The Queen of Roses - Historical Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Queen of Roses by Julia Kelly

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

Description: 1960: Frustrated reporter Theresa Johnson’s life changes when she receives a phone call from a Miss Pearce who claims her obituary about one of Pasadena’s last great hoteliers is wildly inaccurate. Seeking the truth, Theresa drives to the mysterious Rosewood House nestled high in the Altadena foothills. Even more intriguing than the house’s beautiful garden is Miss Pearce’s proposal that Theresa help her settle old scores by writing her biography.

1903: Beautiful but haughty, Adele Pearce is reluctant to leave the London Season and her last hope of a proposal. When she arrives in California, she discovers the startling truth of why her mother has called her her father has squandered his fortune and Adele must marry a wealthy American to save the family.

Stifled by expectation as Pasadena’s newest doyenne, Adele’s only comfort is Rosewood House and the beautiful garden she creates with the help of taciturn gardener Alexander Macalister. However, as Adele’s feelings for Alex flourish, a fire ignites in the San Gabriel Mountains above Rosewood House, threatening everything Adele holds dear, while in 1960, Miss Pearce learns that history has a terrible habit of repeating itself.

Genre: Fiction - Historic

Why I Picked This Book: I have really enjoyed other books I've read by this author and this one sounded fascinating.

My Impression:  Julia Kelly has cemented her status as an auto-buy author for me.  I have really enjoyed everything I've read by her and this was no exception.  I really enjoy how she makes potentially unlikable characters sympathetic and explores aspects of life and time periods that aren't usually focused on.

Adele was a bit hard to warm up for the first chapter or two but as I got to know her I felt like I really understood her and liked her.  She was raised to adhere to a very specific code and then suddenly all the rules change with no warning.  She's doing her best and she never loses herself.  I found her story fascinating and even when it was frustrating or heartbreaking I was completely hooked.

The addition of Theresa Johnson's timeline was also well-done.  I liked seeing the end as we hear the beginning and I also really liked Theresa.  Like Adele, she is also trying to figure out a life that she is not prepared for but determined to make work.  I loved following along as she dug into Adele's life and enjoyed her page time as much as Adele's.  

This was a really enjoyable story of two strong women who are making their lives work regardless of what is going around them.  They both felt like real women and even when I didn't agree with their decisions or reactions I understood where they were coming from.  

Again, Julia Kelly does not disappoint.  She pulled me in from the first page and made me feel completely connected to these characters.  I'm looking forward to reading more from her and digging into the backlist.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I will be picking up her next book as soon as it's released and I'm looking forward to reading backlist books that I've missed.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes!  If you enjoy historical fiction with strong, complicated but likable main characters this is a must not miss.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - My Perfect (Realistic) Day

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 Things That Make Up My Perfect Day.  It was kind of fun to take a minute and really think about my absolute perfect day.  I have a few different versions but if I had to pick one this is what I would do (and I do not claim to be particularly interesting) -

1.  Wake Up about 7ish and not by an alarm.  Drink my coffee while I watch a show or YouTube video I enjoy.  My brain does not work first thing in the morning and reading would just put me back to sleep!

2.  A nice yoga practice - maybe 20 minutes and then read a chapter or two or my slow read book.

3.  Get ready for the day listening to my audio book (which of course I'm really loving).

4.  Do some dog training - either a class or just with my dog but something where I get to work with my dog and not teach.

5.  Pick up lunch from some place I love - maybe the new Vietnamese place or the bakery that does fantastic sandwiches and even better cupcakes.

6.  Get home, change into comfy clothes, eat lunch and then pick up one of my books - again one that I'm really loving.

7.  Play a game with Will (16 year old) and J (husband).  I love the solve a mystery games and I would like Will to actually be enthusiastic about it.

8.  For dinner have leftovers from one of my favorite meals while we watch a show we really enjoy.  Right now we are finishing up Death in Paradise

9.  Take a nice hot bath with my favorite bath salts and read some more.

10.  Get all cozy and watch the next episode of Series 10 of the Great British Bakeoff and then listen to the corresponding podcast episode of The Sticky Bun Boys where they talk about the behind the scenes.  This has become my favorite way to end the day!

I have other perfect days which involve fantastic locations but this is one that I can actually make happen and really should do more often.

What does your perfect day look like?

The Key to a Killer - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Key to a Killer (Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries #3) by Oliva Blacke

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

Description: A woman and her ghost roommate investigate their most personal case yet in Olivia Blacke’s The Key to a Killer, the next book in the Anthony Award winning Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries.

When Ruby Young discovered that her Boston apartment was haunted, she did what any reasonable person would do: befriend the ghost. Their relationship overcame a shaky start—Cordelia Graves never wanted a roommate in life, she certainly didn’t want one in death. After working together to solve a few murders, the two are close friends, but there’s a lingering question neither of them have been able to answer: what led to Cordelia’s death?

Lately things have been adding up that suggest foul play. And when Cordelia’s memories of that day start to come back, the roommates can’t ignore it anymore: Cordelia was murdered. Ruby and Cordelia are going to have to piece together what Cordelia’s final days looked like—otherwise a killer could go free.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed everything I've read by this author and the previous two books in the series.

