Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses

Chorus Line, Caviar, and Corpses by Mary McHugh is a cute cozy mystery. It is the first in the Happy Hoofers mystery series. The Happy Hoofers have been asked to perform on a Russian river cruise. The Hoofers are popular since a video of them tap dancing appeared online. The Happy Hoofers consist of their fearless leader and travel editor for Perfect Bridge magazine, Tina Powell; documentary filmmaker, Gini Miller; community theater actress and director, Janice Rogers; married and mother of three (and Tina’s closest friend), Mary Louise Temple; and family therapist, Pat Keeler. All of the ladies are in their 50’s and in very good shape because of their dancing.

The Smirnov, a Russian river cruise boat, is going to travel the Volga River from Moscow to St. Petersburg. The Happy Hoofers are excited about the cruise and looking forward to exploring Russia in between their dancing obligations. They arrive at the cruise ship and find they have very small staterooms (as well as the world’s tiniest bathrooms). They are then greeted by Heidi Gorsuch, the ship’s cruise director of activities. She is a stern Russian woman. After a delicious breakfast, the ladies set out to check out the boat and make friends. Tina, whose husband, Bill, passed away a year ago, meets Barry Martin. Barry is a lawyer (just like Tina’s husband, Bill) and actually went to law school with Bill. They also meet Brad Sheldon who is an off-Broadway actor who recently broke up with his boyfriend, Maxim. They were supposed to be on the cruise together. Alex Boyer, a report with the New York Times, is also on the cruise. Alex takes an instant likes to Gini. 

The group is looking forward to lunch and they are very disappointed. When they complain to Heidi, they meet Kenneth Allgood, the chef. Ken is a British chef trying to cook British versions of Russian dishes for the passengers (with little success). Ken goes out of his way to threaten Tina for complaining about his food. Ken wants to get to America to open a restaurant in New York. Ken and Brad get close the first night on the ship.

The next morning Ken is nowhere to be found and neither is Brad. The police are called to investigate. After searching the river they find a body. They are only able to identify the body by the passport (which was in a waterproof pouch). Brad is not found. The police set out to find Brad while questioning everyone on board. Something does not seem quite right and the Hoofers set out to solve the mystery.

Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses is a fun mystery. It includes some wonderful descriptions of the scenery and sights in Russia. Recipes are also included for some of the dishes mentioned throughout the book (the ship gets a much better chef after Kenneth Allgood). I enjoyed the twist at the end of the book when the killer was revealed. I liked that the heroines in the book are older. I give Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses 4 out of 5 stars. A good first mystery in the Happy Hoofers series.

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads Program.

Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses is currently available for $1.99 on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  The next Happy Hoofers mystery is Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities. It will be out on February 24, 2015.

Thank you for reading my review!  If you wish to follow my reviews, just enter your email in the box (in the sidebar).  I hope you have had a great Saturday.  Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Reading!

Kris

Silent Scream

Silent Scream by Angela Marsons is a very good British crime novel.  It is the first book in the D.I. Kim Stone series.

Kim Stone is a Detective Inspector at the Halesowen Station.  She has three detectives under her:  Detective Constable Stacey Wood, Detective Sergeant Bryant, and Detective Sergeant Kevin Dawson.  They are investigating the killing of Teresa Wyatt.  Teresa was the 47 year old principal of a private boys’ school.  As they are investigating her murder, Tom Curtis is murdered.  The team tries to find out what a link between the two people.  Their investigation leads them to Crestwood.  Crestwood was a home for troubled girls in the system (foster children and orphans).

Looking around Crestwood they discover the bodies of young girls.  Both Teresa Wyatt and Tom Curtis worked at Crestwood.  Who killed these young girls and why is someone killing off former staff members of Crestwood?  Who will be next?  Kim and her team set out to solve these killings.  They will have to look at the former staff members as well as the girls who used to live at Crestwood.

Kim Stone will also have to deal with memories of her own childhood.  Kim had a horrible childhood and lost a brother due to her mother who is a paranoid schizophrenic. 

Silent Scream is a great mystery.  The characters are unique and complex.  The book is well-written.  There is some British slang (especially regarding food).  There is a great twist at the end of the book.  I was able to figure out who were the killers, but was shocked by the turn of events at the end.  I cannot wait for the next D.I. Kim Stone book!   I give Silent Scream 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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

Silent Scream will be out February 20, 2015!  It is from publisher Bookouture.  You can check out their latest releases on their Facebook page.  You can pre-order Silent Scream through Amazon.

Thank you for reading my review!  I am currently reading some cute cozy mysteries.  I will be posting a review for Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities soon.  Happy Reading!

