Dead in Dublin by Catie Murphy - Review

Book details

Dead in Dublin (The Dublin Driver Mysteries) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

Publisher: Kensington (December 31, 2019) 

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages 

ISBN-10: 1496724186 

ISBN-13: 978-1496724182 

Digital ASIN: B07Q3NPNFB

  

Book description

In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty, murder occurs at the feet of sweet Molly Malone . . .
Ferrying tourists around Dublin for the Leprechaun Limo Service makes quite a change after years in the military. Still, Megan Malone is enjoying her life in Ireland. She likes the scenery, the easy pace, the quirky, quick-witted locals. Everything—except having one of her clients drop dead at the statue of fabled fishmonger, Molly Malone.

Most restaurant critics notch up their share of enemies. Elizabeth Darr, however, was a well-loved international star. She and her husband, Simon, had just had dinner when Elizabeth collapsed, and spoiled seafood is the first suspect. The restaurant’s owner, worried her business is doomed, begs Megan to look into it. Between her irate boss and a handsome Garda who’s both amused and annoyed by her persistence, Megan has her hands full even before she’s cajoled into taking care of two adorable Jack Russell puppies (which she is almost definitely not keeping). But if cockles and mussels aren’t to blame, can Megan find the real culprit . . .before another fishy death occurs?

Meet the author - Catie Murphy

Catie Murphy, who has written numerous award-winning fantasy and Sci-fi books under the pseudonym C. E. Murphy, began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her—a six-year-old kid—to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs often seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better. She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.

Author Link - Website Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Kensington 

My thoughts

I enjoyed reading this first installment of a new cozy series. I enjoyed that it was set in Ireland which is a place I would love to visit. It was nice to follow along with Megan while she tried to figure out who murdered a client of hers. Another part I liked was that the author wrote parts of conversations with an Irish accent just like you would hear it if you were talking to the characters. I love an Irish accent. It was nice of Megan to take in the stray doggie mom and her new babies.  This was a nice book and I am interested to see where this series takes us. 

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Hems & Homicide by Elizabeth Penney - Spotlight

 

Book details

Hems & Homicide (Apron Shop Series)

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 31, 2019) 

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages 

ISBN-10: 1250257948 

ISBN-13: 978-1250257949 

Digital ASIN: B07SBQ9Y2Z

Book description

Welcome to the first in the Apron Shop mystery series by Elizabeth Penney, set in the quaint village of Blueberry Cove, Maine where an expert seamstress turned amateur sleuth is getting measured for murder. . .

Iris Buckley is sew ready for a change. After the death of her beloved grandfather, Iris decides to stay in her Maine hometown to help out her widowed grandmother, Anne—and bring her online hand-made apron designs to real-time retail life. Her and Anne’s shop, Ruffles & Bows, is set to include all the latest and vintage linen fashions, a studio for sewing groups and classes, and a friendly orange cat. The only thing that they were not planning to have on the property? A skeleton in the basement

Anne recognizes the remains of an old friend, and when a second body shows up in the apron shop—this time their corrupt landlord, whom Anne had been feuding with for decades—she becomes a prime suspect. Now, it’s up to Iris to help clear her name. Enlisting the help of her old high-school crush Ian Stewart who, like certain fabrics, has only gotten better-looking with age and her plucky BFF Madison Morris, Iris must piece together an investigation to find out who the real killer is. . .and find a way to keep her brand-new business from being scrapped in the process.

Meet the author - Elizabeth Penney

Elizabeth Penney is an author, entrepreneur, and local food advocate living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In addition to writing full-time, she operates a small farm. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. She is represented by the fabulous Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic.

Elizabeth's writing credits include over twenty mysteries, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

Author Links Webpage: www.elizabethpenneyauthor.com 

Twitter: @liz2penney 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7877413.Elizabeth_Penney 

Purchase Links - Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound 

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The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr - Review

 I received this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own. 

