Chanticleer Book Reviews

Category: Reviews

PECCADILLO at the PALACE: An Annie Oakley Mystery by Kari Bovée – Historical Thrillers, Women’s Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction
Kari Bovée’s Peccadillo at the Palace, the second book in the Annie Oakley Mystery series, is a historical, mystery thriller extraordinaire. Fans of both genres will thrill at Bovée’s complex plot that keeps us guessing from its action-packed beginning to the satisfying reveal at the end.

The book opens with the Honorable Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show to England on a voyage to perform for Queen Victoria. They are not on the high seas long, when Annie’s beloved horse, Buck, jumps overboard. Her husband and the Queen’s loyal servant, Mr. Bhakta, jump in to save the horse, or was Mr. Bhakta already dead before he reached the water? Thus, begins the mystery of who killed Mr. Bhakta, leaving all to wonder, is the Queen safe?

Someone wanted the Queen’s man dead, and he is, but was it a matter of racism, intrigue, or an accident? Annie’s search for clues points her in several directions, but is it the doctor, or the woman dressed in rags with the posh accent, or the crass American businessman and his floozy wife? All have motive. Even Annie’s husband has motive with his Irish background and ties to the Fenians and the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Annie rushes through her days, trying to find clues and care for her husband who fell ill on the voyage and isn’t recovering. Is her husband’s illness seasickness, flu, or something else? Her husband forbids her to search for clues, fearing that Annie will get herself in over her head, but “Little Miss Sure shot” has no fear – as long as she’s packing her pistols.

Annie follows her leads from the ship, the State of Nebraska, to the show’s camp at the Earl’s Court, the market, and the Queen’s court. In a sea of suspects, everyone looks guilty. But, are Annie’s hunches always right?

This wild romp through England’s royal court is sure to thrill readers as tantalizing clues lead us astray; even as the body count rises and suspects are murdered.

Peccadillo at the Palace by Kari Bovée is a page-turner from beginning to end, so much so, that Bovée took home the Grand Prize in the CIBA 2019 GOETHE Awards for Historical Fiction. Readers will burn the midnight oil with this one. Highly recommended.

A marvelous, riveting whodunit with a complicated hero in Annie Oakley at the helm. A perfect read for mystery lovers and one we love. Highly recommended.
December 18, 2020
HEART of the FEW by Jon Duncan – WWII Historical Fiction, WWII Thriller, 20th Century Romance

It is said that all is fair in love and war. In this wartime historical romance, young love is put to the ultimate test, and the love of family is strained to the breaking point. During World War II, the occupants of a ravaged England understand that all can be lost in a moment’s hesitation or in a hasty decision. Here, love is under attack by enemies seen and unseen. It’s the uncommon courage of many and the Heart of the Few that can hope to turn the fate of England during these dark days.

Passion drives both sides in this wartime mystery/thriller about people who are determined to make a difference in the outcome of World War II. Like all powerful forces, passion has two sides. It’s a wondrous and beautiful emotion when applied to good purpose, but it becomes horrific and deadly when twisted and corrupt. The question author Jon Duncan asks amidst all the turmoil, treachery, death and desolation of war is: can love find a way?

As the only daughter of the widowed Lord Ashford, Livy Ashford feels compelled to volunteer – a valiant calling of which her father wholeheartedly disapproves. War is too dangerous for a young woman. And, as one of Churchill’s trusted Intelligence officers, he’s well informed about the war news; Ashford knows of what he speaks. He wants Livy to remain protected in the upper echelons of London’s upper-class life.

Jamie Wallace is a butcher’s son who has trained to become one of the new RAF pilots. He is highly skilled and very nervous about his new profession. Regardless, Jamie vows to contribute to the war effort, especially on behalf of his brother, who is badly injured and fortunate to return home at all.

One day, Livy and Jamie stumble across each other on the edges of an airfield. Love strikes at first sight. Do they dare to follow their heartfelt feelings at a time when air raid sirens and bombings prove that tomorrow is not promised? There are many barriers to happiness. Even if there was no war, they come from very different backgrounds, and each is painfully aware of that fact. But not all dangers Livy and Jamie face wear the enemy’s uniform. In the heat of battle, class differences, and unwelcome attention, the young couple wrestles with how to make sense of their situation, remain focused on the war effort – and stay alive.

