Jane of Lantern Hill - Classic Middle Grade Review

Goodreads:  Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery

Rating: Loved It! (5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  For as long as she could remember, Jane Stuart and her mother lived with her grandmother in a dreary mansion in Toronto. Jane always believed her father was dead until she accidentally learned he was alive and well and living on Prince Edward Island. When Jane spends the summer at his cottage on Lantern Hill, doing all the wonderful things Grandmother deems unladylike, she dares to dream that there could be such a house back in Toronto... a house where she, Mother, and Father could live together without Grandmother directing their lives — a house that could be called home.

Genre: Middle Grade - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been wanting to reread this one for awhile as I remember it being one of my favorites.  

My Impression: This was just a delight.  Jane is miserably unhappy in her home in Toronto that is tightly controlled by her grandmother.  She's not sure why her parents are no longer together but is quite sure it is her fault.   She's awkward and clumsy and just not sure where she belongs - that is until a letter arrives summoning her to Prince Edward Island for the summer.  There she meets her dad and more importantly gets to know herself.  Her adventures aren't particularly dramatic but with each one Jane becomes more comfortable with herself which was truly enjoyable to read about.

Jane is a bit different from the typical Montgomery heroine.  She's not a dreamer or particularly ambitious.  She has farm more common sense than whimsy but she's incredibly kind and thoughtful with a bit of spunk to her.  I loved her return to Toronto and how her life changes.  Montgomery does a fantastic job here with two bullies.  The first - Grandmother Kennedy - is a fairly typical villain.  She's cold and controlling and determined to have things her way.  The second is a very different kind but one I think we've all encountered.  She's oh so sweet but everything she says is guaranteed to make the person she's speaking to feel a little less confident and just in general a little less.  The ending is a bit trite but I loved the book so much that I wasn't sad about it.  I'm so glad I took the time to revisit this one and I enjoyed it just as much as I remembered.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  Montgomery is one of my favorite authors and I always enjoy a reread.  I'm thinking of picking up one of her short story collections next.  

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes, definitely.  It's a bit different from the typical Montgomery book but is an absolutely delightful read.  

Friday Fives - Five Series I'm Hoping to Continue

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 love series and always have a bunch going at a time.  Unfortunately, sometimes that means I discover a series I really enjoy and then it gets lost in all the others.  Here are 5 I want to focus on next.

1.  The Wayward Children by Seanan McGuire - The first book in this series kind of blew my mind and I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

2.  When in Rome by Sarah Adams - This is a four book series with each book focusing on a sibling.  I'm so excited to read the rest of the books - and there are only four so I can potentially get through it fairly quickly.

3.  Her Majesty the Queen Investigates by S.J. Bennett - I've read the last two books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them.  I'm excited to go back and read the earlier books.

4.  Peter Shandy by Charlotte MacLeod - The first book in this series was so entertaining and a good mystery.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the character develops - and MacLeod's mysteries never disappoint.

5.  Vera Stanhope by Ann Cleeves - I've heard good things about this series for years and thoroughly enjoyed the first book.  I'm looking forward to reading more of Vera and then starting the show.

Do you have any series that you are looking forward to reading but get lost in the piles of books? 

Stay for a Spell - Cozy Fantasy Review

Goodreads: Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe

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

Description:  Princess Tanadelle of the Widdenmar is disillusioned with life as a princess. She longs for real conversation, the chance to build a life of her own making, and uninterrupted reading time.

During a routine royal visit to the town of Little Pepperidge, Tandy’s dream comes true when she finds herself cursed to remain in a run-down bookshop until she unlocks her heart’s desire. Certain that someone will figure out how to break the curse eventually, and delighted by the prospect of an entire bookstore of her own, Tandy settles into life among the stacks. She finds it easy to exchange balls and endless state dinners for teetering piles of books and an irritatingly handsome pirate who seems bent on stealing her stock.

She even starts to believe she's stumbled into her very own happily ever after.

There's just one, minor problem: as Tandy's royal duties go unfulfilled, her frantic parents start sending princes to woo her, each one of them certain their kiss will break the curse. After all, what more could a princess want but a prince?

Genre: Fantasy - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really been enjoying cozy fantasy and this one looked lovely.

