#NetGalley Review: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip

This is a beautiful story full of emotional magic.
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
by Patricia A. McKillip

File Size: 760 KB
Print Length: 242 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1616962771
Publisher: Tachyon Publications; Reprint edition (September 15, 2017)
ASIN: B06VW2PKQ7
Genre: Fantasy, Magical, Romance
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Young Sybel, the heiress of powerful wizards, needs the company of no-one outside her gates. In her exquisite stone mansion, she is attended by exotic, magical beasts: Riddle-master Cyrin the boar; the treasure-starved dragon Gyld; Gules the Lyon, tawny master of the Southern Deserts; Ter, the fiercely vengeful falcon; Moriah, feline Lady of the Night. Sybel only lacks the exquisite and mysterious Liralen, which continues to elude her most powerful enchantments.

But Sybel's solitude is to be shattered when a desperate soldier arrives bearing a mysterious child. Soon Sybel will discover that the world of men is full of love, deceit, and the temptations of vast power.

Review:
Sybel inherited her wizardly gifts that include calling and controlling magical beasts. Her mother died in childbirth and her father raised her until he died when she was only 12. She has lived in her mountain mansion alone except for her beautiful animals who are the stuff of myths and legend.

One day a soldier brings an infant to her gates and asks Sybel to protect him and raise him. She knows nothing of human infants but agrees and seeks help from the witch who lives down the hill. Sybel learns that her Tamlorn is the greatest of her treasures as the boy grows but she doesn’t know what will happen as he approaches adulthood.

The soldier, Coren, returns when Tam is a young lad of 12 seeking to take Tam to the world of men. Sybel is drawn to the soldier who has so much information regarding her animals but she will not release Tam. A few years later Tam is seeking his father and King Drede comes up the mountain in search of a rumored son.

Sybel learns the heartaches of the world of men as Tam’s curiosity seeks his own history… and the truth of his parentage. COREN is enchanted by Sybel but she does not know the world of emotions involved with men and she cannot understand the deep bitterness that COREN has that drives him to seek revenge against his enemy. The King also is enthralled by Sybel but he makes a terrible mistake in trying to capture her as his own.

This story is enchanting with the wonderful beasts who speak, often in riddles. They don’t seem to mind terribly being caged by their gentle mistress although some of them do chaff and want things beyond her territory. Their reactions as the tensions escalate between the opposing tribes of men are an interesting element added to the tale. The story speaks to the human heartaches of love and hate, and the poison and losses that spread from bitterness and obsessive revenge. The story evoked emotions, high and low, in me as I feared what might happen and wondered at events that did happen.

The writing is beautiful with a lovely fairy tale quality. I was not familiar with most of the named beasts and, as far as I know, this is an original fairy tale. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy fairy tale fantasy.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for 2018TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover by Susan Wittig Albert

This story shares great history with a light mystery.
The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover
by Susan Wittig Albert

File Size: 1245 KB
Print Length: 269 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0996904034
Publisher: Persevero Press (March 6, 2018)
ASIN: B077ZJFKTN
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

It is 1934. FDR is in the White House, the New Deal is in full swing, and Prohibition has finally been repealed. Bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert returns to Darling, Alabama, where the ladies of the local garden club aren’t afraid to dig a little dirt if that’s what it takes to cultivate a mystery . . .
When the Lucky Four Clovers run into a string of bad luck, it looks like the music may have ended for Darling’s favorite barbershop quartet—just when the Dixie Regional Barbershop Competition is about to take place. To complicate things, there’s a serious foul-up in Darling’s telephone system—and Myra May and Violet don’t have a penny for repairs. The town’s party lines may have to go out of business, which would be bad news for the gossips.
And it doesn’t help that newspaper editor/publisher Charlie Dickens is facing a crisis of confidence in his new wife, Fannie. Or that Liz Lacy (the Dahlias’ president) has to decide whether she’s ready for a do-over in her ill-fated romance with Grady Alexander. And what’s that secret her old friend Fremon is keeping? What does he know about what happened to the unlucky Clover on that dark night on the Jericho Road?
While liquor is legal again, moonshine isn’t, and as Sheriff Buddy Norris discovers when he goes into Briar Swamp to confront Cypress County’s most notorious bootlegger, it helps to have a little luck. But whatever the challenge, the Dahlias know that pie fixes everything. And you will, too, when you hear what they’re baking for Darling’s pie supper.
Once again, author Susan Wittig Albert has brought us a charming story of richly human characters who face the Great Depression with courage and grace. She reminds us that friends offer the best of themselves to each other, community is what holds us together, and luck is what you make of it.
Traditional Southern pie recipes (and a little cookery history) included!

