You Don't Have to be Danish by Sigrid Kristiansen - Review

Published: January 31, 2017

Number of pages: 71

Genre: Self Help/Reference

Synopsis:

You may not have been born in "The World's Happiest Country," but that doesn't mean you can't live a cozy, connected, and joyful life! Sigrid Kristiansen brings you fifty easy ways to bring the magic of hygge into your world... including recipes for delicious Danish delights that will make you snuggle in and never want to leave home again.

My thoughts:

What is Hygge? It is a Danish word that is pronounced Hoo-gah and there is not English word with the same meaning. What it essentially means is coziness and contentment. Since the Danish have been dubbed the happiest people on Earth everyone is wanting to learn about Hygge. 

This was a cute short book with some good ideas on how to hygge. The author also included some recipes that I would like to give a try. A few of the things I would like to try is putting a bowl of ground coffee on the counter to enjoy the smell. I am not a coffee drinker but I do enjoy the smell of fresh coffee grounds before they are brewed. I also liked the idea of planning three things a day you enjoy.

I was surprised by the fact that I already do things that are considered hygge. I have my cozy blanket and comfy clothes that I put on after my relaxing bubble bath to feel cozy at night. I read to relax while having a dog or cat snuggling with me. I have many adult coloring books that I enjoy doing. Then there are my pen pals and my letter writing. It is enjoyable to get a letter in the mail rather than bills. These are just a few things I do in my life.

This is the first of many books I have about hygge and I look forward to reading them all. 

About the author:

Sigrid Kristiansen has been "hyggeing" since she baked her first coffee cake with her grandmother at age six. Although Sigrid has lived in Europe, she currently lives stateside. She loves baking, gardening, writing, and reading, and is devoted to living the hygge lifestyle.

Death in Advertising by Laura Bradford - Spotlight and Giveaway

Published: February 7, 2017

Number of pages: 300

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Series: Tobi Tobias Mystery #1

Synopsis:

When Tobi Tobias decided to open her own ad agency, having to moonlight in a pet shop wasn’t part of her vision . . . of course, neither was murder.

Sometimes when opportunity knocks, the door you open leads to a closet. That’s certainly the case for Tobi, whose weekends spent cleaning cages in her best friend’s pet shop may soon be over. She’s just landed her first big break—Zander Closet Company needs a catchy campaign slogan ASAP, and Tobi thinks she’s got the right hook to knock ’em dead: “When we’re done, even your skeletons will have a place.”

But when a real dead body topples out of a showcase closet, she’s about to discover there is such a thing as bad publicity. To save her fledgling business and not get killed by the competition, Tobi takes on a new pet project: solving the murder. But with a stressed-out parrot as the only witness to the crime, Tobi will really have to wing it to put the cagey killer behind bars.

About The Author

While spending a rainy afternoon at a friend’s house more than thirty years ago, Laura Bradford (a.k.a. Elizabeth Lynn Casey) fell in love with writing over a stack of blank paper, a box of crayons, and a freshly sharpened number two pencil. From that moment forward, she never wanted to do anything else.

Today, Laura is the national bestselling author of the Amish Mysteries, the Jenkins & Burns Mysteries, and the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey). A new cozy mystery series will be added to the mix in 2016 with the release of The Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries. Laura is a former Agatha nominee and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award in romance. In her free time, Laura enjoys making memories with her family, traveling, baking, and visiting the sea lions at the Central Park Zoo. For more information and all the latest book news, visit her website at www.laurabradford.com.

Author Links
Website: www.laurabradford.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurabradfordauthor
Twitter: @bradfordauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurabrad4d/

Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble Amazon

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Participants

February 6 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

February 6 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

February 7 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

February 7 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

February 8 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW

February 10 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW

February 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW 

February 11 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST 

February 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

February 12 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

February 13 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

February 13 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

February 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

February 14 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

February 15 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, GUEST POST

February 15 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

February 16 – Varietats – REVIEW

February 16 – Author Annette Drake’s blog – SPOTLIGHT

February 17 – Girl with Book Lungs – REVIEW

February 17 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW

February 17 – deal sharing aunt – REVIEW

February 18 – Book Babble – REVIEW

February 18 – A Blue Million Books – INTERVIEW

February 19 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 19 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

The Little House Book of Wisdom by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Published: February 7, 2017

Number of pages: 64

Genre: Children's, Reference, Biographies

Synopsis:

In Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote: “Now is now. It can never be a long time ago.” And in this timeless collection of quotes, readers can revisit their favorite moments from all nine original Little House books, alongside beautiful black-and-white illustrations.

