The Year of Projects - Consigned to Death + Women Heroes of World War II

I do love a good list.  It gives a nice sense of order and focus and I love making lists about the books I want to read.  Last year I focused just on series I was behind on.  The project went great and I caught up on a ton of series but I felt like I was neglecting other books on my shelf and books at my library.  This year I have a few lists going - Series, Library, Clear Off My Shelves, and a random TBR Bingo where I pull books off my Goodreads TBR.  Here are a few of my most recent reads.

Goodreads:  Consigned to Death (Josie Prescott Antiques #1) by Jane K. Cleland

Project:  Catch Up on Series

Blurb:  After a price-fixing scandal at her prestigious New York auction house, Josie Prescott moves to the New Hampshire coast to restore her reputation--and perhaps a few antiques along the way.

As an antiques dealer, Josie knows how to make an honest assessment, and she's about to land her largest account. But when the owner of the collection is found stabbed to death, Josie's fingerprints are all over his possessions…and the murder weapon. Suddenly Josie's innocence appears as tarnished as an old relic. Everybody's got their eyes on her, especially the local police chief who may or may not be in love with her. Now it's just a matter of time before Josie can produce enough evidence to clear her name--or fall into the clutches of the real killer and find herself

My Thoughts:  I love antiques and the stories behind them so I was immediately attracted to this series.  I have read the later books but I wanted to go back to the beginning.  This is a solid cozy opening.  Josie is a capable antiques business owner with a bit of a backstory and a few trusted employees.  When a potential client is found murdered she is immediately suspected and pulled into the investigation.  I really loved Josie's investigation into the paintings but wish it could have been more in depth.  This was a good start to a series and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series and relationships develop.  My Rating: Liked It

Goodreads:  Women Heroes of World War II: 26 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue by Kathryn J. Atwood

Project:  TBR Bingo

Blurb:  Noor Inayat Khan was the first female radio operator sent into occupied France and transferred crucial messages. Johtje Vos, a Dutch housewife, hid Jews in her home and repeatedly outsmarted the Gestapo. Law student Hannie Schaft became involved in the most dangerous resistance work--sabotage, weapons transference, and assassinations. In these pages, young readers will meet these and many other similarly courageous women and girls who risked their lives to help defeat the Nazis.

Twenty-six engaging and suspense-filled stories unfold from across Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, and the United States, providing an inspiring reminder of women and girls’ refusal to sit on the sidelines around the world and throughout history.

An overview of World War II and summaries of each country’s entrance and involvement in the war provide a framework for better understanding each woman’s unique circumstances, and resources for further learning follow each profile. Women Heroes of World War II is an invaluable addition to any student’s or history buff’s bookshelf.

My Thoughts:  This book highlights a fascinating array of women from teenagers to grandmothers who all played a crucial part in the Allies fight in World War II.  It also encompasses women from all walks of life.  There are college students and social workers, housewives, socialites and even the celebrity Josephine Baker (why on earth did we not learn about her in school??  That woman is absolutely fascinating).  Not all of their stories ended happily and most of the women dealt with some horrific treatment during their war work.  The author doesn't go into detail on some of the worst stuff but she also doesn't gloss over it or put a happy face on it.  I also loved how at the end of each chapter she includes several other resources to find out more about the woman in the chapter.   The writing is a little bit clunky but the stories are interesting enough that I was so glad I read it.  This a Middle Grade book and I think it would be a fantastic addition for kids maybe 10 to 14 who are studying World War II or women's history.  My Rating: Really Liked It!

Life with Leukemia, A Puppy, and Some Reading

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:

When Blood Lies by C.S. Harris - I've enjoyed the books I've read in this series and this one sounds really great.  (Publisher)

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue - This is the first book in a new cozy series involving a tea shop and I'm looking forward to it. (Publisher)

When the Crow's Away by Auralee Wallace - I enjoyed the first book in this witch-y cozy mystery series so of course I had to pick up the second book in the series! (Publisher)

A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber - While I want to go back and read the early books in this series I have really enjoyed the later books and this one sounds fantastic.  (Publisher)

Murder on Madison Square by Victoria Thompson - Another latest in a favorite series and another series that I really need to go back and read the early books in.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  Under Lock and Skeleton Key by Gig Pandian and The Watersplash by Patricia Wentworth