Review:
Liz Lacy, one of the Dahlia Darlings, is the part time secretary to a lawyer. They have gotten a call from a local woman whose husband has gone missing. A day later the wrecked car and body are found. The deputy and sheriff realize quickly that what may look like an accident was something more sinister. Now they have to figure out why and who considering the deceased had several people in town unhappy with his business dealings.

While Liz talks to town folk trying to unravel the mystery from the view of her office, the author shares a wealth of details regarding the lifestyle in 1934. There are descriptions of cars, clothing, switchboard telephone system with party lines, old time newspaper with Linotype, and lots of pies including shoofly pie which is one of my favorites. There is also discussion of political issues such as the new deal, repeal of prohibition, Works Programs Administration (WPA) and more.

This is a good cozy mystery with wonderful history. The history made this as much fun to listen to as the mystery. There are also gardening details for garden buffs and yummy pies play a part of the story. After the conclusion there are several pie recipes shared from sources as early as 1837. The writing style flows well for an easy, enjoyable read. I recommend this to cozy mystery fans who would enjoy the nostalgia and history of the 1930s.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, Alphabet and NetGalley Challenges.

#NetGalley Review: All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai

Time travel paradox: What would you do if your actions changed your own time line?
All Our Wrong Todays: A Novel
by Elan Mastai

File Size: 1884 KB
Print Length: 380 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1101986506
Publisher: Dutton (February 7, 2017)
ASIN: B01FEY5EP2
Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Elan Mastai's acclaimed debut novel is a story of friendship and family, of unexpected journeys and alternate paths, and of love in its multitude of forms.
It's 2016, and in Tom Barren's world, technology has solved all of humanity's problems—there's no war, no poverty, no under-ripe avocadoes. Unfortunately, Tom isn't happy. He's lost the girl of his dreams. And what do you do when you're heartbroken and have a time machine? Something stupid.
Finding himself stranded in a terrible alternate reality—which we immediately recognize as our 2016—Tom is desperate to fix his mistake and go home. Right up until the moment he discovers wonderfully unexpected versions of his family, his career, and the woman who may just be the love of his life.
Now Tom faces an impossible choice. Go back to his perfect but loveless life. Or stay in our messy reality with a soulmate by his side. His search for the answer takes him across continents and timelines in a quest to figure out, finally, who he really is and what his future—our future—is supposed to be.
Filled with humor and heart and packed with insight, intelligence, and mind-bending invention, All Our Wrong Todays is a powerful and moving story of life, loss, and love.

Review:
Tom Barren’s world of 2016 is a future that looks like the Jettson’s TV show with sleek buildings, robotic maids and hovercrafts. It is full of technology, (most) everyone is happy and (most) people finds their work in a field of entertainment or exploration. Tom’s parents are a strange, aloof couple and, sadly, Tom doesn’t have the focus or drive to keep a job, much less a career. He is pretty much a second rate loser who fantasizes about women and currently about one particular woman, Penelope, a brilliant young woman who is now the lead chrononaut on his father’s time travel team. Tom has been given the position of her understudy due to a freak accident four months earlier and a moment of pity from his father.

Tom’s father is a famous scientist who is about to run the first time travel experiment. His calculations are keyed to a specific time and energy signature in 1965 when another scientist unveiled the experiment that created endless free, clean energy which allowed the world to become Tom’s remarkable world in 2016.

The night before the trip in time Tom manages to mess up life again – for himself, Penelope and his father. In an extreme moment, Tom plunges himself into the time machine without being fully prepared – as usual. His arrival is partially successful but results in a glitch that changes time.

