Cozy Mysteries discussion

My review for Echoes of War by Tania Blanchard

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My 4 star review of The Runaway by Lisa Childs.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

There's plenty of mystery, atmosphere, and secrets to the first book of the Bane Island mystery series trilogy.

Right now I'm reading Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig. After that, I'm going to read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

I had to backtrack to an Inspector Gamache book I somehow missed:

The Beautiful Mystery

I'm totally getting into this one.

Carol wrote: "Right now I'm reading Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig. After that, I'm going to read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde."

I have Dorian Gray on my October list, as it is one of the Classics group’s choices for that month.

My review for Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It's now one month prior to publication date so I can post my review of Jingle Bell Wolf by Terry Spear. This is the second book in the Wolff Brothers paranormal romance series.

My 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

PamG wrote: "It's now one month prior to publication date so I can post my review of Jingle Bell Wolf by Terry Spear. This is the second boo..."

Thanks, Pam! I have not read any of Spear’s books, but have a friend who loves them, so have sent her this info. Made her day!

Heather L wrote: "PamG wrote: "It's now one month prior to publication date so I can post my review of Jingle Bell Wolf by Terry Spear. This is the second boo..."

Thanks, Pam! I have..."

You're welcome! I'm always happy to share fantastic reads with others.

Have finished three books today —

* Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman — Christmas-themed romance novella. Short and sweet (and a little steamy)

* Stellaluna by Janell Cannon — Because sometimes you need a good children’s story.

* The Misanthrope by Molière — A classic group read. Liked this much more than Flatland, finished the other day.

My review for Treasured Whispers by Kendall Talbot

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am reading Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber. Set in 1919 England. Very good series. Lots of discussion about a country recovering from WWI

My review for Daughter of the Hunter Valley by Paula J. Beavan

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for Wandi by Favel Parrett

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have a few homeschool kids (along with homeschooling my 5th grader) coming into my library this year (I usually don't get any kids because of the hours- they go to the main branch library), so I have been reading a lot of middle grade books. I am currently reading The Land of Flowers . The Geronimo and Thea Stilton series are both fun reads for 1st-4th graders. The colors pop on the pages and the stories are always full of fun adventures.

My review for Darjeeling Inheritance by Liz Harris

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence by Jean Gill

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for Deadly Cross by James Patterson

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

finished rereading The Courtship and started The Scottish Bride by Catherine Coulter will be donating both books. My taste has somewhat changed over the years.

Finished two more books this month: Naughty but Nice by Donna Kauffman and Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. The former was book three in the Hamilton series, a trilogy of Christmas novellas. The latter was an enjoyable adventure classic. Definitely my favorite of the four books by Verne that I have read, and can’t believe it took me this long to get round to it. It kept me up late last night turning the pages.

My review for The Fault Between Us by Bette Lee Crosby

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished These Deadly Games by Diana Urban. This is a standalone YA psychological thriller that is suspenseful, shocking, and pulls on your heart strings with a high stakes and twisty story line.

My 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Heather L wrote: "Finished two more books this month: Naughty but Nice by Donna Kauffman and Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. The former was book three in the Hamilton ser..."

Jan over at Wanderlust Challenges created a great challenge a little while back based on Around the World in Eighty Days. I have the book sitting on....where else...the mountain.

I just finished another great Inspector Gamache, A Great Reckoning.

I'm currently listening to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Meg — I was intrigued and went in search of the challenge you mentioned. Looks like a fun and interesting one, though tons of spoilers for anyone who has not yet read Around the World in Eighty Days. Time for you to unearth it from Mount TBR! 😉

Heather L wrote: "Meg — I was intrigued and went in search of the challenge you mentioned. Looks like a fun and interesting one, though tons of spoilers for anyone who has not yet read [book:Around the World in Eigh..."

Jan comes up with really interesting (and informational) travel-related challenges. I did wonder about the spoilers, and yet I've seen a related movie so it was okay with me. The two things really made me want to read the book, actually. I'll push it up higher!