 

Kris

A Harvest of Hope

A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling is the second book in the Song of Blessing series. It is just wonderful. It picks up a couple of weeks after the first book (To Everything a Season) ended. Miriam is still in Chicago after the death of her mother. She is making sure that her family will be okay while she returns to Blessing to finish her training.  

Trygve Knutson is in love with Miriam and cannot wait for her to return to Blessing. He writes to her while she is away and is working on a house for them (as well as her siblings). After Miriam returns to Blessing, a fire destroys the grain mill and harms many buildings in the town. A meeting is called to assess the damages and see how much money is available through the bank to help with rebuilding. Something fishy is going on at the bank. The banker and his wife are acting strangely. The members of the town set out to see what is happening and how to fix the problem.  

Ingeborg is still recovering from the loss of her husband, Haakan. It is harder than she thought to keep going and get through each day without the love of her life. It helps that she has such a loving family as well as Inga, Emmy, and Manny.

A Harvest of Hope is such a good book and I enjoy returning to this wonderful community. I enjoyed A Harvest of Hope very much and eagerly look forward to the next book in the Song of Blessing series. I give A Harvest of Hope 5 out of 5 stars.  

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

 

A Harvest of Hope will be out on February 24, 2015.  You can pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  I love the cover of this book.  It is just beautiful!

 

Thank you for reading my review.  I am going to go get cozy.  It is raining and getting cold here in Dunedin, Florida.  Have a great week, keep warm, and Happy Reading!

 

Kris

 

P.S.--clicking on the name of the book will take you to Amazon.com!

 

 

White Gardenia

I just finished reading White Gardenia. It is a riveting book! I am a history buff and enjoyed reading about events that happened in China at the end of World War II.

White Gardenia by Belinda Alexandra takes us back to 1945 in Harbin, China. Anya (Anna Victorovna Kozlova) is the daughter of a Victor Grigorovich Kozlov, a White Russian, and Alina Pavlovna Kozlova. White Russians had to flee Russia after the Czar was forced to abdicate (1917) and find sanctuary in other countries (Paris, United States, United Kingdom, and China). Anya’s father went to China where he met Alina. Anya is thirteen years old when her father dies in an accident. After the end of World War II, the Communist marked into Harbin and took over. Anya and her mother were taken prisoner. Alina is sent to Russia to a labor camp and Anya is taken prison by an awful man named Tang. Anya is rescued from Tang by friends and sent to Shanghai.

In Shanghai Anya stays with Sergei and his wife, Amelia (a very nasty woman). Sergei owns a popular nightclub called Moscow-Shanghai. Anya goes to school until she is fifteen when she starts working at the club. From the beginning Anya is attracted to Sergei’s club manager, Dimitri. Life is not ideal for Anya. Sergei while nice is also an opium addict. Amelia is just after Sergei’s money and treats Anya terribly. Anya and Dimitri marry when Anya turns sixteen.  

Shortly after their wedding the Communist army invades Shanghai. All foreigners are told they have to leave the city (or they will be executed). Thanks to a friend at the American consulate, Anya gets on the last boat out of Shanghai. All the refugees are sent to The Philippines. Anya meets new friends at Tubabad. Ruselina and her granddaughter, Irina become Anya’s new family. Anya also catches the attention of Ivan Nakhimovsky. The refuges are given choices of where they can go. Anya ends up in Australia.

In Australia they live temporarily in a refugee camp until assigned jobs (one of the conditions for getting into Australia). Anya and Irina first work at Betty’s restaurant. Anya then gets a job at the Sydney Herald as an assistant and moves up to Beauty Editor (beauty and fashion were big after the war). Anya lives her life, but she is never completely happy. She is always wondering what happened to her mother.

 

Does Anya ever find out what happened to her mother? Will they reconnect? Can Anya find love and be happy? Read White Gardenia to find out the answers to the questions.

 

I tried to give you a synopsis of the book without spoilers.  White Gardenia has a complicated plot and many characters.  I give White Gardenia 4 out of 5 stars.  The book is well-written and easy to read (you do not even notice how long it is), but could have done with a little more editing.  I hope you enjoy White Gardenia as much as I did.

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

White Gardenia is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.  It came out today (February 17, 2015).

Thank you for reading my review.  I hope you have had a fun Fat Tuesday (last day of Mardi Gras).  Have a great week and Happy Reading!