Book details

Series: Sullivan's Crossing (Book 5)

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: MIRA; Original edition (January 7, 2020)

ISBN-13: 978-0778309055

Book description

Hannah Russell’s carefully crafted plans for her life have been upended without warning. When her best friend died suddenly, Hannah became guardian to a five-year-old named Noah. With no experience at motherhood, she’s terrified she’s not up to the challenge. She and Noah need time to get to know each other, so she decides to rent a country house with stunning views on a lake in rural Colorado.

When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by the owner, a handsome man who promises to stay out of their way. But his clumsy Great Dane, Romeo, has other ideas and Noah immediately bonds with the lovable dog. As Hannah learns to become a mother, Owen Abrams, who is recovering from his own grief, can’t help but be drawn out of his solitude by his guests.

But life throws more challenges at this unlikely trio and they are tested in ways they never thought possible. All three will discover their strengths and, despite their differences, they will fight to become a family. And the people of Sullivan’s Crossing will rally around them to offer all of the support they need.

Meet the author - Robyn Carr

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series. Robyn and her husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr’s website at www.RobynCarr.com.

My thoughts

This is the best book in the Sullivan's Crossing series yet. I fell in love with little Noah from the first time he appeared. He is such a cute little kid and so very smart and had so much to deal with at such a young age. Hannah was a good person to take on little Noah and to love him unconditionally. Who can forget Owen who had his own past but along with his dog Romeo falls in love with Noah from the start. I like how the community of Sullivan's Crossing comes together to all protect Noah. I did not want their story to end. 

Entertaining Mr. Pepys by Deborah Swift - Spotlight

Book description

London 1666

Elizabeth 'Bird' Carpenter has a wonderful singing voice, and music is her chief passion. When her father persuades her to marry horse-dealer Christopher Knepp, she suspects she is marrying beneath her station, but nothing prepares her for the reality of life with Knepp. Her father has betrayed her trust, for Knepp cares only for his horses; he is a tyrant and a bully, and will allow Bird no life of her own. 

When Knepp goes away, she grasps her chance and, encouraged by her maidservant Livvy, makes a secret visit to the theatre. Entranced by the music, the glitter and glamour of the surroundings, and the free and outspoken manner of the women on the stage, she falls in love with the theatre and is determined to forge a path of her own as an actress.

But life in the theatre was never going to be straightforward - for a jealous rival wants to spoil her plans, and worse, Knepp forbids it, and Bird must use all her wit and intelligence to change his mind.

Based on events depicted in the famous Diary of Samuel Pepys, this is a historical novel bringing London in the 17th Century to life. It includes the vibrant characters of the day including the diarist himself and actress Nell Gwynne, and features a dazzling and gripping finale during the Great Fire Of London.

Entertaining Mr Pepys is the third in Deborah Swift's atmospheric trilogy, bringing to life the women in Pepys' Diary.

Each novel features a different character and can be read as a stand-alone book.

Meet the author - Deborah Swift

Deborah lives in North Lancashire on the edge of the Lake District, a beautiful area made famous by the Romantic Poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge. In the past she used to work as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV, so she enjoys the research aspect of creating historical fiction, something she loved doing as a scenographer. Each book takes about six months of research before she is ready to begin writing. More details of her research and writing process can be found on her website. Deborah likes to write about extraordinary characters set against the background of real historical events.

Deborah’s Social Media links: Twitter https://twitter.com/swiftstory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordeborahswift/ Website www.deborahswift.com Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/deborahswift1/


BUY THE BOOK Amazon link mybook.to/EntertainingMrPepys Kobo link https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/entertaining-mr-pepys-1 Waterstones link https://www.waterstones.com/book/entertaining-mr-pepys/deborah-swift/9781786154156

Fan Mail by Daryl Wood Gerber - Review

I received this book free from the author. All opinions are my own

Book details

Series: An Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense (Book 2)

Paperback: 280 pages

Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing (November 12, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1950461297

ISBN-13: 978-1950461295

Book description

Agatha Award–winning and national bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber returns with a dark new novel of suspense . . .

An adoring fan and a string of murders: a demented show of love that leaves no one safe . . .

