Rainy Day Ramblings

Friday Forecast January 20th-27th

Hey guys. We made it to Friday. It seems like getting to a Friday in January is a much harder feat. On the bright side, we are past the half way mark of January, the Christmas stuff should be all stowed away, and our healthy resolutions are hopefully still intact. If you failed at one of your new goals, don't despair, pick yourself up, dust off and try again. If you are feeling low, how about a good book to pick yourself up? I have some suggestions for you as we could all use a good book to read this time of year. Here are all the highlights from the new crop of books releasing next week. Anything interest you? Share your picks and your weather below. (Click on covers for details.)

Forecast January 20th-27th

 

 

Anything interest you this week? Hang in there, one more Friday in January!

Forecast for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H. L.         Sunday: H. L 

Review: The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

 

 

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.

Full of fierce girls, bloodlust, tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale challenges the power of storytelling—and who gets to be the storyteller. 
Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published October 2nd 2018 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Source: Publisher

 

Four stars: A fantasy adventure that focuses on strong female friendships. 

Frey, Ovie, Juniper and Runa are shadows. The four girls travel from village to village to aid those who are in need of a merciful death. They quickly, quietly and mercifully kill the sick and dying. Their lives are lonely and sad, but the are far better off then the lives they led before they became the Boneless Mercies. After one particularly hard mercy kill, the girls decide the want something more in life. They want adventure and glory. The foursome decide they will try to kill the Beast that has been ravaging and killing in a nearby town. Killing the beast would bring them fame and fortune, and a chance at a new life. Do the Boneless Mercies have what it takes to slay the monster?

What I Liked:

• The Boneless Mercies ended up being a pleasant surprise. I will admit it took me a bit to get into this one as I wasn’t too keen on the mercy killings. However, I gave it a chance and once this book took off, it was a fantastic read. I loved that this one focused on girl power and strong female friendships. I also enjoyed the world building and the story. This is an interesting and unique tale, give it a chance. 
• The four main characters: Ovie, Juniper, Frey and Runa are four lonely, damaged girls, who travel the country providing merciful deaths in exchange for coins. It is a hard, lonely life, but the four get by because they believe in each other and the bonds they forged that hold them together like family. For me, the highlight of the story was the connections and the friendships between the girls. They have each other’s backs through thick and thin, and they care for one another immensely. Loved the girl power!
• I also liked that each girl had her own secrets and damaging past. During the journey, each girl shares her own troubling story. None of them had it easy. I loved each of these fierce girls, and learning their truths made them more admirable. Loved these fierce, courageous and formidable girls. 
• Surprisingly, there isn’t a romance in this one, which I liked. Yes, there are some hints of romance here and there, but there is not a romance, which I think, made the story more powerful as the focus is all about friendship bonds. 
• The world building is strong. I liked that this took place in a fantasy type world. There is witch magic, beasts and more. Life in this world is tough and hard. I thought the author did a great job with the world. 
• The story is filled with all different kinds of danger. There are dangerous witches, terrifying beasts and vicious overlords. With each and every battle, the girls grew stronger and closer. There is rarely a dull moment in this one. 
• The story builds with a terrific climax and terrifying battle against a horrific foe. I was surprised by the way it all played out, and I thought it was a fitting ending. The book ends with all the major story lines tied off, and it seems to conclude, but then the final line opens it up to the possibility of a sequel.

And The Not So Much:

• This book took a little time and patience to get into. I admit, I was a bit put off by the subject matter, reading about the merciful deaths was a little disturbing and depressing. If you are faint of heart and you don’t like blood, this one is not for you. 
• The whole story line with the Cut Queen felt like it wasn’t completed. I was expecting a big confrontation and conflict and it ended up being a fizzle. I was disappointed. 
• Frey and Trigve’s relationship was strange. I wish that it was better developed. I kept thinking that it was going to evolve, but it doesn’t. I want more.

