Wednesday, January 6, 2021

January 6, 2021 - Staff Reviews


 

Ghost

By Sawyer Bennett

Release Date: July 2, 2020
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


2.5 Stars - I want to like this series because it's set in Pittsburgh near my hometown and Bennett does romantic suspense well. Again though, this one unwhelmed me. Malik and Anna make a cute couple, struggling to overcome their respective emotional scars. I read along steadily, never bored, felt like things really picked up about halfway. But I had trouble getting really immersed in this story.

The Jameson series is not one from Bennett that's really held my attention. It's so serious and seems like the steamy series get allocated to her Wicked ones. Although, her hockey novels still have a good mesh of the two dynamtics. But at least I did finish this entry. Malik is actually the brother of a couple hockey player heroes but he seems far removed from that world here. He's quiet and healing from emotional and physical trauma, but not overly broody. Anna on the other hand is sweet and fairly open, but she's dealing with her own struggles.

I was looking forward to the single mom trope, Anna grateful for the company and security of Malik's subtle and reassuring presence in her life. But she was a little boring. The baby didn't have the slightly personality and motherhood was basically breastfeeding and talk here. (Harsh, I know.) She's has a fairly interesting background but now works the most boring job at Jameson. Malik is relegated to helping her while he recovers. So he doesn't get to be much of a bad boy or show off his skills. Sidenote: I really hate therapy sessions as a plot device. They feel like so much telling and so little showing. Jimmy's death hangs awkwardly between these two for most off the book, putting a damper on the romance side. I think I just turned out to be the wrong audience, expecting suspense. There's good dialouge and interesting back-and-forth with likable enough leads, but I'd say pick this for a fast or easy read, not an engrossing all-out love story.

(NS)

Monday, January 4, 2021

January 4, 2021 - New Arrivals

January 4, 2021

Adult Fiction

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw.

“The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church's double standards and their own needs and passions."-- Provided by publisher.

 

The Land of Nod by Daniel Rose.

Maggie Stump is the eldest daughter from a family of four children who were all named from the Bible. But there is nothing holy about the Stump family. They are an old-ball mix of druggies and drunks, linked together through shared history and common sorrows. Predictably dysfunctional, they all appear to be going nowhere fast. Then enter one catalyst in the form of a wild crazy circus clown whose tattoos suggest interplanetary alignments, and change enters the formula. Maggie discovers talents that she didn’t know she possessed, and just in time as her entire family is perched on the brink of disaster. It is only through Maggie’s newly acquired psychic skills that she is able to save her brothers and sister from certain self-destruction.

 

The Law of Innocence by Michael Connolly.

"Defense attorney Mickey Haller is pulled over by police, who find the body of a client in the trunk of his Lincoln. Haller is charged with murder and can't make the exorbitant $5 million bail slapped on him by a vindictive judge. Mickey elects to defend himself and must strategize and build his defense from his jail cell in the Twin Towers Correctional Center in downtown Los Angeles, all the while looking over his shoulder--as an officer of the court he is an instant target. Mickey knows he's been framed. Now, with the help of his trusted team, he has to figure out who has plotted to destroy his life and why. Then he has to go before a judge and jury and prove his innocence."-- Amazon.com.

 

Adult Non-Fiction

The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris.

“By reckoning with the big challenges we face together, drawing on the hard-won wisdom and insight from her own career and the work of those who have most inspired her, Kamala Harris offers in The Truths We Hold a master class in problem solving, in crisis management, and leadership in challenging times. Through the arc of her own life, on into the great work of our day, she communicates a vision of shared struggle, shared purpose, and shared values. In a book rich in many home truths, not least is that a relatively small number of people work very hard to convince a great many of us that we have less in common than we actually do, but it falls to us to look past them and get on with the good work of living our common truth. When we do, our shared effort will continue to sustain us and this great nation, now and in the years to come."-- Provided by publisher.

 

Rage by Bob Woodward.

An essential account of the Trump presidency draws on interviews with firsthand sources, meeting notes, diaries, and confidential documents to provide details about Trump's moves as he faced a global pandemic, economic disaster, and racial unrest.

 

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

Pirate Stew by Neil Gaiman. E

"Long John has a whole crew of wild pirates in tow, and--for one boy and his sister--he's about to transform a perfectly ordinary evening into a riotous adventure beneath a pirate moon."—Provided by publisher.

