Review of October Kiss

Title:  October Kiss

Author: Kristen Ehtridge

Chapters: 10 plus epilogue

Pages: 260

Genre: Sweet Romance, Clean Romance,  Hallmark book

Rating: 4 stars

October Kiss by Kristen Ehtridge is a sweet romance sent in the month of October. With it being from Hallmark Publishing it doesn't surprise me that its so sweet and reads like a Hallmark movie, which it is. I can't wait to watch the movie.  This book reminded me of what I loved about the Hallmark movies especially the holiday ones.  If I hadn't need to get sleep for work the next day I could have finished the book in one day instead of the two it did take me.  

Poppy has problems with commitment as in she hasn't been able to commit to anything long term, that includes jobs, school or relationships.   Ryan is a businessman and a workaholic he has been since his wife's death even though he has two kids at home, Zoe and Zach. At her sister's urging Poppy becomes a temporarily nanny for Ryan's children.  She plans to only stay through Halloween neither of them plan on it being anything more.  Poppy helps to bring life back into the house as she helps the kids decorate for Halloween. 

I've always loved Hallmark movies especially the Christmas ones and now I love reading the book version of those same movies.  Though I haven't really watch any Hallmark movies in over two years.  Watching the Hallmark Christmas movies and other Holiday movies was something that my mom and I did together she loved all holidays much like Zoe and Zach's mom in this book.  Especially Halloween and Christmas and losing her two years ago I kind of let the tradition go away, but after reading this sweet story and knowing its also a movie has me wanting to try to watch Hallmark's Christmas movies this year.  The one thing I learned while reading this book is that by keeping up with Holiday traditions is a way to keep a loved ones memory alive.  I look forward to more books by this author, as well as other Hallmark Publishing books.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of Murder at the Flamingo

Title:  Murder at the Flamingo

Author: Rachel McMillian

Series: Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery Book 1

Chapters: 28

Pages: 352

Genre: Historical Mystery

Rating: 4 Stars

Murder at the Flamingo is the newest book by Rachel McMillan.  It is the first in a new series. We meet Hamish DeLuca the baby from the Herringford and  Watts series all grown up.  He's Jem  and Ray DeLuca A new lawyer who's running away from his first court case. He ends up in Boston where his cousin Luca is starting a nightclub.  Once in Boston Hamish meets Regina  call me Reggie Van Buren who despite being the daughter of a wealthy Pastor and an heir of New Haven fortune doesn't want that life. She wants to live her own life.  Be self-sufficient just like the characters in her favorite movies.  She doesn't know how to take Hamish when she first meets him.  Hamish on the other hand almost falls for Reggie as soon as he meets her. But doesn't think that a girl like her would like a guy like him, with his anxiety and glasses. 

But then pretty much on opening night of his cousin Luca's club a murder happens. Hamish wants to clear his cousin and Reggie doesn't like the fact that some of the police want to write it off as an accident. Reggie wants to bring justice for the victim so the two team up to solve the murder.  

I have to say that I enjoyed Murder at the Flamingo more than I did Rachel's first series and I loved the Herringford and Watts series.  A series that you need to read first before you read this one. As there could be spoilers if you don't.   I liked Reggie's spunk, but I loved Hamish, the flawed hero who has to learn how to deal with his anxiety. Rachel who even says in the author's note at the end of the book that she herself deals with  anxiety put some of herself in Hamish, so in many ways it was an own voices novel.  I loved that Rachel had Hamish be the character with anxiety and not Reggie as it made Hamish a more relateable character. I don't know about most readers but after a while I get tired of perfect heroes.   I think Hamish has become one of my new favorite heroes.  An Nate is an awesome side kick I love with Nate compares Hamish to Clark Kent (the glasses) and superman (being the hero). A mention of my favorite comic book hero. What can I say I have a thing for the nerdy hero. 

I can't wait for the next book in the series,  Murder in the City of Liberty do to release on  May 28th 2019.  I also look forward to continuing  Rachel's other series in Three Quarter Time a modern romance series sent in Vienna.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading this week

Finished

The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander

Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Reading

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo

Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills

Non-fiction reading

Just Jessie: My Guide to Love, Life. Family, and Food by Jesse James Decker

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Escape Claws by Linda Reilly

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear

Rose in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

All Made Up by Kara Isaac

Reviewing

Devotional reading

When God Calls the Heart by Brian Bird

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Review of Shattered at Sea

Title:  Shattered at Sea

Author: Cheryl Hollon

Series: A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery book 5

 

Chapters: 25

Pages: 264

Genre: cozy mystery     

Rating: 4 stars

Shattered at Sea by Cheryl Hollon is the 5th book in the A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery in which Savannah is doing glass blowing as part of a cruise. In which her boyfriend Edward and some of his family including his cousin Ian are a part off.  Getting back into glass blowing shows Savannah just how much she missed glass blowing.  But then Ian disappears at first the the ship's security thinks that it was suicide. But then Edward becomes the prime suspect. But there's no body.

