"The Guinevere Deception" by Kiersten White

The Guinevere Deception (Nov. 5, 2019) by Kiersten White.

Guinevere can’t remember her own name. It isn’t Guinevere; the real Guinevere died at the convent while preparing for marriage to King Arthur. This Guinevere is also 16 years old, but she is infused with magic in a kingdom that has banned it, which is the reason Merlin was also banished. Guinevere knows the marriage is in name only, but she cannot help but hold King Arthur in high regard due to his sparkling integrity and dedication to Camelot. He always puts Camelot first, and he knows her secret; he is her friend. She also makes new friends in her lady’s maid, Brangien, Arthur’s handsome and charismatic nephew, Mordred, a relative of one of Arthur’s knights, Dindrane, and even the Patchwork Knight. A great darkness is attempting to resurface, but is the threat to Arthur and Camelot or Guinevere and the past she cannot recall? Or to the both of them by their association with each other?

            The first installment in The Camelot Rising Trilogy, it comes out of the gate fresh-faced and fierce, and I love it. This is not “just another” Arthurian legend. It has elements and characters that are familiar, but it’s definitely written with a modern-day audience in mind despite it being untoward if Guinevere’s wrists are showing (Oh, the horror! Not the wrists!). From the title, you know Guinevere is the principal character and has feminist flair to boot, but the supporting cast is well-rounded and all kinds of diverse, which hasn’t historically been represented in Camelot. I rather enjoy that it’s the women who have power (supernatural counts, too) and create chaos instead of men like Arthur and his knights, though they expectedly represent mannishness and rules. White took a piece here and a part there to cobble together a brilliant novel of magic, legend and chaos in a land both choked of magic and darkly enchanted with it, multifaceted characters, rich action, mystery and potential romance. It is a cornucopia of magnificent prose!

            P.S. That dragon. I would adopt it.

            The picture below features the book’s delightful author. And me. My friend, Kristi, and I went to her author event at Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul on Nov. 7. This was actually the second time we’d met her, the first being at last year’s Twin Cities Book Festival.

Rutabaga's Free Book Contest

Photo by Pixabay via Pexels

Do you want a free book?

            During a season where we’re rushing to purchase Christmas gifts, cook turkeys, bake hams and make millions of cookies, I want to celebrate the end of a decade/start of a new one with, naturally, books. The rules are simple.

1.)    Between now and December 31, 2019, be the person to leave the most comments on any post on my blog. Catch: The comment must relate to the blog post. You cannot, for example, say “Hello” to me on 50 posts. But if you find you have questions about this contest, you could, as another example, ask them on this post and receive credit for a comment. If you ask a different post-related question later on for the same post, that will count as a second comment.

2.)   Be civil. If you’re commenting on a specific book or author that you found lacking, that is fine, as it is your opinion, but do not be rude about it. There’s plenty of negativity in the world as it is.

            Helpful notes:

1.)    Remember to use the same name every time you comment. Even if I know you go by “Lisa” and “Rutabaga” and “Mulan,” each of those names will still, by my tracking, be three separate participants.

2.)   Every week, I will leave a comment on this post giving a weekly update on the standings. Yes, it’s a contest, a small competition, but it’s a friendly one. If you are determined to leave the most comments, I want you to have the best chance that you can.

3.)   Don’t discount your chances just because you may be in second or even third place. If the contest is fiercer than I’m anticipating, I wouldn’t be opposed to having two or three book winners.

            For the winner(s):

1.)    The book you choose MUST be one that’s in a 2019 post on my blog. It can be a book that’s been reviewed or it can be one found in any of my Page-turner’s Challenges pictures. Exception: If the book chosen is, say, the second in a series, I will get you the first book if you haven’t yet read it and want to start at the beginning of the series.

2.)   If the book chosen has both a hardcover and paperback version, I will choose the less costly of the two. So, if you’re someone who is particular about hardback copies versus paperback copies (or vice versa), please bear this in mind.

3.)   Remember that this contest runs through the very end of this year. I plan to have more posts, including compilation posts, and any of those books shown there would also count as options for the winner’s choosing.

4.)   I apologize for any inconvenience, but books will be mailed to U.S. addresses only. (I don’t think this will affect anyone I anticipate will participate, but I’m covering my bases.)

HAPPY COMMENTING AND MERRY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU!!

