Rainy Days for the Harper Girls by Rosie Clarke

Welcome!  Here are some of the books that will be out on June 9:  Red Sky Over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman, The Bitter and the Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader, and Daddy's Girl by Danielle Steel.   The other books that were coming out June 9 have had their release dates changed. What are you currently reading?  I am reading The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper.

Jewelry department

Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls by Rosie Clarke has Harpers Emporium celebrating their two-year anniversary in March of 1914.  Ben and Sally Harper are married and expecting their first child in a few months.  Ben has acquired a building next to Harpers and is planning to add a couple of new departments.  Sally is happily buying new stock for the store and has no plans to quit working before the baby is born.  Mick O’Sullivan, a friend of Sally’s, has part interest in three restaurants and will soon be opening a fourth.  Rachel Craven is a now a floor walker at Harpers and is stepping out with a man.  She has not yet told her friends about her beau.  Miss Minnie is working at Harpers doing alterations and adding her beautiful embroidery to garments.  She is shocked when she discovers Jonathan Stockbridge works at Harpers. Becky Stockbridge is enjoying her friendship with Maggie Gibbs and is taking a first aid course in the evenings with her.  Maggie loves her job at Harpers and enjoys her time with Tim Burrows when he is not flying with the Royal Flying Corps.  Marion and Janice are new employees at Harpers and are working in the accessories department with Maggie.  Marion’s wages are needed to help support her family.  Her mother is ill and spends most of her time in bed.  Marion’s father works on ships transporting goods and the family prefers it when he is away because of his abusive behavior when he drinks.  Marion has younger siblings that need her attention.  The sun is shining now in England, but stormy days are ahead as signs of war gets closer. 

Millinery Department

Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls by Rosie Clarke is the 3^rd novel in Welcome to Harpers Emporium series.  This is a series that is best read in order.  Each book builds upon the previous one.  I like the characters in this engaging historical series.  We follow the different characters who work at Harpers Emporium.  I find them to be realistic.  Each person has their own struggles and issues that they are dealing with at the present time.  I like that the ladies are involved in women’s suffrage.  Rachel likes her new job as floor walker at Harpers and has a beau.  He betrayed her with an article he wrote, so she is not sure that she can trust him.  Marion Kaye is a new hire at Harpers.  Her mother is ill and has basically given up on life thanks to her bully of a husband.  Marion is responsible for caring for her mother, her younger siblings, and the house even though she is only seventeen.  Reggie Jackson has shown his interest in Marion, but she is unsure about marriage (who can blame her).  Miss Minnie likes living with Rachel and the other ladies, but she still grieves the loss of her sister.  Miss Minnie gave up the love of her life to stay with her sister.  Imagine her surprise when she runs into the same man at Harpers.  Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls takes place in the spring of 1914 when the situation in Europe is escalating.  I thought the author captured the time-period with the various historical events and how people felt about the looming war.  I enjoyed catching up with the characters in Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls.   I like Rosie Clarke’s conversational writing style which draws the reader right in.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the various products sold at Harpers (the jewelry, hats, scarfs, and handbags).  I liked the reference to Yardley products which makes my favorite soap.  I am looking forward to the next tale in Welcome to Harpers Emporium series.  Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls is an entertaining historical novel with missing merchandise, impending conflict, financial strain, budding romance, upcoming birth, and store expansion.

Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls if available from Amazon*.  Welcome to Harpers Emporium series includes The Shop Girls of Harpers and Love & Marriage at Harpers.  All three books are available through Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the tour for Red Sky Over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman which releases June 9.  I hope you have a friendly day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Amish Generations by Kathleen Fuller

Good Day!  I hope you had a pleasant first week of June.  Amanda Flower is starting a new cozy mystery series through Hallmark Publishing.  Dead End Detective comes out August 25 and it is the beginning of A Piper & Porter Mystery series.  Doggone Dead by Dane McCaslin also comes out August 25.  It is the debut of The 2 Sisters Pet Valet Mystery series.  Is there a new book you are looking forward to reading?

