Darlene's Digest

The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas My rating: 5 of 5 stars I picked this up at lunch and came up for air hours later. What a delightful reading experience! Friendship, honor, courage, martial arts, intrigue, Chinese history and romance all combined into one wonderful volume. Yuan Kai and Mulan Hua have spent their lives knowing they'd have to fight a duel for their families' honor and to reclaim a pair of matched swords, now divided between their two families. But war interferes and when the emperor demands a male from each household, Mulan goes in place of her crippled father. It's an old tale but Thomas buts a new spin on it with fresh characters, fast action, martial arts sequences that would look right at home in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon . It's a great story and in the hands of a master storyteller it comes alive. I loved it from start to finish! View all my reviews

A Jewel Bright Sea by Claire O'Dell My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was invited to blurb this novel* and I enjoyed it immensely. Claire O'Dell gives me everything I want in an adventure: Magic! Swashbuckling! Treasure! Romance! And, of course, pirates! I highly recommend A Jewel Bright Sea and I'm looking forward to the next Mage and Empire novel. *I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest blurb. View all my reviews

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais My rating: 4 of 5 stars I always love me some Pike and Cole, and this latest entry delivered the goods. It's been entertaining to see the series grow from the days of Elvis popping into a phone booth to his being able to track down information with the best of them, only fitting for a man who bills himself as The World's Greatest Detective. Joe Pike is still Joe Pike, and we're all happy about that. The heroine of this book almost crossed the line into TSTL, but she was definitely in a situation that put her out of her depth, so I could cut her some slack. There was an interesting Federal Marshal and I wouldn't mind seeing more of him in a future tale. For longtime fans of the series this is a must-read. For newbies I still recommend starting with The Monkey's Raincoat , even though it's now a delightfully nostalgic tale rather than a cutting edge thriller. However, any book that brings us Elvis...

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have been out of the dating life for so long that I feel like the Duke of Avon (The Devil's Cub): "I feel an almost overwhelming interest in the methods...employed by the modern youth." The Right Swipe is not only a delightful look at the modern dating scene of apps and swipes and ghosting, but it was one of the best and sweetest (and steamiest) romances I've enjoyed in quite a while. It was about family and trust, and how we protect ourselves from vulnerability. The protagonists were dealing with real world issues while navigating the difficulties of finding your perfect match, and their story kept me entertained and enthralled. I can't wait for the next volume in the Modern Love series! View all my reviews

St. Armand looked at Turnbull. “‘Bring him along,’ you said. ‘It’ll be good for him to get out and about.’” “I meant Woodruff, not the pa—not Roscoe.” She snickered. “Well, Woodruff, are you enjoying being out and about?” He took another sip of the ale, worried that if he tried to respond he’d break out into a huge grin. He was sitting in a disreputable tavern in the Caribbean, with two dangerous pirates, and a parrot on his shoulder. Being here today brought home to him how gray, structured, and boring his life was in Manchester. --What the Parrot Saw Today's the day, mateys, when you get to channel your inner pirate and celebrate #TalkLikeAPirateDay. The parrot accessories are optional. 

The Lady and the Highwayman by Sarah M. Eden My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a fun read. An assertive heroine who knows what she wants, a hero who's climbed up out of the gutter but isn't ashamed to show his non-toff roots, and a delightful book-within-a-book tale featuring two "penny dreadfuls"...which happen to have been written by the H&H. Add a secret society of action hero authors(!) and you've got the makings of a snappy and fun romance novel with excitement, intrigue, and a delightful ending. In addition, it was a traditional historical in the sense that there was no overt sexual activity, making it accessible to all readers who love a HEA. There's nothing wrong with adding a touch of sweetness to one's spicy reading list! View all my reviews

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal My rating: 4 of 5 stars While being a sister is forever, it's not always easy.. The Shergill Sisters have had their share of fighting and drama, but now they're in India to follow their mother's dying wish of a pilgrimage to Sikh shrines and an opportunity for the women to bond again. This is a bittersweet tale of tradition at war with individual needs, and a desire to move beyond the restrictions of one's upbringing and life events. The adventures of the sisters will resonate with anyone who's had to navigate difficult family issues and move into full adulthood, while dealing with the traumas and expectations of one's past. At the end of the day though it's truly about the mighty bonds of sisterhood and the healing power of that love. View all my reviews

Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a weirdly engrossing mashup of two nearly contemporary novels, Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus (1818) and characters, specifically, Mary Bennet, from Pride and Prejudice (1797) . It especially makes sense when you have Mary as a grown-up in her 30's, one who recognizes her winceworthy missteps as a stuffy, moralistic adolescent. Mary has matured into a thoughtful woman, still with a strong moral core, but also with a keen eye for the human condition. She also reads widely and has a special interest in natural philosophy, so when her path crosses that of Victor Frankenstein...well, let's just say I was very pleased I'd re-read the original Frankenstein in 2018 in celebration of its publication anniversary. View all my reviews

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Dozier School For Boys is the site of a shameful period in Florida's history, and the abuses and horror stories are still being uncovered with each gravesite that's revealed, each survivor's tale. Colson Whitehead , author of the fabulous and Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Underground Railroad gives us a fictionalized Dozier in the Nickel School, and a tale that's deeply tragic and also life-affirming. I couldn't turn away from this engrossing book despite its bleak reflection of Jim Crow Florida and the abuses of a penal system rife with corruption, crime and cronyism. It's a searing story beautifully told. View all my reviews

The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell My rating: 5 of 5 stars It is fitting and appropriate to read this moving novel on Labor Day weekend, a time when we celebrate the contributions of the American worker. The Women of the Copper Country is set in Michigan at the beginning of the 20th c., in the copper mines near Lake Superior. This book deals with the struggle between the bosses and the laborers, the struggle for a living wage and dignity vs. profits and greed epitomized by automation and reduction of the workforce. But the true focus of the novel, as the title says, is on the women, the unsung heroines who wanted "bread and roses". They marched and sang, but they also worked from before dawn until after dusk. Even when the men and the mines were idle, the women still had to care for children and cook supper and do the laundry and try to organize against injustice. They are the true leaders and the ones who bring change. ...

Who Slays the Wicked by C.S. Harris My rating: 4 of 5 stars I stayed up past my bedtime to find out whodunnit. There wasn't a lack of suspects--everyone wanted this man dead and plenty had means and opportunity, as well as motive. We also learned a little more about Sebastian's family, Hero's investigative work revealed some new information, and evolving events on the world stage offer more opportunities in the future for this excellent Regency mystery series. I highly recommend it, starting with the first book to fully enjoy the characters. View all my reviews

Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep My rating: 4 of 5 stars This second Crown of Shards novel has Evie (Queen Everleigh) adjusting to life on the throne and learning about her own powers, including the mystery of why she's a Winter Queen. A trip to the neighboring kingdom of Andvari does not start well, not surprising since a slew of Andvarian royals were slaughtered in Evie's land of Bellona. It's also complicated by her love for Lucas Sullivan, the (acknowledged) bastard son of the King of Andarvi. She needs to make a politically advantageous marriage and Lucas brings nothing to the table except his love for Evie. I'm enjoying this series and Estep's writing style and I'm looking forward to the next adventure for Evie, the gladiator queen. View all my reviews

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman My rating: 4 of 5 stars A fun, cozy romance, the second in the Countess of Harleigh Victorian-era mysteries. Frances is a widowed countess whose American money led to a loveless marriage with her late, unlamented husband. Now living on her own (more or less--her modest London residence always seems to be full of people) she finds she has a talent for sleuthing out information and solving crimes. Her hunky next door neighbor, a barrister and "fixer" for the powerful aids her, and it's obvious to everyone that he also has a thing for her. I was intrigued by the mystery and didn't figure out whodunnit until the end, my favorite kind of cozy. I hope there will be more Countess of Harleigh mysteries! View all my reviews

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang My rating: 5 of 5 stars This was so wonderfully entertaining I read it through in one afternoon. Khai Diep doesn't feel things like other people do and he's all too aware that he's viewed as strange and different, including by members of his own family. His mother travels to Viet Nam to try and find a wife for her son and comes back with "Esme" Tran, a young woman who's willing to do almost anything to build a better life for herself and her young daughter. The characters click in the most interesting ways and the sexual tension between them is steamy. How Esme pulls Khai out of his isolation and how Khai responds to her is a delight. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Hoang, a true rising star in contemporary romance. View all my reviews

