Books

  • Review: In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen’s Governess by Tessa Arlen

    Tessa Arlen is an author that I don’t think get’s enough credit or recognition. She’s a wonderful author who I always feel like is on the fringes of the historical fiction genre. She’s written a few mysteries series that I have enjoyed over the years and whenever I see that she has a new book coming out, I am always excited. Yet I don’t see her books getting the same hype as other historical and historical mystery writers. Which means—-she is a diamond in the rough! She writes smart mysteries with wonderful historical details. I especially love her Poppy Redfern series for historical details. When I saw that she has…

  • Special Feature: Mocha, She Wrote (A Bakeshop Mystery #13) by Ellie Alexander

    If you are looking for a cozy mystery series, you really don’t need to look any further than Ellie Alexander! In my mind there are few better than Alexander when it comes to small town mysteries featuring food. She has such a talent for writing interesting characters and readers will surly get a feel for life in Ashland Oregon! As an Oregonian myself it’s so great to see cities and towns in books that I am familiar with! I love supporting local authors and Alexander is no exception. I have read a few of the books in this series as well as her other series featuring Sloan Krause. Alexander live…

  • Review: Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

    I have only read Sophia Kinsella’s Shopaholic books and even then, I have only read like the first two. I read the first book when it was released back in 2000 and I recall LOVING IT. I laughed so hard many many times and I remember thinking how much I had in common with the main character, especially at that time being a young college student. I love seeing that the series has continued with nine more books, but as I said I only read like the first two but it wasn’t for want of trying—I just got on to another book and/or series and forgot about the Shopaholic books.…

  • Special Feature and Excerpt: A McKenzie Sisters Mystery Series

    I have really enjoyed  MK McClintock’s books that I have read in the past and seeing her new McKenzie Sisters mystery series is coming out soon, I just knew I had to participate in the book tour! Sadly I couldn’t fit in the books to read but I was able to secure a post about each of the books as well as an excerpt from them to share with you guys! If you enjoy historical fiction but are wanting to try an author that’s off the beaten path, then McClintock is it! This series features strong heroines and is set in the American West! McClintock has written other novels set…

  • Re-Share Review: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

    Last year my book club picked up this unique book. I had seen a lot of praise for it and it was often called ‘THE thriller to read if you only read one this year’. What I loved about it was that each character was so impossibly flawed and damaged. Not just emotionally but physically too and I loved watching how that unfolded and impacted the story. It wasn’t a perfect read for me and it earned a three star review from me which puts it firmly in the ‘good’ category when people ask me if I liked it. But what I think is so important about this book and…

  • Special Feature: A Rogue’s Company (Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery #3) by Allison Montclair

    The Sparks and Bainbridge series is relatively young in its inception. I read the first two books but couldn’t get this one in this month—though I do plan on reading it later on this year. The series, overall, has been solid with loads of four and five star reviews flooding Amazon and Goodreads (mine among them!). Montclair is a talented writer when it comes to murder mysteries but one of the things I enjoy most about her books is the way that the mystery unfolds. It’s always thought out and polished. Since this series is still new, the author does a great job catching new readers up to speed with…

  • Review: A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1) by Ashley Weaver

    I have really enjoyed Ashley Weaver’s Amory Ames books so when I saw she was coming out with a new lady detective series and with a heroine by the name of Electra (Ellie for short), I knew this was going to be a great, great read! Clearing my schedule, I added this one to my early summer reading list and I am so glad that I did! The Amory Ames series has been fun and I have liked the books I have read, but this book felt so much more complete for some reason (I will get to my thoughts on that in a minute!). Historical mysteries are my favorites,…

  • Special Feature: Ruined by The Bachelor Marquess (The Bachelor #2) by Cecilia Rene

    Publication Date: May 21, 2021 Series: The Bachelor Series, Book 2Genre: Historical Romance Will a second chance at love be enough to heal old wounds? He failed everyone…especially her. Henry Livingstone, the Marquess of Heartford, was destroyed by the fire that claimed his sister’s life. Haunted by her death, he fled his home and the woman he loved. When he finally returns to restore his family’s wealth, he’s met with his demons, both old and new, including Lady Julia St. John, his former fiancée and the woman he scandalously abandoned at the altar. Once a diamond of the first water, Lady Julia St. John is a victim of cruel gossip…

  • Special Feature: The Oath by A.M. Linden

    Publication Date: June 15, 2021She Writes PressPaperback & eBook; 336 pages Series: The Druid Chronicles, #1 When the last of members of a secretive Druid cult are forced to abandon their hidden sanctuary, they send the youngest of their remaining priests in search of Annwr, their chief priestess’s sister, who was abducted by a Saxon war band fifteen years ago. With only a rudimentary grasp of English and the ambiguous guidance of an oracle’s prophecy, Caelym manages to find Annwr living in a hut on the grounds of a Christian convent. Annwr has spent her years of captivity caring for the timid Aleswina, an orphaned Saxon princess who was consigned…

  • Review: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Dangerous Damsels #1) by India Holton

    A historical romance with pirates, sassy ladies, dashing heroes, assassins, and all the tea? Ummm yes yes yes please! I needed little persuading when it came to reviewing this one. I was so excited for this hot new historical romance and I cracked my ARC open instantly! This one has been on so many top anticipated lists this summer and clearly it was also on mine! I am always looking for historical romances that have funny plots and snappy dialogues, not to mention charming heroes so this one sounded like a great place to start. But truth be told, I have been in a reading funk lately and I was…