Unabridged Chick

Title:The Kept Girl
Author: Kim Cooper

Genre: Fiction (Historical / 1929 / Los Angeles / California / Noir / Murder Mystery / Raymond Chandler / Historical Figure Fictionalized / Cult)
Publisher/Publication Date: Esotouric Ink (2/1/2014)
Source: The author.

Rating: Loved.
Did I finish?: Oh yeah, I did.
One-sentence summary: Raymond Chandler, his smart secretary-slash-girlfriend, and a beat cop investigate an oil tycoon's involvement with a strange, possibly murderous cult in 1920s Los Angeles.
Reading Challenges:E-book, Historical Fiction

Do I like the cover?: I adore it. It's reminiscent of classic pulp novels and it's so eye-catching and atmospheric. I want to live in it!

First line: I woke up sour-mouthed in Muriel’s room at the Mayfair to the sound of vacuuming in the hall.

Buy, Borrow, or Avoid?: Borrow or buy -- support this small press endeavor!

Why did I get this book?: I love 1920s LA, I love Chandler, and I love noir-y fiction.

Review: On my bucket list is doing every bus…

Title:While Beauty Slept
Author: Elizabeth Blackwell

Genre: Fiction (Historical / Fantasy / Ambigu-Medieval / Court Intrigue / Fairy Tale Retold / Sleeping Beauty)
Publisher/Publication Date: Amy Einhorn Books (2/20/2014)
Source: Publisher

Rating: Liked a great deal!
Did I finish?: I did, in one day.
One-sentence summary: A young serving girl recounts her life with the princess who would be known as 'Sleeping Beauty', and her role in the girl's life -- and legend.
Reading Challenges:Historical Fiction

Do I like the cover?: I do -- it's rather dark and 'masculine' for a Sleeping Beauty retelling!

I'm reminded of...: Michelle Diener, Kate Forsyth

First line: She had already become a legend.

Buy, Borrow, or Avoid?: Borrow or buy.

Why did I get this book?: I love a good fairy tale retelling.

Review: I raced through this book -- I think I started it around noon and finished it before dinner time -- and it was a satisfying, emotional read. I love fairy tale retellings, and B…

Running very behind this weekend -- my wife celebrated her birthday with two other friends, and in typical fashion, we spent most of Saturday cooking and most of Sunday eating! As a result, I wasn't online much and totally forgot to announce giveaway winners. So...

The winner of Anvil of God is ... Peggy W.!

The winner of Cloaked in Danger is ... bn100!

Congrats to the winners! I still have a few open giveaways and many more coming this week.

My weekend read is Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan.  Kind of perfect for Valentine's Day and another snowy weekend.  If I finish it before Monday (which I get off from work!), I plan to settle in with Napoleon in America by Shannon Selin.

I really ought to do a little blog work this weekend, too: I'm wildly behind on a bunch of reviews -- have not had the brainpower to write them clearly. The backlog is daunting!

What are you reading this weekend?

Title:The Girl with a Clock for a Heart
Author: Peter Swanson

Genre: Fiction (Contemporary / Murder Mystery / Boston / Secret Identity / College Life /
Publisher/Publication Date: William Morrow (2/4/2014)
Source:TLC Book Tours

Rating: Liked.
Did I finish?: I did.
One-sentence summary: A middle-aged Bostonian is reunited with his college sweetheart, who is likely a murderer, and agrees to help her escape her latest predicament.

Do I like the cover?: I'm on the fence. It makes me think Miami/LA which is not the novel's setting. (There are some scenes in Florida, but none at the ocean or pool.) But it's eye-catching and very much ties into a crucial scene so...

I'm reminded of...: Stephen Dobyns, Ryan David Jahn

First line: It was dusk, but as he turned onto the rutted driveway he could make out the perimeter of yellow tape that still circled the property.

Buy, Borrow, or Avoid?: Borrow or buy.

Why did I get this book?: The title, caught my attention first, then this tidbit fr…

More snow coming apparently, and thankfully, I've got some awesome books in the queue.

The winners of Isabella are Elena V., Krystal H., and Michelle C.!

Congrats to the winners! Be sure to check out my open giveaways -- many more fabu ones coming!

Title:Last Train to Paris
Author: Michele Zackheim

Genre: Fiction (Historical / 1930s / Paris / Berlin / World War II / Journalism / Mother-Daughter Relationships / Murder Mystery / Judaism)
Publisher/Publication Date: Europa Editions (1/7/2014)
Source:TLC Book Tours

Rating: Didn't really like.
Did I finish?: Nope.
One-sentence summary: A woman reflects back on her time as a journalist in pre-World War II Europe, which includes a love affair, the murder of a family members, and her struggles with her mother.
Reading Challenges:Historical Fiction, What's in a Name

Do I like the cover?: Yes.

I'm reminded of...: Cynthia Ozick

First line: Some days, I'm too angry for words.

Buy, Borrow, or Avoid?: Borrow if you're a fan of World War II narratives.

Why did I get this book?: I like Europa Editions usually as they have unique angles or voices in fiction.

Review: I don't know what's wrong with me but I really ought to have loved this book.

Told in first person by Rose '…

At 30-something degrees, it's positively balmy outside! I'll be running errands in this nearly spring-y weather, but hope to do a little reading. Hope you all are having a good Saturday!

The winner of Becoming Josephine is ... Lauralee J.!

The winner of A Different Sun is ... Carrie of Nomadreader!

Congrats to the winners! Be sure to check out my open giveaways -- more coming next week.