Amish Generations by Kathleen Fuller contains four sweet Amish romances that span four different generations.  Young Love features Fern Gingerich who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis despite only being in her twenties.  She would love to marry and have a family, but Fern feels that a man would not want her because of her illness.  When the pain is bad, Fern is confined to bed.  When Dan begins paying her attention, Fern wonders if love can conquer all.  Long-Awaited Love has thirty-four-year-old Jemima Kurtz returning home to Middlefield, Ohio after being gone a year helping her younger sister and her family.  She encounters Everett while waiting for her ride.  It has been ten years since she has last seen him.  Jemima has a mix of feelings of inside her.  Can the past be overcome so they can have a future?  In Second-Chance Love, Lora Beth and Benjamin have both lost their spouses.  They meet at a wedding and begin corresponding with each other.  Their children want them to move in with them and treat them like they are in their dotage.  Ben and Lora Beth are only in their 40s, for Pete’s sake.  Can friendship end up being their second chance at love?  Never Too Late has Regina’s friend, Elva visiting town and entering a baking contest with her blueberry pie.  Jerald, a friend of Regina’s husband, is one of the judges.  Jerald is a lifelong bachelor who loves good food.  When he tastes Elva’s pie, it is love at first bite.  Can two people find love in their twilight years?  

I enjoyed reading each of the four stories in Amish Generations.  I thought the novellas were well-written with interesting characters and situations.  Each main character has their good points and their foibles just like real people.  I especially liked that the road to happily ever after was not smooth.  It made the tales more realistic.  Faith is important to each character. Christian values are included in each story without it becoming preachy.  Forgiveness is one of the themes.  You are forgiving someone else, but it is really for yourself.  It is amazing how the act of forgiving someone will fill you with peace.  I like that Young Love featured a woman in her twenties with a debilitating disease.  We get to see how someone can look normal on the outside but riddled with pain on the inside.  My favorite lines from Amish Generations is, “You can do anything you want to do if it’s God’s will.”  Amish Generations contains four heartwarming stories that shows that it is never too late for love to find you.

Amish Generations can be purchased from Amazon*.  You can find more novels by Kathleen Fuller here.  Amish Christmas Miracles releases November 10 and it will contain a novella from Kathleen Fuller.  A Double Dose of Love by Kathleen Fuller is the first An Amish Mail-Order Bride Novel.  This new Amish novel will be out on January 5, 2021.  Thank you for joining me today and taking the time to read my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring Rainy Days for the Harper Girls by Rosie Clarke.  It is the 3rd story in Welcome to Harpers Emporium series.  Each book in this series is available through Kindle Unlimited.  I do hope that you have a jolly day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Therese Plummer: Audiobook Narrator, Actor, and Storyteller

Get to know Therese Plummer

Please introduce yourself.  Tell us what you do and what you are currently working on.

My name is Therese Plummer and I am a professional Actor and Audiobook Narrator.  I  just finished recording a six book series called The Vampire World Saga by P.T. Hylton and Jonathan Benecke for Podium Audio.  I am also working on a title for Irene Hannon called Starfish Pier for Recorded Books and a couple fun day records at Audible with different projects.

How did you get started?

I was auditioning and taking classes in NYC about 18 years ago and my mom kept encouraging me to get into audiobooks.  As a daughter is wont to do, I ignored her and kept on my path, but when an audiobook class popped up I was intrigued and took it and the rest is history.  Robin Miles was teaching that class and told me I should be doing this professionally.  She taught me the skills needed to go into the booth and bring a story to life and amazingly it is ALL about acting.  It is acting.  I began auditioning and the journey has been evolving for the last 15 years. So, I had to go back to my mom, who is my number one fan today, and tell her, again, she was right!

Robin Miles

What inspired the work you are doing?