Author Jon Duncan presents a story with spellbinding, spine-tingling action, with romantic scenes of breathtaking tenderness. Duncan paints a vivid and well-researched picture of England at this critical time in history, packed full of plenty of intrigue. Duncan has a background in the movie and television industry, which is reflected in this novel. Research for this novel enlists many primary sources, including conversations Duncan had with people who lived the history in the time of The Battle of Britain. Some historical romance novels are read, Heart of the Few is one that will live with readers long after the book is put down. Highly recommended.

December 17, 2020
OSCAR’s CHRISTMAS WISH by Veronica Fischer – Children’s Christmas Story, Children’s Books in Rhyme, Children’s Animal Stories

Veronica Fischer has written a delightful holiday story for young readers with rhyming prose and colorful pictorials that highlights an important message about being yourself.

In Oscar’s Christmas Gift, the city zoo is home to a magnificent menagerie of animals, including horned rhinos, tuxedoed penguins, roaming lions, hooting monkeys, and trumpeting elephants. The furry and feathered residents here love being visited. Among them are a family of ocelots comprised of a Momma, 5 boys, and little Mary Lou. Young Oscar is a unique individual in the world of ocelots in that, unlike the felines showcasing a traditional spotted coat, Oscar’s golden fur has no markings. Embarrassed without his “polka-dots,” Oscar fears being laughed at. While his mom and siblings offer encouragement and highlight the attributes he possesses, words like “You’re smart!” “You’re silly!” “You’re ever so funny!” are not enough to convince a disheartened Oscar.

Since it’s Christmas time, clever Oscar decides to write a letter to Santa and ask for the spots he so desperately wants. Fearing his request won’t reach the North Pole in time, Oscar decides to take it there himself. En route, he meets up with an alligator named Mit, who desires to sing, and Carl, a panda bear in need of a comfortable place to sleep. Unfortunately, when the three new friends reach what they believe to be their intended destination, they are informed by a bullying group of penguins that they aren’t at the “real” North Pole. A dismayed Oscar runs off, only to meet with an elderly, red-suited man. While this wise Santa-like character notes Oscar’s beauty and strength and points out the perfection of his uniqueness, nonetheless, he understands Oscar’s desire to fit in with the other ocelots. Soon he offers a practical and inventive solution for Oscar’s concerns, as well as those of his traveling companions.

Vicky Amrullah’s full-color illustrations are bold and vibrant and artfully complement the narrative. Expressions on each characters’ face truly capture the sentiments of the storyline, whether in the tearful gaze of a shy, green-eyed Oscar, dismayed because he was born without spots; the toothy grin of a wanna-be singing gator; or the heartfelt kindness of a wool-capped, bearded man who bears a remarkable resemblance to Santa.

From the opening Oscar Wilde quote, “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken,” to the underlying story of classic children’s books like The Ugly Duckling, Fischer takes an upbeat and contemporary storyline of being yourself. She gently reminds children about the importance of individuality, ingenuity, and appreciation for what we have. In short, a Children’s book we highly recommend – and a perfect holiday read.

Oscar’s Christmas Wish won First Place in the CIBAs 2018 Little Peeps Awards for Children’s books.

December 15, 2020
WHAT WONDERS DO YOU SEE… WHEN YOU DREAM? by Justine Avery – Baby & Toddler Time Books, Baby & Toddler Sense & Sensation Books, Children’s Mystery & Wonders Books

As a calming invitation to a new bedtime ritual, What Wonders Do You See … When You Dream? is a lyrically narrated and masterfully illustrated children’s book well intended to help youngsters wind down and prepare for the magical adventure of sleep. Here the graceful style and delicate rhythm of Justine Avery’s writing comes alive with artist Liuba Syrotiuk’s dreamy watercolor visions. The beautiful collaborative effort provides inspiration for young readers to set aside their day’s excitement and drift into an imaginative landscape of shut-eye.

