Linda

I received an ARC of this novel and would like to say thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley. This was an amazing 5 star read!

Maddie is living with her Aunt Ruthie and her daughter Lyla. Her husband Adey disappeared into the night 7 years ago and is presumed to be dead. Ruthie is a senior citizen and need Maddie to be her caregiver as she has problems with her sight and her breathing.

One night a man shows up at the door and wants to talk to Ruthie. He was adopted by a man that Ruthie had a long time affair with and when he died, the family found all of these love letters from Ruthie.

The story continues with how this affects both families and the connection between them.

This was a lovely story with wonderfully complex characters and storylines. Since it takes place around Christmas there are also lots of lovely Christmasy feels in it as you discover all the Christmas traditions in this quaint village.

I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Sir Hardy Amies was an interesting man who led an accomplished life. The book goes from his childhood until he passes away at age 93. He served in WWII as an intelligence officer and then opened his own fashion house and eventually chose clothes suitable for Queen Elizabeth II. He spent time with many famous celebrities and people of influence.

As a gay man his time in the forces and even afterwards were spent hiding that part of himself in some ways. The armed forces at that time was under a “don't ask, don't tell” mentality.

The parts about working for the Queen were very interesting. I only wish there were more of them. I thought from the front cover, that it would be a large part of the book, and I didn't feel it was.

I also felt the author referenced Sir Hardy Amies own books far too frequently when looking for a quote or trying to make a point. Perhaps I was just not the target audience for the book. I think people interested in fashion design and the historical aspects of it, as well as people living in the UK who may know of his designs, would really enjoy this indept look at the SOE Hero. For me, however, it fell a little flat.

When Fred (Winifred) Page goes to Estes Park to take possession of a taxidermy shop, she gets more than she bargained for. Her mother and stepfather owned the shop, but when the person renting it dies, they ask Fred if she wants to move home and turn it into a book store.

She and her corgi, Watson, arrive in town and after speaking with some neighbours, and getting Watson a dog cookie, they check out the shop. Fred is thrilled that it appears all of the taxidermied animals have been removed, but when she goes upstairs she discovers another problem, a dead body in the kitchen.

This story has some great characters and quirky small town vibes.

I absolutely loved this book. It's about a disabled pet boutique owner named Josie who is attending a music festival when one of the band members is murdered. Her grandfather used to be a PI, so she channels some of that energy to help her solve the murder. This is a novella so it is shorter than a regular cozy, just to get you used to the characters. The characters are interesting and well rounded and I loved having a disabled main character. She gets around on her orange mobility scooter and also walks with a cane. I thought that aspect was very well done and believable.

The vampire aspect of the story is also fun and instead of swearing they say things like, “Fang Off” which gives me a chuckle. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Patti Davis and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

I enjoyed this book so much. I went into it not really knowing what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised. It's really not a book about politics and a political family, as much as it's a book about a dysfunctional family and trying to heal and break that cycle.

Patti Davis is an incredible writer and writes from her heart. Both her parents Nancy Reagan(Davis) and the former President Ronald Reagan have passed away. With all families though, what your parents have told you and how they have treated you, stays with you even after they are gone.

This is her story about feeling like an outsider in her own family. A family that never communicated and never faced up to anything difficult. If you come from a dysfunctional family (or even if you don't) this is a great read. I underlined whole paragraphs in the book and really felt that she had a lot of great insight and wisdom to pass on.

In her 70's now, Patti Davis has come to terms with much of her childhood and has reached an understanding about why her parents were the way they were. Fascinating book and so well written. I can't recommend it enough, no matter what your politics are.

Thank you to Book Sirens, the author and publisher for a copy of this book for free. This is my honest voluntary review.

I wasn't sure when I started this book that I would care for it as I'm not a big fan of historical mysteries, but I've changed my mind. This book was incredible. I really felt for the main character Jax as he always tried to do what he thought was the right thing. It didn't always work out and when he ends up with a dog as his new sidekick, it's the sweetest relationship.

The dog (Ace) really adds to the book in a good way and isn't just there to have a dog in the book. He's smart and resourceful and just the type of pet (or partner) that Jax needs.

