jbarrett5 book reviews, etc

Marry Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 3) by Sinclair Jayne
Starts with how this series came about.
Story starts with Willow and her brother Jace grew up on the farm. She’s a barrel rider for the rodeo..
She's pregnant and she's not sure still what to do...What I love about this story is you get to hear what’s in her mind as she’s thinking it. Same with other characters, you learn about their past and all little details of how they grew up.
Story also follows Jake who's a bull rider at the rodeo. So financially unstable they discuss flowers and wedding dress and she had plans for those already, with her money... Jake heads off to do his promotional work to earn more money.
The cowboy that's left behind is the best man of Jake, Huck and he served with her brother Jace in the war and will be escorting her down the aisle...
Lots of twists and turns and issues they all need to work through.
Love romantic gestures, caring for elders through thick and thin, to coming up with solutions to their own problems in a loving way.
Love all explicit descriptions of the locale, places I'm familiar with and the little things that matter the most.
Adult situations.
First time reading this author and I can't wait to read more.
About the author and her works are listed at the back of the book.
A KEEPER!

Growing Up American by Rafael Polo
What I like about this story is the boy is transported from Cuba to his relatives house in NY where he lives with many others. Everybody has jobs, he has school. Takes you through his full life, when his parents arrive, they become naturalized citizens and then further. Love parts of how they didn't want to live off welfare like other immigrants. Really made a name for themselves and their families. Fascinating read. to hear from their side. Great read.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Pericles & Aspasia by Yvonne Korshak
This story is political and historic along with a lot of other genres all mixed in.
Very entertaining read. Love the old times of Athens, 400 BC. There is so much strategic information about how they battle, how they fight-as in Olympic games, and moves they make politically.
Fascinating read. Details are very descriptive, you can see what they are seeing.
How love strong Aspasia is from when she escapes the ships and swims to the shore... Philosophers are enlightening in this book. Pericles is an all around leader and a man who leads a life that is admired.
Construction of the Parthenon was mazing to say the least and what was included and what had to be changed... Don't let the size of the book keep you from reading this. so many other secrets you will discover.
Cast of characters is attached at the end, note from the author and the changes they made, resources are listed also.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 2) by Megan Crane
First time reading this author and I am familiar with the locale and the town, enjoyable read.
This book starts with acknowledgements and then the story.
Starts with Sydney as the bartender at her family’s saloon: Grey's, just starting there.
She was a data analyst in the DC area and usually only came back to Marietta for a quick trip for a holiday or wedding. Handed a 'mandatory don't return to work til the next new year with pay' she heads back home. There is so much that troubles her there. Her grandparents raised them and there's always been talk that she's cursed like others in the family. It haunts her.
Story also follows Jackson who was once a football player but then returned to Marietta for a different career. We learn about them both, how and where they were raised and all their relatives. Like how he wants to really get to know her besides the sex parts. Love the new words I've learned, more about the rodeo and events that take place in town and what makes them tick and about the nature scenes.
Never see them together as a couple, they have so much to work through. Adult situations.
Story ends with other books in the anthology and an except from book 3 in this series.
A KEEPER!

Tempt Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo Book 2) by Megan Crane
First time reading this author and I am familiar with the locale and the town, enjoyable read.
This book starts with acknowledgements and then the story.
Starts with Sydney as the bartender at her family’s saloon: Grey's, just starting there.
She was a data analyst in the DC area and usually only came back to Marietta for a quick trip for a holiday or wedding. Handed a 'mandatory don't return to work til the next new year with pay' she heads back home. There is so much that troubles her there. Her grandparents raised them and there's always been talk that she's cursed like others in the family. It haunts her.
Story also follows Jackson who was once a football player but then returned to Marietta for a different career. We learn about them both, how and where they were raised and all their relatives. Like how he wants to really get to know her besides the sex parts. Love the new words I've learned, more about the rodeo and events that take place in town and what makes them tick and about the nature scenes.
Never see them together as a couple, they have so much to work through. Adult situations.
Story ends with other books in the anthology and an except from book 3 in this series.
A KEEPER!

What I Wish I Said: Confessions of a Columnist by Jaime Watt
I like that the column writer has done their job with research and given their view on various topics of conversation.
Not only Canadian politics but from all other countries around the world. Like their take on our presidential elections and what went wrong and how to learn from it so mistakes aren't made again.
Same with topics like Covid and how to get rid of it and also female equality issues.
Lots of references at the end and also a chat with a Toronto newspaper at the very end.
Enjoyed all the topics brought up and interesting to learn how they made it to Canada.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

The Peculiar Vanishing Act of Mr Ralph Herriot: A Victorian Cozy Mystery (The Mrs Imogene Lynch Series Book 2) by Hannah Ivory This book starts out when Imogene has returned to her home in England and her housekeeper has exciitng news to share. Imogene is persuaded by her and the doctor that she needs the trip to Egypt with her cousin Catherine and it'd be healthy for her to go. Love the travel as I picture in my mind the modes of transportation back then and the countries they travel through. so exciting for me to go along with them. Catherine is not so forthcoming with exactly why they are going to Egypt. Love hearing of all the traditions and culture in each of the countries. They mysteries are laid out in front of you and it's up to Iomgene to figure them all out with others input. Love that it's NOT so straight forward. I can never guess who did it. Love how she is very resourcesful and even sends a telegram to a friend in England.... Can't wait to find out other books from thsi author.

