Friday, April 30, 2021

Dream Girl by Laura Lippman


Gerry is a novelist.  He's had success with one book and is trying to get back in the groove to write again.  Having an accident on his stairs in his apartment disables him.  While he's healing, he has his secretary move in and hires a night nurse.

William Morrow sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will  be published June 22nd.

He's been married multiple times and his most recent girlfriend comes to see him.  She wants to move in.  He refuses.

The next day he finds her dead on the floor next to his bed.  He didn't kill her.  At least he doesn't think so.  His mother died with dementia and he's a bit nervous that might be coming to him.

His nurse disposes of the body.  The police come to see him but learn nothing.  

It isn't long until the next murder.  The nurse and the publicist fight and the nurse has another body to dispose of.

As time goes on, Gerry hates not being able to get around.  He's at the mercy of the nurse.  When someone comes to visit, he begins to plan on how to get rid of the nurse.  

Will he succeed?

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Curse of the Forgotten City by Alex Aster


Tor has inherited some powers from the Night Witch.  He doesn't want them but he has no choice...

Sourcebooks Young Readers and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on June 8th.

Tor is with his best friends Engle and Melda and they are trying to find an ancient pearl to save the village they live in.

This book is filled with curses, magic, zombies, ghosts, pirates and more as well as various abilities to make their search more productive.

They end up taking another person with them.  Vesper is also looking for the pirate's pearl.  She wants to save her brother.

Tor has dreams where he talks to the Night Witch and learns more as he goes along.  Engle has awful nightmares about how he almost died.  Melda doesn't trust Vesper.  But they need her to find the pearl.

This whole book is exciting.  The prophecy says someone will die before the end of this quest.  That keeps everybody on their toes.  There are losses and gains in each chapter.

Who will be left at the end of their journey?

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Gumshoe in the Dark by Rob Leininger: Series: The Mortimer Angel Series


Nevada’s attorney general is missing.  Mort is looking for a man who steals money from women, but he keeps his eye out for the AG, too.  He's not enthused about trying to find the man because he's come into a large inheritance.

Oceanview Publishing and Edelweiss let me read the story for review (thank you). It will be published June 1st.

Mort stops and picks up a woman in a deserted part of the highway.  She's young.  She had a ride but the old man wanted more than money for payment.  She got her gun out and exited his vehicle.

Mort doesn't realize what he's getting into when he takes her with him.  She's got people after her but she doesn't know that either.

The people after her are not pleasant.  They've already killed two teens.  Seems like there are a lot of dead bodies that Mort finds...

There is plenty of action, lots of death, and it's hard for him to protect her and not get hurt himself.  His wife ends up joining them.  Now he has two to worry about.  But his wife gets them out of bad situation so she's not exactly helpless.

It's a fairly complex story with some choices that aren't all that pleasant.  It's interesting and you can't tell who is going to win until the very end.  It was a good read.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris


Nella is the only black person the publishing house.  She wishes she could have a friend at work.  Her boss isn't bad, but she's white.  Then another black woman is hired...

Atria Books sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published June 1st.

Hazel is a pleasant woman who grew up in another area.  They eat lunch together and talk.  Nella is happy to have a new friend.  But is she?

Suddenly she is getting notes telling her to leave.  She doesn't know who is sending them.  Then she finds out Hazel knows about her boyfriend.  She's never mentioned him.  How come Hazel knows his name?

There is always competition in the office but suddenly Nella realizes that Hazel is trying to take her spot.

There's more than one mystery in this story.  There is backstabbing, no secret is safe and no one is really loyal to their friends.   Nella tries to get advice from an old friend but that's not helpful either.

Will it be Nella or Hazel that leaves?

Monday, April 26, 2021

Cold-Blooded Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 3) by Elizabeth C. Bunce


Myrtle is on the trail of a murderer.  The man who owned a store in town is found dead in his store and he was killed by hemlock and his store display was altered.

Algonquin Young Readers and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It won't be published until October 5th.

Many years ago, a group of students were visiting a tower to see the sights.  One of them disappeared and was not seen again.

Now anyone who was in that group is being killed methodically.  Who is the killer?  It seems to be the missing girl.  Could she still be alive?