My Impression:  This was a lovely read.  Right from the start Tandy is a likable main character.  She's a nice person who is a bit of people pleaser and who also loves to read.  While shocked she's not super upset to find herself cursed and unable to leave a 3-story bookstore overflowing with books.  The bookstore is the stuff dreams are made of.  Stacks and stacks of books overflowing shelves with no end in sight.  I think most readers and book organizing lovers could happily spend days sorting and inventorying and reading.  And that is exactly Tandy's thoughts as well.

I really enjoyed this.  In addition to perhaps one of the best settings I've come across in a while I really enjoyed watching Tandy adjust to her new reality.  I'm a sucker for a main character (especially a likable one) figuring out exactly what they want in life and this had that in spades.  I also really enjoyed the side character in the book - even the princes but especially Sasha and the pirate.  This is my first book b this author but it was a nice read with characters I enjoyed spending time with. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This was a delightful read and I can't wait to see what other worlds the author imagines.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes, definitely!  This would be an especially good choice if you're looking for a break from more intense books.  

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

Too Close to Home - Mystery Review

Goodreads: Too Close to Home by Seraphina Nova Glass

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

Description:  Nothing in this idyllic community is quite what it seems…

Those lucky enough to live in the elite lakefront community of Cloverhill Lakes are drawn to it for its safety and top-notch school district. The moms meet for coffee at the park while their kids play, they’re heavily involved in the PTA, and the summers are filled with chardonnay, brunch, sundresses, and backyard bonfires.

But everything changes when Regan Hoffman’s car explodes at the annual Labor Day party. The wrong person is killed, but it was meant for her. As the carefully crafted walls of her community begin to crumble, Regan tries to keep it together—something made infinitely harder when she sees her dead husband…alive.

When a Cloverhill Lakes resident suddenly goes missing, dark secrets begin to surface from underneath the idyllic veneer of their beautiful community—and the truth threatens to destroy them all as Regan finds herself in a fight for her life.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  I loved this author's previous book so of course I had to pick this one up.

My Impression:  This was quite a page turner!  The first half of the book was super stressful as plots slowly evolved around the three main women - Sasha, Andi, and Regan.  There's a lot more going on than the blurb implies as each of the three women have their lives teetering towards a downfall.  For a bit it felt like neither Sasha, Regan or Andi could make a sensible decision to save their lives (literally in a few situations).  While this is never a slow read the first half is all development with no answers which at times was a little frustrating.  But once we start getting answers it is a wild ride to the finish and I was completely hooked.  

I flew through this one - especially the last half and was completely surprised by the ending.  There is a bit of suspending disbelief but not a ridiculous amount.  This was an intense read from start to finish that never got too graphic or gore-y.  I really enjoyed it even when my blood pressure and pulse rate were way up!  This is an author I'm really looking forward to reading more from.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'll be looking for her next book and looking forward to reading through her backlist. 

Would I Recommend this Book? If you like mysteries and thrillers but don't like too much graphic violence this author is a perfect pick for you.  All of the tension with none of the gore.

* 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 That Have Been Important to Me

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 Book Titles That Describe Me/My Life.  I couldn't come up with anything that fit that so I'm going with Books That Have Been Important to Me (in the last 15 years or so).  I figure that's a pretty good window into me and my life!

1.  The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson - This is one of the first books that my husband and I discussed together.  We read very different things and very different amounts but it was still fun to discover that he read as well and that we had this book in common.

2.  Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas - I read this (and the rest of the Hathaway series) when I had a toddler and not much time to read and I remember it bringing such joy.

3.  Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - I read this for a very short lived book club I was in and it was one of the few books that really got a good discussion.  Then my husband read it and we still discuss it occasionally.  It's one I have such strong feelings about because I thoroughly enjoyed the book until a very unnecessary epilogue that kind of tanked how I felt about the book as a whole.  

4.  Where the Heart Is by Nora Roberts - This book collection taught me a very important lesson - that just because I love an author does not mean I'm going to love every book they've ever written.  After this one I gave up trying to read her early books.

5.  The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs - This is the first book I read on any kind of e-reader.  I had gotten a Kindle Fire and took it with me on vacation and discovered just how convenient it was not to have to haul around stacks of books.

6.  The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright - I adored The Four Story Mistake by this author as a kid but never knew of any other books by her.  I found my old copy when my mother moved and looked up the author up online and discovered a whole bunch more books in the Melendy family series.

7.  Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon - This is one of my early review books and it was such fun getting in early on a beginning cozy series.  

