Life, Loss, and Puffins - Book Review

Review of a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde

For two teenagers, their bucket list isn’t about dying. It’s about finally living.

Highlights of the Story

Life, Loss, and Puffins: A Novel

The two main characters in Life, Loss, and Puffins are teenagers Ru Evans and Gabriel.

Ru lives in California with her mother. She is freakishly smart. She taught herself euclidean geometry at age seven and has a photographic memory and total recall. As the story begins, Ru is about to enter college, and she is only thirteen years old. 

The college is 150 miles from Ru’s home, so her mother arranges for her to board with a family near the college campus. This family consists of a mother and her seventeen year old son, Gabriel.

Gabriel is very much an outsider like Ru. They both have trouble making friends; Ru due to her intelligence, Gabriel because he has his own way of ‘being’, which includes wearing makeup on his eyelashes and nail polish on his fingers.

Ru and Gabriel, perhaps because they recognize the ‘uniqueness’ in each other, form a deep sibling-like bond. Being able to relate to someone else in their world that they can talk to is a first for each of them. 

Originally, Ru’s mother planned to come pick up Ru each weekend, but the first few weeks she comes up with excuse after excuse why she cannot come. Finally Ru gets Gabriel (who drives her to the college campus every day and picks her up in the afternoons after his own college classes) to drive her home to see her mom. She discovers her mom’s sister is there and that her mother is terminally ill. She had tried to keep this from Ru. Quite soon, Ru’s mother dies and Ru is expected to go live in Kentucky with her miserable aunt, her only remaining relative and one she has never gotten along with. 

The Trip of a Lifetime

Not able to bear the thought of life with her aunt without ever really having a normal life (wanting to go from being a smart person to just being a ‘person’), Ru tells Gabriel what she would like to do. Gabriel agrees to help her fulfil her ultimate dream. They set off from California and head for Canada. Ru’s bucket list includes seeing the aurora borealis and the Atlantic puffins in the wild. 

Summary

Atlantic Puffin (Source: Pixabay)

Ru & Gabriel know that they will be in trouble when caught, but their special friendship, combined with help in unexpected places, combine to help them both see what it feels like to really ‘live’ as a normal person as they take life one beautiful and spontaneous day at a time. 

This is a delightful feel-good, coming of age story about two young people you will really enjoy getting to know. 

• For more books by and about Catherine Ryan Hyde, click here.
• For more book reviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*Book Review of Life, Loss, and Puffins written by Wednesday Elf

 

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Reviewing -The Glassmaker

 

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chavalier

I love reading historical fiction and Tracy Chavalier is one of my favorite authors.  This book takes place in Venice and the areas around it and since I've been to Venice it made this book extra special for me.  As they were describing various places in Venice I could picture just where they were talking about.  The author makes the characters come alive in this book which makes it a very compelling book to read.

Story Summary

The author takes an interesting take on the timelessness of Venice in this book.  In the first paragraph of each chapter she takes on a timeline of Venice through the years starting in 1486 and ending in present day.  In the rest of each chapter we follow Orsola Rosso, a woman who has grown up in a glassmaking family in Murano, just a gondolier ride away from Venice.

In Orsola's time woman were meant to be helpers in the business, but never actual glassmakers.  In order to help her family in a time of need Orsola learns to make glass beads in secret.

Venice in 1486 is a very wealthy and an opulent center for trade. As time flows through the years Venice suffers through plagues and wars and eventually turns in to more of a tourist destination than a trade center.

In this book we follow the Rosso family through good times and bad.  We see life through the eyes of Orsola and view her pains and triumphs as she deals with deaths, births, and changes in the glassmaking business.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Book on Amazon

The Glassmaker is available on Amazon in Hardback, Paperback, Audiobook or eBook.  The Glassmaker

 Reviews of Andriana Trigiani Books

If you enjoy historical fiction you may enjoy this book. Here is a book I reviewed by Adriana Trigiani.

The Good Left Undone

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Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Book Review of a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, a favorite author who combines relatable dilemmas and interesting characters who often tug at your heartstrings. This is a heartfelt novel of hope and second chances.

A Synopsis of Rolling Toward Clear Skies

Rolling Toward Clear Skies: A Novel

Maggie Blount is a California GP and divorced mother of two teenage girls. In addition to her private practice with 3 other physicians, she also works with Alex, her professional (and romantic) partner, running Doctors on Wheels.   Their mobile non-profit vans provide free medical care in the aftermath of disasters.