Against an airy backdrop that moves from rolling green hills and the face of a smiling sleepy sun to swirling blue-mauve skies and a sprinkling of stars, the narrative follows a whimsical boy and girl getting ready for bed. They put their toys away, brush their teeth, get into their PJs, and then take a moment to stretch and relax. Ultimately, deep meditative breaths help calm their active minds in a mindful moment, and soon they can drift quietly into a blissful encounter with their dreams.

Avery writes with a wispy hand and a soothing, creative voice. While the rhyming verses and words may diverge from the traditional, such free-form stylings are pleasantly suited to the relaxing nature of the story. Additionally, she broadens the audience’s vocabulary with fun words like “niggles” and “sniggle” that are sure to entice.

While youngsters often struggle at bedtime with concerns about the dark or worried about monsters in the closet, Avery’s smart emphasis is on bedtime as “magical … wondrous” and “best when you’re feeling slumberous.” Here, funny bug-eyes beneath the bed and small furry mop-like creatures running about elicit a figment of charm and humor rather than fear. The story’s final question of What wonders do you see? reveals a moment for youngsters to point out images on the page, as well as igniting an opportunity for them to talk about their own personal dreams.

Syrotiuk’s gossamer watercolors awash with gentle hues and soft-edged lines provide a perfect accompaniment to Avery’s narrative. This fresh, straightforward design ideally punctuates the soothing, balm-like feel of the story. Skillfully rendered brushwork draws readers into a dreamscape enveloped in ribbons of color. It showcases an imagined world filled with flora and fauna, floating sea life and planets, balls of yarn, and a frisky calico cat that lends its playful presence throughout the book’s pages.

Mini watercolor portraits and bios of both the author and illustrator, along with a message about freely sharing this work, appear at the book’s end. This small detail adds a glowing touch to the book’s overall design.

In a truly artful and harmonious combination of words and imagery, the sometimes mundane or, more often, chaotic time of getting ready for bed aptly turns into a surprise adventure. Here’s the perfect story to lull antsy youngsters into imaginative sweet slumber and help them discover some remarkable secrets when they close their eyes and dream.

What Wonders Do You See … When You Dream? Won First Place in the CIBA 2019 Little Peeps Book Awards for Children’s Literature.

December 13, 2020
STONE CIRCLE by Kate Murdoch – Medieval Italian Fantasy, Coming of Age Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy

Since his father’s death, seventeen-year-old Antonius Sardi has become the man of the house, keeping up the spirits and providing for his mother, younger sister, and younger brother. When he takes a job in the household of Conte Leonardo Valperga, he works hard to prove useful in hopes of raising his status above that of a lowly servant. Occasionally, Antonius glimpses Savinus di Benevento, a seer of great renown in the medieval town of Pesaro, and a member of the Conte’s household as well. When Savinus advertises for a new apprentice, Antonius knows this is the opportunity for which he has been waiting, a chance to show his abilities to a man who can appreciate rather than fear them.

Antonius can read minds, and as soon as Savinus, also skilled in mind-reading and prophecy, learns of this, he immediately agrees to take on Antonius. However, Antonius isn’t the only young man who wants the position. Nichola, the son of Savinus’s very wealthy and powerful patron, believes himself fit for the job. Savinus has no choice but to take on Nichola, who proves himself treacherous and shallow. Moreover, Nichola is annoyed that Antonius is given the role of the primary apprentice while he is relegated to mundane tasks. To make matters worse, Guilia, Savinus’s daughter, seems interested in Antonius. Nichola takes his jealousy to unbelievable lengths, which ultimately threatens Savinus, Antonius, and Giulia’s lives.

Antonius’s desire to defy the expectations of his class is the most important theme within the novel. He often thinks of his father, a fisherman, who came home exhausted nightly many times after the rest of the family had fallen asleep. On the days he could, he insisted on teaching his children how to read and write even though in their current social status, such skills would be unnecessary. Antonius knows that he has no other option than to fight for the assistant apprenticeship if for no other reason than the memory of his father’s hard work. Less than his best would be a betrayal of his values.

Kate Murdoch weaves a compelling tale of Medieval Italian life in her coming of age historical fantasy. Here’s a novel that will hook readers from the very first page.

