I learn so much about herbs and gardening in each of these books. I fall into the story and don't stop until I complete the book. China is one of my favorite characters. Thyme of Death was my introduction to the cozy mystery genre and holds a soft spot in my heart.
China has learned to investigate without putting herself into danger (or as little as possible). She is knowledgeable and likeable. I missed Ruby being a bigger part of the story. I listened to part of the book and really enjoyed the narrator.
The North Carolina mountains are my happy place. I loved the descriptions of the area and could picture where I thought Hemlock House could be. The variable April weather was spot on. You don't fool with Mother Nature here in the early Spring.
The mystery was very good. The back story of Elizabeth Blackwell's 1737 book was fascinating and now i'm looking for a couple to read.
Reading this series is like visiting old friends. I feel like I am welcomed warmly no matter how long it has been between visits.
An artifact is an object that either has a magical effect or can be used to create a magical effect.
I guess my review should be a bit more than omg, oAn artifact is an object that either has a magical effect or can be used to create a magical effect.
I guess my review should be a bit more than omg, omg, omg!. This fourteenth book in the series begins soon after the events of Soul Taken. Mercy is feeling the effects of the Soul Taker to her mind and magic even though it was destroyed. Her family and friends have gone behind her back to find ways to help her. In the midst of this, Mercy's brother Gary arrives. Gary has a disorienting spell on him that prevents him from communicating. Mercy and Adam set out to Montana to see if they can find a way to break the spell.
I always look forward to the books in this series. I usually open the book and fall into the story without putting it down until I am finished. This time I listened to part of it and read when I could. Mercy felt vulnerable in this plot. She is still a very strong character but I felt that we saw a different side of her as she struggles with the aftereffects of the Soul Taker. Adam is (as always) her rock and her stability. He is such a worthy book boyfriend!
I enjoyed meeting the various fae along the way (good and bad) that added to the story. The magical Winter storm was interesting as was the plot to bring about the end of days. I must admit that my fear of spiders made portions of the book hard to read.
The variety of guests at the lodge and the upcoming wedding was like a mystery within a mystery. I would have like to learn more about Elayna and her connections with the bride's family.
The storytelling flows effortlessly and I can easily visualize the events. Particularly the storm and the major conflicts. The author's love of horses shines through with the descriptions of the Belgians that Gary has been tasked to care for and when their care fell to Mercy.
This series get better with each book. I'm always sad when I finish the book so quickly because I know it will be a while before the next release. That's why this series remains on my bookshelf. I need a re-read every once in a while.
Gethsemane Brown ends up in the small village of Dunmullach Ireland after losing a job she had been Gethsemane Brown leaned closer to the windshield.
Gethsemane Brown ends up in the small village of Dunmullach Ireland after losing a job she had been promised with the Cork Philharmonic. She is living in Carraifaire Cottage where the late musician Eamon McCarthy and his wife Orla had lived before their untimely deaths. Teaching at St. Brennan's School for Boys is a far cry from the orchestra she had hoped to lead. Gethsemane becomes an amateur sleuth when she realizes she can see and hear Eamon. He asks her to help clear his name in the murder of his wife and his apparent suicide.
This was a lovely read. i alternated between listening and reading as my Irish Gaeilge is not up to par. Gethsemane is a strong character with a no nonsense manner (other than talking to ghosts). I love how she wrangles her young charges at school in an attempt to get them ready for a competition. Her steadfast belief in Eamon is heartwarming.
The village is filled with quirky characters that add to the story. The poison garden in the churchyard is an interesting oddity. The mystery (both old and new) is very well done and kept me guessing. The ending caught me by surprise and now I must read the next book to see how everything evolves.
Ms. Gordon is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books in the near future. ...more
I reached out a hand and clutched the cold metal pole, giving it a firm shake.
This is book six in the House Flipper series. This series gets better wiI reached out a hand and clutched the cold metal pole, giving it a firm shake.
This is book six in the House Flipper series. This series gets better with each book! Whitney and Buck win the bid to restore an old fire station. They also get drawn into renovating a neighboring townhouse as well. Whitney gets drawn into another murder after the townhouse's neighbor dies suddenly in the fire station.
I love all of this series, but this one was near and dear to my heart. I grew up as the daughter of a fireman and spent many childhood hours in the station. it was one of the few in the city that still had a fire pole and the description of the layout brought back so many happy memories. (And yes, I went down that pole a time or two with the encouragement of my Dad's best friend.) I loved all the ideas for making the station into a single family home. I can visualize every step and it makes me want to live there.
The second renovation creates all kinds of chaos. The former owner's family are an awful group of people. Their pettiness and lack of compassion for anyone made me want to throttle them. They were among my first suspects in the crime.
The mystery is very well done and kept me guessing until the end. I was very sad at the revelation of the person that caused the death of the victim.