Rutabaga's Reads 2019: Part 17

I do not read much adult fiction. This would be why it’s taken me much of this year to create this compilation post featuring this age category. Surprisingly, it’s not the only adult fiction compilation on my blog this year thanks to the “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy by Kevin Kwan.

Every Breath (Oct. 16, 2018) by Nicholas Sparks.

*This is a standalone novel.*

While a weeklong retreat to her family’s cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, preparing to attend a good friend’s wedding should be a joyous celebration, Hope Anderson is flailing. She’s thrilled for her friend, but her own life is nowhere she expected it to be. At 36, she’s been dating her orthopedic surgeon boyfriend for six years, and there is still no proposal in sight, plus Josh isn’t coming to the wedding since an explosive argument prompted him to put their relationship in “off” mode and go to Las Vegas, her parents have actually recently sold the family cottage at which she’s staying, and her dad has been diagnosed with ALS. It is 1990. Enter next door Tru Walls, a 42-year-old safari guide from Zimbabwe who’s staying at the monstrosity-of-a-beach-house awaiting his first meeting with his birthfather, who’s recently reached out to him. Hope and Tru’s first meet-cute is thanks to Hope’s dog, a sly Scottish terrier named Scottie with gobs of energy and selective listening skills. That meet-cute turns into an epic, whirlwind romance with a visit to Kindred Spirit, a lone mailbox on Bird Island. Their love is real; it’s not a fleeting moment to be chased away by the wind.

            Fast forward 24 years to 2014. Hope made a choice that did not involve Tru and put her life on a trajectory that succeeded in certain ways and failed in others. She tried to find Tru eight years ago, but could never locate him. Desperate to reach him, she went back to the only place she could think of to leave a message: Kindred Spirit. What sort of fates will have to be at work for Tru to be reached? Where has he been all these years?

            Whereas I struggled with the previous story I’d read by Sparks, I am relieved to say that I liked this novel. I enjoyed how the bookends of the story were written as though the author was explaining how he came across this story as though it’s reality, even though it is a work of fiction. I felt more invested with the characters where I did not in the other story, even knowing that Hope’s decision wouldn’t fully turn out in the long run. The depiction of Hope’s father’s ALS diagnosis and subsequent battle was very moving. The expected North Carolina setting is stronger for the real places involved, in particular the Kindred Spirit mailbox. (Road trip, anyone?) Sparks’ novels are about as much romance as I can handle. You know Tru and Hope will somehow return to each other, but it isn’t without a winding path of heart-wrenching decisions, tricky fate and desperate hope that an epic, sweeping love can transcend time and time zones.

Shattered Mirror (Apr. 24, 2018) by Iris Johansen.

*This is a standalone novel with recurring characters.*

In the disturbed and twisted mind of Rory Norwalk, instead of an eye for an eye, it’s a twin for a twin. He personally delivers a mystery skull to highly-sought-after forensic sculptor Eve Duncan. The skull looks alarming; there’s a bullet hole, and it has been blackened by fire. The face, which she calls Sylvie, courtesy of Michael, who’s now six, is stunning, and she wonders what monster would do something so dreadful to her. It becomes clear that Norwalk is targeting her, but also threatens those she loves, particularly Michael (her son) and Cara Delaney (her ward). While Cara thinks it’s her new roommate, Darcy Nichols, who may be the target, Jock Gavin has his doubts. He’s been keeping tabs on Cara, expecting a threat to her to arise with the knowledge of who her grandfather is. He will be very upset if Sergai Kaskov gets involved, but if Kaskov is one of the targets, he’ll get involved and not care if he steps on anyone’s toes. Why is Rory targeting Eve and Kaskov and those closest to them? What is the connection? Does there even need to be a connection with someone as clearly unbalanced as Rory Norwalk?

            I am torn. With Eve and Joe having a son, it on one hand adds a potential layer to the plot when Michael is involved, but it’s also a convenient filler. I’m not saying this is the case, but it can seem like Johansen brought a child into the picture to distract from a lack of new ideas. As a mostly loyal reader of Johansen’s novels over many years, I don’t apologize for thinking this. It is my opinion, after all. Additionally, I think it’s too convenient that Michael, like Bonnie, is wise beyond his years and isn’t usually so much a six-year-old than a conscientious adult with childlike conviction. I wouldn’t be able to write a current six-year-old and perhaps the author struggles in that arena, thus her reasoning behind making Michael so much broader and shrewder in his thinking. Also, what is the age difference between Jock and Cara? Because no, just no.

