Books from the Backlog - The Bookshop at Water's End

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  The Bookshop at Water's End by Patti Callahan Henry

Blurb: Bonny Blankenship's most treasured memories are of idyllic summers spent in Watersend, South Carolina, with her best friend, Lainey McKay. Amid the sand dunes and oak trees draped with Spanish moss, they swam and wished for happy-ever-afters, then escaped to the local bookshop to read and whisper in the glorious cool silence. Until the night that changed everything, the night that Lainey's mother disappeared.
Now, in her early fifties, Bonny is desperate to clear her head after a tragic mistake threatens her career as an emergency room doctor, and her marriage crumbles around her. With her troubled teenage daughter, Piper, in tow, she goes back to the beloved river house, where she is soon joined by Lainey and her two young children. During lazy summer days and magical nights, they reunite with bookshop owner Mimi, who is tangled with the past and its mysteries. As the three women cling to a fragile peace, buried secrets and long ago loves return like the tide.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I love this author and this looks like a wonderful summer read.

What Cannot Be Said - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  What Cannot Be Said (A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #19) by C.S. Harris

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  July 1815: The Prince Regent’s grandiose plans to celebrate Napoléon’s recent defeat at Waterloo are thrown into turmoil when Lady McInnis and her daughter Emma are found brutally murdered in Richmond Park, their bodies posed in a chilling imitation of the stone effigies once found atop medieval tombs. Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy immediately turns to his friend Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for help with the investigation. For as Devlin discovers, Lovejoy’s own wife and daughter were also murdered in Richmond Park, their bodies posed in the same bizarre postures. A traumatized ex-soldier was hanged for their killings. So is London now confronting a malicious copyist? Or did Lovejoy help send an innocent man to the gallows?

Aided by his wife, Hero, who knew Lady McInnis from her work with poor orphans, Devlin finds himself exploring a host of unsavory characters from a vicious chimney sweep to a smiling but decidedly lethal baby farmer. Also coming under increasing scrutiny is Sir Ivo McInnis himself, along with a wounded Waterloo veteran—who may or may not have been Laura McInnis’s lover—and a charismatic young violinist who moonlights as a fencing master and may have formed a dangerous relationship with Emma. But when Sebastian’s investigation turns toward man about town Basil Rhodes, he quickly draws the fury of the Palace, for Rhodes is well known as the Regent’s favorite illegitimate son.

Then Lady McInnis’s young niece and nephew are targeted by the killer, and two more women are discovered murdered and arranged in similar postures. With his own life increasingly in danger, Sebastian finds himself drawn inexorably toward a conclusion far darker and more horrific than anything he could have imagined.

Genre: Mystery - Historical    

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed the previous books in the series so of course I had to pick this one up.

My Impression: I have really enjoyed the previous books that I've read in the series but I think this one might be my favorite one yet.  While the last few books have involved a more international angle this one was far more domestic involving the death of a mother and child.  This sets Devlin and Hero onto a journey of looking into workhouses and the treatment of children when they are apprenticing as well as diving into the history of Devlin's friend, Sir Henry Lovejoy.

This series tends not to be the fastest paced read but instead unfolds with the perfect amount of detail and character development.  I love Devlin and Hero as well as the people that surround them.  The characters are all smiles and sunshine.  Not all their relationships are smooth and they don't handle everything perfectly at all times which is kind of refreshing.  I like how they have evolved as a family and how other relationships have evolved as well.

The mystery really kept me guessing.  I had no idea how everything was going to work out or even why things were happening until almost the end but I enjoyed every page it took to get there.  While not central to the bulk of the plot there are still mentions as to what is going on in France which provides a nice bit of context in the time period.  I really enjoyed this book and this is a series I plan on continuing with.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I missed the first few books and am looking forward to going back and reading thiose as well as continuing with any future books in this series.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy historical mysteries where the setting isn't just window dressing this is a must read.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

My Library Loves List for 2024

 

Every year I pull up the random number generator (I love picking things with a random number generator!) and pick 10 books off the list I've saved on my library account.  I don't make it a goal to read all 10 as I don't want to over schedule myself as I do have a lot of projects going but I use it kind of as a guide.  Here are the 10 I picked (or the random number generator picked) for this year.  I don't know a huge about any of these but the blurb or cover caught my eye enough to add them to my Library TBR.

