Tag Archives: amanda dykes

Books I Love to Read – Modern Setting/Author

3 Oct

Over on my social media pages, I’ve been sharing with you some of the books that I absolutely love and this week is all about those books that I think about often.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve be doing, well, I suppose you could call it a kind of series. Sharing videos where I talked about books I love, with a different focus or theme, each time. I’ve also been sharing blog posts on those same books. If I’ve already written a review on the book, I’ll link it! This is meant to be a quick way to get to know me a little bit more – and these blog posts will be short reads! You’re welcome!

This final week’s focus is Modern Setting/Author:

Lights of the Veil by Patty Metzer – Mere hours after meeting her nephew, her late sister’s son, both Erica and Betul are kidnapped and taken to India. Back in the place of her birth, Erica meets Prince Ajari who helps her, and then revels that he’s Betul’s uncle.

Happily Ever After by Susan May Warren – Mona Reynold’s  dream of opening her own bookstore and coffee shop is about to come true. With the help of her friend and a handyman that leaves her breathless, she races to fix the old Victorian house up in time for opening day.

A Table by the Window by Lawana Blackwell – After receiving word that a grandmother she barely remembers left her an inheritance, Carley travels to the small town of Talullah, Mississippi. Instantly charmed by it as well as the friendliness of its residents, she decides to move there. But she’s unexpectedly caught up in a murder mystery.

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes – Lucy Clairmont, marine archaeologist, hasn’t seen her childhood friend, Dashel, for years. But when tragedy strikes, it’s his knowledge as a forensic astronomer that will help her unravel the mystery that she finds in her childhood home. Somehow, it’s linked with a story two hundred years old- of childhood love, betrayal, sacrifice and redemption.

And that’s it for this little ‘series’ of mine! I hope you enjoyed it and found some books to add to your to-read pile!

~Laura

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June and July 2024 Book Reviews

13 Aug

I hope that putting these two months into one blog post isn’t too long for you, my lovely readers. I’m nearing the end of two different series’ and have started (yet again) another series. While I have read a few non-fiction books this summer, I’d like to fit a few more in. As well as starting a Dickens perhaps.

While covering different genres, I do not read anything that has blatant sexual content. I will tell you if there is any sort of such (typically very mild and delicately put) in them and if I don’t think they’d be appropriate for young/teenage readers.

Born of Gilded Mountains by Amanda Dykes- I was so honored to be part of Dykes’ street team and to read her newest book for my honest review! Click the title to see my post about it.

Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows across the World by Ewan McGregor- McGregor and Boorman, celebrities and friends, decide to undertake a motorcycle trip that’s 20,000 miles long. From London to New York they travel through some of the harshest country, and document every step of the way.

~ It was fun to read as they rode through Europe, Asia and Alaska. The sights they saw, the experiences they were able to have and the people they met along the way. The only downside was the swearwords and I think, a few, inappropriate things. It was an enjoyable travel-ogue but I’d only cautiously recommend it.

Have His Carcase (Lord Peter Wimsey #8) by Dorothy L Sayers-We meet Harriet Vane for the second time in this series and this time around, it’s she that finds the corpse. This inevitably unites her with Peter Wimsey again and they set off to solve the lethal mystery. As they do so, avoiding danger as a matter of course, they find themselves becoming more than sleuthing partners.

~It was nice to see Harriet Vane again and I enjoyed how much of the book was in her point of view. It let us see Wimsey through her eyes, and in consequence, get to know him better. The murder mystery was quite complex and interesting, I thought. Another thing I enjoyed was the references to how Harriet thought like a writer. Highly recommend this one!

~Side note, yes these seem to be out of order, but apparently some short stories were also written, and those are, apparently, included in the series order. Articles I’ve read, share that if one skips these and reads only the full-length novels, you won’t miss much. (subjective of course, that). As I tend to prefer books to short stories, this is what I’m doing. Although I’d like to read all of them eventually.

