THOUGHTS ON THIS 'n THAT

HELP WANTED (W.W.Norton) captures what it's like to work in a big box store, like a Target or Walmart. It probably won't be everyone's cup of tea, but give it a chance. HELP WANTED reminded me of Seinfeld in the way that it's about ordinary people doing ordinary things and providing laughs. There are plenty of characters working together in ridiculous situations to deliver comedy. Because HELP WANTED is about workers working long hours, and being treated unfairly by mean bosses, I'm sure many readers will relate.  The numerous diverse group of characters are well-developed, complex, and each has their own baggage and mishegas. Thank you BookBrowse for providing an early copy to review. HELP WANTED is one of  New York  Magazine's "23 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2024" • One of  VOGUE ’s Best Books of the Year So Far • One of  ELLE ’s Best (and Most Anticipated) Fiction Books of 2024 • One of  Lit Hub ’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024 • One of...

  In THE RUMOR GAME (macmillan) award- winning author Thomas Mullen takes readers to WWII, Boston where  a determined reporter and a reluctant FBI agent face off against fascist elements. June, 1943. Wartime tensions are running high, and an atmosphere of distrust and unease is dividing friends and neighbors. The two protagonists of Thomas Mullen's gripping historical thriller find themselves at the center of a dangerous tinderbox, trying to douse the sparks before flames engulf the city. Reporter Anne Lemire writes the Rumor Clinic, a newspaper column that disproves the many harmful rumors floating around town, some of them spread by Axis actors and others just gossip mixed with fear and ignorance. She's getting tired of chasing rumors about Rosie Riveters' safety on the job, or whether the Nazis have poisoned lobsters off the coast of Maine. She wants to write about something bigger. Special Agent Devon Mulvey, one of the few Catholics at the FBI, spends his weekdays prev...

THE LOST DRESSES of ITALY by M.A. McLaughlin is a delicious dual timeline of historical fiction, romance, mystery and fashion. Lost love secrets span over nearly half a century in Verona, Italy.  M.A. McLaughlin delivers an intriguing story that will immediately hook lovers of historical fiction. Verona, 1947.  Textile historian Marianne Baxter comes to post-war Italy with one thing on her mind: three pristine Victorian dresses, once owned by the famous poet Christina Rossetti. Hidden away in a trunk for nearly a century, they were recently discovered at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti and Marianne’s expertise is needed before they go on exhibit. Still grieving the loss of her husband, the trip is also a reason for Marianne to start over. But when she arrives, she discovers an unsupportive but handsome museum owner, a superstitious local community, and a mysterious letter with a scribbled warning hidden among the dresses. Verona, 1864.  Christina Rossetti returns to her fa...

  “Be quiet and listen: He is cheating on you. The name of your soulmate is Alistair George Arthur Lennox. You will be passed over for the promotion. The winning numbers are 5-8-12-24-39-43. And I’m very sorry to tell you this, but you will die next Sunday.”   When Lilah Goodluck saves the life of Good Witch Willow as they’re crossing a busy L.A. street, the last thing she expects is five unwanted predictions as a reward. Who gives someone the winning lotto numbers then tells them they’ve only got a week to live? And who believes in that nonsense anyway?   But when the first three predictions come true within twenty-four hours, Lilah’s disbelief turns to mild panic. She’s further horrified when she nearly runs a car off the road that belongs to Alistair Lennox, who just happens to be the illegitimate son of the British king.   While Alistair is intrigued by her preposterous story, Lilah is adamant about resisting the heat between her and the playboy prince. If she de...

In  THE CATCH , desperate to save her brand from total irrelevance, Boston fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen accepts a sponsorship opportunity for an all-expenses-paid resort trip to a small fishing island in Nova Scotia. After a mix-up causes her to arrive one week early in the middle of fishing season, she has no choice but to book a stay at a run-down B&B.   When she arrives, she has a run-in with Evan Whaler, the burly and bearded B&B owner who single-handedly disproves the theory that Canadians are “nice”. Though it’s clear that Evan wants nothing more than to send her packing, he agrees to show her the natural beauties that Cora’s Cove has to offer. When a boating accident lands Evan in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for Evan’s fiancé, a lie that quickly spirals when Evan’s family shows up at the hospital.   Mel discovers Evan’s family has been in a long-standing feud over whether to sell the business, so in a bold attempt to mend fences, Mel agrees keep up ...

  SIX CLASSMATES. ONE TERRIFYING NIGHT. A MURDER TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING… There’s more to Wesley Falls than meets the eye, but for six high school students, it’s home. Kelly, the new girl and rule-follower. Maddy, the beauty and the church favorite. Padma, the brains and all-A student. Casey, the jock and football star. James, the burnout and just trying to make it to graduation. And Jia, the psychic, who can see the future. When these six are assigned to work on a summer group project, their lives are forever changed. At an end of the year party in the abandoned mine, they witness a preventable tragedy, but no one will take them seriously. As things escalate, they realize the church, the police, and the town’s founders are all conspiring to cover up what happened. When James is targeted as the scapegoat, to avoid suspicion, they vow their silence and to never contact each other again. Their plan works – almost. Twenty years later, Maddy is found murdered is Wesley Falls, and t...