Dead Weight by Hildur Knutsdottir

This is an interesting little book, little is an accurate description, not in any way a demeaning description.  Knutsdottir explores the myriad ways men demean women, intentionally or through cultural indifference. It seems that Iceland, like many areas in our own nation, has a rather large supply of misogynists.

 The initial chapter is indicative of a possible personality disorder, but then the book turns into an exploration of the relationship of two women and their mutual love for a cat.  Not the normal love triangle, but Knutsdottir makes it work.  

 Both women are deeply embedded in dysfunctional relationships with male predators.  The plot rapidly devolves into a threatening situation for one of the women.  Their solution is creative.

 A great deal of this book hit home for me as I have written children’s books on depression, bullying, and abuse.  You can not research those topics without a measurable impact on your own psyche.

 I liked the book.  BTW I also like strong women and am inordinately proud of the fact that my boys and I have all wed strong women. 

 

I recommend the book.This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Hunted by Steven Max Russo

The Hunted by Steven Max Russo

Action abounds in Russo’s latest book.  You can depend on Russo to give you plenty of action in his books, the kind of action that makes you hate putting down the book.  The lives of an intelligence analyst and an Army Ranger, unbeknownst to them, are dramatically changed by shared experience in Afghanistan. A chance encounter subsequent to their return to the States launches a deadly chase. 

Ophelia Harris is misidentified as a target due to a coincidental circumstance beyond her control.  Austin Medford, a former Army Ranger, becomes enmeshed in her tumultuous world as a result of a friendly wave years before.  

Russo sets a fast pace and then puts the pedal to the metal for this high-octane adventure. 

I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Storm Tide by Paul Doiron

Storm Tide by Paul Doiron

Mike Bowditch, a Maine Game Warden, has been demoted from investigator to field warden.  As a first responder to a house fire, he risks his life trying to save someone.  That is the trigger factor in this Bowditch plot.

Mike is short-tempered all too often, and it has resulted in a reputation, note not a good reputation.  He becomes embroiled with a wealth of folks who apparently want to harm him.   His wife, a leavening factor, as for many of us, keeps him focused on his job.   Working, despite being suspended, means that his backup system is Stacy, his wife, Billy, his scary friend, Charley, his father-in-law, and Shadow, his wolf-dog.  Law enforcement back-up doesn't exist for Mike.

The plot gets intricate and leads to historic introspection to discover the motive for all the Bowditch animosity.   There is plenty of action. Mike is a terrific, flawed, and believable character.

 As mentioned in my last review of Pitch Black, the last Bowditch book I read,  I had hoped the wolf-dog Shadow would have a larger role. 

I highly recommend the book and hope to read more of the sixteen current books.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. 

The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer

I loved this book.  Rainy March is a book witch.  Her job is to see that books are protected.  She loves her job and the Duke of Chicago.  Her job is real, but the Duke is not, or is it fiction or fictional?

 

This was a delightful book detailing shared fantasies about fiction.  At least shared by the author and me.  I suspect we are in a large group of fiction readers who see themselves in some of their favorite characters, or maybe as their favorite character. 

 

The author alludes to current events, but carefully keeps the story on track for witchery.

 

I reiterate, I loved this book, I highly recommend it, and hopefully have intrigued you enough to read it without generating any spoilers. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Like Snow Before Sun by Marianne Rabalais Sulser

Like Snow Before Sun by  Marianne Rabalais Sulser

 

Acadia, a place you probably aren’t familiar with, because a British conspiracy mostly eradicated its population.  Arcadia was the area of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Northern Maine. In 1755, a plot between the Lt. Governor of Arcadia and the Governor of Massachusetts removed between 11,000 and 15,000 Arcadians from their land and homes.

 

The book is historic in nature, but a fictionalized version of what happened.  Jeanne LeJeune is the progeny of a French merchant trader and a Mi’kmaw woman.  She meets an English militia colonel who changes her life.

 

The book is a sad commentary on the despicable actions of many of our ancestors.  How we treated First Citizens like the Mi’kmaw people, and immigrants that preceded the later colonists, is shown.  

 

It isn’t too hard to look at the current issues with immigration and draw parallels.  Imagine the current immigrants relocating the present population.  Makes one think, I like books that make me think as well as entertain me. 

 

In addition to the historical commentary, it is a love story between two people, laden with the burden of societal differences.

 

I enjoyed the book and recommend it.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned