I am definitely not a cat person, but the synopsis appeal to me and so I took a chance. The book was okay. There were some positive and funny aspects to the story, i.e., the people who are part of the Brooklyn neighborhood each come up with their own names for the cat ... and the cat has created names for each of the humans. I felt like it was really more of a YA book. Each chapter gives you a different character’s point of view ... even the cat! One major negative comment is

This was a very different book than my typical read. The medical history aspect was informational and learning about female surgeon, Dr. Nora Gibson, and her strong and determined personality as she struggled in a world dominated by men was enlightening. The author (who is actually the writing team of Jaime Fixson and Regina Sirois) has obviously done a great amount of research. But it is presented in a way that showcases the lives of the characters with depth and care. A sto

I am loving the books in the Cozy Capers Book Group series by Maddie Day. The characters have begun to feel like friends. This particular book was a little more emotional with Mac’s sister-in-law missing. So you actually have two mysteries going on ... a murder and a missing relative. Mac and Tim also have the added responsibility of caring for his sister, Jaime’s, two young children. But the way they worked together along with family and friends to provide love and care for

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books and especially if they are set during the WWII timeframe. This particular story is different than those I typically read because it takes place in Portugal. Getting to know Avery and Camille and journey with them through this difficult period of time was engaging. This was a story of love, loss, friendship, survival, and espionage. It will pull you in and keep you invested in the story until the final reveal. And what a great shocki

Oh my goodness! Such a story of lies, manipulation, hidden secrets, revenge, and suspense. I enjoyed the aspect of how each character, Amelia and Vivienne, expressed their personal point of view. And how psychopathic and manipulative was one particular character! (You will have to read the book to know who I am talking about!) This book will pull you in at the beginning and you will be in for a psychological thriller of a ride. A quick read that will have you giving a gasp in

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books. This one was a different focus than my typical read. I have never explored Egyptian history much other than what I have read in the Bible and about King Tut. While I enjoyed learning about two strong women and their role during their lifetimes, this book did not appeal to me. I did not enjoy the writing style or one the female characters, Lady Evelyn Herbert. I appreciate the amount of research that the author did. But the storylin

The premise of this book grabbed my attention and I looked forward to learning about the life of Bianca and the possible cure for malaria. However, the story seemed to drag on and on and could not keep my attention. The primary character, Bianca, is not a pleasant person. She is selfish, an adulteress, and so wrapped up in herself and motivation for wealth to the point of abandoning her child that I could not stand to read about her life. Not a pleasant read for me. Thank you

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and one that deals with books appeal to me. However, this book was so difficult to get into. The different characters and time periods were confusing. I did enjoy reading about the WPA (Works Progress Administration). A disorganized attempt to share multiple viewpoints and storylines. It just did not work for me. Though I have enjoyed previous books by the author, so I will read future books by her. Thank you to NetGalley and William M

Whenever I see a new book will be released by Christina Suzann Nelson, it is quickly added to my to-be-read list. She does a wonderful job of creating a good clean Christian story that is filled with mystery and suspense. One aspect I really enjoyed was it is a dual timeline book. This is an emotional read. Your heart will ache for the lives of so many of the people you meet along the way. While there are plenty of difficult matters and experiences, there are also some opport

I am loving the books in the Pacific Northwest series. I am enjoying spending time with the main character, Saffi Graywood. Getting to travel with her in her RV is an adventure! This book is full of quirky and dramatic characters. I found myself rolling my eyes at times as Saffi experienced a trip to a neglected theme park — The Haunted Wood. Between the theme of the park; the horror star, Malcolm Morton; the search for clues to why Malcolm has been receiving threatening vint

This fourth book in the DS Malkie McCulloch series by Doug Sinclair is a nail-biter. A very emotional read for many reasons ... a child being bullied, sexual exploitation, abduction, serious health issues, assault, shoplifting. As is typical with this series it is graphically violent and at times you will be cringing at the abuse Elizabeth endures. While a fast-paced read, there were moments in the book that the action seemed to drag and I wanted Malkie and his police officer

The Tea by the Sea series by Vicki Delaney is one of y favorites. As soon as a new book has been released by the author, it is on my to-be-read list. This particular book does not take place in the typical location of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. But you are treated to a trip to Yorkshire, England and the Thornecroft Castle where Lily’s grandmother, Rose, used to work. And once again Lily is pulled into a murder investigation. Luckily her cohorts from Cape Cod are with her on thi

I am enjoying the books in the Golden Motel series by Ellen Byron. She has become one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. And you need to sign up for her email newsletter because there is always a treat included. I enjoy spending time with Dee and Jeff and their friendship is a special bond as they support each other in building up the business of running a motel. Once again they get involved in a murder mystery and trying to keep their motel from being known as the “Murder

When I open up a book by Sally Hepworth, I know I will get lost in the pages of a thrilling adventure. The main character, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, is one you will not forget any time soon. As you explore Mabel’s past and present you will soon begin to wonder if she is as “mad” as she is rumored to be. Mabel has lived a life that is riddled with tragedies and the whispered assertions become fact in the eyes of her classmates and neighbors. This is not just a mystery; it is an

This is a perfect beach read! And it was actually a nice time for me to read it amidst frigid temperatures and an ice storm. I love Cape Cod and spending time there through the pages of the book brought back good memories. Reading books about bookshops is always a positive experience for me. And watching Leah develop self-confidence and grow the bookstore into more than a place to discover your next read warmed my heart. The sense of community was heartwarming. A story of lov

I love reading historical fiction books. This one was a different focus than my typical read. Though it does occur during the WWII time period, it does not focus on the horrors of the war. An amazing cast of characters. I was not familiar with the Hollywood Victory Caravan or the efforts actors engaged in to support the war effort and encourage patriotism. The primary character, Jackie, is not a pleasant individual. However, she does have her positive qualities and joins forc

I love the historical fiction books written by Kristin Harmel. She always manages to pull me into the story. The focus on the time during WWII is always a perk for me. As you spend time with Colette, you will be amazed at her tenacity, her bravery, her intelligence, and her willingness to the people supporting Hitler’s agenda and using it for good purposes. This is a nonstop journey of adventure and intrigue. I loved the two twists at the end. They made my heart soar with hop

This was an emotional read. While there were moments that were heart wrenching, there were also some uplifting and heart-filled ones too. The characters were richly developed and the story will pull you in and you will not want to stop absorbing every word, emotion, and experience until the very end. A vivid portrayal of love, loss, family, friends, life altering decisions, forgiveness, and healing. Definitely an emotional rollercoaster of a ride through the pages, but one th

This is the first book I have read in The Widow’s Detective Club series. The book was a slow start and I struggled to stay invested in the story. I am not sure how much of that is due to not having read the first two books. But once you are well into the story, there is suddenly a lot of activity that will grab your attention. Between the murder, kidnapping, being abducted at knifepoint, etc., it was non-stop action for the final third of the book. The characters were well de

I have fallen in love with Ellie, Fletcher, Hal, and the gang from The Secret Bookcase series, I am so excited to continue spending time with them in the new one. This first book in the Novel Detectives is a great start. Two different cases have Ellie and Fletcher working to bring them to closure. They each have gifts to bring to the detective agency and it is fun watching them support and encourage each other. The murder mystery had lots of clues and suspects and the final r