I am the fifth of eight kids: four brothers and three sisters.  If you wanted to get heard in that tribe you better have your story and characters and performance top notch because it was a rough crowd!  My dad is a brilliant storyteller and used to perform A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens as a one-man show for us growing up.  He started the gig as a way to make extra money for Christmas presents for his tribe but it became a hit and soon a Christmas tradition for so many families.  Today my brother and I tell the story at Grey Towers in Milford PA., since my father retired, and it is a complete honor and joy.  Also, I have been fascinated by life and other human beings since I have been born.  I am a natural student and observer of the human experience.  I studied psychology and theatre at King’s College, in PA.  Working with kids and adults in crises and dealing with substance abuse and mental illness was the greatest acting school I could have gone too.  I began naturally utilizing my creative sides in therapy, with the kids especially, and watched them flourish and come alive in a way talking therapies couldn’t bring out.  Having my own struggles and recovery growing up I also brought an understanding to the table that most clinical workers don’t have.  Again, the human experience.  So, no matter who I am voicing in a story I have so much research in my mental and physical database to draw from that it is amazing. I never knew being alive and fully immersed in life in all its colors could provide me with so much to give back to others.

Grey Towerss

What is your biggest passion?  Do you feel like you are living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion in this lifetime is to utilize my creativity and gifts and be of service to others.  I don’t always know what that is going to look like but some of the emails I receive from listeners going through health issues or depression or PTSD and telling me that listening to my voice perform the stories has made their days brighter is the greatest feeling in the world. Moms emailing me that they listened to a story I performed on a family vacation and the kids were laughing and enjoying it is pure gold for my heart.  My passion is to continue reaching as many people as I can (TED Talks, The Moth…) with my story and where I ended up to help maybe one person in the room not give up and keep going.

What is your biggest dream?

I would LOVE to be on a bigger platform to utilize my gifts of acting and storytelling and helping others.   I come from a really crazy beautiful talented and dysfunctional upbringing that has shaped me into the actor and storyteller I am today. I almost gave up when I was younger and if it wasn’t for my innate creativity and the help of teachers, mentors and guides along the way I wouldn’t be here.  I would LOVE to share that story on a TED Talk or other platforms so others will have hope.

More about Therese and Her Work

What is a day in the studio like for you?

I get to the studio to start my session at 10:00 am.  I will yuck it up with the engineers and whoever else is around and then get into my studio for a full day of performing.  I love the pomodoro technique lately as it is fantastic for productivity and keeps my energy levels at a sustainable level.  My typical recording day is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tell me a bit about transforming books into audiobooks. How do you prepare, and what do you most enjoy about the preparation? From one project to the next, how much do you change your approach to each audiobook?

I love this question!  Each book is a new friend I have just met and in order to get to know her I need to really listen. The book tells me everything I need to know because the author has taken the time to create this world and the characters whose journeys I am lucky to go on and bring to life. Every story has its own personality and vibe.  If I have questions regarding pronunciations I will submit a word list to my producers and also will collaborate with the authors if I am able to ask specific questions about how they ‘hear’ certain characters. My prepping means I read the entire book and will highlight ‘directions,’ I see (e.g. he whispered, she muttered, he said in a flat voice, she roared).  I will have made a new friend so when I go into  the studio to give the book a voice it is now a dialogue with my new friend.

 

What do you believe are your greatest strengths as a narrator of books? What is the most rewarding or coolest thing you get to bring to this experience through your reading?

I believe my greatest strength as a storyteller is the ability to immerse my whole self into all of the characters and trust myself to then translate that vocally. I lose myself in the story and the characters and I think you have to do that to bring the authors world alive vocally. It is so fun to play crazy characters (lycans, vampires, gargoyles, etc) or little kids talking to their parents and to hear my voice just become what is in my head. I am one of eight kids in my family and I have 15 nephews and nieces to date so I have lots of inspiration:-)

How do you take care of your voice?