The Boneless Mercies was a book that took a little time to immerse into, but I am glad I stuck with it. In the end, I got a unique story, and I thoroughly enjoyed the strong focus on friendship and girl power. If you want a fantasy adventure with four strong female characters, this is one to check out. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

The Darkest Star (Origin #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

 

When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful.
Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head... 
Audible Audio, Unabridged (12 hours and 11 minutes), 12 pages
Published October 30th 2018 by Macmillan Audio
Source: Publisher

 

Three and a half stars: A fun book, but nothing mind blowing.

Evie Dasher knows she shouldn’t be sneaking out with her best friend to go to the local club where Luxen hang out. Evie knows this is a bad idea because her mother is a high ranking military official, and she could get in some serious trouble if caught. Yet, she does not want to disappoint her best friend, so she decides to go anyway. Once at the club, Evie quickly feels out of place. Her attempts at blending in go horribly wrong, then things get worse when she is seemingly recognized by a handsome guy, who doesn’t appear to be human. Disaster strikes when the club is raided. Luc helps Evie escape, and she thinks all is well. Unfortunately, she has to return the next day to retrieve her phone, and then Luc shows up at her house. Soon, her whole world comes crashing down as Evie learns the truth. Will Evie survive this strange new existence?

What I Liked:

• Confession, I never finished the original Luxen Series, but I had no problems diving into this book. Sure it would have helped to have the other series under my belt, but thankfully, this was written in a way that I had no problems and I never felt lost. This proved to be a fun and entertaining read that captured my attention. 
• I liked the whole idea of the Luxen, an alien race, living amongst the humans. Of course, there are problems, such as the Luxen trying to kill off the human race, but that is behind them all now, or is it? It was interesting to uncover the secrets of the Luxen and learn more about their capabilities and history, especially when it comes to the Origin. 
• I liked the mystery and the suspense. There are layers upon layers of secrets waiting to be uncovered. A few were easy to guess, while others caught me off guard. There was hardly a dull moment in this one. 
• For all you romantics, this one has a touch of romance. I liked that the romance was unique. It is built upon a history, but the problem is that one of the parties doesn’t completely recall all that history. I appreciated that this was one started out antagonistic with hints of attraction, and it takes its time to build into friendship and trust before finally blossoming into something more. I loved the banter and the heat. Lots of fun. 
• One aspect that I liked was the tension that built up between some of the humans and the Luxen. It felt very similar to what goes on in our world today. 
• The climax builds and builds with some startling revelations leading into a satisfying conclusion. The majority of the questions are answered and there isn’t a major cliffhanger. However there are still some unanswered questions to follow up on. 

And The Not So Much:

• For me, the main characters: Luc and Evie didn’t feel overly original. Sure, Luc has some big secrets and some mysterious powers, but otherwise he is the typical, cocky love interest that you encounter in the YA genre. Evie felt so vanilla to me. There is nothing that stands about her. I guess I just felt like these characters weren’t anything special. 
• There is this mystery surrounding Luc and Evie that goes on and on. It was very apparent early on to me what had happened even without knowing the specifics. Then when the big reveal came, it fell flat.
• I was disappointed that the situation with the humans who were against the Luxen didn’t come to a head or reach a resolution. 
• I wish that there had been more with James, Evie’s next door neighbor and the young Luxen that Evie and James befriended. 
• Early on the book had a lot of high school melodrama that I thought was boring. 

The Darkest Star was an entertaining and interesting read. I enjoyed the story and the mystery, but I found the characters to be lacking, they felt like been there done that characters to me. Still, the overall story arc was compelling and the suspense was solid. I am strongly considering continuing this series. I especially liked that I was able to jump in without having completed the first series, I never felt lost. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

Tell Me Something Tuesday #167: Winter Picks 2019

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. If you are participating, please feel free to add your link in the comments.

This week's conversation starter:

Winter Picks for 2019

One thing I love about the change of seasons is all the new books that are scheduled to be released. I always have my eye on a few favorites. Some are series I am reading, while others are new books I hope to try. Here is what I am looking forward to reading in Winter 2018.

