One of the books that I enjoyed over the holidays was the novella The Hat from C.S. Boyack… and here is my review.
About the book
Lizzie St. Laurent is dealing with many of the struggles of young life. She lost her grandmother, and her living arrangements. Her new roommate abandoned her, and she’s working multiple jobs just to keep her head above water.
She inherits an old hat from her grandmother’s estate, but it belonged to her grandfather. This is no ordinary hat, but a being from an alternate dimension. One with special powers.
Lizzie and the hat don’t exactly hit it off right away, but when her best friend’s newborn is kidnapped by a ring of baby traffickers, Lizzie turns to the hat for help. This leads her deep into her family history and a world she’s never known.
Lizzie gives up everything to rescue the babies. She loses her jobs, and may wind up in jail before it’s over. Along the way, she and the hat may have a new way of making ends meet.
Humorous and fun, The Hat is novella length. Wonderful escapism for an afternoon.
My review for The Hat.
What a fun escape from the gloom and doom of the world’s woes. I remember trying on a variety of wigs at a costume shop once and as I looked in the mirror I was met with so many different versions of myself… In Lizzie’s case, it is a hat that opens up possibilities and talents that she had no idea existed.
With the very serious baby kidnapping case to solve, initially the hat assumes control encouraging its sceptical partner into action. But, soon Lizzie begins to showcase her own ingenuity and the two of them are unstoppable.
When your life is not particularly fulfilling and you have suffered tough times, it is hard to put your trust in anyone, let alone an antique, inanimate object who tells tall stories about your long dead family members. But, as the story evolves, it is clear that there is a new crime fighting duo in town and they are entertaining as well as effective.
I recommend The Hat as an escape from reality with a well written plot, wit, great characters, including the versatile hat, and the promise of more to come. I am looking forward to Viral Blues the second book in the series.
Read the reviews and buy The Hat: Amazon US
And: Amazon UK
A small selection of other books by C.S. Boyack
Read all the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US
And : Amazon UK
Read more reviews and follow C.S. Boyack: Goodreads
I was born in a town called Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times, and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.
I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.
I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Connect with Craig.
Blog: Cold Hand Boyack
Twitter: @Virgilante
Facebook: Lisa Burton
Thanks for dropping by today and I hope you have enjoyed my review enough to head over and buy and read the book yourself.. thanks Sally.
A fantastic review of Craig’s book, Sally. I also loved it.
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Thanks for saying so here.
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So glad you enjoyed my corny supernatural adventure. Means a lot to me that you shared your review here. Thank you.
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My pleasure Craig, a much needed dose of escapism.
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Escapism is important these days.
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not kidding..x
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
The Hat gets some love over at Sally’s place today. She is a super supporter of the writing community, and if you aren’t following her, here’s your chance.
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Thanks for the intro Craig and delighted to review The Hat.
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere.
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Thank you, Charles.
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You’re welcome.
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A great review, Sally! The Hat is coming up fast in my TBR pile, and now I’m even more excited about reading it. Nothing like a good escape, especially one with humor! Thanks for sharing, and best wishes to Craig with all his books, especially this one with a hat that tells “tall stories.” 🙂
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Thank you Marcia…Craig will be pleased.. xx
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Craig is pleased. Hope you enjoy the story.
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I’m sure I will, Craig, and happy you’re pleased. 😀
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A great review of a book I really want to read. It is moving up the TBR pile. xo
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Fantastic Darlene..xx
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Hope you enjoy it when it gets to the top.
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Super review, Sally. I enjoyed The Hat as well.
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Thank you, John.
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Great John.. quite a fan club gathered here.. hugsx
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I would say.
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What a lovely review of Craig’s book, Sally. I read The Hat and enjoyed it too. Congrats to Craig! 💗
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Thanks for saying that in the comments. Means a lot to me.
