Grave Birds by Dana Elmendorf

 

My thoughts

This is my second book by this author. It was good. I liked this one even better than In The Hour Of Crows. Still about death and things that happen after death. 

This is a kind of strange story. Or at least it was for me. I liked it very much. It's a bit goth and southern charm. A bit of a mystery and thriller. Also a few murders thrown in for good measure. And a handsome stranger who causes a big stir when he strolls into town like he owns the place. Taking the women by surprise. Many of course wanting to get to know him better. 

The story is quite lyrical and haunting. Hollis sees the "Grave Birds" and has what must be visions of what happened to the deceased person. Especially the four whose deaths may be related. Hollis is an events planner and has the towns most prominent family's big event scheduled. She also has uncovered quite a bit of darkness about this family. Many secrets. She doesn't know exactly what to do with this information but can't just sit on it. Or can she?

Cain came to town with purpose. He strode in and bought the big house that was promised to Hollis. They start off not so great. But Hollis learns that Cain can also see the "Grave Birds." Hollis knows the reason she sees them is because she dies once. Could Cain have died also? Is he responsible for all the strange things going on in this town? Can they become friends and find out what is happening? Or is he to sinister?

This book will keep you wanting to find out who did what to whom and why. How certain people died. What is causing some of the crazy things going on. You'll want to find out what can come between Hollis and Cain. If anything. 

Well written and a good story. This book was fun, intriguing, and edge of your seat in a few places. Some characters are awful. You'll hate them. But most are good. Some are even dead. Telling their stories through "Grave Birds."

Thank you #HarlequinTradePublishing, #MIRA, #HarlequinAudio, for this ARC. 

About

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires meets Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil in this twisty, fresh take on a Southern gothic that follows a mysterious, charming bachelor as he makes his way into a small town, bringing a plague and the devil with him, from GMA Buzz Pick author Dana Elmendorf.

Grave birds haunt the cemeteries of Hawthorne, South Carolina, where Spanish moss drips from the trees and Southern charm is imbued with lies. Hollis Sutherland never knew these unique birds existed, not until she died and was brought back to life. The ghostly birds are manifestations of the dead’s unfinished business, and they know Hollis and her uncanny gift can set them free.

When a mysterious, charming bachelor wanders into their small town, bizarre events begin to plague its wealthiest citizens. Like blood dripping from dogwood blossoms, flocks of birds crashing into windows of their homes, and faces in paintings morphing into distortion. Hollis knows these are the omens her grandfather warned about, announcing the devil’s return. Despite Cain Landry’s eerie presence and the plague that has followed him, his handsome face and wicked charm win over the townsfolk. Even Hollis falls under his spell as they grow closer.

That is, until lies about the town’s past start to surface. The grave birds begin to show Hollis the dead’s ugly past from some twenty-five years ago. And she learns all about the horrible things these noble families did to gain their wealth. Hollis can’t decide if Cain is some immortal hand of God, there to expose their sins. Or if he’s a devil there to ruin them all. Either way, she’s determined to save her town and the people in it, whatever she has to do.

The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman

 My thoughts

This is now my favorite book by this author. Her book, The Orphan Collector, was and it is a great book also. 

This book is very emotional. Even when things are good. When things go as you want them too, it's emotional. I laughed in a few places at the things children said. Overall though I cried many tears for the characters in this novel. The things I read about really happened. It was awful and to know that it happened right here in the USA makes it even more upsetting to me. How could this country be the very one that started such horrid things. The very one who taught other countries how to find and stop people who they deem unworthy to be either killed or sterilized. How dare they. Let us hope it never happens again. Oh how I hope it's not happening now. 

This is a story about a young woman and her family who entered the USA via Ellis Island. Who saved everything they had to come to this country to find a better life. Who had nothing back home or here but were willing to work hard. But who were deemed unacceptable. Or at least the young boy and his mother were unaccepted. This young woman was allowed to enter the country. But only after she went through a vigorous inspection and sprayed with chemicals and humiliated by the people who were suppose to help her. Her and her little girl. Her brother and mother were deemed unfit. Her brother they said was feeble minded and her mother to sickly. Sickly after just departing a ship. After being so seasick. Feeble minded because he refused to answer some questions and could barely speak English. He was learning. He was a hard worker and he was young. Only fifteen. 