 

Don’t Turn Out the Lights by Jonathan Maberry. J

Featuring stories from R.L. Stine and Madeleine Roux, this middle grade horror anthology curated by New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry is a chilling tribute to Alvin Schwartz s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. A life-size baby doll that stalks its prey. A flesh-hungry ogre who jingle jangles when he walks. A haunted house just dying for a visitor. What do all these things have in common? They’re scarier in the dark!


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

Saturday, January 2, 2021

January 2, 2021 - Staff Reviews


 Man in the Middle

By Briag Haig
Release Date: August 4, 2005
Audiobook available from WV Reads!


3.5 Stars - This series entry felt a touch overly long but was an excellent mystery featuring smart alecky lead Sean Drummond. Haig never fails to subvert or change up this series with new characters, locations, and job duties for our hero. This time he's bringing his JAG attorney instincts to investigate a shady D.C. murder. It's middle of the road both in the series order and my impression levels.

All the Drummond books are very different from one another. Drummond is unchanging, however. He's politically incorrect and sarcastic. He has a minor humble side that makes an appearance when he's been an idiot. This was of the first series I recall that used the first person storytelling so well. It's becoming increasingly trendy in the mystery genre lately. But few have felt as natural to me as Drummond's viewpoint and Haig's style. All these stories can be read as standalones. Fans of the series though I think will find it superior to the last book President's Assassin. Ganser was definitely a step up as narrator from Brick. A huge one. Though his voice talents were stretched a bit thin.

Admittedly, Drummond's job changes will make some roll their eyes. He's always the best man for any task somehow, al la tv heroes usually. But he never forgets he started as a JAG lawyer in book one and he would prefer that detail. He's also far from PC and not afraid to voice, at least mentally, his opinions. This time his female counterpart is military policewoman Major Tran. She has an interesting backstory but her personality grated on me at times. One of the returning characters is Phyllis, Drummond's surly boss who always makes for an enjoyable page or scene. The main problem for me with this book was that it certainly went on and on. At no point did I feel the plot was dragging but I constantly couldn't believe how much I had left. This was a quality mystery mixed with an action thriller and anyone who enjoys the combination should give this series a try.

(NS)

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

December 29, 2020 - Staff Reviews


 Have You Seen Me?

By Kate White
Release Date: April 28, 2020
Audiobook Available from WV Reads!


3 Stars - Haunting tale from the viewpoint of a slightly amnesiac financial planner and frustrated wife. This was an easier read than many twisty mysteries and the plot flowed so that it was easy to just keep turning pages. Allie was also one of the more likable heroines in this dark genre, though she did come off helpless at times. A must I think for fans of domestic thrillers.

This book is very straighforward in some ways, and I found that refreshing. There's only Allie's perspective and a small circle of characters, not too difficult to keep track of for the reader. I admit there's no romance, no down time, pretty much non stop franticness from Allie. The times we do take a breather are a bit dull. There's a lot of food mentions, like where coffee or takeout is from. Allie's past of course comes out to play but she despite a somewhat rough childhood, her relationship with her brother and her father was sweet.

The narrator was very good, minimal complaints. Distinguishing character voices but the Boston accent for one felt over the top, and Allie's voice was a little monotone. It's hard to say much about the plot of this one without spoilers. And I found the settings mostly unremarkable. But the beginning was downright chilling. I was spooked thinking of showing up at an old office like I still worked there. How many times do we 9 to 5s do that stuff on autopilot? I actually really liked the PI as well, was glad to see someone in a mystery of this kind finding help and taking charge. On the other hand, I hate using therapy as a plot device in novels. At the same time I listened to this, I read Ghost by Sawyer Bennett and drew the same conclusion. It's so much telling/not showing and vagueness. Overall, I was even guessing the next twist as I went along but surprised almost every time. I wasn't in love but the biggie twists but I admit I didn't have it all figured out even bt the end. The last couple hours of listening I was on the edge of my seat. 

(NS)

Monday, December 28, 2020

December 28, 2020 - New Arrivals

December 28, 2020

Adult Fiction

All In by Shelley Shepard Gray.