Murder Must Advertise (Lord Peter Wimsey #10) by Dorothy L Sayers- Lord Peter Wimsey is called in to investigate a death that originally looked like an accident. At Pym’s Publicity, a respectable London advertising agency, ad man Victor Dean died after falling down a set of office stairs. But Wimsey soon learns that there’s more to copywriting than meets the eye- a bit of cocaine, blackmail and of course, the five brutal murders that occur in quick succession. This case will require all of Wimsey’s wit and cleverness to avoid being corpse number six.

~ Now, folks, this is the book that started me on this series in the first place. I got an old copy from a library book sale and was instantly intrigued by the title. I, of course, loved the theme of copywriting throughout the story. The case is especially intriguing as it’s not only centered in the agency’s office, but among the high-brow society. This is one of my favorites of the series, for sure.

The Nine Tailors (Lord Peter Wimsey #11) by Dorothy L Sayers- A disfigured corpse is found in a country parish, leaving the rector worried. He pleads with Lord Peter to investigate how the man died, who he was and how he came to be laid to rest…in the unfortunate place he was found.

~The way this story started was quite different, a slower pace, I thought. Actually, the whole story was a slower pace, probably. Anyway, this story talked a lot about bell tolling (apparently they’re called tailors? or is it the bells that are called tailors?) that lost me from time to time although some of it was interesting. I liked the rector – his forgetfulness and humble pride of his parish- and his wife – her gentle reminders to her husband and how she organized ‘everything’ so to help him in his calling. The plot did lose me from time to time, and I’m still not completely certain how it all tied up in the end. But, that’s why I don’t write murder mysteries, ha. Still an interesting story, but not, overall, one of my favorites.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6) by J.K. Rowling- The last time Harry saw Professor Dumbledore was when he was battling Lord Voldemort. And now, two weeks before start of term at Hogwarts, Harry is waiting nervously for Dumbledore to arrive at the Dursley’s. However, Harry doesn’t know why Dumbledore is coming – what is it that’s so important it can’t wait until he’s in Hogwarts?

~Ahh, Dumbledore. Seeing him at the Dursley’s was quite entertaining. There were so many more politics in this story -and man, if Rowling didn’t accurately portray the different motivations of those in power… We see more of Snape, Dumbledore and Draco in this story- and some drama between Hermione and Ron. The happy surprise in Harry’s year is that he rises to the top of potions class- all thanks to a tattered copy of the potions textbook whose previous owner was ‘the half-blood prince’ that causes some problems – naturally .

Waiting for Hope: Malachi Study by The Daily Grace Co. – Malachi, as the last book in the old testament, is a lesson on patience and faithfulness through trying times. This study highlights how to follow in God’s people’s footsteps – waiting with hope.

~This is a three week study, helping the reader through dealing with God’s seeming silence and trusting that He is still at work in our lives. Hope is an essential part of faith, isn’t it? Anyway, this study was good – although there were several repetitive questions and that tends to bother me. Obviously, being only a three week study, one can’t dive too in-depth but I did feel that this one stayed on the surface a little too much. The book itself was beautiful.

Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds by Brandon Sanderson- Stephen is a genius, but that comes at a price – his mind creates personalities, he calls them aspects, to contain all the information he can learn in a few hours. But his brain is getting crowded with all these imaginary experts and as he investigates the cases he’s been hired for, he must learn what is happening inside his own head.

~ I’d read this only once before, and as it’s a genre I don’t normally read – thriller-, it was a fun rabbit trail to dive into. Stephen Leeds does all he can to create as normal of a life as he can for himself. The case he investigates is intriguing- a camera that can supposedly take photographs of the past, and what that could mean for the world. I obviously like books dealing with case investigations and this one is no different.. well, it is because it’s a thriller…anyway.

Why The Jews? by Dennis Prager- This book sets out to uncover and understand the antisemitism that started in the ancient world all the way to the modern world.

