Need to Know by Karen Cleveland | A Book Review

Having vented out my frustrations on the last review is making me feel a little okay. Not really better but at least not wanting to just sleep into oblivion. My cure for all that ails, whether emotional, mental, or physical, is sleep. I'd sleep all my disappointments away and wake up into the next millennium or not wake up at all. Like Sleeping Beauty only without Prince Charming to awake me from my healing slumber.

I got this book from Netgalley. This is a very gripping story, yet very annoying also. The ending was a bit frustrating for me. Ah, I wanted to smack Vivian in the head to stop doubting her instincts. To trust her woman's intuition. But to think about it, it wasn't that easy for her also granting the situation and all the circumstances and the things she would have to lose. This story presents a very complicated dilemma of following your heart for love of country or for the love of your family. It's a choice between either breaking her heart and family or committing treason. Which would you choose?

I haven't read Karen Cleveland before and I totally enjoyed this thriller. The pacing is just right and the mix of characters is just perfect to mislead you who's who. Being an avid fan of thrillers, mysteries and spy novels, in a way, I had an inkling of what the story is going to be. When Vivian discovered that one of the Russian sleeper agents was someone she knew, I had an idea then who it was and I was right. Then after that, you will start to get lost in the story. Lost, not because you will be confused by the next events but rather you'd be so entrenched and involved in the story. I became Vivian's ally and the only other person who knows her secret and the moral dilemma she's battling with. I too was dumbstruck what to do. It was unbelievable that she was able to avoid detection. I knew that someone else had to be in it also inside the agency. There has to be a mole or a sleeper agent who has gotten inside its walls. 

Wow! Definitely the Russian got one point in this story. The conspiracy was well-planned and was laid out even before Vivian came into the picture. It was so well-planned that Vivian was actually targeted and how her career progressed was also part of the whole scheme. Incredible! I hate the guy. I can't say which guy is it because that will then unravel everything and would just spoil the story. But the guy that's very close to Vivian wasn't anything he was claiming to be. I am not even sure if he really loves Vivian. It was all part of the mission and Vivian helplessly feel into it. What she had to go through wasn't worth it just to protect that person she thought had her and their families best interest at heart. No. It was Mother Russia right from the start. 

I give the book 4.5/5 passports. This is like "How to be a Russian Sleeper agent in the US." With the author being a seasoned CIA analyst, she had made the story so believable and so engaging. My heart goes out to Vivian and I wanted to be her ally and help her see through all the deception and lies that was fed and being fed to her. It's like having a friend who's in an abusive relationship and you wanted to help that friend but the friend is bent on helping the other party rather than herself. She's being manipulated and you can't help but stand and watch because you've been told to stay out of it. This story is delicious yet leaves a bitter taste in you mouth because of the ending. It was another revelation in itself on top of all the lies and deception. What else is there? I think this story needs a sequel because I wanted to know who else is on the conspiracy. Who else was lied to and manipulated? Who else was used as scapegoat and how deep does this go? This story makes you think which do you value more--duty and love for your country or your love for you family? Both are the same it's love. But which love is greater that makes you want to defy everything else?

Like knowing the bad news is better than knowing nothing at all.

- Karen Cleveland, Need to Know - 

Thank again, Karen Cleveland and Netgalley for the copy.

Being a Witch and Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara Pascoe | A Book Review

I have to admit, I like stories about witches. In fact, my favorite TV show is Charmed. I remember hurrying home from school so I could watch it every Monday night. I just love those Halliwell sisters. 'Til this day, I still watch it on the web if I have a chance, because unfortunately, I did not get to finish the whole show. So, it's not a surprise that I chose to read this book.

Do you remember bumbling your way through something new? Like a new hobby, or a new craze or your first time to wear high heels? Channel that experience and picture it. That is exactly how the main character--Rachel or Raya, felt in this story. She has to clumsily learn and work through her new abilities as a witch. Sometimes, she had to learn the hard way. This is a coming-of-age story of Raya as a witch.

The story started slow. It started to get really interesting when the powers of Raya manifested. What sets it apart from the other witch stories is that the story takes you to  some places and times in history. It was for me a learning experience about another culture. Being transported to an exotic place set in an earlier era is always exciting for me.

When Raya's powers started to fully unfold, the story also started to peak. I think the highlight of the story is when Raya embraced her gifts. When she accepted who she is, it's when the story flew it's heights. I especially liked that part. I also liked Oscar's witty comments and replies to conversations. Oscar added more life and character to the story.