Maybe it will fit a challenge for next year’s Popsugar! Guess we’ll know in a couple months. 😀

Heather L wrote: "Maybe it will fit a challenge for next year’s Popsugar! Guess we’ll know in a couple months. 😀"

Great minds and all that! 😆 With both of us sending that thought out to the universe it might just happen!

Ya never know! 😀

My review for The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Was up late last night finishing There There by Tommy Orange. I can honestly say that, had it not been for this year’s Popsugar challenge and a recommendation by people in that group, I would never have even looked at this book twice when I saw it in a neighborhood LFL — and I would have missed a powerful read. The last 20-30 pages tore me up, and made me want to know what happened after.

I started reading this last Thursday, during Banned Books Week, but was surprised I could find no reports or articles about it being challenged. This is just the sort of book narrow-minded individuals usually go after, without reading it, as it hits the top four “reasons” people try to ban books: drugs, alcohol, sex, and violence — not to mention the language and the fact it’s by an Indigenous author. Too many communities or school districts seem to be targeting BIPOC and LGBTQ authors lately. If you are interested in reading “Own Voices” books, I would definitely recommend this one.

Heather L wrote: "Finished two more books this month: Naughty but Nice by Donna Kauffman and Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. The former was book three in the Hamilton ser..."

Around the Word in Eighty Days is my favorite book. I read it at least once a year.

Now that my review publishing requirements have been met, I can post it here. I finished a crime thriller / police procedural that was shocking, suspenseful, and heartbreaking at times.
Lethal Game by Charlie Gallagher.

My 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Hunted by Lisa Childs. this is the second book in the Bane Island Trilogy. It was was suspenseful and entertaining, and has plenty of action and drama. I found the writing style relatable, and vivid.

My 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman this afternoon and loved it. It was interesting to see how the story was changed for the movie, which I also like.

Bit of a peeve, though — I had to change the “format” of the book read to an ebook as the jerks at Goodreads recently replaced my beautiful blue Berkley cover with the garish yellow Penguin reissue. Bastards! Not the first time they’ve made such an inexplicable decision. This was important in my case as I chose this blue cover for the Popsugar prompt of the “book in my TBR with the prettiest cover.” The yellow, in my opinion, would have been more suited for “ugliest cover.” (Both below) Why does GR do this crap?

My Berkley cover:
Garish Penguin cover:

It's not actually Goodreads Heather, it's the publisher (and author) when they frequently decided to change covers. I agree, I've had the same issue and I'm forever saying 'why do they need to change the cover?' At least the old cover is still there and we can use it, thankfully!!

My review for Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just started Queen of Bedlam by Laura Purcell historical fiction.

Tammy wrote: "Just started Queen of Bedlamby Laura Purcell historical fiction."

Purcell is an excellent writer. Looking forward to your thoughts when you finish it Tammy.

I am reading Double Down on Demons by Annabel Chase. It is a paranormal mystery. I am greatly enjoying it. Lets of weird paranormal characters and an interesting plot. Just what we need for the making of a good book.

I'm listening to A Conspiracy in Belgravia. I really enjoyed the first book in the series.

My review for Seeds of Deception by Linda Castillo

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I can now post my review of Day of the Wolf: A Steamy, Action-Packed Wolf Shifter Romance by Terry Spear. The author meshes paranormal romance and supernatural suspense in a sultry, steamy, and action packed novella in the Heart of the Wolf series set in and around Silver Town, Colorado.

My 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished reading Sunrise by the Sea by Jenny Colgan. Unfortunately, I only gave it two stars. I didn't enjoy it at all so I wouldn't recommend it although it has tons of 4 and 5 star reviews on here.

My review for Wrong Sort of Girl by Helen Bridgett

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I can now post my review of W. E. B. Griffin Rogue Asset by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson. Andrews and Wilson were asked to carry on W.E.B. Griffin's Presidential Agent series. Overall, this book was an action-filled, heart-pounding thriller that is entertaining, fast-paced, and thought-provoking. The high stakes made it a page turner.

My 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for Her Secret War by Pam Lecky

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan. It's a heartwarming, humorous, and appealing contemporary romance set in Harlow Beach, California. However it is more than your typical enemies to friends to lovers story. This novel is about all types of relationships.


My 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...