The Tower and the Tears

The Tower and the Tears by Cecilia Tan is the second book in the Magic University series. Kyle is starting his sophomore year of college and he has decided to major in esoteric (erotic) arts. In order to be accepted into the department, he will have to pass three tests of the judges choosing. Someone is also stealing the Rings of Lore which are five rings that increase the wearer's abilities if they are worn during esoteric rituals. Kyle, Alex, and the girls are hard at work studying, deciding their majors, and trying to find out who has stolen the Rings of Lore. They will also find out more about the mysterious tower and the Dean (none of the students have seen him). 

The sex scenes in The Tower and the Tears are more graphic and intense than in The Siren and the Sword. This book is definitely for a more mature audience (despite the cover with the young looking kid). 

The Tower and the Tears is good, but not great. I wish the author would focus a little more on the story as in The Siren and the Sword (I know it is an erotic novel, but I enjoy the parts about the university and their studies). I give The Tower and the Tears 3.75 out of 5 stars. It will be interesting what happens to Kyle in the next book. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The first book in the series The Siren and the Sword is available on Amazon.com as well as Barnes and Noble.  Happy Reading!

Kris

Hit and Nun

Hit and Nun by Peg Cochran is a funny cozy mystery and the third book in The Lucille Mystery series. Lucille Mazzarella is in her fifties, married to Frankie, has a daughter, Bernadette, and a granddaughter, Lucia. She is also overweight, going through menopause, and dislikes change. Lucille still wears the leather jacket her husband gave her in high school (though it barely zips) and drives her 1987 Olds (despite the fact that it is on its last legs an does not start the majority of the time). Lucille comes from an Italian family. She hosts big family dinners every Sunday after Church with traditional Italian fare. Cousins Louis and Millie are no longer living with Lucille and Frank, but now they have Bernadette, her new husband Tony Jr., and little Lucy. 

Lucille also works part-time at St. Rocco's Catholic Church (where she has found two bodies). Lucille is at work in the Church checking on the flowers when Sal, owner of Sal's Pizzeria, stumbles in clutching his side. Sal is bleeding and wants to be baptized. Since there is no priest around to baptize him, Lucille does the deed (she remembers that a layperson can baptize someone if they are about to die). Sal then dies. Lucille and her friend, Flo set out to find out who killed the owner of their favorite pizza restaurant (Lucille does love her food). They are checking out Sal's wife, Tiffany when they find her dead in her garage. The killer made it look like a suicide, but Lucille knows it was not (her purse was in the kitchen). Lucille and Flo will do whatever it takes to solve the murders (you are never going to believe what they do this time). 

Lucille is a unique character. She marches to a different tune. Lucille's idea of dieting is hilarious. It is no wonder that she keeps gaining weight. Lucille also avoids technology. No GPS, no cell phone (Frank gave her one and she accidentally dropped it in the toilet), no MP3 player (still plays cassette tapes in her car). I do not know how she puts up with some of her relatives. Louis and Millie arrive for meals but offer no money or help. Bernadette does nothing around the house except make messes. Her mother is constantly getting into trouble. She insists on driving (she mixes up the brake and gas pedals). 

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. There is a lot of humor in the book and it is an easy book to read. The mystery, though, is very easy to solve. Peg Cochran is a good writer. I love her Gourmet De-Lite Mystery series and am looking forward to Berried Secrets (A Cranberry Cove Mystery) which will be out in August. Hit and Nun is currently available for sale on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble (as well as the first two books in the series).   If you have not read any of the book in the series, I suggest reading them in order.  Please be aware that there is foul language sprinkled throughout the books (I am not a fan of foul language). 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Thank you for visiting and reading my review.  There are so many wonderful books to read and so little time to read them.  Happy Reading!

Kris

Where Trust Lies

Where Trust Lies by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan is the second book in the Return to the Canadian West series. Beth Thatcher is returning home for the summer after spending the year teaching in Coal Valley. She does not know if she will be asked to teach again in Coal Valley and is going to miss her friends and students. On the way to the train station Jack Thornton, a mountie, tells Beth how he feels about her. He would like to write and call her (the start of their courtship). Beth reciprocates Jack's (she calls him Jarrick) feelings and looks forward to hearing from him soon. 