The story begins as Maggie & Alex get ready to head to Louisiana where a hurricane is about to make landfall. Maggie’s daughters, Willa and Gemma, go to stay with their father for the duration, complaining all the way, as they have grown up to be very entitled, spoiled girls. 

During their time in Louisiana, Maggie and Alex treat 2 loving teenage sisters whose parents were killed in the storm that destroyed their home.  There is also a terrified puppy who becomes as attached to the girls as the girls do to him. 

When it is found that these sisters' only remaining relatives are very elderly grandparents who are unable to care for them, Maggie decides to foster Jean and Rose. After some preliminary paperwork and home visits by social services, Jean & Rose come to live with Maggie and her family. 

It is an emotional story that eventually finds Maggie’s new blended family in chaos. The foster sisters, Jean and Rose, are polite and appreciative and feel blessed to have found a safe new home. Maggie’s own daughters are self-involved teenagers who have grown up always having everything they wanted and who resist this intrusion by strangers into their privileged lives. Maggie knows she has made some mistakes in parenting her daughters, giving them too much to make up for her long work hours and the divorce. 

Maggie seeks help through a therapist to admit her role in Willa & Gemma’s entitled upbringing, and to learn how to teach her daughters about gratitude and empathy. She begins to learn to undo the damage and anticipate the needs of all four girls, Alex, and the puppy. 

Summary

Wise words and insightful observations combine to bring about a satisfying conclusion to this topical, thought-provoking, and appealing story. 

Related Reviews:

For more reviews of Catherine Ryan Hyde books, click here.

For a review of author Catherine Ryan Hyde, click here.

For more book reviews on ReviewThisReviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*Review of the book “Rolling Toward Clear Skies” was written by Wednesday Elf

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Reviewing The Good Left Undone

 

If you love historical fiction, like I do, this wonderful story of a grandmother near the end of her life will be one you will enjoy.  She spends time with her family filling them in on the family history and secrets from years gone by.  In this story you will also learn of history from World War II and what life was like in Italy, France, England and Scotland as told through the grandmothers' stories.

Adriana Trigiani has long been one of my favorite authors of historical fiction and she does not disappoint in this novel.

Story Summary

The story tells of the Cabrelli family, a proud artisan Italian family that live in the small village of Viareggio in Italy.  We are hearing the story told in present day by the family matriarch Mathilda to her granddaughter Anine.

The story begins pre-World War II when Domenica is a young girl who loves to help people.  We follow her through her struggles to become a nurse and the problems she encounters when she offers important information to a young mother.  The town does not approve of her giving the information and she must leave the town.  She goes to Marseilles France to work with nuns in a hospital.  World War II breaks out and she must then go to Scotland.

The book tells of strong women who are faced with ethical, love and family decisions. These women make decisions during difficult times that shape their futures and those around them.

Here is a link to the book on Amazon The Good Left Undone

Historical Fiction Books I Have Reviewed

If you enjoy historical fiction, here are a few other books in that genre that I have reviewed.

Spark of Revolution

Girl Called Samson

Enemy Like Me

Diamond Eye

Smoke on Whiteadder

Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

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The Ruins in Which We Bleed ~ A Book Review

If I am given a chance I will always gravitate towards a great historical novel every time!  

Thank you Steve N. Lee for adding me to your pre-publishing review team!  This book is now available to you!  

The Ruins in Which We Bleed was a story that needed to be told!  There are many stories from the era of World War II.  All of them are full of courage, strength and undeniable spirit, especially when all the chaos is seen from the eyes of a 13 year old Helena!

At the beginning of the war, I think many of the Jewish settlements were in total disbelief that the Nazis could be so cruel.  Yet their hatred for the Jews made them capable of so many ways to abuse, torture and kill those they hated.

Dehumanizing the Jewish population and revelling in the power they had over these people made many of the Nazis into absolute monsters. 

 

While I have read many books about the Holocaust and Historical Novels, this one really made me feel what our young Helena was going through. The Nazis were always looking for ways to make their lives even more miserable than they already were.  Food was scarce and watery soup kept many alive even though there was little or no nutrition in that food.  Money could not buy your safety or help meet any of your needs.  Sickness and starvation were a fact of life.

Helena is a fighter and will not give up easily.  She manages in this hell to maintain her spirit and compassion when others would have easily gone insane.  She is determined to get out of this alive and tell the stories of her family and friends to a world that needs to hear it the most.

