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When Justice Comes ~ Tupelo Grove #3 (by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker)
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

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Every Precious and Fragile Thing (by Barbara Davis)
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

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 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
7 days ago1 min read
Track Her Down ~ Bree Taggert #9 (by Melinda Leigh)
The Bree Taggert series is one of my favorites! Melinda Leigh never fails to pull me into the story and hold me captive. Between the murder mystery, the number of suspects, and the exotic animal aspect, I was absorbing every word as fast as I could flip the pages. Bree, Matt, Dana, and the rest of the gang in Grey’s Hollow, New York have begun to feel like family as I have devoured the books in this series. Great twists and turns and psychological suspense had me on the edge

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Written in Stone ~ Scottish Bookshop #10 (by Paige Shelton)
The Scottish Bookshop series by Paige Shelton has become one of my favorites. Between the delightful Cracked Spine Bookshop, the great cast of characters, the murder mystery, and the Scottish brogue you can hear in your mind as you read the words, you are in for a special treat. Of course Delany must get involved in trying to solve the murder case. I especially enjoyed learning about the Picts, an ancient group who lived in Scotland from 79 to 843 CE. The author does a great

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Murder Island ~ Doc Savage #2 (by James Patterson/Brian Sitts)
I am enjoying the books in the Doc Savage series by James Patterson and Brian Sitts. Some of my recent reads of co-authored books by James Patterson have been less than stellar. However, this is one that will grab you from the first page and have you holding on tight as you are on a thriller ride to the end. Lots of action and great characters will have you invested in the story and anxiously waiting for the next one to be released. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown, a

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 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
7 days ago1 min read
Spirit Crossing ~ Cork O'Connor (by William Kent Kruger)
I have enjoyed all of the books in the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger. So I was excited at the opportunity to read the latest book ... Spirit Crossing. Unfortunately, this was a major disappointment to me. It felt politically motivated and focused on the victimization of Native Americans instead of a mystery thriller component that I have come to expect in this author’s books. If I want to read about social justice and the woke moment, I will choose a nonfiction

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 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
7 days ago1 min read
Death on the Shelf ~ The Haunted Library #5 (by Allison Brook)
I have loved the books in The Haunted Library series by Allison Brook. I was thrilled to be back in Clover Ridge, Connecticut with Carrie, Dylan, Angela, and resident ghost, Evelyn. Of course there is a murder and Carrie will be helping to discover who is guilty of the crime. A lot of twists and turns are sprinkled throughout the pages with some complications such as difficult family relationships, jealousy, insurance fraud, etc. I am looking forward to the next book in the s

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 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
7 days ago1 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
Newlyweds Can Be Knocked Off ~ Amish Matchmaker #6 (by Amanda Flower)
I have loved the books in the Amish Matchmaker series by Amanda Flower. Though you get to travel to Pinecraft, Florida from Harvest, Ohio, you are still treated to the same characters. Millie, Juliet, Jethro the pig, Rev. and Lois Brook, and Bishop and Ruth Yoder will keep you entertained. Of course Millie gets pulled into the murder investigation and she and Lois are determined to find the killer. Lots of clues are sprinkled throughout the pages which will have you invested

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 141 min read
A Matter of Hive and Death ~ Oregon Honeycomb #2 (by Nancy Coco)
This is the first book in the Oregon Honeycomb series I have read. But it did well as a standalone. And because I have read several books in another series by the author, I felt comfortable jumping into this one a little later. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed getting to know the people of Oceanview, Oregon. The town sounded delightful and I would love to spend time there and especially in Wren’s gift shop, Let It Be. There are lots of twists and turns that wil

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 291 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
Murder at the Wild Haggis Bookshop ~ The Highland Bookshop Murders #1 (by Jackie Baldwin)
This is a great book to start The Highland Bookshop Murders series. I love cozy mysteries, and especially when they take place in a bookshop. Great characters, a delightful location, and an intriguing mystery will have you pulled into the story as Beth and her staff at The Wild Haggis Bookshop try to solve the murder mystery and keep Beth from being seriously considered the prime suspect. There are lots of twist and turns with plenty of suspects. I'm looking forward to gettin

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 271 min read
Death of a Tom Turkey ~ Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails #18 (by Lee Hollis)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 271 min read
Fever Beach (by Carl Hiaasen)
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:...

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 221 min read
Epilogue to a Christmas Murder ~ Beyond the Page Bookstore #11 (by Lauren Elliott)
I have read five of the previous books in the Beyond the Page Bookstore series. I enjoyed them so much that I could not wait to get lost in the pages of this 11th book in the series. And the fact that this will be the last book in the series because the author passed away unexpectedly in 2025 makes it even sadder. I enjoyed the Christmas theme … always a plus for me. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed Addie’s efforts to solve the murder mystery and prevent her fr

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 221 min read
A Dish Best Served Dead ~ Tiffany Austin Food Blogger #1 (by T. C. LoTempio)
This is a great first book the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series. The characters are well developed and the murder mystery will keep you invested in the story. There are a lot of suspects and I was surprised when the person guilty is finally revealed. Tiffany does a great job of using her talent as a food blogger and former chef to sniff out the clues. And, of course, she finds herself in some precarious situations. But that just adds to the angst and will have you flipping

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 221 min read
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