The
Avid Reader
Sconed to Death
This one had all the ingredients for a charming cozy mystery, but the final result fell a little flat for me. On paper, Sconed to Death by Betty Hechtman sounded like a book I would really enjoy, especially with its yarn shop and tea shop set in an old schoolhouse. Unfortunately, the story didn’t quite work for me. The writing felt repetitive, the dialogue was awkward at times, and the mystery was far too easy to solve.
I kept wanting more emotion, more charm, and a
stronger connection to the characters. I was also hoping for more real
investigating, but the whodunit felt underdeveloped. I noticed the Hoosier jabs
as well, though they weren’t quite as heavy-handed here as they were in Death
Among the Stitches. More than anything, I wanted this book to deliver the
cozy, engaging escape I look for in this kind of mystery, but it never quite
got there. In the end, Sconed to Death just wasn’t the cozy, charming
escape I had been hoping for.
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.
Silent Witness
Rosie Weaver has always relied on logic, discipline, and a strong cup of peppermint tea. But when her neighbor’s barn burns down, and a body is discovered inside, something about the scene feels wrong. The fire is ruled an accident, but the victim had more enemies than friends, and Rosie knows someone is hiding the truth.
The only witness? A kindhearted but non-verbal man whom the entire town has overlooked. And Rosie refuses to let his silence bury what he saw.
Pushed by instinct and the latest book club mystery, Rosie and her book club friends start asking questions no one else will. As resistance builds from her neighbors, outsiders, and even the sheriff, Rose realizes this fire may not be the last.
Can Rosie stop what’s smoldering beneath the silence before it ignites something far worse?
Silent Witness is the third mystery in the An Amish Book Club Mystery series. If you enjoy Amish cozy mystery series with strong women sleuths, buried secrets, and an undercurrent of faith, this book delivers it all.
My Thoughts
A charming Amish mystery with heart and plenty of intrigue, Silent Witness by Tracy Fredrychowski returns readers to Sweet Briar, where Lovina, Rosie, and Irma investigate a string of barn burnings in their community. I enjoyed the author’s engaging writing style, realistic dialogue, and steady pacing, along with the appealing mix of Amish and Englisch characters. It is clear Fredrychowski has done her research on Amish beliefs and the Ordnung, which adds authenticity to the story.
Silent Witness is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookbub. The first two books in An Amish Book Club Mystery series are Buried Secrets and Hidden Poison. All three book in An Amish Book Club Mystery series can be read for free if you are a member of Kindle Unlimited. Deadly Bloom is a prequel to An Amish Book Club Mystery series. You can find Tracy Fredrychowski's other novels here. If you follow Tracy on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.
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.
I picked up Road Trip by
Mary Kay Andrews because the combination of family secrets, family drama, and a
road trip sounded especially appealing. There were certainly interesting ideas
throughout, and I could see what the story was aiming for, but it didn’t
connect with me as strongly as I had hoped. I had a hard time warming up to
some of the characters, especially Therese, and the number of secondary
characters occasionally made the story feel a bit crowded. At 439 pages, the
novel also felt somewhat longer than necessary, with certain details revisited
more often than I would have preferred. The romance moved a little quickly for
my taste, and I wasn’t fully convinced by the chemistry between the couple. I
also found some of the language not to my personal preference. For me, this
story lacked the charm and spark I usually associate with Mary Kay Andrews. The
premise was strong, but the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential.
Road Trip can be ordered from Amazon as well as other major booksellers. You can find Mary Kay Andrews other novels here. The pictures that I shared today are from Ireland. It is a country that I have always wanted to visit. How about you? In Ireland, you could you greet somone casually by saying, "What’s the craic?" (How's it going?) or Haigh (which is Hi).
I will be sharing my thoughts on Silent Witness by Tracy Fredrychowski on Wednesday, June 3. It is the third An Amish Book Club Mystery. I am off to take care of some chores (I wish the house could sweep and dust itself). Take care and I hope today treats you kindly. Happy Reading!
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.
Danger in the Rockies by Terri Reed is a thrilling page-turner that had me hooked from the very first page!
Packed with suspense, action, mystery, romance, and faith, this story kept me
reading late into the night because I just had to know how it would all turn
out. I loved Maren and Colt, and Maren’s K-9 partner, Shadow, was such a great
addition to the story. The chemistry between Maren and Colt adds even more
depth as the danger escalates. I also really enjoyed how multiple agencies work
together to solve the mystery. With themes of family, trust, second chances,
and faith woven throughout, Danger in the Rockies is a captivating romantic
suspense. Even though it’s the third book in the Colorado K-9 Unit series, it
can definitely be read as a standalone. If you love romantic suspense with
faith, danger, and a great K-9, this is a must-read!
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 Final Target
The Final Target by Nora Roberts
is a tense, emotional thriller that held my attention from beginning to end. It
is a well-written story with strong characters, steady pacing, and an
especially effective villain. The multiple points of view add depth, and I
liked how suspense, obsession, and family drama are woven throughout the story.
