Friday Fives - March 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 March so I'm picking out five books I hope to read this month.

1.  A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian - This is the third book in a really fun mystery series involving a company that creates hidden rooms and staircases and a former magician.  I really enjoyed the previous book and can't wait to read this one.

2.  The Beekeeper's Daughter by Santa Montefiore - I've read a few books by this author and really enjoyed them but for whatever reason I I never got around to this one.  It sounds gorgeous.

3.  Homecoming by Kate Morton - This book is on my priority list for this year and I absolutely cannot wait to read it!  It sounds amazing and I love all the books I've read by this author.

4.  Peril in Paperback by Kate Carlisle - I've enjoyed this cozy mystery series involving a book restorer for years and looking forward to going back to this series.  

5.  Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne - My TBR Tarot prompt for this month was Choose a Book That Has Been Made into a Movie or Show.  I'm pretty sure this has been made into both and multiple times.  It's the classic I've been meaning to read this year and this looks like the perfect time to do it!

What are you hoping to read in March?

Books from the Backlog - Hummingbird Lake

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:  Hummingbird Lake by Emily March

Blurb:  Haunted by painful memories, pediatric surgeon Sage Anderson gives up medicine and moves to Eternity Springs. There she finds a place to call home, but even her newfound success as a gifted artist isn’t enough to keep her nightmares at bay. Colt Rafferty is about to change all that.

Eternity Springs is a refuge for Colt, a place to ground himself when the stress of investigating tragedies takes its toll. He has come here for a little R & R, but instead of relaxing, he finds himself fascinated by the mysterious redhead whose secrets beg to be discovered—a beauty running from her past, a heartsick woman in desperate need of the sweet sanctuary of a devoted man’s embrace. And he is just the man to show her the true path to peace—by offering her the healing power of love.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I'd like to continue reading this series in order and this is the next book.  I've really enjoyed getting to know Sage in the other books I've read so I'm looking forward to reading her story.

Revved Up 4 Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Revved Up 4 Murder (A Sophie Kimball Mystery #12) by J.C. Eaton

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

Description:  The seniors of Sun City West are celebrating again, this time over the news that Wayne from the pinochle club finally has a chance to restore his classic car. Phee goes along for the ride, but her thoughts are on her agency’s latest case—a priceless artifact that’s missing from the local museum. It’s an antique doll supposedly filled with treasure—but also carrying a curse for whoever possesses it. Then a dead body is found under Wayne’s car, along with signs of foul play, and Phee is coaxed into helping get him off the hook. It’s clear to Phee that the victim was killed by sabotaged machinery, but the garage attracts so much foot traffic that narrowing down a list of suspects will be nearly impossible. Harder still will be keeping her mother’s gaggle of friends from meddling in the case, especially after they throw a wrench into the works by trying to locate the missing doll. Soon Phee and the whole group are careening toward a head-on collision with a thief, a killer, and a cursed doll, and she can only hope they don’t drive her insane—or worse—make her the next victim . . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy    

Why I Picked This Book:  I have really enjoyed this series and have kept up with it from the first book.  

My Impression: This series is my favorite bit of chaos and this latest book was no exception.  Phee is hoping for a peaceful bit of time but first a possibly possessed doll has gone missing and then a member of the Automotive Club is found trapped under the hood of a member's car.  A member who just happens to be Wayne - part of the world of Sun City West and friends with Phee's mother Harriet and the rest of the book club crew.  

This was a fun read from beginning to end.  I especially loved the appearance of Rollo (the computer genius who requests to be paid in kitchen appliances) and Phee's Aunt Ina's "help".  While there is a lot of zaniness there's also a solid mystery that kept me guessing as well as a likable cast of characters.  I love seeing Phee and Marshall together - especially in their calm moments.

This is a series I have read from the very first book and I enjoyed this book just as much as the other books in the series.  If you enjoy a fun cozy this series is a must read.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've really enjoyed every book in the series and will read anything I come across by this author.  

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozies with a bit of a zany spin this series is a must read!

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books on My TBR with Titles that Have Things From Nature

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 Titles with Items From Nature and I'm focusing on books in my TBR that have things from nature in the title.

