Badges
The Blue Ridge Tunnel Mystery–time travel adventure
The Blue Ridge Tunnel Mystery
By MJ Rosewood
Although she debuts as a novelist with The Blue Ridge Tunnel Mystery, MJ Rosewood has a lot of experience to back up this middle grade novel. She is a long-time educator, now retired, who spent childhood summer vacations in the Blue Ridge Mountains and currently makes her home there.
The Blue Ridge Tunnel Mystery is a time travel book starring four children of different ages with individual talents and interests. The oldest at age 11, Tucker, is an inventor and a natural leader. His sister Tessa is proudly ready for second grade. She is deaf and can communicate with sign language, but also has cochlear implants. Cooper, age 10, is a voracious reader, and his sister is Haleigh. She may be wheelchair bound with spinal muscular atrophy, but she doesn’t let her disability slow her down. Together the four make a powerful team.
As summer begins, they are with their sitter Pearl when a strange occurrence transports them back in time. In fact, in this book, they time jump several times, landing at various spots important to U.S. history, and they meet people who will make a critical difference in important events. As we follow their individual travels and witness the development of their characters, two crucial questions arise: how will the children return to their own time period and will they be able to land in the same time as the other children? Along the way, they discover people who have met others from their group, but in a different past time.
All four children are brave and ingenious. More importantly, they have good character and want to help others. Despite the unbelievability of their tale, they encounter adults who are convinced of the truth of their story and want to help them, often in repayment for kindnesses the children have done for them. With dramatic rescues and dangerous missions, The Blue Ridge Tunnel Mystery holds exciting adventures and some mystery. Middle grade students will enjoy the story while learning some history. They will also be exposed to students who may need some assistance, but are nevertheless very capable and independent. I appreciated the author starting each chapter with the year the events happened and which characters were the focus of the chapter.
I received a review copy of this book for free. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Middle Grade, Fiction, Historical Fiction
Notes: 1. #1 in the Blue Ridge Kids Series.
2. Includes Author’s Notes that give insight into which parts of the book are accurate historically. The author shares a link to her webpage with more pictures and information about the setting.
3. Also valuable to readers, parents, and teachers are a glossary and a section of activities for further exploration.
4. Recommended for ages 8-12.
Publication: August 30, 2026—MJRW Press
Memorable Lines:
“Why are you feeding an enemy?” Johnny said with a scowl. “Son, we are all human. I would like to think if that young man had been you knocking on someone’s door they would do the same for you.”
Feeling alive, and not thinking about legs that didn’t work or being different, Haleigh and Madeline paddled around the beautiful lake…It was a good reminder, too, that there was more to life than physical limitations. She was truly living out her mom’s favorite saying, “You can’t change what you hide from.” This showed her anything was possible, even finding her way back home.
An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder–books and more books
An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder
By Lynn Cahoon
Meg Gates is trying to start her life over after a triple whammy—dropping out of college, losing her job at a startup that went under, and being dumped by her fiancé two days before the wedding. She considers herself a failure, but her family and two besties from high school don’t. They rally around her as she returns to Bainbridge Island, accessible by ferry from Seattle. Her aunt and uncle let her stay in an apartment over their garage. Her mother gives her a part-time job in her bookstore, and her aunt connects her with a famous author as a research assistant.
When there is a murder at the author’s estate, lots of people including Natasha, one of Meg’s most loyal friends, and even Meg’s boss come under the scrutiny of the police chief, who is Meg’s uncle. Meg’s other friend, Dalton, is everything her ex-fiancé was not, and is very understanding that Meg is not ready for anything more than friendship. Trying to prove the innocence of her friend and employer and discover the actual murderer inspires Meg to begin writing a book about non-professional sleuthing. The chapter titles of An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder are all tips that Meg plans to include in her book, such as “You might catch more flies with honey, but who wants flies?” Using Nancy Drew as inspiration when they were younger, Meg, Dalton, and Natasha used to investigate mysteries as “The Mystery Crew.” In this story, they take their skills to a whole new level, above locating missing dogs, as the stakes are quite serious.
An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder has some humor, characters with depth who are interesting, and a plot that will keep you guessing as to whodunnit. There were some surprises at the end that resulted in the reveal making sense. A favorite character would be Meg’s rescue dog, Watson, a well-behaved, tan cocker mix, who goes most places with Meg. The setting, with the juxtaposition of the city of Seattle with the isolated tourist island, plays a role in solving this crime. I have enjoyed many of Lynn Cahoon’s cozy mysteries, and this one strikes me as the start of another successful series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: 1. #1 in the Bainbridge Island Mystery Series
2. Lynn Cahoon loves to cook, and she includes a recipe for “Murderous Mac and Cheese” which she says goes well with lobster.