Listening:  A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber

What a week!  Will got his feeding tube back in his nose which he was really dreading.  Unfortunately, with the chemo messing with his taste buds and causing lots of nausea he just wasn't able to eat enough.  He was a champ through the process and the therapy dog was able to be there to lick his toes and distract him which was nice.  And then Will was able to snuggle the dog and feed him ice chips afterwards which was a good distraction.  Since he's able to be mobile we are doing feeds a bit different so he doesn't haven't to be hooked up to a pump for an extended period of time and so far it's working pretty well.  And to add insult to injury this is a steroid week so he's not sleeping super great.   The good thing is we've added in some medicines that seem to be helping counteract some of the pain and mood side effects so it's been an easier steroid week than usual.

Rover had puppy class and then a fun play date with one of his dog friends.  They chased each other for ages and then sat and watched ducks together.  It was super cute.  Then yesterday we went and visited my dad's puppy.  While Rover is also still a puppy he's MUCH bigger and much faster so the pup was a bit nervous.  They did play a bit together and I think once they get used to each other they'll be good friends.  After we went over to my mother's and he explored over there for a bit and had a good time.  One the way home he was wiped out!  I'm trying to get him used to going new places and being able to stay calm and relaxed so we can take him anywhere.   He's gone with me to pick up takeout a few times to get used to people coming to the car who don't necessarily want to interact with him and to get him used to having food in the car that isn't for him.  So far he's doing well.  He starts his first real obedience class next week and I'm looking forward to it.  I really enjoy working with him.

Have a great week and happy reading!

February 2022 - Reading Recap

Books Read this Month - 24.  Once again the dog walking seriously upped my reading count with audio books.

Bookish Category Breakdown: 

Print: 7

Ebook: 3

Audio:  14

Romance:  4

Mystery:  14

Nonfiction: 4

Fiction:  2

Favorite Book of the Month:

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan - This was just a delight.  Loved the Scottish setting, loved the character and really just loved everything about the book.

Mrs. Polifax on Safari by Dorothy Gilman - This may be my favorite book in one of my favorite series.  It was just such fun!

Least Favorite Book:

The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey - I read a lot of classic mysteries and am not usually particularly bothered by the occasional dated reference or slang.  This one may just have been the most dated book I've ever read and it made it a bit of a struggle.

New Places My Reading Has Taken Me This Month:

California (twice)

Virginia 

Maryland

New Hampshire

Washington 

Washington, DC

and I left the country for a safari in Zambia!

How was your reading in February?  What places did you visit?

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.  Since it is the first Friday in March I'm looking at 5 books I hope to read this month.

1.  Evil in Emerald by A.M. Stuart - I've really enjoyed the first two books in the series and am so excited to read this one when it comes out later this month.

2.  A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable - This book has been on my TBR for years.  I'm a little hesitant because I tried a book by this author last year and ended up DNFing it but the premise of this one sounds amazing so it's time to try it.

3.  The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey - This is another author that has been on my TBR for years though it's a genre that I don't read too much of.  This one looks interesting and I'm looking forward to trying it.

4.  Wait for What Will Come by Barbara Michaels - I'm trying to read some of the books off my Keeper Shelf to see if books still deserve their spot and this one has a big question mark.  Michaels is one of my favorite authors but I don't remember much about this book.

5.  Henrietta Who? by Catherine Aird - I've read this before but it's been awhile.  As well, I'm trying to read Aird's Inspector Sloan books in order and this is the 2nd book.

What books are you hoping to read in March?

Books from the Backlog - Daisies for Innocence

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:  Daisies for Innocence by Bailey Cattrell

Blurb:  The Enchanted Garden behind Elliana Allbright’s perfume shop draws people of all ages with its fragrant flowers and lush greenery. But when the magical serenity is interrupted, it’s up to Ellie to sniff out a killer.
Ellie’s life has blossomed in Poppyville, California, since she opened Scents & Nonsense, a custom-made-perfume store. Her skills with aromas and botanical essences—some from her very own garden—seem almost…supernatural. Her perfumes can evoke emotions, bring about change, or simply make people happy. Customers are flocking to the store to buy her wares or just to sit in her beautiful garden, sip tea and enjoy homemade cookies.

