Review: The Lost and the Blind by Declan Burke

Hardcover, 240 pages

Expected publication: April 1st 2015 by Severn House Publishers ore details...     

ISBN :0727884646 (ISBN13: 9780727884640)


From Goodreads: 

This gripping Irish thriller is an intriguing new departure for comic noir writer Declan Burke."
A dying man, if he is any kind of man, will live beyond the law. The elderly German, Karl Uxkull, was senile or desperate for attention. Why else would he concoct a tale of Nazi atrocity on the remote island of Delphi, off the coast of Donegal? And why now, 60 years after the event, just when Irish-American billionaire Shay Govern has tendered for a prospecting licence for gold in Lough Swilly?
Journalist Tom Noone doesn t want to know. With his young daughter Emily to provide for, and a ghost-writing commission on Shay Govern s autobiography to deliver, the timing is all wrong. Besides, can it be mere coincidence that Karl Uxkull s tale bears a strong resemblance to the first thriller published by legendary spy novelist Sebastian Devereaux, the reclusive English author who has spent the past 50 years holed up on Delphi?
But when a body is discovered drowned, Tom and Emily find themselves running for their lives, in pursuit of the truth that is their only hope of survival.

 My thoughts: For a book that is billed as a thriller, this one just did not do it for me. That's almost strange because I love books set in Ireland and I love conspiracy theories. Nazi characters involvement in a story fascinate me for some bizarre reason. So, all told, this should have been right up my alley. Wrong!

I found the pace excruciatingly slow, the characters not well developed and the thriller bits were somewhat MIA. My attention kept wandering. This type of book should have had me spellbound and riveted to the pages. Sadly, that did not happen.

I hate to write a negative review but honesty is my primary goal This is just MY experience with the book, you however might love it. Sorry, but this one garners the "meh" 2** rating from me.

Declan Burke is a Goodreads author and can be found on his page here

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Severn House Publishers/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Murder Tightly Knit by Vannetta Chapman

 

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Published December 6th 2014 by HarperCollins Publishing

more details...

ASIN

B00IWW52H4   

From Goodreads:

"In a town where Amish and Englisch mingle every day, a grisly murder leads to mutual suspicion. Can Amber and Hannah find the killer before fear unravels the community . . . or he strikes again?

Even before she heard of Owen Esch’s death, Hannah Troyer knew something was amiss at The Cat’s Meow yarn shop. The store has been closing at odd times, the ever-dependable Mary isn’t always at her post . . . and an Englisch man h as been seen loitering around back.

Now, as leaves of brown, gold, and orange blanket Middlebury, Indiana, Owen lies dead on the Pumpkinvine Trail. The only clues to the murderer’s identity point in two very different directions—one of them leading right to The Cat’s Meow.

The police call in a federal investigator, but Hannah and Village manager Amber Bowman are in no mood to wait for them to figure out what they already know—that no one from the Amish Village could have killed Owen Esch.

Amber and Hannah will need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community."    

My thoughts: Even though my first love in reading is a good mystery, in the last few years I have become very enamored of Amish fiction. Mix the two together and you have a winner! One of the best writers of this genre is Vannetta Chapman. She does both equally well.


One mark of a good mystery writer is the inclusion of several viable suspects and Chapman is quite adept at this. Of her six mysteries I have read, all of them have enough red herrings and suspects to keep the reader guessing. Isn't this the fun of reading a whodunit?


Murder Tightly Knit is the second book in the series. Readers do not need to have read the first, although I would recommend it as it was a solid read. Either book can stand alone. A very enjoyable read earning the 4**** rating from me.


Vannetta Chapman is the author of numerous works of Christian fiction featuring members of the Amish community. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com or blog with her at http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/. She can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks...

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by HarperCollins/NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Wild Dark Flowers: a Novel of Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke

Paperback, 368 pages

Expected publication: July 1st 2014 by Berkley Trade

more details...

ISBN: 0425262596 (ISBN13: 9780425262597)

From Goodreads:

"When May came that year in Rutherford, it was more beautiful than anyone could ever remember. More beautiful, and more terrible…

From inside their sprawling estate of Rutherford Park, the Cavendish family had a privileged perspective of the world. On the first morning in May, 1915, with a splendid view that reached across the gardens to the Vale of York, nothing seemed lovelier or less threatening. And yet…

At the risk of undoing the Cavendish name with scandal, William and Octavia Cavendish have been living a lie, maintaining a marriage out of duty rather than passion. But when their son Harry joins the Royal Flying Corps in France, the Cavendish family are forced to face the unavoidable truths about themselves, the society in which they thrive, and the secrets they can no longer bear.

In the wake of a terrible war, the emotional shifts between a husband and a wife, a wife and her lover, and a mother and her children, will shake the very foundation of the Cavendish family, and change the uniquely vulnerable lives of all who reside at Rutherford Park."


