March Wrap Up

I started the month with (29) unread books. Read a total of 5 owned books.  Got my owlcrate book and bought 2 books won a book in a goodreads giveaway. Got two ARCs  which brought my total to (30). I read a total of (27) Books this month.

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Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber

The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene

A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano (owned)

Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service by Gary Sinise

Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

Hunted by Meagan Spooner (owned)

The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon

Murder in an Irish Pub by Carlene O’Connor  

When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams by Jill Eileen Smith (owned)

A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene (audio

The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander (owned)

The Legend of the Howling Werewolf by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Unlucky in Love and Lyrics by Tracy Joy Jones (e-book) owned)

A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber

In Another Time by Jillian Cantor

The Legend of the Irish Castle by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The House on the Cliff by Franklin W. Dixon

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery (e-booked owned)

Trouble on the Books by Essie Lang

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (owned)

Something Read, Something Dead by Eva Gates

A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber

American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

Review of A Moment in Crime

Title: A Moment in Crime

Author:   Amanda Allen

Pg:279

Series: Santa Fe Revival Mystery book 2

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars  

     In the second book of the Santa Fe Revival Mystery Series A Moment in Crime Maddie Vaughn-Alwin is enjoying her life in Santa Fe when her cousin Gwen Astor comes to town as an actress in a movie that is being filmed outside of town. But Gwen’s arrival is soon followed by a murder in which she becomes the prime suspect.

     To clear her cousin’s name and still not trusting the town’s sheriff to solve the case Maddie must involve herself in another murder mystery.

     I loved the 1920s setting New Mexico as you don’t get many books set in the 1920s set outside of New York and Chicago. The 20’s is a time period that I enjoy reading about and the fact that this is a mystery makes it so much better.  This one was a faster read than the first one. I think due in part to the fact that the setting and the main characters were established in the first book. So the author didn’t have to take time for the world building or character building in this one and she could just jump into the mystery.

     I can’t wait for the next book in the Santa Fe Revival Mystery series. Even though it is a series I feel like that could possibly be read as stand alones but I would recommend reading them in order.

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

I read a total of 978 pages this week.

Finished

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery

Trouble on the Books by Essie Lang

The House on the Cliff by Franklin W. Dixon (audio)

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (owned)

Reading

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

American Princess by Stephanie Mare Thornton

Something Read, Something Dead by Eva Gates

Non-fiction reading

Quillen’s Essentials of Genealogy: Tracing Your Irish and British Roots by Daniel W Quillen 

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Smoke Gets in your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

Getting ready to read

Finding Ever After by Pepper D Basham

Reviewing

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Pre Order available

@roseannamwhite #TheCodebreakers #PreOrder #TheNumberofLove

Here are the pre-order links to share as well:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CsP9c0
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2WdRsY0
Christian Book: https://bit.ly/2U3x4LB

Review of Only a Breath Apart

Title: Only a Breath Apart

Author:   Katie McGarry

Pg:365

Genre: Teen Contemporary

Rating:  4.5

Only a Breath Apart is the newest book by Katie McGarry. And each of her books just keep getting better. I have to say that this book is my favorite of hers so far.  Like all of Katie’s previous books this one is set in Kentucky. This one is set in small town Kentucky.

Jess Lachlin believes that he is cursed either that or his family’s land is cursed. Scarlett Copeland wants to just get out of town and go to the University of Kentucky to get the degree that she wants. Not the life that everyone else wants her to live. These two teens were friends as children but drifted apart at the start of high school.  The book is told from the point of view of both Jess and Scarlet told in alternating chapters.

Both Jess and Scarlett have a lot to learn and growing to do. As they are going to need each in order for both their dreams to succeed. Growing up in Kentucky and spending summer on my great-grandparents farm I understand how important Jess’s farm and land is to him. As land is still important to Kentucky farmers to this day. And how a lot of them her land rich but cash poor, but they don’t want to sale because the land has been in the family for generations.

    

This book wrapped up nicely but did leave room for a possibly sequel or even a series and I enjoyed that.

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 On Love's Gentle Shore

Title: On Love’s Gentle Shore

Author:   Liz Johnson

Ch: 21 plus epilogue

Pg: 336

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams book 3

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  4.5 stars

     On Love’s Gentle Shore by the Liz Johnson is the third book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series. Natalie O’Ryan never thought she would be back in her hometown. But yet she is because her fiancée thought he would surprise her with a wedding on Prince Edward Island. He thought she would love to get married in her hometown, because she’s never told him the reason she left and never looked back. She’s been keeping a part of herself and her past a secret from him. As well as the boy she left behind.