1.  The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clarke and Alafair Burke - I read this one and enjoyed it!

2.   17 Carnations: The Royals, the Nazis, and the Biggest Cover-up in History by Andrew Morton

3.  Murder by the Book: The Crime that Shocked Dickens's London by Claire Harman

3.  The Art of Eating In: How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove by Cathy Erway

5.  Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis - I'm pretty sure I've read this but it's not on my Goodreads and I don't remember it so I figure it can't hurt to reread it.

6.  Go Ask Fannie by Elizabeth Hyde

7.  The Daughers of Foxcote Manor by Eve Chase

8.  A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss

9.  Letal Licorice by Amanda Flower

10. With My Little Eye by Joshilyn Jackson

Have you read any of these?  Any I should skip or move to the top of the pile?

Love at First Book - Contemporary Romance Review

Goodreads:  Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

Rating:  Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.

Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm clearly doesn’t want Em around.

When Siobhan’s health takes a bad turn, she’s more determined than ever to finish her novel, while Kieran tries every trick in the book to get his mother to rest. Thrown into the role of peacemaker, Emily begins to see that Kieran's heart is in the right place. Torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her own growing feelings for the mercurial Irishman, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter.

Genre:  Romance - Contemporary    

Why I Picked This Book:  I love this author's cozy mysteries and the premise of this one caught my eye so I had to give it a try.

My Impression: This was a fun grumpy/sunshine read while also dealing with some serious issues - especially about parent/child relationships.  Em has spent the bulk of her life taking care of her mother while sacrificing her own interests and even her health.  I loved her friend Sam and she was such a good friend and I also really liked that Em talked so openly and honestly about seeing a therapist.

Kieran (or Kier or Murphy) has a challenging family life as well though his issues aren't quite so obvious at first.  While I connected with Em almost immediately it took a bit longer to warm up to Kieran.  He's a bit sharp and reserved and isn't always the most sensitive in dealing with people.  I really enjoyed how he gravitates towards Em and how they bring out different sides of each other.  Their banter was fun without feeling over the top.  I was dreading a misunderstanding situation but it ended up not being too much of an issue thankfully.

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.  I really loved the side characters and the food mentions and frienships really added to the book.  I especially enjoyed that Em doesn't say she's a reader but she talks knowledgely about books that she has read and it is clear just how much she loves Siobhan's books.  This is the first romance I've read from this author but it definitely won't be the last.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to reading more of her mysteries and romances.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy bookish romances this is a must read!

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

This Week in Reading - 5/12

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

A New Lease on Death - I really enjoy another series by this author so I couldn't resist this one - especially since it involves ghosts!  (Publisher)

Shock and Paw by Cate Conte - I've read a book in this series and enjoyed it so I decided to pick this one up as well.  If I enjoy this one as much as the previous one it's going on my series list to finish. (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  What Cannot Be Said by C.S. Harris and Run! by Patricia Wentworth

Listening:  No One Needs to Know by Kevin O'Brien

We were in Williamsburg, Virginia last week and had such a good time!  We spent a day at Yorktown, 2 days at Colonial Williamsburg, a day at Jamestown and a day at the Colonial Williamsburg art musuems (we let Will stay at the hotel that day - he would not have enjoyed it!).  It was a fun vacation and Will learned a good bit so it works as a field trip too - the beauty of homeschooling!  I've already got a list of places I want to go that we werent' able to get to for our next trip to the area.  

While we had such a good time it's been so good to be home and getting back into our regular routines.  We had some crazy storms this week but thankfully no real damage.  I have a break from obedience classes next week and am so looking forward to being a bit lazy and getting some extra reading done.  

Have a great week and happy reading!

