Special Edition: The Mortar & Pestle Series

I decided to make an entire blog for one category on the 52 Book Challenge because I read all seven books in the series. The prompt was “Book Published in 2023.” My friends and I have published The Mortar & Pestle series. There are seven books, and I read them all for a review on the blog. The books center on a magical mortar and pestle that helps people find their true love.

The first book is Selkie by Sydney Winward. In the novella, Viking Klaus captures a selkie, Mayla, and plans to use her to rescue his stolen bride. The two fall in love along the way. Mayla’s magic creates a mortar and pestle with Vikings runes. The object now infused with magic will help others find their true love. The first story was amazing—the love story, the conflict, the love… all superb stuff!

In Book Two, Seeker by Jean M. Grant, we move in time and space to the Highlands of Scotland. There are archery contests, highland games, and forbidden love. Well, sort of forbidden, but it’s political for sure. Aileana and Brodie must quell the strife between their clans without causing a war. But of course, they fall in love. It’s so cute, an excellent story.

The third book, Quarter Master by Marilyn Barr, takes us to the Caribbean in the 1700s. We have not only pirates but magical women! I won’t tell you how the character is magical, but Catalina has an amazing “talent” that helps her get through. Chub, the pirate, is just exceptional. I loved their story.

In the fourth book, Sea Hunter by D.V. Stone, it’s the 1940s, just after World War II. A sea archaeologist is trying to find a sunken pirate ship but must deal with an ornery sea captain. The novella reads like Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft. They’re underwater, diving, and using innovative technology from World War II. Amazing! We have a fantastic villain and some wonderful vocabulary from the era. It’s a swoon-worthy love story.

Book Five, Revamped by Shirley Goldberg, centers on a dieting vampire, but not any old vampire. He’s an energy vampire. Instead of drinking blood, he sucks energy from his victims. He’s had enough of the lifestyle and plans to change his eating habits. Then he meets the most amazing woman, but he’s afraid his new diet will backfire. He doesn’t want to hurt her, but man, he wants her! It’s not quite forbidden love, but it’s all anxiety, total stress, and hilarious, too.

The sixth book, Trickster by Darlene Fredette, centers on a native woman working in a modeling agency in Redford Falls. Her new boss is a total pain, a total trickster, and totally hot. The novella had both an enemies-to-lovers thing and a boss/secretary trope. Though Jade was never merely the secretary. It’s amazing, in such a short time, how the characters open up and change and embrace the whole “oh my god I think I love you” thing. Of course, the mortar and pestle help him get there.

The last title, Artist, in the series is my book, and you know I’ll brag. It’s a fun story about enemies-to-lovers, a second chance romance of two former lovers at an artist colony. Lexi attends a retreat, but Cole lives there. They run into each other, and neither can decide if it’s hate or love they feel. But they are still attracted to each other. They must figure out what they want and need. There’s also a nice little subplot of another couple—the main characters’ best friends.

If you’re looking for some amazing books (most of them are still 99 cents), check out the Mortar & Pestle series. It’s a fun series. I hope you enjoy it.

 

March Books 2023

 

Either I’m early or perfectly on time. I know it’s only March 24, but I have a ton of books to share. I’m hoping next week for a special blog about my choice for “Published in 2023.” My Mortar & Pestle series has dropped, save one (mine), and I’m giving you a review! Stay tuned next week for the big reveal.

This month I read a total of 18 books—11 audio, 2 print, and 4 digital.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir “Starts with G” 5 Stars. What the hell did I read? This space adventure, murder mystery with necromancers had me floored. The novel is And Then There Were None with Necromancers. The story was a little long with too many characters. Not to mention, after that ending, I probably have to read the next in the series. It’s a ride. Read it.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott “Starts with I” 4 Stars. I started this classic in high school and always meant to finish it. Well, I did. Now I can say that. One classic a year is good enough for me.

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James “Book with a Dedication” 4 Stars The dedication reads “For my mother who didn’t get to read this one.” This novel is a paranormal thriller. I was not expecting ghosts when I started this cold, case murder mystery. But who says ghosts can’t help you solve the crime? Not what I expected, but still rather good.

I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara “Published Postmortem” 4 Stars. This book was published after the unexpected death of its author. Her husband pushed for its publication and publicity. The police claim the book had nothing to do with the discovery of the killer and his subsequent arrest, but I doubt that. Good read.

The All of It by Jeanette Haien “Book Under 200 Pages” 3 Stars. This tale, at 147 pages, stumped me. I’m glad I read the foreword, or I would not have understood the story is about the priest, not the woman telling it. My coworker recommended the tale, and I
liked it. But not loved, and that’s okay.

The It Girl by Ruth Ware Typographical Title 3 Stars. If this had been my first Ruth Ware novel, I would have rated it higher. But it sounded like a retelling of her title, The Lying Game. And with the same reader for all her books, (which are in first-person), it sounded like the same girl was going through the same thing. I won’t mention how it was a slog and needed to be tighter, but I digress. Read the paper for this one.