     Justin Kane and Natalie where best friends as children and teens. But when Natalie left without so much as a goodbye Justin buried the hurt and their friendship and focused on running his family’s dairy farm. Now that Natalie’s back in town to get married he doesn’t know what to think. Can these two find a way to mend the past and save a friendship or will they find so much more.

     Even though Justin is the boy from her past and she has a fiancée there isn’t a love triangle.  This book isn’t so much about romance as much as it is about Natalie learning to love herself despite her past, and past hurts. Out of all the characters in this series Natalie was the one I related to the must because like her I didn’t really fit in with my classmates in school and I had stutter that never completely went away. Even now it still comes out when I am tired or stressed.

     All in all, this is good series I would recommend reading. I read this one the fastest out of all of them because I just couldn’t put it down. This book should be read after the first two in the series.  This isn’t the last book in the series. There is a Christmas Novella that comes after this one. That I still have to read.

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

I read a total of 1,230 pages this week.

Finished

The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Linsday Harrel

A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro (e-book)

With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander (audio)

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene (audio)

Unlucky in Love by Tracy Joy Jones (e-book) (owned)

The Legend of the Howling Werewolf by Gertrude Chandler Warner (audio)

It’s Milking Time by Phyllis E. Alsdurf

In Another Time by Jillian Cantor

A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber (e-book)

Reading

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

American Princess by Stephanie Mare Thornton

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

Once Upon a Laugh by Pepper D Basham

Finding Ever After by Pepper D Basham

Reviewing

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Review of All Made Up

Title: All Made Up

Author:   Kara Isaac

Ch: 35

Pg: 376

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  5

All Made Up is my favorite of Kara’s books.  It is also the most emotional of her books at least two me. Katriona McLeod has been a secondary character in Kara’s first three books. She had a career as a professional make-up artist that is dealing with a strong case of what might have been.  She working as a makeup artist the set of the reality TV show Falling for the Farmer when she finds herself on   the show. And the farmer is none other than her ex Caleb Murphy.

Caleb Murphy can’t believe that his mother signed him up for this show nor can he believe that Kat is one of the constants. He sees this as a second chance.  Katriona’s not so sure.

Katriona’ was the easiest character of Kara’s for me to relate to. Not because of the relationship issues nor the reality TV show aspect.  That part was a bit of a turn off because I don’t really care for reality TV. I never did.  But because of the medical issues that she goes through. As I also deal with the same issues. Though not to the level that Katriona does. I was blessed that mom recognized the symptoms and kept taking me to doctors till we got one to listen and start my treatment. So I felt Kat’s plan as well as how she felt when her felt her like her dreams for the future were gone.

Kara did her research on the condition and actually talked to women who have suffered from the condition so that she could write a character true to life. I feel like this book brought to awareness to the condition of Endometriosis. This is the first book I have read that I read that had this condition. And quite frankly we need more books like this tastefully done.   I am thankful that Kara was thoughtful and brave enough to get Katriona her own book.

Review of Murders and Metaphors

Title: Murders and Metaphors

Author:   Amanda Flower

Ch: 37

Pg:320

Series: A Magical Bookshop Mystery book 3

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating:  4 stars

Murders and Metaphors is the third book in the A Magical Bookshop Series by Amanda Flower. And my favorite of the series so far. With Cozy mysteries I feel that by the third book you have the setting set as well as the characters and you can focus on the mystery and the story.  And Murders and Metaphors is no exception.  

Violet Waverly is finally settling back into her hometown and finally forgiven her grandmother for lying to her. When another mystery has landed in her lap. And though she promised her grandmother and police chief David Rainwater that she would stay out of murders mysteries from now on. But it’s a promise she can’t keep when her best friend is the prime suspect.

This one was a quick read. That to me wrapped up nicely.  Violet is left with a decision that she’s pretty much had to make since the first book.  And I as a reader think she made the right decision. If there are any more books in this series, I look forward to them. As well as any other books by Amanda Flowers.

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 The Lost Traveller

Title: The Lost Traveller

Author:   Sheila Connolly

Pg: 336

Series: County Cork book 7

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating:  3.5 stars

     The Lost Traveller by Sheila Connolly is the 7^th book in the County Cork series.  Boston Ex-Pat Maura Donovan has settled into life in County Cork as a pub owner. The rest of the village is finally seeing her as one of the locals. She may have found romance with a local boy.  When another murder lands in her lap when a body is found behind the pub.

     I love the Irish village setting as well as the Irish charm of this series.  Sheila’s writing makes it feel like you are in Ireland when you are reading the book. Which I enjoyed it’s a bit like armchair traveling.

     I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and books set in Ireland.

