The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy

The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy by Heather Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Harper Merriweather and the residents of the Enchanted Village are back. Harriett Harkette 80th birthday is approaching and hires As You Wish's concierge service to plan her birthday party, along with a stripper, Darcy has her work cut out for her. On the night of the party, Darcy is there to make sure everything is perfect for Harriett, a Floracrafter, who is also a friend of Darcy's Aunt Ve. When the cake isn't there Darcy starts calling the local bakery in town that she hired to make the cake, she's told that Michael Healey had already left a half hour ago to deliver the cake. Darcy decides to take her dog Misdemeanor, Missy for short, and who Darcy is sure is a familliar, (a former witch that comes back as the life of an animal) but can't really prove it yet, for a short walk. While out on their walk, Darcy see's the delivery van and decides to go over and help Michael, but what she finds isn't just the cake, she finds Michael as well, only he's dead.

Darcy calls the police. Nick, her new boyfriend, shows up on the scene along with female police officer Glinda, who has her eyes set on Nick as well, and is always threatening Darcy. While the police start there investigation, Harriett hires Darcy to investigate as to who killed Michael her former employee. Darcy doesn't want to get involved in another murder, but decides to take this request on. Can Darcy solve this murder all the while officer Glinda seems to be stalking her and shows up everywhere Darcy is when she investigating? Trouble seems to be brewing in the Enchanted Village, not only for the residents that are getting murder, but for Darcy as well.

This is a sweet little series, that will have you laughing and smiling for days after you finish the book. The characters are likable, fun, funny, and some you just don't trust. Sounds like a normal small town.

This time around, I really got the murder wrong, and I'm ok with it, because it was a shocker when I found out who actually done it. The author does a nice job of making you feel like you live in the town and you personally know the residents.

The pace of the book is good, character's are very well developed, the story lines flow nicely, and is an enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to everyone.

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A Witch Before Dying

A Witch Before Dying by Heather Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was fun to read, and they mystery kept me guess until the end.

Darcy and the whole Enchanted Village are back with their magical powers and the excitement of Darcy's Aunt V's upcoming wedding. Darcy has her hands full when she's in charge of Aunt V's wedding plans and is hired by Elodie Keaton, daughter of a hoarder who's been missing for over a year, on top of that the town is also on the look out for a Creeper Peeper, and someone is trying to sabotaging her aunt's upcoming wedding.

When Elodie and Darcy arrive at the house, Darcy is informed about a very sought after amulet, the Anicula. Elodie feels that the amulet has something to do with her mother, Patrica disappearance, until a wish is made, and Darcy must grant the wisher's wish. In the middle of all this mess, a mummified body suddenly appears. After calling in the cops, it's determined that the body is that of Patrica. Darcy feels sorry for Elodie and without looking where she's leaping, finds she is not only looking for a sabotager for Aunt V's wedding, but a murder as well.


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Second-Hand Stiff (An Odelia Grey Mystery #8)

Second-Hand Stiff by Sue Ann Jaffarian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Odelia Grey is back and this time she's spending Thanksgiving with her husband, his family, her mother, and her brother. The next day, instead of hitting the black Friday sales, Odelia, her mother, and mother-in-law accompany her husband Greg's cousin Ina to a storage locker auction. When the auctioneer opens the storage contain that is up for bid, everyone is shocked to find Ina's husband Tom, dead. Ina becomes the main suspect. Odelia in tow with her fearless, mother investigate to solve the murder and clear Ina's name, and in the process Odelia and her mother can clear up their difficult past and become more of a mother/daughter.

This witty series, will keep you sitting on the couch reading. Character's are well developed, lots of humor, laugh out loud moments, and we can't forget the pets that are their that bring in so much warmth to the story. I do love the fact that the author makes this series easy to connect with, the character's are life like. She also has the main character a plus-size, and her husband is wheelchair bound. But the story doesn't focus on those two factors. The husband is very active and it doesn't take away from the story. His character is so develop that you forget he's in a wheelchair. It is so refreshing to have a heroin that isn't this perfect size three trophy wife, that keeps the perfect house, can make a seven course dinner on the spur of the moment when hubby calls and says he's bring home guest, can solve a crime without damaging her high dollar manicure. I think with Odelia and Greg, that's what makes them more relate-able, and fans can connect more to them since they appear to be more down to earth.



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The Mill River Redemption

The Mill River Redemption by Darcie Chan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Darcie Chan has written a wonderful novel again. She has returned to her cozy little town of Mill River, Vermont, to catch up with some of the locals that were introduced in the first book, The Mill River Recluse and to hear Josie DiSanti's story. Don't worry if you haven't read the first book, you won't be lost when reading Redemption.

Josie DiSanti is a young mother of two little girls Rose and Emily. After losing her husband, their home to a fire, Josie calls her mother's older sister Ivy. Neither Ivy nor Josie know each other to well, but Ivy is the only family that Josie has, and Ivy who has never been married or had children of her own, takes Josie and the girls in without hesitation.

Josie, with Ivy's help raises the girls on her own, while also providing for them as a real estate broker. Josie loves her girls and is determine to keep her promise to her late husband Tony. The girls are more than sister's, they are each other's support, protector, friend and most importantly, they love each other. Then one day tragedy happens and the girls become estranged from one another. Josie is caught in the middle of this and tries everything she can to get the girls to come together again.

When Josie passes away, both girls find themselves back in Mill River for their mother's wake. Neither one talking to the other one after ten years. Josie attorney, informs the girls that their mother has left both of them an inheritance, but in order for them to get it, they both have to move back to Mill River for two months, live next door to each other in the houses that Josie has provided for them, and work together to figure out the clues that are left for them that will lead them to their inheritance. Neither girls want to live next to each other let alone move back to Mill River to be reminded of that awful day that pushed to sister apart.

Like the first book, this one did not let me down. If your a fan of Maeve Binchy or Karen White, then you'll soon become a fan of Darcie Chan, who is able to draw you into her little town of Mill River. So grab a cup of coffe or hot tea, pull up a chair and meet the incredible people from Mill River, Vermont. Who knows, you might make a friend or two.

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Reconstructing Amelia

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had never read a book by Kimberly McCreight until I read Reconstructing Amelia. I did enjoy this book very much, even through I'm sure there are reviews that say differently. Not everyone HAS to like a book because someone else does.

This is a story about a girl who dies and her mother wants answers, is determine to find out what exactly happened to her daughter.

No matter how close a parent thinks they are to their child, and think they know everything, there are some things you just can't tell your parents, Amelia is the same way. Her and her mother Kate, a single mother raising Amelia on her own with no father in the picture, and working as a lawyer in Manhattan.

Amelia, is alone most of the time since her mother works a lot of hours, she's an honor student at a private school in Brooklyn where she attends with her BFF Sylvia. One day Amelia, receives a message to come to the park alone. When she arrives she sees that there are a few girls there that are in the Magpie club, a secret club that was disbanded several years ago, but has came back together without the school knowing.

After Amelia's death, Kate starts searching thru her texts, emails, papers, computer, trying to piece together her daughters life and who would want to hurt her. Kate ends up working with a detective that is investigating Amelia's death. Along the way, they learn that Ameilia was being bullied by the magpies.

But did they led her to her death? You'll have to read it to find out.

