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Blog Tour for The Island Cottage by Jane Lovering

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Island Cottage

When Brid Harcus is sent to the Orkney Islands, in the far reaches of Scotland, she has high hopes for her trip being short, straightforward and lucrative.

Her mother has inherited a cottage from her Great Aunt Jennet which has been unlived in and unloved for decades, and the time has come to make it habitable and saleable. Easy, right?

But Midness Cottage has other ideas. For one thing it’s rather more ‘fixer upper’ than Country Living, with a resident goose and her goslings who have made themselves at home. And Brid definitely hadn’t planned for the strongly-held local belief that the cottage is meant to be the home of the Orkney Witch, and whomever lives in it must fulfil this role. Not the best message for the estate agent brochure and of course Brid doesn’t believe in magic, let alone have healing powers.

But Orkney does have healing powers. Its beauty and peace are enchanting, its people welcoming, and Brid’s handsome new friend Magnus is rather charming too. When her life back in York starts calling her home, will Brid sell up and ship out? Or did the last Orkney Witch cast a spell and leave a legacy of love if only Brid believed in magic…

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/TheIslandCottagesocial

MY THOUGHTS

One thing I love about the author’s books is their association with cottages. As someone who lives in the US, I associate cottages as being a UK thing. Yes, we have them here but not the same way as I see them over there. In my mind the cottages there are magical, cozy, maybe a bit small but perfect for a couple and maybe throw in a few fairy lights.
I just love books with cottages.


A fifty-year vacant cottage sits on Orkney Islands, in the far reaches of Scotland. Inherited by Brid Harcus’s mother she doesn’t want it, so Brid knows she’ll pop in make quick work of the repairs and make a nice turn around profit quickly. When she arrives, it’s vacant alright except for the goose and her goslings that she’s super protective of. Woe is anyone who dares to go near them.


Brid hasn’t counted on having such a handsome neighbor as Magnus. Lifelong resident Mangus knows the cottage called Midness Cottage is known to outsiders as the “Witches’ Cottage, as Brid’s great Aunt Jennet was known as while living there.


Can Brid fix the cottage quickly with Magnus’s help and not scare off the tourists who’ve heard rumors? Will Brid be able to open up to Mangus even though she’s planning on leaving soon as the fix up is done? I loved Magnus’s character; he reminded me of a big bumbling guy that finally gets seen for his compassionate and genuine side. Fun, heartwarming, a true joy to read. I loved it.

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

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Lovering is a bestselling and multi-award winning romantic comedy writer. Most recently Jane won the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jane.lovering

Twitter: https://twitter.com/janelovering

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaneLoveringNews

Bookbub profile: Jane Lovering Books – BookBub

Enjoy your day. Thanks for stopping in.

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Odd Mom Out Promo Post

ABOUT THE BOOK

Odd Mom Out

Life just got life-y…

On the night that Trudy Asp discovers her ex is engaged to the same dental hygienist who’s been picking at her teeth for ten years, her daughter, Madison, suddenly announces that she too is getting married, in Europe.

Frumpy, floundering, and forced to live with her martini-swilling mother, Trudy is swamped by these revelations. And on top of it all, she’ll be wearing the second most scrutinized gown at the wedding.

Having packed on the pounds during the demise of her marriage, the idea of being eyeballed by her ex and his scrawny fiancée Zelda, is truly horrifying. To make matters worse, there’s the paralyzing fear of a transatlantic flight — something Trudy has avoided for decades.

When Zelda offers to stand in for her, Trudy is forced to confront the forces that stole her marriage and threaten to steal her daughter’s wedding too. With three months until the ceremony, Trudy must get to Europe, squeeze herself into a gown, and claim the role she wants more than anything: Mother-of-the-Bride.

Will this Odd Mom Out sink or swim? Or will she drown in a sea of humiliation?

Purchase Links

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandy Day is a recovering chatterbox and writer of riveting slice-of-life poetry, memoir, and fiction. She has authored five books to date, with two in the works. A graduate of Glendon College, she studied creative writing under Michael Ondaatje and bp nichol. A lover of cheese, coffee shops, and illustrations, she lives on the shore of Lake Simcoe in Georgina, Ontario, Canada. You can find and follow her on Substack and sandyday.ca – it rhymes!

