Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove
Genre: Scifi/Horror
Of Monsters and Mainframes was so much fun! It's a quirky combination of horror and scifi told from multiple points of view. There is plenty of humor and emotion through out the story. The relationship between ship mainframe, Demeter and the med unit, Steward, felt almost human in its interactions. Throw in monsters, and you have plenty of action mixed in with themes of found family and self acceptance. Looking for something different that is completely entertaining? For me, this was it. I really do recommend it. The writing is very well done, quick witted and kept me totally engaged from page one. Given I'm in a bit of a reading slump, that's huge!
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Kiss me at Christmas by Jennifer Baylis
Genre: Holiday Contemporary Romance
Kiss Me at Christmas is a heartwarming endearing book filled with humor and romance. It’s a wonderful happy ending holiday read. It’s sure to give readers a healthy dose of warm fuzzies.
Harriet is overworked and not in the holiday mood. Her daughter as made other plans for the holidays instead of spending time with her. However, after taking the fall for a couple students after they break into the local theater, she finds herself directing the Christmas performance.
The characters are pretty developed and solid. I liked the banter and the overall story. It’s a great cozy Christmas read. Definitely one I would recommend if you feel like getting into the holiday spirit.
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The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
Genre: Magical Realism
The Lost Story is a wonderfully written novel with familiar fantasy elements like the Chronicles of Narnia or Alice in Wonderland. Told from two points of view, this dark enchanting tale had me hooked from the beginning.
Emilie is searching for a sister she never met. She reaches out to Jeremy who has a knack for finding lost people and things. Years before, he and his friend Rafe, disappeared in the same woods. Appearing 6 months later, Rafe has no memory of the time and Jeremy refuses to speak on the matter. At first it seems like a clear missing person mystery but soon things twist and turn into almost some kind of psychedelic dream. As Rafe, Jeremy and Emelie enter the woods, it's discovered that not all fairytales are on paper. Eventually the truth is learned about Jeremy and Rafe's disappearance. Along the way, the three discover more about the woods, themselves, and ultimately the choices they will have to make.
The images Shaffer creates are vivid and laid out in such a way that I was fully immersed. The Lost Story is charming with even a romance, while covering harder themes such as grief, loss, abuse and more. This is definitely going to be a reread for me and certainly one I will recommend.