The story starts at Ellis Island. May 31, 1928. Magdalena Conti and her family, her mother, brother, and child, landed on Ellis Island and had such dreams of a better life. In Germany they had gone through many horrors after the war. They saw things that no one should ever have to see. Families killed. Bombings. Starvation. They thought coming to America would be so much better. 

What Lena goes through is so sad. She is alone with just her daughter after her mom and brother are sent back to Germany. A distant cousin, Silas Wolfe, had paid for Enzo and Mutti's passage. They would work for him. But since they were sent back it was Lena whom he got. She was to take care of the house and his two children. Their mother had died in childbirth. He needed the help. It was hard work but Lena was willing to work to ensure her daughter Ella had food to eat. And boy did they have food. More food than Lena had thought possible for a single family. 

Lena goes through so much though. It was not a matter of just getting here and working for a person and living happily ever after. Silas's children and Lena's child were taken from them by people who wanted the mountain land. They were taken away and no one knew where or how to find them. Lena was put in an institution and sterilized. Told that the sterilization was the only way she would ever get out. She was deemed dimwitted because she had a child out of wedlock. 

What happened in this book gave me pause. Made me think about this country in a whole new light. How dare they. Who did these people think they were. How can anyone think it's ok to take away a person's ability to have children just because they look different or because you want their land. Yes they took the children from Silas because they wanted his farm. His land. The things he worked hard for. Him and many other mountain people. 

This book is so well researched and written that you will learn what exactly happened back then in Virginia. How the land was stolen from hard working people. People who were citizens of this country. Who had lived here many generations. And how immigrants were  truly treated when entering this country. Most likely still are treated this way. The research shows how the USA set up places to euthanize human beings. It's in the Author's note. Please read that part. It has so much info that you should know. Things I didn't know about. 

Thank you #KensingtonPublishing, #RBmedia, for this arc. 

About

In rural 1930s Virginia, a young immigrant mother fights for her dignity and those she loves against America’s rising eugenics movement – when widespread support for policies of prejudice drove imprisonment and forced sterilizations based on class, race, disability, education, and country of origin – in this tragic and uplifting novel of social injustice, survival, and hope for readers of Susan Meissner, Kristin Hannah, and Christina Baker Kline.

When Lena Conti—a young, unwed mother—sees immigrant families being forcibly separated on Ellis Island, she vows not to let the officers take her two-year old daughter. But the inspection process is more rigorous than she imagined, and she is separated from her mother and teenage brother, who are labeled burdens to society, denied entry, and deported back to Germany. Now, alone but determined to give her daughter a better life after years of living in poverty and near starvation, she finds herself facing a future unlike anything she had envisioned.

Silas Wolfe, a widowed family relative, reluctantly brings Lena and her daughter to his weathered cabin in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to care for his home and children. Though the hills around Wolfe Hollow remind Lena of her homeland, she struggles to adjust. Worse, she is stunned to learn the children in her care have been taught to hide when the sheriff comes around. As Lena meets their neighbors, she realizes the community is vibrant and tight knit, but also senses growing unease. The State of Virginia is scheming to paint them as ignorant, immoral, and backwards so they can evict them from their land, seize children from parents, and deal with those possessing “inferior genes.”

After a social worker from the Eugenics Office accuses Lena of promiscuity and feeblemindedness, her own worst fears come true. Sent to the Virginia State Colony for the Feebleminded and Epileptics, Lena face impossible choices in hopes of reuniting with her daughter—and protecting the people, and the land, she has grown to love.

Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross

 

My thoughts

This is a debut novel and a good one. It's a touchy subject matter but a good one. It has ups and downs. Laughter and tears. A strong teenager. A strong family vibe. 

The Blum family moved to Maine from Brooklyn, NY. A small town in Maine where everyone knows everyone. There are few secrets. Gus Blum got a job at the college. Claire is going to start her own clothing business. Wolf starts middle school. Hazel starts her senior year of high school. All should be great. But then something happens that no one could have seen coming.

On the first day of school Hazel is called to the principal's office. He propositions her saying that every year he picks a girl to have sex with and this year it's her, Hazel. Hazel is flummoxed. Did she really just hear her principle say that. Hazel says no and leaves quickly. 

Hazel has no idea how much her life is about to change. She rushes home and of course she has to tell her mother what happened. Her mother in turn tells her dad. The whole time her little brother is listening and adding his opinion. When word spreads it's not good. Not good for Hazel or her family. The people in this town love Principal White. He's a major upstanding person. He's done so much for the school and the community. How dare Hazel accuse him. Maybe she misunderstood. According to him Hazel made a pass at him. Yeah right. Isn't that what all predators say?