Social Media Links –

Substack https://sandydayauthor.substack.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sandeesnaps/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SandyDayWriter/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5103092.Sandy_Day

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/sandyday

Thank you for stopping in today.

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The Women of Pearl Island 

350 pages Harlequin Trade Publishing Park Row December 7, 2021 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Set on a secluded island off the British coast, The Women of Pearl Island is a moving and evocative story of family secrets, natural wonders and a mystery spanning decades.

When Tartelin answers an ad for a personal assistant, she doesn’t know what to expect from her new employer, Marianne, an eccentric elderly woman. Marianne lives on a remote island that her family has owned for generations, and for decades her only companions have been butterflies and tightly held memories of her family.

But there are some memories Marianne would rather forget, such as when the island was commandeered by the British government during WWII. Now, if Marianne can trust Tartelin with her family’s story, she might finally be able to face the long-buried secrets of her past that have kept her isolated for far too long.

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MY THOUGHTS

I’ve had The Women of Pearl Island on my shelf for over 2 years and now that I’ve read it, I regret waiting so long.

This is a different read, an ending I couldn’t possibly have seen coming. A story that is a time slip, taking place in two time periods, 2018 and 1955. Set on a secluded island off the British coast, there are secrets, lots of secrets. You really feel locked in while reading this as it’s so hard to put down.

A young woman is hired as a personal assistant to an elderly woman who’s lived on this secluded island all of her life. There were family members at one time, now she lives with memories of the past and butterflies.


As we slide back and forth in the time periods the book takes on a surreal and mystical quality during the old lady’s musings when the past comes to life. The atmosphere changes as the book progresses but there is a foreboding feeling hovering over the book. The cover will fool you into thinking the book is one way, but the inside is different than you could imagine.


The author is very talented, and the presentation is excellent. You can vividly imagine the two time periods. A compelling read that will have more searching for more by this author.

Pub Date 07 Dec 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Polly Crosby grew up on the Suffolk coast, and now lives with her husband and son in the heart of Norfolk.

Polly’s third novel, Vita & the Birds, came out in May this year. Her first novel for young adults, This Tale is Forbidden – a dystopian fractured fairytale with hints of the Brother’s Grimm and The Handmaid’s Tale – is out in January next year with Scholastic.

In 2018, Polly won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship, which enabled her to finish her debut novel, The Illustrated Child. Later the same year, she was awarded runner-up in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel. Polly received the Annabel Abbs Creative Writing Scholarship at the University of East Anglia.

Polly can be found on Twitter, Instagram & Tiktok as @WriterPolly

Website: pollycrosby.com

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

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When Hattie Finds Love: Heartwarming Amish romance set in Missouri (Paradise Valley Book 4)

286 pages Zebra Books November 28,2023 publish date grab a copy here

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hattie Schrock’s lively optimism makes her the Widows Club’s most outgoing member. The circle has helped her through widowhood—and in building a thriving popcorn shop with her cousin. So when Elsie bets Hattie that she can’t help Paradise Valley’s most cantankerous man learn to be happier, Hattie tackles the challenge head-on. But what can she do when she finds Christian Beachy is far more complicated—and appealing—than she thought?
 
Christian lives his faith through hard work, supporting his overbearing sister, and growing the Valley’s best vegetables. After all, a good Amish man should be dedicated to duty. Yet suddenly, Hattie’s warm-hearted attentions and knack for unexpected adventures is showing him life can be so much more—especially if Hattie can share it with him. But when he discovers her wager, can she and the Widows Club ever convince him that her growing love is the real thing—and that risking together forever will be the sweetest, most fulfilling chance of all?

MY THOUGHTS

The Paradise Valley series by Amy Lillard is one of my favorite Amish series. This is the fourth one in the series and I’ve read them all. There is just something about the author’s books, the characters are fun and realistic, the charming setting makes you want to visit, and the foods all sound so delicious. This one has me carving buttered popcorn, which I’m going to make myself some right now.

I enjoy having the character carry over from other books in the series. It’s always nice to read about characters we are already familiar with and get an update. This one had a mention of the boy in the wheelchair, and I was glad to see an update on him.


Paradise Valley, Missouri continues on as the setting for the Paradise Valley series as we see a return of the ladies from the Whoopie Pie Widows Club. The ladies are widows who help each other through their grieving the loss of a spouse with friendship, spending time together and baking together and great encouragement.