Tom awakens in a new 2016 as John Barren who has had a fall at a construction site. John is everything that Tom wasn’t. He is a driven, successful, wealthy architect with loving parents and a bright, sassy sister. No one believes Tom/John’s story of another timeline even as he is determined to set things right. But then he meets a wonderful bookstore owner, Penny who could be the love of his life. This would be a beautiful life, but it isn’t Tom’s life.

Tom/John must search out a way to proof his craziness, especially to Penny. That sets him across continents and times where he discovers that messing with time isn’t always a good thing.

Tom is somewhat of a shallow, miserable character making the beginning of the story slow and hard to get into. But once he travels back in time things become complex and interesting…and Tom even matures along the way. The story is more about the consequences of time travel than the travel itself, although there is some of that too in an interesting span.

I enjoy the paradox of time travel and this story is fun once it gets going. I recommend this to sci fi fans who enjoy the issues raised by time travel.

Source: NetGalley. This qualifies for 2018TBR, 2018NetGalley, 2018Alphabet Challenges and a book set in Canada for I Spy Reading Challenge.

#NetGalley Book Review: Battle Hymn (America Rising) by William C. Dietz

I enjoyed this alternate history, military series.
Battle Hymn (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz

File Size: 1861 KB
Print Length: 346 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0425278743
Publisher: Ace (February 20, 2018)
ASIN: B072LT18QW
Genre: Alternate History, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Legion of the Damned® novels comes the final volume in the postapocalyptic military science fiction trilogy about America warring with itself and the people trying to keep it together...
The Second Civil War continues to rage as Union president Samuel T. Sloan battles to keep America whole and, more than that, to restore the country to its former greatness.
"Wanted Dead or Alive." Following a fateful battle between Union Army major Robin "Mac" Macintyre and her sister, the New Confederacy places a price on Mac's head, and bounty hunters are on her trail.
But there's work to be done, and Mac is determined to help Sloan reunify the country by freeing hundreds of Union POWs from appalling conditions in Mexico and capturing a strategic oil reserve that lies deep inside Confederate territory.
However, to truly have peace it will be necessary to capture or kill the New Confederacy's leadership, and that includes Mac's father, General Bo Macintyre.

Review:
At the end of book two Mac and her sister had a fateful confrontation. The New Confederacy, by the command of her own father, has placed a price on Mac’s head making her the target of bounty hunters. Many of Mac’s original platoon have been lost so there is a steady stream of new troops coming in. Some of those under her command have Confederate sympathies, or are just greedy, making it hard to know whom she can trust.

Mac’s new commander views Mac as lucky and getting favoritism as the suspected ‘lover’ of Union President, Sam Sloan. Mac gets a new team together and has to prove her worth through a treacherous rescue of abused POWs held in a Mexican prison. More losses occur but the battles don’t stop.
Mac and her Marauders are assigned to capture a strategic oil reserve within Confederacy territory. The odds aren’t good and get worse when unexpected Mexican troops begin to swarm from the south. The Confederacy leadership has made a devil’s bargain with Mexican leaders in an effort to turn the tide of their losses.

President Sloan struggles to prevail as the engagements heat up and the Union faces fresh masses of troops arriving from Mexico. A ravaging hurricane hitting New Orleans adds to the confusion and the tense situation. A daring plan is implemented to take down the leaders of the New Confederacy hoping to stop the confrontation once and for all.

Between battles, corruption and betrayal are revealed. There are a few moments for Sloan and Mac to come together but they can’t let their guard down as enemies continue to stalk them.

This final book in the America Rising series packs a lot of action and some inconsistencies. There are some early bounty attacks on Mac, but those threats pretty much stop in spite of her notoriety and visibility. Some chilling attack plans are discussed and then never mentioned again. This was a good thing, but it seemed strange that it was introduced as a possibility only to never be revisited.