The story is told from Kate, Amelia, her facebook page, and texts. You get a glimpse into both Kate and Amelia's life.

This is a good book and I would recommend it to others to read.

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Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well deserved 5 stars! This book was so fun to read! It was funny, fast paced, could not put this book down!

Bernadette Fox has some issues, ok a lot of issues. She's with drawn from society, doesn't want to deal with the normal life issues, but still functions in her own little world. Instead of dealing with life, going out to the grocery store, shopping for her husband Elgin, who is a Microsoft guru, and their daughter Bee, Bernadette hires a personal assistant online, who tends to all her shopping needs, normal errands that one would normally do, and anything else that she doesn't have to make an appearance at.

Bee wants to go to Antarctica and her parents agree they would go IF she aced her report card, which she does, which means Bernadette must go as well. This doesn't sit well with Bernadette, this sends her agoraphobic into a tail-spin. While she pretends to be handling this for face of her family, the FBI comes knocking at their door, and Elgin has had enough of Bernadette's shenanigans, and has an intervention with a psychologist who makes matter's worse for Bernadette. She takes off and disappears. Bee is heartbroken and sets out to find Bernadette, with determination to find her mother her starts her own search through email messages, documents and secret correspondence, she won't stop until she finds her mother.

The character's where well developed, and the plot was thought out. I found this light hearted book a joy to read. I didn't care that some thought it wasn't plausible, this was a book that was ment to be enjoyed. There wasn't any secret messages being displayed, this wasn't based on someone's life, it was just a good, fast paced, hilarious, fun, light-hearted book, that was meant to be read for fun.

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Loving Eleanor

Loving Eleanor by Susan Wittig Albert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars. Loving Eleanor is a beautiful written fiction story between AP Lorena “Hick” Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt during the 1932 campaign, and the beautiful friendship that developed between them. Although Eleanor’s husband was running for office, Eleanor herself wasn’t big in the spotlight. She was shy at first and it appeared to Hick, that she just needed a friend, someone she could trust, advice, and confide in. Little did they know how fast their friendship would begin. Eleanor and Hicks exchanged thousands of letters over the course of their friendship.
Told in the first person from Hick’s point of the view, and leads you to believe she’s a lesbian, which in this era was taboo to the rest of the world, and was a secret one had to keep to themselves. This book was a story that touched your heart on so many levels. It captures you from the beginning and will stay with you long after you finish it. It’s based on actual events, making the story of Eleanor and Hick’s come to life right off the page, and the story flows nicely from one page to the next.
The characters are described in great detail and soon you feel like these two women are your friends as well. The story is told in a tasteful manner, fascinating, heartwarming, and a courageous story of two women who‘s platonic friendship is shared with the world.
I want to thank NetGallery for allowing me to read this book and be able to give my review on it.


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It Takes a Witch (A Wishcraft Mystery #1)

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars. This is the first book in a hopefully long series.

Darcy Merriweather and her sister Harper didn't know they were wish crafter's until after their father died and their Aunt V showed up and told them about their heritage, and encouraged them to move to the little town of Enchantment. Darcy was ready for a change, she was newly divorced from her ex-husband, who said Darcy had become boring, dull, and he didn't want to have any children. Darcy was more hurt from her ex had already moved in with his girlfriend who was also pregnant. So Darcy was more than ready to move on. Little did she know her life was going to change.

Darcy is a wish crafter, she's only allowed to grant wishes someone makes and they must be pure of heart when they make the wish. She's not allowed to grant her own wishes nor is she to encourage the person to make the wish, and if she breaks the rules she's called before the elder and the elder dishes out the punishment, in which they can lose their powers for a period of time, or permanently, in which Darcy finds out rather quickly and is also warned to learn to get a grip on her new found craft.

At a town meeting, Amanda Shipley is found dead, with Aunt V's beau hovering over the body and the prime suspect. Darcy wants to help with the investigation for Aunt V's sake, but since she's not a cop, she starts her own investigation and with some help with the few town's folk spilling the gossips she has more information to go on, but there's one problem, Nick, a former sheriff from Boston who moves to the village with his daughter Mimi after his ex-wife dies, and makes Darcy's heart skip a beat, or two. Can Darcy find the murderer, can she keep her powers in check, and can she allow Nick into her heart and take a chance on love again?

I bounced back and forth on who the killer was and in the end I was wrong! The cast of characters are easy to keep straight and for the most part either you like them or you don't. The pace of the book is about a medium pace, but you can follow along nicely. I will be reading the next one in the series because I did enjoy the book.







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Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family--and a Whole Town--About Hope and Happy Endings

Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family - and a Whole Town - About Hope and Happy Endings by Janet Elder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There's no doubt this book earned a 5 stars!

Janet Elder's son Michael wanted a dog since he was little. Her and her husband Rich, kept pondering on the idea and then they would say, well...the times not right, we're to busy, Michael isn't old enough to take on that kind of responsibility, there was other excuses they came up with. Then one day seven year old Michael presented his parents with a power point presentation on 'My Dog' and why not having a dog is a sad thing, and then he explained why having a dog is a good thing.

One day their world is shattered, Janet is diagnosis with having breast cancer. She starts thinking that maybe having a dog would be a distraction for Michael as to what lays ahead for her and her family, since her diagnosis will change their family. She starts searching on what breed would best suit their fast pace apartment living life style in New York. She finds a red toy poodle and calls the breeder and talks with her as to how well this puppy would live in an apartment, the requirements for it to live a healthy, happy life, how well it would adapt to this new family and all the other questions she had. She decides that this puppy would be a good fit, and Huck joins their busy family life, with an excited Michael who is so overjoyed about finally getting a puppy. The new adventure awaits the new family. There's potty training to be done, and teaching him not to chew up shoes, papers, the barking, teaching him to walk on a leash, which Huck escapes from on a walk and nearly gets hit by a car.

A few months later, after Janet is done with her treatments, the family takes a little vacation and goes to baseball's spring training. They make arrangements for Janet's sister and brother-in-law to take care of Huck. The family isn't on vacation for a full day when Janet's sister calls and tells them Huck has escaped from their fenced in yard. Devastated by this news, the family leaves from vacation and heads back to Janet's sisters' house. Everyone is feeling so down and out over Huck missing. They decide to start looking for Huck, they put up flyers, talk with the towns people, who get involved, including the police department.

This book was not only a pleasure to read, but it showed determination, hope, faith, discourage, kindness of strangers, survival, encouragement, resilience, and the love of family. This heartwarming, touching, story, will bring you to tears, warm your heart, take your breath away, lift your spirits, and have you cheering.





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A Potion to Die For

A Potion to Die For by Heather Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a cute story, the cover is so pretty and that's what drew me to it. The mystery starts just a few pages in which is so refreshing instead of reading half way through it and then the murder.

The story is set in the south, in Alabama, Carly Bell Hartwell is a "witch" she is owner of Little Shop of Potions, her "witchy powers" are for health, happiness, and the heart. When a resident of the town predicts that the next day, the forecast for the day would be one couple in town will soon divorce, the rest of the town chases Carly Bell all around the town to get a potion from her to secure that they weren't heading for divorce. She beats the town folks to her shop, she locks herself in to prepare the potion that is high in demand for the day. When she heads to the back of her shop, she stops dead in her tracks when laying on her floor is a dead man, holding one of her potion bottles.