The relationships felt genuine, which gave the book added emotional weight. The
assault is graphic and may be upsetting for some readers, but the story is
ultimately about hope, healing, and reclaiming independence. There is also
romance, and Gideon brings warmth and calm to the darker parts of the novel.
The unexpected twists and satisfying ending made this a suspenseful, compelling
read.
The Avid Reader
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| I had to share this with you! |
*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.
This is my philosophy!
Scent of Peril by Darlene L. Turner is an action-packed, suspenseful story that pulled me in right away. The danger starts at the beginning and doesn’t let up, which kept me turning the pages. The villains are relentless, so Wyatt and Taylor are always on their toes. I also loved Taylor’s K-9, Shadow, who is such an important part of the story. As Taylor and Wyatt search for Wyatt’s son, Levi, they also have to deal with the feelings they still have for each other. There’s plenty of chemistry between them, but they need to work through the reason for their breakup before they can move forward.
I thought the story was well written, with strong
characters and fast pacing. I had a feeling about Ridge’s identity, so I was
eager to see if I was right. Faith is woven throughout the story, and even
though this is the third National Park Protectors novel, it can definitely be
read on its own. Overall, it’s a gripping story with an uplifting ending.
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.
Masher of Ceremonies
Masher of Ceremonies by Victoria Hamilton is the latest A Vintage Kitchen Mystery. Because the cast and
backstory build over time, it’s best to read this series in order. Jaymie has
her hands full with opening a new store and organizing the annual Tea with the
Queen event. If the tea is not successful, it will be discontinued, much to
Jaymie’s dismay. There’s a lot happening in this story, and it never slows
down. The whodunit was entertaining and fun to solve. I enjoyed hearing about
the vintage kitchenware items. I wish Jakob and Jocie had a bigger presence; it
felt like Hoppy got more page than Jaymie’s husband and daughter. I like the
cast of quirky characters—they keep things time lively. The author weaves
family drama, blackmail, murder, secrets, a store opening, and a grand tea
event into a charming cozy mystery. Masher of Ceremonies pairs perfectly with a
cuppa and a scrumptious scone.
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.
Book Summary
Come back to the sun-drenched shores of the Outer Banks and immerse yourself in another exciting and inspiring tale from Roseanna M. White, The Island Bakeshop. This dual-timeline, clean romance will have you reading late into the night to find out what happens next.
In this uplifting story of hope and renewal, you’ll meet Harper Dailey, who returns to Avon, North Carolina, so she can help run the family business, Sunshine Bakery, after her father’s heart attack. Suddenly, her thriving career at an upscale Savannah bakery is behind her, as is her rocky relationship with her ex-boyfriend—that is, until he shows up in Avon, letting her know he now owns the building the shop is in, and he may not renew the lease.
For Beckett Mills, Avon is a quiet refuge after his eight years of active service in the Navy. He works as hard at keeping folks at arm’s length as he does at running his fishing charter business. His plan for distancing himself from others works well until the fateful day he enters the bakery and sees a beautiful Harper being harassed by her ex-boyfriend. Suddenly, he casts his fears aside and steps in to save the day.
Harper and Beckett have no intentions of beginning a romance, but when the pasts they are running from collide, they know it’s not just a coincidence that they have ended up here at the same time. God has placed them together for a reason. Can Beckett let go of the worries that haunt him and welcome Harper into his life? Will Harper realize she can face any challenge with God—and just maybe Beckett—by her side? Don’t miss this faith-filled story of hope, courage, and the grace to begin anew.
My Thoughts
The Island Bakeshop by Roseanna M. White is a delightful, heartfelt story that transports readers to Avon, North Carolina. I loved the author’s descriptive writing style, which vividly brought both the setting and the characters to life. The historical chapters blended beautifully with the main storyline and added extra depth to an already charming novel. Harper and Beck were absolutely wonderful together, and I thought they were perfect for each other. Their banter was fun and engaging, and I especially loved the nicknames they came up with for one another. There is also a terrific cast of secondary characters, including Kennedy and Lara from The Island Bookshop, the first book in The Island Shop series. It was such a treat to catch up with Lara, Kennedy, and their friends.
A subtle thread of
faith runs through the story, and there is just the right touch of mystery to
keep things even more interesting. Roseanna M. White skillfully weaves romance,
drama, mystery, and faith into an engaging, well-paced story that kept me
eagerly turning the pages. The Island Bakeshop can definitely be read as a
standalone. I finished this book with a smile on my face and a craving for
ginger fairings.
The Island Bakeshop can be obtained from Amazon along with The Island Bookshop. Both books can be read for free if you belong to Kindle Unlimited. You can find Roseanna M. White's other novels here. Thank you for popping by today.
I will return on Thursday, May 21 with Masher of Ceremonies by Victoria Hamilton. It is the latest A Vintage Kitchen Mystery. I am off to clean up our porch. It poured last night (a deluge) and our screened porch flooded. I will not need to water my garden for several days which is helpful since we are experiencing a drought. I hope that you have a cheerful day. Take care and Happy Reading!
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.