            If you’re thinking I should halt reading Johansen’s books, you’re right. I probably should quit reading her books. Or at least choose not to write about them after reading them. I see a new recurring character in Darcy. For anyone wanting to read what you’d expect from Johansen, you’ll be satisfied with this novel. For others, you may want to skip this one.

Vendetta (Oct. 23, 2018) by Iris Johansen.

*This is a standalone novel with recurring characters.*

I really thought I wouldn’t write about this book, but I changed my mind since Catherine Ling is in it. Catherine is an Asian woman in a stack of Johansen books usually featuring a white default.

            What CIA Operative Carl Venable says with his dying breaths both puts his daughter in the crosshairs of terrorist Max Huber and tries to protect her in convincing Jude Brandon to find Rachel Venable and keep her safe. Rachel is a spectacular physician who’s also highly proficient at crafting poisons. Huber has connections to Rachel’s past that she is unaware of, though she is aware that she’s responsible for the death of his father, though it was without her consent or initial knowledge. Huber is the leader of Red Star, and he’s orchestrating a catastrophic event in California that he wants to be vastly and impressively worse than 9/11. While Rachel is safe with Brandon, she wants Huber dealt with, no matter how scared dealing with him makes her. When he takes someone she cares about, she’s willing to set herself up as a sacrifice if there’s any chance the other person can be safely extracted from Huber’s evil and horrific clutches. She may come out alive as well. Familiar characters in Catherine Ling, Richard Cameron, and, to a lesser extent, Hu Chang come to fight the fight. Dealings with high-echelon CIA Operative Claire Warren are tense at best, and who is Nemesis?

            Action and drama from the get-go are constants for Johansen, which is a plus. Unfortunately, I was not fully engaged in the story. I had to make myself sit down to read one chapter a day. This, of course, is simply my opinion, but it seems that all of her characters – no matter which story you’re reading – are the same. Sure, they have different names and different physical features and different backstories, but they remain like fraternal multiples. An exception is given to Catherine, who is at least of partial Asian descent and not Caucasian. All the lead females are strong (which is good) and stubborn and holding it together but still savvy and strong with the same emotions and attitudes in each book no matter the character. All the lead males are masculine and tough and struggle to let the females be strong and want to hold them when they’re having a vulnerable moment, and it hurts them to see the women like that, and they want to wreak extra havoc on the bad guys. Same, same, same. I’ve read so many of Johansen’s books over the years that I can’t stop cold turkey, but I will be tapering off. I can’t say I’ll stop reading her stories for good, but I’m heading that direction, which does make the dedicated bibliophile in me a little sad.

Rutabaga's Reads 2019: Part 16

Being more up on my blog this year has cemented that I read a lot of middle-grade stories. I knew that, but this fourth compilation of 2019 helps put it in perspective. Anyone else reading books geared for 8-12-year-olds? If so, what are you reading? Which authors have you discovered?

A Crystal of Time (Mar. 5, 2019) by Soman Chainani.

*This is the fifth in a series / second in a related trilogy.*

It’s all falling apart. A false king sits upon Camelot’s throne. Its true king, Tedros, has been sentenced to death. Agatha has escaped (barely), but does not know where she can go to find even one ally. Sophie is caught in King Rhian’s trap. Japeth is more twisted in the head than probably his own brother realizes. Merlin is missing. Clarissa Dovey is amongst the captured. Secrets long-buried are being unearthed, and the group learns more about the Storian, though Rhian has Lionsmane, a golden pen of his very own, which is actually a scaly black scim. Still, that won’t stop him from creating his own tales told by the pen, except the pen doesn’t choose the tale; Rhian does. Friends are freed, reunited and separated again. Lives are lost, though on the side of good, they are lost valiantly. But Agatha, Tedros, Sophie and company seem to be fighting a losing battle. So many are turning to Rhian’s false promises of protection because of his lies. As people turn away from Camelot’s true king, they destroy their rings, which are inexplicably linked to the Storian. What happens if every single ring is destroyed?