Death on the Agenda - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death on the Agenda (Henry Tibbett #3) by Patricia Moyes

Rating: Liked It (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Representing Britain at an international conference on drug smuggling, Inspector Henry Tibbett must investigate the fatal stabbing of an important conference official

Genre: Mystery - Classic 

Why I Picked This Book:  I read a few books in this series years ago and really enjoyed it so I've gone back and am trying to read them in order.

My Impression:  For the most part this was a really fun mystery.  I really liked seeing a few characters from the first book in the Henry Tibbett series.  I really liked the international conference element with people from all over the world but no real connection to each other.  Since no one, for the most part, has any past with any of the other people it is hard to know who to trust.  

The wrap up of the mystery was a surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed the reveal and the process of the unraveling.  This book would have been easily 4 stars for me except for one incident that happened later in the book.  It didn't seem necessary - especially as there was no ulterior motive.  It left me seriously disappointed in Henry and wondering why Emmy put up with him at all.  

Overall, this is a good mystery with a likable (until the last part) main character - I just wish Henry would have made a different decision towards the end.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Yes but it may be a bit.  I've really loved this series and the mystery was good.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy classic mysteries this is a good series.  

Friday Fives - Five Books Set in Virginia

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.  We just got back from a vacation in Virigina and like I did last vacation I'm listing 5 books that I'd like to read that take place in Virginia.

1.  Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams - This series has been on my TBR and on my bookshelf for ages.  It looks wonderful.

2.  Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews - This actually takes place in Yorktown, Virginia which is one of the places we visited.  It's also one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I only have one book to read before I get to this one in the series so I need to get reading!

3.  Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano -  This book sounds completely fun in a completely bonkers kind of way!

4.  Haunted by Heather Graham - I've heard mixed reviews on this book but I typically enjoy Graham's books and this one involves ghosts and a Colonial-era estate so it sounds fun.

5.  The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges - This book only partly takes place in Virginia but I say that counts and I really want to read this one.

Have you read any of these?  Any favorite books that take place in Virginia?

Books from the Backlog - Mrs. Jeffries Takes Stock

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  Mrs. Jeffries Takes Stock (A Victorian Mystery #4) by Emily Brightwell

Blurb: Inspector Witherspoon has never come up against a case which he couldn't solve . . . with the help of his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries. But now he's confronted with a bewlidering murder. It seems as though the victim has cheated his stockholders out of a fortune, which leaves each of them with a strong motive for the crime. So Mrs Jeffries is confronted with a complex brew of murder and high finance. This time even she might not manage to add it all up . . .

This charming series of Victorian murder mysteries features mild-mannered Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard and, more importantly, Mrs Jeffries, his housekeeper. A policeman's widow herself, her quick wits allow her to nudge the Inspector in the right direction to solve the crime.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I've read and really enjoyed all of the most recent books in this series and am trying to catch up on the earlier books.  This is the next one I have to read.  

People in Glass Houses - Paranormal Romantic Suspense Review

Goodreads:  People in Glass Houses (Ghost Hunters #16) by Jayne Castle

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  His name is Joshua Knight. Once a respected explorer, the press now calls him the Tarnished Knight. He took the fall for a disaster in the Underworld that destroyed his career. The devastating event occurred in the newly discovered sector known as Glass House—a maze of crystal that is rumored to conceal powerful Alien antiquities. The rest of the Hollister Expedition team disappeared and are presumed dead.

Whatever happened down in the tunnels scrambled Josh’s psychic senses and his memories, but he’s determined to uncover the truth. Labeled delusional and paranoid, he retreats to an abandoned mansion in the desert, a house filled with mirrors. Now a recluse, Josh spends his days trying to discover the secrets in the looking glasses that cover the walls. He knows he is running out of time.

Talented, ambitious crystal artist Molly Griffin is shocked to learn that the Tarnished Knight has been located. She drops everything and heads for the mansion to find Josh, confident she can help him regain control of his shattered senses. She has no choice—he is the key to finding her sister, Leona, a member of the vanished expedition team. Josh reluctantly allows her to stay one night but there are two rules: she must not go down into the basement, and she must not uncover the mirrors that have been draped.

But her only hope for finding her sister is to break the rules…

Genre: Mystery - Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed her books under the Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick names so I thought I would give this series a try.