Publication: June 24, 2025—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
“You can’t trust a man who doesn’t read.”
“I am grateful for the fact that people seem to love my books and for having the chance to meet readers. I like spending time with my characters more.”
“I always volunteered for the early shifts when I was in the Coast Guard. It’s like being at the beginning of the world when you watch the sunrise in the morning.”
My Friends–recognizing the artist in their midst
My Friends
By Fredrik Backman
Translated by Neil Smith
I had a hard time during the reading of My Friends: partly because of the extensive use of expletives and partly because of the way Backman tells the story moving back and forth among points of view and time periods. In the midst of my sorting out my feelings about the book, the characters keep intruding. They make me like themselves in spite of, or because of, their flaws. My Friends centers around a group of 4 fourteen year olds and one particular summer. They are trying to figure out life and themselves. They come from difficult homes and are very protective of each other while teasing each other mercilessly. The story centers around a boy who is called “the artist” for most of the book and his first painting. He doesn’t even desire the fame that comes his way and is somewhat forced on him by his friend Joar who recognizes his talent. All of the characters have difficulty with love and with trust. Readers will always remember the poignancy in My Friends of “I love you and I trust you.”
The characters are not left in childhood, but the reader gets to see them as adults who continue to try to nurture the creative spark when identified in the next generation.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Fiction
Notes: A lot of cursing
Publication: May 20, 2025—Atria Books
Memorable Lines:
…the most dangerous place on earth is inside us. Fragile hearts break in palaces and dark alleys alike.
It is an act of violence when an adult yells at a child, all adults know that deep down, because all adults were once little. Yet we still do it. Time after time, we fail at being human beings.
Stories are complicated, memories are merciless, our brains only store a few moments from the best days of our lives, but we remember every second of the worst.
Seven Men and Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness–people of faith
Seven Men and Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness
by Eric Metaxas
What is “greatness” and what qualifies a person to the claim of greatness?To his credit, Metaxas is able to answer those questions well in his Introduction without sounding pedantic or boring the reader. In fact, after reading his introduction, I couldn’t wait to dive into the first chapter.
Of course, not everyone would choose for inclusion the same individuals as Metaxas, but by the time I got to the end of each chapter, I could certainly understand his choice and agree that the person was worthy of the attribution. I was familiar with some of the subjects of this book, but not all of them. As in the case of Eric Liddell, I knew him for his athletic ability and his refusal to compete on the Sabbath, but there is a second part to his story that is just as important to know about.
This book is actually a combination of two books originally published separately, one on men and one on women. Each one of those is a compilation of short biographies. The seven men are George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II, and Charles W. Colson. The seven women are Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Saint Maria of Paris, Corrie ten Boom, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa. As you can see, there is a variety in those chosen in regard to their profession, their religious background, and the area of life they impacted. A large part of their greatness, however, is that they were people of faith, and they lived out their faith without wavering.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Biography, Nonfiction
Notes: 1. I read this with my book club this summer at a pace of two biographies per week. This book was perfect for summer, as compared to longer books, because members were out of town at a variety of times. Everyone was able to drop in and participate as their schedules allowed.
2. Includes footnotes at the end of each book.
Publication: 2018—Zondervan
Memorable Lines:
More than two hundred years after Washington’s death, his willingness to relinquish power—twice—is the most remarkable thing that we remember about him. These refusals to seize power for himself were the greatest acts of one of history’s greatest men.
God had a far greater plan for Eric Liddell’s life than a gold medal that would eventually be forgotten, along with the athlete who won it. And he has great plans for each of us. Those plans may include the need to give up something we value highly. But those who give up what we may most desire—if God has demanded it—the Lord will truly honor.