Young Adult Picks:

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus;

Ms. McManus wrote the YA thriller One of Us is Lying, which had the blogosphere buzzing. It was an impressive debut. She is back in January with a book about murder, mystery and family secrets in a small town. I hope it is as good as her debut. This book is out on January 8th.

Come Find Me by Megan Miranda:    
Ms. Miranda has written some impressive adult and YA adult thrillers lately. This latest release sounds intriguing. Two teens who have lost loved ones under mysterious circumstances connect via a strange radio signal that shouldn't exist. Is this what led to the disappearances? Sounds interesting, right? This one releases on January 29th.

Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller:
Ms. Levenseller penned the Daughter of the Pirate King series which was a big hit. She is back with a stand alone about a female Viking. I haven't ever read a book with a young, female Viking. This looks good. You can check this one out on February 26.

The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton:
Last winter one of my favorite reads was The Belles. This series features a dystopian society based on beauty. Beauty can be bought for a price. I can't wait to see what happens next. The sequel hits shelves on March 5th.

Adult Picks:

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire:
Ms. McGuire writes some amazing books as herself and also under her pen name Mira Grant. This book is the fourth installment in an absolutely amazing series: The Wayward Children. You have to read this series. I can't wait for this one! You can get your hands on this on January 8th.

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
This is the third and final book in the Winternight Series. This series takes place in Old World Russia. It is filled with magic, folklore and legends. Love this series. This book is out on January 8th.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones:
This book really needs no introduction. It is the thirteenth and final book in a favorite series of mine. What will we do without anymore Charley Davidson books? The series ends January 15th... sniffle. 

Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong:
This is the latest installment in Ms. Armstrong's eerie Casey Duncan series. This is a series about a civilization that is off the grid and off the map where criminals and people who need to escape go to live and hide. A fantastic series. Look for this one on February 5th.

Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs:
This is the latest book in the ever popular Mercy Thompson series. A book about a coyote shapeshifter. This is a fantastic series. You can read this one on March 5th.

Wild Country by Anne Bishop:
Another favorite series of mine is The Others. This is the second book in the spin off series. I love this series. Can't wait to for more. You can get this one on March 5th.

So many great books to read. I can't wait to get my hands on these. What are your most anticipated reads for Winter 2019?

Next week's TMST:

 How do you beat the Winter Blues?

Review: Live and Let Pie(A Bakeshop Mystery #9) by Ellie Alexander

 

Ellie Alexander's Live and Let Pie is the most delicious installment yet in the fantastic Bakeshop Mysteries set in Ashland, OR! Life is sweet once you step into Torte, everybody's favorite small-town bakeshop. But what happens when it becomes the scene of a crime? The heat is on for pastry chef, family business operator, and unlikely sleuth Jules Capshaw. Just when she thought she could enjoy some time away from the kitchen, Jules manages to discover a skull during a picnic by the lake. As if unearthing remains that may be connected to a missing-persons case from the 1960s isn't enough on her plate, Jules must contend with the unsolved matter of her own marriage while her estranged husband Carlos sails the open seas, awaiting a verdict. Then there's Jules's bitter landlord Edgar, who is intent on making a sweet deal on a vacant lot down the block from Torte--until he turns up dead. If only Jules could find a recipe that would let her bake her cake and eat it, too..
Paperback, 304 pages
Published December 31st 2018 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Source: Publisher

 

Three and a half stars: Another entertaining installment in a great cozy series, but the mystery needed more development.

Jules is more than eager for the remodel of Torte to be completed. In anticipation of more business, Jules is planning to hire more help. Jules begins the hunt for three new employees as the final preparations for Torte’s grand reopening begin. Jules is lucky to find three people who seem to be a good fit, she just hopes they will get along with her current staff. Meanwhile in Ashland, Jules’ mom and the Professor are hunting for a new house, and one piece of land they consider is an old house on a prime lot. Unfortunately, there are three other parties fighting over the same piece of property. Then things take a dramatic turn when an old skull unearthed from the bottom of the lake, and then a murder in town that is connected to the lot people are fighting over. Are the two murders connected and if so how?