1.  Fresh Water for Flowers by Verlie Perrin

2.  Enchanted Hill by Emily Bain Murphy

3.  The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor

4.  The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

5.  In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicki Delany

6.  The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews

7.  The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

8.  Midnight Dunes by Laura Griffin

9.  Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong 

10.  The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela M. Kelley

What books on your TBR have nature-y titles

The Murder Club - Romantic Suspense Review

Goodreads:  The Murder Club (Pike, Wisconsin #5) by Alexandra Ivy

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Over the years, small-town Pike, Wisconsin, has seen its share of shady characters, murderers, and serial killers—and not all of them have landed behind bars. For some folks, solving cold cases from the safety of the virtual world is a harmless diversion—but the stakes can be deadly . . .

An online crime-solving group is just the kind of adventure Bailey Evans needs. She loves her nursing career and small-town life, but her days are predictable. Her confidence bolstered by having her sheriff cousin Zac nearby, Bailey’s up for some innocent fun and intrigue. . . . Until she starts receiving unnerving Once the game begins, there’s no backing out of The Murder Club. Then the game gets real . . .

First, Bailey is shut out at work after an elderly patient dies and leaves her a shocking inheritance. Then a priceless necklace from an anonymous source arrives in her mail—along with a bone-chilling threat. Determined not to involve expectant father Zac, Bailey contacts an expert the charming Las Vegas businessman who’s never left her mind . . .

Dom Lucier knows real gems—and Bailey is the most precious thing he’s seen since they met at her best friend’s wedding. Returning to Pike to trace the jewelry’s bloody history, Dom helps Bailey kick open a murderous cold case. But as death and disaster escalate, they’ll need a new strategy to escape a killer who won’t be satisfied until the streets of Pike are soaked in blood . . .

Genre: Mystery - Romantic Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  The blurb for this one really caught my attention and I thought it sounded like a fun read.

My Impression:  This was the first time I've read anything by this author and while it is the 5th in the series I had no problem starting here.  The series is pretty much location based with each book being a separate story so I had no problems jumping in here.  

Bailey's life is a bit bleak.  She works as a nurse at a nursing home where they aren't treated well or paid very much.  Pike, Wisconsin is run down and crime ridden and people leave as soon as they can.  The most exciting thing that has happened is the marriage of Bailey's friend to a wealthy TV star (this was the previous book) and the fact that the now wealthy TV star's business partner, Dom Lucier, is now house sitting for them.  Part of the reason he agreed to housesit so readily is because he remembered Bailey from the wedding and wanted to get to know her better.  I liked that there was a connection and interest already started before things went off the rails.  It made their connection feel a bit more authentic.

The book had a bit of a slow start and at times the writing felt a bit blocky and awkward.  As well, Bailey is a bit hard to connect to.  She's a nice woman and motivated by helping people but I never felt like she was well fleshed out.  I also found her apologetic attitude towards her interest in true crime a bit odd - as honestly I would imagine the target market for this book is mostly people interested in true crime.  That said I did end up enjoying this book and I enjoyed figuring out what happened with the deaths and the private murder club.  I would read more from this author if I found another blurb that interested me.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would if the blurb interested me.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you're in the mood for a light romantic suspense this is an entertaining read overall.

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

Pursuit of a Parcel - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Pursuit of a Parcel by Patricia Wentworth

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Double agent Cornelius Roos is about to become dispensable to the Germans—until he reveals the existence of a recording that will guarantee the death of a high-ranking Nazi official if it finds its way into the hands of Hermann Goering. So Roos strikes a bargain: If he walks out of Gestapo headquarters alive, he will ensure that the compromising recording never reaches Goering.

Meanwhile, in the Foreign Intelligence office in England, agent Antony Rossiter is interrogated about Roos, his older, adopted brother. A few days later, Rossiter parachutes into Holland to make contact with Roos. But when a brown paper parcel with Rossiter’s name on it is delivered to a British law firm, Rossiter’s fiancée, Delia Merridew, becomes an innocent pawn in a deadly game of international espionage and cold-blooded murder. Now it’s up to Scotland Yard Inspector Ernest Lamb and Detective Frank Abbott to ferret out the truth before a desperate enemy claims another victim.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I love Patricia Wentworth's mysteries and am always looking to read more of her non-Miss Silver mysteries.

