Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.
I’ve read several books by the author and have enjoyed them. I’ve gotten into cozy mysteries in the past few years, now I can’t get enough of them.
Pub Date Aug 20 2024
The eighth installment in a charming cozy mystery series set on an island off the New England coast and featuring the cat cafe owner Maddie and her cat JJ.
Beware the cats of Christmas past…
It’s the holiday season on Daybreak Island, and Maddie James is looking forward to stepping out of the limelight, watching the island’s Christmas decoration competition from afar, spending time with her boyfriend and family, running tours for visitors as part of the festivities and spreading holiday cheer through cute cats in jingle bell collars.
But trouble hits close to home when word gets out that Donna Carey, the publisher of the island’s only daily newspaper where Maddie’s best friend Becky is editor, may be selling the business. Becky is a diehard journalist and to her, selling the only newspaper on the island is a fate worse than death. She publicly opposes the potential sale, wreaking havoc on her relationship with her big boss.
Maddie is sympathetic, but she has her own problems – like getting pulled into a role on the Christmas event committee despite her best efforts to stay far removed, and solving the case of a mysterious cat breeder trying to sell expensive designer cats as holiday gifts on the island. But then Donna winds up dead—electrocuted by her own Christmas decorations—and it appears to be more than an accident. To make matters worse, Becky becomes suspect number one. Maddie is thrown into another murder investigation in order to save her best friend from a Christmas behind bars.
Thank you for stopping in. I hope your day is great.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl by Jana. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
The theme today is July 2: Books with My Favorite Color on the Cover
My favorite color is blue.
These are all form my NetGalley to read list. The majority have not released yet. Do you have any of these on your to read list as well? What do you recommend I read first?
Have a great Tuesday and thank you for stopping by.
When life throws up the unexpected, can Phoebe hold strong?
In the idyllic setting of the New Forest, talented vet Phoebe Dashwood envisions a picturesque life alongside her beloved fiancé. However, the course of true love is fraught with unexpected hurdles.
Career wise, Phoebe encounters a goat who is seemingly experiencing a phantom pregnancy, and a highly-strung talking parrot who pushes her professionalism to the limits.
Things take an unexpected turn for the worse when Phoebe is confronted with a glamorous love rival, and a surprise Valentine’s Day ‘date’ to see a financial advisor! Can things get any worse?
When tragedy strikes Phoebe realises that nothing in life should be taken for granted and fears she will lose everything she holds dear.
Whilst her friends find their own happy endings, Phoebe is beset with doubts that she and Sam will ever find theirs. Is love enough to carry them into the future they deserve?
MY THOUGHTS
I am always so excited to see another installment in the Puddleduck Farm series and I’ve read them all plus other books by the author. I read some books that have a heavier subject matter, and this is always such a comfort read series.
After having read the other books in the series I can confidently say I feel as though the characters could be friends and we’d have a cozy chat and tea together. Having a catch up with the characters is great and I just love how realistic the situations and characters are.
And just like all of us the characters go through some rough spots but being surrounded by friends who are empathetic and will help out in any way they can means everything.
I love animals and growing up around a lot of them I thought I’d become a vet. Though things didn’t turn out that way I enjoy reading about the veterinarians in Puddleduck Farm. The antics the animals get up to, both farm animals and domesticated animals makes me chuckle.
This is an automatic read series for me, and I’ll be continuing to read it.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Della Galton is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies set around the Dorset beaches and the beautiful New Forest. Her stories feature strong female friendship, quirky characters and very often the animals she loves.
When she is not writing she enjoys walking her dogs around the beautiful Dorset countryside.
Find out more about Della Galton, her books, speaking engagements & workshops, on her website, dellagalton.co.uk.
212 pages Boldwood Books August 31, 2022 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
As a toddler Elodie Jacques was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her French grandmother, Gabriella in Dartmouth, Devon.
Now 24 years old, Elodie struggles to reconcile the deep anger for the mother she has never since seen.
When Gabriella unexpectedly announces she wants the two of them to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France Elodie is thrilled.
Gabriella meanwhile has her own ulterior motives for wanting to return after 40 years, a daunting homecoming potentially filled with memories, secrets and recriminations.