8.  Goodnight June by Sarah Jio - This book really cemented my love of letters and voices from the past in books.  I don't think I had really nailed that down and verbalized it until this point.

9.  Crushed Velvet by Diane Vallere - This is the book that showed me that reading a cozy mystery series in order really can improve my enjoyment of the book as a whole.  

10. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - This is the first magical realism book I ever read and it showed me just how much I enjoy that genre.

What books have been important in your life?

When the Wolves Are Silent - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: When the Wolves are Silent (A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #21) by C.S. Harris

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

Description:  London, 1816: When a notorious young aristocrat is burned alive on a windswept hill popular with neo-Druids, former cavalry officer Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, finds himself plunged into a murder investigation shadowed by tales of ancient human sacrifices and long-buried secrets.

The victim, Marcus Toole, was the only son and heir of a prominent nobleman. His closest friend—Sebastian’s own nephew, Bayard—claims to have passed out drunk before the attack and remembers nothing. But when Sebastian and his brilliant wife, Hero, delve deeper into the sordid activities of Bayard and his friends, they come to realize that Bayard may not be as innocent as he pretends. Following a tangled trail that leads from a disaffected former soldier-turned-highwayman to a beautiful, courageous journalist and a Jamaican-born fencing master with ties to a radical political movement, Sebastian begins to suspect that Bayard and his friends are being targeting in revenge, by victims who believe they have no other recourse.

Then two more of Bayard’s friends are killed, their murders staged to echo the ritual sacrifices of the ancient Celts. With the palace shaken by the fear of riots and one horrifying death following another, Sebastian must race to stop a ruthless plot that threatens the lives of innocents and could rip his troubled nation apart.

Genre: Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I have really enjoyed the other books that I've read in this series so of course I had to pick this newest book.

My Impression: I have really enjoyed this series even though I started it in the middle.  Sebastian is an interesting character with a complicated relationship with his family - especially his sister.  While he is heir to an earldom it is only following the death of his older brother and considering the Earl is not technically his biological father this makes things especially complicated.  While he has a healthy relationship with his father his relationship with his sister is anything but healthy and positive.  The book starts with Sebastian's nephew, Bayard, stumbling onto a body and Sebastian learns that this is the second of Bayard's close group of friends to be found dead under mysterious circumstances.  

This may be the most sympathetic group of victims to ever exist and while I never actively root for violence I wasn't sad when another few friends come to a not so nice end.  The mystery was interesting, complicating and at times infuriating as Sebastian followed one thread after the other always learning more but never finding the answer.  When everything comes to light it makes sense and is well explained though it is seriously grim and a bit heartbreaking.  

All of this is taking place against of background of extreme disparity of life and rumblings of uprising as well as actions from those in charge trying to control the situation using deception and violence.  This is incredibly well done.  Harris doesn't get preachy, heavy handed or info dump but instead weaves the issues through the story both with Sebastian's investigation and Hero's interviews.  This series in general isn't a cozy one and while there isn't on page violence the issues discussed are very dark but very well handled.  I really enjoyed the reading experience of this book and look forward to reading more from this series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I will definitely pick up the next book and look forward to going back to the beginning of the series to read the ones I've missed.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes, though I do recommend starting earlier in the series.  The characters have complex lives and relationships and the earlier you start the easier it is to make sense of it all.

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

Soyangri Book Kitchen - Fiction Review

Goodreads: Soyangri Book Kitchen by Kim Jee Hye

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

Description:  With good books, good food and companionship, the Book Kitchen fills people's tired souls. Yoojin, who grew up in Seoul, opened the Book Kitchen by chance in Soyangri, a village two hours from Seoul by car. The Book Kitchen functions as a bookshop and cafe. The second function of the Book Kitchen is a Book Stay, where one can stay overnight in one of the building’s four complexes.

Over the course of one year, multiple characters each find comfort and hope at Yoojin’s Book Kitchen. From a music idol facing an identity crisis, to a promising lawyer beset by an unsettling medical diagnosis, to a young, failed music director who has had to rein in his dreams, they happen upon Soyangri at pivotal moments in their lives.

Genre:  Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  This just caught my eye on the library shelf so I decided to give it a try.