 

Kris

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Dream of Home

A Dream of Home by Amy Clipston is a lovely and heartwarming Amish romance. It is the third book in the Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel series. Madeleine Miller has gotten out of the Air Force where she was a flight nurse. She has also lost her fiancé and needs some peace (time to heal). She has moved to Paradise, Pennsylvania where she has inherited her grandparent’s home. Madeleine used to spend summers with her grandparents in Paradise when she was a child. Madeleine is working at the Lancaster Grand Hotel (she is not able to work as a nurse at this time) and makes friends with Carolyn, Ruth, and Linda. Madeleine gets to know the people in Paradise, enjoy their friendship and fellowship, and a more peaceful life style.

Saul Beiler lives behind Madeleine, is a widower, and has a daughter named Emma (very sweet girl). Saul’s wife left him and Emma for her first love and then she died in a boating accident. Saul is finally ready to move on and find a new wife as well as mother for his daughter. Saul is busy with farm work, his business (cabinetmaker) and taking care of his daughter.

Madeleine and Emma get to know each other and enjoy spending time together. Emma is such a sweet girl. Emma is friendly and outgoing as well as eager for female companionship (not having had a mother most of her life). Saul and Madeleine also get to know each other, but since Madeleine is not Amish their relationship can only be as neighbors. Saul is afraid of letting Madeleine get to close. He thinks that Madeleine will leave like his brother and wife.

Madeleine will have to decide what she wants to do with her life and Saul will have to overcome his fears. We also get to catch up with the other residents of Paradise. It is also time for Carolyn and Joshua’s wedding! Will we finally find out who is Ben’s biological father?

 A Dream of Home is great addition to the Hearts of Lancaster series. It is well written and a delight to read. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I am looking forward to the next book in the series A Simple Prayer (which will be out on May 5, 2015)

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

 

Thank you for reading my review of  A Dream of Home.  I hope you have had a lovely weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

 

Kris

 

Harvest of Blessings

 

Harvest of Blessing by Charlotte Hubbard is a wonderful Amish romance. It is the fifth book in the Seasons of the Heart series. Nora Glick Landwehr has returned to Willow Ridge, Missouri after being away for over sixteen years. Her father, Preacher (former) Gabriel Glick sent her away to live with an aunt when Nora found out she was pregnant. Nora refused to name the man who got her pregnant. Nora has now returned to set things right with her family. She wants their forgiveness. Nora has purchased Hiram Knepp’s place (since he has been excommunicated and is starting his new community) and is looking forward to starting a business as well as getting to know her daughter, Millie.

Luke Hooley is thirty and has still not committed to the Old Order Amish faith. He is a big flirt but can the right woman help him settle down. Ira Hooley, Luke’s brother, is just like his brother. But he has been dating Millie for a year. Is Ira ready to get serious and settle down?

We also get to catch up on the lives of the rest of the residents of Willow Ridge and see what is going on in their lives. There is also a wedding! Annie Mae Knepp is marrying Adam Wagler. Annie Mae deserves happiness after everything that has happened to her because of her father, Hiram. 

Harvest of Blessings is just a delight to read and is such a sweet story. I give Harvest of Blessings 5 out of 5 stars! I am looking forward to The Christmas Cradle (the next book in the series) when it comes out at the end of September. Harvest of Blessings will be out on February 24, 2015. The other books in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited if you have not read them yet! 

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

 

Sorry I have not posted in a few days.  I have the flu and it has me stuck in bed (which means I get a lot of reading done).  Thank you for reading my review of Harvest of Blessings!  I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day and great weekend.  Happy Reading!

 

Kris

Fragile Lies

Fragile Lies by Laura Elliot is an intriguing book. It starts out in Dublin with two people who are having an affair. One night they are out having illicit sex (not in the car but nearby). When they come back to the car it has been robbed. As they are leaving someone jumps in front of the car and they hit Killian. Because they are having an affair and do not want anyone to know, they leave the scene of the accident. But who were they? 

Lorraine Cheevers is an artist and her life is changing. She is divorcing her husband, Adrian Strong of sixteen years and taking her daughter, Emily to Trabawn (near Kerry). Lorraine used to spend her childhood summers in Trabawn. Lorraine is grieving over her marriage. The only thing she wants to do is stay in bed. Lorraine has to find a way to move on and get back to her art. 

Michael Carmody is a screen writer. His son, Killian is in a coma at the hospital. He was the victim of the accident. Michael is determined to find out who hurt is son. He has found a witness to the accident (not the most reliable witness) and based on that information, he thinks he has found the person who hurt his son. But what will Michael do when he finds them? 

Virginia is Lorraine's cousin. They spent every summer together in Trabawn. Virginia grew up to be very wild, independent, and headstrong. She fell in love with Razor (Ralph) Blade. He was in a punk rock band until the movement ended. He is now in advertising. Virginia runs a public relations firm. Virginia was reluctant to marry Razor, but she did. Can she every be happy or will she always want more (someone else)? 

