August Read: In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan

 

We had a short run of cooler temperatures and sweet sleeping nights a few weeks ago and now we're back into the hellscape of heat and humidity. It didn't sway me from jumping into my "Fall feels" and now I just want to read my spooky, moody, gothic, magical novels. I'm ready for pumpkin bread, soup, and early nights. I'm done with summer!

This novel was exactly what I needed to give me that shove into the fall season. Shannon Morgan is a new author to me, and I'll definitely read her first novel Her Little Flowers.  

Taking place on a remote Scottish island, we join Edie Nunn and her daughter Neve. Edie, who grew up in an orphanage and never knew who her parents were, finds out she's inherited an island and a castle from her family, the Maundrells.  Off they go, to check it out and stay for just a few days. No way Edie can keep the castle; it will be sold. 

The castle and the island are filled with ghosts of every shape and size, including Viking ghost ships in the blood red loch (yes, it's red water!), a witch, the evil former owner who scares every other ghost in the castle, and creepy shadows that slither around, waiting to pounce. Edie's ready to leave after just one night; Neve is curious and wants to dig into the family history, which includes the hunt for the infamous Maundrell Red, a diamond coveted by more than one person, living and dead. It disappeared in 1965, and no one has ever found it. Neve wants to figure out the mystery and find the diamond. But is someone else on the island looking for the diamond? Are Edie and Neve safe, as Samhain (October 31) approaches? Will the witch claim Edie and Neve as victims, as the family curse has promised over the years?

At first I had a bit of a time keeping everyone straight as the story bounces from Edie and Neve to 1965 and the Maundrell family. There's a handy family tree included in the book to help you keep track. The haunting is immediate, and there's lots of creepy stuff on the island and in the castle. The history goes back thousands of years, so there's plenty of trauma and death soaked into the island. 

Ghost story fans will love this gothic novel. The setting is well done, and definitely gives you the bone-deep chills only a damp, haunted castle can do. Edie and Neve's relationship is solid and grows with their experiences. And, you are invested in finding out who Edie's parents are...there's plenty of possibilities. The bad people are definitely bad--no doubts about it--and beyond redemption. 

I'd say fans of Carol Goodman, Wendy Webb, and Simone St. James would enjoy this author. 

Rating: 4/6 for an intriguing family curse and mystery wrapped in a historical castle and island, haunted by creatures that will keep you looking into the shadows. 

Available in paperback, audio, and ebook. 

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August Read: In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan

August Read: Sandwich by Catherine Newman

 

I was curious about this novel as it's taken off at my library and has a lengthy holds list. I think word of mouth has made it pop. It's a short novel--around 220 pages, so you can easily read it in a day. 

Sandwich is about a couple: Rocky (Rachel) and her husband, Nick. They're in their early fifties, and are returning to Cape Cod for their annual family week-long stay, in the same rental house they've always stayed in. Joining them are their grown children Willa and Jamie, and Jamie's girlfriend Maya. In a few days, Rocky's parents will also join them for the remainder of the week. 

Told in Rocky's POV, this novel is about a family and the dynamics at play. It's also about menopause and the feeling women have of being at the mercy of their bodies and hormones pretty much their whole lives. Rocky's hot flashes are random and intense; her flares of rage both bewildering to her and also cathartic. She adores her husband and also is completely annoyed and angry with him; she adores her children but remembers vividly the exhaustion and mental struggles she had as a young mother. 

The characters are all interesting; the repartee between parents and children, and between siblings is at times hilarious and heartbreaking. Rocky's memories of past vacations at the Cape and her children form a lot of the backbone of this novel. 

I've read a few reviews that said "this is boring, nothing happens". A whole lot happens, but not action-wise. Emotionally, a lot happens. Sandwich is about being the generation that not only raises children, but is tasked with taking care of elderly parents, but also ties into Rocky's absolute thrill to create sandwiches for her family that please all of them, no matter how much work is involved. Sounds silly, but she really is dialed in on the sandwiches for their beach trips. It says something about mothering, and the little details that maybe aren't appreciated or noticed by the rest of the family. A mother who centers her life around her children. 

There's a lot to this novel, and it's worthy of a discussion. So many subjects are touched upon: pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, raising children, mental health, sexuality, elderly parents, empty-nesters, women's health, menopause. So much stuff packed into a little novel. Worthy of a read. 

Rating: 5/6 for a novel that packs a punch; loved the writing laced with humor and moments of honesty that hits you in the heart. 

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August Read: Sandwich by Catherine Newman

August Read: A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber

 

Well, it's not a reading year for me unless Heather Webber has a new release and I get to enjoy it ahead of publication. A HUGE thanks to Tor/Forge and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this lovely book. I read it a few months ago; it was released on July 23rd, and here I am, finally getting my review out. 

This novel takes place in the small town of Starlight, Alabama. Addie Fullbright has returned to Starlight to help her beloved Aunt Bean in her bakery The Starling Cake Company. The building is undergoing renovations, so Aunt Bean has moved the operation out to the family home and farm building where it all began. Addie hasn't been back for years; she's afraid she'll spill a secret she agreed to with her best friend if she stays for too long. It's a secret that weighs her down. She's also terribly concerned about Aunt Bean's health, and the possibility that Bean isn't being truthful about how serious it is. 

Tessa Jane Wingrove has also returned. She's fighting self-doubt, a frosty Addie, and some family secrets that could impact her entire life. She's got a lot of heartache and pressure from her granddad to make a financial decision on her upcoming birthday.  That decision would benefit her grandad but potentially ruin the town's most popular tourist destination. 

What is that destination? Well, it's a field situated right near the Fullbright family farm, and it's been bringing people from all over to Starlight for a life-altering experience. Years and years ago, a star fell from the sky, leaving a huge crater that glows at night with colorful starlight. Folks who need a little help walk around the crater and into the magical lights and receive the gift of clarity. The effect it has on people's lives is profound. 

There's lots of family drama, secrets spilled (some that aren't so secret after all!), and magic everywhere you look. Second chances at love, forgiveness, and, yes, clarity for those who are lost. I can say this novel gives off a very peaceful, quiet vibe that I enjoyed so much. It's probably one of my top Heather Webber novels, and I've read them all. 

Rating: 5/6. Settle back, grab a pastry, and inhale this story. It's just lovely. 

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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August Read: A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber