Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Another week and another hurricane!

 Another Storm
Hello!  I was going to feature A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay today, but I am busy preparing for another storm to hit Florida.  This one is going to hit a little too close to home.  I need to have everything ready at the house plus have our bags ready in case we need to leave (my belongings as well as my mother's).  I will return as soon as I am able. I wish they would find a way to stop hurricanes.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Thursday, October 3, 2024

The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts

 The Merry Matchmaker

Book Summary

Inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, this joyful Christmas romp tells the story of a woman who can’t stop trying to help everyone around her find their happily-ever-after—even when her help leads to disaster.

Frankie Lane knows what’s best for just about everyone but herself. Her divorced sister, Stef, who is too young to give up on love; her shy employee, Elinor; and her daughter, Natalie, who works in Frankie’s shop, Holiday Happiness, and really needs to start her own business selling the delectable chocolates she makes at home; even her best friend, Viola, who is trying to renovate her old Victorian. Frankie knows she could help all of them, if they’d just let her—and if all of her help didn’t end in utter disaster. 
Then there’s Mitch Howard, the owner of the local hardware store. They’ve been friends ever since Frankie opened her store, nine years earlier. He got her through the nightmare when she lost her husband in a freak accident, and he’s her favorite shoulder to cry on. He’s been divorced for years, and it’s such a waste of man! Mitch is the fittest, finest man Frankie knows. He’s easygoing, wise and kindhearted. Mitch needs someone. And she’s determined to help him find that someone—whether he likes it or not.
My Thoughts

I have been reading Sheila Roberts Christmas stories for many years, and I look forward reading a new holiday tale each fall.  The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts is a modern twist on Jane Austen’s Emma.  Frankie Lane, the protagonist, believes she knows what is best for everyone (if you look up the definition of meddler in the dictionary, you will find Frankie’s name listed).  Frankie and her antics got on my nerves after a while.  Frankie believes that she knows what is best for everyone despite their protests (I would not want to be related to her).  It was especially annoying when she would complain about something that was her fault (this is what happens when you meddle). 

I liked that the story had middle aged characters instead of twenty-somethings.  I was not a fan of some of the characters as well as some of the choices they made.  There was minimal character growth.  The point-of-view switches between the various characters.  It gets confusing with so many characters in a dialogue heavy story especially when the POV switches with no warning (you must figure out which character is speaking now). The multiple points-of-view leads to repetitive details.  The Merry Matchmaker is a slow starter with the story seeming to go around in circles in the middle and a rushed ending.  I liked the Christmas atmosphere and the festival. The story does wrap up nicely at the end. Unfortunately, The Merry Matchmaker did not make me merry.  

The Merry Matchmaker is available from Amazon*.  While The Merry Matchmaker did not appeal to me, I do suggest you download a sample to check it out for yourself.  My favorite Sheila Roberts holiday tales are On Strike for Christmas, The Nine Lives of Christmas, and The Snow Globe.  You can find Sheila Roberts other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Tuesday, October 8 with A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay.  It is the fifteenth A Library Lover's Mystery (how time flies).  I am happy to say that I have gotten the camera on my new computer to work and I stopped the virtual keyboard from popping up (hooray).  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  I am hoping to finish up my Halloween display.  It is so hot and humid that I can only do a little at a time.  It is starting to take shape.  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.


*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery

 

One Big Happy Family
Book Summary

For fans of Mary Kay Andrews, Jenny Bayliss, and Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's witty and heartfelt story of a mother who couldn't love her kids more but hopes that, just this once, they please don't come home for Christmas.


Don’t come home for Christmas. . .


Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s low-key joyful that they want to skip a big Christmas this year. Her son Nick is romancing his bride Blair with a belated honeymoon, while her daughter Dana plans to purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie’s excited to hole up for the holiday with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.

Her plans go from cozy to chaotic when her kids change their minds and plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their beloved father. Julie can’t refuse, despite being nervous about the over-the-top traditions her grown children still enjoy—and anxious about how they’ll feel when they meet Heath and realize she’s been lying to them for months. She has justified her deception by insisting to herself that they’re not serious, despite the spark she feels whenever he’s near.

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s beautiful young ex, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they all let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.

About the Author

SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship and romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree—forty million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.


Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She's passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the Ragdoll cat and adorable poodle who think of her as Mom.

Author Links


Author Website: https://www.susanmallery.com/ 


X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmallery 


Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanmallery 


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/susanmallery 


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanMallery 


TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susanmallery 

My Thoughts

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery shows what happens when Christmas plans go awry.  Julie Parker was looking forward to a quiet Christmas with her new beau, Heath, but her adult kids had other ideas.  The story has multiple characters, storylines, and points-of-view.  It can be confusing as it switches from one character to the next. There is a lot of drama (of course, it would not be a holiday without family drama).  Blair’s critical mother, Gwen who criticizes everything, Julie having a hangup about the twelve-year age difference between her and Heath (I got tired of hearing about it and I wanted to yell at Julie to get over it), Julie’s son, Nick not wanting to take over the family business, Dana trying to get over Axel, and so much more (I have barely scratched the surface).  The storyline about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) brought attention to a sensitive topic, but I did not feel it was needed in this story.  The details were a little too graphic at times.

 All the drama got to be a bit much around the two-thirds point (I found myself rolling my eyes). It seemed like one thing after another happened (I would have run from that house screaming).  The multiple POVs also leads to repetitive details and the story dawdled in places (which had me skimming).  I did not feel that every character needed to have an issue which, of course, had to be resolved before the holidays (they need to have a Merry Christmas).  There is some humor here and there. I do not feel that I was the right audience for One Big Happy Family (I wanted to push Gwen off the mountain).  The story seemed to go one forever (I was beginning to wonder if Christmas day would ever arrive) and if one more issue arose, I was going to shriek.  One Big Happy Family is a chaotic holiday tale with a complaining mother, a clandestine boyfriend, a commodious cabin, trimming the tree, unanticipated guests, a trouble or two, and a cheerful Christmas.  

Excerpt

Thirty minutes after that, she pulled into the tow yard, driving under the big Parker Towing sign her grandfather had installed nearly fifty years ago. She parked the small tow truck she’d used for the call, then ran through the pelting rain to the safety of the main office where Mariah Carey’s version of “Santa Baby” played over the speakers. She hung the keys on the pegboard in the locking cabinet and put the credit card reader on the docking station where it would automatically download and tally the transaction. 

Huxley, the office manager slash driver whisperer slash mother hen, looked at her over his reading glasses. 


“Why do you do that? Why do you take a call like that? I go to lunch and when I come back, you’ve taken one of the trucks and gone out to face God knows what in this kind of weather. I don’t like to worry. When I worry, I get hives, and then I have to go see the doctor and that costs our insurance company money. Do you want the premiums to go up? I don’t think so. But you do this. Every six months or so you think it’s twenty-five years ago and you’re still driving a damned tow truck. You’re the boss. You’ve been the boss for a long time. It’d be really nice if you remembered it.” 


“I was delivering gas, not doing a repo. I was fine. Besides, it’s fun to take one of the trucks out every now and then. I want to keep my hand in. The men need to respect me, and for that I need to prove my skills.” 

“A chicken could drag gas out to some fool who forgot to fill up his car. What skills are you going on about?” 


She laughed. “I had a good time. I’m allowed. Leave me alone.” 


“I can feel those hives popping out all over my body,” he said as she started for her office. “And Axel’s waiting to talk to you. He has today’s list.” 

Julie’s good mood instantly faded. She walked purposefully toward her office, not breaking stride as she crossed the threshold and headed for her desk. She ignored the tall, fit man standing by the window, a folder in his hands. As she took her seat, she allowed her gaze to linger on the baseball bat leaning casually against the corner. 


