304 pages St. Martins Paperbacks 22 October 2024 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
In Korina Moss’s Fondue or Die, the lazy, hazy, dairy days of summer are coming to a close in the Sonoma Valley. . . and so is someone’s life.
The small town of Yarrow Glen’s neighbor, Lockwood, hosts an annual Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days. And Willa Bauer and her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, refuse to miss out on the fun. Willa is thrilled to celebrate her favorite thing―she is a cheesemonger after all―and this festival goes all out: butter sculptures, goat races, cheese wheel relays, even a Miss Dairy pageant. Too bad the pageant runner, Nadine, is treating Dairy Days prep like it’s fondue or die and is putting everyone around her on edge. When Willa finds Nadine’s dead body under years’ worth of ceramic milk jugs, the police aren’t sure whether the death was an accident. But fingers are pointing at Willa’s employee, Mrs. Schultz, who steps in to help the pageant after Nadine’s death. Someone wanted Nadine out of the whey, and Willa is going to find out who.
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MY THOUGHTS
If you were to ask me what the perfect food was, I’d have to say cheese, mixed with things and alone so I’m sure this is the perfect series for me to read and review.
Fondue or Die is the fifth book in the Cheese Shop cozy mystery series and like the others it’s delectable. Everyone loves a summer festival, and the hot, lazy days are perfect for the Labor Day weekend bash: Dairy Days.
Booths filled with delicious and refreshing cheeses and other dairy products, butter sculptures, cow contests and other things all take a backseat when the Miss Dairy pageant starts as it’s the main attraction and has been for years.
Curds & Whey owner, Willa Bauer once again finds herself embroiled in a riveting case to solve when behind the scenes things are not as calm as they appear.
An engaging cozy mystery that was a fast read that kept my attention. I liked the characters, and the reveal took me by surprise. Looking forward to more in the series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
THE AUTHOR
KORINA MOSS is the author of the Agatha Award-winning Cheese Shop Mystery series (St. Martin’s Press) set in the Sonoma Valley. Her books have been featured in PARADE Magazine, Woman’s World, AARP, and Fresh Fiction. Her short stories have been included in the mystery anthologies Crime Travel and Death by Cupcake. She lives and writes in a small town in New England. To learn more about her, visit her website at korinamossauthor.com
346 pages Bethany House Publishers 5 August publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
After her annulment is finalized, Enya Shanahan finds herself caught in a web of scandal and obligation while carrying a secret that threatens to shatter her family’s reputation. Determined to find a suitable marriage for Enya, her father turns to a wily matchmaker to save them from their circumstances.
Sullivan O’Brien, a steamboat captain committed to aiding enslaved people on their path to freedom, is faced with an ultimatum from his father. Forced to marry or lose his livelihood, a marriage of convenience seems to be the only solution. As he and Enya face the trials of their pasts and a city consumed by fire, they must confront their deepest fears and learn to trust in love, even when darkness threatens to engulf them.
MY THOUGHTS
Though this easy can be read as a standalone I’d suggest you read the series in order. I loved the first book in the series, and I think this one was even better.
Once again, the matchmaker is called upon, with different circumstantial needs the couple has a marriage of convenience. A previous marriage had her thinking she was in love, and he loved her until she realized it wasn’t true.
He has insecurities due to past circumstances. I loved how gentle and understanding Sullivan was. He didn’t rush her into anything. He knew she was hurting from her past relationship and not ready to trust another man yet. He goes out of his way to ensure her happiness, security and trustworthiness not caring it was at the expense of himself.
Time and again he proves to her he is not like the one who abandoned her and he can be trusted.
I loved Enya and Sullivan’s characters and how he gave her all the time she needed to trust him and fall in love. I couldn’t put this down and highly recommend it to all lovers of historical fictional romance.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book all opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet, clean historical romances with plenty of sizzle (but without the spice).
I am like a kid with my curiosity. Always asking questions, wanting to know, wanting to learn Curiosity and willingness to learn keep you going in life, at least they do me
Welcome to Pepper Bay, where you’ll find love, drama, and a happily ever after.
Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Alison Sherlock, Rachael Lucas, and Holly Martin.
The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories, best read in order, that intertwine with recurring characters.
The Treehouse of Dreams: When Willow Silverpays for a psychic drawing of her soulmate, she truly believes that one day he will come into her life, not that she has any time for love. She’s busy helping run the family garden centre. Plus, her best friend, Cody, is staying with her for a while, so she doesn’t feel she could run off in the name of love and abandon everyone, even when she bumps into a man who looks exactly like the one in the drawing.
MY THOUGHTS
The Pepper Bay series is a must-read series for me. I’ve read many of the books in it and the characters have become like friends to me. I just love meeting the new characters introduced but at the same time knowing some of the characters from previous books is great too. Though I’d recommend reading all in the series each is a standalone and can be read separately.
Willow Silver is busy, so busy she doesn’t have time to date around to find “the one.” After visiting a psychic, she has a drawing of her soulmate and enlists her best friend who’s been there for her through thick and thin. She just knows he’ll help her connect with her soulmate. And he does, in a way totally unexpected for her.
