REVIEW: Instant Karma is another great installment of the Hart’s Ridge series. These books are so good. I’ve read a lot of wonderful sites this last couple of years and this one is on the list of one of the best. The Hart’s Ridge series has a lot of great elements to it and I’ll let you in on a few of them. 

Probably one of my favorites is that the setting is a small town. You know me. I love small towns no matter where they are. Everyone knows you and you know everyone. It just gives you a homey feel right from the beginning. 

Taylor is a sheriff’s deputy. She loves her town and takes the best care of its residents. I love detective stories so this is another element I love. She really takes care of her family. I admire this young woman. 

Each book in the series has a different crime going on and this one has to do with a senior citizen. I have to live that because I am one. By some people’s standards by a lot of years. Don’t worry, if you’re lucky you’ll be old too! 

The characters that stay around are ones that you can care about. In every new book I’m looking forward to catching up with the ones I have grown to care about. The characters I don’t like seem to find their way out of town. 

If any of these elements are ones that we share, I suggest you try this series. If you haven’t read it yet, the first one is a free download. So, what are you waiting for. This holiday weekend is a good time to jump in and binge read the whole series! Until next time..,Happy Reading! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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SYNOPSIS: In the small town of Hart’s Ridge, danger is never far away, as Deputy Taylor Gray knows all too well. Even as she hopes for a respite after a recent wave of crime, a stranger arrives in town and threatens the safety of one of its residents. With her instincts honed by years of law enforcement experience, Taylor jumps into action to protect one of their own.

But as Taylor works to uncover the truth behind the stranger’s motives, her sister Jo faces a different kind of challenge. As a single mother who has always shouldered her problems alone, Jo is cautiously optimistic about the future as her family finally seems to be finding stability. But as secrets come to light and tensions rise in the town, she begins to wonder if her newfound hope will be short-lived.

With Kay Bratt’s signature blend of suspense and heart, Instant Karma is a thrilling addition to the Hart’s Ridge small-town mystery series. As the Gray family and their community face new challenges and unexpected twists, readers will be hooked until the very end.

REVIEW: The Cat Saw Who Did It by J.S. Ellis is a simply delightful book. I know, I know we are talking about murder here but, we are also talking about a cool cat. Theodore is his name. This is the second book for Theodore. The Neighbors Cat was book one which came out in 2020. I bought the book in anticipation of reading this one. I forgot I had it, so now I need to go back and read it.

This is a sequel to book one but, my experience tells me that this book does very well as a stand alone. I did not get confused or wonder what was going on. The author tells us everything we need to know to enjoy this second story. 

The Cat Saw Who Did It is a murder mystery in case you couldn’t tell from the title. Theodore is one of the main characters and he actually narrates part of the book. I told you he is a cool cat. He is a very beautiful Tuxedo cat. More points for Theodore. He is nosey and he has a bit of personality like all cats. The other main character is Jane. She owns Theodore as much as anyone can own a cat. I absolutely fell in love with Theodore. I liked Jane and could relate to her as well. There were some other characters that were not as likable and there were some that were not fleshed out as much.

I did like the murder story and I liked the hair raising ending. J.S. Ellis did a wonderful job with the story line. Her characterization of a cat was spot on in my opinion. This book had me turning pages and hanging on the edge of my chair and holding my breath. I was definitely along for the ride from page one. If you love a quirky little murder mystery, this book is probably one you will enjoy. I think you should put it on the top of your reading list. Until next time…Happy Reading!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. 

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: I have aided in the capture of a serial killer, which is made even more impressive by the fact that I… am a cat.

Happily settled in with Jane, a would-be victim I helped to save, I thought my days as an amateur sleuth would be traded for belly rubs and sunbeam naps.

Until I watched the man in the apartment complex opposite ours, murder his wife. Once again, it falls to me to help the bumbling humans bring a killer to justice.

Step one is proving to Jane that something horrible happened.

But how do I convince her a crime occurred in the dark of the night? More importantly, how can I prevent her from becoming his next target?

REVIEW: The Forest River PTA Moms Series has a new addition today! Hilary Grossman has released book five named Mom Com. If you have read any of this series, you really need to read this one. It is so much fun to read. You’ll love it!

It is nice to see the status quo of the PTA shaken up a bit. Their leader Jackie Martin has had to step down. The new PTA president is Ella Jamerson. She has a pretty tough row to hoe if you know what I mean. These women are vicious. They are so mean. We all know how some women can be. I can’t wait for you, the PTA and the rest of the school to find out who Ella Jamerson really is. Wow!

I think this is the most fun book I have read in a little while. It was a nice break from heavier reads and it takes you out of your humdrum life and adds some spice, some frivolity and best of all some juicy gossip. Since I am no longer in the workforce, I don’t hear much gossip and besides this doesn’t hurt anyone and it is all for a good read. Right?

If you love Women’s Humorous Fiction, you’ll love this book. It is best if read with the whole series but, it does well as a stand alone. I think you will get a better idea of the history of all the women if you read the series from the beginning. I give this series my stamp of approval. I love Hilary Grossman!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are my very own. 