My Impression:  This was an absolutely lovely read.  The structure is very similar to What You're Looking For is in the Library with very loosely connected short stories all centering around the Soyangri Book Kitchen.  The stories are quiet with characters who need something in their life to change but the corner they turn is not always dramatic.  It is always meaningful, however.  The setting is beautiful and so calming.

The book is a bit surface level.  While the characters are frequently dealing with tough issues we don't know much more about them then their conflict.  Sometimes it was a little hard to keep track of who is who though I'm not sure if that's because of the translation or just the nature of the shorter stories.  That said reading this book really forced me to take a breath which I desperately needed.  It also made me think about my reading.  I'm very goal oriented and love a good check list and that's usually how I treat my reading.  In my head I have daily chapter goals and yearly objectives and all kinds of things and most of the time that suits me.  This isn't the kind of book you can do this with.  It's quiet and undramatic with a focus on books as healing.  Flying through it greatly diminishes it and kind of misses the point of it.  The book references alone were fantastic with several of my favorites mentioned and the attitude towards books in general was just delightful.

I'm planning on buying a copy of this book so that I can reread it and really savor it.  It's a good reminder that not every book is about rushing to the finish.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  If I see a book by this author at the bookstore I will be buying it.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes, though I would keep in mind this is a slow read.  

Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews for Series I'm Reading

 

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 working on catching up on series and decided to put a few reviews of them all together here.

1.  Heirs and Graces by Rhys Bowen - This is the 7th book in the Royal Spyness series around great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Georgianna (Georgie) Rannoch.  In this book Georgie has landed on her feet at an estate of a misbehaving Duke and his newly discovered heir.  When tensions finally explode there is a dead body found and an investigation begins.  Georgie and Darcy are quickly caught up in it as they try and keep the innocent from being accused.  This was a fun read with an odd mix of characters.  Thankfully, while Queenie, Georgie's maid, is present her role is very small.  If I made a list of top 5 least favorite side characters she would definitely be on it.  The reveal was well done and a bit of a surprise.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.  My Rating:  Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  A Cookbook Conspiracy by Kate Carlisle - This is a fun series with lots of gorgeous bookish mentions and talks of bookish restoration.  I like Brooklyn and Derek and how they work together.  This one focused on Brooklyn's sister, Savannah, who is a professionally trained chef and a group of former colleagues as one of them opens a new restaurant.  The mystery was an interesting one with an end that did surprise me a bit.  What kept me from enjoying this was basically that Savannah is a brat.  Brooklyn is trying to express perfectly reasonable concerns or ask logical questions and Savannah seems to almost always react like a cranky toddler.  If I was Brooklyn, I'd have left her to her own devices and let her restore her own book and figure out who the killer was.  This isn't one of my favorite series but I do enjoy it and look forward to the next book in the series.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell - This is book 5 in the Haunted Home Renovation series and Mel finds herself leading a reconstruction of an ancient Scottish castle being rebuilt to be a wellness retreat in California.  There's a couple of ghosts who are causing serious trouble and the who reason Mel is now in charge is because the previous lead is in jail accused of murdering a building inspector.  No one believes he did and nothing is making sense - including the ghosts.  I enjoyed the mix of historic restoration, ghost hunting, and investigation.  Mel's a fun main character and I like that she's genuinely good at her job and cares about those around her.  This was a quick read in a series I always enjoy though I'm very glad I don't have deal with unsettled ghosts!  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

4.  Panic Button by Kylie Logan - I am not a crafty person and my grandmother finally gave up on teaching me how to sew or quilt after multiple attempts.  My interest in buttons is also pretty low but I thoroughly enjoy this series.  Josie runs the Button Box and is in the middle of appraising an heirloom button string when the owner changes her mind and demands to take the string home.  When the owner is found dead her mentions of a curse suddenly don't seem quite so silly.  With some help from her police detective maybe boyfriend Nev, Josie dives into the victim's past and investigates all who knew her.  It turns out the victim wasn't exactly who she seemed and almost everyone who knew her has a motive to kill her.  Josie does cross the line into overly nosy a time or two but it worked with the premise and the characters.  This was a fast paced read and a fun cozy.  I have one more book in the series and am looking forward to reading it.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews - Meg is back with her signature chaos and hijinks.  While I was not a huge fan of the previous book in this series this was has reconfirmed this series as one of my favorite cozy mystery series.  This time Meg is temping at her brother's tech company trying to figure out if there is a mole among the group.  Things quickly go off the roles when the office prankster is found dead on the mail cart.  There's also rogue therapists, an assortment of animals, Meg's dad, and a cast of rather quirky programs - some with a secret or two.  The mystery was a fun one and I love that we meet Chief Burke who becomes a regular in the series moving forward.  There were some red herrings and a surprise reveal.  This series has a big cast of characters and while you don't need to read all of them it would probably make this one more enjoyable if you read at least the first book just to understand who is who.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series and will be keeping an eye out for new books.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Swept Away