The Blums go through a lot. There are a few who believe them and stand with them but most are on the principal's side. He could and would never do such a thing. 

You get to know this family well. How they stick up for each other. How much they love each other. It's the subtle things. The little things they do. Sometimes big things. Hazel has big ambitions. She wants to go to Vassar. She has dreams. Principal White threatened her dreams. Tried to make her believe he could stop her from graduating if she didn't sleep with him. Hazel said no...

More girls come forward. Hazel did the right thing. But will it all be ok. Will she be able to live in Maine and get into the college of her dreams. Will her brother be able to cope with things. Wolf has ADHD. Though he can be cute and funny at times he is also a very serious kid. He has no friends. Well he had one but turns out she is Principal White's daughter. Go figure.

This book takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. From laughter to full on tears. From serious to a bit comedic. A family with problems but also there for each other. How will this one end....

Thank you #HarlequinPublishers, #HarlequinAudio, for this ARC. 

4.3 stars. Read this one. It's good. 

About

When a tight-knit family moves from Brooklyn to Maine, their lives are upended by an event that will alter their new community forever in this bighearted, deftly drawn debut for fans of Now Is Not the Time to Panic, Pineapple Street, and Schitt’s Creek

Hazel Blum, please report to the principal’s office. Hazel Blum.

When Hazel Blum’s father gets a tenure-track professorship at a prestigious college, she and her family relocate from the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn to a middle-of-nowhere college town in Maine. With her mother, Claire, an aspiring fashion designer, and her father, Gus, an American Studies professor, Hazel and her eleven-year-old brother, Wolf, spend the summer at the town pool, where they acclimate to their new lives and connect with the town’s sprawling community. That is, until a dramatic fallout on the very first day of her senior year tips the fickle balance of idyllic Riverburg and impacts everyone in her family.

Tracking through the perspectives of each member of the Blum family, this relatable fish-out-of-water story handles big issues with great empathy and humor, capturing the love that unites one unforgettable family and the essence of life in small-town Maine. Emotionally deft, authentic, and compulsively readable, Hazel Says No is a debut novel not to be missed.

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline

 

My thoughts

Another good one from Lisa Scottoline. What a book!! Scottoline does not disappoint. Her books will keep you engaged. 

After Julia's husband is murdered right in front of her Julia becomes reclusive. She orders her groceries delivered. Works from home. She is afraid to go out in case the killer is out there waiting. But when she receives a call about inheriting a lot of money and a villa in Italy what is she suppose to do. She has to go check it out. Of course she doesn't believe it is real. She thinks it may be a setup. But she finds an email she didn't see and it's from the same lawyer. Her best friend talks her into going and seeing what it's all about. If nothing else she can sell the villa and add even more to the large sum she is suppose to receive.

This story takes you from the USA to Italy. There is a lot going on. A lot of intense things. But Julia did really inherit the money and the villa. Julia was adopted and thinks maybe the woman who left all of this too could be her biological grandmother. Who else would leave her such a vast thing. Julia's mother, her adoptive mother, died on her birthday when Julia was only nine/ten. She has lost a lot in her life and wants more than anything to have a family. But things are not all good when she gets to the villa. There are some strange things going on. 

Julia believes strongly in the astrological signs. She's seen things before they happen. Or had feelings of bad things beforehand. Even seen or felt good things. She knew something was going to happen the night her husband was killed. She blames herself for not being more careful when she and Mike were out that night. If she had said something maybe he would not have been killed. 

Seems Julia has a kind of gift. She can communicate with people on the other side. Even on this side in certain circumstances. She is being followed. Stalked. Drugged. Harassed. And she's scared. When Julia meets a guy and there are sparks she feels guilty. But she also really likes Gianluca. He's a good guy and they seem to make a good team. If she can only let go and give it a chance. 

This story takes you on a life altering chase. Julia has to literally fight for her life. She doesn't trust many of the people in Tuscany. Not even the police. With good reason. 

Grab this book and sit back for a scary and intense ride. It's very good and will keep you turning the pages. The ending is perfect and all loose ends are tied up nicely. I enjoyed it.

Thank you #GrandCentralPublishing, #HachettAudio/GrandCentralPublishing, for this ARC.

4.5 stars. 