Stone Circle won a well-deserved First in Category in the 2018 Chaucer Awards for Early Historical Fiction novels.

December 3, 2020
BUCK: Keeper of the Meadow by Gloria Two-Feathers – Children’s Books, Animal Books, Native American Tales Children’s Books

In this engaging children’s tale by author Gloria Two-Feathers, a young colt named Buck will learn how to obey, how to defend, and how to strike out on his own.

The scene is set in the Great Plains, where a river named Minisose divides a sea of tall green prairie grass. Many animals call that grassland their home, and the most magnificent is the herd of wild horses led by a dark stallion named Plenty Coups and his chosen mate, the lovely cream-colored mare, Cloud. By tradition and instinct, Plenty Coups protects the herd from attackers, while Cloud leads them to safety.

Cloud knows how to find watering holes when the sun, Wi, is at its hottest and how to locate grass when Winter Man covers the ground with snow. One day in early spring, she realizes she must find a safe place to deliver a foal. In a secluded spot near a little pool, surrounded by the fresh grass, she delivers Buck, the young colt who soon accompanies her to find the herd again. But the winter has brought out a pack of hungry wolves led by the fierce Yellow Eyes, determined to bring Cloud down and feast on her son. This is the first great danger Buck will face, and he shows himself to be smart, plucky, and independent. One day these qualities will come to the fore as he takes on his destined role: to search for and rule over a magic meadow.

This mystical story is intertwined with the ancient lore of the Lakota people. This is the second book for children with a traditional framework, the first being the award-winning and delightful, Tallulah’s Flying Adventure. In this book, Two-Feathers identifies many natural presences with traditional names that play a role in the story’s drama and poetic nature. Buck’s youthful spunk will resonate with children and adults who will admire his spirit and growing strength. As much as readers admire Buck, they will fall in love with Cloud, the gentle mother who is not afraid to fend off a gang of bloodthirsty wolves. Buck – Keeper of the Meadow contains beautiful, expressive illustrations by fourteen-year-old artist Lucy Roe, and concludes with an urgent plea to all children, “to save the wilderness areas for future of all creatures,” as Buck will do as he guards the ancient meadows.

Buck: Keeper of the Meadow will be a strong read-to for younger children and a very appropriate exploration for older children and young teens, with many thought- and question-provoking themes for family talks and lively classroom discussions.

November 30, 2020
BUT NOT FOREVER by Jan Von Schleh – Y/A Value & Virtues, Y/A Clean & Wholesome Romance, Y/A Time Travel

Like most fifteen-year-olds, Sonnet McKay loves a good adventure. Still, when she, her siblings, and cousins discover a deserted Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods outside a ghost town near Seattle, they get much more than they bargained for. In an upstairs bedroom, Sonnet inadvertently steps inside a time travel portal and is whisked away to 1895. In her place stands Emma Sweetwine, an identical doppelganger for Sonnet.

Emma’s family was prominent when Monte Cristo was a booming mine town, but life is not what it seems for the oldest of the Sweetwine children. With a mother who seems to despise her and a secret engagement, Emma’s life is oppressive and controlled – a sharp contrast to the spirited, independent Sonnet. With no idea how or why they were switched, Sonnet and Emma must quickly adjust to their new environments and rely only on their closest friends and family. But like any good story, time is running out for the girls as both of their lives rush in opposite directions. They must find a way back to their own times before their chance is gone forever.

Family, both those of birth and those of choice, is a significant theme of this novel. Sonnet has a close familial support system in her twin brother Evan, older sister Jules, cousin Niki, and best friend and cousin Lia. She has been surrounded by a loving family her entire life and spends part of each summer with her Aunt Kate, her father’s sister. Without doubt or hesitation, Evan, Jules, Niki, and Lia spring into action to both cover Sonnet’s absence and find the impossible path back to 1895. Rapp, a boy who has only known Sonnet for a day before her disappearance, is also a seamless part of the rescue brigade. This group instantly takes Emma into their embrace and makes her feel safe and loved, a first in her life. Though Sonnet has little help from Emma’s family, she quickly builds that friendship network she enjoys in her modern life. It is only with the support of the sixteen-year-old Sweetwine family nanny Kerry; Maxwell the teenage family driver; and Tor Emma’s secret betrothed, that Sonnet will hatch an escape plan. Both groups vow to take care of each girl, respectively, and help them keep the faith to make everything possible.