Sleep is my number one voice-care.  The others are vocal/diaphragm warm ups before my session.  Stretching my tongue, jaw, throat and face.  Also lots of water, espresso (not sure that’s a good one but is my vice) and tea.  I love soups.  And Airborne in the beginning and end of a session. 

I’d love to know more about reading Robyn Carr’s work! How do you approach romance in particular as a narrator? (Especially kissing/love scenes!)

I was asked to audition to narrate Virgin River in 2009 at Recorded Books in NYC.  They chose my voice and none  of us knew the journey we would all go on! The romance books are the same as any other story as it is a friend I have yet to meet.  The thing I love about these stories though is that each book has so many mini stories going on that it felt like a soap opera or television show while I narrated.  The love scenes are intimate, personal, passionate and sometimes funny so as the voice of the man and the woman and the narrator I have my work cut out for me.  There is a way to soften my voice but get closer to the microphone so I am not too soft and bring the scene to life.  I have cracked myself up when the groan I emit as the man comes out more like a croak and my engineer and I will have a good chuckle before going back and getting it right.  Again I am bringing a story alive to your ears so the more natural and realistic I can get it the better for you.  That is my goal.

I am blessed to call Robyn a friend and she is one of the funniest, most real, bad-ass queens I know.  I was able to narrate all of her Virgin River, Thunder Point and Sullivan’s Crossing series as well as her stand-alone novels.  I adore these stories and characters.  I was able to audition and landed a role on season one of Virgin River for Netflix.  To walk on set and be in Jack’s bar after bringing it to life for so many years through audio was surreal and amazing.  I think they did an amazing job with the series! The best part of Robyn’s books is that she writes about people all of us know.  Everyone can relate and escape into a really good story for a while.  Healthy escapism.

See Therese Plummer in action:   

Therese's Top Audiobook Picks for Summer 2020

During these uncertain times, mindfulness is key to sustaining social distancing and what better way to escape the news than to get lost in a classic or try out a new release? What is more, there are many services out there right now that are offering free audiobooks and subscription services! 

One size fits all, they are easily portable (in your phone!), and you can listen while doing something else: driving, in the tub, working out, cooking the big meal, etc. Here are a few of my  top picks for this summer reading/listening season:

1.  Virgin River by Robyn Carr (Also on Netflix)

2.  The Jetsetters by Amandaa Eyre Ward

3.  Charlotte’s Web by E.B. Webb

4.  The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

5.  Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

6.  Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

7.  The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan

8.  Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

9.  How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

10.  The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

11.  Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

12.  The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

13.  All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenburg

14.  Some Sing Some Cry by Ntozake Shange, Ifa Bayeza

15.  There’s a Word for That by Sloane Tanen

 

I hope you are now enticed to check out audiobooks.  You can find Therese Plummer's audiobooks here on Amazon*.  My favorite audiobook series is Nemesis by Brendan Reichs which consists of Nemesis, Genesis, and Chrysalis.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be back tomorrow with Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls by Rosie Clarke.  It is the 3rd book in Welcome to Harpers Emporium series.  I hope that you have a productive day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

Welcome!  The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper comes out June 16 along with Running Out of Time by Cindi Myers.  I am eager to read A Sprinkling of Murder by Daryl Wood Gerber.  It is the start of A Fairy Garden Mystery series and comes out on June 30.  Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody by Barbara Ross also releases on June 30.  There are a number of cozy mysteries releasing on June 30.  A bonanzas of whodunits!

White House in the late 19th Century

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden takes readers back to the early twentieth century in Washington, D.C. where President William McKinley is running for his second term.  Caroline Delacroix is the personal secretary to Mrs. Ida McKinley.  Caroline has worked to make herself indispensable because she needs to ask President McKinley a large favor.  Nathaniel Trask is an agent with the Secret Service.  His new assignment is design and implement a security system for the White House plus the protection of the man who occupies the oval office.  Nathaniel is distrustful of Caroline especially when he learns what her twin brother, Luke has done and where he is currently residing.  Nathaniel finds it difficult to remain distant with Caroline when he is attracted to her and enjoys spending time in her company.  Nathaniel needs to remain vigilant during these tumultuous times if he is to keep President McKinley alive.  He soon finds himself working with Caroline to protect President McKinley and his wife.  