~A friend recommended this one to me. I am glad I read it even though so much of the content was hard to read about (not surprisingly). I can definitely recommend this book if you’re interested in learning about the unique role that Jews play in human history.

DNF’d:(did not finish) It’s not often I don’t finish a book, but here are two. I won’t go into their synopsis’ here though, if you’re interested, go look them up. Just because they weren’t for me, doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy them!

The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle by Steven Pressfield- This had statements that I didn’t think were appropriate, especially not for a book on creativity. It wasn’t the type of book I was expecting – think more of a read-a-page-a-day. I would’ve gotten through it if it hadn’t been for the other issue.

The Heirs of Falcon Point by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards and A.L. Sowards- At first, this one sucked me in easily. But as I dove further into the story there got to be more instances of ‘gee that’s convenient’ and over telling. Now both of those are sure-fire ways to pull a reader from a story. Don’t let your hero/heroine know something just to move the plot along. Make them work for it. If you need further examples, watch certain superhero movies where they only survive because the plot needs them to. Anyhow, the over telling was what made me put the book in the donate pile though. I know what staircases look like and I know what people do when they get a phone call. . . As you can tell, these are two issues that drive me a bit batty. Otherwise, I would’ve loved this story. (update: my mom loved this book!)

Currently Reading:

In The Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter #7) by J.K. Rowling

Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini

About the B’nai Bagels by E.L. Konigsburg

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Born of Gilded Mountains Book Review

24 Jun

This book by Amanda Dykes was just released this month (June 2024)! The cover is absolutely stunning, isn’t it? Now, this is only the second book of Dykes’ that I’ve read, the first one (and the one that lives in my heart) is Set the Stars Alight. This story felt very different from that one, but that’s the beauty of a good author – their stories aren’t all the same. Really, her ability to draw you into a new world is pretty fantastic. I only hope I can learn to do that with my own novels!

First, here’s the synopsis of Born of Gilded Mountains:

A lost treasure. A riddled quest. The healing power of friendship.

Legends are tucked into every fold of the Colorado mountains surrounding the quaint town of Mercy Peak, where residents are the stuff of tall tales, the peaks are taller still, and a lost treasure has etched mystery into the very terrain.

In 1948, when outsider Mercy Windsor arrives after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood’s beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood, an abandoned estate with a haunting history, and begins to restore it to its former glory.

But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of the mountain’s lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Railcar No. 8, which vanished years ago–along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention the fabled treasure that–if found–could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed.

Intriguing, isn’t it? I loved getting to see the combination of small mountain town and some of Mercy’s time as a starlet during Hollywood’s golden age. The characters of Mercy Peak were exactly that- characters! The stories and lessons passed on to each other were touching. The hunt for the truth of what happened to Rusty and the railcar were so fun. I thought the ending very touching and sweet and satisfying.

Now, one can’t love absolutely everything about a novel, eh? I found the unique format a bit distracting, but I’m thinking that’s because I was reading it as an e-book. If I had a physical copy and could flip through the pages like I normally do, I don’t think it would’ve been as jarring as it was. It’s a very cool premise, how Dykes did things (no more description, because no spoilers!) but it did pull me from the story occasionally. I found some of the townspeople overly-unique, and overly willing to share their struggles with a (virtual) stranger.

All in all, a fun story that touches on faith, friendship, choosing the life you want to live and incorporating a treasure hunt all in a gorgeous mountain town that made me want to live there. Definitely recommend.

I did receive a free copy of this book for my honest review.

Here’s a link to order your own copy from Baker Book House, Amazon or Bookshop.org (to support independent bookstores) .

~Laura

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Jan and Feb 2021 Book Reviews

25 Mar

Well, it’s been a minute since I last posted, hasn’t it? As you can tell by the title, I’ve decided to lump the book reviews in two months today. Hopefully I can then get caught up and do March’s book reviews in the next week or so. Let’s begin, shall we?