The difference between Sonnet and Emma will highlight the struggle and growth of women in the world. Sonnet isn’t burdened by the many stifling rules, both spoken and unspoken, that Emma must endure. Emma is forced to hide her true self, her true feelings, none so much as those she has for Tor. As an immigrant tasked with a life of menial labor, Tor should never be a part of Emma’s social circle, much less her fiancé. She has no close female friends and must remain docile and meek even when her mother demeans and abuses her. She is stifled by all who should love and support her. Sonnet, with her modern mind and outspoken nature, fights all of those restrictions and leaves Emma’s life better.

Sonnet makes Emma stronger, and Emma teaches Sonnet how to appreciate love in her life. In the very oppression, Sonnet finds the enjoyment of her freedom, and Emma’s liberation will create a connection to Sonnet that she can’t even imagine.

But Not Forever won the CIBA 2019 Grand Prize in the DANTE ROSSETTI Division for Y/A novels.

November 17, 2020
INSYNNIUM by Tim Cole – Science Fiction, Dark Humor, Time Travel

The dramatic premise explored in a new novel, Insynnium, is a wild, immersive leap into a world-changing (but fictional) drug. In other hands, what could be a dystopian thriller goes one step further in author Tim Cole’s capable hands. He focuses on the humans who first discover and use the drug and weaves his story with a devilish charm.

This is somewhat Bill Murray/“Groundhog Day” territory, a film exploring one man’s reliving a day in his life over and over until he learned new behaviors, new skills, and came out of it a better man. Unlike “Groundhog,” Max McVista takes multiple doses of the drug against all advice, then somehow expands time itself in what he calls an “AUE” or “Alternative Universe Experience,” enabling him to spend months and sometimes years becoming or experiencing whatever he wishes. When returning to real-time, he’s only missed a day or two. (For E=MC squared fans, it’s basically reverse engineering of Einsteinian physics.)

From a man with few basic skills, a drunk who all but abandons his wife and sons, he returns to his family with outsized skills as a musician, entrepreneur, carpenter, medical savant, and pilot. Skills he could not have learned in any traditional manner. He lies about how he learned everything, tracing it back to an accident, choosing to bury his drug-induced years of time-traveling across the world, spending concentrated periods exploring whatever he fancies with no time “penalty” in the real world.

Of course, it’s not all happy stories and roses for those who take the Insynnium drug. What fun would that be?

A large cast of characters populates this book, including Max’s beleaguered psychic Native American wife Rachel, Duncan, a Lenny Kravitz look-like who is Max’s best friend, their families, the oddballs responsible for introducing Insynnium to the public. And, of course, the multiple storylines and subplots enrich the already fertile premise of the life and multiple times of Max McVista.

Appropriate to a novel about time travel, there is considerable time-shifting from chapter to chapter that will require readers to stay on their toes as they work through this 500-page novel. And like any skilled author who plants clues neatly in the text – clues that are keys to resolving the overarching mysteries in the book – Cole does the same. What can we say? Here’s an impressive novel by a major new talent, and one we highly recommend keeping an eye on.

November 12, 2020
SHE SEES GHOSTS – Part of the Adirondack Spirit Series by David Fitz-Gerald – Historical Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Civil War Fiction

A gentle and patient story, She Sees Ghosts is a unique addition to the historical fiction genre. Take a break from the hectic modern world and get transported to a simpler time where the full effect of the industrial revolution has yet to change America’s face forever.

Mehitable lives with her large loving family in a small town in New England and has been hiding a secret her whole life. She sees the spirits of the departed and wishes they would leave her alone. The town is busy getting ready for the upcoming New Year celebration, which will not only mark the start of a new century but also happens to be Mehitable’s sixteenth birthday. On the cusp of adulthood, all around Mehitable, there is talk of love and marriages, but she does not feel ready and wants to keep enjoying her current life.

