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

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 recently discovered author Carly Winter. Enjoying the Patty Byrne series, I was looking forward to getting lost in another one. This first book in the Heywood Hounds series was a fun read. I love getting to know, Gina and her rescue fur friends, Daisy, Banshee, and Sing. Reading how Daisy "spoke" to Gina had me laughing out loud. I could picture her behavior as she expressed her thoughts and emotions. A delightful cozy mystery, this book will introduce you to a great cast o

Oh, I love the time I spend in the Pages with Dorothy and Gina. The excursion to the island of Corfu was enjoyable. I want to book a vacation there! With Dorothy's 14-year-old granddaughter, Juliette, along for the trip, the ladies have a lot of fun. There are some emotional moments because you know the trip is only because a dear friend is dying. But they managed to make the most of their time together. A little mystery is sprinkled throughout the pages, and the resolution i

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

I loved the time I spent in the pages of Everything’s Coming Up Rosie. The book is full of delightful ... and a few less than delightful ... characters. As I lost myself in the story, it made me wonder how often we make our lives look better, more glamorous, richer, full of love than it really is. For those of us who struggle with self-esteem issues, this book will hit close to home. Experiencing Rosie’s struggle to be who she wants to be and how she feels inept compared to h

What an emotional read. This one deals with a huge amount of loss. Your heart will break as Kara experiences a multitude of heartache. But journeying with her as she handles life and the many changes and challenges she faces will have your heart aching for her. People she needs and the relationships she develops are supportive, and provide a good glimpse into how your life can be positively influence by love and care. Being the first book in the series, this introduces you to

Though this is the last book in the Tupelo Grove series, it is the first one I have read. However, I have the first two and will be going back and reading them as soon as possible. I have enjoyed previous books written by Colleen Coble so I was excited at the opportunity to get an advanced readers copy of When Justice Comes. I do think I would have enjoyed this one even more if I had read the previous books. But even considering I started at the end of the series, I really lo

I have enjoyed previous books by the author, Barbara Davis. However, this one just did not do it for me. I did not like the character … at all!! … and the story did not pull me in and have me invested in it. I felt like I was plodding along to get through the book. Maybe I was expecting too much because of the author and the synopsis. But I will definitely read future books by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opini

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

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

Well, this was several hours of wasted time I will never get back. I simply could not get invested in the story and I did not care about the characters. If the “incident” was something worth discovering by the time I slogged through to the end, it might have redeemed itself. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I gave this one an extra star because it took place in Ireland. Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. Fo

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

This is the first book I have read in the Hope Harbor series by Irene Hannon. However, this one worked well as a standalone. The characters are well developed and while some are featured in earlier books, there are several new ones you get to meet. And all of them are so relatable ... people you interact with on a daily basis. The expressions of faith are sprinkled throughout the pages with the blessing of romance and moments of wisdom that is shared. A feelgood read that wil

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

This book was filled with three short sweet stories that featured characters who were discovering who they were and what they wanted out of life. The characters are richly developed and you will grow to love and care about each of them. I loved the older women you meet as you wander through the pages. They have so much spunk and sass and prove that they still have much to contribute to the younger generation. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my advanced r

The author, Robert Whitlow, has become one of my favorite Christian fiction authors. He is able to bring to life characters that are relatable, add in the taste of suspense, and thread a Christian focus while keeping you fully invested in the story. There are lots of twists and turns and moments of intense danger, but the intensity is handled well. I enjoyed the witness protection aspect of the book and the added triggers this created. This is definitely one to put on your to

I have loved the books. I have read in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails series by the writing team of Lee Hollis. I enjoy the time I get to spend with Hayley, Liddy, and Mona. And Sergio's misuse of the English language always has me chuckling. You need to read the books in the series to understand and appreciate this. The murder mystery was very misguided and more time was spent in the courtroom trying the case, then trying to solve the mystery. That was a little bit of

Well, this was more than 12 hours of wasted time I will never get back. A lot of characters with very little development which meant I had no interest in their lives. Way too many things going on in the pages which meant it could not hold my attention. Two political. TDS flooded the pages and made it a slog through to the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my blog at:...

This is probably one of the most difficult books I have read from an emotional standpoint in a long time. The exploration through the pages of the individuals who work and are inmates in a prison will allow you a glimpse into their hearts and minds. There is a darkness through which you will have to navigate. However, the thread of God's acceptance and forgiveness will reach down deep in your soul. As a mother of a police officer, I understand the difficult experiences they f