The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow by Vannetta Chapman

The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow

Book Summary

She’s spent her career rewriting the lives of famous women. Now she must find the courage to rewrite her own.

Bestselling author Jade Morrow has built a career reimagining history’s most iconic women and the single choices that changed their lives. But at forty-six, Jade’s own carefully constructed world is unraveling.

Crippling panic attacks force her to leave New York City behind and start over in Shelby, Texas, the small town her parents once called home. Determined to rebuild her life in solitude, Jade keeps everyone at a distance—until a devastating accident leaves her stranded and utterly alone.

As the people of Shelby slowly break through the walls she’s built around herself, Jade discovers that healing may require more courage than reinvention. And for the first time, she wonders if the life she truly wants is still waiting for her.

The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow is an emotional and uplifting novel about grief, friendship, second chances, and learning that it’s never too late to choose a different future.

My Thoughts

The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow is a delightful departure from Vannetta Chapman’s other novels. I easily related to Jade Morrow, a thoughtful introvert who is slowly drawn into the warm and welcoming community of Shelby, Texas. The residents are a friendly, caring group, and before long Jade finds herself surrounded by a close circle of friends. As she gets to know her librarian neighbor and the local pastor, the story gently explores the beauty of friendship, personal growth, and meaningful connections across ages and backgrounds. 

The characters are well developed, with room to grow in ways that feel natural and hopeful. One of the recurring themes asks an intriguing question: if you could change one pivotal decision from your past, would you—and how might that change shape the rest of your life? Jade’s novels, which reimagine the lives of iconic women, add a unique touch through excerpts included after each chapter. Along the way, Jade learns important life lessons that are both heartfelt and inspiring. The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow is an uplifting, feel-good story that left me smiling.

The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow is available now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM, Kobo, and Indigo.  If you’d like to explore more of Vannetta Chapman’s books, you can find them here.  Mark your calendar for Tuesday, July 28, when I’ll be back with Rodeo Witness Protector by Sami Abrams. 

Dickens decided to take a little break from the cat house yesterday and settled in for a nap on my mother’s oversized Snoopy. As you can see in the picture, Dickens fits quite nicely on Snoopy’s head—though my mother was not nearly as charmed by the arrangement as I was. May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and a book you can’t wait to return to. Take care, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Masala Chai Mystery Club by MJ Soni

 The Masala Chai Mystery Club

Book Summary

Suspects abound when a much-despised neighbor is killed, perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building and Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club.

Retired librarian Neeti Shah was hoping for a restful life with her chai-loving friends, but when the body of a neighbor, a childhood friend of Neeti's, turns up dead and the killer’s MO is similar to that of Neeti's most recent book club read, things start to get out of control.

When Neeti hears a commotion at a neighbor’s house, she finds Rohit’s body sprawled across the bottom of the staircase with Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness nearby. Blackmailing his neighbors, threatening them with lawsuits, and calling them by nasty nicknames were only some of the hateful things that made him so disliked. But were they angry enough to kill?

Neeti is indebted to her old friend, and she's determined to find his killer. But she can't do it alone, so she enlists her mystery-loving friends, the Masala Chai Mystery Club, to get to the bottom of the murder.

But Neeti and her club members need to be careful. As more bodies turn up and more suspects start to appear, they’ll need to find the killer before they end up in hot water!

My Thoughts

Pull up a cozy chair and pour yourself a frothy cup of chai—The Masala Chai Mystery Club by MJ Soni is a warm, feel-good mystery with plenty of charm. The story introduces a lively cast of characters, including Neeti Shah, a retired librarian who is smart, strong, and easy to root for. The whodunit is engaging, with curious clues sprinkled throughout, and I enjoyed following the investigation to its satisfying conclusion. While I did figure out the guilty party before the reveal and felt a few clues were emphasized a bit too strongly, the journey remained entertaining. 