The police find nothing.  Myrtle's father tries to get her to stop looking before she gets hurt.  She has several suspects but she finally settles on the right one.

Will she be able to stop her in time?

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Secondhand Dogs by Carolyn Crimi


Miss Lottie took in dogs because she hated living alone.  The dogs became her family.  They all got along well and had fun together.  Then she adopted another...

Balzer & Bray and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on July 6th.

This is written for young readers but the dogs don't all get along so make sure they are old enough to understand.

The new dog is big and acts like a bully.  He wants the woman all to himself, so he starts trying to drive off  the other dogs.  He lies to the pug and sends him off to find his owner.  No one has been brave enough to tell him his owner died.

Then a dog search party goes out looking for the lost dog.  The big dog likes that because he got rid of them, too.

Lottie and the neighbor kid go out looking for the dogs with no luck.  When the dogs find the pug, they head back to the house.  The young man feels them out there and lets them in.  But the war isn't over yet.

Will the big dog win or will Gus?

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Journey Beyond the Burrow by Rina Heisel


Tobin is a mouse who has a little sister and soon another sibling will be born.  His best friend is adventurous and they have to be careful of predators.  This tale is dangerous and full of excitement.

HarperCollins and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on July 13th.

Tobin finds himself in danger several times and just barely gets away.  He makes odd friends.  He travels with his friend and his sister and a snake.  The snake helps them keep safe.  He meets a woodchuck and uses his borrow to travel safely.

You see, there are these spiders that could kill a mouse but they have taken the new sibling and Tobin is determined to save it.  The last baby his mother had died and he doesn't want her to have to go through that again...

Nothing is easy, Tobin gets injured, and you can't be sure if he's going to make it out alive.

This is an exciting read for young ones.  You might even need to help them calm down.

Friday, April 23, 2021

The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron


Ethan quit talking when his mother went in for mental help.  His father tries to encourage him but has no luck.  Ethan learns at school he has a neighbor that the other children call a creature.  He goes to visit.

Feiwel & Friends and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book (thank you).  It will be published June 15th.

She has a rash that affects how she looks but she's nice.  She takes him to her secret place. There's a pond and trees and it's very peaceful.

Ethan and his family are Jewish.  His grandfather shows him treasures from the old country that they brought with them.  Some of it is clay.  Ethan tries using the clay on her arm and it helps heal it.  These two become good friends.

There is a Jewish celebration coming up and his grandfather wants them to go together.  Ethan's father says no.  He's got tickets for the big game and is going to do that instead.

There are lots of earthquakes and the one on game day is bad.  Does Ethan's father survive?  Will the family stay together after his father doesn't do what his grandfather wanted?  You'll have to read it to see...

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly


Marisol names things.  She doesn't want to be called girl so she picks names for her toys, the refrigerator and more.  She even names the tree in the backyard.

Greenwillow Books sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you).  It will be published on May 4th.

Marisol is a bit scared of everything but especially of climbing the tree.  Her best friend does it easily but Marisol holds back.  She wants to climb but she's afraid she'll fall.  Then her friend finds a bird nest in the tree that has a feather in it.

Marisol wants to see that so she gathers her courage and goes out intending to climb the tree.  Does she make it this time?  Did she fall?  Read it and see.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Cooper's Story : A Puppy Tale by W. Bruce Cameron


Cooper is a young  pup who is being adopted out.  He doesn't understand why he's going away from where he was birthed.  But it's not all bad, he has a boy who loves him now.

Starscape and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published June 1st.

His boy is in a wheelchair and he trains Cooper to help him.  It's hard for the puppy at first but then he finds it fun and likes working.  He helps his boy and gets treats.

When they go to school, the principal tells him he'll have to leave his dog home.  His father talks to her but she won't change her mind.  So they take her to court.  She tells her side of the story and the boy tells his.  Then the judge says the dog can go to school with him.

It's fun to read about the training and how the dog feels.  He and the boy become a tight unit and have more adventures.  