Just as Dietrich Bonhoeffer prophetically challenged the Lutheran Church of Germany in his time, so Mother Maria challenged the Orthodox Church of hers. Both understood that to serve Jesus Christ with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and body—that is to be the church of Jesus Christ, to be the Bride for which he will one day return. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
Tomorrow Starts Today–family problems
Tomorrow Starts Today
by Jessica Redland
Join Yvonne, Paulette, Veronica, Milly, and Laughlin along with others who gather for the Cake & Craft Club held every Wednesday at the Willowdale Village Hall at 2-4 p.m. It’s open to all regardless of hobby interest or skill level. Yvonne is a widow with no family or friends—just a African Grey Parrot, Trevor, and a secret she has never shared with anyone. She is at a dead end when she sees a notification in the local paper for this group and decides to take a risk. The members of the Cake & Craft Club welcome her with open arms and extend to her the same kindness they need as well.
Despite the problems each one of the characters has with dysfunctional families and other stumbling blocks, Tomorrow Starts Today is a story filled with hope and kindness. Part of the positivity comes from the generous nature of the characters and part comes from 19 year old Saffy, Paulette’s granddaughter. She is living temporarily with Paulette after dropping out of college after the first term. Her parents are upset with her, but the creative and artistic young lady has tried to explain that she needs some time to figure out what she wants to do. Saffy has a hobby of journaling and she shares her ideas and philosophies with the group, stimulating many of them to examine their own lives and effect changes they have been hesitant to make.
The story is full of active and former romances as most of the characters are retired or approaching that age. Some are wondering if there is only one destined soulmate per person or if they are too old to be involved in romance. Some have had traumatic events that keep them from reaching out to others and some have used those traumatic events to spur them into being good listeners and sounding boards for others in pain.
“Tomorrow Starts Today” is a good title for this book. Yvonne and her friends discover through journaling and goal setting how to find their futures and act on a plan. With Saffy’s artistic flair, the projects become a cross between journaling and scrapbooking complete with washi tape, stickers, and ribbons.
I enjoyed the camaraderie, the journey to trusting others, and the gradual disclosure of Yvonne’s family mysteries. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: 1. Clean
2. # 5 in the Escape to the Lakes series. I have read the other books in this series, and I reread my reviews and the publisher summaries to refresh my memory on the characters and events in previous books in the series. That search was actually not necessary. Although there are some minor crossover references to other books, this book is an enjoyable standalone—plot and characters are complete in Tomorrow Starts Today.
Publication: January 8, 2026—Boldwood Books
Memorable Lines:
Me! I was stopping me. It was that little voice in my head that told me that when you started spending time with people, you had to talk to them about more than the weather and everyday life. You needed to exchange stories about the past and that was where things became tricky.
“Families should be there to heal each other—not to be the ones causing the wounds.” Absolutely that, but life was rarely that straightforward.
That was the appropriate point for hugs and, as I squeezed Veronica tightly, I marveled at how long I’d gone without physical human contact and how powerful and restorative it could be.
Class Clown–77 years of humor
Class Clown
by Dave Barry
Subtitled—The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass: How I Went 77 Years without Growing Up
Over the years, I have enjoyed reading Dave Barry’s humor columns occasionally and some of his books. Class Clown takes the reader through Barry’s childhood and professional life. He has had a lot of detours—rock band, “precision parade maneuvers with lawnmowers and brooms,” and communication instructor for business people. He was even a traditional journalist for a while, but his trademark was doing anything outside the norm, the quirkier the better!
I enjoyed most of Class Clown. Some of it was “laugh out loud” funny. When I got to Barry’s section on politics, however, I was disappointed. He claimed that people in his parents’ generation were able to argue politics and leave as friends. Unfortunately, this is not a skill that Barry picked up from them. In one chapter of this book, which reflects his views on politics, he did not roast both sides equally. The reader is left with no doubt as to which “side” is right and which “side” is wrong. There is no humor in that.
So…funny, yes, in part. Divisive, yes, in part. Barry has retired from his work as a humor columnist. He has given a lot of people chuckles over the years, and I hope he enjoys his retirement.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Memoir, Humor
Publication: May 13, 2025—Simon & Schuster
Memorable Lines:
It wasn’t that our parents didn’t care about us: I think it was mainly that they didn’t view the world as a fundamentally dangerous place. They grew up in the Depression and had recently been through a world war. To them, the 1950s weren’t so scary.
At the end of the night everybody hugged everybody, because they were friends, and they understood that they could disagree about politics without believing the other side was evil. Mistaken, maybe. Evil, no.
One time he was upset about two things: (1) He couldn’t find his pipe, and (2) his car wasn’t running right. After listening to Bob complain about these things for several days, his wife, Beth—a saintly woman—had an idea, and was able to locate Bob’s missing pipe. It was under the accelerator pedal.