My Impression: I've enjoyed this author's books and love the bits of paranormal suspense she usually sprinkles through.  And wow this one leans heavily into the paranormal and touches in the scifi realm a bit.  I'm not quite used to this level of world building so it took me a little bit to get into it but once I did I realy enjoyed the story.  

Molly is a fun main character and I love that she is capable and has a strong support system.  Her desire to find her sister and her willingness to go above and beyond makes total sense. I also loved Newton the dust bunny and his tendency to get into trouble.  Josh is a bit more of a conflicted character.  He has some trauma both physical and emotional and feels guilty for what happened with the Hollister Expedition team.  

Once I got into this it was an interesting read and I really enjoyed the adventure!  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I will definitely read more of her Krentz and Quick books and I will look for more of these.  

Would I Recommend this Book? This was a fun read - especially if you like more scifi/fantasy mixed in with your romantic suspense.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Top Ten Tuesday - May Flowers

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is May Flowers.  In April we did an April Showers topic so I was excited to see this one - and apparently I have way more books on my TBR with flowers in the title.

1.  A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor - I love Hazel Gaynor and this looks wonderful.

2.  The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen - This book comes out later this year and I'm so looking forward to it.

3.  Death and Daisies by Amanda Flowers - This is an overdue review book.  I've really enjoyed other cozies by this author and this one looks fun too.

4.  The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George - I loved another middle grade series by this author and have been meaning to read this one.

5.  Morning Glory by Sarah Jio - I've enjoyed the books I've read by this author and this one sounds really good.

6.  Sunday at the Sunflower Inn by Jodi Thomas - This author is on my Must Read list this year and this one sounds really wonderful.  Plus, I love the cover.

7.  Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman - I don't know much about this book or this author but I love the sound of the blurb.

8.  Viloets of March by Sarah Jio - Apparently Violets are a very popular flower for titles.  Again, this is an author I'm really looking forward to reading more from and this looks good.

9.  The Magnolia Sisters by Michelle Majors - A magnolia is a tree but I the blooms are distinctive and gorgeous so I'm counting this.  This is another one where I don't know much about the author but the blurb really caught my eye.

10. A Fall of Marigold by Susan Meissner - I love historical fiction with a dual timeline and I've been wanting to try someting by this author.

Are there any books with flowery titles that you want to read?

The Summer Swap - Contemporary Romance Review

Goodreads: The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Cecilia Lapthorne always vowed she’d never go back to Dune Cottage. So no one is more surprised than Cecilia to find herself escaping her own seventieth birthday party to return to the remote but beautiful cottage on Cape Cod—a place filled with memories. Some are good—especially memories of the early days with her husband, volatile artist Cameron, before his fame eclipsed their marriage. But then there are the memories she has revealed to no one. Especially not her daughter, Kristen, who hero-worshipped her father.

For aspiring artist Lily, Dune Cottage has been a refuge, albeit an illicit one. After dropping out of medical school, she’s cleaning houses on the Cape to get by, guilt-ridden for disappointing her parents. Unoccupied for years, the cottage seemed the perfect place to hide away and lick her wounds—until Cecilia unexpectedly arrives. Despite an awkward beginning, Lily accepts Cecilia’s invitation to stay on as her guest, and a flicker of kinship ignites.

Then Cecilia’s grandson, Todd—and Lily’s unrequited crush—shows up, sending a shock wave through their unlikely friendship. Will it inspire Lily to find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new…

Genre: Romance - Contemporary    

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed other books by this author and this sounded like a good read.

My Impression: After a slightly slow start I absolutely fell in love with this book.  At the very beginning all of the characters are at a bit of a watershed moment.  They're all facing down things that aren't quite what they seem and decisions that have consequences.  

I loved all the characters and watching them learn to figure out what they want and in some cases find their voice.  Normally in a book with an ensemble cast there are some stories I like more than others and some characters I don't really care for.  I didn't find that to be the case for this book.  I really enjoyed each story and could identify with each of the characters.  