About

From a #1 international bestselling author, a gothic, suspenseful tale in which a young widow inherits a Tuscan estate from a mysterious benefactor and finds herself thrust into the crosshairs of a dangerous conspiracy—a “compelling thriller with dashes of romance and excellent twists!” (Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author).

Lately, Julia Pritzker is beginning to think she’s cursed. She’s lost her adoptive parents, then her husband is murdered. When she realizes that her horoscope essentially foretold his death, she begins to spiral. She fears her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands.

Then a letter arrives out of the blue, informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard —but her benefactor is a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. Julia has no information about her biological family, so she wonders if Rossi could be a blood relative. Bewildered, she heads to Tuscany for answers.

There, Julia is horrified to discover that Rossi was a paranoid recluse, who believed herself to be a descendent of Duchess Caterina Sforza, a legendary Renaissance ruler. Stunned by her uncanny resemblance to Rossi, and even to Caterina, Julia is further unnerved when she unearths eerie parallels between them, including an obsession with astrology.

Before long, Julia suspects she’s being followed, and strange things begin to happen. Not even a chance meeting with a handsome Florentine can ease her troubled mind. When events turn deadly, Julia’s harrowing struggle becomes a search for her identity, a race to save her sanity, and ultimately, a question of her very survival.

Twisty, transportive, and haunting—this is suspense with a passport.

The Lake Escape by Jamie Day

 

My thoughts

If I had not have the audio of this one I don't think I would have finished it. Not that it's all bad. Parts are very good. But parts are so unbelievable that they made me cringe. Not in a good way either. This story had great potential but alas it fell a bit short.

While the descriptions were wonderful and you certainly felt like you was at this lake, And David's glass mansion was one I could picture, I didn't believe a lot of what happened. 

Three best friends. David, Julia, and Erika have been staying at the lake in the summer since they were all just small children. They know each other better than almost anyone could. Yet they honestly don't seem to know a lot about each other. I know people can become strangers after they grow up and marry, but these three remained friends. They didn't go separate ways and lose touch. Julia and Erika each have a child. Their children have been best friends. And it seems are even more. But they have these major secrets that each has no idea about? I'm not buying it. Especially David's secret. His tie with the mob. 

There were two women who went missing thirty years apart. Then the girlfriend of David up and disappears thirty years after the last girl. No one knows anything. Right. I figured out a lot of it, which truly didn't make it a horrible story. It just didn't help. I saw some secrets coming way early. 

I didn't like Erika or David. I barely tolerated Julia. I did feel so bad for Julia though. I adored Izzy. She was just too cute to be believed. But she was likable. A bit silly and somewhat of an airhead. But still likable. I felt bad for Julia's daughter and Erika's son. They were caught up in so much drama. These people had drama coming out of their pores. 

While I may not have finished this book if not for the audio, I have to admit that the narrators did keep me interested. They made the story well worth listening to. Both did a good job. 

I think maybe Nutmeg was my favorite character of all. He was Taylor's dog. Taylor is Julia's daughter. Lucas is Erika's son. Rick and Erika are married. Julia and Christian are married. David is not married anymore but has twins by his ex-wife. He was at the lake with Fiona. Fiona went missing.

Not a great book but not a total disaster either. I gave it three stars because I did finish it and I liked the ending. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, #Macmillanaudio, for the ARC. 

About

The next riveting summer suspense by the author of THE BLOCK PARTY and ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, Jamie Day.

WILL THIS BE THE BEST WEEK OF THEIR LIVES... OR THE LAST?

JULIA, DAVID, AND ERIKA grew up together spending summers at their idyllic Vermont lake homes for as long as they can remember. Now adults— with their own sullen teens, endless mortgages, and low-voltage sex lives— the three friends have amassed secrets over the years.

This summer, David is eager to show off his newly renovated home—which now blocks his friends’ cherished lake views—and his much-younger girlfriend. He also, unwittingly, brings a nanny with a hidden agenda. What could possibly go wrong?

When David’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes after a shouting match, Julia and Erika wonder just how well they know their lifelong friend. The lake harbors a harrowing two young women, with no known connection, vanished without a trace thirty years ago. Did the lake take another?

As a search is mounted, an intricate web of lies, deceits, and betrayals spanning generations starts to surface, and everyone finds themselves in danger of becoming the next victim. Of the lake, or something darker.

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

 

My thoughts

WOW... What a story. What a book. This one was so full of manipulating and lies and just plain bad that I didn't want to put it down. It was a quick read for me too. 

You meet a lot of women in this story. And a lot of men. Could the women all be the same woman? Or could it be that the men are all the same man. So many liars are involved. So much drama. The cheating and stealing. The setting people up. This is like a nightmare you see in a movie. 

I detested Nick/Al/all the rest of the males. I detested most of the women too. But they were victims, these women. The younger ones who were just walking down the streets. They were the real victims. The innocent ones. Yes the older women were victims but they should have seen something when he was gone so much. Or just up and left for a week or two. 

I enjoyed reading this book even though I really didn't like most all of the characters. I didn't however find any of the victims as weak. They were doing their best. The fell for a con. Some more so than others. And at least one lost way more than all the others combined. And then there were the children who were born to this deceiver. Will anyone of them grow up to be just like their parent? I hope not. I really hope not.

I loved how this one ended. It was justice. I was actually thinking it would end a different way but was so glad I was wrong. Yes I did enjoy reading this. It is something that happens more than we probably know. Scamming people out of everything. Leaving them to deal with tons of debt. 

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.

I gave this one 4.5 stars.

About

Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

“Who are you? Who are you really?”

Nick Radcliffe is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

“Because there are things that don’t make sense, and I’ve been so patient, so very patient…”

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn't right.

“You know that’s mad, don’t you? I’m your husband. We know everything there is to know about each other.”

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher

 

My thoughts

I think this will be another favorite author for me. I loved her book  A Sorceress Comes To Call. It was outstanding. This one was also good. Not quite as good as Sorceress though. I didn't get the Snow White vibe everyone says it's based on. I did enjoy it though and it has a princess named Snow and lots of mirrors. This was just a way darker read than any Snow White book I've ever read. Still good.

When the King asks Healer Anja to come save his daughter she really has no choice. I mean who can say no to the King. Reluctantly she agrees and goes. She is assigned two body guards since the King believes someone is truly poisoning his daughter. 

When they arrive at their destination and Healer Anja gets busy things start to happen. Just not exactly what she expected. The Kings daughter, Snow, is a typical twelve year old. But it's obvious she is very sick. She barely eats and when she does she tends to get violently ill. Anja is flummoxed as to what is happening to the princess. She's tested for everything she can think of. But when she sees Snow eating an apple after telling her and everyone around her to not allow anything that has not been throughly inspected things start to unravel. Also when Anja eats some of the apple and falls through the mirror in her room she's in for a series of events that are most unusual. 

The King had killed his wife because he caught her cutting the heart out of their youngest daughter and he didn't want to lose Snow. She was all he had left. On the other side of the mirrors things are grey/silver. Everything appears to be ok until it isn't. When Anja realizes that Snow has been going through the mirrors trying to find her younger sister she knows she has to help. One of her guards Javier, who caught her coming back through the mirror, helps her. They encounter a host of strange things. And the reason for Snow being so sick.

There is also a very pretentious  cat named Grayling. He can go in and out of the mirrors at will. And he talks. He is quite the hateful creature also. Just your typical cat really. He has only one eye. He does help Anja quite a bit and they sort of become friends. As much as you can be true friends with a cat. I do love cats so don't get upset. They are a bit snobbish and hateful at times. 

This book is different from most I read. It was enjoyable and I'm glad I read it. I loved the ending and that there was a bit of a love story involved. I did think that the King should have stayed to make sure his daughter was going to be ok though. That was one thing I didn't like. He was her father. She his only living child....

A lot of likable characters and a couple that I didn't like. That always to be expected in a good book. A thorough description of the trip to the Princess and what took effect once reached. You get to know the characters well. Most of them. It has some dark parts and will keep you turning the pages to find out what or who is causing Snow's illness. 

Thank you #TorPublishingGroup, #Goodreads, #MacmillanAudio, for this ARC. I won a physical copy from Goodreads. I thank them so much. 

About

From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes Hemlock & Silver, a dark reimagining of “Snow White” steeped in poison, intrigue, and treason of the most magical kind.

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison.

Not to die, but to save— seeking cures for those everyone else has given up on.

But a summons from the King interrupts her quiet, herb-obsessed life. His daughter, Snow, is dying, and he hopes Anja’s unorthodox methods can save her.

Aided by a taciturn guard, a narcissistic cat, and a passion for the scientific method, Anja rushes to treat Snow, but nothing seems to work. That is, until she finds a secret world, hidden inside a magic mirror. This dark realm may hold the key to what is making Snow sick.

Or it might be the thing that kills them all.