August 31, 2020 - New Arrivals

August 31, 2020

Adult Fiction

The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun.

Oghi has woken from a coma after causing a devastating car accident that took his wife's life and left him paralyzed and badly disfigured. His caretaker is his mother-in-law, a widow grieving the loss of her only child. Oghi is neglected and left alone in his bed. His world shrinks to the room he lies in and his memories of his troubled relationship with his wife, a sensitive, intelligent woman who found all of her life goals thwarted except for one: cultivating the garden in front of their house. But soon Oghi notices his mother-in-law in the abandoned garden, uprooting what his wife had worked so hard to plant and obsessively digging larger and larger holes. When asked, she answers only that she is finishing what her daughter started. – Provided by publisher.

Heart of Black Ice by Terry Goodkind.

In the wake of the brutal war that swept the Old World in Siege of Stone, a new danger is forming along the coast. Taken captive by their enemies, King Grieve, along with Lila and Bannon are about to discover the terrifying force that threatens to bring destruction to the Old World. The Norukai, barbarian raiders and slavers, have been gathering an immense fleet among the inhospitably rocky islands that make up their home. With numbers greater than anyone could have imagined, the Norukai are poised to launch their final and most deadly war -- Provided by publisher.

The Crow’s Call by Wanda E. Brunstetter.

When Vernon King, his son, and son-in-law are involved in a terrible accident, three women are left to cope with their deaths, as they become the sole providers of the family they have left. The women's only income must come from the family greenhouse, but someone seems to be trying to force them out of business. Amy King has just lost her father and brother, and her mother needs her to help run the family's greenhouse. It doesn't seem fair to ask her to leave a job she loves, when there is still a sister and brother to help. But Sylvia is also grieving for her husband while left to raise three children, and Henry, just out of school, is saddled with all the jobs his father and older brother used to do. As Amy assumes her new role, she also asks Jared Riehl to put their courtship on hold. When things become even more stressful at the greenhouse, will Amy crumble under the pressure? – Provided by publisher

Adult Non-Fiction

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners by Jill McSheehy.

Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding venture that's both affordable and appetizing, but the beginning gardener may find it difficult to weed through an overwhelming landscape of resources. Whether you're new to gardening or interested in saving costs, Vegetable Gardening for Beginners offers easy-to-follow steps for starting and sustaining your very own vegetable garden. – Provided by publisher.

Tucker County by Cynthia A. Phillips.

This volume tells the story of Tucker County's history through the visual records of its communities, families, and industries. Carved out of Randolph County, Virginia, in 1856, Tucker County's early history played out in the farming communities of the Cheat River Valley. Beginning in 1884, the shrill whistle of industrialist Henry Gassaway Davis's railroad, the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg, woke the area to dramatic changes. New towns like Davis, Thomas, and Parsons grew up and prospered in response to the developing nation's demand for lumber and coal. The collection features the visual evidence of how the political, economic, and natural landscape of Tucker County changed from 1880 to 1960. -- Provided by publisher.

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

Dragon Drive, Volume 1 by Ken-ichi Sakura. GN

Reiji Ozora thinks he’s no good at anything – especially schoolwork! Then one day he’s introduced to a game called Dragon Drive and gets his very own virtual dragon named Chibi. Small and weak, Chibi appears to be as big a loser as Reiji! But after their first battle, Reiji realizes there may be more to his tiny friend than meets the eye. – Back of book.

 

Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo & Jacqueline Tourville. C

From her imaginative childhood to her career as an illustrator, designer, and animator for Walt Disney Studios, Mary wouldn't play by the rules. At a time when studios wanted to hire men and think in black and white, Mary painted twinkling emerald skies, peach giraffes with tangerine spots, and magenta horses that could fly. – Provided by publisher.

Brooke County Public Libraries    Wellsburg (304) 737-1551    Follansbee (304) 527-0860

August 26, 2020 - Staff Reviews

Creole Kingpin

By Meghan March

Release Date: March 10, 2020

Ebook Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/media/5020090

3 Stars - As a long-time fan of the author, I was let down by this one just a little. I was satisfied overall but Magnolia and her man were almost too hardcore and corrupt for me at times. Anyone looking for an intense, down and dirty novel in the shady steamy New Orleans atmosphere won't be disappointed.