Locked In by John Scalzi “Dystopian Fiction” 5 Stars. The novel doesn’t quite fit the category, but it’s an interesting near-future tale where we survive a super virus. Considering the book came out in 2014, it’s scary how on the nose some of it was. There was an additional novella at the end, which comprised a documentary-style history of the virus and the tech used to conquer it. I loved it.

Spite House by Johnny Compton 4 Stars A horror title recommended by my supervisor. He’s hardly ever wrong when it comes to horror. This was a keeper.

Monk’s Hood by Ellis Peters 3 Stars Another title for the used book prompt. I like the monk mysteries, but this one wasn’t my favorite.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover 4 Stars. Okay, I got on the bandwagon. Great romance with a twist. And Colleen does the twist so well!

Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi by Emily Brightwell 4 Stars. I love this series. They are a sorbet refresher after I’ve read something too heavy.

Death of a Laird a short story by MC Beaton 4 Stars. The ghostwriter is doing a great job for both the Hamish and Agatha series. I’ll keep reading.

Heartstopper Vol. 2 by Alice Oseman 4 Stars. Another “Starts with H.” I had to find out if they got together!

Dear Writer, Are You in Burnout? by Becca Syme 5 Stars. I needed this book. I needed it right now in my career. I learned so much about myself, and I might be able to do another book. But not too soon.

Selkie by Sydney Winward and Seeker by Jean M. Grant I’ll save for next week.

 

February 2023 Books

I read eighteen books since my last post until Feb 23—2 1/2 paper, 0 digital, and the rest audio.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree “Book with an Epilogue” 5 Stars This novel is women’s fiction meets high fantasy. A female ogre gives up the adventuring life and opens a coffee shop. I loved how the story played on tropes from both fantasy and women’s fiction. Delightful story, great ending.

Heartstopper Vol 1 by Alice Oseman “Book Title that Starts with H” 4 Stars. I’m a romantic at heart, but the story does not end happily. Thank God there are multiple books in the series. A cute story of two boys who are finding out who they are and what they love. I only gave it a four because I wanted it to a happily- ever-after.

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill “A Book About Secrets” 5 Stars. A great experiment in meta. We are reading a novel as it’s written. Edits and changes happen. The characters might be a bit flat, but the message of the story (for writers) was spot on. Especially the part about how all books are romances.

Devil’s Delight by MC Beaton “An Alliterative Title” 5 Stars. I love Agatha Raisin and this story had some great twists and turns. The ghostwriter is doing an amazing job.

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo “A Book from Macmillan” 5 Stars. I love this series. Both novels have been page-turners with a heroine who will kick your butt and never look back. I also love that it’s set at Yale. (As a former Husky, it cracks me up to watch those Yale boys.) Anyway… an exceptional story.

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman “A Book Written in Present Tense” 5 Stars A good mystery featuring an older crowd of sleuths. I love we are in a nursing home solving mysteries. I plan to keep reading the series.

Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale “Book with a Subtitle” 3 Stars The title is click-bait. The boy wasn’t wicked. He made a terrible choice at an early age and grew up to be a respectable person. There was no mystery either. The kid confessed as soon as he was confronted. Sigh…

Visions in Death by JD Robb “A Second-Hand Book” 5 Stars. I tried to read it on paper. I did. I bought my physical copy from the Book Barn in Niantic, CT. Halfway through, I switched to the audio. Then wondered why I hadn’t finished the series already. Love the series!

Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie “A Book that Sends You Down the Rabbit Hole” 5 Stars. Not exactly the rabbit hole, but they used that phrase multiple times in the book. I could probably sit for hours, thinking out this author’s take on spirits and the afterlife. The format was perfect for audio as it was a reality TV setting with all the diaries and interviews. I loved this book.

Going Rogue by Janet Evanovich “A Book with a Funeral” 5 Stars. More fun with Stephanie Plum. The plot followed the same formula, but the word marriage kept coming up. I wonder if Stephanie will finally choose a guy. Also, it was a viewing rather than a full funeral, but there were two, so I’m counting it.

Bride Test by Helen Hoang “A Book I meant to Read Last Year” 4 Stars. I did not love it as much as The Kiss Quotient. The man with autism was harder to relate to. I didn’t feel for him as much. His trouble with emotions didn’t hit the chord the author was trying for.

Also read, but not for the challenge:

Over Sea, Under Stone, The Dark is Rising, and Greenwich by Susan Cooper 4 Stars each. I’m finally reading the series to get the Newberry winner.

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs 4 Stars. I’m reading this series finally. You have to read them on paper, and I have some time for paper books lately.

Mrs. Jefferies on the Trail and Mrs. Jeffries Plays the Cook by Emily Brightwell 4 Stars each. I needed some light and simple reading between the more intense stories.

A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman 5 Stars If you haven’t started reading this series, go now. It’s outstanding.