Savannah is determine to not only find Ian but prove Edward's innocence. She may have solved 4 previous mysteries but she's never done without her team or on the high seas. 

Shattered at Sea expect for a few chapters is completely set on the ship. This one was the fastest paced of the A Webb's Glass Shop.  I finished it in one setting I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Blog Tour review of A Sparkle of Sliver

Title:  A Sparkle of Silver

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance book 1

 

Chapters: 21 plus epilogue

Pages: 358

Genre: Christian Contemporary with a hint a mystery and Romance

Rating: 4 stars

Millie Sullivan is determined to find away to provide nursing care for her grandma joy the grandma who raised her.  Even snoop around the estate of oil tycoon Howard Dawkins after getting a job as a 20s era guest and tour guide. She's then caught by one of the security guards Ben Thornton a man dealing with his own family troubles.  She makes a deal with him in order to split the treasure.   If he helps her and doesn't turn her end, because even though she only took the job to snoop she really does need the second job.  Against  his better judgement he accepts and agrees to help her.  Sending them both on a journey that they didn't see coming. 

This sweet novel set on St Simons Island Georgia is part contemporary novel, part mystery with just a hint of romance.  Millie and Ben with next to nothing in common, even though he works three jobs he still has a college degree. Millie doesn't she works as a waitress trying to keep her grandmother in her assisted living d who loves reading.  A 90 year old mystery  both want to find the treasure neither  was counting on finding something else instead. 

Millie and Ben were great characters and grandma Joy was such a sweetheart.  Even with everything she had been through in her life Joy never lost her faith she was still trusting God. Even when her granddaughter's faith was shaky.    Millie I have to say was indeed my favorite character mainly because she was the one that was easiest one to relate too. I too know what it’s like to be the only one taking care of a grandparent not because you’re the only one, but because your younger sister in school and needs to finish college.  So it was easy to feel every emotion that Millie was dealing with through the whole book.  The fact that she's a bookworm didn't hurt nor the fact one of my favorite quotes from the book came from her "talking about if she had the money she'd choice books and bookshelves over steak." A girl after my own heart. 

Ben as far as male main characters go was a little on the nerdy side but that was a refreshing change as you don't see many slightly nerdy characters in fiction even Christian fiction.    Ben's main goal through much of the novel is to try to make amends for something that he feels responsible for, though technically not his fault. Though Ben and Millie come from different backgrounds they both have the same thing to work on; forgiveness. 

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson might be a contemporary novel mixed with mystery and a little romance, but at the heart it is a Christian fiction novel focusing on the theme of forgiveness this novel is so much more.  The Christian message while subtle is still there, woven throughout the story.  Of expecting God's forgiveness, forgiven yourself and finally forgiven others.  The other theme in the novel  besides faith is the love of family, and learning that sometimes blood might make you related it doesn't always make you family love makes you family. 

I enjoyed A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson which just happens to be my first book by her but it will not be my last.  I look forward to the next book in this series as well as going back to read her other books. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Liz Johnson's website

Pre order link

Review of Stabbed in the Baklava

Title:  Stabbed in the Baklava

Author: Tina Kashian

 Series: Kebaba Kitchen Mystery book 2

 

Chapters: 26

Pages: 320

Genre: cozy mystery

Rating: 3 stars

Stabbed in the Baklava by Tina Kashian is book 2 in the Kebaba Kitchen Mystery series. Lucy Berberian is settling in to run her parents Mediterranean restaurant on the Jersey Shore when catering a wedding goes horribly wrong. When her head chef and ex Azad is the prime suspect but in the police mind he's the only suspect. So  it's up to Lucy again to solve the murder, clear Azad name and keep the restaurant afloat.  No problem. 

I enjoyed returning to the Berberian's restaurant and the craziness that surrounds  the tight knit Mediterranean family. Tina Kashian writing makes it feel like you are a part of the family and she makes the Jersey Shore come alive.  I also loved the recipes that the author includes at the back of the book. 

