Darlene's Digest

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a bittersweet read since, of course, we all know the story of Achilles and how it ends. However, the relationship and love between Achilles and Patroclus, and later, the special relationship with Briseis, is refreshed by an author with a keen eye for bringing the classic characters of mythology alive. Miller's Circe was one of the best books of the past year and I enjoyed this earlier effort. View all my reviews

There was a rush of air overhead and Oliver ducked reflexively, avoiding a collision with a flashy green parrot swooping down to perch on St. Armand’s shoulder. “Good evening, Roscoe. Who’s a good boy?” The parrot ruffled his wings as Turnbull passed over a handful of nuts he’d pulled from a pouch at his waist. “That’s a lovely par—” “Don’t say it!” Turnbull and St. Armand said at the same time. St. Armand reached up to scratch the bird under his beak. “This is Roscoe, the ship’s cat. Who’s a good kitty? Who’s a good boy?” Oliver could deal with being shot at, beaten, evicted from a brothel, kidnapped by pirates, but there were some situations he was not willing to accept. “I realize I may not survive this voyage in one piece, but I must speak my mind, Captain. That is not a cat.” “When I want your opinion, I will tell you so. Roscoe’s a prime mouser and a valuable member of the crew. Last I checked, your greatest value to me may be in selling you to the anatomists. Do not confuse our...

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells My rating: 5 of 5 stars This right here is why I love science fiction so much--human/non-human interaction! Fantastic action sequences! Deep moral and philosophical questions: (What does it mean to be human? And why would anyone aspire to be a meatsack anyway?) Snark! A mechanical entity who gives the Three Laws of Robotics the metal middle finger! And, best of all, primo writing, plotting and characterization. I have been buttonholing everyone I know who's a science fiction fan and telling them to read The Murderbot Diaries . It's that good. View all my reviews

Some years ago I had a villain who caught my imagination. Robert St. Armand wasn't just a pirate, he was a pirate with style and had far too high an opinion of himself and his success with women. Robert got his comeuppance in Castaway Dreams (High Seas #2)  but just wouldn't leave me alone. He needed his own book. How do you transform a villain into a hero? You throw a plot moppet and a puppy at him. If he catches them, he's capable of reform. Oh, and having a no-nonsense governess on hand to keep them all in line helps. Five years ago I published The Pirate's Secret Baby (High Seas #3)  which went on to win the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and the New England Readers' Choice Award. The Pirate's Secret Baby led to What the Parrot Saw (High Seas #4) , the story of that little moppet all grown up and running the family business. To celebrate that publication anniversary, the ebook edition of The Pirate's Secret Baby will be on sale at...

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn My rating: 4 of 5 stars The best part of this novel wasn't the whodunnit, though that was well done, but seeing the interaction between Veronica, Stoker, and Stoker's brother. We saw Stoker and Veronica's relationship tested further, and we also learned about some of the tensions in the Templeton-Vane family that led to Stoker's estrangement from his home. It's a great series with a heroine for our times--a scientist, an explorer, a woman who embraces her own sexuality--and the hero who appreciates her. I look forward to more Veronica Speedwell mysteries and many hours of reading enjoyment in months to come! View all my reviews

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love Lisa Kleypas historical romances because of the depth and quality of her research. It doesn't hurt that she packages that research into a fabulous love story. We first met West Ravenel some books back in the Ravenel series when he was introduced to us as the pot-bellied, soft, wastrel younger brother of Devon Ravenel, Lord Trenear. But West's character began to undergo some changes and it's all come to fruition in the latest book as West meets Phoebe, Lady Clare, a beautiful young widow and the daughter of characters from the Wallflower series. Phoebe wants nothing to do with the man who bullied her late husband when they were schoolboys, and West thinks himself unworthy of such a fine woman. I enjoyed how their relationship developed slowly rather than with instalust, and how each character uncovered the hidden strengths in the other. Lisa Kleypas is an autobuy for me a...

