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The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea–disappearance in the cove
The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea
By Liz Eeles
The chapters in this book alternate narrators from Clara who returned to Heaven’s Cove to help her mother when her father became sick; to Geoffrey, the Lord of the Manor; to River, Geoffrey’s estranged son. Clara’s mother, Julie Netherway, housekeeper and cook for the manor, still lives in the little house on the manor property where Clara was raised. She is dedicated to caring for Geoffrey and the manor as were all Netherway women who came before her.
Geoffrey was a gruff father, but actually loves his son. His wife left her husband with River when he was a teenager to live in a commune in Australia. It was hard to have a relationship with his father, and he cut ties completely with Clara who had been his friend from childhood.
River is called back to Heaven’s Cove as an adult because his father is in financial straits and Cousin Bartie is convincing him that he needs to sell the manor, the only home Geoffrey has ever known and his family heritage.
This novel has gentle romantic tones, but dives deeply into the characters and their motivations. Most interesting to me is the mystery of why Geoffrey’s beautiful and adored stepmother Audrey had committed suicide when he was just a child. Sadly, he actually saw her walk into the ocean to her death. He has always wondered why he was not good enough.
Clara discovers Audrey’s diary which seems to have coded messages in it. She is fascinated by this woman and the sad tale of her death which so many years later has affected Geoffrey and River in turn.
I highly recommend The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea for its intricate plot and interesting characters. I have read several books in this series and have enjoyed all of them. The author is a very good storyteller.
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, Women’s Fiction
Notes: #7 in the Heavens Cove series, but should be considered a standalone as the setting is the main element that connects these novels.
Publication: July 8, 2024—Bookouture
Memorable Lines:
Sunbeams were dappling through the trees at the cove’s edge and River realised that he was literally walking in his cousin’s shadow, just as he always had metaphorically.
…she nodded anyway, glowing at being called a swan. Though that did imply she’d once been an ugly duckling.
He’d long prided himself on being an unsentimental man, yet all kinds of emotions were now bubbling to the surface of his mind, like bleached bones rising from the depths of the ocean.
Murder in a Tourist Town–well done novella
Murder in a Tourist Town
By Lynn Cahoon
I don’t usually read novellas as it is too hard for an author to cram character development and a good mystery into one short read. I do usually read anything by Lynn Cahoon (except her one paranormal series) because she does an outstanding job of giving background information about the characters in each of the books in a series without boring readers whether they are new or returning to the series. She also creates good mysteries without the redundancy of food choices that some cozy mystery writers resort to for word count. I find that technique irritating. We do find out what the main character eats on her vacation, but the author does not dwell on it.
As a prequel to The Tourist Trap Mystery Series, the purpose of Murder in a Tourist Town is to provide a backdrop for the series, introducing protagonist Jill Gardner, a family lawyer in a large firm. Although she has put in the hours and has the skills to become a partner, as a woman she is yearly passed over. She is in a “use it or lose it” situation with her vacation hours so she takes advantage of this opportunity to visit South Cove, California, to relax, avoid burnout, and consider her career future. She meets some nice people there who encourage her to rethink her options. She also discovers the body of a former client and meets the charming Detective Greg King. The murder mystery is wrapped up satisfactorily, and the reader learns how Jill came to South Cove and how she meets Greg. This reader closed the book with a smile!
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery, Novella
Notes: 1. Prequel to the Tourist Trap Mystery Series
2. I have not read all the books in this series, nor have I read them in order. They have all worked well as stand alones.
Publication: 2024—Kensington (Lyrical Press)
Memorable Lines:
My mood would be better after a few hours of book shopping and eating. Two things that always brightened my day.
A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge–animal rescue
A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge
By Jessica Redland
Zara is the production assistant for documentaries about animal rescue centers and also about country living. Twenty-six years old, she has recently had a breakup from a six month relationship with a man who had been unfaithful to her. She is also insecure because of her mother’s obvious preference for her brother Roman who is a star footballer.
Snowy is the reclusive former Olympic gymnast whose extremely fair coloring makes him highly recognizable. Raising his son with the help of his amazing grandfather after his wife Eliza passed away has not been easy. He needs to protect him from taunts based on his resemblance to his father and from the paparazzi who even years after his wife’s death seek him out for a “good” story.
An injured owl brings Zara and Snowy together, and Grandpa gives the potential romance some encouragement. Zara and Snowy see past each other’s hurts and discover the really kind people buried beneath the facades erected to keep others out. Snowy’s son Harrison is a talented and enthusiastic gymnast under Snowy’s tutelage. Snowy also home schools the boy who is bright and polite. Harrison and Zara take to each other quickly making it easy for Snowy and Zara to move past friendship and develop a romantic relationship.