My Thoughts:   

The Wild Dark Flowers: A Novel of Rutherford Park has been compared to Downton Abbey. This is an excellent comparison as Rutherford is set during the same interesting historical timeframe and is an in-depth look at life on a large English estate during WW1. With  rich  lush descriptions, a mesmerizing sense of place, The Wild Dark Flowers had me hooked from page 1.  Not just an intriguing character study but an eye opening social commentary on the changing times.

 War is a great leveler: it affected everyone  whether upstairs or downstairs, everyone has their story.
Cooke did a fabulous job of bringing her numerous characters to life and giving them a unique voice.

I loved the surprise ending and can't wait for the next book in the series Very enjoyable read. 4****

Even though this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

Elizabeth Cooke is a Goodreads author and can be found on her page. She can also be found on her webpage and on Facebook.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by The Penguin Group/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Promise by Robyn Carr

Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages

Expected publication: June 24th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA

more details...

ISBN: 0778316203 (ISBN13: 9780778316206)                

edition language: English

series: Thunder Point #5

From Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr returns to Thunder Point with an uplifting story about overcoming loss and finding unexpected love

Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it's time to move...more Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it's time to move on from his loss. But as the town's only doctor, the dating scene is awkward. That is, until a stunning physician's assistant applies for a job at his clinic.

Peyton Lacoumette considers herself entirely out of the dating scene. She's already been burned by a man with kids, and she's come to Thunder Point determined not to repeat past mistakes. When Scott offers her a job, at a much lower salary than she's used to, Peyton is surprisingly eager to accept…at least for now. She's willing to stay for a three-month trial period while she explores other options.

Scott and Peyton know the arrangement is temporary—it isn't enough time to build a real relationship, never mind anything with lasting commitment. But love can blossom faster than you think when the timing is right, and this short visit just might hold the promise of forever.   

My Thoughts:

Every book is this series is wonderful, the magic just keeps on happening. Robyn Carr can write a romance and stories of family like no one else. All her books are so enjoyable, I haven't found one yet that I didn't like. I just couldn't put this one down. It was so interesting to read of the Basque culture and I just loved all the characters. Okay, there was one or two I could have given a dummy slap to but the rest of the recurring characters was a nice catch-up with old friends.

Highly recommended for fans of romance, family stories and contemporary fiction. 5****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Harlequin MIRA/Netgalley  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Though Mountains Fall by Dale Cramer

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: January 1st 2013 by Bethany House Publishers

more details...

ISBN: 0764208403 (ISBN13: 9780764208409)

edition language: English

series: Daughters of Caleb Bender #3

Though Mountains Fall is the third in the Daughters of Caleb Bender Series. It is a little different from most Amish books due to the 1920's timeframe and Mexico setting.

The Bender family originally came from Ohio but when Caleb disagreed with the state's policy on public schools, he uprooted his family and relocated lock, stock and barrel to Paradise Valley, Mexico. Upon arrival, the Bender family found the weather temperate with a much longer growing season; good for crops and the mother's health. What they didn't know about Mexico is that after the revolution, bandits were roving the countryside and wreaking havoc with other inhabitants. With the Amish pacifist beliefs, they were an easy target for bandits. Their appeal to the Federales did not make the situation any better.

This final book in the series was beyond exciting and adventurous. There's kidnapping, murder, heartbreak, joy, questions of faith, family loyalty plus the resolution of forbidden love. Not only was this a great story of family but I learned a lot about Mexico's topography and history.  I loved it! 4****

I read the first two in the series and loved them. Either of them can be read as a stand-alone but I got so invested in the characters I just had to know what else was in store for them. This last book in the trilogy is a real winner; both heartbreaking, thrilling and heartwarming at the same time. These endearing characters are still resonating with me. 4****

Dale Cramer is a Goodreads author and can be found on his page.  Dale can also be found on his webpage and blog.


Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Bethany House/Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: Read and Buried by Erica Chase

 
Paperback, 304 pages

Published December 4th 2012 by Berkley

more details...ISBN: 0425251780 (ISBN13: 9780425251782)

edition language: English

While shopping at the Book Bin, Ashton Corners book-club member, Lizzie Turner, is introduced to author, Derek Alton, and is strong-armed into having Derek speak at the next book club meeting. Unfortunately, he is murdered ( in Lizzie's house, no less!) prior to the meeting.  Not giving any spoiler as to why he was there in the first place. The police chief and the book club wonder if Lizzie  was the intended victim but that idea is quickly scrapped when more facts come to light. Lizzie and the book club members try to figure out who was out to eliminate Derek and why.


I really like this series on many levels; the characters are diverse and very likeable, the mystery is well plotted with enough suspects and credible motives
to keep the reader guessing. Just the way I like cozies! Although this is the second book in the series, it can stand alone easily. 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion

Through the generosity of Berkley, I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is December 28th at 5 PM (est).

