books and ladybugs

Having loved Where the Crawdads Sing, I was excited to read The Floating Girls.However, I was really disappointed. While Kay and her siblings are well developed as characters, the constant description of the marshlands ended up being irritating. The tone of this novel is dark. And that’s okay if there are other redeeming qualities. I’m sad to say that they were lacking. I don’t feel like the mystery was handled well and it left me unsatisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by Maddie Please, but it will not be the last. I loved the story and her writing style. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them. The story is based on three friends with very different personalities and varied life situations. The women were at times quirky, independent, strong, and living life in their sixties. I think the fact that they were discovering how much more they could experience endeared them to me. What a wonderful reflection of how special and lasting friendships can be…how we should be open to new experiences and new adventures, and love is just around the corner when you least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I have not read the first book in the Tea by the Sea series, but after reading Murder in a Teacup, I will definitely go back and read the first one as well as any additional books. The characters are well developed and I loved the relationships between them. The delightful setting, the sometimes snarky conversations, the way the murder mystery was presented made this an entertaining cozy read. I was hooked from the beginning and the twists and turns kept me invested in the story. I am looking forward to more adventures with Lily and the Cape Cod Tearoom gang.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corporation for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I have enjoyed the books in the Cat Latimer series by Lynn Cahoon. The characters are well developed and I love the relationships that have grown. The murder mystery is handled well and left me guessing until the end. The focus of the books in this series is writing retreats. I have found the topic to be very interesting. Though part of the series, this book could be read as a standalone. Great twists and turns and lots of random clues that keep you invested in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Funnel for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Well, I had to wait until I stopped sobbing before I could write my review. I implore you to read the first two books in the series. The characters will touch your heart and you will feel such a connection to them. As always, Charles Martin will grab you emotionally and doesn’t let go until well after you have absorbed the last word, closed the cover, and wiped away the tears streaming down your face. While the subject of this series is difficult to read about, human trafficking is real and a horrendous issue across the world.

I loved the analogy of sheep and the wolf. (Read the book to see what I mean.)

There are so many beautiful expressions sprinkled throughout the pages. And while a Christian-focused book, it is not preachy. It is full of hope, faith, love, determination, support, and redemption. I cannot say enough positive things about this book or Charles Martin’s writing. He always manages to touch me deeply and yet give me the strength to be a better person and to allow God to use me in whatever way He desires.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I was so disappointed in this latest book by Sandie Jones. I felt like I was reading a soap opera. I had pretty much figured out what was going on and who was “doing” whom within the first couple of chapters. The shocking ending came out of left field and I couldn’t believe the way the author left things hanging as I read the last page. Because I’ve enjoyed her previous books, I will give her another chance to wow me with her next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Because I enjoyed books in the author’s Cookbook Nook series, I was excited to read a book from a different one. The characters were well developed and, because there were quite a few, the author did a great job of helping me keep track of them by providing information at the beginning of the book. I am not typically a fan of fantasy books, but this one had a great mystery that drew me into the story and kept my attention. I was literally guessing who had committed murder and who was stealing things in town. What a shock! Lots of people were suspects and even when their alibis were shared, there were even more twists and turns.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corporation for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I have enjoyed the books I’ve read in the Bakeshop Mystery series so that I’ve bought all of them! This 15th book in the series kept me guessing until the end. The characters are well developed and I loved spending time with the people in Ashland, Oregon. The descriptions of the food will have your stomach growling. While I think it’s better to read the books in order, this one has enough action to catch your attention and keep you invested in the story. I believe I’ll put Ashland, Oregon on my list of cities to visit (since it’s a real place!). Can’t wait for the next adventure with Juliet, Lance, the Professor, and the rest of the people in this delightful town.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I’ve read the majority of Ashley Farley’s books and enjoyed them. This is the first book in the Virginia Vineyard series I’ve read. So it helped that I’ve read all but one of the books in the Hope Springs series. I recognized a few names and locations mentioned. I definitely think it would have helped if I had read the first Virginia vineyard book. However, this one was still good and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Lots of family and relationship drama but it was also nice to see some of the characters maturing and realizing who they needed to be as adults. The storyline was predictable, but made for a good light summer read.

Thank you to the author and AHF Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Blind Love by Ashley Farley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I’ve read the majority of Ashley Farley’s books and enjoyed them. This is the first book in the Virginia Vineyard series I’ve read. So it helped that I’ve read all but one of the books in the Hope Springs series. I recognized a few names and locations mentioned. I definitely think it would have helped if I had read the first Virginia vineyard book. However, this one was still good and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Lots of family and relationship drama but it was also nice to see some of the characters maturing and realizing who they needed to be as adults. The storyline was predictable, but made for a good light summer read.

Thank you to the author and AHF Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

View all my reviews

I loved this first book in the new Haunted Life series by Lynn Cahoon. The storyline keeps your attention and the characters are well developed. I enjoyed seeing Eddie come into her own, how she decides to stand up for herself, and her inherited ability. There is family drama, a murder mystery, and a little romance. Just a delightful cozy mystery that provides a quick read with a lot of entertainment.

Thank you to the author for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.