An unexpected love story that is fun, whimsical and such a treat to read.
Greatly looking forward to the next book by the author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Hello, I’m K.T. Dady. I’m the bestselling author of the Pepper Bay series. I’m also a chocolate lover, mum to a grown-up daughter, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, baking cakes, or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers.
My life is a mess. My marriage is falling apart, and I’d hoped the arrival of our baby girl would bring us closer together. Yet, as she grows, I see less of a resemblance to my husband, stirring unsettling questions.
I was hoping a visit from my friend, Victoria would bring some stability. With her seemingly perfect life in Spain, she embodies hope for a brighter future.
But our reunion has taken an unexpected turn. And when a shock diagnosis shakes our family further, Victoria doesn’t know it yet, but she might just hold the key to saving our family.
But if I want her to help, a big secret has to come out. Revealing the truth risks everything – my marriage, our friendship, our families. Can we weather this storm, or will it shatter us beyond repair?
An emotional and powerful novel of motherhood, friendship and what family means to us all. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult and Susan Lewis.
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MEET THE AUTHOR
Born in Scotland, Emma-Claire travelled the world as the child of military parents. After almost 20 years in Spain, she returned to the UK with her husband, two daughters, and rescue dog, Pip. Emma-Claire worked as a journalist for English language magazines and newspapers in Spain and in 2015 launched The Glass House Online Magazine. When not writing emotional fiction, you can find her dreaming up new book ideas or wrapped in a blanket with a book in her hand. This is Emma’s second novel. You can find her at @ECWilsonWriter on Twitter.
How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you?
I’m 5’7 with green eyes, long brunette hair , double pierced ears and a tattoo on my left arm, average weight, long legs, and I enjoy wearing dresses and carrying fashionable purses but is also comfortable wearing Converse and jeans.
288 pages Ballantine Books October 15, 2024 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of becoming a professional songwriter, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of spending Christmas with her family and dodging her mother’s meddling questions about her love life.
When Hailey’s close friend offers her the use of her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo holiday retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in the small town of Podunk, Oregon, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin has been invaded by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the son of the town’s main store proprietor—and an incredibly handsome and charming former musician to boot—is more than willing to help.
Soon Hailey and Jay are nearly inseparable, chopping down and decorating a Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire, and best of all, playing music together. Jay’s positive feedback and encouragement inspire Hailey to believe she might succeed as a songwriter after all. But even in her snow-dusted oasis, family holiday drama still finds Hailey, interrupting and threatening her newfound peace and confidence. Meanwhile revelations from Jay present complications of their own. Suddenly her Christmas paradise has become a winter storm and Hailey must weather through the challenges to stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit.
MY THOUGHTS
Reading Debbie Macomber’s latest Christmas book every year is a long-standing tradition I have. I’ve loved every single one of them. They brighten my day and I always look forward to them.
A woman in love with music doesn’t have her dreams work out the way she had hoped. Settling is what a lot of us do when our dreams don’t come true. She settles on becoming a high school band teacher. Several years ago, a relationship didn’t work out because he wasn’t interested in her dreams and encouraging her, so she walked away from this relationship.
When a close friend suggests she spends Christmas at her family’s cabin she’s delighted. Breaking from tradition she won’t be spending Christmas with her family, but she needs this alone time to regroup. Upon arriving she’s struck by the beauty of the area and can’t wait to relax. Not so quick though there’s a few wild animals in her remote cabin and Podunk, Oregon, isn’t all she thought it would be.
When Jay, the son of the town’s store owner helps her out she is taken by his good looks, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a musician. As they spend more time together, she comes to realize just how encouraging he can be about her music and talking with him feels as though they’ve known each other for a long time.
The book explores the mother daughter relationship. A meddling mother needing to know everything about her love life and ready to try to push an old boyfriend on her that the mother really likes. A daughter who knows she needs time away from her family this Christmas so she can grow emotionally and figure out what’s best for herself.
An emotional book showing the strength of family relationships and a few surprising twists in the bumpy road we call life. Guaranteed to make you smile and give you a happy feeling as you read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
THE AUTHOR
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
This weeks theme is Books I Wish Had More/Less [Insert Your Concept Here] In Them (for example: more/less romance, more/less world building, less info dumping, more/fewer pages, more character development, fewer characters, fewer descriptions, more suspense, etc.)
I can’t think of enough books to fill this topic, I generally like what I read.
My topic this week will be:
Summer Books I still haven’t gotten to.
These covers all say Summer to me. Would you read any of these? Which have you already read?
Sure, nothing earth shattering or exciting happened today. I didn’t even go out anywhere.
My eyes have been bothering me the past few days because of allergies.
Besides that a bunch of regular chores: laundry, dishes, trimming branches outside and other yard work, walking, spending time with my family, reading, giving cuddles to the cats, resting.
Not anything unusual but I wanted to get a bunch of stuff done today since it’s supposed to rain the next two days.
Vegan Book Blogger 