When the cops arrive one of them is her ex-fiance Dylan, whom she almost married....twice. He seems to still have feelings for her, and it looks like Carly Bell needs a stronger potion to keep her feelings for him at bay. Carly Bell decides that she herself wants answers as to who killed Nelson and why they left him in her shop with one of her potion bottles.

There's just a right amount of characters in the book that one doesn't get confused by who belongs to whom, and their part in the town. There's a lot of comedy in the story that makes this book just a fun read.



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Spell Booked (Retired Witches Mystery #1)

Spell Booked by Joyce Lavene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in what appears to be a new series. The plot is well placed, the characters are well liked, there isn't a lot of characters that you have to keep track of, nor is there a lot of back story that some authors put in, in a new series, the character's are easily likable and funny, and reads at a good pace.

The three main witches are more human than you would expect. They don't go around dressed in black dress, wear witch's hats, nor ride a broom. They are three normal women, who each have their own lifestyles, families, friends and a cute little shop, that other witch's frequent, and some of the town folks and tourists enter the shop and are not discriminated against.

The three witch's' remind you of "The Golden Girls", but they don't live together, each has their own houses, families, and cats. The witch's are coming up on retirement and need to find witch's to replace them. But before they get their first recruit, one is murder and their spell book is stolen. Molly, a water witch, her husband Joe, who is not of the magical kingdom, is the detective that is investigating the murder of his wife's friend. But what Joe and his partner, a young female named Lisbet, doesn't know is this is not a normal murder, magic is involved and who better than Molly and her partner at the shop Elias, a fire witch, to do their own investigation of the death of their friend Olivia. The witch's council isn't stepping in to do an investigation to solve the murder of one of their own, the two ladies, and a new recruit decide to take it upon themselves to find the murder and bring her or him to justice wither it be before the justice system or before the witch's council, who ever gets to murderer first.




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One Potion in the Grave (Magic Potion Mystery #2)

One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars. Carly Bell Hartwell is back, along with her crazy aunt's, mom, dad, best friend and of course her ex-fiance, now detective on the police force, and still trying to get Carly to marry him, third times the charm as they say. The more Dylan hints about marring Carly, and it takes all her "Witchy Senses" to keep herself from falling all over Dylan again.

While Carly's mama is preparing for the big Calhoun's wedding, a childhood friend, Katie Sue Periwinkle, who has fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor, and she uses her full name of Katherine, comes back to town to attend the wedding, she wonders into Carly Bell's Little Shop of Potions. The two start talking and reminisces of their childhood, also bringing up Katie Sue, as Carly Bell still calls her, bad childhood and estranged family.

The night before the big wedding that is to take place, Carly Bell's mama finds a pair of shoes by the wedding gazebo with blood. Carly Bell is called to her mama's wedding chapel and of course she does the right thing and calls Dylan. The search begins to find the person who owns the shoes. When they find the body, it's non other than Carly Bell's friend, Katie Sue. Carly takes this personally and starts her own investigation to bring the person that killed her friend to justice. This time it's personal for Carly Bell.

This fun little book, has the sweet southern charm of a small town, visiting old friends, and a lot of humor that will have you laughing until your sides hurt. A very enjoyable read, with hopes that the author will continue this series.

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Things Half in Shadow

Things Half in Shadow by Alan Finn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hold on to your seats, make sure you have pizza delivery on speed dial, make sure you read this over the weekend, if not you better call into work because once you start this book, you're not going to want to put it down!

This book takes place in the late 1800s' in Philadelphia. Edward Clark is a newspaper reporter that writes about crimes for the newspaper. His boss has decided that he should write an article exposing some of the mediums that are in Philly. Edward tries to get out of writing it because he's very happy and content on writing crimes.

Edward attends the seance of one Mrs. Lucy Collins, and from there everything in his comfortable live turns every which way but up. When one of Mrs. Collins's competition dies and the husband has asked for an autopsy, and it's proven that she was actually murdered, everyone in attendance is a suspect. Edward and Mrs. Collins are forced together to solve this murder and clear there good names before the police can have them charged with the murder.

The book itself is very well written and thought out. It's not a book that deals with a lot of seances, ghost, the dead but is actually a murder mystery. There isn't any gruesome descriptions, of ghosts that have been hacked to death or anything like that. This book will grab you once you start reading it and you will find yourself reading it well after you should be asleep, and your still thinking about it as you drift off to sleep, when you wake up you'll want to grab the book instead of the newspaper to read.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves murder mysteries, wants a good story, that is well written, thought out, and fun to read.


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There Was an Old Woman

There Was an Old Woman by Hallie Ephron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I give this book 4.5 stars. This book was a complete surprise for me. To be honest I wasn't for sure if I would like it, and I actually ended up really enjoying it. The first few days that I had it I was only able to read a couple of chapters here and there. It didn't have anything to do with the book it had to do with life itself, cleaning, cooking, laundry, running here and there, but once I was able to actually sit down and read the book, boy it swept me off my feet. One thing I will say, the author and I have a different understanding of " needing to know"...lol. Every time something popped up "I" needed to know what would happen, who it was, and the author would only tell what "she" wanted to me to know at that time, or that I didn't "need to know" until she felt I ready. I loved that about this book. It didn't give you everything right away and not everything all at once that would leave you with a bunch of questions or things you would forget about. Although this was a fast pace book, you were able to remember what the author had already presented and she kept you guessing as to what would happen next or who did/would do what.

The story starts off by Mina, a 91 year old woman who lives alone in her house that she grew up in. On this morning her neighbor is taken to the hospital by ambulance and before she goes, she asks Mina to call her daughter Ginger and tell her, "don't let him into the house until I'm gone". No body knows what she meant by that, but Mina calls Ginger and leaves a message on her voice mail about her mother. Ginger isn't able to stay and take care of her mother's house and affairs while she's in the hospital so she calls her sister Evie and tells her she has to go to the hospital and take care of things. Evie, who is working for the Historical Preservation is getting ready to open an exhibit with in the next week and is working late to get everything ready for the grand opening of an exhibit from the history of the Empire State Building that happen shortly after WWII. She thinks this is caused by her mother's alcoholism and it's not anything major. Ginger guilt's her into going to take care of her mom and Evie agrees that it's her turn to drop everything and go.

After Evie leaves the hospital and returns to her mother's house, she is horrified to see that her mother's house is in total wreckage, not from someone breaking in, but how fifthly the house is, there's cockroaches, broken windows, mail piled up every where, broken stairs, boxes, the house looks like it needed to be condemned, however there was a brand new flat screen in her mother's house. Evie is in shock as to how her mother could of let this happen. When Evie goes to the garage, she finds cases of Grey Goose and cigarettes in their along with cans of empty cat food cans.

Evie talks to Mina to see if she know anything about how long the condition of the house has been like this. Mina, who seems to think that her memory is slipping more and more each day has her own problems to deal with. But somewhere the two starting building an adult friendship and come to each other, when they both start noticing the change in the neighborhood, how her mother's bills are all paid off and an envelop full of $100 bills,and the break-in at Evie's mother's house where some boxes are taken. Mina discovers that someone has taken the whistler out of her tea kettle and she has several smoke incidents from the tea kettle going dry, when she's cooking the temperature is set higher than she had it, and why would she find her billfold in the refrigerator? Mina is also dealing with her annoying, greedy, self-center nephew Brian, who pretends to care about his aging aunt and wants to put her in a nursing home and be done with her.