While this duet can be read separately, the ties in the multiple March character worlds make it feel like a series conclusion that we were eagerly awaiting. In that aspect, all leads and threads were pretty much squared away. Once I found out that Magnolia's beau was none other than the infamous Moses, I wasn't as interested, I will admit. Moses was the villian in previous tales and getting past that was hard for me.  And Magnolia, she's a badass with an buried deep heart of gold. She and I have absolutely nothing in common, and I couldn't find a shread of her personally relatable. I'm a lover of anti-heroes though so I found myself coming back for more of March's addictive story telling.

March's novels are not for the faint of heart. They're profane and raunchy but in a likable and unapologetic way for those who don't mind. Every chapter of hers feels like a cliffhanger. To start, our main characters are distrustful of each other yet attracted. Then, suddenly both the characters (and I myself as a reader) realize they've fallen in love. Depsite difficult and often dangerous circumstances, they have to find a way to be together. And this duet is set up no differently but, as usual, delivered in the most enthralling ways. A little over halfway through, things started to get really good. I can't say I entirely understood Mags or Moses's motivations to turn to "the dark side" (spoilers if I'm specific). But they seemed to have no other choice. And I could deeply feel their desperation for each other. Be aware this book ends with one of March's famous cliffhangers and maybe isn't quite up to her usual standards.
(NS)

August 24, 2020 - New Arrivals

August 24, 2020

Adult Fiction

Crooked River by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child.

Appearing out of nowhere to horrify the quiet resort town of Sanibel Island, Florida, dozens of identical, ordinary-looking shoes float in on the tide and are washed up on the tropical beach--each one with a crudely severed human foot inside. Called away from vacation elsewhere in the state, Agent Pendergast reluctantly agrees to visit the crime scene--and, despite himself, is quickly drawn in by the incomprehensible puzzle. – Provided by publisher.

Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen.

Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings. Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself. Best of all, she’s been chosen to accompany the queen to Nice. What fortune! Until the threat of blackmail shadows Bella to the Riviera, and a member of the queen’s retinue falls ill and dies. Having prepared the royal guest’s last meal, Bella is suspected of the poisonous crime. An investigation is sure to follow. Her charade will be over. And her new life will come crashing down—if it doesn’t send her to the gallows .-- Amazon.com

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal.

In this retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in modern-day Pakistan, Alys Binat has sworn never to marry--until an encounter with one Mr. Darsee at a wedding makes her reconsider. A scandal and vicious rumor in the Binat family have destroyed their fortune and prospects for desirable marriages, but Alys, the second and most practical of the five Binat daughters, has found happiness teaching English literature to schoolgirls. Knowing that many of her students won't make it to graduation before dropping out to marry and start having children, Alys teaches them about Jane Austen and her other literary heroes and hopes to inspire them to dream of more. When an invitation arrives to the biggest wedding their small town has seen in years, Mrs. Binat excitedly sets to work preparing her daughters to fish for eligible--and rich--bachelors, certain that their luck is about to change. On the first night of the festivities, Alys's lovely older sister, Jena, catches the eye of one of the most eligible bachelors. But his friend Valentine Darsee is clearly unimpressed by the Binat family. Alys accidentally overhears his unflattering assessment of her, and quickly dismisses him and his snobbish ways. But as the days of lavish wedding parties unfold, the Binats wait breathlessly to see if Jena will land a proposal--and Alys begins to realize that Darsee's brusque manner may be hiding a very different man from the one she saw at first glance -- Provided by publisher.

Adult Non-Fiction

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenberg & Jeannie Hayden.

An indispensable survival manual for guys entering the trenches of fatherhood, Be Prepared is loaded with one-of-a-kind insights, MacGyver-esque tips and tricks, and no-nonsense advice for mastering the first year as a dad. Packed with helpful diagrams and detailed instructions, and delivered with a wry sense of humor, Be Prepared is the ultimate guide for sleep-deprived, applesauce-covered fathers everywhere. – Provided by publisher.

The Zen of Listening: Mindful Communication in the Age of Distraction by Rebecca Z. Shafir, MA CCC.