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved Little House series captured her childhood adventures growing up on the American frontier. This illustrated collection of thoughtful words and wisdom showcases her poignant wit and enduring spirit and is the perfect gift for any Little House fan.

My thoughts;

Being as big of a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder as I am when I found there was a new book out about/by her I had to have it. One thing I did not do was to see how large this book was so I was a little disappointed when I picked it up. Of course the reason being is because I wanted a bigger book - not only in size but in pages. Now on to what I liked about the book. I thought the illustrations were very cute and added to the book. Then the sayings they picked were on point for me. A few really hit home for me. Here are a couple that I liked: A storm outdoors is no reason for gloom in the house - The Long Winter and If you don't want trouble don't go looking for it - On the Banks of Plum Creek. If you are a collector of all things Laura related then you should get this right away. Oh I almost forgot there is a short biography of Laura at the back of the book that I enjoyed reading as well - even if I did already know all about her. 

About the author:

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) was born in a log cabin in the Wisconsin woods. With her family, she pioneered throughout America’s heartland during the 1870s and 1880s, finally settling in Dakota Territory. She married Almanzo Wilder in 1885; their only daughter, Rose, was born the following year. The Wilders moved to Rocky Ridge Farm at Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894, where they established a permanent home. After years of farming, Laura wrote the first of her beloved Little House books in 1932. The nine Little House books are international classics. Her writings live on into the twenty-first century as America’s quintessential pioneer story.

To Try Men's Souls by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen - Review

Published: September 28, 2010

Number of pages: 345

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series: Revolutionary War #1

Synopsis:

After two bestselling series examining the Civil War and WWII, Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen have turned their sharp eye for detail on the Revolutionary War. Their story follows three men with three very different roles to play in history: General George Washington, Thomas Paine, and Jonathan Van Dorn, a private in Washington’s army.

The action focuses on one of the most iconic events in American history: Washington cross - ing the Delaware. Unlike the bold, courageous General in Emanuel Leutze’s painting, Washington is full of doubt on the night of December 25, 1776. After five months of defeat, morale is dangerously low. Each morning muster shows that hundreds have deserted in the night.

While Washington prepares his weary troops for the attack on Trenton, Thomas Paine is in Philadelphia, overseeing the printing of his newest pamphlet, The Crisis.

And Jonathan Van Dorn is about to bring the war to his own doorstep. In the heat of battle, he must decide between staying loyal to the cause and sparing his brother who has joined up with the British. Through the thoughts and private fears of these three men, Gingrich and Forstchen illu minate the darkest days of the Revolution. With detailed research and an incredible depth of military insight, this novel provides a rare and personal perspective of the men who fought for, and founded the United States of America.

My thoughts:

Now if you read my blog you know I usually give the books I read a good review. It is not easy for me to give bad reviews but this book just did not do it for me. I felt this book was dry and really should have stopped reading it about 50 pages into it. Actually I put this book down three times before I finally got it finished. I kept going as I really wanted to like this book as I enjoy reading about this time period. While I give the author's credit for their vivid descriptions which really made me feel and understand all these soldiers went through for our freedom, it was just hard to read. At times I felt as if I was reading the same thing over and over again. I liked following the story of Jonathan and felt bad for him at the end. I do not think I will continue on with this series as I am afraid it will be just as dry. It was just amazing and heart wrenching at the same time all the guys went through. No food, no shoes and very little clothes, I do not think many people today could withstand this. At the same time I bought this book I bought the first book in their Civil War series and I hope it is written better. We shall see. 

Dragonwell Dead by Laura Childs - Review

Published: March 4, 2008

Number of pages: 304

Genre: Cozy Mystery. 

Series Tea Shop Mystery #8

Synopsis:

It's springtime in Charleston and just about every species of South Carolina's flora is in full and glorious bloom at the Spring Plantation Ramble. Once a year, the upper crust open their sprawling gardens to the public, the site of flower shows, rare plant auctions, and a contagious spring fever. Although Theodosia Browning barely knows a Phalinopsis from a Bog Rose, she still enjoys the Ramble, especially since she can pour tea and promote her Indigo Tea Shop-and her latest concoction, Dragonwell Sweet Tea.