This was a bit of a predictible romance but it was so cozy and heartfelt with likable characters that deserve happy endings that I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end.  Sarah Morgan may become my go to comfort reading author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I have absolutely loved her last few books and can't wait to read more from her.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you are looking for a sweet comforting read with characters you can root for this is great choice.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Reading Recap - April 2024

Monthly Recap:

Monthly Reading Count - 18.  I feel like I spent most of the month teetering on the edge of a reading slope but I'm hoping things have straightened out.

Print - 7

Ebook - 5

Audiobook - 6

Mystery - 10

Fiction - 5

Romance - 2

Nonfiction - 1

Favorite Books of the Month:

Favorite Audio:

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica - This won't be in my top ten favorite books for the year but it was a fun thriller and the audio really enhanced the reading experience.

Favorite Book:  

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

Murder in Rose Hill by Victoria Thompson

Least Favorite Book:

Day of Vengeance by Jeanne M. Dams - I wanted to love this one but it just didn't work for me.  I don't think I"ll be continuing with this series.

My Armchair Travel

Domestic Travel:

I visted Wisconsin, Tennessee, New York, Michigan, and South Carolina for the first time.  I also revisited Illinois, Washington, and Massachussetts.

International Travel:  

I didn't travel internationally as much as I normally do but I did visit England twice, Scotland, and Switzerland.

Where did your reading take you in April?  What was your favorite book of the month?

Friday Fives - May TBR

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This is the first Friday in May so I'm picking out five books I hope to read this month.

1.  Mind Games by Nora Roberts - This comes out later this month and I'm so excited to read it.

2.  No One Needs to Know by Kevin O'Brien - This is a suspense title that has been gathering dust on my review shelf for far too long and this month seems like the time to read it.

3.  The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett - This is on my priority list and it looks absolutely gorgeous.

4.  The Glow of Death by Jane K. Cleland - I really love this series and this is the next book in the series.  Weirdly it was really hard to get.  The library didn't have it and I couldn't find it new anywhere so I ended up having to buy a used library copy off Amazon.  The blurb sounds fantastic so I'm curious to see if I can figure out why it was so hard to find.

5.  Run! by Patricia Wentworth - My TBR Tarot prompt for this month was "Choose a book with a one word title"  This was way harder than I expected but I'm looking forward to reading this one.

Books from the Backlog - The Body Under the Piano

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  The Body Under the Piano (Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen #1) by Marthe Jocelyn

Blurb:  Aggie Morton lives in a small town on the coast of England in 1902. Adventurous and imaginative but deeply shy, Aggie hasn't got much to do since the death of her beloved father . . . until the fateful day when she crosses paths with twelve-year-old Belgian immigrant Hector Perot and discovers a dead body on the floor of the Mermaid Dance Room! As the number of suspects grows and the murder threatens to tear the town apart, Aggie and her new friend will need every tool at their disposal -- including their insatiable curiosity, deductive skills and not a little help from their friends -- to solve the case before Aggie's beloved dance instructor is charged with a crime Aggie is sure she didn't commit.

My Thoughts:  This is a middle grade mystery series based off of Agatha Christie's life and mysteries.  How can I resist it?

What I'm Reading - May 1

I always have a few books going and this is what I'm reading this week and what I think of my reads.

My Slow Read:
I started doing a slow read after being inspired by Kathryn over at The Book Date and I've been really enjoying it.

Goodreads  The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee

I'm still reading this one and am still finding it fascinating but I am coming to the end.  I'm not quite sure what I'm going to choose as my next slow read but I'm looking forward to choosing.

My Print Book:  

Goodreads:  Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas 

This is a reread for me but it's one I always enjoy and it's been awhile since I read it.  It's been calling to me lately so it seemed like time.

My Ebook

Goodreads:  What Cannot Be Said (A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery) by C.S. Harris

This is a historical mystery series that I always enjoy and I'm looking forward to this most recent book.

My Audiobook

Goodreads:  The Reaper Follows by Heather Graham

I've enjoyed this romantic suspsene series and I always enjoy books by this author so of course I had to pick up this latest book and so far it is working well on audio.

What are you reading/listening to today?