It was a good read.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Tips for Magicians by Celesta Rimington


Life isn't easy for some of us.  Harrison's mother has died and he misses her dreadfully.  His father is always out of town so he's mostly on his own.  It's a good thing he has lots of friends.  One of his friends stutters and that's a trial for him.  But before the story is over, things get better.

Crown Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on August 17th.

Harrison first discovers a dog that wants to tell him something.  The dog was a friend of his mother's and it goes home with him.

Then his friends to put on a performance and have him sing his mother's song.  It takes a lot of preparation to get ready.  He's almost overwhelmed when he sees the stadium is full.  He pulls himself together and pretends he's singing with her.  It's huge success.

His friend who stutters is going to camp to meet others with his affliction.  And Harrison's dad moves back home and changes job.

Even if life is tough, it can turn out well.  Don't give up!

Monday, April 19, 2021

Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey


Madeline is trying to save the bookshop she and her family work in.  It's not easy when you have a dysfunctional family.  She's been raised by her aunt because her Mom didn't want the responsibility of a child when she almost a child, too.

Harper Teen and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published  May 18th.

She has a favorite customer.  He's a good looking young man who flirts with her.  Then she finds out he's working in the bookstore across the street.  He loses some of his charm when she discovers that.

Her mother is moving back home with the family.  She doesn't trust her.  Jasper is still trying to be friends but she is reserved with him.  Then her little brother takes a job at the other bookstore!  Nothing is going good for Madeline.

She and Jasper trade insults, she's angry with her mother and her brother.  She decides to start holding promotions to get more customers.  That works but it's not enough to save the store.

Will Madeline be able to forgive the transgressions and go on to college free from worry?  Will Jasper get to be her boyfriend?  Read it and see,

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Sprite and the Gardener by Joe Whitt, Rii Abrego


Sprites used to take care of gardens but when the humans showed up, they took them over.  Wisteria is a new sprite and she asks questions of the others.  She wants to help things grow.

Oni Press and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on May 4th.

Wisteria finds a garden that has died since the woman has to work so many hours.  She watches her daughter replant but nothing is blooming.  Wisteria can fix that.

It doesn't take long for the other sprites to show up.  Wisteria and the daughter make a good team but more help would be good.

This is a sweetly illustrated graphic novel that shows off the sprites and the flowers.  Soon more sprites join in and things are off to good start!

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Thomas Creeper and the Gloomsbury Secret by J.R. Potter


Thomas wants to be anything but a mortician's apprentice.  It's his family's business, though, so there's not much choice.

Fitzroy Books and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on March 21st.

When they find a body on the doorstop., his father takes it in for preparing.  But Thomas knows it was murder and he and his friend try to solve it.

There are ghosts, wicked men, and danger of drowning.  The more Thomas learns, the more dangerous it gets.  He's off on an adventure he may not come back from.  

It's a very good thing he made another friend on the trip or he might not have made it...

Friday, April 16, 2021

Mystery Force : Mystery Force Assemble! Ted Neill, Suzi Spooner (Illustrated by), Nicole Saunders (Edited by)


If your child likes fantasy, this is the book for them.  Three children who are disabled are friends and like to solve mysteries.  When they hear there are creatures that have escaped and are running free, they decide to find them and see just what they are.

Tenebray Press and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

The factory they visit where the strange creatures were kept is vacant except for one left over animal.  He's a fox that has fire abilities.  The man who owns the factory hears them and they have to leave on the run.  The fox goes with them.  Unfortunately, one of the creatures works for the man and he's after them, too.

It's a battle and they find the other creatures.  Will they survive?  What will happen to the creatures? 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Manga Classics Anne of Green Gables L.M Montgomery, Crystal Chan, Kuma Chan (By (artist))


This is a classic tale told in graphic style.  It's great fun to read it like this.  You see  all the faces and reactions.

Diamond Books and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

This is an easy way to let your child read a classic story.

Anne is adopted from an orphanage but the folks who adopted wanted a boy for chores.  Despite the mix up, they decide to keep Anne.  Anne has a wonderful imagination.  She's a redhead with freckles which causes some trouble along the way.

Anne is a strong person and she has a temper.  That temper gets her in trouble.  She has to learn to apologize.  But the woman who adopted her had a few things to learn, too.

