How To Start A Fire by Lisa Lutz

3.5 Stars

“Who would you save in a fire, Keith Richards or Pete Townshend?”

“I don’t know.”

“The answer is Pete Townshend. A fire wouldn’t kill Keith Richards.”
Lisa Lutz – or more specifically, The Spellman Files – had been on my radar for eternity. Same as this one. I have no idea what made me finally pull the trigger. Maybe my recent discovery that I like to do more than just dip my toe in a certain genre . . . .



Or more likely the case, because I liked the cover when this popped up for the hundredth time somewhere in my online life. Because let’s get real. I’m a pretty easy sell . . . .



Whatever the case, How To Start A Fire wound up being one of my library checkouts that I went into with pretty low expectations since it was a mixed bag with my Goodreads friends. The story here is about three women and their ever-changing friendship from college through middle-aged. You have Kate – raised in Santa Cruz by her Czechoslovakian “deda” after her parents died in a car crash when she was 8, Anna – silver spoon sort from Boston by two still-married parents, and George – Chicagoan, only child to an Italian-American father and WASPy mother. All three of them have one thing in common . . . .



The only thing I could compare this to when my husband asked what it was about was . . . .



It’s kind of about nothing at all, but much like the occasional TBS marathon of that old standard, I found myself still sitting there fully invested 14 hours later.

3.5 Stars because the timehops were KILLING ME, SMALLS! Eventually I figured out it was best to read each chapter like its own little vignette instead of trying to piece together some semblance of order and hoped that everything would tie together in the end . . . which it did. If you are a fan of stories about flawed people who you can’t stop hoping will wind up with happy endings, this is a winner.

Note - I actually read the Kindle version, but with the good cover that is only an option for the paperback version. THIS is why I hate all these damn different version options here. Well, that and the fact that NO I HAVE NOT READ EVERY DANG BOOK TWO OR THREE TIMES THANK YOU VERY LITTLE. I just suck at technology so every time I click something I make it look like I did.

Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

3 Stars

It’s 30 below today – perfect time for another overdue book review. Especially one that is set in the wintery wonderland known as Mistletoe, Maine.

Holly White finds herself the exception to the rule of the old adage “you can’t go home again” after being dumped by her fiancé right before her wedding. However, there’s no better place to turn a frown upside down than her family’s Christmas tree farm and café. In fact, the only downside to the entire town is the President of the Historical Society who spends her days . . . .



And fining people for atrocities such as “failing to use a historically accurate paint shade” when they attempt to spruce up their homes/businesses. Yep, Margaret Fenwick is a thorn in everyone’s side. The question is, who in town decided she was more than a nuisance and determined it was time to . . . .



When Holly’s own dad is labeled suspect numero uno in Margaret's murder she goes sniffing around – only to receive some very clear messages that she better stop or . . . .



Okay, this was a pretty good cozy mystery. If you follow me, you are well aware that I am an addict a lover of all of the Christmas things so the title, cover, location, etc., etc., etc. were all perfect. I wasn’t annoyed by Holly’s curiosity since her own father was involved, and really she didn’t go as far over-the-top as some other leading ladies in books like these I have read – plus she did her snooping with the local authorities being in the loop for the most part. Speaking of local authorities, Sheriff Evan Gray is a pretty good choice when it comes to a potential love interest. Oh, and dare I forget the icing on the cake when it comes to a “cozy” – the MC’s career. Always cutesie, always the most speshul of all the speshuls that ever speshuled, Holly’s handmade jewelry simply FLIES off the shelves . . . .



But it’s also 100% perfect for a series like this.

Things You Save In A Fire by Katherine Center

4 Stars

After How To Walk Away there was zero chance I wasn’t going to do whatever was necessary in order to get my hands on Katherine Center’s next release. Lucky for me the powers that be at St. Martins haven’t figured out I’m awful yet and gave me an early copy.

The story here is of Cassie. Her momma walked out on the family when she was just a kid, but she coped by never letting anyone get too close and becoming a real up-and-comer in the fire department of a town known for . . . .



No, the other one. Austin. While receiving an award for being such a kickass kind of gal, an . . . . unfortunate incident occurs . . . .



Leaving Cassie the options of (1) publicly apologize for her behavior or (2) risk termination. Due to reasons (no spoilsies, but the book explains things and you’ll instantly know what’s up even without being told) she chooses the latter. A coinky-dink of long-gone momma coming back into Cassie’s life asking for some temporary help and an available job opportunity in the same neck of the woods has Cassie relocating to Boston . . . .



To an old-school firehouse with both antiquated equipment as well as mindset . . . .



Can Cassie’s ability and work ethic turn things around? Maybe . . . . iffffffffffff she can avoid “the Rookie” . . . .



Ha! Just kidding. He’s actually described as a floppy-haired boy-next-door and since he’s from Boston he probably looks like Matt Damon, but y’all know how I feel about Matt Damon.
(view spoiler)
(Not to mention who wouldn’t take the opportunity to post a Big Dick Richie image when given the chance?)

