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QOTD-Movies and TV shows

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

I’m not a huge movie or tv person at all. Give me an enjoyable book and I’ll be happy but right now my son and I are watching reruns of Unsolved mysteries hosted by Robert Stack and boy does it look dated . It’s an interesting show though.

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Qotd, superstitious?

Are you superstitious?

I am not nor is it something I worry about.

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Reading the Green: Death in Irish Accents (The Dublin Driver Mysteries) 

304 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date February 21, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a long streak of avoiding murder investigations, Dublin limo driver Megan Malone thought her life had finally settled . . . but even her Irish luck can’t keep her out of trouble forever in Catie Murphy’s fourth Ireland-set cozy mystery…

It’s been over a year since Megan found herself entangled in a murder—much to everyone’s relief, including her girlfriend Jelena and Detective Paul Bourke. So when a body of a young woman quite literally lands in her lap at her favorite Dublin café, Megan tries to do the right thing and leave the crime-solving to the police so she can enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. After all, she has no connection to the victim. Or does she?

Megan’s latest client, world-renowned romance novelist Claire Woodward, is fascinated by Megan’s own history of catching killers. Claire also just happens to be the murder victim’s literary mentor. So maybe Megan can just sort of stay on the periphery of the case while trying to help out? Just a wee bit without causing too much fuss? Even Detective Bourke would approve since he has personal reasons not to trust Claire. The investigation leads Megan to the victim’s writing group, who think that Claire has plagiarized the poor young lady’s work. And when another member of the group is found dead, Megan will have to step up her sleuthing before the killer decides to write her off for good.

MY THOUGHTS

Death in Irish Accents is the fourth book in The Dublin Driver Mysteries series.
There was really a lot going on in this book.
Set in Ireland, Megan Malone, a limo driver is involved in sleuthing yet another murder mystery and her girlfriend, Jalena doesn’t want her involved in yet another mystery which causes quite a bit of friction between them. There’s the plagiarizing author and a list of suspects that just seems to keep getting added to. When a body literally falls out of the closet onto Megan’s lap, she has no choice but to get involved in this mystery.
I did enjoy the location of the book but not the dynamics between Megan and Jalena, it really felt like a bullying relationship with her not being able to be herself and constantly needing to apologize for who she was and enjoying sleuthing.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

CE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.

She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Reading the Green: Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold (A Salem B&B Mystery)

336 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date August 23, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

Salem, Massachusetts, B&B owner Charlene Morris will need the luck of the Irish—and the help of a ghost—to unveil a hooded killer . . .

Charlene has hired a van to ferry her B&B guests to an all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage dinner hosted by Salem’s Irish community at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club—but she should have booked a hearse. It’s never a good sign when the family black sheep drunkenly crashes a party by punching the guy dressed as a leprechaun. But things go from troublesome to fatal when Charlene stumbles upon a second brawl in an upper room—and this fight Connor Gallagher loses, his anonymous assailant rushing past Charlene, hidden by a hoodie.

Now Detective Sam Holden has another homicide on his hands, with Charlene as the only eyewitness. Even if she can’t give the police sketch artist much to go on, Charlene is determined to ID the murderer, with the help of Dr. Jack Strathmore, the charming ghost who haunts her B&B. The answer lies in the motive, and to uncover that sleuth and spook will need to shine a light on Connor’s shady past—before the killer pulls another Irish goodbye . . .

MY THOUGHTS

This is the sixth book in the Salem B&B mystery series. Each book is a standalone so no need to read it in order.
The mystery was fast paced and kept my attention. The characters were well developed, and I enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Morris and her cat.
A special St. Patrick’s Day dinner hosted by Salem’s Irish community at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club turns out to not be so great when her guests can’t even enjoy their dinner when a murder takes place there. The hooded murderer is seen running away.
Helping to solve the case with his input is B & B resident, Jack, a ghost.
This paranormal cozy mystery is full of St. Patrick’s Day events and yummy sound traditional Irish foods. A mistaken identity lets the murderer get away with well, murder, almost.
The real question is, is there really hidden gold to be found, or is just an afterthought at the end of the rainbow?
Great series that I’ll be looking into further.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Traci Wilton is a pseudonym of Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. Patrice Wilton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty books, some indie-published and some published by Amazon/Montlake. Traci Hall is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 books, published independently as well as by Medallion Press and Samhain Publishing. Visit them online at PatriceWilton.com.

Have a wonderful day!

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The Beginner’s Quilt- Prequel to The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club series

320 pages Publisher Barbour Fiction Publication date March 1, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Lifelong Love for Quilting Starts in 1967, Arthur, Illinois

Despite the best efforts of Emma Bontrager’s mother, Emma hasn’t learned much of anything that will prepare her to be an Amish wife. Therefore, she’s sent to Arthur, Illinois, to be taught by her paternal grandmother. Though she would rather be fishing, hiking, or playing baseball, Emma finally listens to her grandmother and even finds she enjoys working on a Tree of Life quilt. Having met a nice young man, she now feels more prepared for marriage. But rumors swirl around his character, and it looks like she’ll be returning to Indiana with a broken heart. Even so, her time in Illinois has ignited a new passion for quilting that will last for years.