Upon arriving home Beth finds out that the family (the female members of the family) are planning a vacation. They are going to take a boat from Quebec to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Boston, New York, and then to Florida. Mrs. Thatcher (Priscilla), Margret (Beth's older, married sister), J.W. (Margret's son), Julie (Beth's younger sister), Emma (the maid), Miss Bernard (the nanny), and Beth embark on the adventure. Mrs. Montclair and her daughter, Victoria are also going along on the trip. Mr. Thatcher has hired Monsieur Emile Laurant to act as their guide and chaperone on the trip (he is also handling the money and itinerary). Mr. Thatcher and Mr. Montclair are going to South America on business. 

Where Trust Lies is a very good book. I was disappointed, though, that it did not take place in Coal Valley. It was interesting to find out more about Beth's family. Her sister, Julie is very young, naïve, but determined to make her own decisions (like her friends, cutting her hair, buying inappropriate clothes). I enjoyed Beth's deepening romance with Jack. I am a big fan of Janette Oke and have read all of her books. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I look forward to the next book in the series, and I hope it will take place in Coal Valley. 

The first book in this series is Where Courage Calls.  Beth (Elizabeth) Thatcher has just graduated from college and has been offered a teaching position in Coal Valley (a mining town).   Beth feels she is called to teach their by God.   Beth comes from a well-to-do family that lives in Toronto, Canada.  Beth expects life to be different in Coal Valley, but she is not prepared for just how different it will be.  Beth is shocked to arrive and find out that there is no electricity or running water in the boarding house where she will be staying.  Beth has never had to do her own laundry, cook food, clean, or even make a cup of tea. Where Courage Calls has romance, mystery, and Faith.  A lovely book.  Both books are available for sale on Amazon.com.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for checking out my review. I hope you are having a good week. I am off to read and wait for Reign to start. Happy Reading!

Kris

Huckleberry Spring

I have just finished four enjoyable books.  The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill consists of four books (right now) and they are fun to read.  Great characters and writing.

Huckleberry Spring by Jennifer Beckstrand is the fourth book in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series. Huckleberry Spring is a cute Amish romance. This book made me smile and laugh frequently while reading it. Anna and Felty Helmuth (Mammi and Dawdi) are playing matchmaker with their grandchildren. This time they are determined to get their grandson, Ben Helmuth married off to Emma Nelson. Emma and Ben were engaged previously when Ben suddenly broke it off and moved to Florida. Anna has convinced Felty to have surgery (she gave him a choice of which surgery) in order to get Ben to come home and take care of the farm while Felty recovers. Meanwhile, Anna has convinced Emma to come to Huckleberry Hill (their farm) and help her grow a giant pumpkin as well as other vegetables. Anna hopes that by throwing Ben and Emma together that they will get back together and get married. 

Emma thinks the reason Ben broke off the engagement is because she is so clumsy. She burned down a chicken coop, almost set a field on fire, burns the bread (actually all food) regularly, and cannot walk without injuring herself. Ben has not told anyone why he broke off the engagement and moved to Florida. While Ben and Emma work things out, Mammi (Anna) will keep Felty (Dawdi) off his feet with surgeries. Mammi is such a great character. She knits all types of items quickly and with the wackiest colors. She is even knitting a cover for her giant pumpkin to keep it protected. She is also the worlds worst cook (but no one will tell her because they do not want to hurt her feelings). Felty loves to sing but prefers to make up his own lyrics. He can also eat all of Mammi's cooking because his taste buds were burned off as a child (it is a good thing or he would starve to death). 

Please read Huckleberry Spring to find out why Ben broke off the engagement, if Emma and Ben get back together, and how many surgeries poor Felty will have to endure. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars (which is rare for me).  Huckleberry Spring comes out today and is available on Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and reading my review!  I am off to do housework (yuck).  I hope you are having  an enjoyable day!  Happy Reading!

Kris

Housewitch

 

Update

 

Housewitch is out today (February 17)!  I am looking forward to reading the entire book (not just the excerpt provided for review)!

 



Housewitch by Katie Schickel is a great book about witches. I was fortunate enough to get an excerpt of Housewitch. It is such a good book and I cannot wait until the book is released so that I can finish reading it. The book starts out talking about three sisters in Misery Shoal. The three sisters are Aurora (youngest), Freya, and Wilhemena (the oldest). Elizabeth is their mother and a witch. The girls are also witches and their mother is teaching them magic using the “old ways” (herbs and spells). Unfortunately, Freya has darkness in her and does not want to restrict her magic to just doing good. The book then jumps to Allison and her family in Monrovia, Massachusetts. Allison does not know that she is a witch. One day she notices that when she thinks about something it happens! Her daughter wanted the little piglets to dance at the petting zoo and next thing that Allison knows the little piglets are dancing! Allison finds out that there has been a spell protecting her since childhood but with her mother's health failing (whom Allison has not seen in 30 years), so is the protection spell. 

