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Jigsaw ~ Alex Delaware #41 (by Jonathan Kellerman)
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

Ms. Ladybug
May 311 min read
The Mountains We Call Home ~ The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek #3 (by Kim Michele Richardson)
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

Ms. Ladybug
May 221 min read
Brighter Than Before (by Courtney Walsh)
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

Ms. Ladybug
May 221 min read
Spectacular Things (by Beck Dorey-Stein)
Ugh! I really dislike writing negative book reviews. But this book was far from a spectacular thing. While a look into family dynamics, I am so glad that even with the less than perfect family I grew up in, it put Liz and Mia’s to shame. I did not care for the characters and I struggled to make myself keep reading to get to the end. There are several positive reviews. So I would encourage you to see if this appeals to you. Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback

Ms. Ladybug
May 51 min read
The Pearl Thief (by Fiona McIntosh)
I love reading historical fiction books, and especially if they take place during WWII. This one is an actual dual timeline book that covers both WII and the 1960s. This book is filled with love, loss, horrendous treatment during the war, resilience, and emotional and life-changing secrets journey with Katarina during both timelines was interesting and demonstrated how the past plays a big part and who she becomes. One negative comment is that if the author mentioned how attr

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 271 min read
The Couple's Secret ~ Detective Josie Quinn #23 (by Lisa Regan)
Oh my goodness! When I open up a Lisa Regan book, I know I will be in for a thrilling roller coaster ride of excitement and adventure. I love the characters in the Josie Quinn series and have enjoyed observing their relationships develop and how they have matured and become the adult adults. they are today. This is a wonderful series, but you need to read it from the first book to understand the background of the characters and the group dynamics. The murder mystery … both a

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 271 min read
After Paris (by Mary Ellen Taylor)
This book has a lot of very positive reviews. So let me preface mine by suggesting you read it to see if it appeals to you. This was just a horrible read for me. It was a lot of smut and explicit sexual encounters that I was not expecting. I could care less about the characters and that kept me from being invested in the story. I have enjoyed previous books by the author, so I will definitely consider reading future books. Unfortunately, this one was not the one for me. Thank

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
A Slay Ride Together With You ~ Year-Round Christmas #7 (by Vicki Delany)
Vicky Delany has become one of my go-to cozy mystery authors and her Year-Round Christmas series is one of my favorites. Though you would assume this is a Christmas-theme book by the title, it actually occurs at Easter. I enjoy spending time with Merry and the gang in Rudolph, New York. The characters have begun to feel like friends and I have grown to care about them. As in the past, Merry will get involved in solving the latest murder mystery. With a delightful cast of char

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
Fondant Fumble ~ Cupcake Bakery #16 (by Jenn McKinlay)
I have really enjoyed the books in the Cupcake Bakery series by Jenn McKinlay. And the twist of football players wanting to start a cupcake bakery franchise just added to the story. A murder occurs and Mel, Angie, Tate, and the gang are ready to tackle all the clues and score a touchdown by solving the case. This is a wonderful series and I love spending time in the Fairy Tale Cupcake bakery and the gang in Scottsdale, Arizona. I recommend you go back to book one and read to

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
The Matchmaker's Gift (by Lynda Cohen Loigman)
I was not the target audience for this book. Books in the magical realism and fantasy genres are not appealing to me. However, it was interesting to read about Jewish matchmaking. This seemed more like a storyline written for a Hallmark movie. And that is something else I do not enjoy. The story did not pull me into the book and I just did not care about the characters. It was just a “blah” read and one I will forget about now that I have finished the book. Thank you to NetGa

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
The Last Lifeboat (by Hazel Gaynor)
I enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially if they take place during WWII. The author obviously did a great amount of research. Reading about Operation Pied Piper and how children were sent to the countryside of England as well as Canada and other countries, was heart wrenching. I cannot begin to imagine the anguish of mothers having to decide whether to take a chance their children will survive the war if they stay in London ... or send them away to be cared for

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
Torn Asunder ~ Maine Clambake #12 (by Barbara Ross)
I have thoroughly enjoyed the books in the Maine Clambake series by Barbara Ross. I was sad, though, to discover that Torn Asunder is the last book in the series. I have grown to love the characters from Morrow Island in Maine. The story is filled with mystery and the warmth of family and friends. I have never been to a clambake, but after spending time with Julia, Zoey, Jamie, Tom, and the rest of the gang, I am ready to book a trip to Maine and find a place to enjoy a delic

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
When the Jessamine Grows (by Donna Everhart)
I enjoy reading historical fiction books. This was a different focus than my typical read because it was set during the Civil War. The picture the author paints of Joetta McBride is interesting. What an amazing woman and I grew to admire her determined to remain neutral in the war between the states amidst the war that begins in her own back yard. Donna Everhart does a great job at creating characters for whom you care about and situations that will touch you emotionally. Tha

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
Katharine, The Wright Sister (by Tracey Emerson Wood)
While like most people, I know a lot about Orville and Wilbur Wright, I was not familiar with the story of their sister, Katharine. I was looking forward to learning more about her personally as well as what part she may have played in the brothers’ efforts to fly. I was disappointed in the book because the characters were rather flat and I ended up not being drawn into their story. This ended up being more of a technical paper than a novel. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourceb

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 171 min read
Fatal First Edition ~ Library Lover's #14 (by Jenn McKinlay)
I have read several books in the Library Lover’s series by Jenn McKinlay. In fact, I enjoyed them so much that I plan to go back and read the rest of them. This is a great mystery with a lot happening to keep you invested in the story. I love the cast of characters and cannot wait to return to Briar Creek and see what adventure awaits them. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my b

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 141 min read
When the World Fell Silent (by Donna Jones Alward)
I enjoy reading historical fiction books. This was more of a women’s fiction book with a historical fiction aspect. I have read another book about the 1917 Halifax Explosion in Nova Scotia, so I had more details about that incident. This was an okay read. I just was not drawn into the story or made to care about the lives of the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please v

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 141 min read
The Story She Left Behind (by Patti Callahan Henry)
This was a wonderful opportunity to spend time in the pages of a book about love, loss, longing, forgiveness, and mystery. I loved getting lost in the world of Bronwyn, Clara, and Wynnie. In fact, eight-year-old Wynnie stole my heart! As the fog covers the streets of London, so does the mystery of Bronwyn’s (Clara's mother) disappearance more than 20 years ago cover the lives of Clara and Wynnie. There is wonder, mystery, make-believe, family connections, and the blossoming o

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 271 min read
The Sisters of Book Row (by Shelley Noble)
I really enjoy historical fiction and especially when it revolves around books. This book took a while to have me invested in the story. I enjoyed reading about the three sisters, Olivia, Daphne, and Celia. Observing them running a bookstore in the early 1900s ... a time when men would have been in that role. Each sister has a focus and it was interesting to explore their lives and the secrets they kept from each other. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 111 min read
Women of a Promiscuous Nature (by Donna Everhart)
This is definitely an emotional read that will have you angry at how society treated women in the early 20th century. Their treatment at the institutions was horrendous and eye-opening. The fact that the book is based on real events is appalling. A very difficult and uncomfortable read, but also important that we learn about this type of unacceptable treatment of women in the hopes that history does not repeat itself. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advance

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 111 min read
Skylark (by Paula McLain)
I enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially when they take place during the WWII time period. The dual timeline aspect of this story was an added plus. There are some deep subjects covered throughout the pages ... mental illness, persecution of the Jews, mistreatment of residents of an insane asylum. The author does a wonderful job of creating two separate timelines but merges them together that is so subtle I had to spend time thinking about the connection. Thank

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 101 min read
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