Member Hattie is an optimistic person, seemingly always cheerful and when she gets challenged, she meets it head on. Her challenge is to get cankerous Christian Beachy, a widow to smile. Upon further inspection, she thinks this may not have been her smartest move agreeing to the challenge. As their time together increases, will his smiles also start to blossom with her outgoing personality?


Looking forward to more heartwarming stories by the author.

November 28,2023 publication date.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

FREE AMY BOOK

published

December 10, 2023 grab here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family…and maybe homemade tacos…and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.

Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don’t forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^

When she’s not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she’s chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.

Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.

An award winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: http://www.amylillardbooks.com.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping in.

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Stalking Around the Christmas Tree (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Book 4)

282 pages Crooked Lane Books October 17, 2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tis the season to solve a murder—and innkeeper Holly White knows she’ll have to make her list and check it twice if she wants to catch the killer in the 4th Christmas Tree Farm mystery from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

For inn keeper Holly White, Christmas time in Mistletoe, Maine, is the ultimate holiday gift. Business at the Reindeer Games Inn is booming, her wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray is nearly here, and the annual parade is about to begin. The town is lucky to have another gift this year with the state’s ballet company staying for several performances of The Nutcracker. But disaster strikes when Tiffany, the lead ballerina, shows up dead on a float during the parade, the Rat King’s mask nearby. Holly will have to spruce up her sleuthing skills if she wants to catch the killer before Christmas—and her wedding day.

Immediately, Holly discovers that Tiffany had more than a few secrets. She finds out that the star of the show had a super fan that no one knows anything about. And the show’s understudy slips some other intriguing information Holly’s way: not only was Tiffany secretly seeing someone romantically, but there seems to be more than one rat in this company. When Holly discovers a secret passage leading to Tiffany’s dressing room, with footprints leading out; she wonders if this is evidence of a secret lover—or a stalking killer.

MY THOUGHTS

The Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series is one of my favorites.
I just love this series, in one of the previous books it focused on the Christmas tree farm, it was such a wonderful book.

Now there is a gift shop/bakery and its totally Christmas related. How can you go wrong with a town named Mistletoe. Mistletoe is in Maine, with lots of snow there’s no worries about the town’s folks getting into the holiday spirit.


Inn keeper Holly White is one busy lady, the ladies from the Nutcracker ballet are staying at Holly’s Reindeer Games Inn while practicing for their big show and on top of that she’s planning a wedding this Christmas. When a ballet dancer is discovered dead the investigation starts.


When it’s discovered that the ballet dancer is hiding more than a few things could those secrets have led to her death? I remember Sheriff Evan Gray in the other books, now he’s about to be a married man with his Christmas wedding.

With a terrible murder to investigate right before their wedding will Evan and Holly’s wedding plans go on as planned or will they blow away in the freezing cold wind?
I’ll be on the lookout for more books in this intriguing holiday mystery series.

Pub Date 17 Oct 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).

I hope your day is going well. Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog tour for Sunrise Over Strawberry Hill Farm by Alison Sherlock

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sunrise Over Strawberry Hill Farm

She drives a tractor. He arrives in a red Ferrari. What could possibly go wrong?

Flora Barton is desperate to save her family home Strawberry Hill Farm. She only needs one thing – a great business idea to keep the farm afloat!

So, when Nico Rossi arrives from Italy with a crazy plan to save the farm, Flora should be overjoyed. The trouble is the Rossi men are infamous playboys and sensible Flora doesn’t trust impetuous Nico at all.

Nico has been trying to escape the famous Rossi surname his whole life. Arriving in sleepy Cranfield after recently losing his beloved grandfather and family vineyard, he has no intention of staying on any longer than necessary. But he soon realises how desperate the situation is and throws caution to the wind to help turn the farm into a Glamping site.

Can Flora realise her dreams to keep the farm safe for the future and can Nico ever stop running from his past?

As they try to save Strawberry Hill Farm, secrets are revealed and just maybe they’ll discover why opposites attract…

MY THOUGHTS

Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm is the third book in the Railway Lane series. ❤️
This is my first read in the series though.


Flora Barton has lived with her grandparents practically all her life and now it’s just her and her grandmother after her grandfather’s death. She is very protective of the elderly woman and knows she can’t keep the farm going like she used to in her younger years.