What I Liked:

• This is the ninth installment in The Meet Your Baker Series which I continue to enjoy. I love the setting, the cozy bakeshop, all the decadent food, the characters and the story line. This book was all about the remodel of Torte. I enjoyed seeing the bakeshop grow and expand. 
• I continue to enjoy the characters in this series. It has been a joy to watch them evolve and change. In this book, Andy is dealing with some big decisions. I was pleased by the way Jules helped Andy with his choices. It was refreshing to see them come to an agreeable accord instead of trying to force him to do something his heart wasn’t in. I liked the way Andy’s issues were handled. 
• It has been a joy to also watch Torte transform. When the series started, Jules returned home to find Torte barely holding on. Over the past couple of years, Jules has breathed new life into the bakery. She has pulled in new customers, restored and remodeled the store, and now she is expanding and hiring new employees. Big positive changes happened for the little shop. 
• This book provided some interesting historical information regarding the valley and the nearby lake. I liked that the mystery in this once dated back to the past. 
• The book ended with a dramatic ending. The murder mystery was solved and there weren’t any major unanswered questions. 
• As usual, there were some wonderful recipes to try at the end of the book, from soup, to hand pies and more. I love the recipes. 

And The Not So Much:

• After the conclusion of the last book, I was expecting some movement in Jules’ relationship with Carlos. I was so disappointed that absolutely nothing happened on that front. Carlos is not a part of the book at all, other than a few thoughts here and there. I want the romance to be resolved, I am so tired of nothing happening. 
• I had a few issues with the murder mystery. First, I didn’t think it was fleshed out enough. It begins with the recovery of a skull in the lake, and I was thinking it was going to be about a long ago murder, which I thought was exciting, then someone in town is unexpectedly murdered. I had a problem with the murder because it was immediately called a murder when there were no signs of foul play. How could they know it was a murder the night it happened until the tests came back? That was a big problem. Then when all the pieces were put into place, there were still not enough explanations. I was left wondering what the deal was with Annie. 
• The whole situation with Annie was puzzling. I wanted a better understanding of her character. What happened all those years ago, who did she really have romantic feelings for? Why did she live in that house was she mentally ill or was there something more? This part of the story was completely lacking. 

Live and Let Pie was an enjoyable addition to a favorite cozy series. I loved the remodel of Torte, the new characters and the food. I was frustrated though by the lack of movement in the romance, and I felt like the murder mystery was lacking. Still, I can’t resist this series and I am eagerly awaiting the next book. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

Catch up on the series:

Catch up on the series (Click on covers for further details):

 

 

The Sunday Post 273rd Edition

Whew! Made it through another week. I am going to be honest, this week was a challenge for me. I really struggled with seasonal affective disorder, a big, bad case of the winter blues. I always have a hard time during the winter months, January is especially trying for me. I had several days this week that I just did not feel good. Tired, anxious and unmotivated. I am feeling better now and hoping that I have the worst behind me. I am going to work on staying active and busy. That always helps. Deep breaths.... Winter will be over soon. How do you stave off the winter blues??

I think all the negativity going on in the country is contributing to stress and anxiety for everyone. My sister and her family are affected by the ongoing shutdown as are many other Americans. I am so sad that leaders are quibbling at the expense of the American people. Let’s all try and be kind to one another because at the end of the day, we are all Americans, no matter our political affiliations, race, religion, etc. Try and help someone if you can, it makes all the difference. 

 

Since I think we all need more positivity, I saw this uplifting story on our local news about a man who started a company to help others. It is called Sackcloth and Ashes. This company makes beautiful blankets, and with the sale of every single blanket, another blanket is donated to homeless shelter. Plus, the blankets all come in boxes, and inside the box is a list of items you can pack in the box and donate to your homeless shelter. I hope I can purchase one of these blankets soon as I love blankets, and I think this is such a fantastic way to help others. A nice beacon of hope. You can find out more about this company on their website and Facebook. 

Have you seen something this week that inspired you?

Okay, let’s talk blogging stuff. 