The Ruins in Which We Bleed is a novel based on true life and I would suggest that you give it a place on your MUST READ list of books.  I highly recommend it as it is a page turner.  Even those who don't necessarily like Historical Novels, this one is sure to make you think again. 

Steve N. Lee has done a wonderful job of bringing to life the trials and heartaches, the unbelievable heroics and tenacity of some of the most vulnerable in the ghettos of Poland and beyond.  It is worthwhile to remind ourselves of the horrors that war will bring down on the human race.  

Now that I know you want this book, you will have to wait until June 12th, to get it!  It is a 5 Star book and deserves to be read by all! When you are finished reading this review remember to order your book so that you can start to read the pages that kept me up all night.  

This book is now available to anyone who wants to know and read more!  

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, A Book Review

I picked up The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder because the title intrigued me, and as an eBay seller fascinated by vintage finds, I was instantly drawn in. It turned out that author C.L. Miller’s novel is enjoyable as a murder mystery story as well as a look into the world of high-end antiques.

THE STORY

Freya, a former antique hunter, is pulled back into the world of antiques after the mysterious death of her friend and mentor, Arthur. With the help of her odd but interesting Aunt Carole, she deciphers clues Arthur left behind—his way of ensuring that, should anything suspicious happen to him, someone would investigate. Their search finds them at an antiques retreat in a grand manor, where the furnishings are actually replicas rather than originals, and the guests seem to have questionable motives.

REVIEWS

Goodreads reviewers give the book 3 1/2 stars calling it a mixed bag with good marks for the look into the world of antiques but lower marks for writing style. 

Bookshelf Soliloquies calls it a cozy mystery. Like me, writer Phoebe appreciated the glimpse into the world of antiques and, as she put it, the quirky characters. However, she, too had some discomfort with the writing style.

Amazon readers are a bit more generous, granting 4 stars and calling it ‘a very good read.’

Consensus amongst the many reviews that I read seems to be that the writing was a bit distracting, with some finding it a bit hard to get used to. I agree though I will add that I did get used to it and I did find the book more engaging as I went along.

RECOMMENDED

Who will enjoy this book? I recommend it for someone looking for a cozy mystery that is a bit more complex or for someone who is interested in antiques and the antique underworld. I will be reading the second book in the series, The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea.

Another strong pick? If you are also interested in a similar look into art and the art world, Jeffrey Archer’s False Impression is a riveting must-read. A real page turner. Read my full review of First Impression here.

If you haven't read The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, find it here on Amazon. If you have read it and you enjoyed The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder, you’ll be pleased to know there’s more to read. The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea is next in the series, and with luck, both it and any future installments will be stronger and more captivating. 

See you
At the bookstore!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

More Reading:

Death Takes a Spin, An Upcycling Mystery  

Irish Village Mystery Series by Carlene O'Connor

Ian Rankin's Knots and Crosses Book Review

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Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben

Book Review of a new thriller by Harlan Coben, the #1 New York Times bestselling author and world renowned storyteller. This is Book #2 of the 2 book series with Detective Sami Kierce whom we first met in Fool Me Once. 

Synopsis of Nobody’s Fool

Nobody's Fool

As Nobody’s Fool begins, it has been a year since we met Sami Kierce in Fool Me Once, and Sami’s life circumstances have changed. He has been forced to leave the police department in disgrace and wants nothing more than to put his past behind him.  But, somehow the past just isn’t done with him yet! 

When Sami Kierce was a young college grad, he and some classmates took the summer to backpack in Spain. While there, he met a girl, Anna, and, when his friends moved on to the next stop on their itinerary, Sami stayed. Several days later, he wakes up covered in blood with a knife in his hand and his girlfriend dead. Panicked, he runs. 

Now, twenty-two years later, with Kierce no longer a detective, we find him working as a private investigator. He is now married and has a baby. To make ends meet, he also teaches a class for wannabe sleuths at a night school in New York City. Suddenly one night he spots a familiar face in the back of the room. It is unmistakably Anna. When he begins to approach her, she runs. 

Kierce knows he has no choice but to find this woman and solve the mystery that has haunted his thoughts every moment since that terrible day in Spain.

With the help of his students, Sami begins to investigate, because the facts simply don’t add up. It is difficult for him to face the past, but Kierce needs to finally find the truth, and to prove once and for all that he’s nobody’s fool. 