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline. Leave me a link, please.

If no e-mail address is included in comment, I will assume you DO NOT want to be entered in the giveaway.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Read and Buried in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

.

Review Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

Paperback, Original, 288 pages
Expected publication: January 15th 2013 by Gallery Books
ISBN: 1451698984 (ISBN13: 9781451698985)
edition language: English
series: Summerset Abbey #1



Basically, Summerset Abbey revolves around two sisters, Rowena and Victoria Buxton, and their "sister" Prudence Tate who has been brought up right alongside them by Sir Philip. Not a Buxton by birth but the daughter of their late governess, Prudence has had the same privileged but somewhat unconventional lifestyle as Rowena and Victoria and the two sisters think of  Prudence as another sister. This all changes after Sir Philip's death.

Forced to move to Summerset Abbey by their uncle, the two girls are now separated from Prudence as the Earl of Summerset views her solely as a maid. Prudence now has to live downstairs with the other servants and has a very tough time adjusting.

Although the times are slowly changing, Aunt Charlotte is still dedicated to the more conventional societal mores and wants only to find socially acceptable husbands for Rowena and Victoria. In 1913 this is just about the only option for young ladies from titled families. The two sisters have other ideas as neither one of them is even remotely interested in marriage. So they say.

The characterizations are fairly well done. I had somewhat of an emotional reaction to all of them; Rowena I just wanted to tell her to get a grip, Prudence was probably my favorite and I felt sorry for Victoria with her poor health and her distress at their situation. Even having said all this, the book lacked real substance.

Summerset Abbey gave voice to all three women but  focused more on Prudence and constantly hinted at her family secret. It was pretty transparent to me from the get-go what that was all about. No surprise there, just a lot of melodrama!

Upon seeing the cover for this one and thinking it sounded a lot like the Downton Abbey production, I was expecting great things; maybe too much expectation. Wanting lush descriptions and more of a grand scale family saga I was a tad disappointed there wasn't more substance to the plot. I realize this is the first book in the trilogy and the author is setting the scene and letting the reader get to know the characters but still, the ending for one character didn't seem to fit and it was too much of an unsuspected cliffhanger. I liked it, but, alas, I wanted to love it. 3***

At the end of the book, there is a short excerpt from the second in the series,  plus a discussion guide for this book.


Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Gallery /Netgalley  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: Written in Stone by Ellery Adams

Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: November 6th 2012 by Berkeley

more details...

ISBN: 042525173X (ISBN13: 9780425251737)

edition language: English

series: A Books By The Bay Mystery #4

From the publisher:

When Munin Cooper, known as the Witch of Oyster Bay, warns Olivia Limoges that death is coming, neither of them realize that it is the older woman herself who will soon be found dead. And Olivia’s instincts tell her that something—or someone—more sinister than a mystical force is at play… Olivia has a lot on her plate preparing for the Coastal Carolina Food Festival. When she hears the news of Munin’s untimely death, however, finding the murderer takes priority. The witch left behind a memory jug full of keepsakes that Olivia knows must point to the killer—but she’s got to figure out what they mean. With handsome Police Chief Rawlings by her side, Olivia starts to identify some of the jug’s mysterious contents—and finds its secrets are much darker than she suspected. Now Olivia must enlist the help of the Bayside Book Writers to solve the puzzle behind the piece of pottery and put an end to a vengeful killer before any more damage can be done…

 

My thoughts: When I read the first book in this series, A Killer Plot, I thought Olivia was cold and had a few hard edges to her but I was wrong.  In the last three books, Adams has fleshed out Olivia's character so much that now I can easily see what was there all the time; her vulnerability and caring heart underneath what was at first a stand-offish appearance. I love the way Adams has shown growth in Olivia with her being more comfortable in her own skin. Part of this is due to finding her place among Oyster Bay and the writers who have become her dear friends and sometimes fellow sleuths as she solves mysteries in the area. Olivia's emotional softening can also be attributed to her growing love for Chief Rawlings. The Chief is a fabulous character in his own right.

As far as the mystery is concerned, it is well done. Adams had me stumped as to the perpertrator's identity. One other thing I like about this series is how Adams takes historical facts or events and builds an intelligent plot around it. In this case it is the 1958 Battle of Hayes Pond and the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina. This series just keeps getting better and better. I'm really looking forward to Poisoned Prose, the next one in the series. 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the generosity of Berkley, I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is November 25th at 5 PM (est).

If no e-mail address is included in comment, I will assume you DO NOT want to be entered in the giveaway.

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline. Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Written in Stone in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review & Giveaway: Arsenic and Old Cake by Jacklyn Brady

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: November 6th 2012 by Berkley

more details...

