This is the first book I have read in the Temple River series. But it will not be the last! I plan to go back and read the first four books. I love dual timeline books and this one pulled me in from the first page and I was invested in the story and the lives of the characters until I had absorbed every word and closed the book with a smile on my face. The characters are richly developed and I loved the setting. The story is an emotional read. But you will grow to love Angie,

This is the first book I have read in the Georgina Drake series by Kate Hardy. I enjoyed it so much that I have already downloaded the next couple of books and will go back and read the first three. Georgina is a wonderful character and I like watching her relationship with Colin develop and as she assists him in various cases he needs to solve. This was at times an emotional read as you discover some of the background story of a couple of individuals. Plus you get to explore

I always love getting lost in the pages of a cozy mystery book by Lynn Cahoon. She has several different series and I have enjoyed them all. This seventh book in the Kitchen Witch series was chock full of craziness. So much was going on in the lives of the characters. And then you get to add in a dragon and a leprechaun. It will have you flipping through the pages as quickly as possible to figure out who committed the murder. This one leaves you hanging so I will be anxiously

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

The synopsis of this book caught my attention and it sounded like something I would enjoy. However, this was not the case. I do not enjoy reading books where the characters do not develop and are simply mean girls. I could not get invested in the story and the dialogue between the characters was irritating. So, unfortunately, this was only a 2-star read for me and I am probably being gracious to give it that many stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advan

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

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

This series is always one I enjoy and I love the main characters, Maya and Sandra. Once again they are called in to help solve a murder mystery before the wrong person is arrested. There are a lot of twists and turns with random clues sprinkled throughout the pages. I am enjoying watching Sandra become more confident and as her relationship with Lucas develops. The two P.I.s are classy, smart, and do a great job of navigating through the misguided clues to close the case. I a

Wow! This first book in the Sutherlin Files series by Ashley Farley will grab you from the beginning and you will find yourself flipping through the pages as fast as you can to help solve the murder mystery. The characters are well developed and you will grow to love some while despising others. The suspense is intense with nonstop action. Watching Detective Lane Sutherlin return home to Tidewell, Virginia and having to deal with extremely emotional matters was at times heart

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 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

A Mysterious Christmas Collection (by Michele Pariza Wacek) 5* This fun cozy read included two novellas. The Secret Santa Murder is part of the Charlie Kingsley series and The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf is a book in the Redemption Detective Agency series. Both are set during the Christmas holiday and will have you enjoying the time you spend in the pages. In The Secret Santa Murder, it is fun to observe Charlie work through different ideas and comments made by the indivi

I am just getting started reading books in the Charlie Kingsley series by Michele Pariza Wacek. But I am looking forward to spending more time with her and see how Officer Wyle will affect her future. The murder mystery kept me invested in the story and I loved the setting of Cabo, Mexico. Charlie is a delightful main character and her personality will have you cheering her on as she is determined to solve the crime ... if for no other reason than keep herself from being arre

I am a huge J. A. Jance fan and the Ali Reynolds series is one of my favorites. Between Ali; her husband, B; Frigg, the AI creation; and Cami, you are treated to a wonderful cast of characters. The story has multiple mysteries to be solved and they do not detract from each other. I love how the people of High Noon Enterprise work together in whatever case they are dealing with or in personal matters. I especially enjoyed observing Frigg gain knowledge with lingo and various w

What a quirky and unique group of individuals make up the Secret Senior Sleuths Society. Once again they are working in tandem to solve the murder mystery. Each “sleuth” has their gift to contribute to the group and they complement each other well. I would love to live in this type of senior living community and could envision being part of the gang. This is a delightful cozy mystery with each chapter featuring a different character’s point of view which keeps you invested in

What a wonderful series this has been. I have grown to love Annie, Fletcher, Liam, Hal, and the other individuals who are prat of the Redwood Grove, CA community. There are so many secrets sprinkled throughout the pages ... not just the secret bookcase. Watching Annie and Liam’s relationship develop was heartwarming. With each book you are treated to a great mystery with lots of clues and a wonderful and supportive group of friends. I am sad to see this one end. But I am exci

I love historical fiction books and the mystery aspect of this one was a positive spin that I really enjoyed. Metting Freddie Archer, a columnist of Gotham Magazine was enlightening. Freddie’s character was based on one of the first female columnists at The New Yorker. Life as an independent and strong female in the 20s was difficult. But Freddie was up for the challenge. Experiencing this time period and the speakeasies, bootlegging, fashion designers, and glamorous lifestyl

This is the first book I have read in the Dakota Green series. But I enjoyed it so much that I will go back and read the first one and will definitely read any future books in the series. Even though starting with the second book, it did not affect my ability to connect with the characters. I love the character of Dakota Green and look forward to seeing how the future unfolds for her and her beau, Charlie, who is the sheriff. The murder mystery will keep you invested in the s

While this book read like a YA one, I still enjoyed aspects of it. There are a lot of triggers that you need to be aware of before opening the cover and reading the first word. They are adultery, body shaming, homosexuality, giving a child up for adoption, eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy, infertility, and suicide. Yet these are all handled in a delicate way by the author. I was not sure I was going to enjoy this book when I first started reading it, but I was pulled int