Summary

This twisty and stunning thriller is book #2 in the two-book series featuring Sami Kierce. 

Netflix has adapted many of Harlan Coben’s novels into TV series. Fool Me Once (reviewed by Sylvestermouse) has already been made into a TV series. It seems safe to say that this novel, Nobody’s Fool, will soon join the series. 

For More Reviews of Harlan Coben Books, Click Here

For More Book Reviews, Click on ReviewThisBooks.com

*Nobody’s Fool Book Review written by Wednesday Elf

Books 1 &  2 of Harlan Coben’s two-book Detective Sami Kierce series 

Fool Me Once

Nobody's Fool

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8 Minutes in the Morning, Book Review

8 Minutes in the Morning is a book about diet and weight training exercise. This isn't the first time that I have worked through this book, however, it is one that I have come back to multiple times.

8 Minutes in the Morning is by Jorge Cruise, who experienced his own health issues as well as watching his family members experience similar types of issues. He became inspired to make a change and he shares what he has learned, along with stories of the benefits that others have experienced using his methods.

The first part of the book talks about food choices, i.e. giving up the sugary stuff and or replacing it with less sugary stuff, and choosing healthy fats instead to help people feel more satiated. He provides food charts in the back part of the book along with recommendations on whether it is a limited food item or one that is unlimited - referring to how much one can have of said item, in a day.

He also provides a simple eating log that you can copy, and fill out for each day to help keep you on track.

Then he gets to the greater core of the book, at least in my opinion. That's the exercise part. There are two weight training exercises recommended, for six out of the seven days in a week. You get a day off. The key with this weight loss program is to build muscle; and in turn, muscle burns more fat. As one tones up, they will automatically burn more fat.

It's not just about the exercise though. The healthy fats are a key ingredient in building muscle, as well as doing the exercises. This approach counts on both parts.

The very first time that I used this book, I lost more pounds than I have since other times that I have done refreshers. I attribute that to my diet needing a lot more correction the first time around. However, although I haven't really loss much weight this time, my clothes are fitting better again.

Having just worked through this book again, which covers a four week period, I note that I am stronger now than at other times. I am able to do all of the exercises as shown, instead of subbing selected ones with some other exercise in it's place. I have also noticed that the heavier duty gardening work has become easier.

I have done dumbbell exercises with videos from time to time, but I didn't stick with that as much. I like that this method is more structured; just two exercise routines for each day, 6 days out of the week. I like that different muscle groups are done on different days, giving the recently exercised muscles time to recover and you work on a different focused muscle area the next day.

I haven't followed along with all of Cruise's recommendations, but have utilized most of them, and am glad that I did.

If you want to try a different way to loose weight and to tone up, I do recommend 8 Minutes in the morning. Some of the routines might take a little longer than 8 minutes, especially if it is your first time doing any of them, but I have found that it became easier and quicker over time. As with any new physical venture, check in with your body and adjust to any limits you may have.

8 Minutes in the Morning book. Check price on Amazon.

Cheryl Paton

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The Boys From Biloxi ~ John Grisham ~ A Book Review

Sometimes we just need to get away from our daily lives and all the "drama" within and find a new place to call home for a while. 

The Boys from Biloxi allowed me to do just that! 

 Everyone who loves a good drama/mystery/whodunit will enjoy this book! The "Boys" in the title are two best friends who of course come from Biloxi.

Biloxi was known for its beaches and resorts and a bustling seafood industry. Their families are immigrants who are drawn to the area by work that is easy to come by! Of course their hope is to give their families a better life. Hard work in a bustling community is the motto for many of the immigrants that will call Biloxi home.

 

 But there is also a dark underside to the area! 

 All their dreams are coming true for the next generation of boys who learn to play baseball and hang out together. The next generation was given all of the opportunities that their parents and grandparents had worked so hard to provide. 

 As Hugh and Keith go through school and their own challenges and disappointments, their lives take a complete different trajectory. 

 Hugh can't wait to make some really easy money working the darker side of Biloxi. He starts by helping his father with the grocery stores, but his ambitions are bigger than that! Surely getting involved with the darker side and learning how it works will be his ultimate goal.

 

 Keith on the other hand decides that all the drinking, gambling and other nefarious activities are ruining Biloxi for those who really love the area. His father becomes a prosecutor determined to clean up the area and his son Keith is right behind him.