ISBN: 0425251721 (ISBN13: 9780425251720)

edition language: English

series: A Piece of Cake Mystery #3

From the publisher:

Blind man’s bluff With business going stale at Zydeco Cakes, Rita Lucero has plenty to worry about. But when the blind trumpet player Old Dog Leg Magee asks for a favor, she can’t say no. His brother Monroe disappeared forty years ago, and now someone has shown up claiming to be him. Old Dog Leg needs Rita to be his eyes—and see if it’s really his brother. The Twisted Palms Bed and Breakfast is full of unsavory characters, Monroe included. Posing as newlyweds, Rita and her friend Gabriel check in, only to discover that Monroe’s true identity isn’t the only mystery they’ll have to solve. When another guest at the Twisted Palms turns up dead, it seems the mysterious man might also be a murderer...

My thoughts: The first two books in this series were really good. I like the setting of New Orleans as Brady does a good job with sense of place. This third one I didn't get that place feeling, the story could have been set anywhere.

As for the mystery part, that was well done; I never guessed who did it but, and occasionally there is a But . . . . . the whole premise of how Rita got sucked into this in the first place felt off to me. Improbable? Unlikely? Highly. I hope the next one goes back to a mystery at the bakery or more of the bakery characters in the story line.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the generosity of Berkley, I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is November 16th at 5 PM (est).

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline. Leave me a link, please.

If no e-mail address is included in comment, I will assume you DO NOT want to be entered in the giveaway.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Arsenic and Old Cake in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review : Nightshade on Elm Street by Kate Collins

Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: November 6th 2012 by Signet

ISBN: 0451238508 (ISBN13: 9780451238504)

edition language:English

series: A Flower Shop Mystery #13

From the publisher:

 In addition to running her flower shop, planning her wedding, and juggling two mothers who both want to host an elaborate bridal shower, Abby Knight is facing another complication. Her ditzy cousin Jillian asks her and her longtime beau, Marco, a private detective, to find a woman who’s gone missing from the exclusive beach house belonging to Jillian’s in-laws, the Osbornes. The missing woman is also the fiancée of Pryce Osborne, a wet noodle with a big bank account who dumped Abby just before their wedding several years ago. Merely being anywhere near Pryce makes Abby’s insecurities grow like kudzu….

Then a woman’s drowned body surfaces, and Pryce becomes a prime suspect in her death. Unless Abby and Marco can get a killer to come clean, their bridal shower will turn into a complete washout...and Pryce will be exchanging a sunny beach for a prison cell.

My thoughts: Each book in the Flower Shop series is always fun! I like the way Ms. Collins mixes up her characters; some are quirky and a real hoot, some are downright pretentious and some are a lot more lovable and sensible than others. It's a nice balance. 

This mystery started out well and then there was a real twist not too far into the story. I like that when a mystery author throws in something a little unexpected while still maintaining a well paced plot. You know how I insist on there being real suspects with credible motives. Don't worry on that score. Ms. Collins has all those bases covered BUT I did have one quibble with the story. A quibble that costs the rating a 1/2*. I'm not a fan of the plot when the protagonist does what I term "a stupid thing" such as getting an anonymous note telling them to meet at a deserted location at night. No, no no! I want to shout, "Don't go" or "don't be stupid" but yet in this case, Abby went where she was told. Arrrgh.

It did all end well and the big reveal made sense but still I'm giving the book 3.5*. I've read almost every one in the series and they still feel fresh to me. The characters have been allowed to grow and that makes them feel more real to me.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by the author, Kate Collins, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr

ebook, 314 pages
Expected publication: October 23rd 2012 by Harlequin MIRA
ISBN13
9781459244375
edition language
English
series
Virgin River #20


In My Kind of Christmas we meet 23 year old Angie LeCroix whose recent accident has left her restless and indecisive. With her mother hovering over her and constantly urging her to get back to medical school, Angie decides she needs to get away, be alone, and think. Besides, she's not convinced she even wants to return to medical school. Where does she go? Virgin River, of course! Her Uncle Jack is not quite as protective as her mother but almost. At least he's willing to give her a little space.

Patrick Riordan, the youngest of the Riordan brothers, is also in Virgin River, where he has his own personal crisis going on. He's suffered a severe loss as a Navy pilot and is on leave for six weeks. He just wants peace, quiet and some alone time to re-think his own life and career path. The last thing he's looking for is a new commitment.

Yup, you guessed it! Patrick and Angie spot each other in Jack's bar and the sparks fly across the room. Against admonishing from both families and their own better judgement, Patrick and Angie become a twosome for the holiday season with the understanding that it is only for a few weeks and then life will go on.

Separately.

Uh, huh, Patrick and Angie. Keep telling yourselves that.