This book like most cozy mysteries was a quick and enjoyable read. I look forward to the next book in the series and anything else the author writes. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading this week

Finished

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast  by Nancy Allen Campbell

Drink Beer, think Beer by John Holl

How to Stay Alive by Bear Grylls

Reading

The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Escape Claws by Linda Reilly

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear

Rose in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

All Made Up by Kara Isaac

Reviewing

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

Devotional reading

When God Calls the Heart by Brian Bird

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

A Swell Time for a Swing Dance Blog tour: Review of A Swell for a Swing Dance

Title:  Swell Time for a Swing Dance

Author: Cindy Vincent

Series: A Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I. 1940s Homefront Mystery book 2

 

Chapters:

Pages: 300

Genre: Historical Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Swell Time for a Swing Dance by Cindy Vincent is actually the second book in the A Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I. 1940s Homefront Mystery but can be read as a standalone or as a series starter if you haven't read the first one.  Which at this point I haven't but I want to. We first meet socialite Tracy Truworth an Apprentice P.I to Sammy Falcone at a New Year’s Eve dance in which a murder happens and Tracy's boyfriend or fella Pete Stalwart becomes the prime suspect and the police detective doesn't really want to look at anyone else.   And then when her grandmother is accused  of a crime Tracy is determined to prove both Peter's and her grandmother's innocence even if she has to solve the crimes herself. 

Swell Time for a Swing Dance gave me slight Nancy Drew feels the original book series (not the   2007 movie that we don't talk about).  Even though Tracy is a 1940s young woman and the book is true to the time period Tracy isn't a damsel in distress.  She's quite able to take care of herself.  All of the 1940s language had  me feeling like I was in Texas on the Homefront during WWII which was nice.  

Even though the novel starts on New Year’s Eve  it doesn't really feel like a holiday mystery, it seems to me that its written to be able to be enjoyed at any time of the year. Tracy is my new favorite "girl" detective and I've added the first book in this series Bad Day for a Bombshell.  I am also looking forward to any new books in the series.  As well as anything else by Cindy Vincent, this is the first book that I have read by her, but it will not be my last. 

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Book

December 31, 1941. Young Houston socialite Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I., can’t imagine a better way to send off the old year and ring in the new than by dancing through the night with her fella, Pete Stalwart. But a swell evening soon takes a terrible turn when a fellow dancer with moves like Fred Astaire ends up dead on the dance floor. And before the hands on the clock can point to midnight, a finger is pointed at Pete, accusing him of murdering the young man.

Then after Pete is hauled away in handcuffs, the night goes from bad to worse . . . and Tracy’s sweet grandmother is accused of stealing an ancient artifact from the museum. Now Tracy must team up with her boss and mentor, Sammy Falcone, in order to find the stolen statuette, unmask the real murderer, and restore the reputations of those she loves the most.

Yet as America becomes embroiled in another world war, the risks and sacrifices intensify—even on the homefront. And Tracy soon finds her own home invaded by a near parade of questionable characters, while unsavory suspects lurk in the shadows, and a ruthless reporter makes her life miserable. With time ticking against her, Tracy must be willing to swing past the setbacks and hop through the hazards if she hopes to solve a mystery that involves a lot of dancing . . . and a lot more danger.

Paperback edition | Kindle edition | Goodreads page

Author Bio

CINDY VINCENT, M.A. Ed., was born in Calgary, Alberta, and has lived all around the US and Canada. She is the creator of the Mysteries by Vincent murder mystery party games and the Daisy Diamond Detective Series games for girls. She is also the award-winning author of the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Caper novels and the Daisy Diamond Detective series. She lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and an assortment of fantastic felines.

Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway!

Time to get “in the mood” with a fun 1940s-themed giveaway! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter for a chance to win a pewter ornament from The National WWII Museum, a Glenn Miller CD, and paperback copies of the first two books in the Tracy Truworth series: Bad Day for a Bombshell and Swell Time for a Swing Dance. Due to shipping costs and varying international laws, this giveaway is open to US residents (age 18 or older) only. Good luck!

[Bloggers, you can find the embed code for the giveaway by clicking the link below!]

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MTVjZWUzOTdmNzNhZTBkM2QzNmI4OTkwN2ZjZDVhOjU3/  

[If the embed code doesn’t work for you, please direct readers to enter via the host blog or the link below. Thank you!]