            Due to the sheer size of this novel (624 pages), I did as I had with the previous book and read one chapter a day until I finished it. Although I read one chapter at a time, it read as swiftly as a dramatic waterfall plummeting over a steep cliff. The landscape of the entire novel is generally very serious, as danger lurks most everywhere. The lives of all of the protagonists are fraught with peril, and death can be intense. Middle-grade though this is, it’s not for the tender of heart. Sometimes the death is written almost beautifully, violent as it is: “I shatter to a million crystals,” but oftentimes it’s just violent. I suspect the author is gearing readers up for an epic conclusion, and I hope we aren’t disappointed. Or we’ll find our own pens!

Luciana: Braving the Deep (Dec. 26, 2017) by Erin Teagan.

*This is the second book in AG’s Girl of the Year series for 2018.*

For a girl wanting to be the first female to go to Mars, attending youth astronaut training camp as one of the “Fail Smart” kids is perfect. Luciana Vega is one of six youth in the astronaut training portion of the camp, but only three will be chosen to dive to Cetus, an underwater habitat where astronauts train for life in space. Her other teammates in the program will be the mission control group. Luci passes each of the three skills tests on the first round. Her chances of making the dive team seem bright until she accuses one of her teammates of sabotage in front of the entire group. Suddenly, even her good friend and fellow teammate is treating her like the problem, and Luci begins to wonder if that’s true. When an underwater crisis seems to affect Luci negatively, can she conquer her fears? Or will Luci’s dream to be the first female to Mars end before it’s barely begun?

            As with any American Girl (AG) story, this is a sweet story with a good message. In this story, the main character isn’t only overcoming a fear, but also wading through a tough situation with a best friend. She might have always thought trust was an untouchable core of their friendship until it’s rocked by a newcomer who’s like a bright, shiny new phone (and also has a world-renowned dad whom the friend is a fan of). When it comes to the astronaut training camp, the author’s research appears thorough, as all aspects of the camp – from learning to snorkel to descending with a tank to hydroponics – were believable and specifically-detailed. For the 8-12 age set who prefer less complex stories, who are fans of American Girl or who want an uncomplicated read featuring empowered female youth, these stories from American Girl may be for them.

Red: The (Fairly) True Tale of Red Riding Hood (Apr. 12, 2016) by Liesl Shurtliff.¹

*This is the third book in an unofficial series.*

When Granny gets sick, Red fears she is dying and takes it upon herself to find a cure. Granny is known as The Witch of the Woods and is adept at anything from everyday cure-alls to complex spells and curses. One would expect Red to be as adept, but Red actually fears using magic. Her most spectacular fail could’ve once killed Granny, and since then, she’s avoided the simplest magic. Even to save her grandma, she prefers a cure which doesn’t require her to incant a spell. So she sets off into the Woods. An annoying human-turned-friend named Goldie (yes, like that Goldie, but not actually that Goldie; however, names have power) comes along on her quest, even though Goldie loses her most recent memories at one point, and she befriends an unexpected tagalong in a wolf who, forlornly, has no pack because of the huntsman called Horst (he is that huntsman). “Monster!” the wolf communicates. They meet an angry bear, a witch with a youthful face but no memories, a grumpy dwarf name Borlen (he’s young, only 276 years old) and a Beauty-turned-Beast. The one person they can’t seem to ditch is Horst. Does he sense the wolf is with them? Can they protect each other and cure Granny?

            Although not part of a named series, this is the third middle-grade story by Shurtliff revolving around the same Woods. Red and Rump are actually good friends. The thing I like about Shurtliff’s fairy tale mash-ups, including this one, is that they can be read by a wide audience without worrying about content or a mature reading level. Additionally, the story is not long and can be swiftly read. Red finds she is braver than expected, and Goldie is as brightly innocent as sunlight glinting off her bouncy golden curls. Good magic and bad magic alight in this sweetly clever and sassy story, where danger may come in a beautiful red rose and friendship in an intimidating wolf.

¹To dispel any confusion, there is a minor difference in the titles based on whether one reads the hardcover or paperback versions. The title you see above is on the paperback version; the hardcover’s title is: “Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood.” I have previously read “Rump” and “Jack,” and their titles reflect the hardcover versions, though they were paperbacks that I once purchased through Scholastic.

The Positive Page-turner's Challenge: Take 8

So Many Books, So Little Time!