It doesn't take too long to read and it's entertaining.  I enjoyed the read.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Harriet Tubman: Fighter for Freedom! by James Buckley


This is a graphic novel that tells you about Harriet Tubman.  From her childhood to her death, Harriet did everything she could to help black slaves.  It's partly sad but it's all facts.

Portable Press let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published so you can get it now.

This is easy to read and you can see the hardships and the victories very clearly.  You'll learn some new facts about Harriet which will make you appreciate her even more.  She asked for God's help and never complained about the conditions she had to work in.

This is great way to bring history to life.  It's great resource for children or even adults.

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Gemma and the Giant Girl by Sara O'Leary


Gemma lived at home with her parents.  Nothing ever changed but she was OK with that.  And then one day she sees a big eye looking in at her...

Tundra books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

She thinks the girl looking is a giant, but she gives them new clothes.  And then she takes Gemma into her room and lets her see the world out her window.  What does Gemma do now?

Monday, April 12, 2021

Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland


Ophie is a young girl who discovers she can see ghosts.  She can even talk to them.  She's learning how to help them pass on.  The first ghost she saw was her Daddy.  He'd been murdered and he told her to take her mother and hide in her hiding place.  It was good thing they did.  The men who killed him came to burn down their house.

Balzer & Bray and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published May 18th.

Her mother has taken her out of school to work with her as a housemaid so they could save enough money to get their own place.  She takes care of the woman who owns the house.  She's crabby and mean but Ophie puts up with it.

Then she meets a beautiful ghost who cannot leave until she finds out who killed her.  She doesn't remember.  Ophie tries to help her but she's so busy she doesn't have much time. 

There are ghosts everywhere in this stories.  Ophie helps all she can.  She works hard on finding Clara's killer but with so many people it's hard to tell.  She finally figures it out...

Sunday, April 11, 2021

The Edge of Strange Hollow by Gabrielle K. Byrne


Poppy has been banned from the woods by her parents.  There are things in the woods that will take your life.  Her parents hunt for the monsters in there and eliminate them as a threat.  This time, they haven't come back...

Macmillan and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published May 18th.

Poppy takes her friends and goes out to find them.  She has an elf, a shapeshifter, and her dog with three heads.  They have quite the adventure attempting to locate them.  They run into a banshee, have to watch for the thorn trees and be careful where they step.

Poppy is headstrong and even though she promised not to do it, she makes a deal with the queen of fairies.  Her elf is angry about that.  And she finds out the shapeshifter hasn't told them everything, so Poppy is mad, too.

She wants her parent's back and she finally finds where they are hid.  But the town rises against them and Poppy is trying to stop them.  If they would only listen...

There's magic, a lot of danger and Poppy's task is almost too much for them.  Will Poppy win or lose?

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Matters of Doubt : A Cal Claxton Mystery by Warren C Easley


Cal is trying to move on after his wife's suicide.  He's living in Oregon and is a lawyer.  When a scruffy young man shows up at his door to ask him to find out who killed his mother, he says no.  But then he changes his mind.  He wants to help him.

Poisoned Pen Press and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on May 18th.

Then the young man is accused of murdering his mother's old boyfriend.  He says he didn't do it, that the man had called and invited him over to tell him something.  When he got there the man was dead.  Cal's not sure but he thinks the boy is telling the truth.

The boy is a painter and lives in a homeless place.  Cal visits there but doesn't find out much.  When he goes on to visit with another witness, he finds him dead.  The suspect list is dwindling.

Cal learns the most from what he wasn't told.  He ends up getting beat up by a big Russian fellow.  When they meet again, he manages to break the Russian's jaw.  He has to get stitches on his head.

The path to the killer is long and littered with false clues.  Cal doesn't give up...

Friday, April 9, 2021

Wayward Creatures by Dayna Lorentz


Gabe is feeling lost and alone.  His family has its problems and they don't have time to worry about his.  His friends have moved on at school and nobody pays much attention to him there either.  But when his old friends have found a new one to include, he feels hurt and angry.  He steals some Roman candles and takes them to the park.  They are all having fun with them until he tries to hit the new guy with one and starts a fire.  The others all run.  The cop takes him down to the station.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  This book won't be published until 18th of January, 2022.