Mina reminds you of your grandma or aunt that you just want to wrap your arms around her and protect her. She's as feisty as all get out and you can't help but love her. You see that develop in Evie, who believes that Mina isn't losing her mind.

You can believe the characters, for the author has made them just like your normal neighbors, friends, and family members. The suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat, and is a very enjoyable read.

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The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss (A Domestic Diva Mystery #9)

The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss by Krista Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sophia is at it again, only this time she was asked to look into the disappearance of the CEO, Joe Merano at Amore Chocolates, all while also being the event planner for the sixtieth anniversary event. What happens next is a murder at the Merano's house where the event is taking place and all sixty of the winners are there as well as the Merano family, wait staff, and a long list of suspects.

I enjoyed this book as it was the first time I read a book in this series, and will now have to go back and read the rest of them. Sophia is a very likable character, one that you would go over to her house and visit. Her life isn't simple, her ex-husband and his crazy girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, who's also the town cop, Alex, a lawyer, who she is seeing and seems to turn up at the wrong time and gets the wrong idea where Sophia's ex-husband and boyfriend are always there. Her neighbor across the street, Nia seems to be the one that keeps the balance for her, as well as a good friend who's always there to help when Sophia needs it. Put all the crazy ex's, girlfriend, neighbor, and a murder all together with a little chocolate thrown in, and you get a fun time reading this book.

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Whistling Past the Graveyard

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely adored this book. It is told from a nine year old white girl, in the late 60's early 70's who befriends and come to depend on a black woman in Mississippi during the time segregation.

The author wrote about the segregation with taste and class. There was no horrid, gross, terrible description of what happens or the treatment of how black people where treated back then. It wasn't the main focus of the book and I, as a reader, really appreciated the fact that the author mentioned it, but didn't make it center of the book. She kept the story about the young girl Starla and the friendship that come between her and Eula.

Starla, lives with her mammie, who treats Starla terribly. Her mother lives in Nashville and Starla says that she's a country singer and has all these imaginations of her mother and the life style that comes with being a big country star. Starla's dad, works on a oil rig, and is gone for periods of time. When Starla gets in trouble with mamie, and she threatens to send Starla to reform school, Starla decides to run away and go to Nashville to live with her mother.

Eula, a black woman see's Starla walking and stops to see if she needs a ride. Starla goes with Eula and baby James. When they get to Eula's house for the night, her husband, who likes the "juice" is outraged with Eula for bringing a white girl to their house. Several things happen and Eula, Starla, and baby James, escapes and heads for Nashville. Along the way Eula and Starla come to depend on each other for strength, love, companion, and friendship. The two shows that the color of your skin doesn't define who that person is, and that family isn't necessary blood, but in your heart.



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The Book of Speculation

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received this book free from First reads. After reading the description I was very excited to read this book. Every website that I went to, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc. etc. kept saying that if you liked The Night Circus then you would love this book. I loved reading The Night Circus, so if this was anything like it, I knew I would enjoy it. To me, the characters were predictable, and it just didn't have the excitement that The Night Circus had. Now with that being said, I did enjoy the book, I did have to remind myself that this was not The Night Circus, and I needed to stop comparing the two. Once I did that, the book was pretty good.

Simon Watson, a young librarian on the verge of losing his job, lives alone on the Long Island Sound in his family home. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks. It seems that all the women in his family dies’ on the same day in the month of July. His younger sister, Enola, works for a traveling carnival reading tarot cards, and is acting odd as the day approaches. Simon is in search of a way to break this curse. Then one day an old package arrives with a book in it. While Simon is reading it, he notices that his grandmother’s name is in this book. He starts to wonder about it.
The book does do flashbacks, which I enjoy most of the time in books. This book also had some dark magic in it, mermaids, and twist and turns. For me the book did slow down a bit towards the middle of the book, then picked up again, and at the end of the book, I don’t feel that all questions were answered. Maybe the author is growing to write a sequel to this book. I do feel that the author, Erika Swyler, is a very good storyteller. I have never heard of her before this book, if she writes more books, I would certainly read them.
This is a book that you would either love it, or not. I myself liked it.




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Rebecca

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not only one of my all time favorite books by Daphne du Maurier, but it happens to be my number 1 book in a top ten list.

Rebecca is a suspense book that will keep you engaged the whole way through. Ms. du Maurier has a way with her writing that captivates her audience right up to the end.

"Last Night I Dreamt I Went To Manderley Again." This is the first lines in the book, which is told by the second Mrs. De Winters. Who seems to be living in the shadows of the first Mrs. De Winters, that everybody seemed to love and worship, including her maid, who now attends to the second Mrs. De Winters, who does not feel welcome in Rebecca's house. Your heart goes out to her as she tries to be a good wife to Maxium, her husband, who still carries a torch for Rebecca. Every where she goes on the estate, everything she tries to do to fit in at Manderly, she see Rebecca, not in a spiritual way or physical form, but by memories of people telling her, Rebecca loved this, or Rebecca did this, Rebecca would go here, do this, do that, and she feels she can't escape the past.

Until the night, Rebecca's little sailboat is found, and things will never be the same for the second Mrs. De Winters, Maxium, Manderly, and everyone else that Rebecca has touched their lives.



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Villa America

Villa America by Liza Klaussmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Liza Klaussmann’s skilled and sensitive new novel, “Villa America,” the Murphy’s’ famous sociability becomes intriguingly fraught, the expression of a loving, complicated marriage. Once they settle in Cap d’Antibes with their three young children in 1923, Klaussmann paints an attractive picture of their elegantly Bohemian existence.
VILLA AMERICA swept me up into the beautifully drawn lives of the Murphy’s and their dazzling circles of friends and family. This novel moves at a fast pace that keeps the readers interested. The novel has many truly lovely moments. An enthralling read from the first page to the last.


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Haunted (Harrison Investigation #1)

Haunted by Heather Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars. I really enjoyed this book. It was a well thought out, written story line. I liked most of the character's, was very skeptical of a couple of them. The personalities, smart mouths, their fears, their desires where as if you knew the characters.

Darcy is sent to Melody House in a charming southern small town, to investigate wither or not a ghost is haunting the 100 plus year old house, that is scaring guest, and now showing signs of violence towards the living.

Matt Stone is the town cop and owner of Melody House. It's been in his family for generations. He loves this house and he doesn't believe in the paranormal. He allows Harrison Investigations to come into his home and prove that there are no ghost but someone living is pulling this prank.

Melody House has been standing since the Revolutionary war and has a long history of ghost living in the house. In order to help pay for the upkeep of the house and to keep it in the family, Matt allows for Penny, who loves the house as well and works for Matt to hold "ghost" tours and seances anything that will bring in money to help with the house. Penny swears that she has seen the woman in white coming down the stairs and truly believes the house is haunted. She convinces Matt to allow Darcy into the house and to sleep in the Lee Room, supposedly where the ghost haunts.

