Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse review

Title:  Under The Bayou Moon

Author:  Valerie Fraser Luesse

Ch: 53 plus epilogue

Pg:  346

Genre:  Christian Historical Romance Christian Historical fiction

 Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

I didn’t know what I was going to get when I started reading this book. As I’ve never read anything by Valerie Fraser Luesse. But I was hooked from the first page of Under The Bayou Moon, the writing was lyrical and made the characters come alive. As well as making the bayou its own character in the novel.

Reading Under the Bayou Moon I felt like I was in the post war Louisiana bayou. I enjoyed learning a little about Cajun culture and some of the things I can’t believe happened has me wanting to dig deeper into Cajun and Louisiana history.

Aside from the bayou herself my favorite characters in the book were Raphe, Remy, Ellie and Heywood. I loved Remy’s childhood antics. Ellie not only was a teacher but she had a heart for kids and others. I loved Heywood’s sense of  humor. But Raphe might have been a simple Cajun fisherman but he was romantic at heart and fast becoming one of my new favorite fiction heroes.

Not only is the bayou her own character but the town of Bernadette and her residents are characters as well that enhanced the story. I loved Under The Bayou Moon that as soon as I finished reading it I immediately got the audio so I could hear Raphe’s Cajun accent and dive back into the story. I would love more stories set in Bernadette but also look forward to reading the authors back list and any future books.

I received a complimentary copy   from the publishers. I was not required to provide 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. 

 

A Pumpkin Spice Killing by Lynn Cahoon Review

 Title:  A Pumpkin Spice Killing

Author:  Lynn Cahoon

Ch: 8

Pg:  75

Series: Farm to Fork mystery 5.5

Genre:  Cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Kensington

 

8 by Lynn Cahoon is part of the Farm to Fork Mystery series. However it is not part of the main series, it's one of the in between novellas. And it doesn't have to be read in order. Though I do recommend at least waiting to read it after book 4 as some of the characters in the novella don't get introduced till book four. I will say that this mystery was the one that had me the most emotional out of all of the ones in the series. I think it's in part to the fact that the targets of this one are Veterans, Veterans without any family it seems. And they have a soft spot in my heart.   This novella though on the slower side pacing wise it was till a fast 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.

A Time to Swill by Sherry Harris review

 Title:  A Time to Swill

Author:  Sherry Harris

Ch: 40

Pg: 204

Series: Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon mystery book 2

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 3.5 stars

Publisher: Kensington

 

A Time to Swill is the second book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series by Sherry Harris about the librarian turned half bar owner Chloe. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book in the series.  And I think that is due in part to the fact that the mystery was a a cold case one so to speak.  It was also a little slower paced than the first book in the series, but I did enjoy getting to know the characters better.   I am looking forward to the next book in the  series to see what other mystery Chole finds herself involved in. 

 

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 Cider Shop Rules by Julie Anne Lindsey reviews

Title:  The Cider Shop Rules

Author:  Julie Anne Lindsey

Ch: 27

Pg:320 

Series: A Cider Shop Mystery book 3

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Publisher: Kensington

 

The Cider Shop Rules I just love that puny title by Julie Anne Lindsey is the third book in the A Cider Shop Mystery series. And I have to say it’s my favorite of the three.  Winnie's finally found her footing and Sheriff Colton's finally grown on me, and Granny's feisty as ever.  The fall setting adds to the story as Cider goes perfect with fall. You get to see more emotion from Colton through its jealously. Just like with the previous books in this series you get more than the mystery you get a story of small town life and the people who make up this fictional small West Virginia farming town. Not only do you want to solve the mystery with Winnie, you want to visit with her friends and neighbors as well. This series is best read in order otherwise you will spoil yourself. 

 

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.

Draw and Order by Cheryl Hollon review

 Title:  Draw and Order

Author:  Cheryl Hollon

Ch: 43

Pg:  336

 Series: A Paint and Shine book 2

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Kensington

 

Draw and Order is the second book in the Paint and Shine series by Cheryl Hollon.  In this one Miranda Trent is still doing her painting tours while trying to get her moonshine distillery up and running. But it ends up being one thing after another trying to stop her. I enjoyed this one more than I did the first one, and I think it's because it was able to focus more on the mystery aspect and Miranda's business because so much of the character development took place in the first book.  