As in the prior books some of the scenes are implausible and have to be accepted as just entertainment. In spite of these inconsistencies, I enjoyed the steady action and suspense that continues to the end. I liked the teasing relationship between Sloan and Mac even in their brief encounters. This series was entertaining and the ending was a satisfactory conclusion.

Source: Publisher through NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges.

My Review of Book One: Into the Guns (America Rising) by William C. Diet, rated 4.0

My Review of Book Two: Seek and Destroy (America Rising) by William C. Diet, rated 4.5

Note: I think this series is overpriced in the Kindle format and, IMHO, that may limit readership.
The Audible prices might be acceptable but with so many choices of books available it seems strange to overprice a series that may be entertaining but isn’t really stellar.

#NetGalley Book Review: A Gem of a Problem by Irene Sauman

This is a light, charming historical mystery with a determined female amateur detective.
A Gem of a Problem (Emma Berry Murray River Mystery Book 1)
by Irene Sauman

File Size: 3746 KB
Print Length: 223 pages
Publisher: Jakada Books; 2 edition (March 15, 2017)
ASIN: B06XPGYSHD
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

As if losing Sam wasn’t enough, now she must deal with what he has left behind.
Emma hadn’t known Sam was delivering (smuggling?) a package across the Murray River border between the colonies, but the package, containing something of great value, is missing after the sinking of the paddle steamer Mary B. She doesn’t believe the Major’s story of why. It makes no sense. But his threats are real enough.
If only Daniel wasn’t blaming her for everything. She will have to travel a lonely road in her efforts to locate the missing item before time runs out. Who is lying to her, who is telling the truth? Will what she finds be what she is looking for? And more importantly, will it be what the Major expects?

Review:
Emma loved Sam when they married but things didn’t turn out as nicely as she hoped. Emma tried to settle Sam down but his impulsive and careless ways continued. Now he is dead after sinking their paddle steamer in a reckless channel race. Emma is trying to recover from his death, the damaged steamer and the loss of her baby when an intimidating neighbor, Major, claims that Sam had a valuable package to deliver. The Major wants it back or payment for the loss. His threats extend to her family and their reputation so she must try to resolve the problem.

The only person that Emma feels she can trust to help her is Daniel, Sam’s brother and co-owner of the Mary B. Emma is flustered by Daniel’s anger, but she is determined to hunt for the missing package and get repairs moving on the steamer whether he approves or not. Emma begins her inquiries, stirring up some troubles, but uncovering clues. She follows the clues up the channel, standing on her own, meeting new people and old acquaintances as she unravels the truth of the mystery.

The setting in 1870's Australia provides a unique and wonderfully rich backdrop for the story. The writing is straightforward, smooth with steady movement which makes for an easy read. Emma is a lovely, engaging character. I liked her determination combined with caring and gentleness towards others. There is a fine tension between Daniel and Emma that makes the reader wonder about their true feelings.

I look forward to reading more of Emma’s adventures on the channel and to learning what develops. I recommend this to mystery readers, especially those who like historical settings.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for my 2018TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges; Also I Spy Reading Challenge – Umbrella on Cover.

#NetGalley Book Review: Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2 by Chuck Black

This is a fascinating tale from the perspective of a warrior angel.
Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2
by Chuck Black

File Size: 4213 KB
Print Length: 319 pages
Publisher: Multnomah (February 17, 2015)
ASIN: B00N6PFBKA
Genre: Action & Adventure, Christian, Fantasy,
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

A six thousand year war rages and now the demonic Fallen are coming for him—the one man shrouded in mystery. Only Validus stands in their way.
Validus is the last and least of God’s angels, but he’s seen much across the millennia since his creation. Empires have risen and fallen as angelic and demonic forces battle in a raging war that will determine humanity's fate – and the fate of his defeated brothers.
Eventually called to be an earth-bound warrior, Validus rises to a position of power and respect, commanding legions of angels through impossible battles and overwhelming odds. But when orders arrive from the Creator's most elite Messenger, he finds himself suddenly demoted to a task of apparent insignificance considering the fierce war they are waging against the demonic Fallen – the covert protection of one unbelieving man.
Validus soon finds himself on a mission that will push him beyond his abilities as he battles to protect Drew Carter, for the Fallen are coming for him. Legions of them.
As Validus races against time to discover why Drew is so important to humanity's survival, can he stand between Drew and all who would destroy him?