I felt so connected to them and to their friends Max and Carla. It really made the book feel cozy to have such interesting characters and I can't wait now to read the next book in the series.

The plot was interesting and I was in the dark the whole time about who was stealing toys at Christmas. Great book and I can't wait to see what else the author has available.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, the author and publisher. Thank you to them and this will be an honest review.

This book has some really cute elements to it and I enjoyed the Gingerbread Dog House baking competition as well as the fact that the whole town is dog related.

When the owner of Ginger and Spice, two rambuncious dachshunds, is killed; Cat Hawl is in for a surprise when she is tasked with looking after them. She is really more of a cat person. She is also in charge of the competition and she needs to find the killer. She really has her hands full.

The story has a lot of heart, however, I found some of the plot a little hard to follow and I'm not a big fan of the author's style of writing.

That said though, it has all the cozy Christmas feels and lovers of this series will be over the moon with a new Barkview Mystery.

A sweet Christmas story. Decker is buying a house from an older woman who is going into a nursing home. Before she will sell it though, she wants it fixed up and be able to have one last Christmas Eve in her home. Decker and his daughter Sophie stay there to do that, but Decker hires Annaleise to help him decorate the house. He is very protective of his daughter and doesn't really want her getting too close, but she had her child stolen from her and put up for adoption so she is very taken in by Sophie's intelligence and curiosity. As sparks begin to fly between her and Decker, a lot of things come to the forefront.

This story has a lot of beautiful descriptions of the house and the lead up to Christmas. The characters are engaging, particularly Sophie who is very precocious. It's a bit predictable, but as a Christmas story it's terrific and really gets you in the holiday mood.

Olivia has moved back to Apple Station, Virginia which sounds like a place where nothing bad could ever happen. She is living with her father and working at the local newspaper doing pieces about Christmas treats and various things. Then she gets cornered by a man who thinks she's someone else and she's told that the family of the police officer she's falling for, may be involved in a jewel heist.

With some help from her father and the neighbour who works in security she begins to investigate and figure out what this means for her relationship, all while trying to keep his family and hers safe.

A great story with some wonderfully engaging characters. This is one story where I love the supporting characters so much. Olivia's father is so sweet and endearing and her neighbour Sam is terrific and always has her back.

I received an advance copy of this from Book Sirens. Thank you to the author, publisher and Book Sirens for the opportunity. This is an honest review and I will be checking out the earlier Olivia Penn Mysteries to see what I missed.

I gave this 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. Blake Brumley is a tv star on a hunting/fishing show and has his adopted daughter Bella as part of the action ever since she was small. When he's shot, investigators Heather and Steve are nearby and come to Bella's rescue offering to help her find out who shot Blake. She agrees, but also wants them to find her biological parents.

The story is interesting and you get a real insight into the victim and the life he lived to get where he was; rich and famous.

My main problem with the book was the portrayal of Steve as a blind man. He wasn't newly blind and just struggling to get around, yet people were leading him to chairs, cutting up his food etc. I have the experience to know that a person with no sight would quickly learn to do those things by themselves and having someone do this would not normally be appreciated or needed.

Overall the book was worth a read though and I will look for others from the author.

This is the 3rd in the Christmas Tree Farm series and Holly has a reviewer staying at the inn, but she's not very nice. She is very entitled and is making lots of demands. When Cookie finds out she makes a joke about hitting her with some “Christmas spirit” while she is waving around a giant nutcracker. When the person is found dead and Cookie's fingerprints are all over the murder weapon she finds herself in a world of trouble.

The characters in this series feel like friends now and I found myself as invested in solving the murder as Holly. As usual though she is asking lots of questions and stirring up trouble for herself as well as her friends. Her boyfriend Evan isn't happy about what she's doing and she isn't happy that Cookie has been accused, so there is lots of drama and Christmas craziness.

This book was wonderful. Learning more about the character of Jax and reading about his friends and his dog Ace again, felt like coming home. The warmth of the character's relationships and the great writing really drew me into the story.

In this one, we learn more about Jax's mysterious beginnings and his growing relationship with a singer named Laura. His dog Ace is all grown up and is still helping Jax and now Laura as well, to solve mysteries and helping to keep them safe.