The vivid descriptions of snacks and spiced, frothy chai were especially delightful—they practically made my mouth water and brought the aromas to life. As a debut novel, this book has a promising foundation, an appealing concept, and a lot of heart. With a bit more polish and fine-tuning, this series could really shine. I also appreciated the nods to Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness and the thoughtful reminder that life after retirement can be full of discovery, adjustment, and new purpose. Cozy, flavorful, and full of promise, this debut leaves readers with the pleasant feeling of having enjoyed a comforting cup of chai with friends.

The Masala Chai Mystery Club is available now from Amazon and other major booksellers, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I’ll be featuring The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow by Vannetta Chapman on Thursday, July 23, so be sure to stop back by. Dickens is still completely enthralled with the cat house, and it has been such a joy to watch her peek through the windows, poke her head through the doorways, and pop out the top. I have a feeling the neighborhood cats will enjoy it too—once Dickens eventually decides she’s had her fill of it. May your day be filled with laughter, joy, and a good book. Take care, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz

How to Kill a Crime Writer

Book Summary

After the untimely death of her bestselling crime novelist mother, a young woman teams up with the fictional “ghost” of the heroine from her mother’s series in order to solve her mother’s murder.

After the tragic death of bestselling crime writer Annie Morrisey, her daughter, Niamh, moves into her mother's country cottage to take care of her mother’s estate. Shut away from the world, Niamh doesn't actually have to deal with the grief of her mother's untimely passing. Until the day that two things happen: the advance copy of her mother's final book lands on the doorstep and Leah Rebecca Overton appears in the kitchen.

Having a stranger show up in your house would be concerning at the best of times, but Leah isn't a stranger—she's the ultra-competent sleuth heroine from Annie’s novels. The antithesis of Niamh in every way, she's lived in the fictitious character's shadow for years. But why (and how) has Leah turned up now? And why can only Niamh see her? Leah is the last thing Niamh wants in her house or in her head, but she can't ignore the sleuth...especially when Leah suspects there may have been more to Annie's death than first suspected.

About the Author

Sarah Lotz is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter based on the Welsh borders. Her novels include The Impossible Us, The Three, and Day Four.

My Thoughts

How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz is such a fun, lighthearted read. It is well written, with steady pacing and a smooth flow that kept me happily turning the pages. The dialogue feels realistic and lively, and I could easily picture the characters and settings as the story unfolded.  The characters are well developed, and while there are moments of grief, the humor and sarcasm really shine throughout. The mystery is entertaining from start to finish and wraps up in a satisfying way. The author’s note at the end is especially touching and adds a lovely emotional note.  Overall, How to Kill a Crime Writer is an entertaining, quirky, and memorable story that would be perfect for curling up with on a rainy afternoon.

How to Kill a Crime Writer is available from Amazon.   You can find Sarah Lotz's other novels here.  I will be featuring The Masala Chai Mystery Club by MJ Soni on Wednesday, July 22.  

Dickens is napping on the first floor!

I put together a cat house for the neighborhood cats this weekend.  Once I got past the first two steps, the rest was a piece of cake.  I need to do a few finishing touches, and it will be ready to put outside.  I hope that by the time I am done, Dickens, my cat, will be willing to give it up.  Dickens is having a good time going in and out the different entrances as well as exploring the different levels.  The novelty will wear off after a few days (maybe a week or two) and then I can put the cat house outside.  Dickens may be eighteen, but she acts like a kitten.  May your day be as breathtaking as a sunrise over a tranquil meadow.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Mabel and the Privy of Doom by Susan Kimmel Wright

Mabel and the Privy of Doom

About the Book

Book: Mabel and the Privy of Doom

Author: Susan Kimmel Wright

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: March 5, 2026

Mabel plans to bring the joys of volunteering to the masses…if she doesn’t fall victim to an ancient curse first.  Mabel has previously encountered dead bodies while volunteering—but she never imagined she’d run afoul of a legendary curse. Until now…

A university archeology team has come to excavate an old privy on the grounds of the Thompson estate, home of Medicine Spring’s first white settler. They hope to retrieve items of historic interest, but rumors of lost treasure and dark curses swirl around the project.

