Julie in Michigan

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Wednesday, July 28, 2021

The Bookshop Murder, Flora Steele Mystery Book #1, by Merryn Allingham

 


I loved the ending. A surprise that filled me with joy for Flora. I knew the book was coming to a close as the murderer was found and loose ends were being tied up, but out of the blue, there it was. Flora’s a sweet young woman and deserves the best that life has to offer. She’s receiving it with this unexpected invitation, and I’ll be glad to hear how that unfolds for her.

The mystery was interesting, loads of suspects with good motives for a murder or two, three? Can’t say for sure, the third victim might be out there somewhere, fearful to return to the havoc he created.

I think I might have liked to hear more about life at the bookstore. But frankly with sales down due to the body being found, I understand why she needed to solve the murder to save Violet’s bookstore. No need to stay at an empty store, waiting for the police who weren’t going to do it.

Her background with her Aunt Violet was endearing and I enjoyed hearing about the memories of her younger life. Great friends in the village. And of course, Jack – they rescued each other.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St. James




Did you ever finish a book in two days, that you couldn't put down, because you had to find out who did it? That was me while enjoying this read from Dorothy St. James.

Tonight, I miss my friends from the book. It crossed my mind that I could re-read it, right from the start. Slower this time, reading every single word. I might have found my newest favorite author. I love her leading character, Trudell Becket, not Trudy, as she'll remind you. She's Assistant Librarian in the South Carolina town where she grew up. There are two good-looking men interested in dating her and she doesn't sleep with either one. I love it. How refreshing.

My previous favorite author, Sue Grafton, has gone to the great publishing house in the sky. Their protagonists are similar in character. Both Trudell and Kindsey are independent women, working in their chosen fields. They dress for comfort, not following current trends. Men find them attractive, but it doesn't rattle them, they've got other things to think about. Told in the first person, I enjoyed the ride along.

Trudell has a lot going on. There's more than one mystery, more than one secret and more than a few interesting characters. I want to visit them in their little town and have lunch at the Sunshine Diner. I'd visit the library. The fact that there's something going on in the basement makes the visit even more compelling.

Libraries have made some drastic changes in the last few years concerning the question of printed materials. Libraries are busy drawing in younger patrons with gaming and Internet usage. Older patrons are finding crafty events. People come to the library for help in finding their way around the Internet.

The town of Cypress has decided to eliminate all books in favor of an ultra-modern library. This raises the question of the value of printed materials. Has electronic media replaced the need for books? Are books of value any longer? This story hits the topic straight on.

This new concept library doesn't sit well with those who love hard covers and paperbacks so Trudell devices a plan to keep those folks happy. Does this tie in with the dead body found behind the library? Is apple pie an issue? Can her cat, Dewey Decimal, provide assistance? A few likely suspects are evident since there's more going on in the town of Cypress than meets the eye.

If you can't tell by now, I recommend this book. If any of this resonates with you, enjoy yourself.

I received this book without charge in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Home is where the heart is by Jenny Frame


This book made me want to stop reading romance novels. I've read other comments that it was too cheesy, too disneylandish and I agree. I need a story to have more content that just this. It was too high-school-ish romance. I couldn't finish it. It bored me to the point that I kept skimming forward, hoping to find something besides the conversations and arguments between the two main characters. The book was not realistic in their creation of a utopian village. It was painful.

Saturday, June 26, 2021

Yearning by Gun Brooke


I love libraries and genealogy and that was the key that opened the door to my reading this book. I wasn't disappointed. I missed the sci-fi aspect of the story until I got into it and couldn't believe the story that was unravelling. It appeared at first to be a cozy mystery in a small town. Many people yearn to return to their hometowns after a certain age and it wasn't all that surprising to me. Then it appeared there was some kind of magnetic pull for people who were born of the original settlers, I was seriously thinking of grid lines or something buried underneath the town. Yes, something was buried there and the two main characters and their group of explorers find an unearthly secret. 

I kept reading, I enjoyed the beginnings of romance between a LA Detective and a small town librarian. I've never met a librarian as sexy as Samantha and I don't think the visiting detective Darian had either. Their explorations take the reader on a thrilling ride to unearth the secrets and find their true heritage. 

A cast of interesting characters, delightful descriptions of historical homes and an otherworldly find round out this well thought out book. I had a lot going on in my life after I ordered this book, lots of interruptions but I felt the yearning to return to the book as much as the former residents felt the yearning to return to Dennamore. 

**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Once Upon a Witch by Valia Lind


This was a fun read, nothing too serious, just a little murder mixed with magic. There's romance in the air but our protagonists is spurning all efforts to heal their childhood rivalry. He's tall dark and handsome now but she can't forgive him for how he treated her in elementary school. 

She has lots of friends in town, more recognizing her than she them. She does find out why. She finds out a lot of things and they put her in danger. Luckily her spurned hunk isn't far behind and yes, he will rescue her. 

She's glad when she can stop seeing the ghost of the dead woman, she drives her as crazy as she did when she was alive. Just a fun little romp, no gory details or explicit sex, great read for a day at the beach.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer


I loved this book. Independent women always keep me hooked. What will they do next? She's feisty and fiery and all those good things. A bit unusual in the mid-late 19th century but probably the role I would play in those times. 

I love the setting, London countryside. The unbridled younger sister of Sherlock Holmes is spirited, inquisitive, principled and creative. 

The unfortunate side of this story is the truth of the conditions women lived under. If a woman was no longer desired by her husband, too outspoken or heaven forbid, thinking for herself, being locked up in a sanitarium is the best answer. This situation is intolerable for Enola.

Right underneath Sherlock's nose (he shouldn't have been napping) she swoops in and sets to discovering the truth and rescuing the discarded married lady. Lucky for her, a twin sister knows her sibling isn't dead, wasn't cremated and is being held against her will somewhere. Enola will find her!

If you like strong female leads, good mysteries and the English Countryside in the 1800's, read this. I couldn't put it down. This is the first I've read in the series. I'm happy to see more available. My wish list is filling up.

I received this promotional Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.



Sunday, May 30, 2021

The Nantucket Beachfront Inn by Aisling Delaney

If you like Danielle Steel, you'll probably like this book. It reads like 'lifestyles of the rich and famous'. Lots of description of beautiful homes and scenery. The recipes will have you drooling for lobster with cream sauces and extravagant desserts.


I like more well-rounded characters. There were a number of significant characters, all with their own problems. It appeared that all would be wrapped up by the end of the book. They were. But at the last minute a cliff-hanger was dropped, apparently so you will read the next book.


I didn't understand the conflict between Ava's daughters and herself. The reasons seemed too simple. Everyone kept too many secrets and it was difficult to understand their reasons. I thought the daughters were unnecessarily rude and then wanted their Mother to give them more than she already had. I couldn't understand why she felt so guilty that she let them walk all over her.


Her daughter's husband decides to leave his wife. He doesn't care a hoot about their baby and then he does. It was all too simple. I thought it lacked depth.


Again, if you like Danielle Steel, this book is for you.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.