New Release (3-3-20):Lavender Blue Murder

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lavender Blue Murder

(Tea Shop Mysteries #21)

by Laura Childs

***I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Lavender Blue Murder by Laura Childs is a fun cozy mystery series that centers around a tea shop. This is the 21st book in the Tea Shop Mysteries series. Theodosia and Drayton attend a hunting party where the host is murdered. Theodosia hears the gunshot and feels a responsibility to help solve the murder. Who else is going to help if it's not Theodosia?  In addition to owning an amazing tea shop, she also has a talent for solving murders.

What I liked....
There is a Gone With the Wind tea and a Lavender Lady tea in the story with wonderful recipes from the tea shop at the end of the book. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love the relationships between Theodosia and friends, especially Drayton. The tea shop is a place I would want to visit to enjoy Haley's menu and Drayton's specialty teas. Lavender Blue Murder is a wonderful addition to the Tea Shop Mysteries and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Will I continue this series?
This series is one of my reading goals this year so yes I will be continuing this series.  I have been working my way through this series and usually do not skip books but how could I turn down reading Lavender Blue Murder?  This book could work as a stand alone but I recommend reading the entire series.  I will be finishing the other books soon.

Who would enjoy this cozy mystery series....
This series revolves around tea and many tea traditions.  Theodosia collects tea sets and china.  I have looked up patterns after reading about the descriptions.  There are close friendships and community.  Theodosia has an adorable lab/dalmatian mix named Earl Grey.  Do you enjoy recipes?  All of the books have recipes for food and tea.  If any of the previous interests you then you will love this series.

More about Author....
Laura Childs

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thrillers & Mysteries
Release Date: March 3, 2020

New Release: Coconut Layer Cake Murder

Coconut Layer Cake Murder

A Hannah Swenson Mystery #25

By Joanne Fluke

4⭐⭐⭐⭐

***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. 

Hannah Swenson is back in Coconut Layer Cake Murder (#25). Hannah and her mother visit California to help a friend who is moving back to Lake Eden.  Within a few days Hannah receives a call from her sister telling her to she needs to come home to help Lonnie.  Lonnie is a family friend and police officer in Lake Eden.  He is the prime suspect in a murder and everyone wants Hannah to help solve the case because most of the police officers are not allowed to investigate.  Hannah hurries home and starts her investigation.  How could Lonnie be caught up in a murder case?  Who would want dead?  It's up to Hannah, her family, and friends to help the police department solve the case.

If you want to start this series now and prefer to start at the beginning...Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder is the first book in the series.  Coconut Layer Cake Murder can be read as a standalone but I find it much more enjoyable to start with the first book.  It's up to you.  It's a great book either way.

What I liked....

The relationships are great in this series.  The small town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone.  Hannah has loving family and friends.  The Cookie Jar is a central location where everyone comes to eat and to visit. Joanne Fluke has some really great recipes and this book is full of recipes.  I did not make any recipes from this specific book but I have made recipes from previous books and her cookbook.  My family loved everything.

Will I continue this series....

Obviously I will continue this series and look forward to seeing what will happen to Hannah, Norman, Mike, and everyone else in Lake Eden.

Who would enjoy this cozy mystery series...

This series is great for anyone who likes cozy mysteries based in a bakery. Do you like to bake?  This series is full of delicious recipes.  Do you like books based in the northern states? Lake Eden is in Minnesota.  Do you prefer not to wait for the next book in a series?  Good news...this is the 25th book in this series plus there are some novellas and they are already published.  

More about the author:

You can find more information about Joanne Fluke and her books here.

This is a series I have been reading for years.  Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review the latest in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

New Release (3/3/20): The Forgotten Home Child

The Forgotten Home Child

by Genevieve Graham

4⭐⭐⭐⭐

***I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham is a devastatingly sad story based on actual events. The story follows five British Home Children as they are sent from England to Canada.  The children were treated as farm workers and nannies. Once they arrived in Canada many of the children were never checked on to see if their needs were being met.

This story is told in a dual timeline. It is divided between Winny in the present, Winny in the past, and Jack in the past. While Winny, Jack, and their friends are fictional the events are real.  This is a heartbreaking story about events that were not very well known until recently.

What I liked....
I enjoyed learning some new facts about history.    I had never heard about the British Home Children and their plight. This author did a wonderful job introducing this event in history through a fictional story.

At times this was a hard book to read.  The abuse that these children had to endure.  The characters are fictional but there were children who did endure these hardships.  There were children who did not survive.  I recommend keeping a box of tissues nearby for this book.

I would definitely read more by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Author Page...
Genevieve Graham

Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 3, 2020

New Release: The Sun Down Motel

The Sun Down Motel

by Simone St. James

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

***I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James is like stepping into the Twilight Zone.  A motel and town that looks the same in 2017 as it did in 1982. A motel where electronics refuse to function correctly. An aunt and a niece who seem to have parallel stories.  This definitely sounds like the Twilight Zone and I loved it.  I do not do ghosts in books or movies but the author did an amazing job with the paranormal part of the story.  This was my first book Simone St. James but it will not be my last.

Netgalley Review....
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James is an intriguing mystery/thriller.  Viv Delaney disappears without a trace while working nights at the Sun Down Motel in 1982. In 2017, Carly, her niece, comes to the Sun Down looking for answers about her missing aunt.

The story is told in a dual timeline. It alternates between Viv in 1982 and Carly in 2017. The town is mysterious and very much in the past. The motel is spooky. There are so many secrets in such a small that the author keeps the reader guessing for the entire book. Where is Viv? What is happening at the Sun Down Motel?

I do not like ghosts in books but I loved this book. The author keeps you on the edge and doesn't give the reader too much information but just enough to keep guessing. Each chapter made me want to read one more chapter.

This was a 5⭐ read for me even though I was disappointed in part of the ending. I understand it but I didn't like it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

***I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mystery & Thriller
Release Date: February 18, 2020


More about the author... 
Simone St. James

Giveaway on Instagram: Miss Austen

Miss Austen 

By Gill Hornby

I have partnered with Flatiron Books for an Instagram giveaway of Miss Austen (pub date 4/7/20).  There will be 2 winners. The books will be sent directly from the publisher.  

Miss Austen Giveaway

Giveaway closes Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 11:59pm CST. Not affiliated with Instagram or Blogger in any way. 

Penguin Clothbound Classics

Sanditon

By Jane Austen

Penguin Clothbound Classics

If you enjoy classics, I recommend the Penguin Clothbound Classics. They are  a great size and the covers feel amazing. There is an attached ribbon bookmark for keeping your place.  

I started with the Jane Austen collection and then started adding other authors. There are boxed sets for a few authors including Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and Charles Dickens. 

Above is the latest addition to the Austen collection.  Sanditon is brighter than the rest of the Austen books but it is beautiful.  Below is my current collection that is slowly growing by adding a few new books each year. 

They are available from most online bookstores.