Darcy is convinced that something did happen in that room and is bound and determine to get to the bottom of it, but like any other family histories, there's always skeletons in the closest and do come to surface, and is Matt ready to hear them as well as willing to believe.

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The Last Bookaneer

The Last Bookaneer by Matthew Pearl
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Last Bookaneer; I've never had the occasion to read anything by Matthew Pearl before, I was really excited to start reading this book. To me the book started off slow, and took a while for me to connect with the characters. When the story started to pick up and I was finally able to connect the story took off with a bang. With A swashbuckler story with pirates, escapades, literary heroes, copyright infringement, and the impending demise of the bookaneer trade. It seems that R. L. Stevenson has one last manuscript that everyone wants to get their hands on it.
This is going to be a 50/50 book with readers. You will either love it, or you won’t. However, this is my honest opinion on the book as first read wanted.


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X (Kinsey Millhone, #24)

X by Sue Grafton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kinsley Millhone is back for more fun and adventure. Six months earlier, one of the guys, Pete, she was trained by when she was working on getting her P.I. license, years ago was shot to death, while being robbed. Kinsley was kind enough and helped the widow Ruth out, by going through all the boxes from his office. After several months after Ruth calls and tells Kinsley she received a letter from the IRS that she is being audited and that they need documents going back fifteen years, when Pete worked for the company that him and Kinsley worked for.

Kinsley tells Ruth there is a one box that she hasn't gone through and she'll check to see what's in there and see if any documents in reference to what the IRS is asking for. Mean while, Kinsley meets with a new client who's wanting to find her son that she gave up for adoption when she was 15. She pays Kinsley in cash. A few days later, Dect. Nash enters Kinsley office to inform her the $100.00 bill that she paid for her grocery's with was used to pay to get a painting back that was stolen years ago. This information sets off chain of events that Kinsley starts investigating.

The author, Sue Grafton, does it again, but delivering another well written, engaging, exciting, and a little humor thrown in. There's twist and turns at every corner and questions are answered. When the reader is done reading this installment, the only question that is left is, what's next for Kinsley.

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The Rosie Effect (Don Tillman #2)

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The genetic scientist, Don Tillman and Rosie are back. The story picks up ten months after Don and Rosie are married and living in New York. Everything is going good for them until Rosie announces that they are going to have a little one, Rosie is pregnant. Don world is going in a place that he has never experienced. Hold on to your seat this is going to be a bumpy ride.

I was a little worried about reading this one since it was an sequel and I was afraid that the author would lose a little of the quirkiness of Don and the other characters from the first book, The Rosie Project, but it didn't. The writing stayed the same, in fact it was like the first book hadn't ended. There's still that good humor feeling that you get when reading the story. The author has a way to pull you in to the characters lives as through you are standing right there and seeing it all play out in real time.

If you haven't read either of the books, or you haven't read this one, don't walk, RUN and get this book it won't disappoint you in the least. It will warm your heart and leave you with a feel good feeling.

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The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1)

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book. I think in order for someone to enjoy it, they must find the humor in it, and as my husband tells me, I can find humor in a string.

At first I didn't think that I would like Don, a genetics nerd, who lacked social skills. As the book went on, my feelings for him started to change. I next felt sorry for him. Sorry that he didn't have many friends, how he didn't understand how to react to someone making a joke, knowing that someone was making fun of him, to not understanding that not everything must be a project.

When Rosie, entered his life, I was so hoping that she wouldn't be there on a bet. I liked the play between them and how Rosie didn't take Don as a serious person.

The journey of these two main characters was so refreshing, warm, and inviting. I found myself laughing at them, wanting to hug both of them, slap Don upside the head, and cheering for them. I would recommend this book to everyone. It was such a delight to read.

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The Beautiful Bureaucrat

The Beautiful Bureaucrat by Helen Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Out of work for the past fourteen months, Josephine finally has and interview at a data base that doesn't have any windows. When she gets the job, the only thing she knows is that she's to process the files in the data base. While she's working there, she meets Trishiffany who wears bright color clothes, nosy and bit to perky. Other than the person that interviewed Josephine, she's never seen anyone else working at the office.

Once Josephine starts working everything starts changing for her in her life, from the way she looks, her marriage to her husband Joseph, who himself is changing before her eyes, strange things start appearing to her, without her telling anyone from where to she lives to her wants and desires.

The Beautiful Bureaucrat is thriller, mystery, romance, intriguing, face paced, that will keep you interested from beginning to end. The story is well thought out and continues the story from one chapter to the next, and will leave you guessing as to what is going to happen.

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Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey #6)

Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At first I didn't think that I would like this book at all. The first two or three chapters dealt with a trial, and I mean THE trial. It was long and very boring. Once I got past that part, the book started to pick up. Harriet Vane is on trial for the murder of her ex boyfriend/fiancee. The Crown can't really pin the murder on her because all they have is that she was ironically writing a book where the character was poisoned to death. Which is how her ex dies and this is mentioned in the first few pages of the book. When the jury comes back with a hung verdict and new trial set Lord Peter Wimsey decides that he will be investigating this crime, and he's determined to find Harriet Vane innocent.

Like I said earlier, once you get past the first couple of chapters, this is a good book for those that enjoy reading about English murder mysteries.

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Downton Abbey: Rules for Household Staff

Downton Abbey: Rules for Household Staff by Justyn Barnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For fans of Downtown Abbey, here's a fun little book told from Carson, the head butler,that explains how the servants rank, how each are to do their jobs, what is expected when getting rooms, dinner, and the proper attire for when a party, distinguish guest, royalty, or visitors are coming to Downtown.

It gives you a glimpse into a servants life and duties while running the house. You're able to read this book in a day, while getting your Downtown fix while your waiting for the next season to come out.

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Candy Corn Murder (Lucy Stone #22)

Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lucy is back this fall with another murder to solve, only this time it hits close to home. With her oldest son and daughter-in-law going to Haiti for four months, Lucy and her husband Bill now have their grandson Patrick staying with them. While working for the newspaper, taking care of Patrick, making Patrick's Halloween costume, contributing to her organizations, plus her family how does Lucy have time to work on solving a murder of one of the towns folk.

Like all the other books in this series, the fun never stops! The writing is well written, the story moves along at a nice pace, there's not to much of backstories, but just enough to answer a few questions. Although you can figure out whodunit, going back to Tinker Cove, Main is like going home and catching up with old friends and other locals. The story stays on track so there isn't any confusion as to who is who, and what is what.

A very enjoyable read.



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The Orchard: A Memoir

The Orchard: A Memoir by Theresa Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was such a refreshing read. By refreshing I mean that the people in this book were imperfection, they weren't those lucky perky people that didn't have a bad childhood, parents that wrapped them in hugs and kisses and tucked them into bed every night, their in-laws welcomed them into the family with open arms, with every Sunday dinner, big elaborate Christmas's. No, This book is about people that father's took off and abandon their families, a mother who cared more about finding the next man to take care of her and didn't have time for her children, people who marry and not accepted into the family.

The author tells her story about her rotten childhood, her dysfunctional mother,
marrying her husband after only knowing him for a couple of months. When Theresa marries Adrian Curtis, a local apple farmer, she is thrown into a world she doesn't understand and tries to find her place living on the farm.