President William McKinley & First Lady Ida McKinley

A Gilded Lady is the 2^nd novel in Hope and Glory series.  While this historical novel can be read on its own, I recommend reading The Spice King first.  Hope and Glory focuses on Gray, Caroline, and Luke Delacroix.  The Spice King featured Gray with A Gilded Lady focuses on Caroline.  I thought A Gilded Lady is well-written with complex characters.  Caroline is a fashionable woman who comes from a wealthy family.  I was happy to see that she has matured since The Spice King.  Caroline was hired to improve Ida McKinley’s reputation and help her with her numerous social engagement (prevent faux pas).  Caroline is a strong woman who is determined to help her twin brother, Luke.  Nathaniel is a man who follows the rules, does not drink alcohol, and notices every detail.  He is the perfect person for the job at the White House.  Nathaniel lost someone close to him many years ago who he was to protect.  It continues to disturb him causing nightmares.  While Nathaniel is a rule follower, Caroline believes that rules were meant to be broken.  They are a perfect pair as they balance each other.  The romance builds slowly throughout the book which I like.  Caroline’s faith has developed and expresses it openly especially with Nathaniel.  The pair pray for support when they need it.  The author mixed fictional and real historical figures beautifully into A Gilded Lady along with new inventions, current fashion trends, and historical events.  A Gilded Lady blends strong characters with action, intrigue, drama and romance into one engaging story. 

Secret Service in 1900

A Gilded Lady is available from Amazon* along with other major retailers.  The first novel in the Hope and Glory series is The Spice King.  I am eager for Luke's story so we find out exactly what happened with him.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will be back tomorrow with Amish Generations by Kathleen Fuller.  It contains four stories where people find love at different times in their life.  I do hope you have a fulfilling day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Deadly Sweet Tooth by Kaye George

Good Day!  I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.  It is a strange, new world we live in.  I was tickled to find toilet paper in my local store recently along with paper towels and a small supply of foaming hand soap.  I found a recipe in a book that tells me how to make my own foaming hand soap.  I cannot wait to try it out.  I obtained some essential oils with scents that I am not allergic to (hot chocolate, apple cinnamon, snickerdoodle, and candy cane are just a couple of them).  Has anyone tried to make their own soap?  Do you have any suggestions or tips?

Deadly Sweet Tooth by Kaye George has Tally Holt preparing a reception for her parents, Bob & Nancy Holt who have been performing around the world.  Tally is holding the party at her shop, Tally’s Olde Tyme Sweets in Fredericksburg, Texas.  She has hired three ladies to help at the event and hopes they will become permanent employees for her shop.  The event begins well, but then Fran Abraham confronts Nancy Holt causing a scene.  The meanspirited woman collapses soon thereafter and is rushed to the local hospital.  Early the next morning, Tally gets a phone call from Detective Jackson Rogers announcing Fran has died and foul play is suspected.  Unfortunately, the list of suspects includes Tally’s parents.  Tally works to unwrap the clues and assemble the pieces so she can present the guilty party to the police.  

