The Best Little Motel in Texas by Lyla Lane
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Cordelia has spent most of her life avoiding Sarsaparilla Falls. The town holds nothing but bad memories of her now sober mother's past and being treated like a pariah. She spends her life simply: looking after her mother and enjoying her library job. When she discovers an unknown great aunt has left her a questionable little motel in Sarsaparilla Falls with long term guests, her life is turned upside down and all around. The motel is a destination of 'ill repute' with senior women who see to the entertainment of their older clients. When the local pastor dies in the company of one of the residents, Cordelia, newly made madam, and her 'Chicks' are on the case.
Cozy reads have always been a bit hit or miss for me. As a result, I chose to enjoy this title as an audiobook. I'm so glad I did! The story on it's own is a wonderful little romp through small town Texas. The residents are quirkey and dynamic which adds a lot to the story. The mystery moves along at a really good pace and jumps between suspects. I wasn't able to really predict the murder, mainly because we are only given Cordelia's perceptions along the way. The book also has some great themes of finding confidence and destroying stereotypes all wrapped in a wonderful found family trope. If you are looking for something that's just fun to read, I suggest giveing The Best Little Motel in Texas a try!
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Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth
Genre: Dystopian Romance with a Scifi edge
Veronica Roth is known for her dystopian fiction. As a fan of her Divergent series, I can attest that Seek the Traitor's Son brings the same amount of drama and angst. Elegy is wrapped up in a prophetic telling that she will be the savior of her people, the Cedre. The only issue is that Rava has also been told she will be the savoir of her people, the Talusar. Elegy denies and fights her destiny. Rava is hungry for power and control. Which will rise as savior is to be determined, but the common factor is knight Theren who has his own secrets.
I really enjoyed reading Seek the Traitor's Son. The characters are dynamic and interesting. Roth has a great way of enveloping readers in their stories. There is plenty of plot twists and action as well. Very intuitive readers will find some portions of the story a bit predictable, but I don't think they make the book any less likeable. The book leans towards scifi in it's inclusion of technology and space. Of course the book ends at a pivotal moment. It makes the book feel like a part 1 rather than a book 1 in a series. I am really eager to see where this series goes and will definitely check out the next installment.
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The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
Genre: Fantasy / Romance
Sybil Delling, has spent nine years being drowned repeatedly in a the spring of Aisling Cathederal, reading the omens and portents for the royalty and wealthy of Traum. Six, as she is known, and her five other sister diviners live a secluded life, all chosen by the abbess as foundlings, poor, sick and without family. When the boy king and his knights arrive to have his omens read. At the taunting of his knight, Rory, she seeks out a moment of disobedience and adventure taking the others to the local Faire. Shortly after, the diviners begin to disappear. What follows is a quest for answers that will have Six questioning everything she knows and everyone she trusts.
This books surprised me. From the beginning of the story I was engaged and excited to get back every time I picked up the book. The story is pretty straight foward. The world building is interesting and unique. I will admit that portions of the story are somewhat predictable. The big reveals and twists were a little subdued for my liking; however, that did not stop my enjoyment of the story. I think the book is great for readers who want to try fantasy, like romance, but aren't committed to something that is over the top spicy or Lord of the Rings level fantasy. Overall, it was a quick fun read. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel, The Knave and the Moon. Better yet, we a copy of The Knight and the Moth available at the library. Check it out!
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The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
Genre: Fiction, Magic Realism
June was abandoned as a baby. Her mother disappeared in the woods outside of their family flower farm. When June's aunt passes, she quickly discovers that her family is full of secrets. To make things more complicated, June is hearing voices, feeling and smelling things that are not there, and then there is the mysterious red door she's seen over the past year. When she finally opens that door, she discovers that her life and her family have had to make difficult choices and hopefully, with the help of her granmother, she can end the family curse and set things right.
This was a wonderful quick read. It is filled with romance, heartache, history, and magic. There is a bit of time travel which can be confusing at times. I suggest suspending belief just a bit and focusing on the characters and stories. I really enjoyed the overall story arch, though it did get a bit twisty at times. The characters are well developed and feel real. I was easily engaged in June's emotions and confusion. The story is well thought out. It has to be given the time travel angle. Overall, it's a really good read and one I would recommend, even to those new to magic realism.