Contents of a Health Kit + 3 finished Kits

Good day, fellow bibliophiles! What are you reading? Whereas in my last Page-turner’s Challenge I had read all of the books by the time I posted my picture, I have read very few of these books. Although I’m already accumulating books for my next Page-turner’s Challenge (every bibliophile will understand having a continuous TBR stash), I expect this will be the last Challenge for 2019.

            My packages of bar soap continue to accumulate per my January 2019 Challenge, though I’ve been reading far fewer books than in other months this year. I only read three books in October, but that’s still another three packages of bar soap with 8-10 bars per pack, so that’s nothing to sneeze at!

            As I did for the Page-turner’s Challenge I posted at the end of August, I will donate a dollar amount to a fund at my home church. I will again donate $5 per book in this picture. At 17 books, I am donating $85. I decided that the money will go to Trondhjem’s Altar Guild.

            Since it’s my last Challenge for this year, I want to make it a little more involved. For every book in this picture, I am going to drop in $1 in quarters when Noisy Offering begins again. That’s a lot of quarters!

            And, for each group of four books that I can create in this photo, I will put together one health kit. With four groups of four, that’s four health kits. For anyone interested, I will include below Trondhjem’s lists for the health and layette kits that we put together for the Birthing Center.

            Does anyone out there have personal passion projects they are working on? Or do you have ideas but are unsure where to begin? Or would you maybe want to get involved in helping Haiti through GoServ Global? Please share positivity in the comments!

      Health Kits      

      - 1 bath towel (not white)

      - 2 bars of soap (in original package: mild soap like Ivory)

      - 1 adult toothbrush in original packaging

      - 1 wide tooth comb (remove from package)

      - 1 nail clipper (remove from package)

Wrap all items in the towel and tie with ribbon or yarn. Items should be new.

      Baby Layette Kits

      - 2 receiving blankets

      - 4 cloth diapers

      - 2 sleepers or gowns (one should be 0-3 mo. size)

      - 3 onesies or t-shirts (onesies preferred)

      - 2 pairs of socks

      - 1 baby cap

      - 2 baby safety pins

Clothing: varying sizes 3-18 mos. Wrap items in the blankets and secure with baby safety pins. Items should be new or in very good condition.

"Stitches in Time" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Stitches in Time (Oct. 1, 2019) by Suzanne Woods Fisher.*

Detachment from people has worked well for Sam Schrock until he meets Mollie Graber. Mollie is a schoolteacher who came to Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania, for a fresh start from an overbearing, overprotective worrywart (a.k.a. her mother). When Sam’s brother, Luke, new to his role as deacon, asks the congregation to temporarily take in foster girls from the local group home, she’s the first to raise her hand. Not only that, she wants to take in two girls. Preferably sisters. She feels that the power of love can knit together the dropped stitches and make a whole. Unfortunately, the 11-year-old twins she takes in seem unmoved by her caring, open spirit and have no regard for common courtesy. They smoke in Mollie’s small home, skip school and repeatedly get caught by the Stoney Ridge sheriff when they’re hitchhiking at night to Las Vegas. When they start working around Sam’s horses – first mucking out stalls as a consequence for negative actions – their interest is piqued. Is it genuine or is it merely a passing fancy?

            The positive thing about having Tina and Alicia working with the horses is that Sam has more opportunity to be around Mollie, whom he’s always held in high regard. The feeling is mutual, though Mollie is reluctant to begin a courtship, because, as her mother continually reminds her, “…loving Mollie brought complications.” When a scare shakes Sam to his core, will he overcome it and be the pillar of support that’s needed? Or will he be “like a turtle” and hide in his shell at the slightest sign of emotion?

            I verily enjoyed this Amish inspirational fiction romance, the second in The Deacon’s Family series. Not having read any other Amish fiction books from Woods Fisher, I’m missing backstory on multiple characters, but not so much that I was lost while reading this one. This story provides for us a rich tapestry of love, faith, trying times and picking up the pieces by accepting support from those around us. Like the characters in the story, we each need people in our lives who will take the “time to unravel the yarn and go back to fix the dropped stitches.” Our lives are all filled with dropped stitches and those that help us at each step provide us stitches in time (p. 175). There is beauty and meaning in this story that sheds important light on the significance of foster care.

            Favorite line: “Luke was busier than a one-eyed cat watching nine mouse holes” (p. 40).

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”