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: Big changes are coming to Forest River Elementary School!

When PTA President Jackie Martin’s husband suffers a life-threatening car accident, she has no choice but to step down from her dream position. Unfortunately, the team is already short-staffed and struggling to fill the vacancy.

Only one woman is brave enough to step up and take over the reins, Ella Jamerson.

Mom to a first-grader, Ella has kept a low profile since her daughter entered the school because she has a huge secret. She’s actually Eleanor Saint James, the Emmy award-winning actress.

Tired of sitting idly by, Ella’s willing to risk her anonymity for a say in the schools’ politics. But when the team learns who their new leader really is, will they be able to handle the drama she’s about to bring?

REVIEW: I don’t know what it is about books by Ashley Farley but, from the minute I pick one up, I am gone to another world. After the Storm was another one of those books for me. This book is supposed to revisit characters from the Sweeney Sisters Series. If you haven’t read that series yet, that is ok. I haven’t either and I was totally immersed in this book from page one. She did a beautiful job making it a stand alone novel. There is another one coming out in August that will also be a stand alone and I can’t wait that long!

The main characters in this book are in their mid to late 20’s. Even though I am much older than that, I still enjoyed the story. The characters live mostly in the same town and are mostly cousins considering they are offspring of the Sweeney sisters. There are spouses and girlfriends of these young adults and a few friends. Most of them are likable. You have to have a villain in a story to dislike. Right? Oh, and there are puppies too!

There are many problems going on and there is the typical angst that happens in everyday life but, the book is full of hope and lighthearted fun and dreams. I was entertained and involved with what was happening and couldn’t wait to get back to reading when I had to put it down. If you love a book that brings joy and happiness, one that will take you to a town on the beach then this book is for you! If you are a fan of Ashely’s, this book is definitely for you! Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you love by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: Three friends pick up the pieces of their lives after a devastating hurricane ravages their small town.

Lizbet gives no warning and offers no explanation when she walks out on her husband of only two years. As a hurricane howls through their quaint lowcountry town, Lizbet seeks refuge in the familiar embrace of her childhood home in Charleston. Seven months later, she’s still living with her sister, flat broke with her fertility problem unresolved. If she tells Jamie the truth, she risks losing him forever.

Jamie’s marriage is on the brink of collapse. With no communication from Lizbet for months, he fears a divorce is looming. To complicate matters, a charming property developer enters the picture, stirring Jamie’s emotions and leaving him confused. Will he choose to honor his vows or pursue a new love?

Sean’s restaurant owes much of its success to Carla, his brilliant head chef. However, Carla’s personal life is in turmoil because of her son’s anger management issues, which she struggles to control. To ease her burden, Sean invites Carla and her son to move in with him at his parents’ stunning waterfront estate. But Sean’s twin brother, Cooper, resents her presence and tension soon rises. Will Sean be able to keep the peace, or will this dilemma tear his family apart?

REVIEW: Water Music by Marcia Peck is her debut novel and is loosely based on her life growing up in New Jersey and spending the summers on Cape Cod. While I enjoyed this book I did find it was a bit depressing. It pulled at my heartstrings and had me hoping that things would turn out for this family.

This story is about 12 year old Lily Grainger and her family spending the summer of 1956 on Cape Cod. There is so much heartache for this little girl. She is struggling and her parents are so wrapped up in their wants and needs, I feel Lily falls through the cracks. I have to hand it to her. She does not give up. My heart melted when she and her mother walked wide circles around each other. Her father was more compassionate but still had his own agenda. I wanted to put my arms around her and give her some encouragement.

There is a hurricane that comes through one night that was not supposed to be dangerous. Life was lost and the tides of their lives changed. Some for the better and some for the worst. This book gives us a lot to think about in our own relationships with our families. Although it was thought provoking it contained a sense of adventure for Lily and her cousins. 

If you love a good family saga that takes place in an earlier and maybe not so simple time, this should be a book you consider for your next read. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: The bridge at Sagamore was closed when we got there that summer of 1956. We had to cross the canal at Buzzards Bay over the only other roadway that tethered Cape Cod to the mainland.

Thus twelve-year-old Lily Grainger, while safe from ‘communists and the Pope,’ finds her family suddenly adrift. That was the summer the Andrea Doria sank, pilot whales stranded, and Lily’s father built a house he couldn’t afford. Target practice on a nearby decommissioned Liberty Ship echoed not only the rancor in her parents’ marriage, a rancor stoked by Lily’s competitive uncle, but also Lily’s troubles with her sister, her cousins, and especially with her mother. In her increasingly desperate efforts to salvage her parents’ marriage, Lily discovers betrayals beyond her understanding as well as the small ways in which people try to rescue each other. She draws on her music lessons and her love of Cape Cod—from Sagamore and Monomoy to Nauset Spit and the Wellfleet Dunes, seeking safe passage from the limited world of her salt marsh to the larger, open ocean.