Romance stories are not usually my first reading choice but when it comes to Robyn Carr, I make an exception. I just happened to win one of the books from the Virgin River series and have not looked back. Every new one I read, I enjoy tremendously. Carr manages to grab my heart every time with her characters and the plot line.


I love this series. Even after 20 books, it still feels fresh. Carr has created a community filled with interesting and caring characters who feel so real to me. The sense of place is well done and the love stories are truly romantic; nothing over the top. I can picture all their homes and family in my mind. Even though some of the plot is predictable, it doesn't matter. It's the quality time spent in this wonderful community with it's own traditions. I'd love to spend Christmas in Virgin River!  4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Harlequin Mira/Netgalley  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: November 1st 2012 by Kensington Publishing Corp.

more details...ISBN: 0758268661 (ISBN13: 9780758268662)

edition language : English

It's always a treat to read Terri DuLong's latest book from Cedar Key, Florida. This year was no different. It's like visiting with long time friends and catching up with what has been going on in this wonderful and caring community.

In Terri's last book we briefly met Berkley Whitmore as she considered opening a chocolate shop on the island. Now, she has moved there, opened her shop and is settling in nicely to the rhythmn of island life.

But Berkley has not just come here from New England for warm weather and business purposes. She has a personal mission to fulfill. Forty years ago, her late mother came to Cedar Key leaving 5 year old Berkley with her grandmother. No explanation was ever given from grandmother or mother. Berkley always felt as if her mother had deserted her and all these years it has weighed heavily on her heart and mind.

After her mother passed away, Berkley found some old postcards that her mother had sent to her grandmother from Cedar Key. The messages were short and not too informative. Berkley hopes that someone from the island will remember her mom and give her some insight as to what really happened. Although it takes a while, Berkley manages to find someone who does remember her mother and is shocked when she finds out the truth. Although her journey is an emotional one, it does end rather happily.

In every one of Terri's books, she involves a women's issue in the plot; this time it was domestic violence. What I really enjoy about this series, aside from the engaging plot lines, is the feeling of belonging to a caring community, the power of family, love, friendships and strong women. I've read every one in the series and enjoyed them all. Each book can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading from the beginning. You'll be glad you did. The wonderful inhabitants of Cedar Key will become your friends. 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by the author, Terri DuLong, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown

Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2012 by Berkley
ISBN:9780425251607)
edition language: English

From the publisher:

There’s always something to gossip about in Savannah, Georgia, and Reagan Summerside always seems to be in the middle of it. She’s busy enough running her consignment shop, The Prissy Fox, with her vivacious Auntie KiKi, but now the gossip—and the sales—are about to pick up after a gruesome discovery…

Reagan’s messy divorce has left her with nothing but a run-down Victorian and a bunch of designer clothes. Strapped for cash, Reagan makes use of the two things she has left, turning the first floor of her home into a consignment shop and filling it with the remnants of her rich-wife wardrobe.

Thanks to his cunning lawyer Walker Boone, her ex got everything else, including the Lexus—not to mention a young blond cupcake. When Reagan finds the cupcake dead in the Lexus, she’s determined to beat Boone to finding the murderer. As it turns out, the gossip fiends flooding Reagan’s shop will give her a lot more than just their unwanted clothes—they have information more precious than a vintage Louis Vuitton…

 

Show Less

My thoughts: So many new series this year.  This is one of the really good ones! I enjoyed the Savannah setting and the main characters immensely. Zany Aunt Kiki was a total hoot. I wish I had an aunt who was so much fun. She and Reagan made a good team in trying to figure out who murdered Reagan's ex-hubby's "cupcake". Aunt Kiki and Reagan knew that he would not have been so stupid as to murder her and then just leave her in the trunk of his Lexus. Between trying to stay alive financially and starting a new business, Reagan , along with her Aunt Kiki must try to figure out how to prove her ex is innocent.
Now, this is what a cozy should be; a fun read with several suspects and believable motives. I recently reviewed a cozy without any of these must-have elements and it was a tedious read, but Iced Chiffon was right up there with all the elements that make for a delightful reading experience. Although I did figure out the culprit ( more just a matter of a lucky guess) it didn't take away from this well paced mystery. Great job, Ms. Brown! Looking forward to the next one in the series. 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Through the generosity of Berkley I have one copy for giveaway, open to US only and the deadline to enter is October 16th at 5 PM (est).

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline.  Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Iced Chiffon in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review: The Heart's Journey by Barbara Cameron

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: October 1st 2012 by Abingdon Press

ISBN: 1426714335 (ISBN13: 9781426714337)

edition language : English

Set in Paradise, PA and Pinecraft, FL, The Heart's Journey highlights Naomi's story. She's engaged to John but it seems as though her heart is not fully convinced this is the right move for her. She has doubts; sometimes he makes her uncomfortable with his constant checking up on her and his insistence that things be done his way. What Naomi first thought was charm now feels like manipulation. Cameron had John so well fleshed out, he even gave me the creeps!  Run, Naomi, and don't look back would be my advice.