Another storyline is the upcoming wedding of Whitney and Collin. I loved the venue and was pleased how it was woven into the plot. I'm amazed how quickly everything came together.
Sawdust is one of my favorite cats! The cover with him in a fire helmet is so cute. I love his little mini chapters when we get to see his point of view of the story.
This book could be read as a stand alone although I think you should read the series from the beginning to see the growth of the characters.
Wow! Just, wow! I didn't think I could love Bones any more than I already do, but I was wrong. I was late starting this series aTonight, Bones hunted.
Wow! Just, wow! I didn't think I could love Bones any more than I already do, but I was wrong. I was late starting this series and can't believe it has been thirteen years since I first read Halfway to the Grave. Hearing everything from Bones point of view brought back great memories from the first book. In fact, I pulled it off my shelf and followed along as I listened to Bones.
I always remember when Bones first saw Cat and his reactions. I had forgotten some of the people from the original book and how they related to the story.
This is such a powerfully written book that gives me all the feels. I know I have a multitude of book boyfriends but Bones is in the top five.
I went back and forth between listening and reading this book. I had to stop listening in the car because the narrator's voice is very similar to a hypnosis series I use. Other than that, the narration was fabulous.
Being able to see and hear Bones total devotion to Cat was amazing. I can't wait to read/listen to the next book. I already have it in queue.
Someone had either kidnapped the sun or decided screw the ransom and killed it dead.
Eve and Roarke have spent the last couple of weeks on vacation in Someone had either kidnapped the sun or decided screw the ransom and killed it dead.
Eve and Roarke have spent the last couple of weeks on vacation in Greece and Ireland. The Ireland trip coincides with their third anniversary and Eve presents Roarke with a wonderfully touching gift. Eve is tagged for a suspicious death as soon as they return home.
The victim is a retired Internal Affairs Bureau captain and Don Webster is the one to find him. The death is staged to look like a suicide, but Eve sees beyond the initial scene.
This is a wonderful addition to the series. I don't know how I can still gush about these books as it reaches fifty seven in the series. But I still do. This has to be one of my favorite series of all times. Rarely do I make it a point to collect a series all in hardcover, but this one I have.
The plot is very well done. I always love to see how Eve's brain works as she unravels the clues. I did suspect who the culprit was early in the investigation but did not see the reason until later in the book.
I love the relationship that Eve and Roarke have developed not only with each other but with the other characters in the story. I was happy to see that Eve gave Peabody a chance to rave about her new home and the progress she has made. I can't wait for the open house!
Eve did not personally care for the victim when he was on the force but she still gives him her all as she stands for him in his death.
I love this series and recommend it to anyone that will listen to me. ...more
It was my bout with lightning that inspired Pa to become immersed in the photographic sciences, which is how this all began.
Silas is a twelve year oldIt was my bout with lightning that inspired Pa to become immersed in the photographic sciences, which is how this all began.
Silas is a twelve year old whose father is abducted in the middle of the night by men who believe he is a famous counterfeiter. Silas feels the need to follow the men even though his father has told him to remain at home. A white faced pony that escaped from the captors is Silas' only hope.
I was a little hesitant when this book was recommended to me because I don't generally read middle grade books. Oh, how I would have missed out if I had let this one go unread.
Set in 1858, Silas and his dad live a quiet private life. His mother died when Silas was born. The dad was a bootmaker who had a strong interest in photography. He quickly masters a collodion process that produces lifelike qualities to photographs. Silas's best friend is a ghost called Mittenwool. He and the pony are the only ones that accompany Silas on his quest to find his father.
The journey to find his father leads Silas on amazing adventures. In the boggy woods, he learns that Mittenwool is not the only ghost that he can see. A ranger joins Silas in his attempt to find his father. Enoch Farmer was an interesting character and i loved the things he taught Silas while they were together. His true self was not revealed until near the end of the book and I had to go back and reread some chapters to see if I missed a few clues along the way.
This is a beautiful story of a young boy's coming of age. I could not put the book down once I started reading it. The revelation of Mittenwool's story and his attachment to Silas was so bittersweet. The characters are very well done and the story is almost magical as it flows. I am so glad that I took a chance on this book. I loved every page and every minute it took me to read it.
On a Saturday morning in mid-April, I sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen of the cottage my cousin Buck and I had rehabbed a while back, the placeOn a Saturday morning in mid-April, I sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen of the cottage my cousin Buck and I had rehabbed a while back, the place I now called home.
Book five in the House-Flipper series has Whitney and Buck renovated a houseboat. The boat is docked beside a womanizing man with five ex-wives. Whitney goes into full sleuth mode after the man's boat explodes with him aboard.