With Juan-les-Pins pulsing with lights, decorations and the festive spirit, Christmas promises to be filled with fun. But when Elodie learns there is the possibility that her long absent mother may join them she hides her feelings behind a show of indifference and animosity.
Will there be the reconciliation that Gabriella longs for – or will the spirit of Christmas fail to work its wonder?
MY THOUGHTS
I enjoyed the idyllic setting of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France. It sounded very charming and like an enjoyable vacation spot. When Elodie Jacques is three years old she is abandoned by her mother when she gets a new man, and he doesn’t want a child from the mother’s previous relationship around.
Having been raised by her grandmother ever since she’s been happy. Grandmother announces she wants to spend New Years and her 79th birthday in her hometown of Juan-les-Pins. Unknown to Elodie grandmother has some secrets she has been keeping from her and she needs to travel to France to take care of somethings and come to grip with her feelings.
The book has a mention of Christmas here and there, but you don’t get a Christmassy feel to it. While there are some heartwarming moments and a sweet new romance there were some things I didn’t agree with in the book that brought the stars level down for me. Quick easy read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Bohnet is the international bestselling author of twenty-one novels, including ‘A French Adventure’, ‘Summer at the Château’, ‘High Tides and Summer Skies’, ‘Villa of Sun and Secrets’ and ‘A Riviera Retreat’. Jennifer’s stories usually span the generations with characters ranging in age and having to cope with unexpected problems in their lives – but there is always a hopeful ending, even if there are tears before. Living in France for twenty-five years she has happily adapted to the French lifestyle including the long lunches with friends and the wine.
“You must be our new neighbors!” Mrs. Lowell gushes and waves across the picket fence. I clutch my daughter’s hand and smile back: but the second Mrs. Lowell sees my husband a strange expression crosses her face. In that moment I make a promise. We finally have a family home. My past is far, far behind us. And I’ll do anything to keep it that way…
I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve.
Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes. But her cold stare gives me chills…
The Lowells’ maid isn’t the only strange thing on our street. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors.
Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here?
I thought I’d left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?
From New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Freida McFadden comes the next installment of the unbelievably twisty, tension-packed and globally bestselling Housemaid series. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone read: and once you start, it will have you up all night racing through the pages until the final explosive twist.
MY THOUGHTS
Having read the other Housemaid books in this series I knew I had to read this book. I was familiar with the author’s writing style and knew what to expect. NOT!!! With this author though you may have read her other books you never know what to expect.
Reading it in one day was what happened, and this book sure didn’t disappoint. I know it’s been said before but, in this case, it’s so true, once you start you won’t be able to put it down. I had a late night reading it, but I didn’t mind.
All of the characters have an important role and the more you read the more you’ll discover their role. This book really took me by surprise.
As you read you believe things to be a certain way but don’t settle in too comfortably because this book will take you on a joy ride you may not recover from.
A must read for fans of psychological thrillers!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
#1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. Freida’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year, she is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner. Her novels have been translated into 40 languages.
Freida lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
To hear Freida talk about herself more in the third person, check out her website freidamcfadden.com
259 pages Kensington publisher April 25,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
A smart, well-crafted mystery set in a charming Midwestern small town, where bookstore-cafe owner Krissy Hancock has a sideline in sleuthing—just right for fans of Leslie Meier, Cleo Coyle, and Carolyn Hart.
Bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock is stepping out from behind the counter to take part in the first annual Pine Hills, Ohio, marathon. But with a killer close by, she may soon be running for her life . . .
It’s a brutally hot day in Pine Hills, and Krissy Hancock would love to be sitting in a shady spot and sipping her favorite iced coffee. Instead, she’s lacing up her sneakers for a marathon—and swiftly regretting it. Especially when she finds one of the other runners lying motionless. At first Krissy suspects heatstroke, but the red marks around the man’s throat tell a more sinister story.
The victim, it turns out, had brewed up all kinds of enemies thanks to his cheating ways—both romantic and financial. Krissy’s not keen to get involved, but her friend Rita’s boyfriend, Johan, seems to be mixed up in the mayhem. For Rita’s sake, Krissy wants to help filter out the real killer. But can she do it before another Pine Hills resident gets permanently iced?
