The Meandering Reader

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

Willa Mercy didn't grow up with her two half sisters but now they're all together for their father's funeral. She's the only one who grew up on the ranch so she's astonished to learn that the ranch has been left to all of them equally as long as they all stay for a year. None of them are excited about that thought.

Tess is a Hollywood screenwriter so she is, of course, not excited to stay. But the family lawyer, Nate Torrence, a long drink of water, is making her rethink that stance.

Third sister, Lily, is glad to be at the ranch for the year as she is running from her abusive ex-husband. She's finding herself falling in love with Willa's (maternal) half brother, Adam.

I did read this book when it came out but think it held up fairly well.

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 12, 1996

Hard copy of mine

Opinions are my own

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

The Chase by Janet Evanovich, Lee Goldberg

This book is why I keep giving Evanovich a chance. Most of her books are too over the top for me. But this one hit the spot between too outlandish and strict procedural to be just plain fun.

Kate O'Hare is an FBI agent working with a known con man and thief, Nick Fox (which will bring inevitable comparisons to Eve and Roarke.) When the book opens, she is helping him pull off a bank heist so they can get evidence to put a man behind bars. The bigger caper is that they have to steal a bronze rooster that was already stolen from the Smithsonian. The Chinese government now wants the rooster back and the US doesn't want to admit that they've lost the statue. Complications arise when it turns out a former Chief of Staff, now the head of a military contract security firm is the one who has the original.
The yes-no relationship between Kate and Nick is more believable than the triangle between Stephanie, Ranger, and Joe. Also less annoying. Probably because it's early in the series. I'll wait and see how the rest of it goes.

Three stars

This book came out June 18, 2013

Follows The Heist

Followed by The Job

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Monday, September 4, 2023

The Most Magnificent Maker's A to Z by Ashley Spires

I had read "The Most Magnificent Thing" and really enjoyed it. This book was also a joy. With delightful illustrations, Spires goes through the alphabet with different words related to inventing. Like in the first book, Spires includes ideas around the fact that failure is not bad, it's just a way to cross off a path that didn't work and I love that.

Four stars

This book comes out September 5, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Kids Can Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper

Riley Everett never even knew her mother had a sister and now she's going to a small island in Michigan to meet the woman. But she is unexpectedly sick on the trip over and has no luck being able to use the toilet as Edison Held is hogging it. When he finally comes out, they quarrel but then she pukes on his shoes.

Both regret the interaction and are willing to get to know each other a little better. Which is good because Riley is dealing with some big changes in her life. Her aunt actually died right before Riley got to the island so she's alone in the big house. Well, except for the ghosts. Because there are ghosts. But we really only get to see a couple.

Soon Riley is getting to hang out with Edison, is learning more about her own powers, and is making friends who are also working with her.

There are a lot of parts missing in this story that I wish we had seen. More of Riley and Edison's growing relationship, more of Riley and her friends learning to use their powers, more time with Riley and her mom.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out September 5, 2023

Starfall Point #1

Followed by Big Witch Energy

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Saturday, September 2, 2023

A Fire at the Exhibition by T. E. Kinsey

Lady Hardcastle and Emily are caught up in another mystery when the spring brings an art exhibition to the village of Littleton Cotterell. People are buzzing over the jewel-studded copy of Shakespeare's folio. This is, of course, one of the items that goes missing when a small fire is set causing everyone to panic and run out of the hall. Also missing are a bust and a painting of the local Grange.

The thefts are bad enough but then a man is murdered during the local bicycle race. Luckily Lady Hardcastle and Emily are among the first on scene having recently taken up the art of cycling themselves.

There are any number of suspects including an old friend of Emily's from the circus, treasure hunting twins, and even the Farley-Strouds themselves.

A nice addition to the series and I look forward to reading more.

Four stars

This book comes out September 5, 2023

Follows An Act of Foul Play

ARC kindly provided Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Friday, September 1, 2023

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot

Does anyone really want to be the Chosen One? Jessica Gold is sure shocked to find out that she might be. Especially because of the... incident... when she was a fledgling witch. But when handsome Derrick Winters shows up and says she's going to help save her town from the demons that come out every 90 years, Jessica isn't so sure but all of the evidence does seem to be pointing to the fact that he may be telling the truth. Along with the Bringer of Light, Jessica will help to save the world (or at least their corner of it.)
This was an okay start to a new series. A lot of world building meant that we missed out on the romance and that the characters weren't as well fleshed-out but it was a cute story and an okay start to a series.

Three stars

This book comes out September 5

ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager

Opinions are my own