From the time she was eight until she was thirteen, her father had insisted on weekly batting practice at the cages up by the park. After all those sessions, she had a hell of a swing, and she wasn’t afraid to connect with a ball or anything else that needed hitting. 

Not that she went around beating people with a baseball bat, but it had been a deterrence on more than one call and keeping it nearby in certain situations gave her a sense of security. The world was a better place, at least from her perspective, when she knew she could handle whatever came at her. She never asked for help—instead she took care of the problem herself. 


She drew in a breath, then raised her head and looked at the man watching her. “Axel.” 


He moved toward her desk and set down the folder. “I have five for tonight.” 

“Five’s a lot.” 


She glanced at the papers. Sure enough, there were five cars the bank wanted back. They were all high end, late models with appropriately high repo fees. 


After taking 25 percent off the top to cover expenses, including the lookout car, the company and repo guy split the fee fifty-fifty. It was dangerous work for not much reward and a part of the business she’d never understood. But repo guys lived on adrenaline, and she supposed someone had to go out and take back that which had not been paid for. 

She closed the folder and pushed it toward him. “Try not to get shot.” 


Axel flashed her a smile. “Me getting shot would solve a lot of your problems.”


“Why would you say that? You’re my repo guy. I have no interest in finding another one.” 


“You’re still mad at me. Any chance you could see your way past that?” 

Mad didn’t come close to describing what she was feeling, she thought grimly, taking in his handsome face and dark eyes. He was the kind of man women noticed. A little dangerous, a little sexy, a lot of trouble.


“How long did you go out with my daughter?” His smile faded and he took a step back. “About two years.”


“How many times did she foolishly let you back in her life so you could break her heart yet again?” 


His eyes became unreadable. “Three.” 

“My count is four, but I’m not sure that matters. I’ll see my way past what you did to her when I’m good and ready. I’m thinking about thirty years, give or take.”

One Big Happy Family is available from Amazon*,  Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and HarperCollins.  I suggest you download a sample of One Big Happy Family to see if it suits you (what one reader does not find appealing, another reader loves--that is the beauty of books).  You can find Susan Mallery's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I will be sharing my thoughts on The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts. I am off to continue working on my front yard display.  It takes time to get each piece in the right place and then set up (the heat and humidity do not help).  I hope that you have an enjoyable day.  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.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Mistletoe and Mischief by Debbie Macomber

Mistletoe and Mischief
Book Summary

Two stories to celebrate the holiday season with the good people of Cedar Cove…

A Cedar Cove Christmas

Mary Jo Wyse finds herself in Cedar Cove on Christmas Eve, stranded, pregnant and alone. And there’s no room at the local inn… So Grace Harding brings Mary Jo home to her ranch, where they’ve got a spare room over the stable. And luckily a paramedic named Mack McAfee is there to help when Mary Jo goes into labor. The people of Cedar Cove join them in celebrating the birth of baby Noelle. But no one has more to celebrate than Mack…because this Christmas brings him faith, hope and love.

1225 Christmas Tree Lane

Beth Morehouse expects this Christmas to be one of her best. But someone leaves a basket of puppies on her doorstep, and now she’s determined to find them all good homes. Also complicating things is the invitation her daughters extended to their dad…whom Beth divorced a long time ago. As always in life, there are surprises. More than one family’s going to have a puppy under the tree. More than one scheme will go awry. And more than one romance will have a happy ending!

My Thoughts

Mistletoe and Mischief by Debbie Macomber contains two previously published A Cedar Cove Novels.  The two novels are A Cedar Cove Christmas and 1225 Christmas Tree Lane.  While I read the books when they first came out, I definitely enjoyed reading them again.  I found the two stories to be easy to read. I like the author’s writing style.  She has a way of drawing the reader in.  There are great characters in the two tales. I especially enjoyed the Wyse brothers in A Cedar Cover Christmas (they had me grinning often).  I like that in 1225 Christmas Tree Lane we get to catch up with the characters from the series.  I enjoyed the humor throughout both stories (which had me smiling and chuckling).  Friendship, love, faith, and community are themes in the two stories.  I enjoyed reading these heartwarming and charming stories.  Mistletoe and Mischief had me humming Christmas carols and planning my front yard holiday display.