Deadly Sweet Tooth is the 2^nd book in The Vintage Sweets Mysteries.  It can be read as a standalone.  I had mixed feelings about this cozy mystery.  It is a light story featuring Tally’s sweet shop and Yolanda’s shop, Bella’s Baskets.  The two are best friends with their shops next door to each other.  The point-of-view switches between both ladies which can be confusing.  They are so similar that it is hard to discern between them.  I wish the author had written it the story in the third person instead (or just picked one of the protagonists).  I found the characters lacking depth.  They need more fleshing out to give them life.  Tally and her shop are puzzling.  She calls it Tally’s Olde Tyme Sweets, but it seems to feature more baked items than candy (homemade twinkies, Mary Jane’s, whoopie pies, etc.).  She seems to lack experience with employees which becomes obvious with who she hires.  Tally does not even contact references.  I question this because we are told she sold a flourishing bakery to return to her hometown and open the sweet shop.  The mystery was straightforward.  I was able to identify the killer immediately (there might as well have been a giant neon arrow pointing at the person).  Tally reacts to something near the end in an unexpected way (I wish I could say more but it would be a spoiler).  My mother says that I am thinking about the situation too logically.  Readers will have no problem solving this whodunit.  The ending was abrupt.  We go from an individual in peril to a party in swing at the local winery.  There was no reveal scene that would wrap up the mystery.  Tally did little investigating which was disappointing because I enjoy following the amateur sleuths as they investigate the crime.  Deadly Sweet Tooth is lighthearted cozy mystery with lackadaisical laborers, toxic treats, a dead director, peripatetic parents, a determined detective, and a disquieted daughter.  

Deadly Sweet Tooth can be purchased at Amazon*.  The next The Vintage Sweet Mystery is Into the Sweet Hereafter (preview at the end of the book). Revenge is Sweet is the first novel in The Vintage Sweet Mysteries.  I appreciate you reading my review today. Please remember that I am expressing how I felt about the book.  The beauty of books is that we each view them differently.  Please obtain a sample to judge the book for yourself. A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is what I plan to feature tomorrow.  It is the 2nd book in the Hope and Glory series.  I do hope you have a sweet day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Promise by Patricia Davids

Welcome!  Two books that are still coming out on June 9 are The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader and Daddy's Girls by Danielle Steel. Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert (originally coming out June 9) has had its release date changed to August 11.  It is the debut of A Booklovers B & B Mystery series.  Across the Winding River by Aimie K. Runyan has moved to August 1.  Publishers are changing release dates on novels due to the pandemic.

The Promise by Patricia Davids has Henrietta Raber announcing to her two sons, Isaac and Levi that she has sold Raber Stables.  She then states that the moving truck will be there is two days because they are moving to Cedar Grove, Kansas where she inherited her parent’s farm.  Henrietta tells her sons that she will deed the farm to the first son that marries.  She feels it is time for one of her sons to provide her with grandchildren.  Levi has been running the horse farm since his father’s death and it is a job that he loves.  Isaac does not wish to leave his Englisch friends nor is he ready to become baptized.  Sarah Yoder is thrilled when she hears that Isaac has returned to town.  They got close the summer he spent with his grandparents and they have been corresponding since Isaac returned to Lancaster.  Isaac, though, does not feel the same way towards Sarah.  Levi feels the best way to get back to Pennsylvania is to get his brother to marry Sarah.  Levi suggests a plan to Sarah that will capture the attention of his competitive brother.  As Sarah spends time with Levi, she begins to wonder if it is really Isaac her heart desires?  

The Promise by Patricia Davids is the 3^rd novel in The Amish of Cedar Grove series.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  I thought The Promise was well-written with solid characters and a lovely setting.  There is humor scattered throughout the book that I enjoyed.  Things never go as we plan them which leads to amusing situations.  Sarah’s greatest desire is to marry a man, settle down near where she grew up, and have a family.  She has no desire to move anywhere else.  Unfortunately, there is a shortage of single men in her district.  When Isaac Raber returns to town, it seems that God has answered her prayers.  Isaac did propose to Sarah before he returned to Pennsylvania the summer he visited.  Levi Raver loves his work of raising and training horses for racing.  He has A Wing and a Prayer who is a promising filly.  He needs to return to Pennsylvania, though, if he is train and race her.  It was interesting to learn that Amish could raise, train, and own racehorses.  They cannot ride the horses nor bet on the races.  I liked that the characters from The Wish and The Hope appeared in the story.  We get a chance to catch up with them.  There are two side stories in The Promise.  Henrietta Raber has returned to her hometown for a reason as her children soon learn.  It will take some time to get the full story from her.  Isaac keeps his phone close at hand and seems to text someone frequently.  The Promise is a sweet, heartwarming story with festive fishing jaunts, a canoe crisis, one fine filly, a risky race, traveling by tractor, and quixotic quandaries.

