Monday, July 14, 2025

A Limited Edition Murder by Lauren Elliott - 3 stars!


Although enjoying her extended stay working at Second Chance Books and Bindery in West Yorkshire, England, Addie Greyborne feels adrift. The engagement party of her dear friend, Tony, at Milton Manor promises to be a joyful distraction. When Tony presents his fiancĂ© with a special copy of Wuthering Heights as an engagement gift, the lord of the manor insists the book was stolen from his library. Afterwards, Addie takes her Yorkipoo, Pippi, out for a walk on the moors and stumbles across the body of a young woman. The police suspect Tony of foul play. Addie vows to get to the bottom of what’s going on. But it’s a twisted, treacherous path to the truth and Addie will need to watch her every step.
As a singular mystery, this story was very good. It had likeable characters, a great plot, and a wonderful setting that I would love to visit. The only problem was I couldn't see it as part of the existing series. It seemed very discombobulating to read Addie in a totally different environment with new characters. Since I started liking these characters, will I ever see them again in any other stories? As readers, we should have had more background on why she went to England in the first place. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.



 

To Trust A Hero by Alexis Morgan - 4 Stars!


Max Volkov recently helped solve a mystery in the small town of Dunbar, Washington, and now he’s going to stay at Rikki Bruce’s bed-and-breakfast to write the story. Against her better judgment, Rikki finds Max becoming more involved with the life she has built for herself and her son. He’s handsome, charming and has a writer’s curiosity, all of which puts both her heart and her secrets at risk.
This was a very sweet wholesome romance. It was a satisfying read without the need for overt sexuality. Rikki's strong, no-nonsense attitude played well against Max's need to be a caretaker. There was enough suspense to keep me interested and turning the pages. I would definitely read this author's work again. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Monday, July 7, 2025

The Stranger in the Library by Eva Gates - 5 stars!


When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. The display is a huge success, but afterwards, they discover a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing. Lucy gets an invite to the glitzy opening night for the real show, where she notices tension among the show’s organizers. Then, the man scheduled to give the welcoming speech is discovered drowned in a fishpond. Something is afoot in Nags Head, and it’s up to Lucy and her friends to get to the bottom of it before it’s not just paintings being framed.
This was a fun cozy mystery full of great characters and a plot that, at times, had me sitting at the edge of my seat. Lucy is a great amateur sleuth who winds up seeing things that no one else sees and getting into trouble with nefarious culprits. I love all the side characters at the Lighthouse Library and how they help with getting Lucy in and out of trouble. I really can't wait until I read another novel by this wonderful author. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Sincerely, The Duke by Amelia Grey - 4 Stars!


Miss Edwina Fine has red hair, green eyes and is one of triplets, she knows about superstitions about women like her. So, when a marriage proposal from the Duke of Stonerick arrives, Edwina jumps at the chance to solve her problems. It will take more than Edwina’s wit to navigate her past, reservations about marriage and the passion that ignites within her for the irresistible duke. Rick, Duke of Stonerick, enjoys his life. But when a recurring illness reminds Rick he has no heir, he picks a name from a list of prospects his mother presents and writes a simple marriage proposal. Then he forgets about it, until that very lady shows up, ready to accept. With Edwina marriage doesn’t seem much of an inconvenience. But will keeping his illness a secret cost him her love?
This was a sweet historical romance full of interesting characters and the Regency setting that I love. I loved how the author began each chapter with a little blurb about "fine gentlemen." The heroine was very interesting because she was unusual and had to deal with rumors and suspicions of something she couldn't control. But the people who loved her didn't see her as unusual but beautiful. I like that! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Thursday, July 3, 2025

The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis - 5 Stars!


In Old Town, Natasha Smith’s mother, Wanda, is engaged to antiques dealer, Orson Chatsworth. Natasha is planning the entire wedding, beginning with an engagement party. Natasha splurges on food boards that go beyond basic cheese and crackers. Guests are dazzled with butter boards, dessert boards, and even doughnut boards. The food is to die for—until someone actually does. When the groom collapses from being poisoned, suddenly Stella’s boards look a lot less appealing. But with an event this big, the spread of suspects is impressive. When even Sophie is not above suspicion, she knows it’s time to get on board and scrape together an investigation of her own before murder becomes the town’s next trend.
I absolutely love this cozy mystery. It's one that I look forward to reading again and again. The characters are wonderful to read about, and the plot is always well thought out and puzzling. At the beginning of each chapter, there are letters written either to Natasha or Sophie from their fans which showcase different techniques to throw parties and create wonderful recipes. This series doesn't disappoint, and I can't wait to read the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Speak the Blessing: Send Your Words in the Direction You Want Your Life to Go by Joel Osteen - 5 Stars!


In Speak the Blessing, bestselling author Joel Osteen offers unique insights into how our words have power. When you speak what God says about you, you give those words the right to come to pass. But nothing happens until you speak the blessing. Your words become your reality.
This was a great book about speaking positively and focusing on God's blessings in your life. You speak and think positively, and God will move in your life. I recommend this book to any Christian who needs a spiritual boost. Thanks to NetGalley and FaithWords for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

 

Monday, June 30, 2025

A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber - 4 Stars!


When Courtney Kelly's friend, Genevieve, is murdered, Courtney investigates and wonders if Genevieve's scathing reviews and opinions had influenced someone to homicide. And when a second victim is discovered, could one of Courtney's friends be the culprit. With only a germ of a clue, Courtney will have to overturn every rock to get the dirt on the real killer.
This was a really cute cozy mystery. I love how Courtney sees fairies and how they relate to her. Fiona and her fairy friends are mischievous and cute and fun to read about. I also love how Courtney's cat relates to Fiona and the other fairies. The plot was very interesting; there were so many suspects that I almost felt confused between all of them. I also loved how the setting was described. I would love to visit Carmel-By-The-Sea to find some fairies. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.