My thoughts:

Another edition of the Tea Shop Mysteries by one of my favorite authors. I love each visit I can make to the tea shop with Theo and Drayton. Again I do not care for Haley. There was a new character in this book that I did like and hope to see more of  - the intern Charlie. I really like how Parker and Theo get to work events together and that we see them interacting together. Delanie continued to annoy me with her antics. There were two people - one more so than the other that I had pegged for the murder but I was way off base after the author revealed who the killer was. One thing I did find a little off was how much Sheriff Billings let Theo be involved in the investigation and how much information that he shared with her. It was nice for her though. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. 

About the author:

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries - set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries - set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Scheduled to Death by Mary Feliz - Review

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: January 17, 2017

Number of pages: 236

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Maggie McDonald Mystery #2

Synopsis:

Professional organizer Maggie McDonald has a knack for cleaning up other people’s messes. So when the fiancée of her latest client turns up dead, it’s up to her to sort through the untidy list of suspects and identify the real killer.

Maggie McDonald is hoping to raise the profile of her new Orchard View organizing business via her first high-profile client. Professor Lincoln Sinclair may be up for a Nobel Prize, but he’s hopeless when it comes to organizing anything other than his thoughts. For an academic, he’s also amassed more than his share of enemies. When Sinclair’s fiancée is found dead on the floor of his home laboratory — electrocuted in a puddle of water—Maggie takes on the added task of finding the woman’s murderer. To do so, she’ll have to outmaneuver the suspicious, obnoxious police investigator she’s nicknamed “Detective Awful” before a shadowy figure can check off the first item on their personal to-do list — Kill Maggie McDonald.

My thoughts:

I did not read the first book in this series and I did not feel lost at all. I will be going back and reading the first book now. Maggie was a hit with me - I loved that she is a professional organizer. She used all of her skills to find out who murdered Sinclair's fiancee. It is also nice that there are organizational tips at the beginning of each chapter. Now to just put them into use. Most of the characters were likable but I have to agree with Maggie and I did not like Detective Awful - he just rubbed me the wrong way at times. The author did a good job of hiding who the culprit was until the ending. Another thing I liked was how this book was easy to read. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. 

About the author:

Mary Feliz has lived in five states and two countries but calls Silicon Valley home. Traveling to other areas of the United States, she’s frequently reminded that what seems normal in the high-tech heartland can seem decidedly odd to the rest of the country.

A big fan of irony, serendipity, diversity, and quirky intelligence tempered with gentle humor, she strives to bring these elements into her writing, although her characters tend to take these elements to a whole new level.

She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Authors Guild where she feels at home among those plot to kill. She's also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers who seem less blood-thirsty and more interested in the skeletons in the closet.

Rest in Peach by Susan Fulong - Review

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: February 7, 2017

Number of pages: 304

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Georgia Peach Mystery #3

Synopsis:

The author of Rest in Peach serves up another bite of Southern charm in the latest Georgia Peach mystery.

Nola Mae Harper is too busy restocking the jars of preserves and chutney flying off the shelves of her shop, Peachy Keen, to keep up with all the gossip about the upcoming mayoral election, but she does know the debate is sure to be a real barn burner. 

Local farmer Clem Rogers claims he has a bombshell that could take small business owner Margie Price out of the running. But before Clem can reveal his juicy secret at the debate, his actual barn goes up in flames--with him inside of it. The town casts its vote against Margie, but Nola isn't convinced the hardworking woman is capable of murder. Now to clear Margie's name Nola will have to work fast under pressure, before Margie gets taken in by the fuzz... 

INCLUDES RECIPES!

My thoughts:

This was a fun addition to the Georgia Peach Mystery Series. Going back to this little town is liking visiting family again and I just love the names of the businesses. I like the characters and how they all play off of each other. This was a fast read for me which I needed. I also like how the author kept me guessing until the end. Nola is not only independent but she knows what needs to be done and she does it. She also gets help from her friends to try and clear Margie's name. I am looking forward to the next book in this series and to see what Nola gets herself involved in next. 

About the author: 

Susan Furlong the author of the Georgia Peach Mystery series and the forthcoming dark suspense novel, SPLINTERED SILENCE, the first book of Bone Gap Travellers Mysteries. She also contributes to the New York Times bestselling Novel Idea Mysteries under the pen name Lucy Arlington. She has worked as a freelance writer, academic writer, ghost writer, translator, high-school language arts teacher, and martial arts instructor. Raised in North Dakota, she graduated from Montana State University with a double major in French and Spanish. She and her family live in central Illinois. Visit her on Facebook or at www.susanfurlong.com.