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Thanks for adding your recommendation Vashti. hugs ♥
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This was the first of Craig’s books that I read. Such fun. Great review and spot on. 🙂
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Looking forward to Viral Blues now..xx
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I liked that one too. I’ll probably read Lanternfish next, but have to get through a few other books first. 🙂
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Good to hear Diana.. I am making inroads into my tall stack of books.. xx
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Thank you so much.
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Great review, Sally. I loved this book!
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Thanks for adding your recommendation Joan.. enjoy your week..x
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Thank you, Joan.
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Nice review Sally!
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Thank you Damyanti..enjoy your week..
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So this is a talking hat? And does the talking hat talk through its hat? It sounds like a fun read!
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Thank you, Liz. He’s a being from another dimension, but trapped in the form of a hat.
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Intriguing . . .
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It is a fun read Liz.. as Craig says it is a possessed hat… with an entertaining character.. hugs
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🙂
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Fantastic review for The Hat Sal. You can see by all the positive reviews everyone enjoyed. I enjoyed it too. ❤
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Thanks Debby and looking forward to reading Viral Blues as well.. hugsx♥
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❤
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Thank you for saying so here.
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Pleasure Craig, 🙂
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Thank you for the review of an very interesting book. Michael
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Thank you Michael… great fun…xx
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Indeed! The cover shows it. Michael
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Thank you.
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🙂
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Wonderful review for The Hat! Congrats, Craig! It’s on my kindle and I look forward to a fun read…
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Great Bette..thank you hugsxx
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Hope you enjoy it, thank you.
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That’s an excellent review, Sally. Craig created an awesome set of characters in Lizzie and The Hat. I loved this book, as well as it’s uber-fun follow-up, Viral Blues.
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Thank you, Mae. Appreciate your weighing in here.
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Thanks Mae.. and I have Viral Blues and looking forward to it.. enjoy your week. hugsx
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Reblogged this on Loleta Abi Author & Book Blogger and commented:
Catch a review for C.S. Boyack’s story, “The Hat!”
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Thank you for sharing, Traci.
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You’re welcome, Craig!
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Thank you Traci..hugsx
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
Good feature for The Hat by C. S. Boyack by Sally Cronin.
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Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome.
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Thanks for the help in spreading the word.
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You’re welcome.
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I really enjoyed ‘The Hat’ and will be reading ‘Viral Blues’ any day now…
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Great Jaye.. I am looking forward to it too..hugsx
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Thank you. Hope you enjoy Viral Blues, too.
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thank you for sharing Jaye..hugsx
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I told myself that I wouldn’t buy any more books for a while until I’d made a few inroads in the teetering stack of TBRs that’s beginning to haunt me. But this is such a great review I’ve bought The Hat and, as it’s a novella I’m sure I can fit it in soon!
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Fantastic Trish..hugsx
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I’m honored. Enjoy the story.
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I’ve read great things of this book and I know I have some of the author’s books on my list already… Thanks for the reminder and for the review, Sally. Very enticing!
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I am sure you will enjoy Olga, a stand out read. hugs
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Fantastic review. Thanks for sharing, Sally. I loved The Hat and so many of Craig’s other books 🙂
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Thank you Harmony..hugsx
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A fantastic view of a book I really enjoyed, Sally.
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Thank you for saying so here, Teri.
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Great Teri.. thanks for adding your thoughts on the book ..hugs
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I love your review, Sally! This was such an entertaining story!
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Thanks Jan.. and yes enjoyed very much.. hugsx
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Thank you for saying so in the comments.
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Really enjoyed The Hat and am looking forward to Viral Blues. But I have so many of Craig’s books waiting… I’ve got to just choose one and read it! 🙂 Great review, Sally.
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Thanks Sarah.. and I know that feeling.. all shouting ‘me next’ xx
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Exactly!
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You did. You read The Hat. I’m excited that you have others waiting, and hope you enjoy those, too, when it’s their turn.
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I will. It’s like Sally said, though, my TBR pile is shouting at me.
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Mine too. Seems to be a theme among this crowd.
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