, Judy, whose marriage is failing and who finds herself in San Francisco, trying to figure out how to make it work as a person on her own.  She serendipitously comes across a mug shot of Annie in prison and decides she wants to find out how Annie got there and what happened to her.

With The Incorrigibles being historical fiction, we not only learn about women in San Quentin in the late 1800s, but we also get an in-depth look at South of Market when the Yerba Buena Center is being built and how it affects the local population.  Either story could stand on its own.  But, together, we get two for the price of one!  Lucky us!

Only the Beautiful - Susan Meissner's latest

Only the Beautiful, by Susan Meissner, is a terrific book.  I definitely can't/won't give you any spoilers.  But I will say this...I was bawling at the end.  I know, I know.  You don't think this is anything unusual for me.  And I will admit that I do tear up on a (semi-)regular basis.  But this was actual crying.  That's all I'm going to say about that!

The story starts in 1938 and ultimately ends up in 1957.  Much of the book takes place in Austria.  And since we're talking about 1938 and moving forward, you can imagine that there will be some WWII storylines.  On top of that difficult subject, there's also a fair amount of references to eugenics.  You'll have to read the book to see how that fits in.

Bottom line is that Susan Meissner can flat-out write.  Do yourself a favor and get your copy.  And be warned that, as you would expect, there is some difficult reading.  But keep going.  It will be worth your time.  

The Cheesemaker's Daughter by Kristin Vukovic

The Cheesemaker’s Daughter is about Marina, a 34-year old woman whose family (not surprisingly) produces cheese.  The factory is on the south side of the island of Pag in post-civil war Croatia.  Marina has been living in New York City for many years (having been sent there by her father when she was in her late teens) and has recently split from her husband, who is Croatian and who she met in NYC.  She now finds herself visiting her family.  Does she just stay for a short visit?  Does she extend her time there to help her father?  Does she move back to Croatia?  You’ll have to read it to find out.

This book will definitely grab you.  There’s the ex-partner of her father, who left the south side quite a few years ago and who competitively produces cheese in the northern part of the island.  There’s his son who is Marina’s ex.  There’s Marina’s younger brother who just wants to play soccer.  And there’s even Marina’s Grandmother Badurino, who weighs in on just about every important decision.  You will get caught up in the happenings in the factory.  And you will definitely learn a lot about cheesemaking.

I must tell you I was rolling along in the story until…BOOM!  I was ambushed by my tear ducts!  I think I teared up (doesn’t that sound better than crying my eyes out?) every 3-5 pages until the book ended.  Whether you connect emotionally with the characters or not, you will, for sure, enjoy The Cheesemaker’s Daughter.  

P.S.  The Cheesemaker's Daughter will be available on August 6.

the trail of lost hearts, by Tracey Garvis Graves, Is Definitely a Keeper!

I am on a roll.  The trail of lost hearts, by Tracey Garvis Graves, is a really good book.  It's my 3rd Graves, and they have all been terrific. This one is a romance that is not like any other you have read. Besides being very well written, it combines some very unusual elements, which I can't tell you about because I don't want to give you any spoilers.  Suffice it to say that you might utter "huh?" or "really?" a few times (each!). 

Here's the thing about romances:  They constitute about 50% of all books written.  And I have certainly read quite a few over the years. But it takes a creative mind to put a story together that has the reader wondering "Will they or won't they?"  And even though we typically know how a romance is going to end, this one still makes you wonder. You can't ask for much more than that.  I feel certain that you will enjoy the trail of lost hearts.

The Paris Widow, by Kimberly Belle - Read it!

I have read 4 or 5 of Kimberly Belle's books.  And I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them.  The latest, the Paris Widow, is NOT an exception. It's the story of a love affair between Stella and Adam...and a whole bunch more.   We learn a lot about the antiquities market, and the fact that there are so many archaeological artifacts stolen and replicated. The next time I go to a museum, I will be wondering whether or not what I see is truly the original piece!  It's staggering what goes on in that world.

Kimberly has done a terrific job of combining the personal story with a thorough description of what happens in the antiquities domain.  Even though every once in a while we hear about a piece of art that has been stolen, we rarely hear about statues, vases, and a whole variety of other pieces that have been taken.  And then, when they are found, we now might question whether or not it's the original piece!

Thanks, Kimberly, for educating us. 

P.S.  Please note that the Paris Widow becomes available to purchase on June 11.  

Kate Quinn and Her First Venture with Janie Chang

The Phoenix Crown is my 5th Kate Quinn. But it's the 1st one that she wrote with a co-author.  And that co-author, Janie Chang, was not only able to hold her own with a superstar.  But she matches her page for page.  In fact, I like her and it so much that I have already purchased one of Janie's books so I can immerse myself in her solo efforts.

But how is the book, you might be asking right now.  It's really good. The story begins in San Francisco 13 days before the1906 earthquake. And it centers primarily on 2 women.  One is an opera singer, who is in the city as part of a troupe.  And the other is a young Chinese woman who, because of the business her family has, spends quite a bit of time outside Chinatown.  Each chapter, for a good portion of the book, alternates between the 2 protagonists.

Of course we see what happens when the earthquake hits.  But equally important is what happens to the 2 women, along with 2 other women that are a big part of their group. in the 5 years that follow. This is historical fiction at its best.  Even if you didn't grow up in the San Francisco Bay Area, you certainly have heard about the earthquake.  Kate and Janie create a very detailed picture of when it happened and its aftermath.  Bravo to these 2 fine authors!