The present with Allison is interspersed with tales of the three girls. One of which is Allison's mother. To find out what happens with Allison, how she handles her magic, and why there was a protection spell on her, read Housewitch! I cannot wait to finish this book! I pre-ordered my copy and will receive it on my Kindle (such a wonderful invention) on release day, February 17, 2015. If you want to order a copy, please click here.  I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Received a complimentary excerpt of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and reading my review of Housewitch!  I hope you are staying warm and enjoying Fat Tuesday!  It is the last day of Mardi Gras!  Have a great week and Happy Reading!

Kris

Water So Deep

Water So Deep by Nichole Giles is a new adult paranormal romance novel. Emma is half human and half mermaid. Her father was a merman and her mother was human. Emma is what is called a changeling (because of her human side). Emma was left on her grandmother's doorstep as an infant with a note. Her adopted parents had been struggling with fertility issues and Emma was an answer to their prayers. She has always loved the ocean and when she was sixteen she discovered that she is turning into a mermaid. The change happens slowly as she develops gills (scales, webbed feet) and learns to breathe underwater. Emma does not know what to tell her family. Her parents do not know about her heritage. Emma also has to worry about her mentally challenged brother, Keith. He is just starting high school and seems to gravitate towards the wrong type of friends. Emma has trust issues from an horrible incident with her ex-boyfriend, Tom. James Phelps, new senior at the high school, will have to get past Emma's issues to get close to her. 

The book gets better towards the second half. There is a lot of normal teenage angst and relationship issues. We get to know more about the merman and mermaids as well as Atlantis in the second half of Water So Deep. I do want to warn you that you will be not be happy with the ending of the book (I was not). There were a couple of issues left unresolved, which, I will assume, means there is be another book. One thing that was troubling in this book is the violent tempers of the men who interact with Emma (Merrick the merman, Tom the ex-boyfriend, and James who is attracted to Emma). I will give this book 2.75 stars (out of 5 stars). 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What are you currently reading?  I am reading Huckleberry Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand.  It is the third book in the series.  I will be writing a review soon.   

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a great Monday!  Happy Reading!

Kris

Meek and Mild

Meek and Mild by Olivia Newport is a lovely historical Amish Christian fiction book. The book starts out in 1895 when the Niverton Amish community is asked to take a vote about shunning members of Maryland Amish community. The Maryland Amish have started Sunday school services for their young children and have added a few new hymns. Little do the people know how much this vote will affect their lives in the future as well as their children's lives. 

Meek and Mild then skips forward to 1916. Clara Kuhn is 23 years old and still living at home with her father (Hiram), stepmother (Rhoda), and their children. Clara's stepmother has decided it is time for Clara to marry so she is not letting her spend time with other children, help around the house, or work outside the home. Clara is in love with Andrew Raber but she is afraid to have children. After her mother dying in childbirth and hearing the troubles other woman have during labor, Clara is scared. 

Clara spends more time visiting her mother's relatives in Maryland. Fannie Esh is Clara's cousin and is married to Elam. They have one child but would like more children (the Amish way). Fannie is obsessed with having more children and gets more upset and depressed each month when she finds out that she is not expecting. Fannie and Elam's marriage is starting to suffer. 

Clara will have to get over her fear of childbirth and Fannie will need to put her worry's aside and give over the situation to God. The two Amish communities are going to have to come up with a solution. Meek and Mild is such a good book and very enjoyable to read. I especially love the ending of the book. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.  Meek and Mild is the second book in this series and will be out on February 1, 2015. Wonderful Lonesome is the first book in the Amish Turns of Time series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading a diverse selection of books lately.  Keeps things lively.  I received a wonderful book in the mail yesterday.  I received an ARC copy of Wicked Stitch by Amanda Lee.  I am a big fan of cozy mysteries and am looking forward to reading it.  