The Promise is available from Amazon* along with the other two novels in The Amish of Cedar Grove series.  The other two titles are The Wish and The Hope. Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will be back tomorrow with Deadly Sweet Tooth by Kaye George.  It is the 2nd The Vintage Sweets Mysteries.  I hope that you will have a harmonious day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle

Happy Book Release Day!  There are a variety of new books out today that include:  Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner, Rainy Days for the Harper Girls by Rosie Clarke, Deadly Sweet Tooth by Kaye George, Amish Generations by Kathleen Fuller, The Clutter Corpse by Simon Brett, A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden, The Way of Love by Tracie Peterson, The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle, What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles, and Breaking Bat by Erin Johnson.  There is something for everyone on this list that includes Christian fiction, historical fiction, paranormal mystery, Amish fiction, and cozy mysteries.  Which one do you want to read first?

From Little Women--the musical

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle has Brooklyn Wainwright along with her husband, Derek Stone in Dharma, California for the town’s first annual Book Festival.  Brooklyn’s mother, Becky is co-chair of the festival committee with Lawson Schmidt.  One man, Jacob Banyan is unhappy with Becky not including him in the festival and has taken to threatening her.  Becky is no pushover and can hold her own against the bully.  Late one night, Brooklyn receives a call from her mother.  Becky and Derek’s mother, Meg are at the town hall where they found Lawson murdered.  They soon discover that the festival money has disappeared as well.  Jacob attempts to worm his way into the festival again, but he finds himself thwarted by Becky with help from Brooklyn.  Another late-night call finds Becky in the hospital after someone tried to run her down in town.  The whole family rallies to protect Becky while Brooklyn and Derek work at tracking down the nefarious killer

Little Women (1868)

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle is the 14^th A Bibliophile Mystery.  I have read each book in this entertaining series, but The Grim Reader can be read as a standalone (but, really, why would you want to).  I have enjoyed following Brooklyn from the very beginning.  Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookbinder who specializes in rare books.  She lives in San Francisco with her dashing husband, Derek Stone and their adorable cat, Charlie.  Derek and Brooklyn are in Dharma, Brooklyn’s hometown, for the first annual Dharma Book Festival.  This festival is featuring Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and will include a one-night performance of Little Women—the musical (it was performed on Broadway).  Brooklyn’s mother, Becky Wainwright is co-chair of the festival committee and she has been having a difficult time with Jacob Banyan.  Jacob has been acquiring wineries in the area by dubious means and turning their fine vintage into a box wine which has the other winery owners up in arms.  Jacob threatens Becky more than once in an attempt to get his way.  I like that all the women in the Wainwright family are strong and creative.  Brooklyn is a spitfire just like her mother.   The Grim Reader contains Kate Carlisle’s signature writing style which is engaging.  The story is narrated by Brooklyn.  I was quickly drawn into the book which moved along at a quick page.  The mystery was intriguing with a murder or two, an attempt on Becky’s life, and missing money.  While I narrowed in on my choice of killer early on, my interest did not wane.  I kept turning the pages quickly so I could see how the whodunit would play out.  The reveal scene was a delightful and creative.  It was quite a performance. The dialogue is witty and provided me with many laughs.  Brooklyn does a little book restoration in this story, but not as much as in other books.  I missed Brooklyn doing a creative, unique paper project.  Of course, Brooklyn is busy visiting family, preparing for the festival, keeping her mother safe, playing with Charlie, and repairing a first edition copy of Little Women.  There are some delectable culinary delights in this book that will have your mouth watering.  Thankfully, there are recipes at the end of the book.  There are some great tidbits regarding Little Women in the book.  The Grim Reader is a story that takes me on a journey into Brooklyn’s world that I was sad to see end.  I cannot wait for the next A Bibliophile Mystery to come out next year.  My favorite line comes from Brooklyn when she said, “Couldn’t we stumble across a poisoning once in a while.”  Poor Brooklyn has an aversion to blood.  One of Brooklyn’s other lines that had me laughing is, “So suck it up buttercup.”  The Grim Reader is a compelling cozy mystery with a big bully, committee chaos, beaucoup blood, missing money, a bounty of books, and a fun festival. 

