Cannonball Read 15

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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Blood of Scotland

A Distant Echo by Val McDermid

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It’s crystal clear that I need to read more Val McDermid. A Place of Execution was one of the best things I read in 2021, but I consistently punt on her books. I finally bought 1979with some Christmas money after returning it three times to the library unfinished. I don’t know why, don’t ask me to explain it. She’s very good. Like the other one I read, this is a character driven crime novel with a mystery that’s resolved in a textured way. There are […]

Is the Past Written in Sand or Stone?

Saving Her Highland Traitor by Maeve Greyson

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CBR15 Passport Challenge: Different (sub)genres #1 After Mira and her godson Robbie travel back in time to 18th century Scotland, they settle into a content life with Clan MacDonald. But when Mira realizes that the chief, Teague, is destined to be executed before the end of the year, she becomes determined to avert his fate. Time travel historical romance is a niche genre that I’ve had very little exposure to. I enjoy straightforward historical romance, but the fish-out-of-water aspect of it, as well as the […]

No Human Involved

The Less Dead by Denise Mina

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As I am often so critical of stories that use adoption and/or foster care as a plot device for tragedy or a reveal as to why the Big Bad is so Bad with their Badness, allow me to sing the praise of one that does adoption mostly well. At least from my point of view, which is not one of an adoptee. I’m the parent of an adoptee so it provides me some insight but, obviously, that doesn’t compare. Still, from what I do know, […]

This ain’t lesser Outlander, okay???

Wyldwood: Book One by Tava Baird

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I confess, when I was offered the chance at a free copy of Tava Baird’s Wyldwood: Book One in exchange for a fair review, I may have rolled my eyes a bit at the description. I TAKE IT BACK, OKAY? I take it back. It is a beautiful book, obviously a true labor of love. Love of history, love of magic, love of romance, love of culture. My default comparison to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Saga was not at all a fair one. Understandable maybe, but […]

Paige Shelton fueling my love for cozy mysteries and title puns

To Helvetica and Back (Dangerous Type Mystery #1) by Paige Shelton

The Cracked Spine (Scottish Bookshop Mystery #1) by Paige Shelton

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To Helvetica and Back was my first introduction to Paige Shelton. The idea of a murder mystery set in a typewriter store was enough to catch my attention. Also, how cute is the store name: Rescued Word?! We’re in Star City, Utah, a sleepy town known for skiing. Clare learned everything about repairing typewriters from her grandfather, Chester. He opened the shop years ago and loves that his granddaughter has taken up the family business. Murder is rare in this town, so when Clare learns […]

If you like Outlander but prefer no rape and more fantasy magic, this is for you!

Wyldwood: The Spiral Pathways series by Tava Baird

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This completes my first full cannonball since 2019!  A little while back Cannonballer Tava offered up a few free copies of her book Wyldwood.  The description caught my interest and I threw my hat into the ring to get one and I’m glad I did!  Part historical fiction, fantasy, and romance Wyldwood is set in Scotland of 1746, several months after the disaster that was Culloden. Saorsa Macdonald Stuart is the fictional niece of Bonnie Prince Charlie and is on her way to be married against […]



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