The farm in recent years has fallen into disrepair with unplanted fields letting nature reclaim them and many repairs needing done. The farm isn’t making the money it once had and the women just can’t do some of the heavier chores. Flora is feeling really glum, and she wants to change this for her grandmother but isn’t sure how to. One day while she’s doing chores a red Ferrari pulls up and Flora knows it’s not anyone she knows.

Out of the car steps handsome Italian playboy Nico Rossi and he knows of Flora’s grandmother. Flora’s grandmother and Nico’s grandfather knew each other way back when and he has come to return something of hers. He has a plan to save the farm from being bought but Flora isn’t too sure she like him let alone wants to listen to any plan he has.

A grumpy to sunshine story, I loved seeing the interaction between Flora and Nico and how she blossoms under his attention. The grandmother I’d say is my favorite character, she’s no nonsense but yet friendly and open to new ideas. She’s also a bit of a matchmaker encouraging Nico and Flora to become a couple.

Will Nico’s plan help this farm get back on its feet again? When Nico sees Flora dating another man will that scare him away or make him step up and let Flora know his true feelings for her? Nico is planning on leaving when the summer is over, will this romance be gone with the wind before it even gets off the ground?

Warm and tender, lots of feelings in this one. It’s a keeper for sure and I’m off to read the rest of the books in the series.

Pub Date 03 Jan 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/strawberryhillsocial

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

AUTHOR BIO

Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her series for Boldwood is set in a fictional Cotswold village.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alison.sherlock.73

Twitter https://twitter.com/AlisonSherlock

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alisonsherlockauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlisonSherlockNewsBookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alison-sherlock

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Bookish challenges for 2024

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I’ve made a few bookish challenges for myself to follow this year. I belong to several Goodreads groups and do challenges through them from listed prompts. But these are just challenges I’ve made for myself to move some books off my to read mountain.

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READ ALL MY CHRISTMAS/ WINTER BOOKS FROM NETGALLEY

I have 6 books from 2021

I have 18 books for 2022

I have 36 books for 2023

I have 2 books for 2024

The books I’ve mentioned above are all Christmas/Winter books I’ll be reading in 2024 because I read Christmas books all year long and do a Christmas in July where I’ll be posting a lot of them.

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READ MY COMPLETE 2021 BACKLIST FROM NETGALLEY

MY NetGalley list broken down is as follows for 2021:

January 0

February 0

March 1

April 3

May 1

June  2

July  6

August 1

September 11

October 8

November 7

December 8

Can I read all of these in 2024? Yes, I believe I can. Thanks to all who have shared their challenge plans with me on your blogs. I believe you can accomplish your goals. Here’s to lots of learning and fun reading in 2024 for all of us.

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Review of two Love Inspired books: The Marine’s Deadly Reunion and An Amish Mother for His Child

240 pages Inspirational The Protectors Collection publisher December 26,2023 publication date grab a copy here

ABOUT THE BOOK

To keep a child safe

They must outrun a killer…

When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly puts a target on her own back. Someone murdered Jake’s sister and now they want Jake and Daria dead. To survive, Jake and Daria must discover this ruthless killer’s identity. But can they uncover the truth and keep the baby safe…before the killer finds them?

MY THOUGHTS

Every page is soaked with nail biting tension. When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly sets herself up for trouble as she becomes the intended target. Baby Emma’s parents have been killed in what was intended to look like an accidental car crash. Daria’s best childhood friend, Jake is now back from the Marine’s to take care of his niece Emma whose parents have died in what he believes is a case of murder. Can he convince her this case is murder? Marine Jake Fisher has all the strategies he needs from his Marine training now he just needs to convince Sergeant Daria Gordon he will step in and help her to solve this high-tension case. Every page had me holding my breath. This is an action-packed suspense with a strong female lead. I wasn’t sure who to trust and who not to. I enjoyed seeing how Daria and Jake worked together to keep sweet little Emma safe. As soon as I thought the case was solved, here we go again, more action coming at you from all sides. An inspirational suspense that’ll keep you on your toes.

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

THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Loretta Eidson lives by the motto ‘never a dull moment,’ especially with her husband, four children, and thirteen grandchildren. Her love of reading began in middle school, where she devoured Phyllis Whitney’s mystery novels. Loretta’s heart is writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and loves putting her hero and heroine in realistic predicaments where they must trust God to pull them through.