TV, radio, traffic, telephones, pagers - our minds are bombarded daily by constant noise and clutter. No wonder so many people find it increasingly difficult to listen and comprehend. Simple pieces of information such as names go "in one ear and out the other." Poor listening may have tragic consequences such as the Challenger disaster and the Potomac River crash of 1982, or it can result in smaller tragedies such as lost promotions, stalled marriages, and troubled children. Rebecca Shafir assures us that we can transform every aspect of our lives, simply by relearning how to listen. The Zen of Listening is grounded in the Zen concept of mindfulness, a simple yet profound way of learning how to filter our distractions and be totally in the present. Rather than a list of tricks, this book is an all-encompassing approach allowing you to transform your life. Readers will be amazed at how simply learning to focus intently on a speaker improves the relationship, increases attention span, and helps develop negotiating skills. Learn the great barricades of misunderstanding, find out how to listen to ourselves, discover how to listen under stress, and boost our memory. This is a fun and practical guide filled with simple strategies to use immediately to enjoy our personal and professional lives to the fullest. – Provided by publisher.

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

Fancy Nancy: Operation Fix Marabelle by Nancy Parent. E

Nancy discovers a new talent for repairing broken toys in the neighborhood. But can she keep her cool when her prized doll, Marabelle, needs help? – Provided by Publisher.

Jane Eyre by Trina Robbins. GN

At first, it seemed like the perfect job. Jane Eyre will live in a huge mansion called Thornfield, and she’ll be in charge of teaching a nice little girl. But soon, everything starts to get frightening. Is it just Jane’s imagination, or did she really hear creepy laughter in the middle of the night? And who set that fire just down the hall from her bedroom? Will this job bring the peace that Jane has been looking for? Or will it become the worst nightmare of her life? – Back of book.

Brooke County Public Libraries    Wellsburg (304) 737-1551    Follansbee (304) 527-0860

August 22, 2020 - Staff Reviews

Taking His Shot

By Kendall Ryan

Release Date: June 8, 2020

Ebook Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/media/5187193

4 stars! - This quick, quirky romance had me not wanting to put it down. Harper and Jordan are a great couple, almost instantly in love but without the insta-love cliches. Ryan's dual point-of-view of Jordie's relentless pursuit of Harper despite her cautiousness was so much fun.

Kendall Ryan's Hot Jocks series is excellent with some books being better than others. This latest entry was one of the highlights for me. I'm not a hockey fan, but there's mostly other stuff going on. For instance, in this story Harper is Coach's daughter and Jordie has to decide if making a play for her is worth it. I loved Harper, feeling like she was relatable levels of stubborn, insecure, and anxious. All too often, heroines are too extreme in these attributes and that ends up the basis of her whole inner monolougue. She's close to her family too, which made for some fun but also intense moments with her father and sister. Jordie falls in love with Harper just the way she is and has no problem going after her, which is refreshing too.

Jordie's determination to coax Harper out of her shell will probably seem over the top to some, like following her to book club and the animal shelter. But he just wants a chance. And it's nice to see even fictional guys of his generation stepping up. As soon as Harper needs him, he's there. And they even really bond over things, like the steamy book club picks (wink-wink). Like most new adult authors, Ryan's plots and characters are skewing more to ages in their late twenties and early thirties now but with a young vibe. Some are transitioning better than others but I feel like she's really succeeding at branching out while staying modern. Of course, I'd like to see books a bit longer and more intense from her again sometimes. My only complaint with this novel is I felt she maybe could have expanded or delved a little deeper, as though maybe a few things were cut or left on the table. But being left wanting more is seldom a bad thing after finishing a good read!

(NS)

August 20, 2020 - Staff Reviews

Hidden

By Rebecca Zanetti

Release Date: September 25, 2018

Ebook Available from WV Reads!

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/media/3912722

2 stars - I felt a little misled by the blurb, but I stuck around. The first few chapters were engrossing and the plot kept rolling, even if it was all a bit far-fetched. For romantic suspense fans, Zanetti's writing style is great for killing a few hours. But I felt like I needed more romance or action or mystery to really hook me and I got a little of each instead.

