March Mini Reviews: The Un-Arranged Marriage, The Marquess Makes His Move, How to Be a Wallflower, Always Jane!

Hi, everyone! I have a bunch of mini reviews for you today. I realized I had four reviews that needed to go up this week, so I thought I would put them all together in this post!

The Un-Arranged Marriage by Laura Brown

This was a great romance! Reading about Shaina and Mark disliking each other, to falling in love was nice. I really liked that Shaina had hearing loss, because more disability rep is always welcome in books, in my opinion! Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana Quincy

This was a fantastic historical romance, that I really enjoyed reading! (I also thought the premise was unique!) Overall, I would definitely recommend it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

How to Be a Wallflower by Eloisa James

I've been slowly (very slowly, I have so many more books to read!) reading through Eloisa James' backlist, and I am loving her books so much. So when I saw this book, I knew I absolutely had to request it! And I'm happy I did! This was another great romance, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series! And how pretty is this cover?! I love it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Always Jane by Jenn Bennett

This was a great YA novel, that's a perfect read for summer!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Review: Cheddar Off Dead!

Review: Cheddar Off Dead: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss

In Korina Moss's cozy series debut, Cheddar Off Dead, cheesemonger Willa Bauer discovers that her new home in a small Sonoma Valley town is ripe for murder... something here stinks to high heaven, and Willa knows it's not the cheese.

Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is proving that sweet dreams are made of cheese. She’s opened her very own French-inspired cheese shop, Curds & Whey, in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. The small town of Yarrow Glen is Willa's fresh start, and she's determined to make it a success – starting with a visit from the local food critic. What Willa didn’t know is that this guy never gives a good review, and when he shows up nothing goes according to plan. She doesn’t think the night can get any worse... until she finds the critic’s dead body, stabbed with one of her shop’s cheese knives. Now a prime suspect, Willa has always believed life’s problems can be solved with cheese, but she’s never tried to apply it to murder…

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: This was such a good cozy mystery! I've gotten pretty good at figuring out the culprit (for those wondering, it doesn't change my enjoyment of a book if I guess right or not, because part of the fun is trying to see if I'm right!) by the end of a mystery, but this book managed to surprise me.

Characters: This book had a great cast of characters, with Willa being a great lead! I liked her group of friends, and enjoyed reading about her trying to figure out who she could trust, while trying to make her cheese shop a success.

The Cover: I like it, it fits the book well!

Overall: This was an awesome beginning to a new cozy mystery series, and I eagerly anticipate the next book! Overall, I would highly recommend reading it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Mini Review: Texas Homecoming!

Review: Texas Homecoming by Carolyn Brown

The bestselling Queen of Cowboy Romance delivers a heartwarming novel where a doctor and veterinarian get a second chance at true love when a storm traps them together.

Cody Ryan had been the smartest kid that ever came out of Honey Grove, Texas, and one of the few who went on to become a doctor. He's so grateful to his fantastic foster parents for giving him so many opportunities, so to help give back he joined Doctors Without Borders. But after 10 years of traveling the world Cody is ready to go back home. Stephanie O'Dell, better known as Dr. Stevie, the local vet, has been treating the cattle on Sunflower Ranch for years. So she's not thrilled when Cody starts offering medical advice the minute she steps on the ranch. But when the two get caught in a storm with a baby alpaca to take care of, the fireplace isn't the only thing throwing sparks. When they finally find their way back home, they've found out that they've fallen in love, but will either of them admit it?

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: After reading the first book in this series, Second Chance At Sunflower Ranch, and seeing the next book would be about Cody and Stephanie, I knew I had to read this one! And I'm happy I did! This was another great book by Carolyn Brown, that I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

8 Picture Books For Spring!

Hi, everyone! Today I'm sharing eight Picture Books that I think would be great to read for spring. Some are specifically about the season, and others are just books I thought fit the vibe of spring!

Bunny's Book Club by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss 

Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Joyce Wan

Spring Hare by Eugene Yelchin

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak

Spring Stinks: A Little Bruce Book by Ryan T. Higgins

Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown

Little Blue Truck's Springtime by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry

What Picture Books would you recommend reading for spring? :)

Interview With Elly Swartz!

Hi, everyone! Today I'm happy to present an interview with Elly Swartz, who is the author of multiple Middle Grade books, including her newest, Dear Student, which released this month!

Would you please describe your book, Dear Student, in seven words?

Oh, I love this – But just so we’re clear, those are not my 7 words : )

 

Here goes: Autumn finds Fearless Fred and her voice.

What was the inspiration for the book?