Naomi's grandmother, Leah, knows something is wrong and so she and Naomi head down to the Amish community of Pinecraft, FL to visit relatives. Their Englisch driver, Nick, is a friend but he begins to think he might like more than friendship. Much to Naomi's chagrin, she begins to feel something for Nick in return. Can this Amish girl and this Englisch man ever have a future together? What do they do about their different beliefs? You'll just have to read the book and see!

Cameron's books seem to have a lot more depth to them compared to some other Amish fiction I've read, exploring women's issues common to Amish and Englisch alike. In The Heart's Journey, Cameron incorporates into her story the theme of domestic abuse/violence and does it extremely well. The characters are very relatable and I liked both settings. The author also incorporates themes of family, the power of love and self esteem. I've read The Quilts of Lancaster County series and enjoyed all three books.

The Heart's Journey is book # 2 in the Stitches in Time series and can be read as a stand-alone. 4****

Barbara Camerson can be found at her website.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Netgalley/Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: Wall to Wall Dead by Jennie Bentley

Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: September 4th 2012 by Berkeley

ISBN: 0425255565 (ISBN13: 9780425255568)

edition language: English

series: A Do-It-Yourself Mystery #6

From the publisher:

Avery and her fiancé Derek are fixing up a cute little condo in homey Waterfield, Maine, hoping for a quick turnaround and some extra money for their wedding. It seems like a simple project, and Avery is looking forward to using her big-city experience with small spaces.

But they didn't expect to have their every move watched by the resident busybody in the condo: Hilda Shaw, who loves snooping on everyone's comings and goings. When the busybody becomes a dead body, Avery suspects foul play. Soon she's doing some snooping of her own, and it seems everyone in the complex has a secret. Could one of them be worth killing for? Avery needs to work fast, before someone decides to fix her - for good.

My thoughts:  Lots of good things going on in this one; plenty of suspects with viable motives (a must have in a cozy as far as I'm concerned), good pacing, mostly realistic dialogue, great setting and a satisfying ending. The relationships between the characters felt real to me. My only quibble is at times Avery did some "stupid" things like chasing a suspect (more than once!) in her very recognizable beetle. How dumb is that? Otherwise, this was a fun read.

I forgot this was book #6 in the series and it didn't matter at all because it is truly a stand-alone mystery. There were references to other incidents in Avery and Derek's life but it didn't feel repetitive or bog down the present story at all. Overall, I would go back and read the ones in the series I missed. Some decorating tips are included at end of book.  3.5*

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

To celebrate this week's release, I have one copy of Wall to Wall Dead for giveaway. Open to US only. Deadline to enter is September 15th at 5 PM (est)

Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Valid only if posted at least 2 days before deadline.  Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment, you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Wall to Wall Dead  in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good Luck!

Review: Material Witness by Vanetta Chapman

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: September 4th 2012 by Zondervan

ISBN: 0310330459 (ISBN13: 9780310330455)

edition language : English

series : Shipshewana Amish Mystery #3

In Material Witness, Vannetta Chapman reunites her Amish characters, Deborah, Melinda and Esther with their Englishcher friend, Callie, owner of Daisy's quilt shop. Once again, the four friends have a mystery to solve during the Fall Festival, one of Shipshewana's busiest weekends.

Wheelchair-bound Aaron, Melinda's son, along with Callie's dog, Max, witness a murder just before dusk right outside the quilt shop. Unfortunately, the murderer sees Aaron and Max watching him. The four friends, Aaron and his siblings and Callie's romantic interest, investigator Shane Black, try to figure out who the murderer is and if indeed the murderer got his target or was it a case of mistaken identity. Callie may have been the intended victim. It takes a lot of doing but the kids are the ultimate catalyst in solving the mystery.

In her latest, Chapman continues the subplot of romance between Callie and investigator Shane Black. Both Shane and Callie have had some real hurt in their lives but have finally opened up their hearts to love again. The mystery takes center stage in the story but the friendship of the four women and the romance thread adds to the dimension of the story.

Several things I really like about Chapman's writing; the reader can truly feel a sense of place and the characters are well fleshed out with an authentic voice. I like the respect the Amish and the Englischers have for each other in this series. Chapman handles the disabled Aaron's storyline with much sensitivity. The friendship between the four women feels very real to me as do the relationships between husband and wife and parents and children.

 Material Witness can easily be read as a stand-alone as the author fills in enough backstory so that the reader is not left missing anything. I did happen to read the first book in the series, truly enjoyed it and look forward to the next one!

Vannetta Chapman can be found at her website  and at her facebook page.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided byNetgalley/Zondervan in exchange for my honest opinion.