Mabel has joined the dig as a volunteer, despite her reluctance to touch anything collected from the ancient outhouse pit. It doesn’t take long however, before she realizes a few dirt-encrusted artifacts are the least of her worries.

She doesn’t believe in curses, but accidents and misfortune plague team members—including Mabel herself. She begins to wonder if there might be some truth in the old stories. When a body turns up on the site, it appears the curse has transformed from local legend to deadly reality. Will Mabel be its next victim?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan Kimmel Wright began her life of mystery in childhood, with reading. That led her to writing kids’ mysteries and eventually to Medicine Spring with Mabel. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Susan’s also a prolific writer of personal experience stories, many for Chicken Soup for the Soul. She shares an 1875 farmhouse in southwestern PA with her husband, several dogs and cats, and an allegedly excessive stockpile of coffee and tea mugs.

More from Susan

I suspect it takes a somewhat warped sense of humor to write a book called Mabel and the Privy of Doom. In fact, I’m afraid this entire series may someday be Exhibit A when my kids decide I need a guardian—but meanwhile I’m having fun!

Mabel and the Privy of Doom was a joy to write, combining my love of mysteries, screwball humor, American history, lost treasure, and ancient curses. It all started when I first learned about historic outhouses or privies.

I discovered the Homewood privy (c. 1801) in Baltimore on a walkabout near Johns Hopkins University. Part of the Declaration of Independence signer John Carroll of Carrollton estate, this handsome brick building has been well maintained over the centuries and has its own historic plaque! (No, not “John Carroll Sat Here!”) Yet another high-profile privy excavation has been performed in patriot Paul Revere’s back yard in Massachusetts in recent years.

Archeologists often learn a great deal from excavating old outhouses, just from examining objects thrown away or accidentally dropped in the privy pit. Even privy pits on humble farmsteads or in modest back yards reveal a lot about family circumstances and daily life. Artifacts such as old bottles, coins, and broken pottery commonly surface.

Growing up, I was fortunate(?) enough have an outhouse on our rural, western Pennsylvania family property. My father, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, built our house himself after returning from World War II. Because the work took a long time, he also built an outhouse for use during the construction period, before plumbing was connected.

My father (perhaps I got my wacky sense of humor from him) added a “Sanitary Inspected Restroom” sign on the door. It now graces the wall of our powder room.

The outhouse survived for most of my childhood. Because our water supply came from a spring that occasionally went dry during a summer drought, we were occasionally forced to resort to the old privy. Luckily, these occasions were rare and typically brief, but I’ll admit I prayed fervently for rain.

My Thoughts

Mabel and the Privy of Doom by Susan Kimmel Wright is a delightful cozy mystery filled with wit, warmth, humor, and small-town charm. I loved Mabel’s curiosity, the quirky residents of Medicine Spring, and the lovable animals that add so much heart to the story. This fifth book in the Mysteries of Medicine Spring series can stand alone, but readers will get even more enjoyment by starting at the beginning. Cozy, clever, and full of fun, this mystery proves that even an old privy can hide unexpected treasure.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book of the winner’s choice from my series, Mysteries of Medicine Spring!!  Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below (or here) to enter.

 https://gleam.io/vkE9E/mabel-and-the-privy-of-doom-celebration-tour-giveaway

Mabel and the Privy of Doom is available from Amazon.  If you are a Kindle Unlimited member, you can read it for free.  You can find the first four novels in Mysteries of Medicine Spring series here.  It has been extremely hot and humid in Florida.  When it feels like 106 degrees or higher, it is too hot. 😎 I cannot work in my garden until 8 p.m. 🌺 I will return on Tuesday,  July 21 with How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz. I will be busy tomorrow with my Mother's 81st Birthday celebration. Don't forget to enter the giveaway! May your Wi-Fi be fast and your battery never die.  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L, July 10

Texas Book-aholic, July 11

Simple Harvest Reads, July 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 14

The Avid Reader, July 15

Artistic Nobody, July 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 17

Guild Master, July 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 19

Holly’s Book Corner, July 20

Fiction Book Lover, July 21 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, July 22 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 22

Lily’s Corner, July 23

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Sisterhood Above All by Kathleen Barber with Amayah Shaienne

SISTERHOOD ABOVE ALL

Book Summary

Being a Gamma at Southern State University means belonging to the most desirable, exclusive sisterhood there is. For Ava, it means even more—it’s the last connection she has to her beloved late mother, and she’ll do anything to wear the Gamma letters.