Connect with Loretta on social media or through her website at http://www.lorettaeidson.com. Be sure to sign up for her quarterly newsletter http://www.lorettaeidson.com/newsletter-signup/

224 pages Love Inspired publisher December 26,2023 publication date grab a copy here

ABOUT THE BOOK

She’ll make the ideal mother…

But could she be his perfect match?

Marrying a virtual stranger gives Verna Kauffman almost everything she’s ever wanted—a husband, a daughter…and a list of childcare rules. Despite Adam Lantz’s strict standards and formal demeanor, Verna is determined to turn their convenient arrangement into a happy union. But when their growing relationship is challenged, can they overcome their opposite views of marriage to discover what they really need is each other?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Amish Country Matches

Book 1: The Amish Matchmaking Dilemma
Book 2: Their Amish Secret
Book 3: The Amish Marriage Arrangement
Book 4: An Amish Mother for His Child

MY THOUGHTS

Verna Kauffman has wanted to be a mother for a long time and when it hadn’t happened in the conventional Amish way of buggy rides, singings and courting she enters into an arranged marriage with Adam Lantz to become a mother to his daughter Amanda by way of a matchmaker.

Amanda is a sweet little girl, very smart and wants to be called Mandy like her friends call her.

A faith filled and encouraging story we see the author take a situation that has some drama in it and misunderstandings and turn it into a happy family union filled with love and respect.

I enjoyed seeing the character growth of all the main characters and seeing how their needs were met. Uplifting and encouraging, this is a delight that will be read again.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Publishers Weekly bestselling author Patricia Johns writes sweet romance for Harlequin Inc. and Kensington Books.

She writes from Alberta, Canada, where she lives with her husband and son.

Thank you for stopping in. Have an uplifting day.

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Coconut Drop Dead (Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries Book 3) Publication Day Post

269 pages St. Martin’s Paperbacks publisher December 26,2023 publication date grab a copy here 

ABOUT THE BOOK

The case in Olivia Matthews’s Coconut Drop Dead is going to be a tough nut to crack.

Brooklyn’s annual Caribbean American Heritage Festival is finally here, and Spice Isle Bakery is thrilled to be one of the event’s food vendors. After all, the Murrays have been attending the festival for years. Co-owner Lyndsay Murray hopes their West Indian pastries and finger foods draw people back to the bakery in Little Caribbean. She’s looking forward to having fun, connecting with customers, and celebrating with her family.

The day’s festivities are cut short when Camille, lead singer of an up-and-coming reggae band, dies. The police think it may be a tragic accident. But Lyndsay’s cousin Manny was close to Camille, and he believes someone cut her life short. Now Manny needs Lyndsay’s help to make sure a killer faces the music.

Jamaican Coconut Drops Recipe

MY THOUGHTS

Coconut Drop Dead is the third book in the Spice Isle Bakery cozy mystery series but my first read in this series.


I really enjoyed the authentic flavor the author has added to the book. I learned a lot about Caribbean American foods and the culture.

Spice Isle Bakery is doing very well and a vendor spot at Caribbean American Heritage Festival helps business to boom. I enjoyed seeing how close knit this family is as they work together at the bakery, even granny, the family matriarch. Granny seems to have the final say in everything and the family and community gives her the respect she deserves.


While at the festival a murder occurs, the lead singer of a famous reggae band.
Believing the police are not solving the case quickly enough Lyndsay, owner of Spice Isle Bakery is ready to take things into her own hands and do some investigating on her own.


The investigation, presentation of clues and possible suspects are presented in a believable way and the book kept me guessing on who the guilty party was. Well done and I’ll look forward to reading more in this series.

Pub Date: 26 Dec 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Matthews is the cozy mystery pseudonym for national best-selling and award-winning author Patricia Sargeant.

Patricia’s work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews. She’s also been interviewed on podcasts including Destination Mystery with Laura Brennan, Conversations LIVE! with Cyrus Webb, Read You Later with Lasheera Lee and Katara’s Café with Katara Johnson.

Stay connected with Patricia:

Website: http://www.PatriciaSargeant.com.

Email: BooksByPatricia@yahoo.com.

Enewsletter: http://eepurl.com/cOOIPf.

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2Jmbp9E.

Twitter: @BooksByPatricia.

Facebook: @AuthorPatriciaSargeant.

Watch her author brand video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivASYzGogfs.

