Sunday, March 31, 2019

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

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Review of A Moment in Crime

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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.


Friday, March 29, 2019

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

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Pre Order available


Pre-Order
@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

Monday, March 25, 2019

Review of Only a Breath Apart

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.




Saturday, March 23, 2019

Review of On Love's Gentle Shore

On Love's Gentle Shore (Prince Edward Island Dreams #3)
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.

Friday, March 22, 2019

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



Thursday, March 21, 2019

Review of All Made Up

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.



Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Review of Murders and Metaphors

Murders and Metaphors (Magical Bookshop Mystery #3)
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.

Monday, March 18, 2019

Review of The Lost Traveller

The Lost Traveller (County Cork, #7)
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 7th 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.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Review of Where Two Hearts Meet

Where Two Hearts Meet (Prince Edward Island Dreams #2)
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.

Friday, March 15, 2019

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

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Review of Rose In Three Quarter Time

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.  




Monday, March 11, 2019

Review of Drums of Autumn

Drums of Autumn (Outlander, #4)
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.


Saturday, March 9, 2019

Review of The Red Door Inn

The Red Door Inn (Prince Edward Island Dreams, #1)
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.