Booked For Death

From the critically acclaimed author of SIBA Okra Pick A Murder for the Books, Victoria Gilbert embarks with a new series for perfect for fans of Kate Carlisle and Juliet Blackwell.

A book lover's B&B in an idyllic waterfront village becomes the scene of a grisly murder--and a ruthless battle between treachery and the truth.

Nestled in the historic waterfront town of Beaufort, North Carolina, Chapters Bed-and-Breakfast is a reader's paradise. Built in 1770, the newly renovated inn hosts a roster of special events celebrating books, genres, and authors. It's the perfect literary retreat--until a rare book dealer turns up dead in the carriage house during a celebration of Golden Age mystery author Josephine Tey.

The victim's daughter points the finger at forty-two-year-old widow and former schoolteacher Charlotte Reed, who inherited the B&B from her great-aunt Isabella. Charlotte is shocked to discover that the book dealer suspected Isabella of being a thief who founded Chapters on her ill-gotten gains. Charlotte has successfully learned the B&B business in a year, but nothing has prepared her to handle a death on the premises.

Armed with intelligence and courage and assisted by her vibrant older neighbor, a visiting author, and members of a local book club, Charlotte is determined to prove her innocence and to clear her great-aunt's name. But the murderer is still at large, and equally determined to silence anyone who might discover the truth behind the book dealer's death. Now, Charlotte must outwit an unknown killer--or end up writing her own final chapter.

My Rating: 3 Stars
A new series with a solid mystery to solve. This one caught my eye due to it's bookish angle. It was good. The mystery had several twists and turns and the characters were intriguing. That being said, I feel like it was missing something. Even though the mystery held my attention, I didn't feel gripped by it like I normally would. Maybe it was me, I have no idea. I just didn't love it although it seems like one I normally would. I will continue with the series and see what happens in book two.

A Study In Murder

A mystery author is charged with murder--and the plot thickens faster than anyone can turn the pages--in USA Today bestselling author Callie Hutton's new series debut, perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ellery Adams.

Bath, England, 1890. Mystery author Lady Amy Lovell receives an anonymous letter containing shocking news: her fiancé, Mr. Ronald St. Vincent, has been dabbling in something illegal, which causes her to promptly break their engagement.

Two evenings later, as Lady Lovell awaits a visit from Lord William Wethington, fellow member of the Bath Mystery Book Club, her former fiancé makes an unexpected and most unwelcome appearance at her house. She promptly sends him to the library to cool his heels but later discovers the room seemingly empty--until she stumbles upon a dead Mr. St. Vincent with a knife in his chest.

Lord Wethington arrives to find Lady Amy screaming and sends for the police, but the Bobbies immediately assume that she is the killer. Desperate to clear her name, Lady Amy and Lord Wethington launch their own investigation--and stir up a hornet's nest of suspects, from the gardener who served time in prison for murder to a vengeful woman who was spurned by St. Vincent before he proposed to Lady Amy.

Can they close the book on the case before the real killer gets away with murder?

My Rating: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this debut to a cozy series set in 1890's England. The mystery was good and I had several suspects to chose from. There was a nice amount of humor sprinkled throughout which was my favorite element of the story. It moved a little slow but overall the story was good and it sets up book two quite nicely. I will be continuing with this series for sure!

Death By Auction

Not only did Abby McCree inherit her aunt's house in Snowberry Creek, Washington, she inherited a handsome tenant and a whole lot of trouble . . .
It's hard to say no to Tripp Blackston. That's how Abby found herself on yet another committee, organizing a bachelors' auction to raise money for Tripp's veterans group. The former Special Forces soldier is mortified when Abby enlists him to be one of the prizes, but she has a covert plan to bid on him herself. Before she can, she's foiled by a sniper bid from a gorgeous stranger, who turns out to be Tripp's ex-wife, Valerie.

Still reeling from the shock that Tripp was married and wondering what his ex is suddenly doing in town, Abby goes looking to pay the auction's emcee, radio personality Bryce Cadigan. She finds him in the parking lot, dead in his car. Valerie appears to be the last one to have seen Bryce alive, so she's the cops' best bid for suspect. When she asks Tripp for help--and lodgings--it's Abby's turn to block by inviting Val to stay with her. But did she just open her home to a murderer?

