Kristina McMorris Does It Again!

Kristina McMorris definitely knows how to write historical fiction! Ever since I read her Sold on a Monday, I have been a big fan. Her latest, The Girls of Good Fortune, focuses on Portland, OR in the late 1800s. The story centers on a young woman who is half-Chinese and works as a maid for a prominent family. Circumstances send her to live in a bordello where she is tasked with doing odd jobs. When she learns about the massacre of Chinese miners in the Wyoming Territory, and after also learning about the death of her Chinese father, she is committed to helping bring to justice to the men that committed the massacre.

There is a lot more to this book than just what I've mentioned above. I don't want to give anything away, but...there might be a love interest; maybe an escape from a very difficult situation; and possibly...nope, that's all I am willing to tell you. With all of the twists and turns and surprises, you need to read The Girls of Good Fortune to find out what happens. And get this - Kristina will be conducting a virtual tour of the Shanghai Tunnels, where much of the action takes place, on June 10, at 4:00pst. All you have to do is pre-order her book before the pub date of May 20. I can't wait to see it!

My First Mystery from Abbi Waxman - One Death at a Time

As the title indicates, One Death at a Time is my 1st Abbi Waxman mystery. It combines a whodunit with the movie industry. You can't beat that combo! Julia Mann is a veteran ex-actress who is accused of killing a man she found in her swimming pool (she's already been in jail once before for murder!). Now she needs to clear her name and ends up partnering with her sobriety sponsor from AA, who she really wants nothing to do with. Does it all make sense?

Abbi does a very good job of of holding our interest and making sure we really don't know whodunit! She brings in a lot of characters, who all play a part in determining who the killer really is (could it actually be Julia?). And, at the same time, we get a look at the inside workings of Hollywood. It's a fun read with a very intriguing protagonist. I think I might need to check out other Abbi Waxman books.

Another Great Mystery from Hannah Jayne - we did nothing wrong

Even though I am, let’s say, a few years older than the YA characters in Hannah Jayne’s mysteries, I still enjoy the heck out of them. It’s not about the age of the characters. It’s about: Is the book well-written?…and does the mystery keep you guessing?…and do you care about the protagonists? I’ve a big fat YES to all 3 of those questions!

A very quick synopsis: Lia and Diana are long-time best friends and very popular in high school. But there’s been a recent build-up where they are going in different directions. One very late school night, they are scheduled to meet up at a nearby park, which they have been doing for years. Only this time, Lia is late - you’ll have to read the book to find out why - and when she gets there, Diana is gone. Why isn’t she there? Is it Lia’s fault? You know what you have to do to get answers to these, and many other, questions.

The only very small giveaway I will give you is…nah, I changed my mind. All I will say is that the tension grows and grows. Once you start we did nothing wrong, you will not want to put it down. Get your copy stat!