Photo by Mahendra Kumar on Unsplash

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson – English orphan, Maia is sent to live with her distant relatives who own a rubber plantation on the Amazon. Excited to explore the new world of sunshine, bright flowers and butterflies, she is surprised to encounter her cousins who douse the house with bug killer and won’t let her leave their compound. But Maia can’t be cooped up forever and she becomes involved in a mystery about an inheritance, a reluctant actor and a giant sloth

~ This is a children’s story so well written that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I fell in love with Maia and her governess, Miss Minton. I highly recommend it to pass on to young readers as well! It was such fun and getting to read about the Amazon just added to the delight.

A Year of No Sugar: A Memoir by Eve Schaub – when Eve’s eyes were opened to how sugar is hidden in just about everything (bacon, dressings, baby food, etc), she challenged her husband and two daughters to going a whole year without sugar. As they traversed the rocky road through holidays, birthdays and vacations, she learned what the real cost of such sugar consumption is- obesity, diabetes and increased risk of heart disease among other issues. Eve talks about what it’s like for an average American family to kick the sugar habit.

~ Every now and then I love to read food memoirs and this was a good one. I appreciated Schaub’s easy to understand explanations about sugar byproducts, and her honesty about the challenges of cutting sugar out of their diets. As someone who has had to cut out all processed sugars out of my own diet, I identified with a lot of what she talks about. It also motivated me to keep looking at the ingredient lists of anything I buy – which can get wearying after a few years but it’s Worth it. Highly recommend, whether you’re wanting a good kick in the pants to minimize your sugar intake or just a good memoir to laugh and groan along with.

Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin – We all know that habits are the key to change but Rubin wondered – how do we change our habits? She gives practical advice and theories – that she tested on herself and those around her- mixed with humor and research, on how to improve our lives by intentionally creating habits that help us lead the life we want.

~ This book was so inspirational. I’m tempted to buy it (I got it from the library to read) and actually give some of her ideas a try. This book was such an easy read and kept me turning the pages. (I even stopped reading the novel I was in at the time, it’s that good). I highly recommend!

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes – Raised on stories of the magic of the past and high seas adventures, Lucy Clairmont grew up to be a marine archaeologist. She’s not seen her childhood friend, Dashel, for years. But when tragedy strikes, it’s his knowledge as a forensic astronomer that will help her unravel the mystery that she finds in her childhood home. Somehow, it’s linked with a story two hundred years old- of childhood love, betrayal, sacrifice and redemption. And so, Lucy and Dashel journey to an estate on the East Sussex coast, where they find a community of gentle souls and long-lost secrets where they both just might find healing.

~ Deep breath, you guys. This novel was Incredible. It immediately went onto my Favorites of 2021 list. I adore when an author can carry two different timelines through the story and weave them so seamlessly together. This was my first novel of Dykes by the way, and I was thoroughly enchanted with her writing style. I wanted to shake Lucy a few times as she let fear or assumptions dictate her actions- but don’t we all do that at times? And really, if you can write marine archaeology into a book, I am probably going to be a fan. If you’re wanting a novel that you just can’t put down, give this one a try! I already can’t wait to read it again.

My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck, Long Island, New York, 1941 by Mary Pope Osborne – This diary follows the adventures and trials of young Madeline. Her and her mother live in a boardinghouse on Long Island while her father serves on an aircraft carrier on the Pacific Coast. When her and her friend find a German U-boat on the coast, they form “Kids Fight for Freedom” to do their own part in the home front war effort.

~ This is a part of the ‘Dear America’ series. I have read a few, mostly when I was a young teen, and enjoyed them. This was no exception, even if it was written a little simply and I would have loved more details on certain things. But, this is written as a diary, not a novel, so it makes complete sense as to its level. I appreciated the growth of Madeline throughout the story as she goes through good and bad times during the war. Also, it’s a little known fact that a German U-boat was found on the coast in New York. I definitely recommend this for younger (and older) readers.

Books coming up in the next review:

Redwall by Brian Jacques

To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

and more!

What have you been reading lately? I’d love to hear!

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