Gabe finds himself having to do community service and paying for the fireworks.  That's better than being in jail.  Nobody gives him a chance to say it was an accident.  A group of concerned citizens help put together a plan for rehabilitating the park.  He has his orders now.

When he's in the park working with another park employee he finds a hurt coyote.  He brings it food and water and keeps it a secret.  It got scared in the fire and it is rumored it bit a child.  When it gets well enough to move, the other park employee finds it and calls animal control.  Gabe doesn't want to see it euthanized.

If he wants to save the coyote, he's going to need help.  He finds out the little girl wasn't bitten.  He knows the fire was what scared the coyote.  He starts gathering his family, his friends and his classmates to join in trying to save the coyote.  Gabe learns a lot in the process.  But will it be enough to save the coyote?

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir


The sun is disappearing.  Can a suicidal mission save it?

Ballantine and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published May 4th.

This story is a bit dry in the beginning and has all kinds of technical information about what's happening to the sun and what they will need to do to save it.

They lose two of the astronauts before they even leave earth.  Their lab blew up.  So the lady in charge assigns the  teacher to go in their place.  It's because he has a tolerance for the drug they will use to make the journey more passable.  The reason he got involved was a science paper he wrote and published.

He doesn't want to go but she gives him no choice.  When he awakens he finds the other two astronauts have died.  So he's on a spaceship all by himself.  He has to learn how to run it.

The part I liked best is when he sees another ship that's not earthly made.  Then he gets approached by an alien.  They study each other's language and begin to work together to save the sun for their worlds.

This was an interesting read.  The alien is very different from the human.  They have "bugs" they must stop.  Soon they find other "bugs" who eat the first set.  But that's not all they eat...

Will they be able to save the sun? 

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Thief of Souls - An Inspector Lu Fei Mystery by Brian Klingborg


Lu Fei is a policeman in a small village where the crimes aren't serious.  But now he's called out on a murder...

Minotaur Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on May 4th.

She's a pretty young woman but not only is she dead, it appears that some of her organs were harvested.  No one saw anything and the cameras in that part of the city don't work so it's going to be a hard hunt for the killer. 

They find some cold cases that indicate there is a serial killer in their village.  The only common denominator besides the way they are killed is that they wore red. Earrings, shoes etc.  

Then there are troubles within the police ranks.  There is corruption, hard feelings by those that were transferred away from better jobs, and just plain friction in the group that has to work together.

Lu Fei thinks he knows who did it but he's having trouble finding proof.  Will he find what he needs, or will the killer take care of him, too?

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters


It started as a friendship.  They'd known each other for a long time and they loved sniping back at each other with words.  But now she's a widow and he's become the Marquess of Willingham after his older brother's death.  They make a bet that he will be married in a year.  He prefers having sex with no commitments, but he takes her bet sure he will win.

Atria Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It is being published today.

Diana has agreed to give him sex lessons.  It seems the last lady he bedded shot him down as a lover.  They are just going to enjoy their time together and will move on after it's over.

As they get to know each other now that they are older, they find their feelings changing.  She was just a fun pest before but now Jeremy thinks she's a beautiful woman with more depth to her than he saw before.  She finds he has further depth than she anticipated also.

The longer they are together, the more they are attracted to each other.  They were never going to get married but things can change.

They have family and friends around them and they are observing their behavior.  The only alone time they is late at night.

Will they admit what has happened or go on their separate ways?

Monday, April 5, 2021

The Bounty A Novel by Janet Evanovich, Steve Hamilton


Kate is in the FBI.  Nate is a thief that now works with the FBI and Kate specifically.  They've solved many crimes but this one is the most dangerous venture of all.

Atria and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

They are after gold hid by the Nazi's during the war.  But they are not the only ones on the trail.  There are hidden maps that are a trial to recover, the Brotherhood wants the maps and the gold, and everyone helping them is in danger.

The maps are hidden high and almost not retrievable.  It takes them time to recover them all.  As the Brotherhood wants the same thing they somehow know where Kate and Nate and their friends are.  The phones have been abandoned but the professor still has his.  They remove that and give him a burner phone like they have.