Have a wonderful evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Amish Clockmaker

The Amish Clockmaker by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner is a fabulous Amish Christian fiction story. I could not put the book (or, in my case, Kindle) down. The story is about two different men: Matthew and Clayton. Matthew Zook is married (to Amanda), they are expecting their first child, and he runs the family store, Zook's Feed and Tack. Matthew was put in charge of the store by his grandfather after his father tried to run it for five years. Matthew is trying to revitalize the store by expanding it. When he goes to start construction, he discovers that there is a dispute on the plot of land (an acre) that the family purchased from the Raber's many years ago. The hotel that is building next door states that the Zook's do not own the land. The lawyer representing the hotel states that they are going to find the owner and purchase the land. Matthew proceeds to use the Amish grapevine and resources to track down the owner, Clayton Raber. 

Clayton lived with his parents on the land and worked with his father at Raber and Sons Clockmakers. Clayton had injured his leg as a child and as also has a scarred face. Clayton also has a terrible temper and his known for it throughout their community. Clayton's father deeds Clayton the acre of land that sits adjacent to the clock shop, but he never tells anyone (and neither did Clayton). No one ever thought that Clayton would marry because of his injury. Ever since Miriam and her family moved in next door to the Raber's, Clayton has been in love with her. Miriam, however, treated Clayton like a friend. Miriam has fancied English things (items that the Amish are not allowed). One day Miriam's parents ask Clayton for help. Miriam finds herself in the family way and they ask Clayton to marry her. Their marriage is not ideal. After Miriam loses the baby, she starts acting very odd and ends up deceased. Clayton is accused of murdering her and is arrested. The police release him, but that does not stop the gossip within the community. Clayton ends up leaving the community and is not heard from again. 

Matthew has heard the rumors about Clayton, but he feels that Clayton is innocent. Matthew sets out to find Clayton and what really happened to Miriam. 

I found The Amish Clockmaker to be a great book. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. The Amish Clockmaker will be out on February 1, 2015 (according to Amazon.com). 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Thank you for visiting and reading my review.  If you click on the name of the book above, it will take you to the Amazon page where the book is listed for sale.  I hope you have had a great weekend and have read some great books.  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

P.S. -- Here is my star ratings for books:

1 Star   = The book is awful.

2 Stars = The book is so-so.

3 Stars = The book is okay. Worth reading.

4 Stars = Wonderful book. Very enjoyable to read.

5 Stars = Just loved it!  A must read!

The Discovery Saga Collection

The Discovery Saga Collection (A 6-Part Series from Lancaster County) by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a wonderful Amish Christian Fiction book. Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus are newlyweds, but they are having financial difficulties. Luke lost his job working at the furniture store due to the economy and he will not let Meredith try to find work. Luke is then offered a chance to purchase his Uncle Amos' headstone engraving business. He will have to travel to Indiana from Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania to learn from Uncle Amos, but he figures it will be worth it. Meredith does not want Luke traveling during the winter because of the awful snow storms and blizzards. Unfortunately, the bus to Indiana that Luke was taking hits a tanker trunk and everyone on board is killed. Unknown to Meredith or anyone else, Luke was not on the bus. He was robbed and beaten at the bus terminal. Luke had no I.D. on him and is left in a coma. 

Meredith is left grief stricken at the loss of her husband and pregnant. Luke is badly injured and has severe amnesia. The next year of their lives with be hard for both of them and their families. With faith and love they will find a way back to each other and find true happiness. 

The Discovery Saga Collection was originally released in six parts (one section a month). It is now being released as one complete book. I would rate this book at 4 out of 5 stars. The Discovery Saga Collection was very enjoyable and a delight to read. I look forward to reading more books by Wanda E. Brunstetter. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing Inc. in exchange for an honest review. 

It is wonderful to read such a good book.  You just hate for them to end.  I am off to relax and read a new book I just got in the mail (I won it on Goodreads.com).  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris  i                    

The American Catholic Almanac

The American Catholic Almanac by Brian Burch and Emily Stimpson is a lovely and interesting book. I am Catholic and have read/used many different Saint books, but this one is different. It tells the story of everyday people, priests, a president, etc. that have helped shaped American Catholicism. It is easy to read and provides great information on American Catholics. There are so many wonderful stories in this book. It is well-written and very informative. I look forward to reading a new story each day and learning more about American Catholicism. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I am really enjoying The American Catholic Almanac.  There are so many great and fascinating stories in this book.  If you are a Catholic or a history buff, you will enjoy this book.  Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

P.S.--If you buy a lot of books on Amazon, please consider using Amazon Smile.  A portion of the proceeds of each book will go to the charity that you pick.  I  picked my local chapter of the A.S.P.C.A.  There are many charities on the list.