Meredith Hunt is content with her solo life. She owns and runs a successful Pilates studio, volunteers at the high school every week, and recently bought a house. She can take care of herself, which is good because she has a hard time relying on other people. When she's mugged and a handsome man comes to her rescue, she doesn't know how to accept his help -- or how to stop staring into his chocolate-brown eyes.

 

The Bitter Season by Tami Hoag.

As the dreary, bitter weather of late fall descends on Minneapolis, Detective Nikki Liska is restless, already bored with her new assignment to the cold case squad. She misses the rush of pulling an all-nighter and the sense of urgency of hunting a desperate killer on the loose. Most of all she misses her old partner, Sam Kovac. Kovac is having an even harder time adjusting to Liska's absence, saddled with a green new partner younger than most of Sam's wardrobe. But Kovac is distracted from his troubles by an especially brutal double homicide: a prominent university professor and his wife, bludgeoned and hacked to death in their home with a ceremonial Japanese samurai sword. Liska's case--the unsolved murder of a decorated sex crimes detective--is less of a distraction: Twenty-five years later, there is little hope for finding the killer who got away. Meanwhile, Minneapolis resident Evi Burke has a life she only dreamed of as a kid in and out of foster homes: a beautiful home, a family, people who love her, a fulfilling job. But a danger from her past is stalking her idyllic present. A danger bent on destroying the perfect life she was never meant to have. As the trails of two crimes a quarter of century apart twist and cross, Kovac and Liska race to find answers before a killer strikes again. -- Amazon.com

 

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens.

 

Adult Non-Fiction

Don’t Tell ‘Em You’re Cold by Katherine P. Manley.

Don't Tell 'Em You're Cold: A Memoir of Poverty and Resilience is an uplifting story of survival from abject poverty, set in the hills and coal camps of southern West Virginia. Katherine Manley and her family faced extreme challenges and struggles with ingenuity and traditional Appalachian stoicism. Beyond the poverty, other obstacles compounded Katherine's life: a severely disabled father, and a mother who struggled with the day-to-day survival. On a cool October morning, she left in a taxi and never returned, leaving 14-year-old Katherine to take care of her father and raise her siblings in her mother's stead. Katherine went on to become an award-winning teacher, paying forward her hard-learned lessons to thousands of lucky students. This is a story of triumph that encourages everyone to never give up.

 

Just Smile and Say Hello by Trang Moreland.

Just Smile and Say Hello is an inspirational autobiography from poverty in my homeland, Viet Nam, to successful businesswoman of modern America. You’ll be swept far away to a little hut with a dirt floor where my family and I lived for many years. You will venture into our rice paddy where I would swim in a bomb crater left over from the war while not knowing what it was. You’ll learn in detail how rice is really grown. You can see, smell, and hear as if you were actually there. You’ll learn about my brother and sister’s arranged marriages. You’ll learn about our school system and how difficult it was to be able to get to school on a daily basis. You’ll visit the local village, the market, the city… You will go everywhere with me for my first 21 years. You will meet my mother, and learn of her struggles, and hear stories such as how she could only afford to buy a spoonful of sugar at one time, and how she was able to survive when she never made one paycheck her entire life or received any government assistance. Then, you’ll journey with me to America, a strange place far away that spoke a language I did not know. You will learn how, with very little money, I was able to go to trade school and become a successful business owner, first of a restaurant and then a beauty salon. You will learn so much about the Vietnamese culture, history, and much more… You will have a difficult time putting this book down! -- From Amazon.com

 

Easy/Juvenile/Young Adult/Graphic Novel

Heroes Reborn: The Avengers by Rob Liefeld, Jim Valentine, Jeph Loeb, Scott Lobdell, Jim Lee, Brandon Choi, et. al. (GN)

In 1996, the hottest creators of the day teamed up to reimagine and reinvigorate Marvel's greatest heroes. The Avengers and Fantastic Four were reborn with bold new looks on a brave new world, their origins re-envisioned with a raw vitality and contemporary sensibility! Captain America, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Hawkeye, Hellcat and more: The Avengers lineup is both new and classic - but will Thor assemble alongside them? They'll need him against revised versions of Kang, Ultron, the Enchantress, the Masters of Evil and more -but as Ant-Man and Iron Man enter the fray, what is Loki up to in the shadows? Plus: The Avengers and Fantastic Four take on the Hulk - and Galactus!