If you haven't read a Jax Diamond book yet, I highly recommend them. They take place in the 1920's-30's during a time when mob bosses and gangsters were big in places like New York and Chicago. Gail Meath does a marvelous job of bringing it all to life once more.

Thank you to BookSirens, the author and publisher the chance to read this book and this is my honest review.

Oh my goodness! This book was incredible! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for giving me an advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

Caitlin and her older sister Olivia are left home alone one evening and Olivia is taken by a masked intruder. Sixteen years later she returns, or does she? Caitlin isn't sure if that is her sister and she also has seen the masked intruder around. She is terrified for her whole family and doesn't know where to turn.

This story is an amazingly complex psychological thriller. There are plenty of twists and turns, some wonderfully complicated characters and it will keep you guessing right to the end. If there is one book you should read this year, it's this one!

The latest in the Michael Bennett series from James Patterson and James O. Born comes out on Feb 12. I received an arch of this novel from NetGalley. Thank you to them, the publisher and the authors. This is my honest review.

It follows Michael Bennett, a NYPD homicide detective, as he tries to solve a series of murders that have been happening by a serial killer with a sniper rifle. A member of the FBI, Rob Trilling, is brought on to help him. Michael finds Trilling to be a quiet, respectful young man, but he can't really read him. Together they try to bring the killer to justice.

This was a terrific 5-star read! The characters were compelling and well thought out. It delved into PTSD somewhat and what a soldier's life can be like as they try to integrate back into society after the military. Michael's family was lively and fun, and I enjoy Patterson's style of writing. It's easy to read, and the chapters are short enough to be read at bedtime.

If you like a good murder mystery with a satisfying plot, then check this out. Even if you have never read one of the Michael Bennett series, it's easy to get into and you don't need to have read the others to enjoy it.

A wonderful sweet romance. The attraction between Trinity and Zane was really well-written without being over the top and the romance had a good slow burn to it. The little boy Finn was adorable and really helped make the story extra special. It's the first of the Wildflower Ranch series that I have read, but I will definitely read the others.

I gave this book 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4. Olivia runs away from her wedding when she finds her fiance with another woman. She ends up at her Aunt's home and she is convinced to help a local rancher with his cows. Trained as a vet she thinks this will be a good way to get back on her feet, until she meets the rancher Ben.

I enjoyed Ben's relationship with his son Michael who had asthma and the small town atmosphere. I would have rated it higher, but I didn't feel the connection with Ben and Olivia that I was hoping to.

I did receive an Advance Review copy of this book for free from Booksirens. Thank you do them, the author and the publisher. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

This was an interesting romance. When Taryn shows up at the Callaghan Brothers bar she is on the run and they can sense it. They don't think she's a criminal, but they aren't sure what's going on. They aren't without their secrets either though.

They have a strong family bond which is always nice to see in a novel and the growing love between Taryn and Jake was does really well. It had some language and a couple of steamy scenes, so keep that in mind if it bothers you.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Daniel Kennicott is trying to figure out what happened to his family and why. His parents are killed in a car crash that he doesn't believe is an accident and his brother is murdered in what “could” have been a random event. But all of that was 10 years ago and it's now considered a cold case. Daniel was a lawyer, but is not a detective for the police force, hoping to help other people who have to go through what he did, as well as still be able to look into what happened.

He knows it has something to do with Italy and so, he heads there to find answers. Meanwhile his boss and a whole team of people are trying to look at everything with fresh eyes.

This was a fascinating book with a lot of information I had never heard before in a historical fiction novel. It gave me an insight into parts of Canadian history in particular that I knew nothing about. I thought it was well written and the characters were well developed. I had never heard of this author before, but I will definitely look for more from him and I have a feeling there may be a second book with these characters. If there is, I would be interested in reading that too.

A sweet romance about a woman who lost her sight at 14 and a Navy Seal who just lost his during a mission and is having a hard time coping.

It is part romance, part mystery and a lot about family as well, biological family and found family.