Review:
The first book, The Cloak of Light, follows the growth of Drew Carter, a good young man who lost his father as a youth and later is injured during a lab accident. Initially it was thought that he was blind, but he recovered his sight and can see between realms. He thinks he is seeing aliens, not realizing that he is seeing demons and angels.

Validus is a warrior angel who has now been reassigned to guard the human, Drew Carter. Initially Validus thinks this is a demotion as he doesn’t know why Drew is important. The man isn’t even a believer in Christ, although he has a close female friend who is.As Validus and his charge become pursued by the 'fallen' he begins to recognize the urgency of this assignment.

The wonderful thing about this, book two, is it tells the perspective of history, from the beginning of creation, including the fall of Lucifer, many battles over the years and even the birth of Jesus, all through the eyes of Validus. Chuck Black does a remarkable, imaginative job developing very believable scenes consistent with Biblical and historical stories. I enjoyed the character of Validus and his friends as they interact with the humans of each event. There is exciting, detail in the scenes, including blow by blow descriptions in the human and spiritual battles.

The book also has a strong, thought provoking discussion guide. I enjoyed this book two even more than book one and look forward book three. I recommend this to readers who enjoy action and enjoy stories of the angelic realm.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for 2018 NetGalley, TBR and Alphabet Challenges.

#NetGalley Book Review: Precisely at Midnight (Kinsman Book 2) by Joyce and Alexandra Swann

This story shares fascinating information and wonderful Christian messages.
Precisely at Midnight (Kinsman Book 2)
by Joyce and Alexandra Swann

File Size: 1120 KB
Print Length: 175 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 197406042X
Publication Date: October 6, 2017
ASIN: B0768MD1HT
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Holiday
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

When Carol Pensworth accepts her invitation to begin a new life, her first assignment is to redeem victims of human trafficking. But Carol quickly learns that with Kinsman, one invitation always leads to another, and then another, and then another....
You are invited...to experience the hope of redemption and the power of second chances in a holiday story that celebrates the value of every life.

Review:
Carol accepts an invitation from Kinsman, a Christian foundation that helps people who are willing to help themselves and change their lives. Carol lost her parents when she was only a teen and has worked hard to raise her younger brother. Now Kinsman has offered a chance for her to fulfill a few dreams of her own.

Carol is beginning a charming friendship with a widower connected with the Kinsman project. But even that friendship won’t stand in the way when Carol’s heart is touched by a special message shared at church. A young woman shares the trauma of girls trapped into prostitution, sold by family or kidnapped and caged to be used as sex slaves with no hope of release. Carol hasn’t told anyone about the cry for help she has been hearing. Now she knows that she is being called to help the women in this situation.

Kinsman helps Carol travel to a foreign country to meet with leaders of an organization that rescues young women. There Carol meets a young woman and is determined to change her live provided they escape the dangers around them.

I found this story lovely as well as informative. I really liked the personal way the authors shared the heart wrenching situation. The authors also share Biblical messages in very natural settings and dialogue. I was fully engaged, and this read very quickly.

Although this has a beautiful holiday cover and is listed under "Holiday", it can be read and enjoyed anytime of the year. I recommend this story to readers who might want to know about female trafficking and who enjoy Biblically based stories.

Source: NetGalley. This qualifies for 2018 TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet challenges.

MBS 2018 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge

Welcome to the fifth annual Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge!
This Challenge is hosted by Bookish Things & More where the sign up and rules can be found

Levels:
Bronze – 10 Books
Silver – 25 Books
Gold – 50 Books
Platinum – 75 Books
Diamond – 100 Books

I just made my goal of Gold in 2017 with 51 NetGalley books read and reviewed. I think I can accomplish the Gold level again this year with my reading plan.
I will try to post the monthly book list and progress here this year. Reviews will be linked as completed.

JANUARY:
1. What if God Wrote Your To-Do List? by Jay Payleitner.