But the Gammas didn’t become the best house on campus by letting just anyone in, and every prospective pledge is expected to earn her spot. As president, Madison is the ultimate gatekeeper, and she has a special test for Ava.

Rival sorority Theta is nipping at the Gammas’ heels for the top spot on campus, and president Shay is proud they’ve gotten there by rising above the hyper-competitive gamesmanship that consumes other houses. She knows she’s made some enemies in her quest to change the Greek system from the inside, but she can’t imagine the depth of Madison’s resentment for her … or how far Ava will go to become a Gamma.

The sisterhood, the parties, the elite status—and the connection to her mother—are what Ava has always wanted, but she never guessed the cost of membership would be so high. Three women, two houses, one dead body: rush has never been this messy.

My Thoughts

Sisterhood Above All by Kathleen Barber with Amayah Shaienne drops you right into rush-week chaos with sparkle, secrets, and plenty of drama. This fun, fast-paced sorority mystery kept me turning the pages, thanks to its multiple points of view and short, snappy chapters. With two rival houses competing for the best pledge class, things get deliciously messy fast. I loved the steady stream of twists, surprises, and reveals that kept the momentum going. The peek behind the polished sorority image added just the right dose of intrigue, making the drama feel extra juicy and fun.  I would have loved the characters to have a bit more depth, but overall, this was an entertaining, twisty read that’s easy to fly through. If you’re craving something juicy, quick, and full of sorority secrets, grab this one and let the rush-week games begin!

Sisterhood Above All is available from Amazon. If you enjoy Sisterhood Above All, take a moment to check out Kathleen Barber's other novels.  I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for Mabel and the Privy of Doom tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15.  It is a Mysteries of Medicine Spring novel.  Enjoy the little things today.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Guarded by the Sheriff by Monique DeVere

Guarded by the Sheriff

Book Summary

A child in need of protection…

and a lawman keeping watch.

It’s a shock to Sheriff Ethan Callahan to see his ex-fiancée, Sienna Blake, again—especially with a child in tow…and a gunman on her heels. Witnessing a shooting has made Sienna a criminal’s next target. And when Ethan realizes that he’s the father of her son, he is determined to keep them both safe…no matter the cost. With trust hanging in the balance and their enemy closing in, Ethan and Sienna must stand together to survive. Except the hit man knows their every move…and trusting the wrong person could get them killed.

My Thoughts

Guarded by the Sheriff by Monique DeVere is an exciting page-turner packed with action, suspense, danger, and heart. The story is well written and moves at a wonderfully fast pace, keeping me eager to see what would happen next. The main characters are well developed, likeable, and easy to root for, which made the emotional stakes even stronger. I especially enjoyed the blend of romance and danger, and as a fan of second-chance romance, this story checked all the right boxes. Guarded by the Sheriff took me on a thrilling roller coaster ride filled with threats, action, emotion, and swoon-worthy moments. This is the kind of story that grabs your attention, keeps you turning pages, and leaves you smiling long after the final chapter.

Guarded by the Sheriff can be obtained from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major booksellers.  Follow Monique DeVere on Amazon to be notified when she has a new book release.  

I will return on Tuesday, July 14 with Sisterhood Above All by Kathleen Barber with Amayah Shaienne. My mother's 81st birthday is next week.  I have one last gift to obtain and I will be set (something the birthday girl mentioned yesterday). I will be making my mother a special dinner since she does not want to go out to eat and there will be a cake as well.  She gets a birthday week instead of a day.  I did it for her 80th and she wants it again this year.  It will make her happy which is all that counts! May your weekend be full of joy and laughter.   Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.