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:  Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

Blurb:  Lexi is looking for no-strings-attached fun with a stranger. She deserves one night for herself, doesn't she?
Zeke is looking for love. But for one night with a woman like Lexi, he'll break his rules . . .

Sparks fly at the pub, one passionate kiss leads to another and they end up stumbling home to the marina together.

The next morning, hungover and shaken by an amazing night together, Lexi is more than ready for Zeke to leave. There's just one small problem . . . the houseboat they stayed on has been swept out to sea.

As their supplies start to run dangerously low, and the waves pick up, Zeke and Lexi soon realise there's much more on the line than their new relationship.

How long can they really survive on a drifting houseboat in the North Sea? Will search and rescue find them? And who will they be if they both make it back to dry land?

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  It's been high up on my TBR since it came out and it looks like a fun bit of escapism.

What I'm Reading - April 8

I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Ebook

Too Close to Home by Seraphina Nova Glass - I'm enjoying this one but it is a bit stressful.  I really don't love thrillers or tense mysteries where children are even loosely involved.

Print Book:

Soyangri Book Kitchen by Jee-Hye Kim - So far, I'm really enjoying this one.  It's set up in a connected short story format and I love all the book references.

Audio Book:

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth - This took me a little bit to get into but I'm about 24% in and am hooked.

Slow Read:  

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - I'm really loving this though I had to take a break from it while I was struggling through a couple of books.  I'm hoping to finish it soon or I'll have to take another break because I'm starting a new book that sounds like it has a similar feel.

What are you reading today?  

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books Set in Places on My Bucket List

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 Set in Places on My Bucket List.

1.  Prince Edward Island, Canada - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - PEI is on my Bucket list because of the Anne books.  It also looks incredibly beautiful!

2.  Torquay, England - So many Agatha Christie books as well as being the area where she grew up.

3.  Greenway Estate in Devon, England - Christie based the setting of a number of her books here and I would just love to visit here.

4.  Amsterdam, Netherlands - Midnight Blue by Simone van der Vlugt - I more want to see the Netherlands in general but of course I would start with Amsterdam.

5.  Scotland - Legend in Green Velvet by Elizabeth Peters - Scotland is so stunningly beautiful.  I'd love to explore it one day.

6.  Japan - We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - The diversity of experiences in Japan is really interesting -  from stunning nature to Disneyland Tokyo and everything in between.  

7.  Ashland, Oregon - Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander - There's actually a cozy mystery festival in this small Oregon town.  I'd love to visit the Shakespeare Festival as well as see all the places that feature in this cozy mystery series.

8.  Newport, Rhode Island - Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell - I'd love to tour all the Gilded Age cottages in Newport (and revisit the Biltmore which is decidedly not in Newport but maybe I could take a detour on the way).

9.  Seoul, South Korea - Soyangri Book Kitchen by Kim Jee Hye - South Korea is just fascinating.  It's definitely a place I would love to visit.

10.  Ireland - Tara Road by Maeve Binchy - There are so many places I want to visit in Ireland I think I could easily stay there a month.

11. Iceland - Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson - Granted the book itself is a bit grim but Iceland is high on my list.

This could easily be a Top 100 list.  There are so many places I want to visit both in the US and outside it!

Not All Books Are Winners ...

And these two definitely weren't.  These were two books that I was really looking forward to reading and both just fell flat for me.  

Goodreads:  A Cruise to Die For by Heather Graham

Blurb:  Special Agent Chloe McMurray has been asked to do many things in the name of her job. Going undercover on a cruise ship leaving from her home port of Miami, however, is a new one. Not only that, but she’s tasked with posing as the wife of her federal counterpart, Special Agent Wesley Law.  Their investigation? A string of murders and suicides across three states that seem unrelated, until they uncover a deadly technological connection. Every victim was an expert in technology and had some connection to Milestones, a megacorporation with ties to many industries...including the cruise industry.
Chloe and Wesley must successfully go undercover as tech employees on the ship hosting the ten-year anniversary of the Milestones cruise company. A tough ask when the two have never met before. They’ll infiltrate the technology events, investigate their fellow passengers and try to uncover what’s really going on.
However, danger is never far behind. Their killer can use tech to do the job without lifting a finger, and at sea, there’s no escape if their covers are blown.