Much of the inspiration behind DEAR STUDENT comes for the kids I’ve had the privilege of meeting in schools, bookstores, and coffee shops. Truly, Autumn is like so many of these kids. The kids who struggle to find, own, and accept their voice. The kids who think strong is meant for the popular, the loud, the unafraid. I want these kids to know they are strong and brave. I want them to know that sometimes we all feel like Autumn. We all struggle to find the right words to say, the right clothes to wear, the right way to be. 

Another inspiration for DEAR STUDENT comes from the amazing kid activists today. The kids who know who they are and what they want. I want all kids to know their voice can make a difference. They can make a difference. Whether they are quiet or loud. Extroverts or introverts. Eat lunch surrounded by friends or tucked into a table in the library. This is where empathy and activism meet, and where Autumn’s heart and voice came together. 

 

Random Question! What’s your favorite dessert?

Ha! I have many, but right now I’m stuck on whoopie pies! Autumn and Cooper make Fearless Fred’s Whoopie Pies in DEAR STUDENT. So, I’ve been baking and I have to say, they’re pretty amazing! And, happy news – I shared the recipe in the back of the book. Along with allergy friendly ones. So for all the readers like me with allergies, no worries, I’ve got you covered.

Here' s a pic of Fearless Fred’s Whoopie Pies – don’t they look delicious!

What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Write the story that imprints on your heart and matters to you.

What are some Middle Grade books you’ve recently read and enjoyed?

Oh, I just read an early version of TREX, by Christyne Morrell. It’s a middle grade mystery about a boy with an experimental brain implant and a reclusive girl training to be a spy, as they're pitted against school bullies, their parents, and an evil, brain-hacking corporation. I loved it. Be sure to be on the look-out for it on 8/30/2022. 

Two other books I am loving are HAS ANYONE HERE SEEN FRENCHIE? by Leslie Connor and SNOW STRUCK by Nick Courage. And fun fact. We all pubbed the same day. So I’m thinking that makes us pub triplets. What do you think?!

Thank you Elly for letting me interview you! And I agree, those whoopie pies look delicious! :)

Author Bio: Elly Swartz grew up in Yardley, Pennsylvania. She studied psychology at Boston University and received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Elly lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a beagle named Lucy, and a pup named Baxter Bean. Finding Perfect, called “a clear, moving portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder” by Publishers Weekly, was her debut novel. She is also the author of  Smart Cookie and Give and Take, novels for middle grade readers. 

Read more about Elly on her website:  www.ellyswartz.com

Here Are A Few Links:

Her Website

Her Twitter

Her Instagram

Blog Blitz: The League of Gentlewomen Witches - Spotlight & Review!

The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse...

Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.

When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O'Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex's not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte's heart.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was a delightful adult fantasy romance, with fantastic characters! I loved the humor in the book. Overall, I would definitely recommend reading this novel to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

About The Author:

Author Bio: India lives in coastal New Zealand, where she grew up running barefoot around islands, wandering forests, and messing about in boats. She writes historical fantasy romcoms featuring unconventional women and charming rogues.  

India's writing is fuelled by tea and thunderstorms.

Her Website

Blog Tour: Front Page Murder - Interview With Joyce St. Anthony!

Front Page Murder (A Homefront News Mystery) by Joyce St. Anthony

Hi, everyone! Today I'm happy to be a part of the blog tour for Joyce St. Anthony's new book, Front Page Murder, which is the first in the new Homefront News Mystery series! Read on for my interview with Joyce, plus there's a giveaway to enter!

Interview:

Would you please describe your book, Front Page Murder, in seven words?

Reporter solves murders on the WWII homefront.  

What was the inspiration for the book?

I’ve always loved the WWII era and the 1940s (they had the best clothes and music!). I grew up listening to my mother’s Big Band records. It was only natural I’d eventually write something set during the war.

Random Question! What’s your favorite color?

I wear a lot of raspberry/wine/purple colored clothes so it would have to be in that color family.

 

What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Don’t give up! Look at every book you write and every rejection you get as a learning experience. I had hundreds of rejections until I got an agent. The fifth book I wrote was the one that got published. Front Page Murder is my fourth published book.

What are some mysteries you’ve recently read and enjoyed?

 That’s a tough one. There are too many good ones and I’d hate to leave anyone out. 

About Front Page Murder

Front Page Murder (A Homefront News Mystery) Historical Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Crooked Lane Books (March 8, 2022) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 164385898X ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1643858982 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B096WWNSKR 

In this World War II-era historical mystery series debut by Joyce St. Anthony, small-town editor Irene Ingram has a nose for news and an eye for clues.