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells My rating: 5 of 5 stars Another fascinating and satisfying Murderbot story from the very talented Martha Wells. I'm recommending this series to all my friends looking for interesting and intriguing SF. View all my reviews

Run Away by Harlan Coben My rating: 4 of 5 stars It kept me up past my bedtime, which is high praise indeed. The question always lurks in a parent's mind--what would you do to save your child? In the case of parents of drug abusers the question becomes even more complex and troubling, and Sam knows this, but when he sees his strung out daughter Paige in Central Park, he approaches her to offer help one more time. This sets a series of events in motion which spiral into secrets revealed, murder, deeply buried crimes and answers the question "What would you do? How far would you go?" I was flipping pages as the ending snuck up on me, leaving me once again impressed with Harlan Coben 's talent as a mystery and suspense writer. (This is a stand alone novel, not part of his ongoing series.) View all my reviews

Connections in Death by J.D. Robb My rating: 4 of 5 stars Sometimes you get the murder mystery, sometimes you get the police procedural, in this book you get both, and it's still a satisfying experience nearly 50 novels into "In Death". Eve Dallas is called in to investigate a suspected OD by a drug user, far below her pay grade but a favor for a friend. She quickly determines it's murder and we readers realize what cops say all the damn time--most crimes are committed by people who do stupid things, not by criminal masterminds. But watching her and her team (and Roarke, of course) unravel two gangs' businesses and rivalries is a delight to watch, especially the climactic battle and interrogations at the end. I expect Queen Nora has something special planned for "In Death, #50" and in the meantime, we'll cheerfully glom all the books she produces until that day. Incidentally, if you're not a fan, I insist you ...

Blooms: Contemporary Floral Design by Phaidon Editors My rating: 5 of 5 stars I received this book as a gift and it is drop-dead gorgeous. These are not your boring dozen roses & baby's breath, but a breathtaking look at modern floral design, design that incorporates found objects and flowers in all stages. It's the perfect coffee table book or gift because you don't sit down and read it from cover-to-cover, but rather sip at it like a fine cocktail incorporating carefully curated ingredients. Full disclosure--one of the artists featured is @wifenyc (Sophie Parker) who is my son's significant other and a supremely talented botanical artist. Check out her work on Instagram! View all my reviews

Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik My rating: 4 of 5 stars For readers who like science fiction with romance, this book hits all the right buttons. A princess who kicks butt and takes names, a hero who's capable and has her back, well drawn secondary characters, good plot and excellent world building. There's also a set-up for future Consortium Rebellion novels that's integrated without being heavy-handed. I liked it very much and it was a great whiz-bang, action filled, hot and heavy weekend read. View all my reviews

Snowdrift and Other Stories by Georgette Heyer My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a perfect addition to one's Regency romance library, as the Divine Georgette gives us a short story collection with all the elements that have endeared her to fans over the decades. I do recommend spreading out the reading of these gems rather than consuming them in one sitting. Not every story is a keeper but some, like Hazard will have Regency fans grinning out loud. View all my reviews

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo My rating: 4 of 5 stars Very enjoyable tale of pre-WWII Malaysia, a land filled with English expats, Chinese, Malay, Indians and where magic walks on tiger paws. It's a story of family and friendship, a budding romance, a young woman who wants more, an orphan, a mystery, and maybe a shape-changer. I found it engrossing and entertaining and would definitely read more by this author. View all my reviews

An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole My rating: 5 of 5 stars A searing and satisfying conclusion to the Loyal League historical romances. Searing because the anger and frustration of racism in America comes through loud and clear in the author's details of life during the Civil War, from the perspective of both enslaved and free people of color in the South. The trauma and precariousness of daily existence is told through the lens of a romance between two troubled people--Daniel, who survived his own enslavement after being born free, and Janeta, who's always had to struggle to please people lest she lose her place as a free woman in a slave-owning Cuban family. Cole's trilogy is a refreshing alternative to the historical romances that glorify or downplay life in the Antebellum South and is recommended reading. View all my reviews