Here is what I featured on the blog this past week:

Monday: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Words to Live By

Wednesday: Audiobook Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele

Thursday: Audiobook Review: Fruit of a Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

Friday: Friday Forecast

Received for review:

 

Next week on the blog:

Monday: Audiobook Review: The Darkest Star by Jennifer Armentrout

 

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Winter Picks for 2019

Wednesday: Review: The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tulchoke

Thursday: Cowboy Brave by Carolyn Brown

Friday: Friday Forecast

That’s the report from Oregon. Go out have fun and be kind to one another!

Friday Forecast January 13th-19th

It's nearly the midway point of January. How are you holding up? I know this time of year is stressful as we have entered full on into winter and all the joy of the holidays is packed away. Now it's time to buckle down and eat healthy and keep those resolutions and goals. If you already failed at your New Year's commitments, don't beat yourself up. Curl up with a good book and relax. Life is tough sometimes and a good book always helps. If you are on the hunt for a good winter read, I have a few suggestions up my sleeve. Here are all the goodies that are out next week. Anything grab your attention? (Click on covers for details). 

Forecast January 13th-19th

 

Thirteenth Grave!!!

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 50 L 37 Sunny/ Breezy             Sunday: H 49 L 36 Sunny/ Breezy   

Crisp and breezy weather ahead, but at least the sun is shining! Have a great weekend.

Audiobook Review: Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

 

When women of color write history, we see the world as we have never seen it before. In Fruit of the Drunken Tree, Ingrid Rojas Contreras honors the lives of girls who witness war. Brava! I was swept up by this story."--SANDRA CISNEROS, author of The House on Mango StreetA mesmerizing debut set in Colombia at the height Pablo Escobar's violent reign about a sheltered young girl and a teenage maid who strike an unlikely friendship that threatens to undo them both seven-year-old Chula and her older sister Cassandra enjoy carefree lives thanks to their gated community in Bogota, but the threat of kidnappings, car bombs, and assassinations hover just outside the neighborhood walls, where the godlike drug lord Pablo Escobar continues to elude authorities and capture the attention of the nation. When their mother hires Petrona, a live-in-maid from the city's guerrilla-occupied slum, Chula makes it her mission to understand Petrona's mysterious ways. But Petrona's unusual behavior belies more than shyness. She is a young woman crumbling under the burden of providing for her family as the rip tide of first love pulls her in the opposite direction. As both girls' families scramble to maintain stability amidst the rapidly escalating conflict, Petrona and Chula find themselves entangled in a web of secrecy that will force them both to choose between sacrifice and betrayal. Inspired by the author's own life, and told through the alternating perspectives of the willful Chula and the achingly hopeful Petrona, Fruit of the Drunken Tree contrasts two very different, but inextricable coming-of-age stories. In lush prose, Rojas Contreras sheds light on the impossible choices women are often forced to make in the face of violence and the unexpected connections that can blossom out of desperation.
Audiobook
Published August 1st 2018 by Random House 
Source: Publisher

 

Four stars: A moving and informative journey that exposes the ugliness of Columbia’s past.

It is the nineteen nineties in Columbia. It is a dangerous time as Pablo Escobar continues to outsmart the authorities. Escobar is a prominent drug lord with a larger than life reputation, but in his wake he leaves poverty, corruption and rampant kidnappings. The country is corrupt and at war as factions of guerrillas kidnap prominent citizens for ransom money. It is a terrifying time, but seven year old Chula and her older sister Cassandra, live in the relative safety and comfort of a protected gated community. Things change when their mother hires a new maid. Thirteen year old Petrona comes from abject poverty. She bears the heavy burden of trying to protect her family and provide for them. After time, Chula and Petrona form a friendship that will soon be tested. Will their friendship survive?

