Hello, and welcome to my first Book Review Tuesday of December! Bear with me, because I plan to share several books I read in November today and next week. After that, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve pop up on Tuesdays and I know many people go offline until the first of the year. Because I want to ensure the authors have exposure for their hard work, I won’t be reviewing on those days. Hopefully, that makes sense. :)
I’m pleased to say all of today’s books earned 5-Star reviews from me. Now, let’s get started!
Serang
by C. S. Boyack
A vivid story that follows an orphan’s path as she matures from a child adrift, to a confident young woman and warrior. Serang is a character from Boyack’s popular Voyage of the Lanternfish tale, but you needn’t have read that book to enjoy this story. It stands on its own, allowing the reader to grow with Serang.
Through the course of the story she learns valuable lessons—many from a wise monk—faces multiple challenges and discovers herself along the way. There is danger and adventure. Heartbreak as well, but there is also plenty of humor, and the ending delivers a beautiful reward. As a reader I loved seeing the growth of Serang’s character. Enjoy this as a backstory to Voyage of the Lanternfish, or as a brand-new tale. Either way, it is a wholly entertaining read!
Amazon Link
Genre: Coming of Age > Travel Adventure Fiction
If Darkness Takes Us
by Brenda Marie Smith
I’ve always had a weak spot for apocalyptic novels. What makes this one so intriguing is the author confines the action to a single suburban neighborhood. A solar pulse is responsible for wiping out the power grid, turning life upside down. Bea Crenshaw is a 70ish woman who has her four grandkids for the weekend when the disaster strikes. As the world she knows falls apart around her, she steps up to take charge, not only in protecting her family—teaching them how to function in a world without internet, cell phones, or even refrigeration—but also taking on a leadership role in her neighborhood. Fortunately, Bea has been stockpiling goods for some time, preparing for the day when tragedy strikes, though she never expected it to come from the sun.
The kids vary in age from grade school to older teens, and each are forced to do some serious growing up before the book is over. Bea is a strong character who does what she can in an impossible situation. There are plenty of hardships including balancing the need to help others with caring for your own family. Bea has a huge heart, but she can also be secretive and controlling when she needs to be. She makes a unique MC, especially in a novel of this type. Her oldest grandson, Keno, is also particularly strong, as is neighbor Jack Jeffers. The characters lodge in your heart, including many of the secondary ones who arrive halfway through the book. The pace moves swiftly, and the author’s easy style of writing will keep you flipping pages to find out what happens next. The ending is rather surprising and not one I expected. As an apocalyptic novel this one is unique in its approach and characters, and well worth reading.
Amazon Link
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction > Thrillers > Dystopian Science Fiction
My Baby Wrote Me a Letter
by Jacquie Biggar
This is a beautiful, heart-warming story of family, long-ago secrets, and healing. When Grace Freeman discovers a letter from her mother–a woman who abandoned her, her brothers and her father many years ago–it opens a door to the past and wounds that have never quite healed. Impacting the emotional level even more—Grace is expecting her first child, and her Navy husband is overseas.
I love Jacquie Biggar’s stories. She knows just how to tug on a reader’s heartstrings, and she does it again in this tender short story that touches on so many levels—fathers and daughters, sisters and brothers, fathers and sons, husbands and wives. The warmth in this story is like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket, then settling in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa. Sheer bliss!
I particularly enjoyed the thread regarding the names Grace chose for her unborn baby. Each one made me smile and appreciate the effortless warmth in this beautiful tale. A true gem!
Amazon Link
Genre: 90-Minute Literature and Fiction Short Reads > Family Life Fiction > Contemporary Short Stories
Have you read any of these? Are they on your TBR? Did you have a hard time balancing NaNo and reading, like I did? I can’t wait to get back to my regular patterns, LOL!
I love the idea of a protagonist in her 70s. If Darkness Takes Us sounds fabulous!
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It was different and highly engrossing, including an ending I didn’t expect! 🙂
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I can’t wait to read Serang. That awaits me in a few weeks. The other two I had to add to my TBR list. You are right about Jacquie
and the other one I’m intrigued with grandma taking the lead:)
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Hope you enjoy Serang when it’s her turn.
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Craig did an excellent job with Serang, Denise, so I know you’ll enjoy it. I’m glad you added the other two as well. Jacquie always hits a home run, and If Darkness Takes Us was highly original. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Mae:)
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Thank you, Denise!
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I have Serang on my ereader already waiting for me. After reading your review, I have also just downloaded If Darkness Takes Us and look forward to reading that one. I love a good dystopia. Thanks for sharing, Mae.
Reblogged on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/book-review-tuesday-serang-virgilante-if-darkness-takes-us-bsmithnovelist-my-baby-wrote-me-a-letter-jacqbiggar/
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Thanks for taking a chance on Serang.
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I’m sure you’ll love both of them, Harmony. They’re very different and oh, so good!
Many thanks for the reblog, too!
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Another great list. Just bought a copy of Jacquie’s book! It sounds wonderful.
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It’s a very heart-warming story. And wait until you see the baby names, LOL.
I know you’ll enjoy it!
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Thank you, Joan! I originally wrote this to go into an anthology celebrating Canada’s Centennial birthday 🙂
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I look forward to reading it!
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A heart-warming story is perfect this time of year!!! It is a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas ❤️
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Absolutely. I’m a sucker for a good heart-tugging tale!