My copy of Little Women

The Grim Reader is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other titles in A Bibliophile Mystery series here.  Kate Carlisle also writes A Fixer-Upper Mystery series starring Shannon Hammer (on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel).  Premeditated Mortar releases on December 1.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will be back tomorrow with The Promise by Patricia Davids.  It is the 3rd novel in The Amish of Cedar Grove series.  I hope that you have a creative day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Clutter Corpse by Simon Simon Brett

Happy June!  There are some good books coming out in June.  Here are just a few of the titles:  Daddy's Girls by Danielle Steel, The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper,  Murder in Waiting by Lynn Cahoon, Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day, and The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor.  

The Clutter Corpse by Simon Brett has Ellen Curtis, the owner of SpaceWoman—Decluttering & Interior Restyling, checking out the flat of Maureen Ogden.  Maureen’s son, Nate is getting out of prison and will be living with her, but the offender manager (probation officer) has concerns about the condition of the flat.  Ellen understands once she enters and finds piles of items in every room.  After dislodging a piece of furniture behind the door of a small sitting room, Ellen sees a hand sticking out from under detritus.  Ellen soon learns that she has a connection to the victim that has rising to the top of the police’s suspect list along with Nate Ogden who has disappeared.  Ellen works at sifting through the clues and uncovering the killer.

The Clutter Corpse by Simon Brett is the 1^st book in A Decluttering Mystery series.  Ellen Curtis is a widow with two children.  Her eldest is off living in London while her son, Ben is attending Nottingham Trent University studying graphic design.  Ellen owns SpaceWoman which is a decluttering business plus she helps people change their cluttering habits.  The book is set in Chichester, which is a cathedral city in West Sussex, England.  The story does contain British spelling, words, and slang (just so you are aware).  I could tell from the writing, that this book was written by a man.  I wish someone had pointed out to the author that some lines are inappropriate and come across offensive.  I cringed at how the author portrayed Ellen’s current stage of life and the differences between social classes.  Some things are described in detail (like the make and model of cars) and overdone.  The reason for the death of Ellen’s husband was quite lengthy, but finding a body was over in a page.  The book lacked a good flow and ease which would have made it easier to read.  The pacing and my interest picked up near the end of the book (the last twenty percent).  The whodunit was the best part of The Clutter Corpse.  The mystery has a couple of suspects along with a red herring or two.  The clues are there to help you solve the mystery if you pay close attention. The Clutter Corpse has mild foul language as well as talk about intimate relations, depression, and suicide.  A short book never felt so long.  It needed more of the cozy element as well as humor.  While The Clutter Corpse was not my cup of tea, I suggest you obtain a sample to see if it is the right fit for you.  The Clutter Corpse is a unique British mystery with clusters of clutter, a perplexing puzzle, challenging clients, and a missing murderer.

The Clutter Corpse is available from Amazon*.  Simon Brett has written other mysteries that you can find here.  Thank you for reading my review today.  On June 2nd, I am highlighting The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle.  It is the 14th A Bibliophile Mystery starring Derek Stone and Brooklyn Wainwright.  I hope that you have a peaceful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.