Irene Ingram has written for her father’s newspaper, the Progress Herald, ever since she could grasp a pencil. Now she’s editor in chief, which doesn’t sit well with the men in the newsroom. But proving her journalistic bona fides is the least of Irene’s worries when crime reporter Moe Bauer, on the heels of a hot tip, turns up dead at the foot of his cellar stairs.

An accident? That’s what Police Chief Walt Turner thinks, and Irene is inclined to agree until she finds the note Moe discreetly left on her desk. He was on to a big story, he wrote. The robbery she’d assigned him to cover at Markowicz Hardware turned out to be something far more devious. A Jewish store owner in a small, provincial town, Sam Markowicz received a terrifying message from a stranger. Moe suspected that Sam is being threatened not only for who he is…but for what he knows.

Tenacious Irene senses there’s more to the Markowicz story, which she is all but certain led to Moe’s murder. When she’s not filling up column inches with the usual small-town fare—locals in uniform, victory gardens, and scrap drives—she and her best friend, scrappy secretary Peggy Reardon, search for clues. If they can find the killer, it’ll be a scoop to stop the presses. But if they can’t, Irene and Peggy may face an all-too-literal deadline.

About Joyce St. Anthony

Joyce was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail. As Joyce St. Anthony, she is the author of the Homefront News Mysteries. The first in the series, Front Page Murder, will be (or was, depending on the blog date) released on March 8, 2022. Under her own name--Joyce Tremel--she wrote the award winning Brewing Trouble cozy mystery series. She is a native Pittsburgher and lives in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania with her husband and two cats--Hops and Lager.

Here Are A Few Links:

  Websites: http://www.joycetremel.com & http://www.joycestanthony.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JoyceTremel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoyceTremel

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - IndieBound 

a Rafflecopter giveaway TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 8 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

March 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

March 8 – Nellie's Book Nook – REVIEW

March 9 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 9 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 9 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 10 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 10 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW

March 11 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

March 11 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

March 12 – Just Another Teen Reading Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

March 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 13 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

March 14 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 14 – Girl with Pen – SPOTLIGHT

March 15 – Connie's History Classroom - REVIEW

March 15 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 15 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 15 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

March 16 – Tea Book Blanket – SPOTLIGHT

March 16 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

March 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - REVIEW

March 17 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

March 17 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

March 18 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT  

March 18 – I Read What You Write – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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Mini Review: Front Page Murder (A Homefront News Mystery #1)!

Review: Front Page Murder (A Homefront News Mystery #1) by Joyce St. Anthony 

In this World War II-era historical mystery series debut by Joyce St. Anthony, small-town editor Irene Ingram has a nose for news and an eye for clues.

Irene Ingram has written for her father’s newspaper, the Progress Herald, ever since she could grasp a pencil. Now she’s editor in chief, which doesn’t sit well with the men in the newsroom. But proving her journalistic bona fides is the least of Irene’s worries when crime reporter Moe Bauer, on the heels of a hot tip, turns up dead at the foot of his cellar stairs.

An accident? That’s what Police Chief Walt Turner thinks, and Irene is inclined to agree until she finds the note Moe discreetly left on her desk. He was on to a big story, he wrote. The robbery she’d assigned him to cover at Markowicz Hardware turned out to be something far more devious. A Jewish store owner in a small, provincial town, Sam Markowicz received a terrifying message from a stranger. Moe suspected that Sam is being threatened not only for who he is…but for what he knows.

Tenacious Irene senses there’s more to the Markowicz story, which she is all but certain led to Moe’s murder. When she’s not filling up column inches with the usual small-town fare—locals in uniform, victory gardens, and scrap drives—she and her best friend, scrappy secretary Peggy Reardon, search for clues. If they can find the killer, it’ll be a scoop to stop the presses. But if they can’t, Irene and Peggy may face an all-too-literal deadline.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Mini Review: This was an interesting Historical Mystery, with a good lead character! I would definitely recommend Front Page Murder to anyone who loves reading historical mysteries!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: If You Ask Me - Spotlight and Review!

If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher

When an advice columnist’s picture-perfect life implodes, she opts to go rogue in this hilarious, heartwarming romance from the author of Meet Me in Paradise.

Violet Covington pens Dear Sweetie, the most popular advice column in the state of North Carolina. She has an answer for how to politely handle any difficult situation…until she discovers her husband, Sam, has been cheating on her. Furious and out of sensible solutions, Violet leaves her filter at the door and turns to her column to air her own frustrations. The new, brutally honest Dear Sweetie goes viral, sending more shock waves through Violet’s life. When she burns Sam’s belongings in a front-yard, late-night bonfire, a smoking-hot firefighter named Dez shows up to douse the flames, and an unexpected fling quickly shows potential to become something longer lasting.