Marrying Harriet by Marion Chesney 4 Stars Also fits the “Last Book in a Series” prompt. A great end to this adorable School for Manners series.

I may not have as many next month. It is cold outside though. Time for big books!

 

 

 

Ginny's January Reads

 

My first month of reading for the 52 Book Club challenge has gone well. I will admit I cheat a little. I finished my last challenge on Nov 30, 2022 and began the new challenge soon after. I figure if I finish before Dec 1 again, then it’s still just a year challenge. Hence my January post will be a tad thick.

I also found a fabulous cross stitch project on Etsy to show my reading progress. It will only include books I read in 2023.

 

Books read since Dec 1: 24—2 physical books, 2 digital books, 20 audiobooks.

Books for the challenge, including category and review:

How to Avoid Making Art by Julia Cameron 5 stars “A Book That Does not Fit any Other Prompt.” The book is a spoof on her famous The Artist’s Way. It’s a series of cartoons depicting writers and artist doing all the things to procrastinate working on our projects. It was funny, poignant, and spoke to me.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 3 stars “A Book Featuring an Inheritance.” The book centered on a celebrity telling her life to a reporter. I found this popular best seller boring. Evelyn had many adventures, and we waded through them all. A shorter, more focused version on her love life might have made the book more enjoyable.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake 3 stars “A High Fantasy.” Triplets raised apart vie to be queen of their realm. My main problem with the book, besides the pacing, factored around the character names. Everyone’s names sounded the same. We had Lucia, Lucas, and Lucius. And that wasn’t the only set of similar names. The book left a great twist in the end that tempts me to read the next one, but…

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson 4 stars “A book Set in Australia.” In the book, Mr. Bryson roams all over Australia. He includes geography, history, social aspects, botany, zoology and more. Unfortunately, the book is twenty years old. I wonder how many things have changed since it was written. My brain kept focusing on the rights (or lack of rights) of Aborigines. I need to find out if things are better.

The Baker Street Letters by Michael Robertson4 stars “A Book about Siblings.” Barrister Reggie Heath works at the infamous 221 Baker Street in London. His office receives letters for Sherlock Holmes all the time. Reggie and his brother follow up on one of the letters. I love Sherlock Holmes, and this is a cute series. I read Book 2 as well this month and plan to finish the series.

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen 4 stars “A Nordic Noir.” The story follows a police officer shunted to a cold case department in a Denmark police agency. He reluctantly investigates the disappearance of a young politician. At the same time, the author includes sections about the victim. I liked the split story, and the writing was good. But the premise was completely implausible. I still give it a good rating because it was interesting and different.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling 5 stars “A Book with an Enemies-to-Lovers Plot.” Vivienne Jones meets up with her old flame Rhys Penhollow, the founder of the town. Unfortunately, the curse she laid on him back in their teens was acting up. They must work together to save the town. I loved this story. The characters were interesting, and the plot was fun. My only issue (even with five stars) was pacing. I needed more story for the characters to get to the ending.

Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson 5 stars “The Final Book in a Series.” So far, it’s the last book in the Truly Devious series. The characters are in a new setting with a new mystery. Again, pacing was an issue. The series took three books to cover the first arc and solve the crime. To do it all in one novel left me wanting more. I’ll probably have several books for the prompt by year end.

In the Woods by Tana French 3 stars “A Book Set in Dublin.” A police officer in Dublin is sent to his hometown to solve a murder. He was a victim in a horrible crime as a child that is unsolved. My low rating for the novel stems from the unsatisfying ending. I won’t spoil too much, but nothing is resolved. The next book doesn’t feature the same cop. I want to know what happened to the officer as a child, but I’m not reading seven more books to find out.

Murder on the Poet’s Walk by Ellery Adams 4 stars “A Book Related to Murder.” This book also fits the prompt Last in Series. This is the current last book in the Book Retreat Mystery series. I loved the first one, but our heroine’s reluctance to be involved with murders kinda defeats the purpose. Also, having all these murders at her place of business can’t be helpful. But it’s a cute series.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin 4 stars “Book in Set in a Workplace.” The book is a journey through A.J.’s life as he works at his small island bookstore. For such a short book, it covered so many aspects of his life. I didn’t love him, as he was crotchety, but the other characters were interesting and fun. And I love a bookstore.

Also read, but not for the challenge:

Finessing Clarissa and Animating Maria by Marion Chesney 4 stars each. I love this author and will unabashedly read all of her 150+ books.

Man, Fuck this House by Brian Asman 4 stars An interesting haunted house story. The twists are great, but the ending left me wanting.

A Whole New World by Liz Braswell 4 stars A twist on the Disney Aladin story where Jaffar gets the lamp first. I liked how it explored Jasmine and her role more. But man, this book is NOT for kids. Ugly deaths everywhere.

On to February! I’m hoping to cover at least five or six more categories for the month. Tune in February 24, 2023.