Adrian's mother doesn't make it easy for the young couple. His family tries talking him out of marrying her right up to the start of the ceremony and even after the ceremony when Adrian should be spending his wedding night with his new wife, instead he's up at the family house, listening to his mother tell him that he can get the marriage annulled.

Of course no new marriage is picture perfect, but with Theresa and Adrian, they've also got the problems of the day to day life of sun up to sun down work on the farm. They face the challenge of keeping the worms from invading and destroying the crop, the use of pesticides, and trying to maintain their marriage and family.

This story isn't a depressing one, it's believable story that everyone can relate to, and you find yourself drawn into the lives of this couple.

I rate this book at 5 stars, because I felt it was an amazing story that had to be told.

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Ghost a la Mode (A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery #1)

Ghost a la Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a cute, fun, entertaining little read this book was! It really surprised me at how well written this book was. It wasn't all about a ghost trying to solve a murder. There was a story there, a plot well thought out, very little back story, and not a lot of people that you couldn't keep track of. The book moves on at a quick pace and is a delight to read. I gave it a five stars, because it grabs your attention from chapter 1 and keeps you guessing till the end.

This is the first book in the series. Emma Whitecastle, (no relation to the hamburger chain) is in the middle of a divorce from her Hollywood husband Grant. Her friend Tracy conveniences her to go to a seance with her. While she's at the seance, a ghost of her ancestor Ish Reynolds, better known as Granny Apples comes to her and is need of her help. She was accused of killing her husband Jacob Reynolds over 100 years ago. Emma is reluctant at first, but when her Aunt Kitty passes away and comes to her, requesting her to help Granny Apples, Emma isn't thrilled about it, but does help to try and clear Granny's name as a murder.



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Design For Murder

Design For Murder by Carolyn G. Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Death on Demand Series of books are just fun to read. Most of the time it's pretty easy to figure out whodunit, but it's so nice to go back and visit Annie and Max at Annie's little book store, Death on Demand.

Annie keeps telling herself that she won't get involved in help solving the murder of one of the Historical Society of Chastain, South Carolina. However, the first half of the book, is just a typical week in the life of Annie, the murder didn't happen until about half way, and then after that there didn't seem to be a lot of investigating like Annie usually does in the series.

However, it is a nice read that you can just sit back and enjoy without it weighing on your mind.

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The Blue Hour

The Blue Hour by Douglas Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars. The Blue Hour is the first book that I have read by Douglas Kennedy, and I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed not only this book but his writing as well. First off before I go on I’d like to thank Netgallery for allowing me to read this book for my honest review.
This book had great characters, a good pace, mystery, and a wonderful description of Moroccan that I actually felt like I was right there in the middle of it all. The details were so vivid and lively, that I could smell, taste, see, experience, touch, and hear all there was to experience without leaving my house.

Robin is pushing forty, works as an accountant, and lives a very conservative life in New York. She meets Paul, and artist that sweeps her off her feet, and the two marry, though they are an unlikely match. They decide to go to Morocco where Paul once worked and lived. Little does Robin know that her relaxing vacation is about to change. Paul disappears, and the only clues that Robin has is what is written in his journal. Following these clues, Robin learns that Paul might not be the man she married, he seems to have some secrets, does she have the strength to follow all the clues, no matter where they lead her, and is their love strong enough for her to find him?

This book kept me guessing at every corner, was one of the better page turners that I’ve read this year, and made me feel as though I was right there watching and witnessing everything that was happening. However, I will say there is a very violent scene, but if you read it quickly you’ll get through it and back to the story at hand, but not before it changes something in Robin.


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The Appearance of Annie van Sinderen

The Appearance of Annie van Sinderen by Katherine Howe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To me the first part of the book started out slow, I was almost ready to put it aside when WHAM it picked up and moved along faster than I thought it would.

Wes is a college student and is studying film making when he meets Annie. However there is something strange about her. Wes needs her to sign a consent form so that he can use the footage of her in his film. He goes back to where he first met her, hoping that she is still there but she isn't. Annie appears in Wes dorm room while he's sleeping. He can't figure out how she got in when the doors were locked, The windows are to high up for her to climb in, so how did Annie get inside his room?

The cast of characters are small, so you won't need to have a pen and paper to write down who is who. The changing of the scenes are well written and you won't be left with questions when you return to the previous scene. The story is well written, intriguing, and will suck you in.

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Engaged in Danger: A Jamie Quinn Mystery

Engaged in Danger: A Jamie Quinn Mystery by Barbara Venkataraman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My favorite divorce attorney Jamie Quinn is back with another adventure. Jamie is about to take on a divorce case, that she really doesn't want to represent, but with a little coaching from her corporate attorney, and best friend Grace, Jamie agrees to represent this high profile divorce case. Since her boyfriend has decided to go to Australia for three months, Jamie has time to work her case, when her next door neighbor ask her for some help in his brother-in-law and sister-in-laws death. Jamie has her work cut out for her, but she does agree to help them.

The Jamie Quinn series has become one of the series that I look forward to, to read. They are quick, fast pace, and fun to read. The author brings to life the main character, her P.I. friend Duke, and her bff Grace. There isn't to many cast of character's in the book that you will have problems keeping up with or keeping straight. There's just the right amount of character's and a little bit of backstory that it doesn't consume to much of the story that is at play. The things that happen in the book are believable and give just enough details that you aren't questioning the author's knowledge.

The story flows nicely from one chapter to the next, and has a little humor thrown in from time to time. If you haven't read any of the other books in the series, there are three prior, don't worry, you won't be lost and you'll be able to stay with the story and what's going on in this book with no problems.

If you've just finished an intense read and want a fun, quick, enjoyable, book, this one is for you. Make a new friend in Jamie Quinn.



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The Two-Family House

The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this debut novel by Lynda Cohen Loigman from NetGallery.
It started off quite slowly and I thought I wouldn’t like it, but just when you think it’s not going to get better it hits you rather quickly and early on in the book. I’m so glad I didn’t give up on it.
Mort and Abe are two brothers who own a company together and they live together with their families on different floors of the same house. Abe is a fun loving family man with a social magnetism and Mort is a distant father with a fondness for numbers over emotions. Their wives, Rose and Helen, who discover they are pregnant at the same time at the beginning of the novel. For Rose this will be her fourth child, and Helen’s fifth. Helen and Rose are close friends until the night they both give birth to their youngest children. Helen wants a daughter so desperately after giving birth to four boys and Rose, who has three daughters wants to give her husband Mort a son that he desperately wants.
While the husbands are out of town for business, both women go into labor during a blizzard with no doctor able to come to the house and no way to reach the hospital, they do have a midwife come to the house to help with the delivery. At the time neither women realizes there lives are going to change.
The characters evolve beautifully in this rich, complex story. With the story spanning over several decades we see a lot of changes in these families. All families have secrets and how hard it is to keep the skeletons in the closets, so others don’t see them. One of the things I liked about this book was that it brought the family closer to life. There is betrayal, bitterness, jealousies, tragedy, loss, test of faith, heartbreak, and choices made not necessarily for the good, but some are good, some come with consequent, all the feelings and emotions that normal families go through.
This is a memorable book to read, and everyone can relate to what happens to this family in the span of the decades that it covers. I did find myself engrossed in this family’s life; by the way the author developed the characters, with each of them telling their story. This is a good read for those that enjoy fiction.