My Impression:   This is the third visit to the world of Ruby (living) and Cordelia (dead but not leaving) and as expected I really enjoy it.  Ruby is in her early twenties and in many ways young and naive.  She's sweet natured and good hearted and doing her best to be a fully functioning adult.  Cordelia was never naive or particularly innocent even when she was a child and dying in her bathtub has not made her any less cynical.  I really like Ruby and Cordelia's dynamic.  They couldn't be more different but that makes them bring out the best in each other.  As well, they can't communicate directly which leads to some comic events and at times frustrating ones.  The cast of characters includes Ruby's kind of boyfriend, Cordelia's shady brother, the other employees at Ruby's job (which also used to be Cordelia's), a nosy reporter, and a smattering of neighbors.

It does take a bit for the actual investigation to really gain traction.  Cordelia is hesitant to involve Ruby in the mistakes of her past and is worried about putting her in danger.  As well, there are a few side issues happening with home invasions in the apartment building and Cordelia trying to figure out just what is going on with her brother.  I pulled in from the very beginning and enjoyed every minute with the two women.  

This is a series best read in order but if you are looking for a good mystery with a unique premise and likable main characters this series is a fantastic pick.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I've enjoyed everything I've ever read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would definitely recommend this series.  It's a unique premise and is a good mix of not too cozy but not too grim.

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

Friday Fives - Five Books with Spooky Settings

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.  I'm reading spooky books in October and I'm picking 5 books that look like they have spooky settings.

1.  The Unknown by Riley Sager - A remote island in Vermont sounds fairly terrifying - especially in Sager's hands.

2.  The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh - Another remote setting - this time in a mountain village in North Wales.

3.  The Broken Girls by Simone St. James - Back to Vermont but this time to a haunted abandoned boarding school

4.  The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong - A Cornish setting and the promise of a spooky house.  How can I resist?

5.  Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman - The cover alone gives spooky setting vibes.

What spooky setting books do you have on your TBR?

Books Past and Future - October Edition

Today I'm looking at books I want to read in October - a new release and a backlist - and books I've read in Octobers past and what I thought of them.

New Release I'm Looking Forward To Getting:

What Happens at Nightfall by Lauren Willig - I haven't seen much about this one but I've had good luck with this author and it sounds really good.

Backlist Title I'm Looking Forward to Reading:

Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan - This has been on my TBR since it came out and it still looks like one I'd enjoy.

Books From October Past

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick - I really enjoyed this read of this classic.  

To Err is Cumin by Leslie Budewitz - This series involving a Seattle Spice Shop owner was really fun and I really liked this one.

Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood - I really enjoyed the first book and liked this one but not quite as much as the first.  For some reason I've completely stalled out on the series and really should get back to it.

What books are you looking forward to in October?  What did you enjoy in Octobers past?

Deck the Hall with Boughs of Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #7) by Jacqueline Frost

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: New parents Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are sleep deprived, but incandescently happy to be celebrating their baby’s first Christmas. Their family, friends, and neighbors are spoiling the newest addition. Adding to the perfect holiday season is the recent completion of their newly built home. All that’s left to do is move in and send off those change of address cards. But their cup full of cheer turns sour when Holly discovers a dead body.

It all started with a sweet trip down memory lane–Candy Cane Lane and Toyland were two of Holly’s favorites as a child, and she had been looking forward to sharing them with her baby. Then she stumbled upon the body of Greysen, the animal keeper, left among the reindeer at the petting zoo.

Earlier in the day, Holly witnessed a fight between Greysen and a stranger. Stranger still, the reindeer petting zoo had originally been empty that day–no reindeer in sight until they reappeared along with a corpse.

As Holly fights to keep the Christmas spirit alive, she is Greysen’s only chance at justice–and her baby’s only chance at a happy first Christmas.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed this series in the past and was curious to see how it would develop with Holly as a new mother.

My Impression: I really like the setup for this series.  There is one mystery a year and that happens every year around the holiday season which is fun and we get to check in with what's been happening with Holly over the past year.  I also love the supportive family and friends in Mistletoe, Maine and the yummy sounding treats always sound amazing.  There are also some fun animal sidekicks like a goat named Theodore and Holly's cat Cindy Lou Who.  The mysteries are enjoyable and Holly is a likable main character.  

Unfortunately, this series is starting to go a bit flat for me.  I liked the mystery and the dynamic between Holly and her sister-in-law Libby who is also a PI.  I liked that there is some awareness about the risk of balancing toting an infant around everywhere and interrogating killers.  However, the fact that pretty much everyone mentions their concern for Holly's safety every chapter felt a bit repetitive.  As well, Holly is legitimately scared for her safety but for some reason kept asking questions she didn't need to ask and going out of her way to question suspects.  It was a bit frustrating and added with the repetitiveness impacted my enjoyment of the book.

I've really enjoyed this series and would recommend the first 5 books or so of the series but the previous one didn't quite live up to expectations and this one was a bit disappointing.  The writing style and revisiting characters that feel like friends made this still a mostly enjoyable read but I'm not anxious to pick up the next book in the series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would read more from this author but unfortunately, I do think I'm done with this series.  

Would I Recommend this Book? I would really recommend the first 5 or 6 books of this series and this series really is best read in order.

* 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 Autumnal Covers

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 Books with Autumnal Covers so I went through my TBR and found 10 books I want to read with Autumnal Covers.

1.  Tara Road by Maeve Binchey

2.  The Ghosts of Misty Hollow by Sue Ann Jaffarian

3.  The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert

4.  Murder at Chateau sur Mer by Alyssa Maxwell

5. Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

6.  Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower

7.  Dead and Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen

8.  Murder Outside the Lines by Krista Davis

9.  Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Woods

10. A Dream of Death by Connie Berry

What books with autumnal covers are on your TBR?