 So a long standing friendship becomes a long standing grievance that pits the boys against each other.

 The Boys from Biloxi is a great coming of age novel as well as an eye opener for those making choices in their own lives! 

 John Grisham does not disappoint in this novel! The action is fast paced and you can see how the undercover practices of life can cause many ripples in the fabric of Biloxi's society. 

 If you are looking for a great page turner of a book, I would recommend The Boys of Biloxi for you! Add it to your summer reading list! Or if you have an Amazon Audible Account you can get it for free!  It is an Amazon Best Seller, so you know it's a good story!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Lethal Prey by John Sandford - Book Review

A Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers Novel

I have been a fan of John Sandford’s books since his first one (Rules of Prey) published in 1989.  Sandford has written 35 books in the ‘Prey’ series, featuring Lucas Davenport as the main character. In 2007, Sandford began the Virgil Flowers series ~ now totaling 12 books. 

Both series are police procedurals in the mystery/thriller genre, with the main characters being in law enforcement. By the time we meet Virgil Flowers (in Book #1 - Dark of the Moon), both Virgil and Lucas work for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and Davenport is nominally Virgil’s boss.

By Book 31 in the Prey series, Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers have begun handling difficult cases together. Lethal Prey is the 4th novel starring this pair of investigators, providing, as always, a very interesting mystery to solve, plus giving the reader an extremely amusing time with their delightful ongoing ‘cop’ humor. 

Synopsis of Lethal Prey

Lethal Prey (A Prey Novel)

In Lethal Prey, Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers have once again joined forces, this time to try and solve a 20 year old cold case crime and track down a ruthless killer who will do whatever it takes to keep the past buried. 

The crime was the murder of Doris Grandfelt, an employee at an accounting firm who was brutally stabbed to death.  Despite her twin sister Lara Grandfelt’s persistent calls to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the killer was never found.

Now Lara, diagnosed with breast cancer and confronted with the possibility of her own death, is determined to find Doris’ killer. She offers a $5 million reward for information leading to the killer’s arrest. To this end, she releases the entire investigative file online onto true crime sites. Dozens of true crime bloggers show up looking for new evidence and leads (toward a share of the reward). The problem is, all discoveries have to be reviewed and followed up by Lucas and Virgil. 

The crime bloggers DO end up providing new clues and leads, which is helpful to the detectives. But they also blast every clue online, allowing the killer, whose identity the reader knows in Chapter One, to keep one step ahead. As the killer eliminates more people to prevent the detectives from discovering the identity of the murderer, Lucas and Virgil find the whole case not only frustrating, but deadly. 

Summary

The ending leaves some things unresolved, thus leaving the reader to decide how things work out both for the killer and with Virgil's future plans. Or, perhaps Sandford is just leaving it open for a future follow-up book). 

This non-standard Sandford ending has caused readers’ reviews to be mixed, with some finding this lack of conclusion disappointing. Others, such as myself, found the story very interesting, and the witty banter between Virgil and Lucas highly entertaining. I am never disappointed with any John Sandford novel and enjoyed Lethal Prey very much. 

Related Reviews:

• For more reviews of books by John Sandford, Click Here
• For more book reviews, click on ReviewThisBooks.com

*Book Review of Lethal Prey is written by Wednesday Elf

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Review of A Reckless Courtship: A Chronicle of Misadventures by Martha Keyes

I must admit, I was rather sad when I finished reading the third book in the series, "A Chronicle of Misadventures".  I thoroughly enjoyed all of the misadventures of the brothers.  I felt a bit lost and wondered what could I possibly read next that would even come close to this series.  Suffice it to say, even though I am always reading a book, they are not all as captivating as this series.

We met the Yorke brothers in the first book, "Reputation at Risk".  An underlying concern for the family in all of the books, is Silas Yorke's situation.  He has been accused of murder and subsequently left England to hide out in France.  His time in France was quite difficult.  He had to find a way to survive in a foreign country without any friends or family, plus he suffered illness. Unfortunately, most of his family believed he must be guilty since an esteemed member of Parliament claims to have witnessed the murder.  It takes time for the family to conclude that Silas was falsely accused.  

We follow Silas's plight through each book.  We can almost feel his desperation to prove his innocence and return to his normal life, home and family.  When he sneaks back to England in the second book and hides in his brother, William's guest house, we come to adore this impetuous and somewhat mischievous character. 

Book 3 is all about Silas and his misadventures incognito in London. 