I found the characters in the book to be down to earth, relatable, and most sounded like people I would be friends with. The plot was good and except for one unrealistic aspect that had me shaking my head, it was a great read.

It also had a good ending, which is something I always look for, especially in a romance.

This was a fun, unusual take on a cozy paranormal mystery. I absolutely fell in love with the characters. The main character Chess is “kidnapped” by her car and ends up in a magical community with her cat, who can now talk to her. Although it all sounds very sweet and light to begin with, there is depth to the story and the magical community and the rules of magic are very well done. In this town Chess already has allies and enemies, now she just needs to figure out which is which.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It is my honest opinion. Thank you to BookSirens and the author and publisher for the advance copy.

Wow, I read this book so quickly. It gripped me from the first moment. Laura is a vet in the village of Bramble Heath and it's 1941, the middle of WW2. She is trying to keep the livestock in the village healthy as that's helping to feed the villagers as well as the troops. When things start to happen in the village and animals are dying, she can't get her boss to take it seriously. He is very dismissive because she is a woman.

The story has a lot of mystery, heartwarming and heartbreaking moments and a little romance. The characters are so well done. All of the charming, quirkiness of small town life. By the end of it, I wanted to live in a village like Bramble Heath too. It really drew me in and didn't let go until the mystery was solved and the war was over.

This is #3 in the A Village at War series and now I will be looking for more. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this. It was an awesome ride and this is my honest review.

Torn Asunder is the 12th in the Maine Clambake mystery series. Its the first one of Barbara Ross's that I have read and I will now be going back to the beginning and reading up to this one. It was a terrific cozy and the coastal Maine setting is perfect. Julia Snowden is organizing the wedding and reception for her best friend Zoey, as well as being the maid of honor. She wants everything to be perfect, and it is,until one of the guests ends up dead at the rehearsal dinner and then a storm blows in.

The novel was action packed from start to finish and I felt like everything moved the plot forward. The characters were wonderful. Really well-thought out and I enjoyed learning about each of them. It kept me engaged all the way through and I loved that we got to see the characters for a chapter or two AFTER the murder was solved as well.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to review it. This is my honest review.

Between the Lines is set in a English village where the head librarian, Julia, gets embroiled in a mystery happening at the “Great house” on the hill, owned by the Hortishalls.

Although I found the writing difficult to follow, with a lot of unneeded description, I do think that lovers of Miss Marple will enjoy the mystery and the quirky cast of characters. It had a cozy mystery feel to it.

I did receive an advance copy of this book for free from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the publisher, author and BookSirens for the opportunity.

A Summer Wedding at the Cornish Manor is at it's essence a love story, but it's so much more than that. It's about family (biological and found family), friends and community. Jess and Riley are engaged to be married, but there is so much else going on. They are trying to get their house ready to live in, convince her grandfather Cappy that they want him around, deal with Riley's ex and handle all sorts of crises.

You feel fully invested in this community and their joys and sorrows. The characters are all interesting and complex and the relationships feel real. They have flaws and they experience growth. It was a good read and although a couple of times I found the pacing a bit slow for my taste, I still thought it was great and wrapped up nicely. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the advanced copy. This is my honest review.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free and this is my honest review which I am leaving voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens, the author and publisher.

Now, let's get to it! There was such great energy between the characters in this book and it was the coziest romance I have read in ages. It's the latest in the Secret Seven (Diamond Cove series) It takes place mostly in a retirement community and the Secret Seven are a group of seniors who are busy trying to get their grandchildren married off and happy.

This love story was everything you would want. It was about Axel who is a rock star and Kate who is a librarian. They meet briefly when Kate thinks Axel is a security guard and although Axel can't quit thinking about her, they don't meet up again for years until he goes to visit his grandparents who live in a retirement community. It's like one big family there and It's no wonder Axel saw it as a safe place to go when his world felt like it was spinning out of control.

I was fully invested in this couple and about chapter 23 I started to sob and barely stopped until I finished the book. The love between not just the characters, but also the community, whether it was romantic love or friendship, was what we all aspire to in life. Having those people who have your back no matter what,was beautiful and inspiring. A definite 5 star read and now I have to go back and read all the other ones in the series.