Review: Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley

Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I finished this book a couple days ago. I wish I didn’t have to write a review for it. Mostly because I can’t figure out what to say.

What I hope to find was an education about the Pagan ways in a gentle fictional story. Instead there was plenty to tell about the cruelty of the ‘onward christian soldiers’. But the book seemed to tell more about the cruelty and less about the goodness of either religion. Even the awe of nature and all her wonders was minimal.

Emotions seemed to rule the book: guilt, depression and unrequited love.

The feelings that I am left with are the cold and muddiness, disease and death.

Many have left much more eloquent reviews for this book. I leave only the shivering grittiness I feel when thinking of this story.

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Review: Semper Audacia by M. Pax

Semper Audacia by M. Pax

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A space opera novelette. This was more like it! Though this wasn’t a full size novel or series, I felt satisfied. The depth of character, world-building, plot, action, adventure, all left me feeling like I’d been to outer-space, meet new beings, experienced friendships, saved and lost lives. In fact, this little book crammed more in than many long series I’ve read.

All that said, I found myself lost trying to figure out if this were memory or the present. In the end, it all sorts itself out. Maybe the author wanted that bit of confusion.

I recommend this little prize to my fellow sci-fi friends.

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Review: Semper Audacia by M. Pax

Semper Audacia by M. Pax

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A space opera novelette. This was more like it! Though this wasn’t a full size novel or series, I felt satisfied. The depth of character, world-building, plot, action, adventure, all left me feeling like I’d been to outer-space, meet new beings, experienced friendships, saved and lost lives. In fact, this little book crammed more in than many long series I’ve read.

All that said, I found myself lost trying to figure out if this were memory or the present. In the end, it all sorts itself out. Maybe the author wanted that bit of confusion.

I recommend this little prize to my fellow sci-fi friends.

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Translations by M. Pax

Translations by M. Pax

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Another short story. Too much romance not enough action. Didn’t care for the main character. So, um, meh. But don’t take it from me. Many reviewers have given it high praise.

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Review: Small Graces by M. Pax

Small Graces by M. Pax

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another short story. I love M. Pax’s writing. I even like her story lines. This one had me involved until the end.

And that’s just the problem. It ends far too soon. I can’t wait to read some of her longer works.

The nicest part of these short stories is they allow that ‘treading water’ time between books I need to review. There was a need to cleanse the reading palate.

I have been reading Ms. Pax’s stories from Smashwords (mostly for free or $.99) which means I read them on my Moon Reader Pro app. I love this app because I can use the text-to-speech feature that keeps me focused and I can vary the speed and pitch to push my reading speed while staying engaged.

Check out M. Pax when you get the chance.

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Review: Coming to Rosemont by Barbara Hinske

Coming to Rosemont by Barbara Hinske

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was a quick read. And entertaining. Perfect for reading after a darker read, that left me nightmare prone. It is light and inspiring. My faith in ‘humane’ beings is restored.

I loved the main character and her passion for life and doing what is right. I loved that she was a senior citizen who has a great relationship with her grown children. I love that she was able to move out on her own and follow her path.It sure is a relief to read this after so many Young Adult books which can give the impression that only the young deserve a story. And though this book is about an older person, I think YA’s would like it as well.

So why, then, am I giving it only three stars? It was well written. It kept me engaged until the end. All I can come up with is that it left me feeling like I just watched a Lifetime movie. Not enough depth, too predictable, and far more fiction than my favorite sci-fi’s and fantasies. Or have I become far too cynical that I thought I was? Okay, I have just talked my way to a four stars. After all, a B- is still a B. And the thing is… I think I am curious enough to want to see what happens in book 2.

By the way, this was a free-from author read for a buddy read. Thank you for the opportunity.

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Review: Divine Intervention by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Divine Intervention by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is going to be one of my shorter reviews. I think.

Though I love Cheryl Kaye Tartif’s writing style and enjoyed her other books thoroughly, I don’t like murder mysteries. The saving grace was I liked the main characters.

There is an added feature of parapsychological talents involved in solving the crimes. But mostly is was a murder mystery.

Still, I will read the rest of the series, Gotta know what happens next, ya know?

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Prodigal Angel by N.R. Champagne

Prodigal Angel by N.R. Champagne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was gifted this Kindle version of the book for an honest review.

As for star rating I would have given the story 3 1/2 stars. Not that the story was bad. It could just be me. I am a little over angel and or demon books. That isn’t the author’s fault. It is just what I have spent a lot of time reading for other authors. Luckily, the book doesn’t label the people as angels and demons per se. They are just other beings.

There is a lot of death and destruction that would have had me leaving the book behind, but the main character, Miranda, had won me over. I thought she was well developed. She felt real to me. And I liked her.

Many times the story gets a bit preachy on ecology and global warming. But since I believe we need to wake up and start being stewards of this planet, I didn’t mind. Others might find that off putting.

One of the fun parts of the book is getting to go along for the ride, be it bicycle or trailer truck. Miranda has quite the adventure while staying healthy.

There is a bit of romance, not too much. There are a few triggers for some people. But the bad people get their due.

Give it a try. You may like it. I might like it better if I read it again later.

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Review: Tapestry of Fortunes: A Novel

Tapestry of Fortunes: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Road trip!

Look, I see a lot of negative reviews of this book. That’s sad because this one actually met my goal. It is a story about older women (sixty and younger) written by a female author. It was a fun read. A great read for someone who is rather stuck at home during the winter. I got my travel bug up and ready for being a vagabond. At least the older females were thought of!

Could the book have been deeper? Yes. In fact just as it all seemed to be fun the story took a turn and ended. It was as if the author didn’t know what to do with a bunch of women having an adventure. Sure, there was drama, but bits that I wanted to explore got left by the wayside. Too bad. The worst part? When at 50% read the book ended. BOO!

Well, the second book in this bundle was a bit of a surprise. Who expected one more book? Open House wasn’t as good as Tapestry of Fortune. The woman was younger (in her forties). It was an agonizing tale of divorce and all the emotions attached to that. I still found it interesting and found myself rooting for the main character. But this all brings up why I prefer sci-fi and fantasy. If I wanted real life, I’d live it! Oh, wait, I already do! In both of these books I was disturbed by the hokey romantic notions. Can’t a woman just find herself and enjoy all the relationships in her life? Do they have to be looking for the ‘one’? Geez! There is nothing wrong with sex or romance. It just left behind the growth of the woman.

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Review: Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Libraries, bookstores and friends (family) the true gold of this world. At least for me. Family fits in there, too, but to me, they are friends with common DNA. Just like books in the bookstore or library, a friend/family member is there to lend their uniqueness to your life. Gold.

I borrowed this book from the library. I was lucky that they had it in Kindle form and that text-to-speech was enabled. I think I will have to buy this book in Kindle form and see if there is an Audible version. That would make the book even more golden.

Thank you, my good friends, for recommending this book so highly. Though it fits none of my criteria for my reading goals of ‘books by women with strong female protagonist’, it still has a couple women that are smart and goal oriented. Still, it wouldn’t pass the Bechdel Test http://bechdeltest.com/.

Look, for many of you the title will dissuade you from reading the book. It, frankly, sounds dreary! But as I was telling my husband, it feels as intriguing as Da Vinci Code (sorry, I never read that one–not my kind of book). There are codes to solve and mysteries to unravel all against the background of San Francisco and New York. For me, the best part is that there is no blood and guts to worry about. Yet the story keeps you engaged, wondering what is going to happen next.

I would like to read it again. I look forward to the second book.

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