My Rating: 5 Stars

This was another excellent installment in this likable series. I really enjoyed this mystery and the surprise blast from Tripp's past. It made for an intriguing story and was hard to put down. It's a quick easy read with lots of suspects to narrow down. All in all, I am looking forward to more adventures with Abby, Zeke and the rest of the gang.

To Kill A Mocking Girl

Bookbinder Quinn finds herself in trouble when her ex's fiance turns up dead and if she's not careful, her days might be numbered.

Quinn Victoria Caine is back in her quirky town of Vienna, Virginia, starting her new life as a bookbinder in her family-owned, charm-for-days bookshop, Prose & Scones. With her trusty German Shephard RBG-'Ruff Barker' Ginsburg by her side, what can go wrong? Okay, sure, bumping into her ex, Scott, or her former high school nemesis, Tricia, is a drag. It certainly doesn't help they have acquired the new hobby of shoving their recent engagement in her face every chance they get. But that doesn't mean Quinn wanted to find Tricia dead in the road. So why does half the town think she may have done it?

Quinn is determined to find Tricia's killer, even if it means partnering with her cousin-turned-nun, Sister Daria, and Detective Aiden Harrington, her older brother's too-movie-star-handsome-for-his-own good, best friend. They believe she's innocent, but of course that doesn't influence the police, who peg her as their prime suspect. Or, at least until she's poisoned.

But there is no way Quinn is going to stop now. Vienna is her town and-for better or worse-Tricia was one of their own. Someone may have killed the mocking girl, but no one's going to stop the notorious QVC.My Rating: 5 StarsWhat a super fun and hilarious cozy! I really enjoyed this new series debut from Harper Kincaid. It was light and funny and the mystery was fantastic. Quinn, Bash, Daria and Adrian made for great characters and the lovable pooch RPG rounded out the story wonderfully. I want another book in this series super soon!

Line By Line

Years of hard work enabled Douglas Shaw to escape a life of desperate poverty--and now he's determined to marry into high society to prevent reliving his old circumstances. But when Alice McNeil, an unconventional telegrapher at his firm, raises the ire of a vindictive co-worker, he must choose between rescuing her reputation and the future he's always planned.

My Rating: 5 Stars

Line By Line was truly a charming story. This is my first book by this author but it will not be my last. The book caught me early on and I loved every moment of it. The meet cute between Alice and Douglas was one of the best I have read. Alice's reactions during that scene were absolutely hysterical. Their developing relationship was entertaining and their friends helped to round out the story very well. The story didn't lag and kept me invested and the ending was perfect. I really really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading Jennifer's earlier books as well as reading the upcoming books in this series. Jennifer Delamere has a new fan in me!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion. 

Molly

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.
But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?
I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be?

My Rating: 5 Stars
A sweet story perfect for a fun weekend read. Cute characters and a light story line was just what I needed for an escape from the chaos that is this year. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series. I purchased the audible version and the narrator is fantastic as well! Highly recommend!

I did receive this book for review but I also purchased the Audible and hard copy versions. I was not required to post a positive review.

Memories Of Glass

Reminiscent of Diane Ackerman’s The Zookeeper’s Wife, this stunning novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on a period of Holland’s darkest history and bravest heroes.

1942. As war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese’s son and hundreds of other Jewish children who await deportation in a converted theater in Amsterdam. But amid their resistance work, Josie and Eliese’s dangerous secrets could derail their friendship and their entire mission. When the enemy finds these women, only one will escape.

Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston was not the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West’s Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between their families. As Landon’s great-grandmother shares the broken pieces of her story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life—and powerful members of the Kingston family who will do anything to keep the truth buried.

Illuminating the story and strength of these women, award-winning author Melanie Dobson transports readers through time and place, from World War II Holland to contemporary Uganda, in this rich and inspiring novel.


My Rating: 5 Stars
What a beautifully woven story! It packs an emotional punch but it's definitely worth the read. It brought me to tears multiple times and knowing it's based on true events made the story come alive in a major way. It's a heartbreaking tale but it's masterfully told by Melanie. If you like fantastic historical fiction based on true life events, do not pass this one up! Melanie's time-slip tales are not to be missed!