Waiting on Wednesday: Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: October 30th 2012 by Kensington

ISBN:97807582686

62

From the publisher:

In this poignant novel set amid the close-knit residents of Cedar Key, Florida, New York Times bestselling author Terri DuLong creates a story of old wounds healed--and bright new beginnings . . .

Everyone has been eagerly awaiting the opening of Cedar Key's newest shop, Berkley's Chocolates & Gems. For Berkley Whitmore, moving to the peaceful Florida island is more than a business opportunity. Beneath the bright purple streak in her dark hair lies a woman struggling with self-doubt. In Cedar Key, Berkley hopes to uncover the secrets that rippled through her mother's life, and in time, perhaps fill the gaps in her own.
Berkley's mouthwatering truffles and quirky charm soon draw a wide circle of friends--including the knitting enthusiasts who purchase yarn spun from her two alpacas. To her surprise, Berkley also attracts the admiration of Saxton Tate III, an English mystery author. And with the help of an old-timer local, she begins to piece together the truth about her mother and estranged father. Understanding the past brings a glimpse of what her future could be--if she accepts the love borne on the soft island breeze, and the happiness she's been seeking for so long . . .


Is this not one of the most compelling covers you've seen in a long time? I love this series, not just because I live near Cedar Key, but because the stories draw me in completely. The characters in this series are so real to me, down to earth and heartwarming, just like the author herself.  I was privileged and thrilled to meet Terri in person when she spoke at our local library. Her characters have a lot of her heart and soul in them.

I've reviewed two of Terri's books, Casting About and Sunrise on Cedar Key in the past and really enjoyed them. I'm so looking forward to Postcards from Cedar Key and catching up with all my friends from the island.

Review: The Shadow Queen by Rebecca Dean

Paperback, 448 pages

Expected publication: August 14th 2012 by Broadway (first published May 10th 2012)

more details...

ISBN

0767930576 (ISBN13: 9780767930574)

edition language

English

From the publisher:

When debutante Wallis Simpson is growing up, she devotes her teenage daydreams to one man, the future King of England, Prince Edward. But it's Pamela Holtby, Wallis's aristocratic best friend, who mixes within the palace circle. Wallis's first marriage to a dashing young naval pilot is not what she dreamt of; he turns out to be a dominating bully of a man, who punishes her relentlessly. But her fated marriage does open a suprising door, to the world of Navy couriers – where navy wives are being used to transport messages around the world. This interesting turn of fate takes Wallis from the exuberant social scene in Washington to a China that is just emerging from civil war. Edward in the meantime is busy fulfilling his royal duties – and some extra-curricular ones involving married women. Until the day, just before he ascends the throne as Edward VIII, he is introduced to a very special married woman, Wallis Simpson.

Was Wallis Simpson really the monster the royal family perported her to be? Or was she an extraordinary woman who led an unimaginable life? A dramatic novel, that crosses continents and provides a unique insight into one of history’s most charismatic and multi-faceted women.

My thoughts:  The Shadow Queen  weaves fiction and fact together to present Wallis's life up to 1931. It was not until January of 1936 that Prince Edward succeeded his father to the throne and then abdicated in December of the same year. Dean's story explains how Wallis even got into these exalted circles after becoming friends at a young age with Pamela Denby, a young British aristocrat. Pamela would become both best friend and almost an enemy at different points in Wallis's life.

I'm not too sure I would call Wallis charismatic but obviously she had some kind of charm to get as far as she did. In the book, to me, she came across as snobbish, manipulative and always had her eye to the main chance. From all the things I've read about her and Prince Edward, frankly, I don't think I would have liked them in real life.

The most interesting part of the book was the time frame and Dean did a wonderful job of bringing that alive.
From good times with debutante balls to an abusive marriage through war time, Dean covers it all with expertise, perfectly setting the tone of the day. I had no idea Wallis was once a courier for the Navy and ended up in Shanghai. I found all these historical bits intriguing.

There has been a lot of questions about Wallis's sexuality. Why? I don't know but be sure to read the author's note on this. Although I could put the book down easily,  it's still an enjoyable and enlightening read. 3***

Rebecca Dean is also the author of Palace Circle ( a book I just loved) and The Golden Prince.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Henry Holt  in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review & Giveaway: Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams

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Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: July 2012 by Berkley Publishing Group

more details...ISBN: 0425251403 (ISBN13: 9780425251409)

edition language ; English

series ; A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery #1

When 32 year old Ella Mae LeFaye Kitteridge catches her hubby in flagrante delicto in the elevator, with twins no less, she decides she wants out. Sooner rather than later. Where to go?

She hightails it back to Havenwood, Georgia to her childhood home.  In times of stress, Ella Mae overdoes it on her favorite occupation; baking pies! When her beloved three aunts,her mother and her mother's housekeeper, eat her pie and all have the same reaction, they figure out the pie makes whoever is eating it feel the same way that Ella Mae did while she was baking it. It's as if Ella Mae can magically imbue  her pies with her own emotions.