 

Synopsis of A Reckless Courtship

 A Reckless Courtship: A Regency Romance (A Chronicle of Misadventures Book 3)Check PriceSilas Yorke is determined to find someone who will help him prove his innocence.  His accuser, Lord Drayton, would rather see him hanged or stay excelled in France, than to see him free.  

Silas has been told that Sir Walter Bence has fallen out with Lord Drayton over a failed joint business venture.  Silas assumed a false name and returned to London with his youngest brother, Frederick, who plans to introduce him to Bence in the hopes that they can join together against Drayton.  

As luck would have it, there is a masquerade in Vauxhall Gardens.  The brothers believe Silas can go into the crowd and not be recognized by anyone, especially since he will be wearing a domino (a long hooded cloak with a mask).  It would be the perfect opportunity for Frederick to innocently chance upon Sir Bence and introduce him to Silas.  Plus, they have two friends that will also be attending the party, so Silas should be able to blend in without a problem.  One of the friends is even meeting his aunt, cousin and her friend there.  The group should give Silas plenty of cover.  

When the group gets separated momentarily, Silas is late for the introductions to the women, but that matters not.  He is there for only one reason.  However, when one of the young women gets her costume caught in a bush and inadvertently left behind, Silas steps forward to help her.  She is rightfully leery of any stranger and insists she can manage for herself.  She does manage to get untangled and Silas simply says, "when I see Fairchild, I shall inform him his cousin is safe" which informs her that she really would have been safe to accept his aid, but he has already disappeared.  Now, Arabella realizes she must find her group which had moved on ahead.  When she is approached by two inebriated men, she is quite frightened and runs, headlong into Silas's arms.  She smacks his arm and states "what sort of gentleman leaves his wife in a maze such as this?"  Silas willingly plays along, the men apologize and take off in the opposite direction.

 

________________

And, that is how A Reckless Courtship begins, but their odd meeting is not the only thing reckless about Silas continuing to pursue Arabella!     

  

 

Reputation at Risk: a Regency Romance (A Chronicle of Misadventures Book 1)

Secrets of a Duke: A Regency Romance (A Chronicle of Misadventures Book 2)

A Reckless Courtship: A Regency Romance (A Chronicle of Misadventures Book 3)

Review of A Reckless Courtship: A Chronicle of Misadventures, Book 3 by Martha Keyes by:

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Book Review- Peaches and Peril

 

                                                 Peaches and Peril by Karen C Whalen

I just finished another delightful book by Karen Whalen.  This one is part of her Dinner Club series of mysteries.  It features Jane Marsh and a cast of interesting characters. This book had me guessing who the murderer was till almost the end of the book.  It was a great page-turner.

Book Synopsis

This book begins when Jane Marsh and some of her fellow dinner club members went for a weekend to enjoy the Peach Festival in a small Colorado town and look to finalize preparations for Jane's upcoming wedding.  In the beginning we find the characters at a Murder Mystery game  at the B&B where they are staying.  Each of the attendees is in costume for their character in the "Murder Mystery Game" and they all have notes about their characters.  Jane messes up early on by mistakenly revealing that she is the killer.  This pretty much brings the mystery to a halt and the participants end up calling it an early evening.  Now the real mystery will begin when Jane comes across a dead body in the B&B.

The police are called and everyone that has attended or worked at the B&B, including the members of the Diner Club, become suspects.  The book continues with Jane trying to figure out the killer.  There is much at stake including the reputation of the B&B and the small town election for mayor.  This is a small town where everyone knows everyone, and everyone seems to have an opinion.  

If you are looking for a cozy mystery with lots of characters and possible suspects this is the book for you.  I didn't guess the killer till almost the end and it was fun to follow Jane's logic on who might be the culprit.

Here is a link to the book on Amazon.

Peaches and Peril

More Book Reviews by Karen Whalen   

      Karen has written three different series of cozy mysteries.  The are: A Tow Truck Murder Mystery, A Dinner Club Murder Mystery and A Sea Oaks Beach Murder Mystery.  I have written reviews on several of the books.  Here are links to my reviews.

• Book Review- Washed Up on Sea Oaks Beach
•  Book Review of Everything Bundt the Truth
• Booty in the Backseat- Book Review
• Reviewing Murder at Sea Oaks Beach
• Book Review-Stiletto to the Pedal
• Book Review - Friends Come to Call
• Book Review - Toes on the Dash                   

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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