A lot of people want to see the old polished Violet return—including her boss, who finds her unpredictability hard to manage, and Sam, who’s begging for another chance. But Dez appreciates Violet just the way she is—in fact, he can’t get enough of her. The right answers don’t come easily when Violet finds herself at her own personal crossroads. But maybe, by getting real, Violet can write her own happy ending.

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Review: This was a fantastic Contemporary Adult book, that I really enjoyed reading! And I loved the epilogue at the end. Overall, this is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who thinks it sounds interesting!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Blog Tour: Body And Soul Food - Interview And Review!

Hi, everyone! Today I'm happy to be a part of the blog tour for Abby Collette's newest book, Body And Soul Food, which is the first in the Books & Biscuits series! Read on for my interview with Abby, and my review of the book, plus there's a giveaway!

Interview

Would you please describe your book, Body and Soul Food, in seven words?

Cozy. Twin-ish. Murderous. Yummy. Bookish. Fun. Funny.

If you walked into Koby and Keaton’s bookstore and soul-food café, Books & Biscuits, what would you order?

I would order biscuits and chicken, but for a side, I'd have to have a sould roll. I wouldn't order the sweet tea, because like that made in the south, it is extra sweet!

Random Question! What’s your favorite time of year?

Spring!

What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Finish your book!

What are some mysteries you’ve recently read and enjoyed? 

B.A. Paris' The Therapist. 

Review: This was a great beginning to a new cozy series, with a good mystery, and wonderful characters! Plus, the food mentioned made me hungry! Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the blog tour company and author.

Body and Soul Food (A Books & Biscuits Mystery) by Abby Collette

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Body And Soul Food:

Body and Soul Food (A Books & Biscuits Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Timber Lake, Washington (Near Seattle) Berkley (November 9, 2021) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593336178 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593336175 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08YWW1DCH 

In this page-turning new mystery series, fraternal twins Keaton and Koby will pull double duty when they take down a killer while preparing to open their new bookstore and soul-food café, Books & Biscuits.

When Koby Hill and Keaton Rutledge were orphaned at age two, they were separated, but their unbreakable connection lingered. Years later, they reunite and decide to make up for lost time and capitalize on their shared interests by opening up a well-stocked bookstore and cozy soul-food café in the quaint Pacific Northwest town of Timber Lake. But this new chapter of their lives could end on a cliffhanger after Koby's foster brother is found murdered.

The murder, which occurred in public between light-rail stops, seems impossible for the police to solve. But as Keaton and Koby know, two heads are always better than one, especially when it comes to mysteries. With just a week to go before the grand opening of their new café, the twins will use their revitalized connection with each other to make sure this is the killer's final page.

About Abby Collette:

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abby Collette loves a good mystery. She was born and raised in Cleveland, and it's a mystery even to her why she hasn't yet moved to a warmer place. As Abby Collette, she is the author of the Ice Cream Parlor mystery series, about a millennial MBA-holding granddaughter running a family-owned ice cream shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and the Books & Biscuits mystery series, starring a set of fraternal twins who reunite and open a bookstore and soul food café. Writing as Abby L. Vandiver, she is the author of the Logan Dickerson Mysteries, featuring a second-generation archaeologist and a nonagenarian, as well as the Romaine Wilder Mysteries, pairing an East Texas medical examiner and her feisty, funeral-home-owning auntie as sleuths. Abby spends her time writing, facilitating writing workshops at local libraries and hanging out with her grandchildren, each of whom are her favorite.

Author Links – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram– Website –

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound - Alibris - Penguin Random House -

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 1 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 1 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW

March 2 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 2 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW*, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 3 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 3 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

March 3 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

March 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW*, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 4 – Miss W Book Reviews – REVIEW*

March 4 – Baroness' Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

March 5 – Just Another Teen Reading Books – REVIEW*, AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

March 5 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

March 6 – The Book Diva's Reads – SPOTLIGHT

March 6 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 7 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 7 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

March 8 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 8 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

March 9 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – REVIEW*

March 9 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

March 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

March 10 – Diane Reviews Books - REVIEW

March 11 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

March 11 – Books Blog – SPOTLIGHT

March 12 – Tea Book Blanket – REVIEW*

March 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

March 13 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

March 13 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog - SPOTLIGHT

March 14 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT  

March 14 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW*

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