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Agreed, Theresa. No wonder I’m glued to the Hallmark channel every night, lol
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Thanks for sharing your review of Serang. I’ll share this post everywhere I can. I’ve often thought a grandma would make a great protagonist, and I also have one designed in more of a supporting role. It’s a few stories down my list right now.
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Happy to share, Craig. I hope the post shines a spotlight on Serang.
I’d never thought of a grandma as a protagonist before, but Bea made a good one. I’ll look forward to your supporting character when the time comes!
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Former soldier with some badass skills. Maybe in 2020.
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Wow! I can’t wait to meet her!
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
While she was competing in NaNo, Mae didn’t let that stop her from reading. She’s running out a review post including a few of her November reads today. I am fortunate to have Serang included among them. Check it out, and let Mae talk you into reading this one.
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Thanks for reblogging, Craig!
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Oh my goodness. Your reviews are so good, Mae, that they’re bad for the wallet – I want to pick up all three books right now. *Sigh* A good problem to have. Thanks for the great recommendations.
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Mae writes great reviews. It’s like a super power.
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Wow! That’s cool 🙂
Thank you for such high praise.
Wishing you a ton of sales on Serang!
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It’s the truth.
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🙂
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Heehee. I enjoy reviewing….and building the TBRs of my friends 🙂
I think you’ll love all three!
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Mae is so eloquent, I have writer’s envy, lol. If you’re interested, you can also pick up My Baby Wrote Me a Letter when you join my newsletter (wink)
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Aww, thanks, Jacquie. And here’s hoping for many new followers to your newsletter. I know I’m one!
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Yay, thank you!
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I never read newsletters, Jacquie.
(I’m so bad, bad bad writer).
And I do like to purchase books. I’m certain this one will be coming my way. 🙂
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😱 Newsletters are key tools in an author toolbox- you should have one!
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I do, Jacquie. But it’s so neglected. I have nothing to say (bad bad writer, bad writer).
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Lol, not you!
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Great reviews, as always. Love how eclectic your reading taste is. I’ve read Serang, and I loved it even more than Voyage of the Lanternfish, and I loved that one, too. I think the idea of a Grandma protagonist is awesome, especially one in her 70s, and teaming up with grandkids to teach them survival skills has to be interesting. But then, I’m a grandma with wonderful (yes, I’m prejudiced) grandkids, so I’m biased:)
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Thanks for your kind words about Serang and Lanternfish.
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When you have grandkids, you’re allowed to be biased, Judi 🙂
Glad to hear you loved Serang, too. It was awesome learning her background and seeing her mature into the character from Lanternfish.
Glad you enjoyed the reviews!
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Awesome reviews, Mae! So glad you enjoyed Brenda’s book. I just finished Viral Blues, so Serang is moving up my list. Haven’t read Jacquie’s book, but you make it sound wonderful!
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Saw the review for Viral Blues, so glad you enjoyed it. Hope Serang is also to your liking.
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I loved Brenda’s book. If it hadn’t been for Bad Moon Rising, I wouldn’t have discovered it, so thanks again for your month-long October bookfest! 🙂
Viral Blues was a ton of adventurous fun. I know you’ll enjoy Serang, too, and Jacquie’s book was a heart warmer.
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Thank you, Teri 🙂
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I’m a fan of CS Boyack and looking forward to Serang, especially after reading this great review. The other two reads sound wonderful, too. Great reviews, Mae, thank you.
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Thank you, Jet. Hope Serang is to your liking when you get to it.
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I am sure it will be, Craig; I look very forward to reading it. I accidentally left my Kindle on an airplane and have to read hard copy books for awhile until I get a new one. argh.
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Oh no! I use an iPad app if that’s a possibility for you. Hope whoever found the Kindle also enjoys my books.
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You left your Kindle on an airplane?!?!? Oh, no! How awful. As a voracious reader, I know how horrible that would be!
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Hi, Jet. Craig always tells a good tale and Serang is no exception. I know you’ll love it. I’m glad you enjoyed my reviews. Thanks so much for visiting with me today. I wish you happy reading!
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
A lovely review from Mae Clair on My Baby Wrote Me a Letter- thank you, Mae!
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My pleasure, Jacquie. Thank you for the lovely story!
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Appreciate the support, Mae!
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I can’t wait to get to Serang. It is next up on my TBR list! Great review. It is seldom that a main character is someone in their seventies. These are all very interesting, Mae! Thanks for sharing!
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Hope Serang works for you. I also like the idea of a main character in her seventies. I might have to pick that one up myself.
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Glad you enjoyed them, Jan.
I know you will enjoy Serang, and Be as a character in If Darkness Takes Us was certainly an original. All three of these reads were excellent!
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Super reviews, Mae. I’m so impressed that you accomplished so much reading and reviewing while doing NaNo and a holiday too.
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I couldn’t have done it, but I’m glad she did.
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I. Must. Read.Every. Night. LOL!
Well, I might miss an occasional night but I couldn’t do without my wind down with a book in the evening.
I’m glad you enjoyed the reviews, John! 🙂
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I read every night as well.
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All of these sound great and I do agree about Jacquie Biggar. It’s no surprise she’s an NYT best-seller.
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I loved all three of them.Jacqui.
And Jacquie Biggar knows how to deliver for her audience. She rocks! It shows in her rankings and sales.
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Great reviews, Mae! My reading speed has gone from one book a week to maybe one a month. Sigh. And yet my TBR list continues to grow 😀
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I slowed down in November, too, and am still on low ebb, LOL!
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