The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter is an enthralling escape into the world of witchcraft, misogyny and murder. A time of religious burnings, where men smile in their piety as witches/women dance in hot iron shoes.
Written with intriguing skill, impeccable research, and delightful imagery, She Serves the Realm, the fourth book in the No Man is Her Master Series, opens upon the next scene carrying forward from the previous. As the third book held to, the first chapter in the saga of Christina Kohl, posing as her brother, Sir Frederick, immediately pulls you into the backstory without overloading you with details.
I was recently asked to provide an honest review for a collection of Linkind Solar Lights and I eagerly accepted the invitation: I adore solar lights! I also felt the need for some added light along the pathway to make it easier for my mother, who uses a wheelchair, to navigate the sidewalk and patio space into our home safely.
The case proved difficult for Poston due to the complete lack of cooperation from his client. People’s minds and hearts had to be changed if he was to win this trial, starting with that of his client.
The characters are powerful motivators to the spirit of individuality in a place where individuality is not the norm. I felt a close kinship to Nubbin.
Tibble’s writing style brings about this sense of uninhibited, sensual wildness that runs throughout the book. Make no mistake, this is adult poetry. Profanity punctuates key points, while the author tackles topics of sexuality. This evidence may be found as early as the first poem, Tohunga.
Take the advice for protecting your voice during illness seriously. Use the suggestions as you perform with your instrument as if they were gospel. Welcome the sometimes-gross descriptions of your inner workings so you can better know how to use, protect, and save those vocal cords.
Why, it’s The Twelve Suspects of Christmas by Ana T. Drew. It’s the Die Hard of cozy Christmas mysteries - an engaging mystery full of intrigue and spies that happens to take place at Christmas rather than a Christmas book that happens to have a mystery. Well, minus all the shooting. There’s really only a couple of knives and a jar of cinnamon.
As a person who has worked with the Foster Care system, this storyline grabs me by the throat. I found myself choking up as I read about the sorting of children, like socks, at Kringletown. Ryder didn’t deserve that. No child does.
The characters were beautifully written, and had you feeling for them as if they were your friends/family. The harsh environment of Avocado punctuated every life choice that Scrooge made. Again totally out of left field, and wonderful.
The legend evolves, like the swirling snow of the Pole, telling a wonderful story of intrigue, loyalty and love. Brilliantly crafted, it drew from the many stories of Santa, weaving science and politics into the mix.