After Mehitable rejects the troublesome Anson Smudge, tragedy strikes. Anson accidentally starts a fatal fire that claims Mehitable’s family’s lives, leaving her to face the turn of the century alone. Years pass, and she slowly learns to live with her grief but is still visited by the ghost of Anson every night. After moving with her friend Polly and her husband Reuben to rural upstate New York, Mehitable begins to see countless souls of soldiers from past wars, and there she finds her calling. By helping these lost souls, will Mehitable find a way to move on?

She Sees Ghost is a perfect choice for readers who like multifaceted stories with paranormal elements, historical fiction, and Christian influences. Fans of coming-of-age stories will especially like She Sees Ghosts as the story centers around Mehitable’s struggles and her journey to help lost souls. Some books are driven by action, while others allow the characters to unveil the truth behind their pain. This is a story more akin to the latter. Fitz-Gerald weaves characters that will live in readers’ hearts long after putting the book down.

David Fitz-Gerald has a knack for writing historical fiction with supernatural influences. She Sees Ghosts is the second in the ongoing Adirondack Spirit Series. In this installment, time is a big theme. Mehitable’s story begins at the turn-of-a-century, where she grows up hearing stories of the fight for independence. She experiences a cultural tradition for storytelling where people look into the past for lessons to bring into the future.

A story about love, loss, and the various forms grief can take over the years, Fitz-Gerald’s She Sees Ghosts is a compassionate tale about a woman using her unique gifts to help those around her, living or long passed.

November 10, 2020
SOLSTICE SHADOWS: A VanOps Thriller, Book 2 by Avanti Centrae – Espionage Thriller/Suspense, Historical Thriller,

Something really nasty is afoot in the world as the Russians attempt to build a super quantum computer so powerful that it will be able to hack into America’s computer capabilities, bypassing even our most advanced protection and control or shut down every computer in the U.S.

As we find out about halfway through Solstice Shadows: A VanOps Thriller, the second book in Avanti Centrae’s VanOps thriller series, they’ve run a test of their capabilities by using a prototype to shut down Manila in the Philippines, a city of nearly 14 million people. The test shuts off its electrical power, lights, traffic signals and causes its citizens to tear the city apart. A fine test case for its potential impact on the USA.

All they need to complete their evil system is some rare superconductivity material that appears to have come from a meteorite that allegedly landed on Earth at roughly the same time as Moses led his people out of Egypt. The clue to its location is an ancient star map dating back to those times now in the possession of Maddy Marshall, the heroine of the VanOps’ first book. Also in her possession are slivers of the actual meteorite that she can activate with her mind, giving her the ability to meld with the ancient material and hurl deadly fireballs at an enemy.

It’s a breathless chase across the world as Maddie, her twin brother Will, Maddie’s boyfriend Bear, and a female operative named Jag use the resources of VanOps, shorthand for Vanguard Operations, a secretive CIA unit to uncover the secrets of the star chart and discover whether the meteor even existed and if so where it might be located.

Not only do the four have to constantly fight an assassin from Russia who mysteriously seems to show up wherever the quartet shows up, whether they’re in Egypt, Mexico, Morocco, and a host of other countries, but they have to deal with their own personal struggles. Maddie, for example, vacillates between attaching herself to both Bear and an ex-boyfriend. While Bear must handle his jealousy over Maddie’s attachment to her former boyfriend, Vincent. Will, Maddie’s twin brother, has to deal with the death of his wife while also being attracted to Jag who seems not at all interested in him.

Aside from the fast-paced action, which shares some of Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones” DNA through its chapter-ending cliffhangers and international intrigue, Solstice Shadows features some impressive research into extinct civilizations’ insights into astronomy and structures they built to track the movement of the stars. Be prepared for a physics lesson or two as well as some deep dives into the archeology of pyramids in Mexico and Egypt.

Tying it all together is the not-improbable cyber-attack Russia could launch against the U.S. in the real world. The urgency of trying to find the superconductivity material to thwart a Christmas day attack provides the velocity of this smart, fast International thriller.

Solstice Shadows: A VanOps Thriller won Grand Prize in the 2019 CIBA Global Thrillers Awards for high-stakes thrillers. Find out more about the first book in the VanOps series, The Lost Power, here.

November 1, 2020