The whole book is almost too wishy-washy.  Pippa's had a rough go, but she's still a likeable heroine. She babbles and likes to bake, and I enjoyed her. But her mind changes on situations, almost on the same page. One minute she feels safe with the hero and next she's freaking out. I understand why given her background still. And her off-the-grid skills need serious work. West was not a memorable hero but he is equal parts bad ass and caring. Zanetti normally writes paranormal fiction, a few of which I've read and enjoyed even though it's not my go-to genre. She has better suspense stories from my perspective, however. Here she seems to want the reader to suspend disbelief almost on the same level as a paranormal reader would. Maybe more if the reader happens believes in vampires or demons, etc. 

Plots revolving around a cult are a tough topic to sell. I think writers are never sure how crazy to make them or how detailed to get. I was rolling my eyes more at the law enforcement angles actually though. There's definitely some unoriginal yet creepy cult ideas (like the Alpha and the Omega, the treatment of women, etc.) But I found the idea of West 'going undercover' because they thought he was the only person capable of using Pippa was a big stretch. They also all talk rather casually about West sleeping with Pippa which comes off absurd. Around 1/4 of the book, action and romance start to blip in and out of the picture. We also have a dog that drinks whiskey to throw in some humor. The atmosphere is perfect for a chilly or rainy, always dark weather and mostly taking place at small, isolated houses in the woods. I'd probably only recommend this for someone looking to kill time on a dreary day as passing entertainment.
(NS)

August 19, 2020 - Staff Reviews

The Waterfire Saga

(I read all three in the series both in eBook form and Book form)

Authored by Jennifer Donnelly

https://wvreads.overdrive.com/wvreads-brooke/content/media/2230902

I am a huge fan of series. I love being able to follow a storyline be it continuous, or bouncing from character to character which each book. 

What had be hooked was that someone donated this book for me to use in my own personal Little Free Library outside my home. The cover art was fantastic and it drew me in to read the page. I found out that it was book #2, and so I needed to acquire book #1 (pictured above, courtesy of WVReads). I had to read the one that I owned and was able to get 2 out of 3 from our eBooks found on WVReads. 

Long story short, if you love series, love a spin on things (mermaids exist, we are called groggs), love adventure, love, magic, loss, and betrayal, this might be the perfect book for you. It does wrap up "nicely" in that you do get resolution and know what sort of happens in the future of the characters. But to do so, is so much loss and growth that the characters had to face. There is a smattering of romance, but I would not think it is a direct "girly" book, but I thought it really was a great read!

(as)

August 17, 2020 - New Arrivals

August 17, 2020

Adult Fiction

Genesis by Robin Cook.

When the body of 28-year-old social worker Kera Jacobsen shows up on Chief New York City Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery's autopsy table, at first it appears she was the victim of a tragic yet routine drug overdose. But for Laurie and her new pathology resident, the brilliant but enigmatic Dr. Aria Nichols, little things aren't adding up. Kera's family and friends swear she never touched drugs. Administrators from the hospital where Kera worked are insisting the case be shrouded in silence. And although Kera was 10 weeks pregnant, nobody seems to know who the father was - or whether he holds the key to Kera's final moments alive. As a medical emergency temporarily sidelines Laurie, impulsive Aria turns to a controversial new technique: using genealogical DNA databases to track down those who don't want to be found. Working with experts at a start-up ancestry website, she plans to trace the fetus' DNA back to likely male relatives in the hopes of identifying the mystery father. But when Kera's closest friend and fellow social worker is murdered, the need for answers becomes even more urgent. Because someone out there clearly doesn't want Kera's secrets to come to light...and if Aria gets any closer to the truth, she and Laurie might find themselves a killer's next targets. – Provided by publisher.

Golden in Death by J. D. Robb.

Pediatrician Kent Abner received the package on a beautiful April morning. Inside was a cheap trinket, a golden egg that could be opened into two halves. When he pried it apart, highly toxic airborne fumes entered his body-and killed him. After Eve Dallas calls the hazmat team-and undergoes testing to reassure both her and her husband that she hasn't been exposed-it's time to look into Dr. Abner's past and relationships. Not every victim Eve encounters is an angel, but it seems that Abner came pretty close-though he did ruffle some feathers over the years by taking stands for the weak and defenseless. While the lab tries to identify the deadly toxin, Eve hunts for the sender. But when someone else dies in the same grisly manner, it becomes clear that she's dealing with either a madman-or someone who has a hidden and elusive connection to both victims -- Provided by publisher.