Take Me Please, Cowboy (The 85th Copper Mountain Rodeo, Book 1) by Jane Porter
Story starts with a note from the author, a dedication page.
Rye is on his way to the rodeo (to compete and earn money for the family) when he truck overheats so he rests by the side of the road after checking on his horses. He is a roofer by trade and runs the family’s business. With helping the girls to get college educations he's frazzled. He is there for all of them financially and with moral support.
Jackson pulls up and offers help but Rye can only see the blonde woman in the truck... So much character development in this story, love getting to know the characters past and present lives.
Story also follows Ansley, a painter and works at her uncles barn while tending to his needs as he's frail now.
Their paths cross again during events for the 85th rodeo and they share some time together. She agrees to go to the rodeo to cheer him on.
To her Rye is the salt of the earth because of everything he does for everybody else but himself.
At times I had tears in the corners of my eyes because the dialogue is threatening to break them up, they may not have a choice together. Communication is key, listen…
Love how she is able to grow with her career. Ends with a note from the author how this new series has started and who it involved. Many more books will be coming out. Love hearing of the events and how the rodeo works. Love that everyone can share time to help others, that’s what neighbors do.
Author throws her heart into this one. Love older set of people in this story also and follow their well being and health and how it all synchs.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Murder at the Elms by Alyssa Maxwell
Story starts out with Emma at the newspaper office in Newport, RI 1901.
She heads out to the Elms for a story she's covering. She finds the workers want to strike to get a day off and not have to work 18 hours a day with only Sunday service as their time off.
She is able to talk to a maid who doesn’t mind the hours and she's Portuguese.
The others talk to the owner and they are fired, but not Annette as she wasn't in the group that wanted more time off.
Emma and her spouse Derrick attend an event there later and find the place well-staffed and she learns they got time off every day-things those who were fired complained about.
I have been to the Elms and have gone through all the rooms they are discussing and find it fascinating as there are some things I didn't learn on our tour. I do recall the downstairs where they take deliveries and the kitchen area...
Fascinating to learn of honey from Portsmouth and coal tracks on Dickson...
Many more murders that are all related and some sketchy characters. Could be anyone there are SO many opportunities.
Love gems found in this one and can't wait to read more from this author of local places to me. Ends with notes from the author about the setting and about tour at the Elms.
I received this review book from The Kensington Books and this is my honest opinion.
#MurderattheElms #NetGalley

This story starts out with Constance and her friend Mars going to yoga where you are positioned with the males on the other side. The idea is to get to know them and go on a date.
Love the scramble games and all the superstitious omens that arise during the book.
Contance has a lot of hidden secrets and so does Hayden. They clash one day when hes on the phone with his parents and they’ve been investigating her past...
She is upset that he never even stuck up for her.
Feel like this is two different stories in this book because of the ring he had given her she wants to din out where it came from, who and how she ended up with it, for a bit.
Love the idea of the collections under control where you can read the contents but not check out the book.
Constance is also a paralegal til one day she comes home tee Mars with someone she disapproves of. She ends up quitting her job, has no boyfriend and just works and lives at the dog shelter. She does strive to get a job, one more in her line of work...
Like the turn of events as her father reached out for help fo when he gets out of prison, things take a different turn and she sticks to her gut feelings. She’s also dealing with her grandfather who raised her as he’s going into dementia and love the things she does to keep it all straight for him. Love how she and others put everything into the auction to keep the dog shelter going…
Never saw the book ending as it did, great read. There's a lot to this book but it all comes together.
Received this review copy from Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheBookofSilverLinings #NetGalley

Murder at Chateau Sur Mer (Gilded Newport Mysteries #5) by Alyssa Maxwell
This story starts out with a murder of a prostitute at the bottom of the stairs of a family that is well known in Newport.
Emma gets involved with this murder and is able to frequent the polo fields where the gambling startgs. It's amazing how the murders are all linked together. What a story.
So much of Newp[ort comes out in this book, had to look at up the state parks. Story also follows her intended and she is in dire need of a job.
Love ending where author brings yuu up to date on where the polo fields are now. Spouse lived in the city and knew of the fields and parks mentioned in the book .
Love how the author links the goings on at the polo field and events to the first murder of the prostitute.
Emma's got a quick eye, notices others eyes and where she's seen them in others before....Haven't visited this mansion yet but hope to this fall.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Murder at Rough Point (Gilded Newport Mysteries, #4) by Alyssa Maxwell
This story follows Emma as she's been selected to help the caretaker run the event. The artists will arrive later, some from the theater, painters, actors, and other mediums of the craft.
They each have their own room at Rough Point, a place we've driven by often int he past 30 years.
Love the locations as they are described, fashion, food and jewelry, all so thrilling.
There is a death and then others are wondering how it all happened. The artists are now aging and are not as good at their craft as they used to be....
There is a surprise guest which Emma did not see coming.
Love all the speculation as to who killed the fellow artists. Just when they arrest one Emma has second thoughts... So many twists and turns and a really bad storm that leaves the island roads as mud.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).