What I Liked:

• The Fruit of the Drunken Tree was a powerful and informative read that exposes the horrors that occurred in Columbia when Escobar was at the peak of his power. This is a tale of heartbreak, loss and sacrifice. 
• The story centers around two very different girls. Chula is seven years old, living in a wealthy community. She has a life of privilege, yet she isn’t immune to the horrors that are going on just outside her door as people are losing their lives in bombings and kidnappings. I liked Chula’s wide eyed wonder, her curiosity and her strong moral compass. I liked watching her grow.
• Petrona is the soul of this book. Her story is so much different. She comes from a poor family that has been rocked by tragedy after tragedy. At thirteen, the responsibility of trying to care for her remaining family members falls on her thin shoulders. She steps up finds and job and works hard. She believes in honest labor, and she does everything she can to stay on the straight path until she can’t. My heart broke for Petrona, especially after what happened to her when she decided to do the right thing. I wanted things to be better for her. 
• This is a fascinating book. I know very little of Columbia’s history, and this book exposes how dangerous life was in Columbia during Escobar’s reign of terror. I appreciate that the author shed light on what life was like in Columbia, and I especially liked that this story was in part based on real life experiences. 
• This is a book of ups and downs. It ends with one of the girls finding safety and reunification, while the other does her best to put her life back on track. It is hopeful and sad at the same time. I wish I could better explain this book. It is a story that you should read. 
• I listened to the audiobook version. The narrators both did a wonderful job with the voices, and I liked that they brought the characters to life. 

And The Not So Much:

• While I had no trouble immersing into the story, after awhile I began to struggle with the flow of the story. The story doesn’t have a cohesive easy to follow time line, and I couldn’t figure out where the story was going, especially when it came to the trip to see Chula’s grandma. I wish the book had a tighter plot. 
• Petrona’s portion was far more interesting than Chula’s, and I found myself wanting to hear far more from her than Chula. 
• The book ends with hope and heartbreak, and I was left wondering who things are in Columbia today. Are they better, worse, the same?
• This book is tough to read at times. There are mentions of rape, violence, kidnappings and drug use. 

Fruit of the Drunken Tree is a powerful and moving read full of heartbreak and hope. This is a book that takes you back to the tumultuous period in Columbia during the nineties when Pablo Escobar, a prominent drug lord, brought terror, corruption and crime to the country. This book follows two young girls from very different walks of life. It is a glimpse into a tragic time, and a story of how two girls fought to stay safe. Read this. 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

Audiobook Review: The Winters by by Lisa Gabriele

 

A spellbindingly suspenseful new novel set in the moneyed world of the Hamptons, about secrets that refuse to remain buried and consequences that cannot be escaped. After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter--a wealthy senator and recent widower--and a life of luxury she's never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. The house is steeped in the memory of Max's beautiful first wife, Rebecca, who haunts the young woman's imagination and feeds her uncertainties, while his very alive teenage daughter Dani makes her life a living hell. She soon realizes there is no clear place for her in this twisted little family: Max and Dani circle each other like cats, a dynamic that both repels and fascinates her, and he harbors political ambitions with which he will allow no woman--alive or dead--to interfere. As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family's dark secrets--the kind of secrets that could kill her, too. The Winters is a riveting story about what happens when a family's ghosts resurface and threaten to upend everything. 
Audiobook
Published October 16th 2018 by Penguin Audio
Source: Publisher

 

Four stars: A thrilling retelling of Rebecca with an ending you won’t see coming.

For one young woman, life has been a series of hardships and work. Then just like Cinderella, she finds herself swept off her feet by a handsome, older man who recently lost his wife. Before she knows it, she is engaged to be married and headed to live in a large mansion on a secluded island. Everything seems to be perfect, but then again, appearances can be deceiving as the next Mrs. Winters to be settles in at Asherley, dark secrets come bubbling forth, and she begins to see things in a new light. What really happened to Rebecca? 

