I love reading historical books. This was a different focus than my typical read. I have never heard of illegal abortion clinics operating in the 1930s and 1940s. The characters are well developed and you will be drawn into their lives. From the doctors and nurses who performed the procedures to the women who chose to endure the abortion, you will be affected by their stories. The reasons for their decisions were varied and factors into the strong emotions you will experience

When I open a Judy Leigh book, I know I will be in for a delightful journey through the pages. How much trouble can two octogenarians get into? Well pick up this book and you will be treated to loads of fun, laughter, adventure, and a desire to experience life at full speed ... especially if it is in a red Ferrari! The animal rescue aspect was endearing. And the relationships Sally and Bronagh develop along the way are entertaining and heartwarming. Once again I was treated t

This book grabbed my attention from the first page and held me captive until I had absorbed every word. This is an edge-of-your seat suspense that will have you wondering what will happen next. The characters are well developed and I loved the sense of community they experienced on the farm. The anxiety Twila felt was understandable and I admired her love and dedication to Izzy. A great twist at the end that will have you gasping in shock! Thank you to the author and WoodHave

Once again we are treated to a glimpse into life in Normal, Kentucky. I have fallen in love with the characters in this quirky ... far from normal ... small town. From Mae to Dottie and the rest of the Laundry Club Ladies, you are in for a tasty and entertaining time. As is typical, there is a murder mystery and Mae and the gang set out to help solve it. The southern setting, lingo, culture, and small town nosiness had me chuckling. While you could read this as a standalone,

This second book in the Marsh Point series is family drama to the extreme. I loved the addition of Julia Becker and her son who were part of the Witness Protection Program. The siblings from the first book have returned but this one focuses more on the brother, Will. Once again you are pulled into the story and will be sitting on the edge of your seat as you discover lies, truths, hidden agendas, and misuser of power and authority. You will grow to love and care about the cha

I loved this first book in the Marh Point series. Getting to know the four siblings, Ashton, Carri, Savannah (though she has been missing for 30 years), and Will was an exploration into family dysfunction. Pealing away all the layers of life with an alcohol mother and basically a father who was there but did nothing to help his son and daughters was heart wrenching. Ashton is such a good soul and your heart will break at the abuse she endures by her husband and siblings. This

I am enjoying the books I have read in the Charlie Kingsley series and plan to go back and read those I haven’t had the opportunity to read so far. The characters are well developed and the town of Redemption will pull you into the story and keep you flipping the pages. Once again Charlie is in the middle of a murder mystery. Her caring nature gets her into trouble more times than not and her willingness to do whatever it takes to solve the mystery is heartwarming. Lots of tw

Once again Jonathan Kellerman has pulled me into the story from the beginning and held me captive until the end. Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis are the perfect murder mystery solving team. I love how their thoughts are shared in working the clues ... putting the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the crime. The psychological viewpoint provided by Alex is a trip into the dark recesses of the human psyche. One of my favorite series to read and I look forward to whatever dep

While the second book in the Magical Teashop series, this works well as a standalone. I enjoyed the mystery and the magic elements sprinkled throughout the pages. The characters are well developed and the blossoming romance with Samara and Jack was pleasant. No over the top syrupy romance! And though I’m not a cat fan, I did like Samara’s pet cat, Pumpkin. There are lots of twists and turns that will have you guessing until the end. Thank you to the author and Newcastle Media

While this is the 4th book in the Vintage Cookbook series, it is the first one I have read. And though I enjoyed it, I think it would have appealed to me more if I had read the first three books. However, that is something I will remedy. The book is filled with great characters, a delightful setting (in New Orleans), delicious food, a taste of the history of the area, and a murder mystery. That is a recipe for success! There are some nail biting moments sprinkled throughout t

I have to say that I have enjoyed many of the books I have read that are published by Black Rose Writing. They publish unique books that are outside the normal real of books typically read. And I appreciate that. However, Carousel Grift was just a little too wonky for my taste. Such a random group of quirky characters that fill the pages along with a dose of magical realism. There are plenty of positive reviews. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the story or the characters. But

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially those that take place during WWII. As I have said recently, I have read so many books set during that time period that it is hard to find one that presents a unique approach to the war. Imogen Matthews has definitely done that with this book. I have read about tattooists, musicians, and seamstresses who worked in the concentration camps. But the focus on a photographer who was tasked with photographing the inmates as the

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially if they are set during WWII. I have read so many in recent years that it is difficult to find a book that covers a different aspect of that time period. This book managed to do that and pulled me into the story and had me invested in the life of Halina. The characters of Gavriel, a fellow prisoner, and Flora, the baby in the Nazi officer’s home, added an extra layer of emotion. What a heart wrenching story of hope, deter

Based on a true story of the Heppenheimer family and their lives during the Nazi occupation during WWII. I continue to be amazed at the atrocities of Hitler’s regime and what the Jewish people endured. You are treated to the background of the four cousins who were separated during the war. The story was slow and I had difficulty staying invested. I wanted to be emotionally invested in the characters’ lives. There are plenty of very positive reviews so I would encourage you to

I love spending time in New Orleans with Eddie and the gang. There is a lot going on with mediums being killed, relationships developing and growing. Lots of twists and turns and clues sprinkled throughout the pages. You will be left guessing until the end. I love the setting in New Orleans, the characters with “special gifts,” and the ghosts who manage to insert themselves in Eddie’s life. This is a great series with quick to read books. Perfect for a nice quiet afternoon to

I have really enjoyed reading the books in The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series. What an amazing woman. Cussy Mary Lovett was such a strong, dedicated, and caring person. It was so difficult to endure the prejudices against her because she was “Blue.” But, once again, books bring healing and connections. Cussy approaches life with grace and hope. The people whose lives she touches through books will encourage you. An emotional journey through the pages with racism, eug

When I first started listening to this book, I just wanted to roll my eyes. But as I got further into the book, I began to love the characters ... their past issues, their idiosyncrasies, their journeys. Watching Claire develop and mature was entertaining. She was such a nice person and it was heartwarming to see people support her and encourage her to achieve her wildest dreams. Miles was an amazing man. He had so many positive qualities. This is a delightful story of second

I am loving the books in the Patty Byrne series. Experiencing the life of a stewardess in the 1960s in entertaining. The murder mystery will pull you into the story and you will enjoy getting to spend time with Patty and her roommate, Donna, and her FBI agent love interest, Bill. I loved seeing Bill begin to accept Patty as a good cohort in helping to solve the crime. There were a lot of twists and turns and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing until the end. I am excited

I enjoy reading historical fiction books. This one was a different focus than I typically read. But I really enjoyed it. The characters were well developed and it was interesting getting to know Phoebe Van Bergen and her part in establishing a women’s hospital in Boston. Though from a prominent and very wealth family, she is not arrogant or entitled. She cares for any woman who needs care. But she is also not immune to difficulties ... from family pressures to domestic abuse.