My Thoughts:  I really like Heather Graham's books generally.  They're not fine literature but they're usually fun popcorn reads with great settings and creepy mysteries.  I was excited about the cruise setting.  The mystery was intriguing and while the premise for getting the 2 agents on the ship was a bit of a stretch I was fine with it.  Unfortunately, when it came to the actual execution the book went off the rails.  I've read a number of previous books by Graham and it is hard to believe this was written by the same author who wrote the Krewe of Hunters series.  The repetition alone was hard to get through.  If one character said that the ship was nice than ALL the characters had to repeat that the ship was nice and this happened with every single comment.  Then for long periods of time nothing happened (except the food was great, the ship was nice, the main couple was so perfect, and weren't the classes fantastic repeated continuously).  Then suddenly they figured out who the bad guy was with no real clues or investigation.  There was also an excessive use of exclamation points to point it was distracting and I very rarely notice grammar issues.  I finished this one, but I probably wouldn't have if it wasn't a review book.  My Rating: Not For Me (1 Star)

Goodreads:  The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne by Summer N. England

Blurb:   All gardener Clara Thorne wants is to live "happily ever after" in her beloved town of Moss, magically growing herbs and vegetables and trying to write her book. But Fate has other plans when The Goddess unexpectedly bestows her with an impossible quest. Clara has one month to travel to the cursed and abandoned town of Dwindle and grow them a garden. If she fails, she will be banished.
Only Clara's magic doesn't work outside of Moss, a fact she has kept hidden for years. Worse, the Goddess has assigned the absurdly sexy, annoyingly cheerful Hesper Altanfall to keep her safe. All leather and crossbows, Hesper is as determined to protect Clara as she is full of secrets—but Clara would rather eat thorns than accept help. Nevertheless, the two can't help but grow closer as they make their way across enchanted woods, share one too many tavern beds, and work together to rebuild Dwindle one garden bed at a time.

Clara, however, refuses to give in to their blossoming romance. She’s had one too many losses, and Hesper might the one to break her beyond repair. But if Clara can find the key to opening her heart, she may just unearth the life and love she's always believed to be impossible.

My Thoughts:  This was a bit of a journey for me.  For the first 40% of the book, I was really not sure I would make it to the end.  Nothing happened except for Clara whining, sobbing, weeping, and being covered in a number of dreadful things - mud, snot, tears, water, blood at some point, etc.  Clara is probably one of my least favorite main characters ever.  She's unpleasant and stubborn to the point of TSTL.  Even when multiple people try to help her or are kind to her, she responds with either tears or rage.  After about 40% Clara and Hesper finally started on their journey and the book became more readable and less of a slog (except for Clara's character.  I was rooting for Hesper to drown her or leave her to the wolves). The last quarter of the book I actually enjoyed and while I wouldn't want to hang out with Clara I was no longer rooting for the demon wolves to take her out.  I did enjoy the side characters in the last half of the book as well as the story itself.  I would give the first half of the book 1 star and the second half 3 - 3.5 stars.  I'm curious to see what this author does next.  Based off the strength of the second half I'm curious to try another book by her.  My Rating: 2 Stars (Just Okay)

What I Read in a Month - March Reading

Monthly Reading Total: 18 - I did break my 20 books a month streak but I'm almost finished with 3 books so I think I'll hit it again for April.  March had a couple of books I really struggled to finish which definitely slowed me down.

Type:

Print: 8

Ebook: 5 

Audio: 5

Genre:

Mystery - 14

Fiction - 1

Romance - 2

Nonfiction: 1

Favorite Books of the Month:

Favorite Audio:  A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson - I love a thriller on audio and this was a really fun one.  It kept me hooked without crossing the line into too graphic because I'm kind of a wimp in that area.

Runner Up:  Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern - This was a completely different listen but it was one I really enjoyed as well.  

Favorite Read:  When in Rome by Sarah Adams - I was in the perfect mood for this romance and really look forward to revisiting the world of Rome, Kentucky.