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/15cee39757/  

WWII Personal Post

Since I was a kid I’ve enjoyed learning about WWII, but unlike most people my focus wasn’t really on the Western theater of the war. It was the Pacific theater that kept my attention.  As the daughter of a Marine  and granddaughter of a Sailor growing up hearing the history of the US Navy and the Marine Corp it lead me to study the parts of WWII that the Navy and the Marines played the biggest role in.

Everyone pictures Iwo Jima as the picture of the flag raising but not everyone understands that the battle the Marines faced to get to that point was horrific.

I think the one thing that really got me into Pacific WWII history was visiting the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial park in Mobile Alabama. The battleship is set up like it would have been during WWII and you can tour the majority of the ship. The sailors worked daily on the ship while the Marines were pretty much squeezed in like Sardines as the were transported from their bases to the Islands of the South Pacific.

About the Book

December 31, 1941. Young Houston socialite Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I., can’t imagine a better way to send off the old year and ring in the new than by dancing through the night with her fella, Pete Stalwart. But a swell evening soon takes a terrible turn when a fellow dancer with moves like Fred Astaire ends up dead on the dance floor. And before the hands on the clock can point to midnight, a finger is pointed at Pete, accusing him of murdering the young man.

Then after Pete is hauled away in handcuffs, the night goes from bad to worse . . . and Tracy’s sweet grandmother is accused of stealing an ancient artifact from the museum. Now Tracy must team up with her boss and mentor, Sammy Falcone, in order to find the stolen statuette, unmask the real murderer, and restore the reputations of those she loves the most.

Yet as America becomes embroiled in another world war, the risks and sacrifices intensify—even on the homefront. And Tracy soon finds her own home invaded by a near parade of questionable characters, while unsavory suspects lurk in the shadows, and a ruthless reporter makes her life miserable. With time ticking against her, Tracy must be willing to swing past the setbacks and hop through the hazards if she hopes to solve a mystery that involves a lot of dancing . . . and a lot more danger.

Paperback edition | Kindle edition | Goodreads page

Author Bio

CINDY VINCENT, M.A. Ed., was born in Calgary, Alberta, and has lived all around the US and Canada. She is the creator of the Mysteries by Vincent murder mystery party games and the Daisy Diamond Detective Series games for girls. She is also the award-winning author of the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Caper novels and the Daisy Diamond Detective series. She lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and an assortment of fantastic felines.

Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway!

Time to get “in the mood” with a fun 1940s-themed giveaway! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter for a chance to win a pewter ornament from The National WWII Museum, a Glenn Miller CD, and paperback copies of the first two books in the Tracy Truworth series: Bad Day for a Bombshell and Swell Time for a Swing Dance. Due to shipping costs and varying international laws, this giveaway is open to US residents (age 18 or older) only. Good luck!

[Bloggers, you can find the embed code for the giveaway by clicking the link below!]

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MTVjZWUzOTdmNzNhZTBkM2QzNmI4OTkwN2ZjZDVhOjU3/

[If the embed code doesn’t work for you, please direct readers to enter via the host blog or the link below. Thank you!]

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/15cee39757/  

Review of Goodbye Cruller World

Title:  Goodbye Cruller World

Author: Ginger Bolton

Series: Deputy Donut mystery book 2

 

Chapters: 32

Pages: 295

Genre: cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars

In Goodbye Cruller World by Ginger Bolton the second Deputy Donut  Emily Westhill is faced with another  murder and a state police detective with a grudge is determine to pin it on her and her donut shop. But then has her sight set the bride  Emily who's brand new husband was murder. 

Emily's friend local police detective Brent doesn't want her investigating because of what happened last time.  But Emily wants to clear her friend's name.  Brent doesn't want anything to happen to her.  But as always Emily doesn't listen. 

I enjoyed this second Deputy Donut novel.  With the 911 dispatcher and retired police chief turned donut owners. Emily owns it with her father-in-law along with a matchmaking cat named Dep.  I loved the donut recipes in the back of the book.  Like most cozy mysteries this was a quick and fun read. I look forward to future  Deputy Donut mysteries. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading this week

Finished

This is the Day: Reclaim your Dream. Ignite your Passion. Live Your purpose by Tim Tebow

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan

Swell Time for a Swing Dance by Cindy Vincent

Premediated Peppermint by Amanda Flower

9 From the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Bear by Ellen Miles

October Kiss by Kristen Ethridge

Reading

The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast  by Nancy Allen Campbell

Getting ready to read

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Escape Claws by Linda Reilly

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear

Rose in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

All Made Up by Kara Isaac

Reviewing

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

Devotional reading

When God Calls the Heart by Brian Bird

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week