Last Day by Luanne Rice.

Years ago, Beth Lathrop and her sister Kate suffered what they thought would be the worst tragedy of their lives the night both the famous painting Moonlight and their mother were taken. The detective assigned to the case, Conor Reid, swore to protect the sisters from then on. Beth moved on, throwing herself fully into the art world, running the family gallery, and raising a beautiful daughter with her husband Pete. Kate, instead, retreated into herself and took to the skies as a pilot, always on the run. When Beth is found strangled in her home, and Moonlight goes missing again, Detective Reid can't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Reid immediately suspects Beth's husband, whose affair is a poorly kept secret. He has an airtight alibi--but he also has a motive, and the evidence seems to point to him. Kate and Reid, along with the sisters' closest childhood friends, struggle to make sense of Beth's death, but they only find more questions: Who else would have wanted Beth dead? What's the significance of Moonlight? -- Provided by publisher.

Adult Non-Fiction

Hope Upon Impact: A Miraculous True Story of Faith, Love, & God’s Goodness by Julie Overlease.

On the lovely spring afternoon of April 20, 2018, a backyard tree cracked, and a heavy limb fell. 12-year-old Evelyn suffered a devastating blow to her head as she shielded her puppy. A significant, compressed skull fracture required emergency neurosurgery. This freak, life-threatening event shook the Overlease family to the core, and an unbelievable experience was instantly set in motion that may take a lifetime to fully understand. The astounding details surrounding Evelyn's accident, medical care, and recovery are crazier than fiction. First-time author Julie Overlease tells the story in close detail, with frankness and honesty. This is a book of hope and miracles, in which Evelyn's mother tells a story of faith in action during a time of crisis, of prayer through pain and darkness, of devoted friendship, and the great goodness and love of God. – Provided by publisher.

The Heart of the Qur’an: An Introduction to Islamic Spirituality by Lex Hixon.

As tensions between America and the Middle East grow, we should promote cross-cultural understanding, not violence. This new edition, with a new foreword and commentary by Neil Douglas-Klotz, allows the reader to drink from the illuminating fountain of the Holy Qur'an the foundation of Islamic culture. First published in 1988, Hixon's poetic meditations on over nine-hundred passages from the Qur'an show that they are not relics from the past but exist in a timeless present, communicating as vividly as when they were first uttered. Through clear and accessible language, Hixon illustrates how the teachings of Islam can be applied to contemporary everyday life issues such as love, relationships, justice, work, and self-knowledge. In addition to the selections themselves, the book contains readable, lively introductions to the tradition of Islam, its basic precepts, and what it says about other religions. As the first such work in English to be written by a Muslim, The Heart of the Qur'an continues to show that Islam is among the great wisdom traditions of humanity. – Provided by publisher.

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

Who Was Richard Nixon? by Megan Stine. C

On August 8, 1974, millions sat stunned as they watched Richard Nixon on TV when he announced he was stepping down as the President of the United States. He'd participated in a scandal that included secret tape recordings, a burglary, and a cover-up, and now his secrets and lies were catching up to him. How could Nixon, a man who had been reelected in a landslide victory just two years earlier, now be leaving office in disgrace? Author Megan Stine takes readers through President Nixon's life--from his childhood and military experiences during World War II--to his long political career and the Watergate scandal that tarnished his legacy and deepened American's mistrust of the government." -- Provided by publisher.

X-Men/Avengers: Onslaught by Jeph Loeb, Scott Lobdell, Terry Kavanagh, Mark Waid, Tom DeFalco, & John Ostrander. GN

Everything changes for the Children of the Atom and Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Behold the psionic force of nature known as Onslaught but what dread foe could terrify the unstoppable Juggernaut? As Cable battles Post, herald of the oncoming doom, Nate Grey faces a ghost from his past and Onslaught gathers his forces! The Avengers join the X-Men to work out a battle plan, but could the answers lie with finding Magneto? And Charles Xavier has a troubling proposal for the Fantastic Four. But when Onslaught's identity is revealed, who will be the traitor to the cause? – Provided by publisher.

Brooke County Public Libraries    Wellsburg (304) 737-1551    Follansbee (304) 527-0860