MY THOUGHTS
I’ve really gotten into cozy mysteries over the past few years and have started a few series and this is one of them. I enjoy cozies that have cats in them and have a coffee shop as the main area it takes place. Co-Owner Krissy Hancock, of Death by Coffee, a coffee shop in Pine Hills, Ohio has given up slogging joe for the day and entered a marathon raising money for a good cause.
Not sure I understand why the race was run during an ungodly heatwave and Krissy Hancock hadn’t trained for this race or gotten into shape for it. The race proved too much for her and she almost fainted from the heat and was couch bound after the race.
During the race a body was found, heatstroke is suspected but upon inspection it’s determined not to be the case. I do enjoy the cozies, but they can be a bit predictable as many are very similar. It surprises me how many people will just talk to the amateur sleuth and how much they’ll tell them.
Lots of clues presented and the victim did not have the best character so many people could have had reason to want the victim out of the way. Enjoyed this and I’ll be reading more in the series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks for stopping in today. Do you prefer hot coffee or iced coffeeif you drink it? My choice is iced coffee.
268 pages One More Chapter publisher August 30,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.
Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.
Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is a cozy romantic novel with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!
Tropes:
Spicy
Grumpy x Sunshine
Small town
Found family
MY THOUGHTS
You can’t beat the name of the Pumkin Spice Cafe for full on Fall vibes and this book is full of Fall vibes let me reassure you . With pumpkin deliveries to the cafe to a Fall festival and delicious sounding Fall baked goods to warm and divine drinks to sip what more could you possibly want?
New owner of the Pumpkin Spice Cafe, Jeanie feels in a little over her head after her aunt gifts her the Pumpkin Spice Cafe in Dream Harbor. The town’s folks including her aunt have known each other since the beginning of time and have each other’s back on everything.
When Jeannie meets the cafe delivery man, Logan who is a local farmer she finds herself falling for him. The town’s folks make sure she knows she’ll be in for it if she breaks his heart. The story is so warm and welcoming, I really loved it.
There’s a bit of a mystery going when Jeannie hears strange sounds outside of the cafe door at night because she lives upstairs of the cafe. Is someone out to get her? What is going on?
We can’t forget about the cafe cat Casper; he was a sweet addition. From a psychic mayor to the town’s folks all having Logan’s best interest she knows she had better be on her best behavior. I know Jeannie is just what Logan needed to bring happiness into his life in this grumpy/sunshine romance that made me smile.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
306 pages Poisoned Pen Press publisher Oct 31,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Spring has finally come to Sugar Ridge, Vermont, and with it the end of syrup-making season. But Leila Khoury, new owner of Sappy Endings Farm, won’t be making like molasses any time soon. Her best friend Heather’s wedding is coming up, and Leila will do anything to make sure it lives up to all her sweetest dreams.
Even with Leila’s own romantic past stirring up trouble, everything is going to plan until the bridal shower ends up with a body count.
Heather’s rich and backstabbing aunt had a whole orchard of enemies, so Leila will have her work cut out for her. Can she tap the killer before Heather’s dream wedding becomes a nightmare?
MY THOUGHTS
Includes delicious Middle Eastern recipes!
Syrup to No Good is the second book in the Maple Syrup cozy mystery series. After reading the first book in the series I just knew I had to continue on with the series.
Taking place in beautiful Vermont, the series continues on with the main attraction the maple syrup farm. Leila Khoury, new owner of Sappy Endings Farm is excited about her best friend Heather’s upcoming wedding. With the bridal shower in full swing, you wouldn’t expect any unpleasantness but when the bride to Be’s more than unpleasant aunt is found stabbed Heather believes she’ll have to chancel the wedding.
Leila was engaged to be married herself several years ago and the groom broke it off at the last minute and she’s moved on. There’s a new man in her life and they’re very happy together so why is her ex doing everything to try to get back together with her again all of the sudden?
There is an adorable cat in the story, Toast. He’s the maple farm cat. When yet another body turns up in a short amount of time Leila decides to take things into her own hands to solve this case much to the dismay of the police.
Can the wedding planning go on as planned or will it all collapse into a sticky mess? Looking forward to more in this enjoyable series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
334 pages Bethany House Publishers June 4,2024 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Step into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green.