I love theses characters! I love the easy relationship Whitney and her cousin Buck have and the strong work ethic they share. I love Sawdust! I enjoy reading the chapters from his point of view.
I always learn something new when I read this series. Renovating a boat would not be on my list of things to do, but I did enjoy the information given about the rehab. For some strange reason, I had to take a boating safety certification class when I was in junior high school. I was reminded of this when Whitney and Buck were studying for their certificates.
The mystery was very well done with enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages. I so did not want the culprit to be who I first picked. The victim was so disliked by so many people that it was difficult to pick just one as the suspect.
The storyline of Buck and Colette's upcoming marriage was sweet. I was very happy to see the wedding preparation and the actual wedding.
I've enjoyed watching Whitney and Collin's relationship grow and mature. I can't wait to see where it goes in the next book.
This is a fun series that I love reading. I highly recommend it! ...more
If she had only one word to describe Dominic Milano, it would be "unflappable", Audrey Callahan reflected.
Audrey has tried to leave her life as a grifIf she had only one word to describe Dominic Milano, it would be "unflappable", Audrey Callahan reflected.
Audrey has tried to leave her life as a grifter and live a normal life in the Broken working for an investigator. Her father approaches her about doing a job to pay for yet another rehab for her drug addicted brother. Audrey agrees with the understanding that this is her last contact with her family. The heist, which involves Egyptian bracelets, goes off well until Kaldar Mar enters the story. Kaldar needs to retrieve the bracelets and needs Audrey's help to do it.
This is the first book of the series that I have listened to rather than reading and I must say it was a hit. The narrator, Renee Raudman, voiced the snark and sarcasm perfectly.
Audrey and Kaldar have similar backgrounds in thievery and evasion. The evolution of their relationship is wonderful. Throw in Jack and George (Rose's brothers from On the Edge ) and Kaldar's nephew, Gaston from Bayou Moon and you have the perfect cast of characters. Audrey's pet raccoon, Ling the Merciless, is a great addition.
The story is face paced with lots of action. Audrey and Kaldar complement each other so well that you know their relationship is going to be hot. Their verbal sparring leads to a very satisfying love scene.
Other characters from previous books pop in as well. Cerise and William play a role in the reacquisition of the bracelets.
There are intense battles, a sketchy evangelist, betrayal, and the ever present evil Hand agents.
This is a series that I highly recommend and suggest you read in order to learn about the Weird, The Broken, and the Edge between.
Few things in life were more entertaining than haunted houses.
Charley is back! Reyes entered the god glass on a retrieval mission and returns as Rey'aFew things in life were more entertaining than haunted houses.
Charley is back! Reyes entered the god glass on a retrieval mission and returns as Rey'azikeen. Pretty soon afterwards all hell (literally) breaks loose.
This is one of my favorite series and I love my visits with Charley and company. I love the wit, the snark, and all the feels that is Charley Davidson. I was pleased that Garrett had a bigger role in this book while I was missing Reyes. And who doesn't love having more Osh in the story?
This book is the ultimate good vs evil as God is determined to send an army of angels to destroy the entity that Reyes has become, and Charley does everything possible to save the man she loves.
I love the interaction between Charley's human world and the supernatural world. I enjoy that there are several storylines interwoven into the plot. Just a little something to keep you guessing. The "children's" books are of particular interest.
The ending is such a cliffhanger that I went back to read the last two chapters. I can't wait for the next book even though I know the series is ending. This is definite re-read.
You really need to pick up this series if you haven't had the chance to meet this grim reaper. I highly recommend it! ...more
House Baylor has purchased a new compound following the destruction of their former home. Six months later the Speaker of the Texas St"Is it haunted?"
House Baylor has purchased a new compound following the destruction of their former home. Six months later the Speaker of the Texas State Assembly is murdered, the Texas Warden is incapacitated, an Imperial Russian Prince arrives, and Alessandro's family tries once again to sell him to the highest bidder.
This wraps up the Catalina trilogy in Hidden Legacy. I must admit that Catalina was not my favorite sister when I first started reading the series. I was a Nevada fan all the way. Catalina has grown so much over the course of the series and I have really come to love her and her skills. Becoming the acting Texas Warden really makes her mature more than she already has.
I love the relationship that Catalina and Alessandro have. The path has not been smooth and they are a better couple because of it.
The side story of a missing rare spider adds just enough humor to break up some of the tension in the rest of the story.
The plot is very well done and I hated to put the book down to sleep. Each chapter kept me turning the page to see what else would happen.
There are epic battles, family secrets, and triumph of good vs evil.
I can't wait to see where Arabella's story may take us.
This is a beautifully written book about family and how miscommunication can destroy the fiber that holds everything togIt was those damn peaches.
This is a beautifully written book about family and how miscommunication can destroy the fiber that holds everything together.