 

What I Liked:

• Rebecca remains one of the perennial classic favorites. So I was hesitant and excited to pick up The Winters. Would this book do justice to the original or ruin it? Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised, this book captures the essence of Rebecca while adding in new and unique spins and twists. I couldn’t put it down. It was an addictive read!
• Just like in the original story, our main character remains nameless, which adds to the intrigue. I liked that the heroine was plucky and that she came from nothing and she knew plenty about hardship. She feels intimidated by Rebecca’s shadow, but she learns to come out and stand in the light. I thought she grew and transformed into a force to be reckoned with. 
• I was surprised and pleased by the friendship that was forged between Dani and the heroine. At first, the relationship is contentious, but things gradually change. I liked the way it turned out, and I thought this friendship was one of the highlights of the story. 
• Dani is a fascinating character. She is complex and hard to understand at first. Is she a deranged, spoiled brat or is there something more to her demeanor? I went back and forth over her character, I loathed her, I sort of liked her, I felt sorry for her and then I liked her again. I loved the conundrum of her character. 
• The suspense is thick, and it keeps layering on and on. I liked that I was drawn in by the mystery of Asherley and what happened to Rebecca and what is going on with Dani. The tension builds and builds to a shocking climax and an ending you won’t see coming. Loved it!
• Maxine was another character who completely surprised me in a good way. Loved the way she stepped up. 
• I liked the setting of Asherley. It wasn’t quite as atmospheric as Mandalay in the original, but it comes close. 
• The ending is stunning. I was shocked by the final twist. There was a brilliant climax followed by a pleasant aftermath. I liked how things settled out. 

And The Not So Much:

• I wish the creepy, gothic atmosphere from the original was transferred to this one. The setting didn’t capture that eerie feeling that ratchets up the suspense in Rebecca. 
• Even though I liked the ending, the author throws in this weird line right at the very end about meeting the grandmother for the first time, I was left wondering why she found her after all this time. It was rather jarring. 
• I was left wondering more about the real Rebecca. I would liked to have gotten to know her through other character’s eyes. 
• I was bothered that the door was left ajar regarding one of the character’s fate. 

The Winters was an addictive book that borrows from the classic Rebecca while providing some brilliant new spins on the old tale. I loved the mystery, the suspense and the characters. I especially enjoyed the stunning finale. If you have read the original give this one a chance and if you haven’t grab this and enjoy it. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. 

Check out the original:

Tell Me Something Tuesday #166: Words to Live By

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. 

 

This week’s post is all about the New Year:

What word or phrase  did you choose to inspire you for 2019?

Here we are a week into 2019. Hopefully, the New Year is treating you well. I have to admit, I used to dread January as life after the holidays was always a downer, these days, I am more than eager to pack up the holidays and get back into a regular routine. The holidays are a struggle for me now that my mom isn’t here to celebrate. I was incredibly grateful to have some quiet time at home with my family, but beyond that, I was ready to head into January, and into a new year. 

I know many choose to make resolutions and set goals, and I still have goals that I am always working on, mainly, exercising, eating healthy, keeping up with the blog, stitching projects, being kind, volunteering, etc. I got tired of doing posts though on the same old same old. So the last couple of years, I have adopted a word or two to set the tone for the new year. 

I saw a post on social media where people were choosing words that matched the first initial of their name. I had already decided on two words for the year when I saw the post, and one just happened to start with H. 

My two words for 2019 are hope and courage.

I chose these words because I have felt myself getting dragged down by all the turmoil that has been swirling around the country the last few months. I hate the negativity, the name calling, the blaming and the ugliness. It makes one feel so helpless because you feel like there is nothing you can do to change the turbulent atmosphere, but believe it or not, there are things you can do. 

Be hopeful and have courage. Times are tough right now, and it seems that the news is full of negativity, but if you look, there are slivers of hope. You have to remember that there are always good people out there doing things that bring hope to others, whether it be volunteering their time, donating to those in need or just by doing some random act of kindness. These small acts provide rays of sunshine and provide hope to those who may be struggling with darkness. You never know when a smile or kind word can bring hope to someone. 

Most of all, you have to hope that things will get better, and that if we all have courage and treat each other with kindness, with a little hope and a smidgen of luck and lots of love, it will get better. 

It is going to take a lot of courage, and there will still be hard days, but if I stand tall and look forward with courage, and if I am brave and stand up to my fears, then hope will prevail and things will improve. 

I truly believe that hope and courage are going to be what sees me through 2019. 

What about you all, what word did you choose for 2019?

Next week’s TMST:

Winter Picks for 2019