False Gold–hidden treasure?
False Gold
by Veronica Heley
Bea Abbot runs a domestic agency in London, matching up employees with the right employer. Formerly widowed, she is currently married to Piers, a very successful portrait painter. I have read several books in the series and have always found that I could drop right in and find myself drawn into an engaging murder investigation.
Bea is invited to visit her friends Julian and Polly at Marston Hall for a weekend of relaxation. Although they are Sir Julian and Lady Polly, they have no “airs” and are new to their elevated positions. They are trying to make a go at keeping the Hall and associated village afloat. The family is living in temporary quarters while the stable is being remodeled into living quarters, and the grand hall itself is open to the public several days a week to bring in income. Julian, a former accountant, takes it upon himself to manage the village in such a way that there are jobs and housing for the locals. As newcomers, they are having to prove themselves, which they are doing quite well in spite of opposition from those in the town (as opposed to the village) and their own general estate manager.
When an intruder to the property is found in the mud with his face bludgeoned, Bea and the family turn their best efforts on the investigation. Julian is sure the victim is not one of his security men despite the very clean ID lanyard around his neck, but the authorities and his general manager insist that he is indeed Pete. But if the dead man is not Pete, then where is Pete and where is Pete’s faithful collie, Beauty? Meanwhile, in the middle of this chaos, Pete’s wife Tyra gives birth to their long-hoped-for baby.
The story proceeds with lots of twists and turns as the reader meets a lot of local villagers and learns about the semi-local political and monied residents of the area. Bea makes herself useful in practical ways using her contacts and organizational skills as well as her kindness in dealing with Polly who is expecting her second child and with Pip their adorable first child who wins the hearts of the villagers as he accompanies his father on his village visits. Also important to the story is Julian’s well-trained Alsatian who is important for security, tracking, and as the family retainer.
I truly enjoyed this mystery and look forward to more from Veronica Heley who has written 80 books including an earlier successful mystery series (Ellie Quicke Mysteries), historical novels, romances, and children’s books. She is currently 93 years old.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery, Fiction
Notes: 1. #18 in the Bea Abbot Agency Mystery Series but can be read as a stand alone.
2. Clean
Publication: May 6, 2025—Severn House
Memorable Lines:
There was a sighing sound and a police car drove in behind her and parked. It was an electric car. Disconcerting when it sneaked up on you like that.
Bea thought, The Lord be with you. And the Lord go before you. And be with that poor man lying there in the mud, under the wrong name. She sank into a chair and tried to make sense of what was happening.
Marcus’s mouth tightened into a shark’s smile. “ I have sprung this on you too quickly. Naturally you must consider all the options and take advice from those who understand your problems. All I ask is that you don’t dismiss my offer out of hand.”
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes–calming teas in a crisis
Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes
by Karen Rose Smith
If you like tea shops and cozy mysteries, Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes is perfect for you. It is a clean mystery with great characters and is an introduction to a series that continues throughout to entertain and to pose puzzles captivating you with thoughts of “whodunit.” I am qualified to say that because, now having read book #1, I am only missing two books to finish off the ten book series.
Daisy Swanson, a widow with two teenage daughters, and her Aunt Ida opened a tearoom in Willow Creek, Pennsylvania. Ida has been getting serious with Harvey Fitz, owner of an expensive men’s clothing store nearby. When a murder occurs in the gardens of the tea shop, Detective Rappaport investigates with all the sensitivity of a water moccasin, accusing Ida of the murder and continuing to focus on her as the criminal in this case saying she vandalized her own house and created stories that someone was following her.
On the positive side, the reader learns how a tea shop works. Daisy and her best friend Tessa put in long hours trying to create special treats for the customers and please them with exceptional and exclusive events and service. Daisy has two gentlemen interested in her. Cade, her realtor, was her high school date to the prom. Jonas, a retired detective, has a furniture store near her shop. He stocks beautiful furniture made by Amish craftsmen and by himself.
Other threads include Vi (Violet), Daisy’s college age daughter, and Jazzi (Jasmine), a high school student. Jazzi was adopted as a baby in a closed adoption, but she is now interested in finding her biological mother.
Although I read 7 books in the series without the benefit of the background in Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes, I very much enjoyed this book. It was nice to see “old friends” and fill in some details. It is a tribute to the author, however, that she was able to keep the plot developing as she shared background information in each book.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: 1. #1 in the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series
2. There are three recipes at the end of the novel.
Publication: January 2018—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
She didn’t know if he’d ever called her by her name before. It was one of those things—until you knew a person well, you didn’t really use their name. Names had power. Names conveyed meaning.