Jasper Davenport has died. His wayward daughter, Nona "Peaches" Davenport, returns to Natchez, Mississippi to attend his funeral. Nona left town years ago on the night she was to elope with Marcus and never returned after he failed to show. She has blamed her sister Julia all these years. Now a professor of African American studies in Chicago, Nona feels that she has no ties to the town she grew up in.
All of the characters quickly became like old friends as I read. I felt Julia's sorrow and pain from the loss of not only her father, but the loss of her sister. Nona tries so hard to remove her feelings from her past only to have them sweep through her. Marcus is a sore spot for each sister. He is Nona's ex-love and Julia's now ex-husband. So much has happened over the years that Nona must experience in a short time. Sanganette was one of my least favorite characters. I felt as Julia's friend she should have been more supportive and less attention grabbing. Her need to rewrite the true history of the Civil War was irritating. I know that there are people like this that still remain in the South, but I would like to think that we have moved past that.
This was a book that I read in one sitting because I did not want to put it down. Everything about it is excellent and I recommend it highly.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
A body left in a playground where Bella plays puts Eve on high alert to catch a killer.
This book jumps The decision to kill herself brought her peace.
A body left in a playground where Bella plays puts Eve on high alert to catch a killer.
This book jumps back and forth from two different time periods. I thought that it would bother me but was please that it did not. We needed the history to understand where the killer developed.
I simply adore this series and am pleased to known that I am now current. Whoo hoo! Who would have imagined when I reluctantly started it that it would become my all time favorite series.
The entire cast of characters is just amazing! Eve is focused and driven. Roarke stands by her no matter what. Peabody has really come into herself as a top notch detective.
The plot was well done and so twisted. My mind certainly did not go towards the killer until Eve revealed her suspicions.
I love this series! I recommend it to anyone that will listen to me. I am thrilled that the next book will be out soon. Until then, I will listen to or re-read a few of my favorites....more
On a sunny Monday morning in mid-September, my cousin Buck and I walked out of the real estate office with copies of our closing documents in hand, thOn a sunny Monday morning in mid-September, my cousin Buck and I walked out of the real estate office with copies of our closing documents in hand, the most important of which was the deed to the ramshackle country church we'd just bought.
Whitney and her cousin Buck have purchased an old country church to renovate. The property straddles two counties and the neighboring horse farm owner feels that he owns the land and buildings through filing a claim of adverse possession. A legal battle ensues. A local deliveryman is found dead in the church under suspicious circumstances. Soon after, the obnoxious neighbor is found dead as well. Whitney is on the case to see if they are related.
I love this series! The characters are well developed and feel like old friends each time I visit with them. I adore Sawdust! His chapters make me smile. Then I look at my own cats and wonder what is running through their minds. Maybe I don't want to know.
The murder of the deliveryman was quite intriguing. It involved some international connections that were quite interesting to learn about. The death of the neighbor was, in my opinion, well deserved and I realized who the culprit was immediately. I truly despise people that abuse animals.
I enjoyed watching the ongoing romances with Whitney and Collin, along with Buck and Collette. Seeing Collette's dream of having her own restaurant come to fruition was wonderful.
I really enjoyed the renovation of the old church into a theater. I could visualize everything as it was described. I've been in a couple of churches that were restored as homes and could relate to the renovation.
This series gets better with each book. I can't wait to see what Whitney and the crew get involved in next.
"What on earth is going on here?' I asked, wheeling my grampy's old farm truck into the field just outside Potter's Pumpkin Patch.
The third book in th"What on earth is going on here?' I asked, wheeling my grampy's old farm truck into the field just outside Potter's Pumpkin Patch.
The third book in the Cider Shop series is just as delightful as the previous two. Autumn is in full swing in Blossom Valley, West Virginia. Winnie is picking up a load of hay, corn, and pumpkins from fellow farmer, Mr. Potter. She is thrown into another murder investigation when Mr. Potter is found dead in the back of her pick-up.
I love that Winnie tells Sheriff Colton Wise that she can't help herself when it comes to her sleuthing. Several townspeople approach her about solving the crime. This does put a strain on their budding relationship. The addition of Colton's brother, Blake and his parents add to the storyline. Blake presented early on as a possible love triangle. I was super happy that didn't happen.
I love Dot! Her big heart when it comes to animals makes me so happy. I smile at all the "Kenny Rogers" she rescues. Winnie and the rescued goose are a hoot!
With every book I fall more in love with all things cider. I want to run out and find an orchard that offers tastings. Hopefully this fall I will be able to find somewhere to quench my cravings.
The plot was well done with several edge of your seat moments. The addition of Winnie's stalker added to the suspense. I was a bit surprised by the murderer and felt very sad about the whole situation.
I truly enjoy my visits with Winnie and crew. I am anxiously awaiting the next book.
This is a series that I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
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