Jane Litte's Blog, page 50

REVIEW: The Country Gentleman by Dinah Dean

When he’s mistaken for her husband-to-be, is that prophetic?

Miss Lucinda Calvert’s quiet life as a rector’s daughter is turned topsy-turvy by the arrival of a gentleman new to the area. Mr John Harris seems respectable, but sets the village gossips wagging with speculation about his past—on which topic he is very private indeed.

He pays her particular attention, and his mysterious papers and odd habits confuse her almost as much as his unexpected kiss! Then speculation of a French spy in their...

REVIEW: The Sergeant and the Girl Next Door by Laura Rupper

World War II may be over, but Sergeant Davis Wilson feels no peace. Burdened by the loss of his best friend, Patrick, Davis has returned to his small town determined to make sure his friend’s mother and little sister are cared for. But the fiery young woman who greets him isn’t the “little sister” he remembers.

Faith Penwilliger lost both her brother and father during the war and had to grow up fast. The last four years molded her into a strong woman who runs the family business, cares for her...

REVIEW: The Serendipity: A Sweet Muslim Enemies to Lovers Romance by BF Queen

Khalid Ghaniem has always been a man of strong convictions. He didn’t amass his fortune in real estate by being indecisive. His life runs like clockwork, except for one nagging problem: his parents won’t follow his lead.

Enter Bisma Chaudry, the unconventional caregiver hired to replace Khalid’s former, no-nonsense employee. To Khalid’s surprise, Bisma is the same purple-haired rebel who irritated him back in college. He’s convinced she’s trouble, but Bisma isn’t easily intimidated. Could it b...

Open Thread for Readers for April 2023

Got a book you want to talk about? Frustrated with a book or series? In love with a new one? Found a buried treasure? An issue that keeps popping up in the books you are reading? Just want to chat about stuff in general? Post about it here!

REVIEW: Where We Meet the World – The Story of the Senses by Ashley Ward

The thrilling story of how our senses evolved and how they shape our encounters with the world

Our senses are what make life worth living. They allow us to appreciate a sip of an ice-cold drink, the sound of laughter, the touch of a lover. But only recently have incredible advances in sensory biology given us the ability to understand how and why our senses evolved as they have.

In Where We Meet the World, biologist Ashley Ward takes readers on a breathtaking tour of how our senses function...

REVIEW: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill by Rowenna Miller

There is no magic on Prospect Hill—or anywhere else, for that matter. But just on the other side of the veil is the world of the Fae. Generations ago, the first farmers on Prospect Hill learned to bargain small trades to make their lives a little easier—a bit of glass to find something lost, a cup of milk for better layers in the chicken coop.

Much of that old wisdom was lost as the riverboats gave way to the rail lines and the farmers took work at mills and factories. Alaine Fairborn’s family...

REVIEW: Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller

Content notes:  Domestic violence

Dear Diana Biller,

Set in Vienna in 1877, Hotel of Secrets is something of a departure from your previous two novels. For one thing, there are no ghosts or supernatural elements in this book (unless one counts a family legend about “the man“).

Maria Wallner is the manager of the Hotel Wallner, an establishment which has been run by 4 generations of Wallner women, each of whom, having met “the man” have had one daughter. After significant financial setbacks du...

REVIEW: A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

A haunting Southern Gothic from an award-winning master of suspense, A House With Good Bones explores the dark, twisted roots lurking just beneath the veneer of a perfect home and family.

“Mom seems off.”

Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam’s excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, dr...

REVIEW: No Rings Attached by Mona Shroff

No love. No commitment. No problem, right?

Fleeing her own nuptials wasn’t part of wedding planner Sangeeta Parikh’s design for her life. Neither was stumbling into chef Sonny Pandya’s arms, nor the video that went viral. Now they’re an internet sensation! So why not fake the relationship with no commitment? Sangeeta can save face and her job, and Sonny gets needed exposure for his restaurant. It’s a good plan for two commitmentphobes…until all that pretend hand-holding and kissing start to fe...

REVIEW: How I’ll Kill You by Ren DeStefano

Dear Ms. DeStefano,

When Jayne asked us if anyone wanted a review copy of this book, I was probably the most natural choice, but I demurred. Sure, I enjoy a good twisty thriller, but I’m philosophically opposed to serial-killer protagonists.

Still, I had to admit, the blurb was compelling:

Make him want you.

Make him love you.

Make him dead.

Sissy has an…interesting family. Always the careful one, always the cautious one, she has handled the cleanup while her serial killer sisters have carved a...