 

Heather Webb Does It Again

Queens of London is my 3rd Heather Webb Historical Fiction novel. The 1st one, Three Words for Goodbye, she wrote with Hazel Gaynor. The 2nd one, The Last Ship Home, was solo.  And so is QofL.  Here's the thing...they are all really good.  She has a lot more that I hope to get to one day.  But, for now, let's talk about Queens of London.

Alice Diamond, known as "Diamond Annie," is the head of an all-woman group in 1925 London.  Their mission is to basically take over the city.  And they do this by robbing department stores, among other places.  They appear to be unstoppable.  But there are 3 other very important females in the story.  One is a police detective, working for Scotland Yard, who is trying very hard to overcome the prejudice against female police officers.  One is an employee at a major department store.  And one is a very young Indian girl who is all by herself.  These 4 characters come together to create a very intense, well-crafted, extremely interesting book.  All I can say to Heather is..."Keep 'em comin'!"   

Another Excellent Kristin Hannah!

I'm sure it will come as no surprise to you that Kristin Hannah's latest book, The Women, is absolutely terrific.  Out of 25 books that Kristin has written, I've read 5 - The Nightingale, The Four Winds, The Great Alone, Home Front, and, now, The Women.  This one really got to me. It's about a woman who volunteers to go to Vietnam during that conflict in the late 60s.  It just so happens that I got caught up in that war too.  I was going to Cal in 1969 when the government took away college students' deferments.  I immediately joined the Army Reserve because I did NOT want to get drafted.  As it turned out, my number, 152, was called up.  It wasn't fun to have 5 months of active duty (at least it was stateside!) and 5+ years of one weekend per month and 2 weeks of commitment every summer.  But it sure beat the heck out of the alternative!

But enough about me.  You don't have to have my kind of connection to be very glad you read this book.  Like all of the others, it's just flat-out good.  Of course there is so much more to the story than her time in Vietnam.  And I can vouch for how she depicted the way the soldiers were treated when they came home.  You will know that Kristin is accurate in how she tells us all about how the Vietnam War created so much animosity back here in the U.S.

Finally, I will just tell you this - If Kristin Hannah writes it, you will be glad you read it.  And as for The Women, just ask the 165,000+ who rated The Women 4.70/5!  That is absolutely unheard of.  But there you have it.

The True Love Experiment, by Christina Lauren - Truly Outstanding

My review of The True Love Experiment, by Christina Lauren, is going to be very short.  It is flat-out outstanding.  It's not only one of the best romances I've read.  It's actually one of the best books I've read! It's very clever throughout.  I usually make some notes of sentences or paragraphs that stand out.  Well, in this case, I wrote down a few early on and then realized that the entire book is clever and smart. We all know how romances end.  But, in this case, the premise is really creative and something that I haven't seen before.  And there are definitely some poignant moments.  One word of caution - there are some physical interchanges and language that are NOT PG!  But it all fits together well.

 

There Are Memoirs and Then There Are Memoirs!

Erin Gordon's Look What You Made Me Do:  Confronting Heartbreak & Harassment in Big Law is a must read!  It focuses on her experience working as a first-year associate in a big law firm in San Francisco in 1993-1994.  Erin talks about what it was like to be treated in a way that most of us cannot even fathom.  She tells us about how that year stayed with her for the next 30 years!...and what she finally did to deal with her time there.  This memoir is raw and brave and poignant. 

And here's an added bonus:  Besides living this year along with her, you also get to read something that is so well-written.  I've always thoroughly enjoyed Erin's books, largely because she is such a good writer.  But by combining a mesmerizing story with such fine writing and heartfelt emotions, you get the trifecta!  Make sure you grab this one because it will sure grab you!

  

Dugoni does it again!

A Killing on the Hill, by Robert Dugoni, comes out on April 9.  This is his 24th novel, along with 3 short stories and 1 non-fiction that he co-wrote.  And after all of those books, AKotH is his very 1st historical fiction!  And, wow, is it good!  The story takes place in Seattle in 1933, at the height of Prohibition and  the Great Depression.  The main protagonist is a 19-year old boy, William Shumacher ("Shoe") who has moved from Kansas City to Seattle in order to become a newspaper reporter for one of Seattle's 3 main papers.  He becomes the chief representative for the paper in a trial regarding the shooting and killing of a well-known prize fighter by the owner of an establishment that is selling alcohol and running illegal gambling games.  Of course Shoe is much more involved than just covering the trial.  Throw in the newspaper's editor, the chief detective for the City of Seattle, the deputy prosecutor who tries the case, the defense's main attorney, and a couple of women with their own stories, and you have a book that will keep you guessing throughout.

So here's the thing.  Dugoni can flat-out write.  Whether it's a standalone (5) or one of his series (3), all of his books are terrific.  And even though I (shamefacedly) admit that I've only read 5 of his books, one of them - The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - is one of my favorites of all-time!  If you haven't read it...get to it!  You will thank me!

But I digress.  AKotH will keep you enthralled throughout. I have to warn you that there may be some tears in your future.  And don't be surprised if you gasp or say "What the heck?" or just shake your head.  I predict one or more of those things will happen.

Get your order in so that you can start A Killing on the Hill when it becomes available on April 9.