Patricia has been a keynote speaker and presenter at various events. She’s conducted numerous writing craft workshops for writers groups and book conferences, and offers online fiction writing courses through her The Write Spot website. To contact Patricia about attending your event, email her at BooksByPatricia@yahoo.com.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping in.

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A Christmas Vanishing:(Anne Perry’s Christmas)

208 pages Ballantine Books November 27,2023 publication date grab a copy here

ABOUT THE BOOK

Charlotte Pitt’s clever grandmother investigates the sudden disappearance of her dear friend in this chilling holiday whodunit by New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.

Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, accepts her longtime friend Sadie’s gracious invitation to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Barton, in their picturesque village. But upon arrival, Mariah discovers that Sadie has vanished without a trace, and Barton rudely rescinds the invitation. Once Mariah finds another acquaintance to stay with during the holiday season, she begins investigating Sadie’s disappearance.

Mariah’s uncanny knack for solving mysteries serves her well during her search, which is driven by gossip as icy as the December weather. Did Sadie run off with another man? Was she kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? Frustratingly, Mariah’s questions reveal more about the villagers themselves than about her friend’s whereabouts. Yet in the process of getting to know Sadie’s neighbors, Mariah finds a kind of redemption, as she rediscovers her kinder side, and her ability to love. 

It is up to Mariah to master her own feelings, drown out the noise, and get to the bottom of what occurred, all before Christmas day. With the holiday rapidly approaching, will she succeed in bringing Sadie home in time for them to celebrate it together—or is that too much to hope for?

MY THOUGHTS

I just love Anne Perry’s books, though I’ve only read the last 3 years Christmas books I can see I have quite a few to catch up on.
Her books just have a different feel to them than many of the other mystery books I’ve read.


The books have a vintage feel to them, taking place during a slower time when neighbors had to meet up with each other to solve a disappearance.
Mariah Ellison is delighted to visit her longtime friend Sadie and her husband Barton, in their picturesque village. After arriving, expecting to be invited right in by Sadie, she’s rudely told by Barton, Sadie has disappeared, and she can’t come in.

She takes things into her own hands by talking to their neighbors trying to investigate the vanishing. As the gossip accumulates all have something to say about Sadie, some not too nice. Some miss her.

One common thread shows up in the conversations, Sadie is not quite the person Mariah thought she was. Coming together the neighbors discover things about themselves. Despite the seriousness of the situation Mariah discovers a well of emotions including forgiveness, redemption and restoration.


With Christmas drawing ever closer will there be closure with joy ringing out or will uncertain times continue into the new year? I look forward to being transported back in time again to a slower time as I read more of her books.

Pub Date 07 Nov 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Anne Perry
28 October 1938 – 10 April 2023

Anne’s publishing career began with The Cater Street Hangman. Published in 1979, this was the first book in the series to feature the Victorian policeman Thomas Pitt and his well-born wife Charlotte. This is arguably the longest sustained crime series by a living writer. Murder on the Serpentine is the latest (32nd) in the series.  She has now started a series featuring their son Daniel, beginning with 21 Days (2017).

In 1990, Anne started a second series of detective novels with The Face of a Stranger. These are set about 35 years before and features the private detective William Monk and volatile nurse Hester Latterly. The most recent of these (24th in the series) is Dark Tide Rising.

Anne won an Edgar award in 2000 with her short story “Heroes”. The main character in the story features in an ambitious five-book series set during the First World War, which were published between 2003 and 2007. Anne is now working on more titles in the Pitt and Monk series, both of which are under option.

None of her books has ever been out of print, and they have received critical acclaim and huge popular success: over 26 million books are in print world-wide. Her books have appeared on bestseller lists in a number of foreign countries, where she has also had excellent reviews.   Her books regularly appear in the New York Times bestseller list, and have also been bestsellers in France, Germany and Canada.  The Times selected her as one of the “100 Masters of Crime”, and in 2015 she was awarded the Premio de Honor Aragón Negro.

Moving into a different area, Anne has responded to requests for workshops and teaching by producing her first ‘how to write’ instructional DVD “Put Your Heart On The Page: An Introduction To Writing” and her much-loved tote bags which also carry that slogan.  Both items are now available to buy direct from her website. “Developing Your Characters” is the third instalment in Anne’s instructional films.

Thank you for stopping in. Keep smiling.