Armchair Travel:

Domestic Travel:  I visited Kentucky, South Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Virginia and Massachusetts for the first time this year and revisited New York, Connecticut, and California (twice).

International Travel:  I did quite a lot of virtual international travel visiting 1930s Yugoslavia, Switzerland, France, and the southern Caribbean.  I also revisited England twice.

How was your reading in March?  Where did your books take you?

Friday Fives - April TBR

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. Since this is the first Friday in April, I'm planning my January TBR.  Here are 5 books I plan on reading in April. 

1.  Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutano - I love the Vera Wong series by this author and this one looks fantastic.

2.  Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams - This is on my priority list for this year.  I have a bit of a mixed history with this author but the premise of this one sounds really good.  

3.  Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - This is an old favorite that I don't reread nearly enough.  I've been wanting to reread this for years and I'm looking forward to revisiting it this month.  

4.  A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I enjoy what I've read by this author and this is one I wanted to read as soon as it came out but for whatever reason never got to it.

5.  Alice With a Y by Anna James - This book's springy cover is just impossible to resist this April and I do enjoy a middle grade read.  

What are you hoping to read in April?

Books from the Backlog - The Girl Who Came Home

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 Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor

Blurb:  A voyage across the ocean becomes the odyssey of a lifetime for a young Irish woman. . . .
Ireland, 1912 . . .

Fourteen members of a small village set sail on RMS Titanic, hoping to find a better life in America. For seventeen-year-old Maggie Murphy, the journey is bittersweet. Though her future lies in an unknown new place, her heart remains in Ireland with Séamus, the sweetheart she left behind. When disaster strikes, Maggie is one of the few passengers in steerage to survive. Waking up alone in a New York hospital, she vows never to speak of the terror and panic of that fateful night again.

Chicago, 1982 . . .

Adrift after the death of her father, Grace Butler struggles to decide what comes next. When her great-grandmother Maggie shares the painful secret about the Titanic that she's harbored for almost a lifetime, the revelation gives Grace new direction—and leads both her and Maggie to unexpected reunions with those they thought lost long ago.

Inspired by true events, The Girl Who Came Home poignantly blends fact and fiction to explore the Titanic tragedy's impact and its lasting repercussions on survivors and their descendants.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I have really wanted to read this one since it came out but somehow it just never makes it to the top of the pile.  I have it on my 26 in 2026 list so I have hopes for finally getting to it this year.

The Barn Identity - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Barn Identity (House Flipper Mystery #8) by Diane Kelly

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

Description:  In Nashville, carpenter Whitney Whitaker is ecstatic when she discovers an abandoned barn perfect for her next project. However, since the surrounding former farmland has now developed into a shiny new shopping center, it seems the decrepit antebellum barn that once served as a livery stable should be torn down to make way for something more modern. Even so, Whitney can’t help but think the barn should be preserved. While unproven, it’s rumored the building once served as a hiding place for escaped slaves as part of the Underground Railroad. She convinces her cousin to take a chance on the old property. After all, the barn would make a unique retail space or, with its high ceilings and wide walls, could be turned into an arthouse cinema.

When a local print journalist reporting on the renovation is found dead on the property, investigators suspect he might have been murdered for any one of several exposés he’d published about local politicians, movers, and shakers. Whitney suspects there’s more to the story, and that the journalist’s fate might be tied directly to the stable renovation. Can she solve the murder and bring a killer to justice? Or might this goal be too lofty?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read several of the other books in the series and have enjoyed them all.

My Impression: This was a lot of fun which I expected from this series.  Whitney and her cousin are working on renovating a barn and Whitney becomes involved in the murder investigation of a journalist.  This didn't have as much renovation detail as I expect from the book or as much time with her cousin and business partner Buck.  However, the changes in Whitney's life make this make sense.

The mystery was a fun one and while Whitney involvement in the investigation does seem a bit over the top at times the solution is satisfying.  I liked how it developed and all the different threads.  There was a little spin at the end that didn't make the most sense to me but it was inconsequential.  This could potentially be the last in the series and while I would be sad to not see any more of these characters it did wrap up nicely.   I also always enjoy the appearances by Whitney's cast Sawdust who is such a sweetie.  
The series as a whole is a fun one with a good mix of renovation and mystery.  I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author and this is a solid cozy series.