College Bound

Hello!  I hope you are having a good week!  I am working on some home renovations.  The carpeting in my living room has to go.  So I am slowly pulling it up.  I want to share with you my review of College Bound.  Please be aware that this is an erotic novel and contains foul language, spanking, gagging, and bondage.

College Bound by Lilia Ford is an erotic novel. Natalie is having a rough time. She is just eighteen but still in high school. Her mother died when she was younger and her father quickly remarried. Unfortunately for Natalie, her father put most of his possessions in his new wife's name so when they both passed away everything went to her stepbrother and now guardian, Stephen. When Natalie started acting out with inappropriate sexual behavior he threatened boarding school or she would be cut off without a dime. Natalie decided to leave her home. She ended up working at a local mini-mart and living on a cat in the backroom. Gareth, who has been giving her sandwiches and a place to shower, offers Natalie a proposition in return for college tuition. Natalie agrees to Gareth outrageous proposition and she embarks on her new life. There is a lot of foul language in this book as well as bondage, gagging, and spanking. The first half of the book is very upsetting or discomforting to read but you keep reading because you want to find out what happens with Natalie. College Bound has very erotic sex scenes but you will find some of it disturbing yet erotic. I would give College Bound 3.5 stars out of 5. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my review.  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

Harrington Road

Harrington Manor by Ronald James is a mystery novel set in the 1920's. The time of moving pictures, automobiles, prohibition, and flappers! Cora and her husband, The Colonel (Peter) have a very nice home, Harrington Manor. They have acres planted with orange trees that brings them in a good income. They have four children: Shep, Reggie, Margot, and Orson. Shep is the oldest, married to Doreen, and very determined to control everything. Reggie, unfortunately, is a follower and mimics is older brother, Shep. Margot is a naïve young girl who is interested in getting married. Orson is the youngest son, dresses in a very laid back style, but is the most responsible of all the children. The Harrington's life is good until the murders happen. Their life is then interrupted with grief, the police investigation, and some amazing revelations. 

I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. It is a good story that is well-written, but I found it a little long. The first murder does not even take place until halfway through the book. There is some good humor in the book provided by a friend of Cora's, Sara, Cora, and Margot's friend, Emily Bright. The mystery is very easy to solve. I knew who would end up dead and by whom very early in the book. There are, though, some very interesting revelations that happen near the end of the book that I was not expecting. Overall, Harrington Manor is an enjoyable read. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am off to watch a little television and then read.  I hope you had a great weekend and read some wonderful books!  Thank you for visiting and Happy Reading!

Kris

Romantic Road

I hope you are having a great Sunday.  I wanted to share with you my review of Romantic Road that I just finished a few days ago.  

Romantic Road by Blair McDowell is a great romantic suspense novel. Lacy Telchev is mourning the loss of her husband, Igor, of five years. After his death Lacy discovers that he was working on one last novel that would expose corruption within different governments. Turns out her husband had been a spy before he married Lacy and that was not the only secret he was keeping from Lacy. He sends her on a dangerous mission to recover his book and discover his past. Igor left the chapters with various ex-lovers around Europe. Lacy with the help of friends sets off on a dangerous journey. Lacy meets up with Max Peterson. Max decides to help Lacy on her quest and keep her safe from the people trying to stop her from getting ahold of the manuscript. 

Romantic Road is an enjoyable book to read. I loved the mystery and intrigue in this book. I was shocked by all of Igor's secrets. I also enjoyed the romance between Max and Lacy. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

Romantic Road will be out on January 28, 2015 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and reading my review.  I hope you are having a great weekend.  I am off to watch Downton Abbey!  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

Ethics of the Undead

I just finished reading Ethics of the Undead by Loren Schechter.  It sounds like a funny paranormal book.  It even starts out good, but then it goes on and on and on.  You get the drift.  There are a lot of characters and it is hard to keep track of all of them.  Here is my review:

Ethics of the Undead by Loren Schechter is a young adult parnormal romance/mystery book. Four students are getting scholarships to Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness School. Kathy, Hector, Soo, and Lionel are off to their new school but they have no idea that they might never leave the school alive. The school is actually run for and by vampires. The school needs to show that they have a diverse student population (Soo is Korean, Lionel is African-American, and Hector is Latino). Kathy was recruited for revenge. 