They get closer all the time but haven't found the gold yet.  They've been shot at, had to run to get away, and they have to find the gold!

The professor makes a discovery that puts them on the right track.  Will they live to find the gold?

Sunday, April 4, 2021

The Flash Crossover Crisis The Legends of Forever by Barry Lyga


The group is back together again working on saving the various worlds from a crisis.  It's harder to do when not everyone has their powers back yet but they don't give up.

Amulet Books sent me a copy of the book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can get a copy now.

They have old enemies to watch for and a brand new one called the Time Trapper.  He wants to end the world.

There's time travel, fantastic battles, and sacrifice required by all of them.  It's not going well for them.  They can't destroy the Time Trapper.

As time goes on they try lots of different things.

This is the last book in this series.  Will they manage to save the world or will it all just disappear? 

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Murder, She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond by Jessica Fletcher; Terrie Farley Moran


Jessica goes to visit an old friend and stay at their house.  Dolores is married very happily and Jessica knows they get along well but thinks he's a little blunt and a bit rude.  He can be very charming and then turn into an angry man.  As long as Dolores is happy, Jessica lets it go.  When she decides to go for a morning run, she sees something funny by the koi pond.  Unfortunately it was the husband and he's dead.

Berkley and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published the 8th of June.

When she sees a stone near his head, she knows it's murder.  There are no stones of that type in the koi pond.  When she tells the Sheriff  that, he blows her off.  He'll do his own investigation.

Jessica tries to make some sense out of his financial records.  She also asks her friend who is a PI to run a check on the people involved.  The Sheriff takes her friend in to ask questions.  He thinks Dolores killed him.  Jessica knows that's not true so she continues on with her own investigation.

Everyone has secrets.  The more she learns, the less she knows.  Will she find the killer before her girlfriend gets thrown in jail?

Friday, April 2, 2021

The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser


Thea is having a bad week.  They let her go from her job and her husband has been having an affair with one of her friends.  The good news is that a relative she didn't see much has died and left her his house and belongings.  At least she has somewhere to go.

Ballantine Books and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on May 4th.

She finds the house.  It will need some work done to it but it's in good shape.  Soon she has a visit from her neighbor.  He wants the house if she wishes to sell.  He's good looking and a lord but she's not ready to make decisions yet.  He goes on his way.

She decides she should find a job so she won't think about her betrayal.  She had a bookseller come up to the house and give her an idea of what the books are worth.  He takes some on consignment.  She goes to his shop asks about a job.  He doesn't want a woman working there but she somehow talks him into it.

She's a good employee and helps him with social media to increase sales.  He's older and grumpy but she just takes it in stride.  Her neighbor is his brother and they don't speak to each other any more.  That bothers her.

Can she get them back together?  Will she find love in this little town?

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Find You First by Linwood Barclay


When he's given the information that he has a terminal disease, he's shocked.  As he thinks about death, he realizes he donated sperm to get money to buy a computer years ago.  Those children could have his disease...

William Morrow sent me an ARC to read and review this story (thank you).  It wull be published on May 4th.

Miles has lots of money and he dislikes his sister-in-law, so he thinks he'll find those children and split the money between them.  He'll  pay for the tests to see if they inherited his disease.  The names are not disclosed by law, but he has friends who can get the information.  Then he begins looking for the children.

He finds Chloe first and they get along well.  She's always wondered who her father was.  But not all of them are still alive.  Someone is killing them systematically.  Why?

When Chloe's test comes back she doesn't have the disease.  Miles is happy about that, but then he finds out he's not her father!  When he approaches the doctor and asks why his name was listed as sperm donor when he wasn't , the doctor won't tell him anything.

Then it becomes a game of cat and mouse.  He wants to find the children to warn them of danger but the killers who kill the kids wants to get there first.

This is a creepy story.  You aren't sure who is going to win and it's not going to be a happy every after ending but justice does get served.

Nonna Marie and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra

As Nonna Maria's longtime friend and sometimes colleague, Captain Murino of the Ischian caribineri never wanted to see harm brought to t...