Picture it. July of 1982-1984. Somewhere in there. Arizona. Phoenix, no less. In that little apartment on Osborn, just down from 7th Avenue. My grandmother lived there. While I recall visiting her at what I think was a mobile home in Ray, Arizona when I was two or three, that's all I remember. Continue Reading
Book Reviews
Was This Book Really the Best I’ve Read by This Author?
"I don't notice point of view or historical anachronisms. I just like to read a good book." It's not that I don't envy my mother that. I do. It would be nice to just be able to sit down, read a book, and not notice repetitive words, anachronisms, or if the book was written in present tense. Continue Reading
What Do Pretty Ribbons Have to Do with Ugly Murder?
I remember my father saying, "You have to watch out for those mountain folks. They have long memories that extend back before they were born." I didn't really get what that meant until I read Catherine Marshall's Christy. Suddenly, those words had context. Meaning. It only makes sense, then, Continue Reading
Why I LOVE The Black Midnight & This New Author
Okay, she's not a debut author, but she is new to me! When I learned that she'd written a book in the True Colors Crime Series, I knew The Black Midnight would be my first Y'Barbo book. Come on. Pinkertons, Jack the Ripper, and Queen Victoria??? Count me in! NOTE: I'm only three chapters into Continue Reading
Beware the Dreadful Scrooge! A Deadly Christmas Disease
She sent messages as she wrote--little things that delighted her, frustrating moments when characters wouldn't behave, the works. I just watched it all come together. If you've never seen a book baby grow and be born, you've missed out on a whole lot of fun. As usual, I made a note to order Continue Reading
What Crazy Idiot Would Ever Want to Learn Greek?
"Is Chautona ever going to go to college?" My cousin and I are the same age. While she was at Fresno State getting her degree, I was home raising babies. Three of them at the time she asked my mom that question. Mom said, "No... she's just learning what she wants to when she wants to." Said Continue Reading
Can this Retelling Make Me Love a Book I Never Liked?
I was that kid—the one who loved fairy tales and imagined herself as the heroine, the sidekick (okay, I didn't do much Disney as a kid so I had to make those up), and occasionally as the villain (when the protagonist was just too meh to be interesting). Still, there were a few that I just couldn't Continue Reading
Romance & Ireland in One Book? What’s Not to Love?
It's five a.m. I'm exhausted and really just need sleep. Since I'm at a hotel and have to leave in a few hours, I shouldn't be awake at all, but I've just finished a book, and I've got things on my mind. Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra Continue Reading
Will This Book Be a Direct Threat to Your Weekend?
You've got a TBR pile the size of Mt. Everest or at least Mt. Whitney (for those of us in the continental US). It's threatening to turn you into that Facebook cartoon about how the guy dies crushed by all the books on his nightstand. But, some sicko who does not understand the value of losing Continue Reading
3 Powerful Reasons I Can’t Love or Hate This Book
Somewhere in 1992 or early 1993 she gave me the book. "Read it," she said. I feel like Ridgecrest is Ashton--the town in this book. Reading it changed how I see spiritual warfare." As if that wasn't enough to convince someone who never needed convincing to read anything, she repeated herself. Continue Reading
Beware: This Book Has the Power to Crush Your Heart
Today, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (so, maybe 8 p.m. if past history proves true), in expected temperatures of only 106 degrees (thank goodness it wasn’t last week’s 113!), our electric company is shutting off our power to do “repairs.” Because they couldn’t have done these, oh, three months ago Continue Reading
What Is a Love Riot & Why Should You Want One?
This month’s TBR pile featured something I’ve never seen before. Two books by authors from the same family—The Barratt Sisters. Is it just me, or does that sound like a 1940s singing act? I expect to see them in victory rolls, chunky-heeled t-straps, and sensible suits. Red lipstick, if you Continue Reading