Pirates in History and Popular Culture by Antonio Sanna My rating: 5 of 5 stars A tip of the hat to Cindy Vallar of the Pirates and Privateers Newsletter for recommending this excellent collection of essays on the perception of pirates through books, plays, opera, manga, RPG and film through the centuries. Even the Pastafarians get a shout-out. I enjoyed the selections both for the depth of research and for the authors' conclusions on the role pirates have played, and continue to play, in popular culture. One disclaimer--My novel Sea Change is referenced in the chapter "Really Romantic?--Pirates in Romantic Fiction" and this makes me very happy. View all my reviews

Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston My rating: 4 of 5 stars Fascinating and moving story of Cudjo Lewis, survivor of the last slaver ship to carry captive Africans to the United States. Lewis was interviewed by the great author and ethnologist Zora Neale Hurston and she lets him tell his own story in his own fashion. It's a moving tale of loss and hope and survival, and such eyewitness accounts of the horrors of slavery are all too rare when told in the victim's own voice. It's especially moving when the reader realizes that he was telling his tale less than 100 years ago, in the late 1920s. We are far closer to the tragedy of slavery and its legacy than people want to acknowledge. View all my reviews

Spacer's Cinderella by Adria Rose My rating: 4 of 5 stars Now see, this is why reviews matter. I saw a mention of this book in a writer's Twitter feed and it intrigued me. A Cinderella story set in space sounded like just what I needed in a week filled with crazysauce, but this debut author's work captured me far more than I expected it would...and it never would have happened if someone hadn't left a review. Aurora is a grad student conducting research on terraforming. She's living on the edge of poverty, working as a research assistant, a TA, and conducting her own experiments, all in the hopes her struggling home planet will benefit. Her mentor is fired and his successor is antagonistic and it's all circling the drain, so when her BFF insists on a night out clubbing, Aurora gives in. That's where she meets Magnus Thorne. Fill in the blank with every hunky, muscled, brilliant hero description and you've got him. The ...

Picture Perfect Cowboy by Tiffany Reisz My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another "Original Sinners" erotic romance winner from Ms. Reisz with a delightful cowboy who's almost too good to be true, but afraid to fly his kink flag until he meets a sub from NYC who shows him the ropes. Literally. View all my reviews

Daphne turned and walked blindly back to her cabin. Pompom greeted her and jumped into her lap when she sat on her bunk, staring at the empty covers of the bunk across from hers. He licked her hand and she put her head down next to the warm body snuggled into the crook of her arm. “At least you love me just the way I am, Pompom,” she whispered to the bichon. -- Castaway Dreams (High Seas #2) I posted pictures of my favorite puppy, Diva Dachshund Dodi, on #NationalPuppyDay, but I forgot to mention my second favorite puppy, Pompom from Castaway Dreams   (High Seas #2). In honor of Pompom and all the good doggos out there, I'm discounting the ebook edition of Castaway Dreams , 50% off at Smashwords with code UM65Q through March 31. Stock up now for your summer beach reading!

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells My rating: 5 of 5 stars I'm enjoying this series so much! It reminds me of why I love SF--great worldbuilding, snappy writing, memorable characters, all the whiz-bang excitement of life in space, and a protagonist different enough to be alien, but one with whom the reader can relate. Our self-named "Murderbot" is traveling back to the scene of the crime to try and discover what went wrong. It's aboard a ship with ART, who becomes a sidekick of sorts, a massive ship AI who has a disturbing sense of curiosity. Once again our security specialist bot is forced to interact with and protect humans, bringing it's own self-aware decision-making skills into play. Sometimes when you finish reading a book you're filled with glee that there's another story awaiting you in that particular universe, and that's how I feel about Artificial Condition . View all my reviews