The new students arrive at the school and quickly find out that everyone is a vampire and that they are not allowed to leave. The book than jumps to a trial where Kathy and Hector are on trial for killing Conrad, a vampire student who was in love with Kathy. The book jumps back and forth between the trial and the events leading up to the trial. After reading through the whole book (and it was long) it ends without resolving all the issues. 

This book sounded great, but it was only mediocre. It was way, way too long and to many characters. I think if the book was edited and rewritten, it could be very good. I will give it 2.5 stars out of 5. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for checking out my review of Ethics of the Undead.  I am currently reading If You've Got It, Haunt It by Rose Pressey.  It is just wonderful.  It is the first book in a new series (the next book will be out in late June).  Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Reading!

Kris

After Midnight

I just finished reading After Midnight by Diane Shute. It is a historical romance and mystery set in the 1830's.  I love mystery novels but rarely read historical mysteries. I have to say that I really enjoyed After Midnight. It is a little slow to start, but then I could not put it down. 

Alix and Lily are identical twin sisters but they are very different. Lily is married to Lord Nicholas Griffon and spends her days going shopping, having tea, going to parties, and having illicit affairs with inappropriate gentlemen. Alix runs a stable for thoroughbred horses as well as racing them. She is used to working hard and very long hours. Alix works with her uncle and another good family friend. 

Lily has gotten herself into a bit of a predicament and needs Alix to switch places with her. Alix is not used to having servants, wearing fancy clothes, nor going to tea parties, dances, or etc. Alix steps into her sister's life and does her best to blend in, avoid Nicholas, and find something to occupy her time. 

Nicolas starts to notice something different about his wife. She is staying in, drawing, playing the piano (quite well), speaks French, and is very withdrawn (nothing like his wife). Nicholas figures she is up to something and with the help of his valet tries to figure out what is going on. 

While the switch is taking place, Alix's uncle, Quenton, goes to France to see about getting back his legacy as well as Alix's. There is more to Alix's and her family history than she knows or remembers. Some of the scenes in France are not as well written as the rest of the book. It was like they were added in as an afterthought. 

After Midnight is a good book. There is romance, humor, and mystery all in one book. I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5. I was a little disappointed by the ending. I am hoping that there will be another book and it picks up where After Midnight ended. After Midnight is available on Amazon.com. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting!  I hope you are having a great weekend and reading a wonderful book.  Happy Reading!

Kris

Happy Reading!

Hello! Sorry I have not posted in a couple of days, but everyone in my house has the flu.  I will be posting reviews of the books I have read soon.

I got a wonderful package in the mail today!  A copy of As Gouda as Dead by Avery Aames.  I won a copy in a Facebook contest!  I am looking forward to reading it!  Many authors (especially cozy mystery writers) are on Facebook!  It is a great way to connect with your favorite authors and keep up on their latest works.

As Gouda as Dead will be out February 3, 2015.  You can pre-order your copy on Amazon.  

I am currently reading If You've Got It, Haunt It! by Rose Pressey. It is such a delightful and fun book to read.  I am off to take care of the sick folks.  Have a great evening and Hapy Reading!

Kris

The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters by Lisa Unger is the third and last book in The Whispers trilogy. Finley, Eloise’s granddaughter, has moved in with her grandmother and is going to college. Finley has inherited psychic abilities but has much more power than Eloise. But Finley is not as calm and capable as she looks on the surface. Eloise is having an easier time managing her visions, but she needs to make a decision about her personal life. Eloise’s partner and beau, Ray, is in San Francisco with his children. He wants to move there permanently and Eloise to join him. While Ray is away, Eloise is working with detective, Jonas Cooper to find the killer of a man’s daughter. I enjoyed this book (as well as the other two books in the series), but I was left with many unanswered questions. It just felt like the book was not finished or incomplete. Be prepared to enjoy The Whisper trilogy, but when you are done reading you will but what about . . .

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting!  I hope you are reading a good book!  It is raining here in Dunedin, Florida.  Perfect day for staying inside with a good book.  Have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris

Southern Spririts

Southern Spirits by Angie Fox is a just a delightful cozy mystery. Verity Long is not having a good year. She broke off her wedding to Beau Wydell after catching him with another woman (again). Beau and his mother sue Verity for the cost of the wedding and she is forced to sell off everything she owns. While rinsing out a vase that Verity thought was full of dust, she meets Frankie the German. Frankie is a gangster ghost from the 1920’s. The vase turns out to be his urn and Verity just washed his ashes out into the rose bushes. Frankie is now stuck and can only move about if the urn does. Frankie helps Verity think of a way to help save her from selling her home. Thus ensues a delightful and fun adventure. The book has ghosts, laughter, mystery, and romance as well as Lucy, Verity’s pet skunk. Everything you need in a good book! I hope you will enjoy reading Southern Spirits. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Southern Spirits was such a fun book to read. I read it straight through as soon as I received it!  Happy Reading!