I love cozy mysteries, and I especially love the ones set in my home state of Kentucky and write the characters and state in a truthful light. And Cheryl did that.  Miranda is a character that reminds me of myself in many ways especially the childhoods   of running barefoot around the family farm. I spent a many childhood summer days doing just that.  What stood out to me was seeing my great aunt's name as a character in the book, Miranda's aunt Ora Cable does indeed have a name that fits in Kentucky farming country.  This is the first time I've seen that name in a book.  It's tidbits like that that make the Kentucky setting and people come alive.  I look 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.

The Chase by Lisa Harris review

Title:  The Chase

Author:  Lisa Harris

Ch: 31

Pg:  420

Series: U.S. Marshals # 2

Genre:  Christian  suspense

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

The Chase by Lisa Harris picks up three months after book one The Escape ends and even though this  series contains three standalone stories with the same characters with its own suspense thread there is an overall suspense thread that goes through all the books in the series.  Book one ended in a cliff hanger even though one part of the story was solved. So it is important that you read these books in order.   I enjoyed this one more than I did the first book though I loved both. But this one moved faster, and I think it's due in part to the characters of US Marshal's Madison and Jonas having already been developed and they have settled into  their partnership. 

 

 When it comes to suspense series this is my favorite kind, the kind in which there's an overall arching suspense arc through all the books in the series connecting them that way. But then each book with the same main characters are not have a suspense thread that is wrapped up by the end of the book. But this series has been neat in the sense that each book has also focuses on different aspects of what the Marshal's do such as this book focuses on serving warrants and fugitives. I'm looking forward to the final book in the series to see how the series arc ends.  

 

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.

A Match for the Marine by Jess Mastorakos review

 Title:  A Match for the Marine

Author:  Jess Mastorakos

 Ch: 26 plus epilogue

Pg:  270

Series: First Comes Love book one

Genre:  Contemporary Romance Rom Com

Rating: 5 stars

 Publisher: Indie

 

A Match For the Marine by Jess Mastorakos has become one of my favorite rom coms. I loved the banter between Amy and Dex. And what can I say I’m a sucker for a romance with a Marine. And what made Dex so much so because he’s a nerdy Marine and that makes him so much more realistic at least to me because I was raised by a nerdy Marine and the majority that i know tend to be on the nerdy side. I look forward to the next book in the series.

August TBR

 

Review Books

Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse

The Chase by Lisa Harris

Book Club: The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by

Classic: Anna Kare

TBR Jar:

Nonfiction:

 

Netgalley Review books

A Time to Swell by Sherry Harris

The Cide Shop Rules by Julie Anne Lindsey

July Wrap Up

 

I started the month with (53) unread books.() Unfinished series  Brought (1) books.  Got my owlcrate book (1) Book of the month (1) Got (2) book for review Won a book in a giveaway () Got books for gifts () which brought my total to (). Read (3) owned books. Read (1) Kindle books I own  DNF’d (). (1)finished series.  So I am ending the month at books () unread books. ()unfinished series and hoping to get back on track with the whole read 5 physical books before I buy anymore.  I read a total of (23) books across (6,420)pages

Seeking Sanctuary by Susanne Dietze (library)

When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin (Waves of Freedom)(kindle)(finished series)

Beyond a Reasonable Donut by Ginger Bolton (netgalley)

Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Edler Moke (owned)

A Haven for her Heart by Susan Anne Mason (library)

Undercover Mission by Sharon Dunn (library)

Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon (audio)

The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly (netgalley)

The G-Men and the Heiress by William Plunkett (library)

Making the Corps by Thomas E. Ricks (library)

Two-Step by Stephanie Fournet (library)

West Coast Avengers Vol 1: Best Coast by Kelly Thompson (library)

Call me Indian by Fred Sasakamoose (library)

A Pumpkin Spice Killing by Lynn Cahoon (netgalley)

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (owned)

Ready to Trust by Tina Radcliffe (library)

Murder on Youngers Creek Road by Gary P West (library)

His Holiday Prayer by Tina Radcliffe (library)

Captain Marvel Vs. Rouge by Kelly Thompson (library)

Draw and Order by Cheryl Hollon (netgalley)

The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski (owned)

One Shot-One Kill by Charles W. Sasser (library)

Killer Content by Oliva Blacke (Netgalley)