Reading this week

Finished

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate

Buried in the Stacks by Allison Brook

Wonton Terror by Vivien Chien

Deep Undercover by Lenora

Reading

The Pawful Truth by Miranda James

Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount

Seeking the Truth by Terri Reed

Non-fiction reading

Country Music by Dayton Duncan

Classic

Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul

Book reading for bookclub at work

The Unquiet Grave by Sharyn McCrumb

Reviewing

Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

American Royals by Katherine McGee

Reviews Posted this week

Murder's No Votive Confidence review

Title:   Murder’s No Votive Confidence

Author:   Christin Brecher

Chapters: 33

Pages: 297

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher:  Kensington Publishing Corporation

Murder's No Votive Confidence is the first book in the Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery series by Christin Brecher.  Stella Wright is a candle maker who's landed the job of making a unity candle for a big wedding.  Business is looking up that is till her candle ends up being a murder weapon.   When a local who's well-liked by the town is arrested and other brides start canceling orders, Stella decides to find the real killer and find a way to save her wedding candle orders.   Even though her friend and local police officer Andy doesn't want her involved.  

This was the first cozy mystery that I've read that had a Nantucket setting and it's the first crafty cozy I've read focusing on candles.  For a cozy mystery, it was fairly fast-paced. I finished it in a couple of hours over the course of a few days.  If I had had multiple hours in a row, I probably could have finished it one day.   I enjoyed it I look forward to the next book in the series as well as other books by this author. 

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.

The Book Charmer Review

Title:  The Book Charmer

Author:  Karen Hawkins

Pages: 344

Genre: Contemporary fiction magical Realism with a hint of romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher:  Gallery Books

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins is the first book in the Dove Pond series.  A small town in North Carolina that basically finds out that they are going broke. Can a town actually go broke?  Sarah Dove who just happens to be the town book whisper as well as the town librarian.  Wants to save the town but doesn't know-how.   That changes when Grace Wheeler comes to town, Grace doesn't plan on staying in town longer than she has to.  Especially since she's now the guardian of her niece and her foster mother whose health is failing.  She determined not to make friends and she avoids Sarah at all costs despite them being neighbors.  To add to the typical small-town everybody pretty much knows each other’s business. There's also the whole bad boy next door, in the form of cynical veteran Travis Parker.  Who may understand what Grace is going through more than most? 

Even though The Book Charmer was a bit out of my normal reading genre, I don't tend to read magical realism I enjoyed the book. The small-town North Carolina setting was perfect. I love small-town setting especially small towns with festivals that are a small town staple. The small town that my mom grew up in had a honey fest every year.  And just like the back cover says, North Carolina has the best BBQ this side of Atlanta I prefer North Carolina BBQ.    Dove Pond is a fictional town not too far from Ashville.  I'm always wary of how author's write veteran's as characters, but Karen did a good job of writing Travis and what he was going through adjusting to civilian life. 

 When it came to Sarah's book charmer skills I mean what book worm hasn't dreamed that their books might actually talk to them.   As well as wishing that their local librarian knew what book was perfect for them before they even opened their month.   

This book is great for all book worms.   There is a bit of romance in the book but it subtle.  I look forward to reading the next book in the Dove Pond 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.

Review of The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth

Title:  The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth 

Author:  Leonard Goldberg 

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries book 3

Pages: 320

Genre: Historical mystery 

Rating: 3 stars

The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth is the third book in the daughter of Sherlock Holmes mysteries series by Leonard Goldberg, which is the premise that Sherlock had a daughter and the case of Joanna it's basically what would happen if that daughter literally teamed up with her Watson and the actual Watson to solve mysteries.   For a Sherlock Holmes retelling its kind of unique in the sense that you don't get many books focusing on the offspring of Sherlock Homes. I did enjoy it though parts of it tended to be slow at times, so it took me a minute but it was still a good read.  

This book is perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes who wanted more of the story. 

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 (1,818) pages this week.

Finished

You Belong with Me by Tari Faris

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Silent Night, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany

Blind Trust by Laura Scott

The Lighthouse Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Will my Cat Eat my Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death by Caitlin Doughty

Danger on the Ranch by Dana Mentink

Reading

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate

A Patchwork of Clues by Sally Goldenbaum

Buried in the Stacks by Allison Brook

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount

American Royals by Katherine McGee

Wonton Terror by Vivien Chien

The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul

Left Fur Dead by J.M. Griffin

Book reading for bookclub at work

The Unquiet Grave by Sharyn McCrumb

Reviewing

Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

Reviews Posted this week

Trouble on the Books review

You Belong with me Review

Review of Prologue to Murder

Anna of Kleve Review

Anna of Kleve Review

Title:  Anna of Kleve: The Princess in the Portrait

Author:  Alison Weir

Series: Six Tudor Queens book 4

Pages: 499

Genre: Historical fiction

Rating: 3 stars

Anna of Kleve is the fourth book in the Six Tudor Queens series, and even though it is a series each book is a standalone about a different one of Henry VIII's wives. This one being one of the lesser known ones. Anna of Kleve. I did enjoy this one though I pretty sure the book about Anne Boleyn is my favorite as she is my favorite of Henry's wives thought this one is a close second. I enjoyed that this one used Anna instead of Anne as for the majority of her life she would have been called Anna and Kleve is the German spelling of Cleve. Anna was a German princess more technically a German Duchess and it's safe to assume that the marriage was for a political alliance.  