The book takes us back through their lives and then leads us to who hurt Killian. This book was very long, but interesting. It was not until I was halfway through the book that I got really interested. Once I was hooked, I just kept reading. It is a good story. Very well-written. Do not assume who the two people having the affair were (based on the first half of the book) because you will end up being wrong! I ended up enjoying the book, but I was disappointed by the ending. I give Fragile Lies 4 out of 5 stars. 

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

Fragile Lies is now available for only $1.99 on Amazon.  I have tried to give you an idea of what the book is about without giving away any spoilers.

Thank you for reading my review of Fragile Lies.  I hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day!  Happy Reading!

Kris

Q & A a Day

Q & A a Day by Potter Style is a Five Year Journal. Each day is asks you a question to help you document your day. This book is just beautiful. It is hardcover with a Kraft colored cover with black writing in a lovely font. Just fill in the year and start writing. My favorite question in it in on January 3 "What are reading right now?" Other questions are "'If you were a literary character, who would you be?", "Today you learned _______?", and "What expression do you overuse?" As you use the journal over the years you can see how your answers change. The books is small (the size of a paperback book) and easy to carry with you (if you want to). Q & A a Day is a clever idea.  If you like writing down your thoughts, take a look at Q & A a Day!

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

Thank you for checking out my blog and reviews! Have a very  happy weekend!  Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Reading!

Kris

Flawless

Flawless by Jan Moran is the first book in A Hostile Beauty series. Verena Valent runs her families company Valent Swiss Skincare which was founded by her grandmother in 1948. She has been running the company since her parent's died in a car accident when she was eighteen. Verena plans on expanding the company into Asia and has invested heavily into the venture when she loses her line of credit. Her banker, Marvin Panetta is dead and so is the financing. Verena tries to find other financing, but, with the help of her fiancé Derrick Logan, Verena goes to Herringbone (capital venture firm). This moves turns out to be the worst decision Verena has ever made (except for getting engaged to Derrick). 

Along the way Verena has to deal with her grandmother, Mia (who is not in the best of health), her twin sisters, Anika and Bella (just thirteen), and Lance Martel. Lance captured her interest at an awards dinner. He made her dinner and then they continued to run into each other. The attraction was instantaneous but Verena kept resisting. Verena felt she made a commitment to Derrick and should stick with it (despite the horrible thing he does to her). Thankfully, Verena has some wonderful friends (Scarlett, Dahlia, and Fianna) as well as her family. 

Flawless captured my attention right away and I could not put this book down. Romance, mystery, and some intrigue along with good writing. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. There are two more books in A Hostile Beauty series: Beauty Mark and Runway. Beauty Mark is currently available and Runway will be out March 28, 2015. A lot happens in Flawless. I tried to give you a brief summary without giving away any spoilers! 

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

Thank you for checking out my review of Flawless.  I am currently reading Fragile Lies by Laura Elliot which comes out February 13, 2015.  Have a great night and Happy Reading!

Kris

Death by Didgeridoode

Death by Didgeridoo is a Jamie Quinn Mystery by Barbara Venkataraman. It is the first book in the series. Death by Didgeridoo is a cute cozy mystery and an enjoyable read. It is written in the first person (which I usually detest), but I did not even notice after a while. 

Jamie Quinn is a lawyer who recently lost her mother. She has taken the last six months off to grieve. Then she receives a phone call from her Aunt Peg asking for help. Jamie's cousin Adam has been taken into custody and accused of murdering his music teacher, Spike. Adam has Asperger's Syndrome and this could easily put him over the edge.  

Jamie with the help of her friend, Grace, and a private investigator, Duke, sets out to solve the murder of Spike. Turns out he was not well liked nor was his dog, Beast. 

I give this book 3.75 out of 5. It was a good mystery that is easy to read. The murder is very easy to solve, but I really enjoyed the story. Death by Didgeridoo is available on Kindle Unlimited.

If you are wondering what is a didgeridoo, it is a Australian Aboriginal wind instrument.  Made of wood (a long wooden tube) and can weigh up to 10 pounds.  They are hollowed out (like a flute made of wood).

I am glad that the author contacted me and let me know about this book.  I look forward to reading more books by Barbara Venkataraman.  

Have a great evening and week!  Happy Reading!

Kris

P.S.--You can get the first three books of the Jamie Quinn series as a boxed set.  They are also available on Kindle Unlimited!  Click here to go to the page on Amazon.