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Ghost of a Potion (Magic Potion Mystery #3)

Ghost of a Potion by Heather Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars. Welcome back to Hitching Post, Alabama where Carly Bell Hartwell owns and runs the Little Shop of Potions, and occasionally stumbles onto a murder. With the approach of Halloween, Carly Bell isn't in any rush to welcome this day. For the next three days, ghost that have not crossed over are allowed to come back and have Carly Bell and her cousin, Delia help them finish up their business here on earth so they may cross over, or return to their graves until next year. All Carly Bell wants to do is hibernate in her house until Nov. 3

Detective Dylan Jackson, Carly Bell's boyfriend has another plan for her instead. His mama, Patricia Jean Jackson is throwing a costume ball and it would mean so much for Dylan to have Carly Bell to attend this function with him, even if the two women will never get along. But before the two women can pretend to be civil to one another, Haywood Dodds, one of the residents of Hitching Post is murdered and Patricia Jean Jackson is found to be standing over him with a golf club in her hand, and Haywood's ghost isn't playing by the rules and shows himself to Carly Bell before the witching hour. Carly Bell has a few days to help Haywood's murder be brought to justice before he is banished back to his grave for another year, and then there's the fact that Dylan's mama, Patricia Jean is the main suspect, and as much as Carly Bell dislikes this woman, she does love her son and doesn't want to see him hurt. She sets out to find who the actually killer is, not only to help Haywood, but to save Patricia Jean from going to jail.

I have enjoyed reading this series and hope that the author will continue the series. There are so much laughable moments and one liners in this series that you can't help but laugh, or smile, or even roll your eyes. While reading you can't help but get a warm, feel good feelings all over. There's not a long list of character's for you to keep track of, the stories move along rather quickly, and keeps the reader engaged. I know I've said it before, but these books are just fun to read.

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Death of an Alchemist (Bianca Goddard Mysteries #2)

Death of an Alchemist by Mary Lawrence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars. Bianca and John are back in the second book of Mary Lawrence’s series. If you haven’t read the first book, The Alchemist’s Daughter, I strongly encourage you to do so, but Death of an Alchemist, can stand on it’s own. The stories are set in the 1600’s of Tudor England. Of course they don’t have dna testing, or and FBI data base, so solving the whodunit is totally different then what is done today. However mysteries do get solved.
The author transports you back in time to where you can see a good image of what the village looks like, the smells, and the sounds. The mystery is not over shadow by the descriptions the author brings to life.
Bianca Goddard is an alchemist, one who heals for medicinal, this in itself can be challenging due to the lack of medicine. People died from what is today known as the common flu. But this time she is trying to create a medicine for “the sweating sickness”. With no luck, Bianca seeks out to find Ferris Stannum, a much better alchemist than herself, who has announced a new discovery of and immortal elixir. The next day he is found dead, and the corner states the cause of death is “natural”, and his journal book comes up missing. Bianca has second thoughts and sets out to prove and solve who it is that killed Ferris Stannun.


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No One Knows

No One Knows by J.T. Ellison


4 Stars. I received a copy of No One Knows by J.T. Ellison from NetGalley for an honest review. I wish to thank NetGalley, Gallery Books, and J.T. Ellison for the opportunity.

Aubrey’s husband Josh goes to attend a wedding of his best friend. While Josh leaves to go to the bachelor party, Aubrey goes to the bachelorette party, this is the last time Aubrey sees her husband, and Josh just vanishes. Aubrey becomes the prime suspect and is tried for murder. Although she was acquitted, Josh’s mom Daisy isn’t happy at all! She didn’t like Aubrey to begin with, and would of loved to of seen her convicted of her son’s murder. After five years, Josh is declared legally dead by the courts, and this leaves Aubrey feeling lost, lonely, and having to face the reality that Josh isn’t coming back to her. But how can she move on, when she swears she’s seen Josh in town. All her friends encourage her to move on, to forget about Josh and to accept the fact he’s dead.
Aubrey finally listens to her friends, and finds someone new, but then new information comes forward, is Josh really dead?

For those that liked the books along the lines of Gone Girl, The Wicked Girls, and The Girl on the Train, as much as I did, then they will enjoy reading this one. However, every time I thought I had it figured out a curve ball would be thrown my way. The characters were written how they should be, you liked them, you disliked them, you wish this one would just shut up and go away, etc. etc.. This was diffidently a page turner full of thrill, twists, full of suspense, and dark secrets.
I did enjoy this book and I would recommend it. This is a great little weekend read.


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The Girl From Home

The Girl From Home by Adam Mitzner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 Stars. First off I would like to thank Netgallery for a chance to read this. Secondly I would like to say that this is MY review, please don’t let how I felt about the book discourage you from reading it. Just because I might like or not like a book, does not by any means that someone else might love the book. With that being said, I can’t say I loved it, but I can’t say I didn’t like it. It’s one of those books if asked I can say I read it. It took me almost two weeks to read this book because it seemed to be a slow pace. I found it hard to connect with the characters, and there was more dragging on the story than grabbing my attention. I will say I did learn more about the law which is a good thing.

Jonathan works as a hedge fund and seems to have the world at his reach, a penthouse with a great view of NYC, money, a beautiful wife. Then Jonathan’s world comes crashing down and he falls hard. He returns to his hometown to be with his father who is ill and dying, and he needs a place to live. He goes to his high school reunion and sees the homecoming queen Jacqueline, who’s life hasn’t turned out the way thought it would either, she’s in an abusive with her jealous husband. Sparks start flying between these two but they have to meet secretly, and then as luck would have it. Jacqueline’s husband is killed. With her husband out of the way will the two be able to be together or is one of them the killer?


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Far From True

Far From True by Linwood Barclay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book started out a little slow at first; however it does have one of my favorite characters from previous book. Cal Weaver. Cal has moved to Promise Falls after the death of his wife and son. He’s started his PI business again in this new town of his. Several characters also return, David Harwood, Det. Duckworth, and Derek Cutter.
The book starts off with an explosion at the drive-in movie theater that is set to close that weekend. Several people are hurt and several have died, when the giant screen collapses. Lucy Brighton’s father and step-mother are two of the people that are killed at the drive-in. She asks Cal Weaver to look into a recent break-in at her father’s house. Cal takes Lucy case up on the assumption that it’s fairly easy. But when Cal starts looking into it things get more interesting then he thought it would.
Det. Duckworth not only has to figure out what happened at the drive-in and find out who’s responsible for the screen coming down and kills people, but he’s also trying to dodge his wife, who wants them to try and have a baby. He’s also looking into a security officer at the local college that recent shot a person that they believe were grabbing girls and saved the life of another one of his security guards.
I have read several books by Linwood Barclay, and they have all held the promise of a good thriller. This one did pick up and delivered the promise that I have come to love from the author. The characters were as they should be, some you love, some you despise, some you root for, some that are total jerks, and some that are so ridiculous that you can’t help but make fun of them.


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Cold Girl: A BC Blues crime novel

Cold Girl: A BC Blues crime novel by R.M. Greenaway


4 Stars for the book Cold Girl by Rm Greenway. I’d also like to thank NetGallery for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

At first I wasn’t for sure how I felt about this book, and the author’s writing style was something I wasn’t use to, but once I figured that out, I settled right in and started enjoying the book. The characters were fully developed, well thought out, and you could see them very clearly in your mind.

