About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Ladybug Landing (Miller's Creek #4) by Mindy Steele

Ladybug Landing (Millers Creek #4)
ABOUT THE BOOK

Nelly Raber placed an ad in The Budget hoping to help the widows and fatherless children of Miller’s Creek. That was two years ago, and she has yet to live down the impulsive act that has become a yoke around her neck. Despite her unmarried status, Nelly’s mother is determined to find her a husband, even if she has to enlist the local matchmaker for help.

Levi Milford has worked hard for the future he has planned, but everything has gone wrong. Turning to a friend who seems to be having more trouble than him, Levi realizes why it’s always best to put our futures in God’s hands.

As summer looms to an end, one heart will be put to the test, while another might find her best match yet.







MY THOUGHTS.....

This heartwarming book is a perfect addition to the Miller's Creek series. From the very first book we've seen the folks of Miller's Creek deal with tragedy, pain, and loss, but through it all, they've managed to endure because of their faith. Mistakes have paved the way for successes and heartaches have made the happy moments even sweeter! Memorable characters have been the backbone of this series and in this story, I was finally shown the reasons behind the actions of Nelly Raber! I admit that there have been times when I was exasperated with her but this book provides a deeper glimpse into her family life. At last, I knew why she needed and deserved that 'happily ever after'. I also loved that one of my favorites was given her greatest challenge ever! Would matchmaker Hazel Miller succeed in her latest endeavor?

Ladybug Landing
is filled with a cornucopia of emotions, including sadness and confusion but there are also moments of laugh-out-loud fun, take-your-breath-away romance, and overwhelming joy. Author Mindy Steele understands the people that she writes about and she's quickly becoming an important voice in Amish fiction!

I received an ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars







ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele writes Amish Romance peppered in humor, using her rural surroundings as her muse. She is a best-selling author and the winner of the 2022 FHLCW Reader's Choice award for sweet romance. Steele creates realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy-ever-after ending. Readers can find themselves, somewhere within her pages.

Learn more about Mindy by visiting her Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram





View all my reviews

Friday, March 17, 2023

Chris Crossed Murder (a Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery) by Lauren Carr: Book Review & Author Interview #iReadBookTours


 

Book Details:

Book Title Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +) 
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Feb 22, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Carr is a master at creating unique, complex plots and colorful characters, both evident in her latest cold case mystery featuring  Chris Matheson and the geezer squad. The plot is twisted, the mystery unique and the ending a surprise. A must-read!" - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer

"Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. ...I would give Chris Crossed Murder one hundred stars if I could. I believe readers who enjoy reading well-written and clean cozy mysteries will most definitely want to read it. I have no doubt they will enjoy it as much as I did. The fifth installment from A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series is on my radar for when it releases." - Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Amy Campbell, Locks Hooks and Books

Book Description:
It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.

With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.
Buy the Book:
Amazon.com 
B&N ~ BAM
BookBub
add to goodreads

MY THOUGHTS.....
This is what a mystery novel is supposed to be! There are clues galore, a main character who appears to have met his fate, and an intriguing group called the "Geezer Squad". Believe me, the members are anything but geezers and they're more than willing to help solve the mystery involving their friend Chris. Chris Crossed Murder is the fourth book in the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series and I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could. There's a John Doe, and how is he connected to an unsolved murder that occurred nine years ago? The questions are many, the action is non-stop, and the characters are truly memorable! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book. Better yet, schedule time for a reading marathon for all four of these cold case mysteries by a very talented author!

I received a copy of this book from the author via iRead Book Tours. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Author Interview with Lauren Carr


-What book got you interested in reading?

This sounds terrible, but it was the Bobbsey Twins. That is the first real book that I remember reading. My mother would take me to the library every Friday and I read every Bobbsey Twin mystery they had. From there, I moved on to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.


-Do you have a favorite genre to read?

Murder Mysteries. It’s awful to say, but if the book doesn’t have a dead body, I’m not interested. 


-Is there a book you have read more than one time?

Several. I can’t think of any right off hand. Many of Agatha Christie’s mysteries I have read more than once. I read first time for enjoyment. And then, read again to study her technique in unfolding the mystery for the reader. Same goes for Earl Stanley Gardner.


-What got you interested in writing?

My imagination. My mother and I shared a love for murder mysteries. She would read Perry Mason to me at bed time. As a child reading the mild Bobbsey Twin mysteries, I would “rewrite” the mystery in my mind—changing the missing sea shell into a kidnapping story. Later, I read a string of murder mysteries that just didn’t satisfy me. So, I decided to write my own mysteries. Still, today, I write mysteries that I myself would want to read.


-Was there a book of yours that was difficult to write? Which one was it and what made it so difficult?

Each book has its own unique challenges. I don’t write from a formula. Therefore, I purposely challenge myself with each book and try new things. That keeps my mysteries fresh for my readers.

 I would have to say the most difficult book for me to write was Shadow of Murder. This was my twenty-nineth novel, the latest installment in the Mac Faraday Mystery series. 

As a writer, I challenge myself to always try new things. With Shadow of Murder, I branched into including a paranormal element, which meant a lot of research into areas that I had never gone before. Some of my readers liked it. Others did not. Do I regret branching into that area. No, because my readers deserve more than the same old plotlines. Besides, trying new things is the best way to stay young. 


Thank you. Lauren, for answering these questions today!