– A stand-alone prequel to The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.

MY THOUGHTS

It’s a wonderful day when I get a chance to read a new Wanda Brunstetter book.
Having read so many of her books I’m always thrilled to see a new one pop up. This is a prequel to one of the series I have not read through and now I really want to read the other series. In the series the main character has an older lady as the main character that we get to meet in this book as a young woman.
Many are under the mistaken assumption all Amish women have the skills to bake and sew, and it comes naturally.
Not so for Emma Bontrager who has no interest in it either, preferring outdoor activities like fishing.
Sent to her paternal grandparent’s house in Arthur, Illinois she’s not happy to receive lessons she doesn’t want.
While there she meets a young man who begins to court her.
Falling in love comes naturally but then she feels like it’s all being snatched away from her.
There was quite the plot twist in the book that I just didn’t see coming but I was happy to see how it was resolved.
Recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda’s novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: http://www.WandaBrunstetter.com

Thank you for stopping in.

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Reading the Green: The Lost House of Ireland: A totally uplifting Irish romance about second chances (Starlight Cottages Book 4)

252 pages Publication date June 8, 2022 Bookouture publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK

An enchanting story about forgotten family secrets that will transport you to the charming village of Sandy Cove on the beautiful Irish coast.

Allegra Casey is searching for a new beginning. So when she discovers an engagement ring buried in the sand near her home in Cape Cod, the last place she expects it to lead her is to the west coast of Ireland. But when she arrives in the tiny village of Sandy Cove, she finds herself falling in love with the crashing waves, the picturesque coast and the warm-hearted people.

As soon as she settles into her cottage at the old coastguard station, Allegra meets her eccentric neighbours. They believe the ring belonged to Davina Courtney, whose family still live on the Strawberry Hill estate just outside the village. And when Allegra visits the old mansion, she meets the charming, enigmatic Max Courtney-Smythe, the great-nephew of the former owner.

As they try to solve the mystery of the long-lost ring, Allegra and Max grow closer, and it soon becomes clear that their feelings for one another are mutual. And as she spends more time with the local community, Allegra wonders if she’s finally found the place she can call home.

But the reappearance of the engagement ring causes problems among the heirs of the estate and, as Max suddenly grows distant, Allegra wonders whether she should never have travelled to Sandy Cove. Is this where she will finally find true love, or is she destined to leave this magical place alone?

MY THOUGHTS

What is supposed to be a three week stay in Ireland turns into so much more.
While at the beach Allegra finds a ring in the sand near her Cape Cod home she knows she must try to find its owner. Her travels take her to picturesque Sandy Cove, Ireland. The coastal area is arresting and the locals friendly.
Long held secrets start to unravel. found family, such a beautiful read. I loved the characters and it kept me reading long into the night. So delightful and heartwarming.
This really kicks my dreams up a notch to visit Ireland and try to find any of my ancestors.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She’s been inspired to write about people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.

When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Reading the Green: Death by Irish Coffee (A Bookstore Cafe Mystery)

320 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date

January 27, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

In Pine Hills, Ohio, the bars are hopping—and bodies are dropping—as bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock gets drawn into a deadly St. Patrick’s Day mystery . . .

Krissy is ready to provide one of the essential ingredients for Irish coffee this St. Patrick’s Day—though without a liquor license, she’ll have to team up with a local bar owner to complete the recipe. It’s a perfect chance to distract herself from her upcoming wedding . . . and her worries about how her beloved cat will get along with his new canine stepsiblings.
As she doles out some much-needed caffeine the day after the festivities, she learns that the town is dealing with something worse than a hangover: homicide. Like many a reveler before him, the bar owner ended up green around the gills, but after he passed out, he never woke up. Now, between brewing, bookselling, and house-hunting, Krissy is reviewing a whole parade of suspects . . .

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve read quite a few books by the author and have enjoyed every one of them.
This Bookstore Coffeeshop and its owner are once again involved in solving a crime.
The author writes easy to read and easy to picture it happening as you read cozy mysteries.
This one revolves around St. Patrick’s Day and its celebrations.
Krissy has a popular bookstore/ coffeeshop and wants to have a celebratory festive holiday drink but being that she doesn’t have a liquor license she has to team up with a local bar owner and she’ll provide the coffee for this festive drink, Irish coffee. While the drinks are popular and selling fast the bar owner feels pretty sick but makes light of it.
In this bar you can get a delightful drink, but it may not be such a popular choice when it’s found to be served up with a side of murder after the bar owner is found dead.
The mystery was a good one and there was quite the suspect list. I didn’t figure out who did it before it was revealed.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Alex Erickson was born in Ohio and has had a passion for writing since childhood. His interest in the motives behind crimes has inspired him to create captivating mystery novels. He often incorporates elements of humor and light-heartedness into his writing, making his stories enjoyable for a wide audience. Alex Erickson was born in Ohio and has had a passion for writing since childhood. His interest in the motives behind crimes has inspired him to create captivating mystery novels. He often incorporates elements of humor and light-heartedness into his writing, making his stories enjoyable for a wide audience.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Black History Month Read: All We Were Promised

With February being a shortened month, I didn’t get a chance to post this one yet and having a cold hasn’t helped.