 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I've enjoyed all of the books I've read in tis series and am looking forward to reading more.

Would I Recommend this Book? I wouldn't necessarily recommend jumping in with this book but if you enjoy cozy mysteries the series is one not to miss.  

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Buzzwords That Make Me Want to Read or Avoid a Book

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 Buzzwords or Phrases that Make Me Want to Read or Avoid a Book.

If I see anything like that mentioned I will immediately add the book to my TBR.

1.  Cold Case - I love a good cold case investigation!

2.  Forgotten/Hidden Letters - I love books involving secrets and old secrets are especially intriguing.

3.  Sisters - I love sister relationships.  I'm an only child so maybe it not hit so close to home!

4.  Road Trip - I love road trips in fiction, real life, or nonfiction!

5. Coming Home - If a character is coming home after an extended absence I am so in.

6.  Cozy and Heartwarming - I've been a big fan of cozy fiction lately especially fantasy and Japanese and if I see cozy AND heartwarming I can't resist.

If I see a hint of any of these, I will avoid the book at all costs unless multiple people with similar reading tastes assure me that I will like it.

7.  Angst - I have very low tolerance for angst in real life and in fiction - especially if it feels like it's angst for no reason.  

8.  Love Triangle - Even if romance is very much not the focus of the book if there is a love triangle I am out.

9.  Cheating - I just can't feel the same about a character that cheats.

10. Anything that sounds like it can make me cry - I'm an escapist reader and I don't like to cry so I tend to avoid any books that look really grim or that are labeled tearjerker.

What buzzwords make you read or avoid a book?

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - When in Rome by Sarah Adams

At the beginning of the year, I made a list of authors that I've been saying I need to read and commit to reading at least one book by each of the authors in 2026.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Blurb:   Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her "princess of pop" image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is.
When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn't have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He's too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room—but only until her car is fixed—then she's on her own.

Then Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose—she's Amelia: kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. He can't help but get close to her. Soon she'll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she's been missing, and she'll help him open his heart to more.

Amelia can't resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually.

My Thoughts:  This was an unexpected delights.  I'm iffy on rom-coms.  Sometimes I enjoy them and sometimes I can't stand them.  This very much landed in the enjoy category.  This is the first book featuring the Walker siblings and we start with big brother Noah.  When he finds a car broken down in his front yard he is confronted by a very suspicious and slightly hysterical woman.  This spiraled into a sweet getting to know you plot with some self-reflection on both characters and a lot of very terrible pancakes.  I did not expect to like Amelia as much as I did but she's an absolute delight and I loved her relationship with Noah.  I'm a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine trope and this was well done with the grump being not too grumpy.  I was also pleasantly surprised by how much of a closed door romance this was.  The focus was very much on the emotional connection between the characters which I very much prefer.  I'm so glad that this is part of a series but I am already eagerly anticipating my next visit to Rome, Kentucky and very much looking forward to seeing more of its residents and the Walker siblings.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

Murder on the Orient Express - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Rating: Loved It (5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  En route to London, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot has booked winter passage on the fabled Orient Express. Among the assortment of fellow passengers, one wealthy American holds a unique distinction: he has been found dead of multiple stab wounds in the night compartment of the Calais coach. By dawn, thirteen travelers, each bearing a secret, will find themselves suspect in the most ingenious crime Poirot has ever solved...

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the March pick for the Read Christie Challenge

My Impression:  This is probably one of Christie's best known mysteries and for very good reason.  It's just a stellar read.  Christie really doesn't put a step wrong with an excellent cast of characters, a claustrophobic setting, a strong premise, and an investigation with lots of twists and turns.  I've read this book a number of times and while it is one that sticks with me I always seem to pick up on a new detail every time I read it. This time I couldn't but laugh a few times at M Bouc's observations or side comments.  

Even if you are aware of the ending this is worth a read (or a reread).  If I'm listing my favorite Christie mysteries it's usually not in my top 5 but every time I read it, I'm surprised with just how good it is and how much I enjoy it.  There have been a number of film versions of this book and I've enjoyed all that I've watched.  While the Kenneth Branagh version isn't my favorite I did like most of the casting and it's beautifully shot.  As always, David Suchet's version is my favorite.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  I'm looking forward to April's pick (A Caribbean Mystery) which is one of my favorites.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would.  This is one of Christie's best-known mysteries for a reason.