And even though Anna wasn't an English citizen I have to say that she was probably the wisest of Henry's wives in how she handled the situation she found herself in. 

I enjoy Alison's nonfiction works   and I am finding that I am loving this series as well.  Even though there's no way to ever know what actually happened between historical people she still tries to stick to the facts as much as possible. So the historical thread is woven throughout the book but the book still reads like an historical fiction book and not a textbook.   So it made for an enjoyable read. 

With this being mainstream historical fiction there is language and other adult content. 

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 Prologue to Murder

Title:  Prologue to Murder

Author:  Lauren Elliott

Series:  Beyond the page Bookstore Mystery book 2

Chapters: 38

Pages: 304

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 3 stars

In Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott Addie Greybourne is slowly settling into life in her new town when she finds herself involved in another murder mystery when she is name the prime suspect not by the police but the local gossip columnist for the paper.  With this being a sequel you can't give gave away too much without possibly spoiling the first book.  This book is just as engaging as the first book.  And just like with most small town's in books you have the neighborhood busy body. 

This is a typical bookstore owner cozy Addie owns a small bookstore in the town.  So this one is great for fans of other bookstore based cozy mysteries.  As always I look forward to the next book in the series as well as any other books the author may write in the future. 

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.

You Belong with Me review

Title:  You Belong with Me

Author: Tari Faris 

Series: Restoring Heritage book 1

Chapters: 20 plus epilogue

Pages: 352

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction, Contemporary Christian Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

You Belong with Me is the first book I've read by Tari Faris and I have to say it will not be my last.  I loved the small-town setting of the book.  The characters were believable even if they weren't always likable. There were times when the four main characters were just too stubborn for their own good, but people tend to be that way in real life. Hannah was an easy character to relate too because she's having a hard time letting go and let God.  Which is something I am learning to do. I'm still a work in progress. 

What I loved about You Belong with Me beside the fact that it was a subtle romance was how much it reminded me of a Hallmark movie.  I'm a sucker for Hallmark movies they tend to be the only chick flicks that I enjoy and I love finding novels along these lines with even more depth to them.    The Gilmore Girls references in the book were a nice touch. 

Faith and belief in Jesus were woven through the threads of story that added to the book without turning the book into a sermon, allowing enjoyment to come from reading it for both the believer and non-believer. To allow the opening to talk with a non-believer about faith.  The non-typical pastor with Nate shows that God can use anyone for His Glory. 

As I send earlier I loved the small-town setting and the way that small towns come together when someone else in the town needs help.   But more importantly, I loved the themes of faith and family.  That family isn't always what you think it should be yes blood family is important, but so is the family that you chose and create.   I look forward to the next book in the series as well as other books by this author.

I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary fiction, subtle romance. As well to fans of Becky Wade's books, Liz Johnson and Robin Lee Hatcher's. 

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

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.

Trouble on the Books Review

Title:  Trouble on the Books 

Author: Essie Lang 

Series: Castle Bookshop mystery book 1

Chapters: 38

Pages: 336

Genre: Cozy mystery 

Rating: 4 stars 

In Trouble on the Books Shelby Cox returns to her hometown to run her aunt’s bookstore while her aunt's recovering, she didn't expect to find herself partial owner.  She'll the second location in the local tourist attraction a castle that may or may not have ties to prohibition.  A Volunteer is found murdered and the local police don't want to look farther than the castle caretaker. Shelby is convinced he innocent and wants to prove it. Along the way she butts heads with Coast Guard Investigative Services CGIS special Agent Zach Griffin.  

I enjoyed everything about this book.  Shelby while a bookworm was also tough and determined.   Her aunt was feisty and sassy the way all aunts in a cozy mystery should be, and I loved Zach.  Unlike the local law enforcement who wanted to wrap the case up quickly he wanted to investigate and actually find the real killer.  I've read many a cozy mystery with many different types but I don't think I've read a CGSI before this one so that was a different experience, but I loved it. I think it seems from the fact I love all three series in the NCIS world.   I'm looking forward to the next book in the series as well as any other books of the author. 

This book is great for readers of cozies and mystery readers a like. 

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 (1,002) pages this week.

Finished

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

Word to the Wise by Jenn McKinlay

Sacred Duty by Tom Cotton

The Woodshed Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Yard by Alex Grecian

Reading

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Silent Night, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany

Blind Trust by Laura Scott

Non-fiction reading

Classic

Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

The Express Bride by Kimberlery Woodhouse

Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate

Call it What you Want by Brigid Kemmerer

Hometown Hope by Laurel Blount

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate

Book reading for bookclub at work

Reviewing

The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

You Belong with Me by Tari Faris

Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard

Devotional reading

Did not Finish

Needled to Death by Annelise Ryan

Reviews Posted this week