Ella Mae's mom and her three aunts decide Ella Mae should open her own pie shoppe so they become silent partners and make a bid on a local shop. Unfortunately, her childhood nemesis, Loralyn Gaynor wants the same piece of real estate for another one of her nail salons. Ella Mae discovers after an untimely screaming match run-in with Loralyn, that she is still as nasty as she was way back when. Too bad that Dr. Knox happened to be present during her outburst to Loralyn. So, when Loralyn's fiancé, local vet Dr. Brad Knox, is found murdered in one of Loralyn's nail salons, the finger of blame points to Ella Mae. Somehow her marble rolling pin is found beside the victim.

Seemingly, the horse vet had no enemies, so is someone setting up Ella Mae or is there some hidden agenda going on? There are some funny rumors going around the horsebreeding community. After all, Loralyn couldn't possibly be in love with the 70 year old vet, could she? It might just be another one of her "marry for money" schemes.

With law enforcement breathing down her neck, Ella Mae knows if she wants to keep baking, she needs to find the real killer to clear her own name. It's the only way she can keep her shoppe in business. No one else has her magic touch with piecrust!

Absolutely magical! I was definitely charmed with this new series. The characters come alive on the page and are downright endearing. Well, except for Loralyn, or course. She makes the perfect villain. Every good cozy needs one!

 If you like the magical elements of Sarah Addison Allen's books or Bailey Cates's Brownies and Broomsticks, you may very well like this one. Besides that, it's a darn good  mystery!

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Due to the ever so generous Berkley, I am able to offer a giveaway of one copy of this book. Open to US only. Be sure to leave an e mail address in your comment. Deadline to enter is July 20th at 5 PM (est). Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with Pies and Prejudice in the subject line. Include your name and e mail and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

Review: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway

Hardcover, 368 pages

Expected publication: August 2nd 2012 by Putnam Adult

more details...

ISBN: 0399157751 (ISBN13: 9780399157752)

edition language: English

From the publisher:

Thirty-six-year-old Gal Garner lives a regimented life. Her job teaching biology and her struggle with kidney disease keep her toggling between the high school, the hospital, and her home on a strict schedule.
Only at home, in her garden, does Gal come alive. It's here that she experiments with Hulthemia roses, painstakingly cross-pollinating various specimens in the hopes of creating a brand-new variation of spectacular beauty. But even her passion has a highly structured goal: Gal wants to win Queen of Show in a major competition and bring that rose to market.
Then one afternoon Gal's teenaged niece Riley, the daughter of her estranged sister, arrives. Unannounced. Neither one of them will ever be the same.

Filled with gorgeous details of the art of rose breeding, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns is a testament to the redemptive power of love.

My thoughts:  First, let me say I loved Dilloway's How to be an American Housewife.  It was one of last year's few 5* reads so I was really looking forward to Dilloway's latest. The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns started out slowly for me with what felt like too much info on kidney disease, dialysis and breeding roses but then it seems like something magical happened and I  really got into the storyline.

Gal, who I didn't like very much at first, but I did feel like I understood her, became much more likeable once I saw through her prickly exterior to her vulnerability underneath.Gal's life is dictated by her kidney disease and her dialysis schedule. Every other night she has to sleep in the hospital while having dialysis. Even her diet is ruled by her kidneys. Being a biology teacher in a private school is her livelihood but breeding roses is her passion. It's the one way she has some control over things in her life.

"Difficult and obstinate. Thriving under a set of specific and limited conditions. That pretty much describes me. Maybe that's why I like roses so much."

Being somewhat of a loner is one of her traits along with liking things her way. She's not big into compromise or even seeing the other side of things until the day her niece, Riley, shows up at school.
Maybe Gal's no-nonsense approach to life will be just what Riley, who is used to doing just as she wants, needs.

It figures, Gal thinks, that her sister Becky would just send her kid to stay with Gal without even asking her if it were okay. Becky, of whom, Gal does not approve has always been the irresponsible one, the impulsive one, not much of a mother, a drinker and a drug user. None of these things meet with Gal's liking at all. But that's all about to change after this one summer with Riley's unexpected and at first a little unwelcomed stay with her aunt.

 Dilloway brings her characters to life while exploring family dynamics, the power of forgiveness, self esteem, understanding, hope and love. I grew very fond of all these characters including Becky. I began to wonder if Becky acted out of insecurity unsure of her parents love, jealousy of all the attention Gal received or just plain mischievousness. Even the rose breeding parts became interesting. 4****

This would make a wonderful book club selection as I think there are many family issues that could be discussed.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Putnam/LT  in exchange for my honest opinion.