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin My rating: 4 of 5 stars Non-European/Non-Anglo romances are having a moment and I love this trend. I want to mix my reading of Regency and traditional romance historicals with new material and new characters. We're seeing a surge in popularity of TV shows like Shtisel and You'll Always be My Maybe on Netflix, films and books like Crazy Rich Asians, and now, Ayesha At Last. Ayesha at Last is a lovely addition to my booklist. The characters had the sort of problems modern readers can relate to--paying the bills, meeting personal and professional goals, dealing with family, and finding a partner. At the same time, they're navigating being Muslim in the Western and largely non-Muslim community of Toronto and dealing with the choices involved as immigrants and first generation Canadians. I don't believe the book benefited from comparisons to Pride and Prejudice. I would rather have judged it solely on its...

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston My rating: 5 of 5 stars First of all, one thing really bothered me: Henry is referred to as "The Prince of Wales" but since his brother Philip is first in line to inherit, Henry's the spare, not the heir. He can be addressed as Prince Henry or HRH (His Royal Highness) but he's not the prince of anything. Having gotten that off my chest, I really enjoyed this M/M romance. Henry and Alex are wonderfully suited for each other, despite what Alex initially thinks, and watching them navigate the minefields of protocol and politics was a delight for any political junkie. The secondary characters are also superb and the entire story would make a delightful romcom. View all my reviews

A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay My rating: 5 of 5 stars GGKay writes lyrical, evocative fantasy, the kind that immerses the reader in another time and place. His extensive knowledge of world history gives his work an air of authenticity, so that when one's reading about Sarantium or Tigana or El-Rassan, the reader is transported to lands very similar to our own historical sites--Byzantium, and Spain, and now in A Brightness Long Ago , Renaissance Italy. For lovers of history and good fantasy, Kay is an author who always delivers a moving, thoughtful book full of the kind of detail that helps you know you're spending time with the best there is. View all my reviews

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh My rating: 4 of 5 stars Part of what I love about Mary Balogh is how she weaves character development across a series. Abigail Westcott started as a young lady from a good family but with nothing notable about her, until her world was upended when she learned she and her siblings were illegitimate. She's grown now, but still very much in her own way a stock character--Regency lady. Not a pirate, or a spy, or a smuggler, but a nice lady who enjoys knitting and embroidery. Gil Bennington is a hero struggling with his own sense of self because he too is not only illegitimate, but also not a gentleman. He became a Lt. Col. in the British Army mostly rising through the ranks (his early commissions were purchased and that's a plot point) but he's never forgotten he doesn't belong in society. How these two come together makes for a gentle story about people being good and doing the right thing, one of my favo...

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez My rating: 5 of 5 stars When I give a book five stars it's because I either couldn't put it down, or if I did put it down I couldn't wait to get back to the engrossing story. The Friend Zone caught me by surprise, but it was that kind of romance. At first I didn't think I'd be that wrapped-up in Kirsten and Josh's story after their "meet-cute" but as the relationship grew I came to appreciate that their obstacles were very real, not contrived, and it made their story one the reader could relate to. I love being captivated by a new author's book and I'm looking forward to more from this talented storyteller. View all my reviews

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey My rating: 4 of 5 stars A delightful (and hot!) summer romance about falling for the girl next door. Georgette Castle's family doesn't take her seriously, and being a professional clown hasn't helped her force them to see her as an adult. I loved how Georgie embraced her inner clown, defying her family and choosing her own career path. It takes Travis Ford, the hot former baseball player nicknamed "Two Bats", to help her move along to embracing all of her needs, her sexuality and her independence. Travis has his own demons to overcome and while Georgie is on-board with his plans, he's the strongest obstacle to them finding their HEA. This was a fun summer read and I look forward to reading more tales of the "Just Us League", the women who refuse to settle for anything less than what life has to offer them. View all my reviews