Elsa Reisner’s lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.
As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate’s delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants’ futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa’s body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn’t through with her yet.
With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?
MY THOUGHTS
I always find it a treat to read a Joycelyn Green book. She’s written on many different subjects, and I’ve found them all fascinating. Taking place in 1926 New York you get a real feel for the sights and day to day activities of the time period.
The author really brings this Central Park series to life. I’m not a bird watcher but I do enjoy seeing pretty birds when I’m out and about. I learned so much about birds from this book, the information was fascinating.
Due to a recent death a wealthy family leaves a vast bird collection to the American Museum of Natural History. Elsa Reisner, Ornithologist is tasked with finding a magnificent bird collection in the spellbinding Gothic mansion. While searching secrets are revealed. You can feel the tension rising as you read, very intriguing and suspenseful.
There is so much going on in the book, things I’ve never seen mentioned in a historical fiction book before. Our main character had polio as a child, and it has affected her mobility.
There is an aging gardener with a special needs daughter. These are good people, people who are there for Elsa. The focus is on Elsa as she does a very important search and the consequences of this search. The book had me spellbound as I read. Recommended.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage.
Her books have finaled in the Christy Awards and Inspirational Readers Choice Awards, and have won gold from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.
Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.
Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, Toblerone chocolate bars, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville.
Visit her at jocelyngreen.com, and receive a free gift when joining her e-newsletter mailing list at jocelyngreen.com/subscribe.
The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Cafe series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.
In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.
At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry’s confidence issues and Taylor’s concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.
Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?
MY THOUGHTS
I absolutely loved revisiting the Little Board Game Cafe and the community. Revisiting the characters from past books and meeting new characters was like visiting old friends and meeting new. I still love the concept of a board game cafe where all ages can play board games and have coffee while having friendly chats and a little fun competition. Would be so much fun to have one around here.
I’ve found a new favorite series. The series is fun, light and just what I need. I’d recommend it to everyone.
The Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick is single Mom to Max’s home. She’s dreamed of being a fashion designer for as long as she can remember but without encouragement at home it didn’t come about. She’s a seamstress now fixing buttons, seams, alterations at times and the occasional more complicated job.
She wants the best for her son Max, but he’s not popular at school and seems to be the odd duck out. Poor kid. While talks with the headmistress seem to do nothing, she isn’t sure what to do beyond being very frustrated.
Moving house seems like a fabulous idea, she has more room to work with and can set up her sewing in a way to start bringing in a bit more money. Some funny mishaps had me laughing out loud. When I saw the trouble, the landlord was giving her and not wanting to do repairs it made me mad, because this is how many landlords are.
A mistaken measurement leads to just what Taylor needs, a friendship with a shy and caring man, Harry. Harry is a railway enthusiast just like Taylor’s son is. I love the idea of upcycling clothing; it sounds like so much fun.
Can a possible friendship become more with the busy mom and the man dreaming of fatherhood? I really enjoyed Max’s character and am rooting for him and his happiness all the way. I hope to see him in a future book. It would be so neat to see him as a grownup in a future book with his own relationship going and see how far he’s come.
Fully recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.
This is the first book in the Mallory Dawson crime mystery series. Mallory is a new hire as the night shift manager on the mysterious island of Eldeyas. She is retired from the police force due to a leg injury.
The island is really set up as a mysterious and atmospheric theme with its darkness and raging storms.
Three of the guests staying there are women, women with very different personalities and interests. All are suspects in a murder on the island with this locked-door murder case. One of the women killed three friends at her birthday party when she was eleven by poisoning them. Now this serial killer is at it again after her recent release from prison.
Twists and turns kept me guessing. Well plotted and interesting characters.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Ward is a crime novelist who writes gothic historical thrillers as Rhiannon Ward. The Shadowing, her most recent gothic novel, was a Daily Express book of the year. The Birthday Girl, the first book in her new Welsh based series, was published in April and described in the FT as ‘channelling Christie-esque tropes’ . The second in the series, The Sixth Lie, is out now. She has also written Doctor Who audio dramas. Sarah is Vice-Chair of the Crime Writers Association and Treasurer of Crime Cymru, the Welsh crime writing collective.
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