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 Where Two Hearts Meet

Title:  Where Two Hearts Meet

Author:   Liz Johnson

Ch: 26

Pg:376

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams book 2

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

     Where Two Hearts Meet is the second book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series by Liz Johnson though book 2 focuses on two different main characters’ chef Caden Holt and and Journalist Adam Jacobs it picks up where the first book The Red Door Inn leaves off, so it’s best to only read this one after reading the first one. 

     Caden loves her job and her hometown sometimes but she’s always seen herself as the plain one, the girl that just seen as a friend. She’s pretty much given up on ever falling in love. Adam thinks he two scared from the mistakes of his past to ever have a chance with a girl like Caden. That is until he meets a wise old man who just happens to be a guest at the Inn. Who gives Adam some advice that he just needs to hear from someone who’s been where he’s been.

     I enjoyed this one more than the first one in the series and it really is worth the read.  It a quick read just like the first one in the series.

Reading this week

I read a total of 1,909 pages this week.

Finished

Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service by Gary Sinise

Murder in an Irish Pub by Carlene O’Connor

Hunted by Meagan Spooner

The Tower Treasure by Franklin W Dixon

When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams: Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible by Jill Eileen Smith

Reading

The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Linsday Harrel

A Question of Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery

Audio on the Way to Work

With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene

Getting ready to read

Once Upon a Laugh by Pepper D Basham

Finding Ever After by Pepper D Basham

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

In Another Time by Jillian Cantor

Reviewing

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Review of Rose In Three Quarter Time

Title: Rose In Three Quarter Time

Author:   Rachel McMillian

Pg:179

Series: Three Quarter Time

Genre: Contemporary

Rating:  5 Stars

Rose in Three Quarter Time is the second book in the Three Quarter Time series by Rachel McMillan and is my favorite of the series so far. I first discovered Rachel’s writing with the Herringford and Watts Mysteries which is basically a female Sherlock and Watson retelling and I was hooked. This is Rachel’s first Contemporary series set in Austria. A country I’ve always wanted to visit, first in part because of its musical heritage and after watching The Sound of Music many times as a child. Plus, this a modern marriage of convince story which is new for me.  

I have to say that Rose NcNeil is one of my favorite new contemporary heroines, mainly because I can relate to her character in many ways. Like Rose I also play the violin but not at the level that Rose plays at, and after reading this book I’m upset that I haven’t picked up a violin in years. Rose’s drink of choice the Shirley Temple is also a favorite of mine.

The hero of this book is Oliver Thorne who just happens to be a loveable dork. My kind of hero who has a habit of doing and saying the wrong thing at times.  But after being forced to give up his dreams he doesn’t want Rose to have to give up her dreams. He wants to do whatever is in his power to make that happen.

This is a sweet Contemporary read that I recommend to anyone who loves romance and contemporary novels.  

Review of Drums of Autumn

Title: Drums of Autumn

Author:   Diana Gabaldon

Ch: 71

Pg: 1070

Series: Outlander book 4

Genre: Historical fiction, Historical romance, time travel

Rating:  4 Stars

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon is the fourth book in the Outlander series. And two me the first book in the series that starts turning it in two a family saga instead of a romance between the series main characters of Jamie and Claire. As in this book Jamie’s and Claire’s daughter Brianna starts to play a bigger role in the books as does Roger Mackenzie Wakefield. The Oxford history professor. 

     Outside of Outlander the first book in the series Drums of Autumn is my favorite book. I think that’s mostly due in part to fact that I like Roger more than Jamie I know it’s an unpopular opinion but it’s mine.  This book to me was the most emotional of the books so far. There were a few scenes in this one that I either skipped or skimmed over for personal reasons.

     Diana did her research for this one. She got the anger and reaction spot on for a father would react to hearing a certain type of news from his daughter. And not just for the time period. It’s the emotions that I think even a modern father would feel. They just couldn’t react the way Jamie did.

     As much as I enjoyed the Scottish highland setting of book 1 and part of book 3 I am looking the backwoods 1760s North Carolina. As a history nerd American Colonial history leading up to the American revolution is one of my favorite time periods.

     I am looking forward to book 5 The Fiery Cross and hope that Brianna and Roger continue to play a big part in the series as well as Jamie and Claire and I also want to see Ian again.  Drums of Autumn was my favorite of the series so far.

Review of The Red Door Inn

Title:  The Red Door Inn

Author:   Liz Johnson

Ch: 24

Pg:336

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams book1

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

     The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson is the first book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series.  Marie Carrington finds herself in Prince Edward Island thinks to the kindness of Jack Sloane, as well as helping him get his bed and breakfast up and running. Though Jack’s nephew Seth thinks that Marie is up to something he doesn’t trust her.

     The only thing that both Marie and Seth want is to find a safe place to get over the hurts of their past.  But they end up finding so much more.  Proving that God’s plans are always so much better than our plans.

     I enjoyed this book. It’s a sweet read.