Okay, so here’s a disclaimer I feel I need to make. I totally gave a book 1 Star like a week ago for having this same subplot and I’m 4 Starring this one. What can I say? I do what I do. I think these quotes in the author’s little bio blurb say it best. Katherine Center writes “bittersweet comic novels” that are “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” She also does good cover with similar art work and bright colors that even my Old Lady Brain can’t help but say: “hey, I know this lady – you like her stuff.” It’s safe to say she’s officially a must read writer for me.

ARC provided by St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Winter In Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

3.5 Stars

Confession time: I have never read nor really had the desire to read anything by Elin Hildebrand. Partially because I had no clue where to even begin and partially because my “poolside” types of reads tend to be a little heavier handed on tattoed alpha men than it appears would be present in her books. Buuuuuuuuuut, much like with every end cap I have ever passed at Wal-Mart or Target, this book was errrrrrrywhere on the Instagram and after experiencing weather like this for the past month . . . .



I needed an escape.

All that being said, I had no idea what this was about before beginning aside from I knew it was the first in a series. I did know I wanted to be the woman on the cover and . . . .



My reaction upon starting and discovering the jumping off point to getting from horrible Iowa winter to tropical St. John was not only a husband who died courtesy of a helicopter crash, but one who also HAD. A. SECOND. SECRET. FAMILY was pretty much like . . . .



So we get introduced to Irene, the original 50-something wife of dead adulterer Russ, and her two grown men children Baker and Cash, and then Huck, the stepfather of Russ’ mistress Rosie who also happened to be on the chopper when it went down AND then Rosie’s best friend Ayers AND Rosie’s kid Maia and a handful of other ancillary characters and it’s pretty obvious that Russ must have been dealing in some shenanigans in order to have this multi-million dollar villa that is usually only featured on shows like “My Lottery Dream House,” but you never really get to that point because all these peoples’ lives start mixing and then maybe love is in the air and . . . .



Especially because I was running out of pages like PRONTO and how the eff was anything going to get wrapped up? Then I realized my mistake. You see, I have become accustomed to reading “series” that uses the term as loosely as possible because each book focuses on a new main character. Meeting all of the peeps above had me believing that would be the case here. But I was wrong . . . .



I would love to be petty and give this zero stars, but since there is absolutely no chance I won’t be reading the next one I’m going with 3.5 instead ; )

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

2 Stars

“A John Doe has an exact identity. It’s just yet to be discovered.”
Well looky looky I completed the Winter Reading Challenge and received my major award . . . .



My final destination on “Passport to Everywhere” was everyone’s favorite dream vacay destination . . . .



And with a Pulitzer Winner even! I know what you’re thinking, and my response to you is . . .



Or not because I read this one supah wrong and thought it was booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring (and also if this can win the Pulitzer then why didn’t The Interview win the Oscar????). Whatever the case, I read it and even wrongreading counts when it comes to getting free swag so yay me . . . .



Many thanks to my awesome library for creating these challenges (and handsome rewards) each year. I poo-pooed the notion of this theme when I first saw it, but have now traveled to Sweden, Alaska, Fallujah, Russia and North Korea because of it and removed books from my TBR that would have remained there indefinitely if it weren’t for this forcing of my hand.

You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn

4 Stars

You’d Be Mine showed up as a surprise “I think you’ll love it” in a box of ARCs from St. Martin’s Press. My initial reaction was . . . .



I mean, for real. I’m the worst. Which is why I try to be very selective when it comes to reader copies and only request/accept things I think I’ll love. YA romance? Yikes. I’m not always so good at reading those. Buuuuuuuuuuut, sometimes you just know you’re gonna be okay right from the jump. The cover and title of this one were appealing, the name dropping of other authors worked great because my mind kept thinking they wrote I’ll Meet You There (so sorry Heather Demetrios – but people should really name drop you because you write some good stories) and the plot????



So here’s a little confession: I have become a super hardcore fan of what I call “pop country” music. I grew up on Waylan and Willie, rebelled with the likes of Eddie Vedder and other soothing song stylings of Seattle grunge, and now thanks to my kid (who also introduced me to 21 Pilots – a duo who never fail to make me feel like a dirty pervert who will have Dateline showing up at the door any moment) I am a lover of Top 40 country music. THIS is a book about Top 40 country music. And I loved it. Kudos to you brave little marketer who rolled the dice on me!

The story here starts with Clay Coolidge. He’s the hottest thing in country music and makes all the girls want to take their underwears off by singing them songs like . . . .



Unfortunately he also has a rep for being a real bad boy to the point where his underage drinking shenanigans might cost him his contract. The potential solution to his problems? Get himself an opening act that will tidy up his image. That’s where Annie Mathers comes in. A legacy to country royalty and 100% good girl who sings songs like . . . .


