Blog Archives
What the Heart Knows
What the Heart Knows, by Mara Purl, offers a gentle narrative set in the serene town of Milford-Haven, California. Distinct from the bustling energy of Los Angeles, Milford-Haven is characterized by its tranquility and charm, making it an ideal backdrop for self-discovery and personal growth. The story primarily follows Miranda Jones, an artist who finds her identity and purpose in this quaint setting.
The book captivates from the start with a suspenseful prologue in which a reporter delves into a possibly illicit construction project, setting the stage for an unfolding mystery. The story then skillfully shifts to Miranda Jones in her art studio, introducing her as a key figure in a tapestry of intriguing characters. Although the narrative leaves room for further development of characters like Jack Sawyer and his ex-wife Samantha, their presence adds depth and intrigue. The initial mystery around the reporter’s death, while not fully resolved, serves as a compelling backdrop that enriches the overall narrative.
Purl’s writing style is fluid and accessible, effortlessly drawing readers into the world she crafts. Her attention to detail is particularly noteworthy, vividly painting scenes that come alive in the reader’s imagination. This aspect was especially appealing to me, as it allowed the narrative to unfold like a film in my mind. One of the intriguing aspects of What the Heart Knows is its diverse cast of characters. As a fan of the rich ensembles found in science fiction and fantasy, I appreciated the variety of personalities in this story. Among them, Miranda and Zack stand out as particularly engaging, and the subtle tension involving Cynthia adds an interesting dynamic. Although I believe these relationships and plotlines offer room for further exploration, they contribute to the novel’s rich tapestry and keep the reader engaged with their potential.
What the Heart Knows is a well-written, sweet story set in an idyllic town. It presents a tapestry of characters and a hint of mystery, but I feel the narrative could benefit from a more focused exploration of fewer characters and a clearer resolution of its central mysteries. Despite these elements, the book offers an enjoyable journey into a world of introspection and artistic discovery.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B077HRPHP5
Secrets and Sunflowers
Secrets and Sunflowers (Pepperville Stories series) by Joann Keder is a fiction story about three friends set in the small town of Sandy Salts. Keilah Charmant is a local coffee shop owner who has to move her business to make way for the new construction project to widen the highway through town. Vanessa Withers is a reporter who writes obituaries in the local newspaper, and Deeloriandra Fisher acts as an honorary grandmother to Keilah’s two children. But all three women are keeping secrets from each other. The town is divided between people who want to keep the two-lane highway and others who support the expansion to a four-lane highway. When a dead body is found in a nearby lake, is it connected to the town dispute? Or is it more personal?
This was a fun story to read, filled. However, stereotypical small-town gossip and speculation. There were several elements of mystery in this book, which I liked. This bit of intrigue kept my interest as I tried to guess what would happen next and solve the mysteries along with the characters.
I liked that the author included a list of characters at the beginning of each chapter, which helped to avoid confusion as there were many different people introduced in a short span, especially for readers unfamiliar with the characters from reading the previous books in the series. Although this is not the first book in the Pepperville series, it can be read as a standalone story. The author gives enough details to recap what occurred in the other stories so that readers do not feel lost. The references that were made to mysteries solved in previous books and other intriguing details raised my interest in going back to read the other books in the series to find out the full story of what happened.
I felt some of the characters’ motivation was lacking, especially in regard to some ethical issues concerning the actions of the main characters. For example, I did not feel that the author gave a compelling reason why Vanessa did not want to contact the police when she discovered the dead body. The author, however, did include a lot of small details, such as the inclusion of the obituaries of various townspeople and the weather reports. These help the reader feel more part of the community.
Secrets and Sunflowers is an entertaining family saga novel filled with drama and some mystery. Readers of the Pepperville Stories series will enjoy the latest addition to the collection, and new readers to the series will find new friends they want to read more about.
Pages: 436 | ASIN : B0BB5N3RKS
Daughter of the Boricua
When a father lies on his deathbed, witnessing the Spanish invasion of his land, he thinks of his firstborn Isabella and decides to protect his people by calling out for the gods to curse the man who brought these horrors onto his family; Hernán Cortés. In return, the gods granted his wish to all of Hernán’s daughters and their daughters after that. Isabella had the same goal and, to honor her father’s death, seduced Hernán into her bed in order to make sure they had a child.
With Isabella now intertwining the curse with her own bloodline, we follow the story of three generations dealing with a curse said to be unbreakable.
Author Olivia Castillo can capture any reader within the first paragraph of this story. She writes with such vivid detail that I could not put down the book, as all I wanted to do was keep reading. I was immersed in the story, and even though it kept surprising me, I felt a sense of familiarity, which made it so much more enjoyable to read! Readers will be able to experience the culture of the Puerto Rican people through Castillo’s writing.
Olivia shows a great understanding of character and worldbuilding. We get to hear the history of the curse, the way generations have dealt with it, and how such different protagonists lived their lives despite it. The deep connection of family that is important in this culture shines through. Even cursed, they manage to support each other and lean on the generations past to move forward.
Even if you have no ties to Puerto Rico, by the end of this story, you will feel like you grew up there and have lived through it all. Daughter of the Boricua, book two of the Song of the Boricua series, continues this heartfelt women’s saga. Readers of historical romance will be enraptured with the stories of these women, and those that enjoy following family sagas across generations will not be able to put this book down while waiting for the third book in the series.
Pages: 291 | ASIN: B09YLBXM2Z
LITERARY TITAN 