I give this story 3.5/5 black cats. I enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to the next location of Raya, Oscar and Bryony's adventures. I am looking forward to meeting new and exciting characters just like in this story.

 

Why does it seem like my life is always interrupted for other people and their problems?

- Sara Pascoe, Being a Witch and Other Things I Didn't Ask For -

Thanks again Netgalley for the copy. 

 

Girl in Disguise by Greer McAllister | Spotlight Tour and Giveaway | A Book Review

Girl in Disguise

Greer Macallister

Publication Date: March 21^st, 2017

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781492635222

Review copy: Netgalley

Inspired by the real story of investigator Kate Warne, this spirited novel follows the detective's rise during one of the nation's times of crisis, bringing to life a fiercely independent woman whose forgotten triumphs helped sway the fate of the country.

With no money and no husband, Kate Warne finds herself with few choices. The streets of 1856 Chicago offer a desperate widow mostly trouble and ruin―unless that widow has a knack for manipulation and an unusually quick mind. In a bold move that no other woman has tried, Kate convinces the legendary Allan Pinkerton to hire her as a detective.

Battling criminals and coworkers alike, Kate immerses herself in the dangerous life of an operative, winning the right to tackle some of the agency's toughest investigations. But is the woman she's becoming―capable of any and all lies, swapping identities like dresses―the true Kate? Or has the real disguise been the good girl she always thought she was?

Today is International Women's Day. More power to all the strong, loving, generous and kind women in the world. It's just fitting that a book about a very strong, skilled and intuitive woman is what I am featuring today. Girl in Disguise is a historical fiction based on the first woman spy.

I thought Mrs. Pollifax was the most amazing spy ever but before her, there was Kate Warne. A widow, who was desperate for an employment, convinced Mr. Pinkerton to take her in as the first woman private investigator. The first woman to embark on a world dominated by men. She was underestimated and was told she won't do but she challenged Mr. Pinkerton to test her by sending her on a real assignment, and if she succeeds, he will have no choice but hire her. To Mr. Pinkerton and all of the detective agency's astonishment, she succeeded and got on board to start her training. Much to Mr. Pinkerton's delight and shock, a lot of assignments require the finesse and intuition of a woman. So, the rising career of Kate Warne lifted off until she had to lead and train her own group of women operatives to answer to the rising needs of the agency and of the changing times in Chicago and the whole US. 

Kate Warne's uncanny and exceptional talent in seeing what's not obvious that eludes even the most attentive person and her strong intuition, inherent only to a woman, has made her one of the most instrumental characters in keeping Abraham Lincoln alive and ultimately contributing to the end of the Civil War. Apart from this two exemplary exploits, she also had other assignments that added to her badge as a seasoned, resourceful and dependable Pinkerton operative. Her missions took her to various parts of Chicago and all over the US, solving mysteries and exposing secrets that are even too deadly for strong-bodied men to accomplish. She had proven that being a woman is not a weakness but rather an asset. An asset that is often overlooked and underestimated which could only prove deadly because nobody sees what is coming.

She had her own share of hurts and pains, heartaches and being powerless to stop the death of her beloved. Kate Warne was one of those first women who had broken the walls that separate men from women. She had proven that women are not limited by their gender, or weak, to be able to perform whatever task a man can do - just like being a spy, to wear disguises, infiltrate secret societies and ferret out valuable information right out of the horse's mouth.

The only reason I am not giving this a perfect rating is because there were parts that were a bit dull. A narrative of sorts that seemed to be long-winded. I think it was in a way necessary to get an understanding of the succeeding events. I don't fault the author for that but I just wished it maintained the same pace and energy throughout the whole book. Nevertheless, it was still a good read. For one who is an avid reader of thrillers and mysteries, this book can hold its own. 

I give this book 4/5 sealed envelopes. This book is a good example of women empowerment. Books that celebrate women, heroines and strong characters that broke through stereotype. Happy Women's Day everyone! This is a salute to all the extraordinary and amazing women in the world. Whether you are a mother, a teacher, or whatever your struggles are, you deserve respect, love, and understanding. Who rules the world, girls?

We are all misrepresenting ourselves to each other after all. To live in this world daily was to traffic in the business of leading other people astray.

- Greer McAllister, Girl in Disguise -  

Raised in the Midwest, Greer Macallister is a poet, short story writer, playwright and novelist whose work has appeared in publications such as The North American Review, The Missouri Review, and The Messenger. Her plays have been performed at American University, where she earned her MFA in Creative Writing. She lives with her family in Brooklyn.

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