Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

A month ago, I was invited to read excerpts when I signed up for Undertlined.  Intrigued, I went ahead and started reading the chapters the site offered for a couple of weeks at the time.  I was hooked at the first page. After 14 chapters, I knew I had to purchase the book.  The problem?  I had to wait until it came out in the stores.  I hate waiting! Finally got it and started reading it. This time I took my time reading it. I wanted to savor the story.

First of all, I've never heard of Brandon Sanderson until now.  I  know! I know!  You gotta understand I read LOTS of books and sci fi, fantasty and history are my favorite genres.I want to say I'm in love with Brandon, but can't because I realized I'm going to be having one of those love/hate relationships with him. Why? Because I need to back pedal to find all the books he's ever published and read them all.  If he's that good, he just might become one of my top favorite authors of all time.

Now, back to the book. Sensa, Sensa, Sensa.  What can I say about her?  All I know is this.  She's make a great role model for girls and boys if she existed in real life.

When Sensa was little, she was traumatized by her father's disappearance during the battle in his starship against the Krells. While growing up, she's forced to endure the stigma of her family while dealing with the harsh treatments from others.  She clings strongly to her belief that her father is not a defector.

Despite of all, Spensa dreams of being a starship pilot She goes through unfair treatments from others, trials, and testings.  She does not give up when all the odds were stacked up against her, except for one lone person....This is where I leave it at that.

My other favorite........who else but none other than sassy sidekick M-Bot!!  I LOVE it!

The relationship between Sensa and M-Bot reminded me a lot of Luke Skywalker and 3P0 when they first met from the original Star Wars. I can't help  but think M-Bot needs to meet his long lost cousin 3PO..

Again, the end of the novel left me hanging where I yelled NO! NO! NO!  That's unacceptable!  Now, I. Must. Wait. Til. The. Fall. Of. 2019.  (Sobs)

Seriously guys, you have got to get this book.  It draws you in right away. Fast paced, characters easily relatable, the scenes of the battles were tense as if you were actually up there with them, the emotions up and down, and so damn enjoyable!  Don't be surprised to be laughing out loud. You won't regret this.  I know I didn't except I have to wait.

I'm going to give this book 4.5 stars.

Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit by Amy Stewart

How come I never heard of The Kopp Sisters?  Of all the years of browsing the bookstores, I still haven't heard of these books until my request was approved to read this.  I'm mighty glad I read this book.  I intend to read the previous 3 books before this one. 
Even though, it's a 4th book in the Kopp Sisters series, I was able to get the hang of everyday going on in this story with Constance Kopp. It can be a stand alone book in my opinion.
This story starts out in 1916 where she's a deputy sheriff in a town in New Jersey.  By the way, Constance happened to be the very first female for that position.  However, the election is coming up where her position is on the line thanks to Sherriff and Congress. 
This story isn't really a mystery because there are several plots and threads happening at the same time. 
I truly enjoy this novel very much.  Very entertaining and amusing strong willed woman who can take anything in stride and come out as an underdog champion.  I was rooting for her all the way!
I'm going to give this a 4 stars and I WILL most definitely read the previous 3 books.

I received this awesome ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt through Net Galley in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.  Thank you!

A Brazen Curiosity by Lynn Messina

This is one of the hilarious mystery novels I've read in a long time! 

The setting takes place at a small castle where family and friends are staying for a social.  The heroine is of course, a 26 year old spinster who's staying with her aunt until married.  One night, unable to sleep, she goes to the library only to stumble over a dead body and a Duke standing over the body.  This is the start of finding out who the real killer is and the hilarious banters and scenes between the heroine and the  broody and arrogant Duke as she uses her wits.

This was such a delightful book to read.

The only thing that bothers me howshes kept being called plain, mousy and dull by everyone in the book.  Its enough to bring her down.  She's classy, intelligent, strong willed and humorous.

I'd give it a high 3 stars.

I received this ARC from Potatoworks Press through Net Galley in an exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry

First of this is a Christmas novella based on Anne Perry's characters from William Monk's series.  Now, I've never read any of Anne Perry's books.  I decided to go ahead and give this novella a shot.  I'm glad I did!

The setting takes place in an English town by Thames River during pre-Victorian era.  Reminded me much of Charles Dickens novels. The story focuses on Worm, the former river rat and Squeaky, mentor (I don't know exactly what his role is. I haven't read the series yet) few days before Christmas.  Previously orphaned boy had witnessed an abduction of a young woman in abroad daylight in the streets. He wants to help but realizes he can't do it alone.  So he runs home to enlist the help of Squeaky.  Together, they begin the dangerous journey of finding this kidnapped woman.

Will they be able to save the woman and solve the mystery just in time for Christmas?

I love how Anne described the buildings, the cobblestones street, horses, carriages, clothing, Christmas style during that era. Her writing is impeccable and beautiful.

I'm going to give it a high 3 stars due to fact I'm kind of confused about the characters and how they became a family and the story was slow going with some repetive words and phrases. However, I will be reading her other books to find out more about the characters.  I may change the star rating later.

I received this delightful ARC from Random House Publishing Group/Ballatine Ballatine Books.  Thank you!

Hidden Secrets by Jannine Gallant

If you need a quick escape from your real world, this novel is it.  It's one of those cozy suspense/Mystery romance novels.  It can be for a beach or fireplace reading.

This takes place in a quaint little town along Oregon coast. The story focuses on a young lady who owns a shop purchasing and selling antiques and her best friend who just purchased a restaurant and is in the process of having it remodeled. They decided to have a relationship after being best friends for many years.

There are events which unintentionally heads in the direction of an unsolved missing person case from years ago. That case reopens to a murder case.  Several ladies disappears. The clues point to hero as a suspect.  The heroine sets to find out who's breaking into her store, finding possible suspects for those missing women and the murdered teenager.

Keeps you guessing who the real killer is until the end.  I enjoyed the mystery, the little town and its inhabitants.  It was such a delicious read on a cold night for me.

Low 4 stars from me.

I received this cozy ARC from Kensington Books/Lyrical Press through Net Galley.  Thank you!

The Widow Next Door by D.L. Detwiler

This is a psychological thriller novel. 

This has gotten to be one of the weirdest story I've read in a long time.  The ending raised more questions than answers. At least that's what it did for me.  

The story narrated by an elderly widow who seemed to happy that a young couple moved in a house in her neighborhood. She watched them on a daily basis as if she's Netfix bingeing.

The story is narrated back and forth confusing who the narrator actually is at first.

This book didn't really raise any goosebump on me probably due to the way it was written.  Who knows, maybe you'll like it better than me.  Like I've said before, it was just weird.

I'd give it a low 3 stars.

I received this ARC from Avon Books UK.  Thank you!

Bluff by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

Maud, Maud, 'Mad' Maud....how I love you! You are just simply brilliant!

The cover is unique and awesome.

This was an ingenious, well thought out, intelligent novel which deserves many praises!

So, so, so, so GOOD!

The title Bluff is... well pretty much what the title says. The book is pretty well thought out, well executed to the end and gets major points for its originality of the story.

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I absolutely adore Maud, the ex-socialite who was scammed out of her inheritance by greedy climbers. She is also a poker player.  Her love for poker knows no bound.  She integrates the themes and concepts of poker rules into her life. She uses them to her advantages.

I just love the snarky humors on upper class society.

The novel started out with a bang and ended with the most satisfying bang.  I cannot wait to see what the author has to bring to the table.  

I'd give this book a high 4 stars!

I received this highly entertaining ARC from Poison Pen Press from Net Galley and BookishFirst in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.  Thank you!