Set in Northern British Columbia, the two main characters are Leith and Dion, both having their own problems, are working this case of the death of a young woman, who is and up-and-coming singer who Leith has been tracking a serial killer who is being called the “Pickup Killer”. Leith and Dion form a working hate relationship in trying to solve the mystery they are both there to help solve. Dion was injured in an accident that killed his partner and left him with some brain damage, while Leith is slowly rising through the ranks. The viewpoint of this book is from both of them. There are a lot of suspects, and of course everyone is lying or covering for someone else. This to me was a bit too much and seemed to weigh the story down. I felt like I needed a map as to who was who.

This wasn’t a fast pace read, not with all the character’s you had to keep track of, but I did feel this was a good read, with great description, of not only the characters but also for the location, and could actually feel the bitter cold that is known for Canada. There are several surprisingly twists and turns that kept me guessing as to who it might be. There was however some unanswered questions that will be hopefully answered in the next book, since this is the first book in the BC Blues Crime series.


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Hide Away

Hide Away by Iris Johansen


5 Stars. Eve Duncan is back in her 19th novel. Sit back, relax, order delivery for supper, and get ready for another thrilling ride. 11 year old Cara Delaney is the daughter of a rival drug gang leader, whose life is in danger from another drug lord who wants the girl dead. Eve Duncan and former FBI agent Joe Quinn, bring Cara to Atlanta, where they can protect her. After they get to Atlanta, Joe feels they should hide the girl better, so Eve decides to take her to Scotland, where she can also see her daughter. Joe realizes that even across the pond, Eve and Cara isn’t safe, so the chase begins to catch the bad guys and hope it’s not too late to save Eve and Cara.

Eve is such a strong, intelligent woman and is one you can look up to as well as depend on her to save the day. Even if you haven’t read any of the other books in this series, you’re not feeling lost or confused. The focuses of each of the books are the task at hand, not referencing other characters in past books, with a lot of characters that you don’t know. This is another fast pace, page turning book, which you find yourself reading until the last page, or the wee hours of the morning.

Iris Johansen knows how to keep the reader involved in the story, spine chilling, and thrill of chase. Readers are able to connect with the main characters, dislike the bad guys and cheer for the underdog. With a juicy, spicy, intense plot , readers are sure to enjoy this latest adventure with Eve Duncan.


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The Girl from the Paradise Ballroom

The Girl from the Paradise Ballroom by Alison Love


4 Stars. First off I’d like to than NetGallery for allowing me to read this book in exchanged for my honest review.

I can’t say I loved it but I did like it. This story was a quick read; I loved the pace of the novel and didn’t feel like it drug out or anything. I felt the characters of Olivia and Antonio, the main characters who meet at the Paradise Ballroom where Oliva works, needed more time to tell their story, it seemed it lacked something. This was a quick read, little romance and a war setting.


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The Girl In The Ice

The Girl In The Ice by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars. This is a new author to me, and I must say I really enjoyed reading this book. This is the first book in a hopeful series to come. I would like to thank you Netgalley for offering me the chance to read this book, and offer my review on this thrilling, suspenseful, jaw dropping book.
Robert Bryndza is the author, and I felt he did a wonderful job at capturing the audience’s attention from the start. This book grabbed me rather quickly and it kept me turning the pages all night long until the early morning hours. When I finally had to put the book down to go to sleep, I kept thinking about it, and couldn’t wait to finish reading it the next day. The author pulls you into this world of a fascinating adventure that will keep you guessing, keep you on your toes, tug at your heartstrings, make you mad, have you cheering, and by the end of the book, when your done reading it, it will make you sad to see this book come to an end.
DCI Erika Foster is a very strong woman. She lost her husband in a police raid that she was leading, so she turned to her work to help her get back some normal back into her life. When a young girl is found under the ice in the water in South London, DCI Erika, (as I’ve come to call her) is called to the scene. The girl is from a rich family, and her dad is yelling louder at the police than he is silently grieving. Although Erika is very passionate about this case, she’s also being babysat on everything she does, due to the fact the raid she lead didn’t turn out so good in the end. But this doesn’t stop Erika from giving this young girl justice and finding out who killed her. Along the way DCI Erika, discovers some evidence of the young girl and there are similarities of a few more unsolved cases, could DCI Erika be on the trail of a serial killer. With her gut instinct, she moves on working this case until the killer is caught.


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Just Fall

Just Fall by Nina Sadowsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars. I would like to thank NetGallery for offering me the chance to read this book in return for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. This book had a little bit of everything mixed in, mystery, suspense, thriller, psychological, and a little bit of romance. The plot was not only interesting, but there were twist and turns, complex characters who were revealed in layers.
Ellie, has just killed a man for the first time, well there was the one that is laying in a coma, but he doesn’t count because technically he’s still alive. Ellie has just married her husband Rob, who thinks that Ellie can give him a normal life that he’s been wanting, but just after the wedding, something happens that changes their lives forever.

This book has no chapters, its labeled Now and Then, it goes back and forth to give you the backstory and the present as to why this action or decision was made. Beware, once you start this book, it will be hard to put down.


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The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life

The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life by Ivanka Trump
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ivanka Trump gives some great advice here for those that are wanting to become more professional at their job. The daughter of Donald Trump, also gives insight as to how her parents raised her and her sibling. If you think this girl was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, you are so totally mistaken. Other than being give a good education, the Trump children were not given to at their every whim. Ivanka shares many different stories about lessons being taught to her, even though she didn't understand them at the time, she does now and see's how those lessons have helped her shape her life, not only as a business woman, designer (which I have looked at her jewelry a would love to own some, very pretty!), and yes, even a mother.

She gives tips on how to succeed in a interview, how to move up the ladder, and even more importantly how to be a better employee. The book moves at a good pace, well written, and an enjoyable read. This book isn't just written for those in the business world, but for everyone. I am giving this book a 4.5 stars. I encourage others to read this book as it might inspire or is a self help book for ways of looking at life.

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Run, Girl, Run: A Thriller

Run, Girl, Run: A Thriller by Alex C. Franklin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars. This is excellent debut full, length novel with an interesting, intricate mystery, which takes you from one end of the world to the other. When you start a new chapter, it was a little confusing, because the author tend to use pronouns and you weren’t quite sure whose point of view you were reading. There were a lot of characters, which made it harder to figure out who was telling the story. The Author Alex C. Franklin did a lot of research on the politics and environmental issues, along with police procedurals, assassins and everything else. At times it was a little hard to understand for me, just because I didn’t know all about some issues or procedures, so I had to do some checking on my own. However, a little over half way through, I was being so drawn in, that I didn’t want to put the book down and enjoying it more and more.

Stella Jacob is an environmental activist, living a quiet life in Canada; she witnesses a spill of radioactive waste. She wants the company responsible to be held accountable, and then everything takes a turn for the worse. An American in Monaco is killed, an FBI director is suspected of foul play along with the US Secretary of State.

This is an international thriller that will keep you guessing, on the edge of your seat, and bring out emotions that you never thought you’d display by reading this enjoyable book!


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