My Impression: I've been a fan of Patricia Wentworth's books almost as long as I've been a fan of Agatha Christie's books.  I love Miss Silver and visiting the cozy world Wentworth creates for her characters.  

This one is a bit different from other books I've read by this author.  Colonel Garrett is there with his behind the scenes masterminding, Frank Abbott and Ernest Lamb make a (very brief) appearance.  As well there are two beautiful and well to do main characters.  They are not, however, inhabiting a cozy world.  Delia and Antony are living in the middle of World War II England filled with bombings and air raid sirens and being constantly aware that someone with sinister motives could be hiding in your midst.  There's a bit of chaos and uncertainty mixed in with Wentworth's usual elements that I really enjoyed.  

This was an interesting read - especially since it is a book set during World War II that was written and published during that time period.  The mystery was on the slower side and there were a few points where the characters seemed to either make giant leaps or take forever to figure out that cut down on my enjoyment a little bit.  Overall, however, this was an interesting and entertaining read and I always love finding a Wentworth mystery that I haven't read before.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  Wentworth is one of my favorite authors and while I don't love all of her books I always enjoy reading them.  

Would I Recommend this Book? If you like classic mysteries or books set during World War II I think you would enjoy this one.

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

Friday Fives - Five Short Reviews For Books I've Read Recently

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 week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  The Couple in the Photo by Helen Cooper - Well that was a roller coaster!  I picked this book up on a random library wander only really knowing I liked the title.  This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. I really liked the author's writing style and balance of giving the reader enough details to keep the plot moving but not so much that I figured things out before the end.  This was an entertaining thriller that kept me guessing and was a quick read.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  Death at the Crystal Palace by Jennifer Ashley - I've been a big fan of the Below Stairs historical mystery series since the first book but somehow I've missed the last couple.  I'm trying to get caught up and I had forgotten how much I missed Kat, Tess, Daniel, Lady Cynthia, and the rest of the characters.  The mystery kept me hooked and and guessing - and I never quite guessed it right.   And now I really want a piece of lemon cake.  If you enjoy a lighter historical mystery with some upstairs/downstairs interaction this series cannot be beat.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna - This was an absolutely delightful cozy read.  Mika Moon is a witch and one that has never really felt like she belonged.   That is until she lands at Nowhere House with 3 young witches and assortment of quirky adults.  This was everything my found family loving heart desires and I loved reading along as Mika got to know this new world and come to terms with her new life and past baggage.  I loved Mika, Ian, Ken, Jamie, and Lucy and of course the three children.  My only minor issue was an open door spicy scene towards the end that didn't really fit the tone of the book and I found a bit jarring.  Other than that if you love a book about found family this is a must read.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

4. The Secret of Bow Lane by Jennifer Ashley - I've caught up with this series and am ready for the next book that comes out in March.  I really enjoyed this one as we really get a look at Kat's past from her childhood to her kind of marriage.  She's also doing some soul searching for what she wants in life and how she wants her relationships to go moving forward.  In a mystery series there is frequently a book where the character development overshadows the mystery and I feel like that is definitely the case with this one.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the mystery was interesting and well done as I expect from this author but when I think about this book what stands out is what I learned about Kat and her past.  I'm so looking forward to the next book!  Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  One Little Sin by Liz Carlyle - This was a reread for me though it's been more than 10 years since I've read it.  I'm honestly surprised with how much I enjoy it.  There's definitely a bit of an ick factor with Alasdair being accused of being the father of Esmee's toddler aged half sister.  Alasdair is definitely more than a bit jaded and full of bad habits focusing most of his life on drinking, gambling, and womanizing.  But while he has made bad decisions and been careless with people's feelings at heart he's a good person and never purposely causes pain to anyone which I think is what saves his character.  Esmee is delightful.  She's tough and smart and funny and I couldn't help but love her from the start.  Sorcha is a lot of fun and a pretty accurate portrayal of a strong willed tyrant.  I really enjoyed this book and couldn't help but root for the Alasdair and Esmee and this one stays on my reread shelf.  This one has decidedly mixed reviews and I can see why but for me it absolutely worked.  My Rating:  Really Liked It!  (4.5 Stars)