But she smells trouble when she learns that her part-time assistant Josie is dating her ex. And before she can tell the young woman to beware of his charms, she finds Josie dead in the Enchanted Garden. Now the prime suspect in Josie’s murder, Ellie must search for the real culprit in Josie’s past—because it’ll take a miracle to nip this problem in the bud....

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I've read a couple of books by this author in another series and really enjoyed them and I read one book in this series forever ago and really enjoyed it as well.  Then of course I bought all the books in the rest of the series and they've been sitting on my shelf ever since.

Deadly Director's Cut - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Deadly Director's Cut (A Catskill Summer Resort Mystery #2) by Vicki Delany

Rating: Really Liked It
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Daring resort manager Elizabeth Grady will need to think fast to bring a killer into the limelight in this charming 1950s set cozy mystery series.

Famous director Elias Theropodous has chosen Haggerman’s Catskills Resort as a shooting location for his next film. It sounds glamorous to much of the staff, but resort manager Elizabeth Grady is less satisfied. Dealing with the ridiculous demands of the antagonistic director is bad enough, and his attempts to walk all over Elizabeth are making her feel like her position at the resort has been changed into a bit part.

But when Elias is poisoned during a dinner at the resort, the future of the film and the resort itself are on the line. Between an aging movie star, a harried producer, and former victims of the deceased director’s wrath, Elizabeth has a full cast of suspects to examine, and she’ll need to investigate every lead to catch a killer.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I have enjoyed a number of books by this author and I really liked the first book in this series.  

My Impression:  I really enjoyed the first book in the series but got annoyed by the nemesis type characters in the rival resort owner and the police chief.  I'm so glad to see in this book that both of those have been realistically dealt with but the best part of the premise is still very much present.  Elizabeth is a likable main character.  She's smart, hard working and a capable manager.  She feels overwhelmed sometimes and can be a smidge impulsive but it makes her very easy to connect to.

The mystery really kept me guessing.  There's no shortage of motives for killing Elias but both law enforcement and Elizabeth have to sort out which who was finally pushed to their limit and how they did it.  This had me guessing until the reveal and I loved how the reveal was done.  There's some character development with Elizabeth, Velvet and Olivia which I enjoyed and I loved seeing the behind the scenes at Haggerman's Catskill Resort.

This latest entry into what I hope is a long running series was entertaining with interesting characters, a gorgeous setting, and a well plotted mystery.  I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops and spending more time at Haggerman's with Elizabeth, Velvet, Oliva and everyone else.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  This author is an auto-buy for me.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy mysteries I think you would enjoy this series.

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

Ten Books with Dogs on My TBR

I read a lot of cozy mysteries and animals are frequently a big part of a good cozy mystery series.  Most of the time the animal in question is a cat which makes a lot of sense for multiple reasons.  While I like cats I'm at heart a dog person and I always enjoy a book just a touch more when a dog is involved - as long as the dog (or really any animal in any book, show, or movie) is not in peril.  Here are 10 books on my TBR that involve dogs that are on my TBR.

1.  All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot - I read this book close to 30 years ago and I remember liking it and I remember him helping birth a calf and that about sums it up.  My dad really enjoyed the show and has started reading the books and has been talking about them and now I really want to read the whole series.

2.  Death in Bloodhound Red by Virginia Lanier - This involves a bloodhound trainer which sounds fascinating - especially since I'm going to be taking a scentwork class at some point with my not so much bloodhound golden retriever (above).

3.  Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece by Rose Pressey - This is a cozy involving a dog and I think antiques so that sounds extra fun.

4. A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison - Another cozy mystery though this one is heavy on the paranormal.

5.  Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard - Not only do I love the title but I love that this series involves a Border Collie.

6.  Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima - I really love books involving dog training and this mystery series involving K-9s sounds interesting.

7.  Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis - While I haven't been reading much romance lately Shalvis writes the best animal side kicks and dogs in particular.

8.  Muzzled by Eileen Brady - This mystery series involving a veterinarian involves a whole host of animals and lots of dogs.

9.  About a Dog by Jenn McKinlay - I love McKinlay's cozy mysteries and really enjoyed the one fiction title of hers I read.  And this one has a dog.

10. The Scent of Murder by Kylie Logan - Another K-9 mystery!  And one that has been on my TBR since before it came out.

Do you like books with dogs?  Do you have any books with dogs in them on your TBR?