“Something good from something bad. My brother and sister and I are closer since Mom died. That’s one good thing that came from something bad. You have to look really hard sometimes, but if you do, you can find it.” Daisy liked Foster.
Adult women needed best friends just as much as third-graders.
The Marriage Pact–God’s pick for a spouse
The Marriage Pact
By Kathleen Fuller
Daisy has decided that Maynard is God’s pick for a spouse for her. So much so, that she tries to make the relationship work towards that end. But is it really God’s plan for her? Why has Maynard not shown an attraction in the eighteen months she has known him? He is so unavailable, spending very little time with her. He does love her peach pie, but does he love Daisy?
Daisy’s mom puts this relationship to a test when she tricks Daisy into going to Marigold to help her cousin plan her wedding which is many months off. When she arrives, no one seems to know why she is there, but are glad to see her. During her visit, she meets next-door neighbor, Perry, a bachelor. Both are transparent that they are not interested in a relationship: Daisy because she is “Maynard’s” and Perry because he was badly hurt when a prior courtship dissolved.
Daisy and Perry’s mutual caretaking for Perry’s elderly assistant in his farrier business leads them to learn more about each other. The interfering of both of their mothers leads them to a fake dating pact to relieve the maternal pressure. Deceiving others does not go easy on them, however, and guilt is ever present.
The Marriage Pact is a sweet, gentle, clean romance. Perry’s assistant Ferman, Daisy’s cousin Grace, and Perry’s secret hobby add threads of interest that impact the major plot. I typically delight in Kathleen Fuller’s books, and this one was the expected enjoyable read for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Christian, Religion, Romance
Notes: 1. #3 in the Amish of Marigold Novel series, but could be read as a standalone. The crossover of characters is minimal and minor in understanding the plot.
2. A Family Tree is included, but I did not need to refer to it.
3. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.
Publication: May 6, 2025—Zondervan
Memorable Lines:
She also always assumed it was the man’s place to get the romance ball rolling. That’s what her sisters said when they met their husbands…What if he was waiting on her to make the first move? His shyness had to be getting in the way of moving their relationship forward. I should have realized that before now.
Daisy woke up the next morning primed and ready to talk to Maynard. She decided last night that being straightforward was best, although she did briefly entertain being coy and flirtatious only to nix the idea because she had no clue how to flirt or be coy.
He was discovering firsthand what an exceptional man Perry was, and Daisy already had a special place in his heart. Not that he would reveal that tidbit to anyone. Or even out loud to himself. He respected her backbone, her refusal to let his stubborn petulance get to her.
The Reluctant Healer of Halifax–man-made disaster
The Reluctant Healer of Halifax
by Terrie Todd
narrated by Naomi Mayo
Knowing nothing about the Halifax explosion, probably the biggest man-made disaster in Canada’s history, I entered this audiobook in complete ignorance. The author, Terrie Todd, pulled me into the horrendous story and didn’t let go until the main characters had some closure. There were lots of unhappy endings in The Reluctant Healer of Halifax, but there were also many examples of faith and courage.
Oliver Hamilton returns from France during WWI with only one eye and a damaged face. Convinced that no one would be able to look at him, he breaks off his relationship with Pearline Campbell without even consulting her feelings. Only a few days later, the Halifax explosion occurs, killing and maiming thousands. Both of the main characters have to step up to help others. They both lost family members and part of the book deals with the search for one of Pearline’s brothers. Meanwhile, there are many children in Halifax without homes, and Pearline takes in some of them with the help of her former maid, now considered a part of Pearline’s family.
All of the characters experience growth and answer God’s call in ways they would never have considered possible. I enjoyed listening to this book. Naomi Mayo is an excellent narrator, and I never had to wonder who was speaking or whose point of view framed each passage.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Historical Fiction, Inspirational, Christian
Notes: 1. Fellow blogger Carla inspired me to read/listen to this book. She is Canadian and one of the many challenges she has taken on this year involves reading books about Canada and by Canadian authors. You can find her review here: Carla Loves to Read.
2. The author has notes on the historical accuracy of the book including what events were changed and why.
3. #6 in the Enduring Hope series. Each book is a standalone written by a different author.
Publication: 2026—Oasis Audio