Kris

An Amish Cradle

An Amish Cradle is a wonderful collection of stories.  It contains four stories by four different authors. The books deal with four expectant couples and how they deal with a pregnancy or child that is not what they expected.  This is a lovely collection of Amish Christian fiction by some of the best authors (Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Vanetta Chapman).  In His Father’s Arms (by Beth Wiseman) Ruth Anne and Levi deal with having a son who has Down’s syndrome.  A Son for Always by Amy Clipston has Carolyn and Joshua Glick dealing with having their first child together while Carolyn still deals with old feelings for having a child out of wedlock sixteen years previously.  In A Heart Full of Love (by Kathleen Fuller) Ellie and Christopher Miller will have to handle having twin’s with Ellie’s blindness and her very controlling mother.  The last book An Unexpected Blessing (by Vanetta Chapman) Etta and Mose Bontrager will deal with having another child late in their lives when they least expected it as well as missing one of their children who is no longer at home (nor have they heard from him recently).  Each couple’s faith will be tested as they learn to accept God’s will.  I loved all the stories in the book and look forward to reading more books by these wonderful authors. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

If you enjoy Christian Fiction or Amish Fiction, you will like reading An Amish Cradle.  It comes out February 10, 2015 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.   Thank you for visiting.  I hope you have a great week and Happy Reading!

Kris

Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman

I just finished reading Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen.  I thought this would be a great book.  It is set in England before 1920.  Mrs. Pankhurst and her cohorts are causing trouble in England trying to get women the right to vote.  The Earl and Countess of Montfort are throwing a house party.  The Countess throws a big costume ball every year that is the talk of the season.  Her housekeeper, Mrs. Jackson is very busy handling the staff and getting everything ready for the ball.  The morning after the ball Teddy Mallory, ward and nephew of the Earl, is found dead.  Lady Lucinda Lambert-Lambert and Violet, a kitchen maid, are also missing.  The Countess, Clementine, works with Mrs. Jackson to solve the murder and the girl’s disappearance.  It sounds like a great book, but the more I read the longer the book seemed to get.  It just seemed to drag on and on.  It is a good story line with some decent writing, but the story just became tiresome.  The details that you love when watching Downton Abbey do not translate as well into writing.  The book did get better toward the latter half of the book (or I could have just been happy I was almost done reading it).  It is a good mystery.  I can usually solve a mystery within the first hundred pages, but this time it took me a while longer to solve both mysteries.   Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman is available on Amazon.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

I really wanted to love this book.  I enjoy mysteries, love Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge, and I am a big history buff, but this book just did not engage me.  Of course, that is the great thing about books.  Not everyone will love every book.  That is why there are so many books out there.  I am off to read After Midnight!  Happy Reading!

Kris

The Swap: A Mystery

The Swap:  A Mystery by Nancy Boyarsky is a fun mystery book.  It is not quite a cozy mystery but it is also not a suspense or mystery thriller (just a very good mystery with a little romance).  Nicole and Brad Lewis are flying to London for the summer.  Brad’s office has sent him across the pond to handle an acquisition.  Nicole insisted on going with Brad because she felt that they need the time together, not apart, to work on their marriage.  They arranged to swap houses with a couple named Lowry.  The Lowry’s would live in the Lewis’ condo in LA while the Lewis lived in the Lowry’s home in Cheswick.  Nicole starts having trouble from the moment they land at Heathrow.  First she is missing a suitcase, then someone breaks into the house and locks Nicole in the bathroom, and then she is attacked at the museum.  This is just the beginning of Nicole’s adventure in the United Kingdom.  Nicole is determined to find out what happened to the Lowry’s (who never showed up in LA) and why someone keeps trying to kidnap her.  Read The Swap:  A Mystery to find out what happens to Nicole and the solution to the mystery (I do not want to give it away)!  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

I hope you read The Swap and enjoy it as much as I do.  If you are a member of Kindle Unlimited, The Swap:  A Mystery is on the program.  Happy Reading!

Kris