Local celebrity news anchor Gloria Morning is used to receiving declarations of love and praise in her weekly fan letters, but when a Lake Tahoe doctor is murdered and she gets an anonymous note telling her it was done for her glory, her appreciation turns to panic. Unsure of where else to turn, she enlists the help of novice private investigator Aspen Adams. No sooner does Aspen begin digging into who sent the macabre note than another murder occurs, followed by another note, and she soon realizes she’s up against a ruthless and deranged killer.

Working with scant clues and a puzzling array of potential suspects, Aspen is determined to unearth the elusive connection between the victims and her client. But as the body count grows and the murderer remains a mystery to both her and the police, Aspen discovers she’s gotten closer to the killer than she ever imagined, and now she must risk everything she holds dear to stop the killings, including her own life . . .

Meet the author Daryl Wood Gerber

Agatha Award–winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber is the author of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, the French Bistro Mysteries, the Cheese Shop Mysteries (as Avery Aames), and stand-alone suspense thrillers. Little known facts about Daryl are that she’s jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, has hitchhiked around Ireland by herself, and has appeared on an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She loves to read, cook, and golf, and has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!

My thoughts

This book was even better than the first in this series (Desolate Shores).  I am liking Aspen more and more and I like how close she is with her niece.  I also like how her and Nick's relationship is progressing.  It is nice that even though he does not want her to and gets upset with her for trying to solve the murders he lets her do her thing and even asks her opinion on the cases.  This story had me on the edge of my seat at times.  I thought I had it figured out and then my suspect ended up dead so I had to rethink things and it did end up being my second suspect.  I hope this series keeps on going as I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. 

George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmead and Don Yaeger - Review

Book details

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Sentinel; Reprint edition (October 18, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0143130609

ISBN-13: 978-0143130604

Book description

When George Washington beat a hasty retreat from New York City in August 1776, many thought the American Revolution might soon be over. Instead, Washington rallied—thanks in large part to a little-known, top-secret group called the Culper Spy Ring. He realized that he couldn’t defeat the British with military might, so he recruited a sophisticated and deeply secretive intelligence network to infiltrate New York.

Drawing on extensive research, Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger have offered fascinating portraits of these spies: a reserved Quaker merchant, a tavern keeper, a brash young longshoreman, a curmudgeonly Long Island bachelor, a coffeehouse owner, and a mysterious woman. Long unrecognized, the secret six are finally receiving their due among the pantheon of American heroes.

Meet the authors: Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger

Brian Kilmeade cohosts Fox News Channel’s morning show Fox & Friends and hosts the nationally syndicated radio show The Brian Kilmeade Show. The author of two previous books about sports, he lives on Long Island.

Don Yaeger has written twenty-three books, including seven New York Times bestsellers. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

My thoughts

I really enjoyed this book and thought the author did a good job.  It did not read like a normal history book it read like a novel.  The author's attention to detail added to the story for me.  He also gave some good theories on #355 that made sense.  I will be looking for more books by these authors. 

Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne - Review

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Book details

• Series: Haven Point (Book 10)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: HQN; Original edition (September 24, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1335504990
• ISBN-13: 978-1335504999

Book description

Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas…

Elizabeth Hamilton has been lost. Trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents, she couldn’t quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids…until a car accident stole away her memories and changed her life. And when she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie’s laugh, the baby powder smell of Bridger and the feel of her husband’s hand in hers, Elizabeth worried that they’d moved on without her. That she’d missed too much. That perhaps she wasn’t the right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them.

But now, seven years later, Luke finds her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. And being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. As they all trim the tree and bake cookies, making new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the hurt of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning?

Meet the author RaeAnne Thayne

New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.

My thoughts

This is another great addition to the Haven Point series. I enjoy coming back to this town to hang out with the characters and see what they are up too now. I can't imagine going through what Elizabeth and Luke have been through. To lose your family only to find them again what an emotional roller coaster. I like how the author uses real emotions and tough situations in her books. Her books have heart and soul along with some depth to them. An enjoyable book.