Mistletoe and Mischief is available from Amazon* as well as other major book retailers. You can find the other A Cedar Cove Novels here.  Debbie Macomber has A Christmas Duet coming out on October 15 (a cute story).  You can find Debbie Macomber's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery.  It is hard to believe that it is the first day of October (I am glad that it has finally arrived though).  I will be heading outside to begin decorating my yard for Halloween (my favorite holiday).  The last piece that I need arrived yesterday (the centerpiece).  I will take pictures once I get everything set up.  If it would cool down, it would be nice (it should not be so hot and humid this late in the year).  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Maybe you will be doing some Halloween decorating as well.  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.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis

 

Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis

 

About Essentials of Murder

 

Essentials of Murder: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery

Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series 

Setting - California 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harbor Lane Books, LLC. 

(September 24, 2024) 

Print length ‏ : ‎ 283 pages

 goodreads badge

After a scandalous arrest in San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael has moved back to her small Southern California hometown to start over as she opens her Aromatherapy Apothecary shop and reflexology services. A tourist destination, Oak Creek Valley, seems the perfect place to put the past behind her, but it seems no one will let her forget. When she finds the man who threatened to drive her out of business murdered in her shop, Carissa becomes the primary suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty.

Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and save her father’s career when the investigating detective turns his focus on her. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.

Includes essential oil and reflexology tips.

About Kim Davis

 
Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series, the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series, and the middle-grade fantasy adventure The Board Game Chronicles series. She has also written several children’s nature articles published in a variety of magazines. Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines. When she's not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing Missy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats to share.

Author Links

Website: http://kimdavisauthor.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Davis-Author-1532277473479031/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kookiesandbooks 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20202599.Kim_Davis 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimdavishb/

My Thoughts

Essentials of Murder by Kim Davis is the debut of An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mysteries.  Carissa Carmichael has returned to her hometown after getting herself into hot water in San Francisco.  The mystery occurs early in the book.  The victim is the mean-spirited son of the candle shop proprietor.  The victim was not happy about Carissa’s aromatherapy shop opening next door to his mother’s shop and was extremely vocal about his opinions.  The detective assigned to the case considers Carissa, of course, the prime suspect.  With her father sidelined due to conflict of interest, Carissa takes matters into her own hands and begins asking questions. She is determined to clear her name and get her grand opening back on track. Carissa does need to work subtlety or she may potential customers. It was interesting learning about essential oils.  There is information on how the oils are distilled along with which essential oils can help different issues (such as stress). I am sure Carissa’s shop will be a success once the locals forget that someone was murdered in the back room. Essentials of Murder is a fragrant tale with an angry neighbor, distilling oils, cruel vandals, finding an old friend, a protective father, a determined detective, and a killer conclusion. 

Essentials of Murder is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Other Online Book Retailers.  You can find Kim Davis's other here.  Time for the GIVEAWAY!  One lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (sorry, but US Only).  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Leave a comment on my blog for an extra entry.  Good Luck!  Thank you for popping by today. I will return on Tuesday, October 1 with Mistletoe and Mischief by Debbie Macomber. I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Tour Participants


September 24 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

September 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT 

September 24 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT 

September 24 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

September 25 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT 
September 25 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT 

September 25 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW 

September 25 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT 

September 26 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW 

September 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 26 – Guatemala Loves to Read – CHARACTER GUEST POST 

September 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW 

September 27 – Angel's Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

September 27 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 

September 27 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 28 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT 

September 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW* 

September 28 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT 

September 28 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT 

September 29 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT 
September 29 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW 

September 30 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST 

*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 post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.