384 pages Publisher Ballantine Books Publication date April 1, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

WINNER OF THE BLACK CAUCUS OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION’S FIRST NOVELIST AWARD • BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB PICK

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, She Reads


Philadelphia, 1837. After Charlotte escaped from the crumbling White Oaks plantation down South, she’d expected freedom to feel different from her former life as an enslaved housemaid. After all, Philadelphia is supposed to be the birthplace of American liberty. Instead, she’s locked away playing servant to her white-passing father, as they both attempt to hide their identities from slavecatchers who would destroy their new lives.

Longing to break away, Charlotte befriends Nell, a budding abolitionist from one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest Black families. Just as Charlotte starts to envision a future, a familiar face from her past reappears: Evie, her friend from White Oaks, has been brought to the city by the plantation mistress, and she’s desperate to escape. But as Charlotte and Nell conspire to rescue her, in a city engulfed by race riots and attacks on abolitionists, they soon discover that fighting for Evie’s freedom may cost them their own.

A compelling story of three black women on different paths in their freedom journey. Richly woven historical fiction about a time, pre-civil war Philadelphia where freedom had been won. But why wasn’t everyone treated as if it was? The ignorance and behavior from my home state is shocking.
The struggle to right a wrong, slavery kept these characters struggling while look towards that glimpse of hope.
The path is carved out towards freedom.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Ashton Lattimore is an award-winning author, journalist, and former lawyer. Her debut novel, All We Were Promised, won the First Novelist Award for the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Lattimore’s journalism has appeared in the Washington Post, Slate, CNN, Essence, and Prism, where she was editor-in-chief until 2024. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your day.

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Riches Beyond Measure: Christian Historical Western Frontier Romance with Adventure, Cowboys, and a Treasure Hunt (Golden State Treasure)

288 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date

October 7, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

When they leave the ranch in search of stolen treasure, will the spark between them survive the perils ahead?

When an earthquake strikes Two Harts Ranch, it shakes the life of Annie Lane along with that of Cord Westbrook, who has been working as a cowboy on Annie’s family ranch in anticipation of purchasing his own. The only thing delaying his plan is the deep attraction he feels toward Annie, a widow with a child and an established life as a teacher at the Hart School for Orphans. Unfortunately for Cord, she seems determined to avoid romance.

The aftermath of the earthquake reveals that prized artifacts from the long-sought MacKenzie’s Treasure have been stolen from the ranch. But the return of the MacKenzie family from out east has everyone focused on what other precious finds might be waiting at the end of the legendary two-part map. As Cord, Annie, and the MacKenzies set out in search of riches, they face dangers more treacherous than earthquakes. With gold in their sights and love within reach, Cord and Annie realize that some treasures may fade, but life’s true riches are far more valuable than earthly goods.

Embark on a rousing California wilderness adventure filled with danger, deception, and second chances in this riveting conclusion to Mary Connealy’s Golden State Treasure series–ideal for fans of frontier romances, cowboys, and treasure hunts.

MY THOUGHTS

Riches Beyond Measure is the conclusion to the Golden State Treasure series by Mary Connealy.
You know this one is going to be full of adventure when it starts out with an earthquake.
There were so many twists and turns and suspense that I could hardly put it down.
Despite this and a character or two not having the best of intentions towards others I loved this series and the excitement. Cowboys, treasure hunting, an old ship the excitement just keeps going. I enjoyed the characters and the men were so protective of their ladies and with new relationships being forged life does move on after loss. Nice faith-based novel and I will certainly be looking forward to many more by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of over 80 books and novellas.

Her most recent book series is: Rocky Mountain Marshals including Ambush of the Heart, and Golden State Treasure, including Whispers of Fortune and Legends of Gold, and Riches Beyond Measure.

Other series include A Western Light Series, Brothers in Arms, Wyominng Sunrise, The Lumber Baron’s Daughters, The Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, and Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing, an indy pubbed series called Garrison’s Law, and many novellas.

Mary has over a million and a half books in print.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog help needed

Hello all.

I could use a little help if possible. I can go to my blog from my phone through the browser just fine. When I get a WordPress email telling me someone like a post of mine when I click on the link it doesn’t take me to the post and whatever page it takes me to it flickers . The only way I can get out of it is to turn off my phone. This problem is only with my phone.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Deanne 🌸