 

The Science of Fortnite by James Daley. (J NF)

This book will discuss how many of the game's most fantastical weapons might actually work, how the player-made structures would or wouldn't stand up to the stress of battle, and what the deal is with that huge purple storm! Whether you're a fan of Battle Royale, Save the World, or Creative play, The Science of Fortnite will entertain and enlighten you with the scientific truths behind this amazing game.


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

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

December 23, 2020 - A Book & Recipe

Happy Holidays, All!

We at Brooke County Libraries are excited to share with you a recipe straight from Joanne Fluke's "Apple Turnover Murder". It's sure to liven up your kitchen this Christmas or any other day of the year. 


Use commercial/frozen puff pastry dough.

Images are courtesy of Google and Bookbub.

One Batch makes 8 turnovers from a 17.5 oz package of Pepperidge Farm frozen puff pastry dough. Pie crust dough is also usable.

The Crust
One 17.5 oz pack of dough
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
White granulated sugar

Apple Filling
4 and 1/4 cups cored, peeled, sliced, and chopped
1/2 cup of sweetened dried cranberries
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1/3 cup of white granulated sugar
1/4 cup of flour
1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp of cardamom
1/4 tsp of salt

Thaw your dough on a floured board.

While thawing, prep apples. Core and peel. Slice as you would for pie. Place is large mix bowl and add cranberries. Sprinkle with lemon to keep apples from browning. Toss the mix around by hand.

Mix the sugar, flour, spices, and salt in a small separate bowl. Then dump on top of the apples and coat.

Preheat over to 400 degrees F, rack in middle row.

One dough thaws, roll half out to 12 sq in on floured board. Use knife to make one horizontal line through square middle and then vertical to create four squares.

Break the egg into cup. Add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk.

Line cookie sheet. Transfer squares to sheet one at a time and coat with egg wash.

With a slotted spoon pick up approx. 1/2 cup of filling and place in square's center.

Pull one corner of square over the filling to opposite corner and form a triangle. Firmly press edges together with fork. Coat the top of the turnover with egg wash, using a pastry brush. 

Cut two slits in turnovers with a sharp knife, approx one inch long slits.

Roll out second sheet of pastry dough and repeat. When all turnovers are ready, sprinkle the tops with white sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden on top.

Cool for 5 minutes.


So if you're looking a perfect evening at home holiday recipe this one will make your mouth water!

Be sure to let us know you tried it or give us additional tips either in the comment section below or on any of our social media pages. We love to hear from you!


Check out Joanne Fluke's murder mystery on our Ebook site WV Reads for more details!


Tuesday, December 22, 2020

December 22, 2020 - Staff Reviews


 Never Love A Highlander

By Maya Banks
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Ebook Available from WV Reads!


3.5 Stars - This one gets a few extra points for no dull moments. Banks' historical romance trilogy comes to a close with a fast-paced finish. Although it could be read as an entertaining standalone. Strongwilled heroine Rionna and brash hero Caelen clash as they fight not just against their enemies but often each other.

Sometimes a quick and slightly different book breaks things up, and this one was refreshing for me. The first two entries in the series were good, likable stories but this one admittedly hooked me. Finally we have the big bad Laird Cameron looming over the story, poised to strike at any time.  While Rionna wasn't an completely unique heroine, she sure was fun. She was so spirited without being unbearably headstrong. Caelen was constantly torn between his need to keep her safe and helping her to be all she wanted to be. It was quite the dynamic. 

Rionna truly struggled to find a balance between her own expectations for herself and others. The fact she was so out of touch with her feminine side at times was cute. I think a lot of tomboys and Daddy's girls will relate. Caelen was her perfect counterpart, a tough guy for his own part. But he wasn't oblivious to others and truly smart and caring. Now, this is a historical romance from Banks so the action is pretty much broken up only by steaminess with a few tender moments. Probably a little heavy handed at times, enough to generate an eye roll or two but all good entertainment. There's plenty of excitement otherwise in the story as well. Banks' series may not have the historical depth of a vintage Catherine Coulter or maybe even a Susan Wiggs but it's got all the romance and heart for a fun page-turner.

(NS)