Annie always keeps her eyes on the prize – especially after seeing what the darker side of fame did to her parents. Their job is simple. Tour the summer State Fair circuit and make America fall in love with the new version of Johnny and June . . . .



Heavy on friendship and country music – light on romance, You’d Be Mine is sure to be a hit. If an old grouch like me can fall in love with these kids’ love, surely actually kids will too . . . .



ARC provided by Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

City of Thieves by David Benioff

4 Stars

Russia is also the place where a defector and a looter became an unlikely duo on a quest for . . . .



More specifically, this is the story of . . . .

“One week in 1942, the first week of the year, the week he met my grandmother, made his best friend, and killed two Germans.”

If cellmates Lev and Kolya can supply a dozen eggs in time for the Colonel’s wife to bake a cake for daughter’s wedding they can save their hides. Along the way they will come across cannibals, a rooster rather than a hen, Germans, an epic chess game and one highly anticipated bowel movement.

I have owned this book forever. Many thanks to Emily for suggesting I make it one of my selections for the Winter Reading Challenge. I had no idea what I was missing out on. For a slim novel this one surely packs a punch. Recommended.



One more to go!

Consequence: A Memoir by Eric Fair

2 Stars

The third stop on my “Passport to Everywhere” experience is Abu Ghraib and Fallujah – courtesy of a book I’d never heard of until one of my Goodreads friends posted a "review to come" sort of review that put it on my radar. Consequence is a memoir in what I’m going to call the James Frey sect of memoirs so I’m not going to waste any time reviewing it. This quote by a government psychologist appointed to analyze the author says everything that needs to be said . . .

“There are signs of instability.” He also says my answers show a tendency to put myself in a better light. He says, “You seem a bit insecure. Is there someone you’re trying to impress?”

Two more trips to somewhere and I get my mug!!!!

Silent Hearts by Gwen Florio

4 Stars

Bear with me kids because I read this one back in . . . .



And it was my first (probably last, as well) paper ARC from Atria *cries forever for being such a failure* . . . .



I have zero excuse. I actually thought I had reviewed this already. But thar she blows right on my “Currently Reading” shelf.

So the story here is about two very different women who come to work together/form a friendship in 2001 Kabul. Farida has ended up there after being uprooted from her homeland of Pakistan thanks to an arranged marriage. Liv has ended up there after being uprooted from her homeland of America thanks to her husband as well. While Farida is surprised to find herself falling in love with the husband she never wanted in the first place, Liv finds herself falling in love with her work while her husband attempts to #metoo anyone he possibly can . . . including Farida who works with their organization as a translator.

The blurb isn’t lying when it compares Gwen Florio to Khaled Hosseini. If you enjoyed his books, there is a very good chance you’ll enjoy this as well. I found the characters to be well-developed, the pacing set at a true page-turning beat, and the storyline compelling. Not to mention the direction things take once you get to know everyone . . . .



ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

5 Stars

It ain’t normal, kid.

What is?

Who the hell knows? Crazy Pete is the happiest married person I know.

Well, Matilda’s no ordinary goose.

To anyone who ever thought Grit Lit was a man’s game, Kristin Hannah has this to say to you . . . .



Well, at least for the first 70 plus percent of this. Then things did get a little . . . .



But even effin’ David Joy went a little cluk cluk at the end of The Line That Held Us so y’all can just suck a bag if it’s not okay here.

As for me? This is another book/author I have actively avoided for eternity for fear I’d be relegated to the shame corner for wrongreading. After finishing The Great Alone I have this to say to Kristin Hannah . . . .



I’m not sure I’d feel the same about alllllll of her novels, but boy howdy was this a winner.

Now for what it’s about (Dear Professional Blurbist – you are tldr). All you need to know here is this is the story of a family (mom, dad, daughter) who inherit an Alaskan homestead in the 1970s and impulsively relocate. No money, no job prospects, little food, insufficient supplies – oh, and a former POW Daddy with PTSD that tends to get worse when it’s cold and dark. What could possibly go wrong?

Leni’s story spans from 1974 to 2009 and is un-put-downable. I could have easily stayed up and read this in one sitting last night. It definitely doesn’t hurt that my neck of the woods is currently a winter wonderland where it’s dark right about the time dinner is finished and the fact that my back yard is a forest. The elements of nature seemed natural and were never over-the-top simply for dramatic purposes. And who needs outside elements when the scariest predator of all is right under your roof? Finally, allow me to introduce you to who is sure to be my favorite female character of 2019 . . . .



Large Marge, you is the bees knees.

I went into this year’s library challenge feeling kind of “meh” about the chosen theme. Now I need to remember where I put my knife and fork in order to make eating all this crow go a little easier. I don’t know that I would have ever made this quest to Alaska if not for this push and now that I’ve done it I can’t imagine not having this experience. Thank you, pornbrary, for having (nearly) all the books, making me take risks and rewarding me so handsomely each year . . . .