The road to happiness is not without its bumps. The reader will discover the inner workings of Zara’s family; her stepfather Owen has been stellar, if not always successful, in trying to smooth difficulties for Zara. Snowy had a very difficult relationship with his father who was also an Olympic gymnast.
Alcoholism is an issue for several characters in the book as they use alcohol to numb pain and grief. Of course, the alcohol just makes for more problems. The owl rescue work that Snowy and his family manage on their large property is an important focus in the book. Major threads include Zara’s need to think about her future employment prospects and Snowy’s conflicts about allowing friendships for Harrison and enabling him to achieve the competitive steps necessary to become an Olympian—if he chooses that pathway.
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, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. Contains just a few instances of bad language and no open door bedroom scenes.
2. #2 in the Bumblebee Barn Series. It could be read as a standalone because Redland does a great job of filling in the backstory. You might enjoy it even more if you read #1 first because there are overlapping characters.
3. Clearly marked narration by chapter varies between Zara and Snowy and reveals their perspectives. It was a good choice for this novel.
4. Ending notes include interesting information on the various types of owls.
Publication: May 16, 2024—Boldwood Books
Memorable Lines:
It didn’t matter how many times I saw a barn owl in flight, the silent majesty of its glide completely captivated me, the white face, body and underside of the wings giving the appearance of a ghost floating past. I watched it fly out of The Roost and ran to the open doorway to catch it disappearing into the night.
The universe was so much bigger than me and my problems and five minutes of stargazing helped put everything into perspective.
The Freak Show taunts from school circled round my mind and I pushed them aside. My appearance didn’t actually bother me. It was the taunts themselves which had bothered me because they’d led to me being an outsider and being alone like that had hurt. It still did.
Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone–pirate gold
Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone
By Sarah Graves
Ellie and Jake (Jacobia) are best friends and business partners in the Chocolate Moose, a small bakery in Eastport, Maine. Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone finds the pair dealing with a complex web of murders in the middle of a sweltering summer and hectic tourist season. There isn’t a body, just an abandoned boat and a non-grieving widow left with three children and a mystery. Her husband has shown her an antique gold coin which is missing too.
On the home front, Jake’s large old house is bursting at the seams with extended family lined up outside the only bathroom. An expansion is not progressing according to schedule and winter is closing in.
Sharks play a huge role in this mystery from attacks on the investigators to the possibility that they are involved in several deaths or at least the “disposal” of the remains. A group of shark scientists are having a convention in the town, and Ellie has promised three dozen Chocolate Raspberry Scones. Ellie is a creative genius when it comes to her baking, but she has yet to perfect a recipe for this treat.
Jake’s sweet grandson Ephraim plays a big role in this cozy mystery. This four year old loves making music on a variety of noisy instruments from a kazoo to a toy trumpet, and this interest leads to a discovery that is critical to the plot.
Another intriguing character is Glenna LaFarge, known locally as the “witch of Walk Island.” Despite all the somewhat scary legends that have emerged around her, Ellie and Jake embark on one of many boating adventures in the book to confront Glenna and try to uncover some of the many secrets surrounding murders, a kidnapping and theft in the small tourist town. Jake and Ellie both show their daring and brave side as they track down the murderer. There is a fair amount of tension in this mystery, but there is also some humor sprinkled in as Jake knows how to laugh at herself and the crazy situations she finds herself in.
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. #7 in the Death by Chocolate Mystery Series, but could be read as a standalone.
2. Includes a recipe for a version of Chocolate Raspberry Scones. As a chocolate lover and a scone lover, this sounds very good.
Publication: April 23, 2024—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
…I still couldn’t make a sound past the jagged chunk of fright stuck in my throat. It was a shark, a ridiculously large one from what I could see of its dark shape moving under the water, still coming straight at us.
It’s another thing I’ve learned over the years: You can cry all you want, but it doesn’t fix anything; when you’re finished, you still have to get up and do something about whatever it is.
I got up and poured more coffee at the credenza near the door. The fancy contraption that brewed it looked complicated enough to refine uranium in.
The Mystery of Haverford House–multiple timelines
The Mystery of Haverford House
by Rachel Burton
Viola, originally from Australia, has had to reinvent herself several times. She has finally found a place that feels like home—a huge estate in Yorkshire. Her job is to manage Haverford House as a tourist attraction, but it is difficult to maintain it as a viable establishment financially given its size, age, and tax status. The current earl and owner wants to sell it, but his mother, the dowager countess, is sentimentally attached to it.
There is a mystery and legend that Viola emphasizes in her house tours. Annie Bishop, a serving girl at Haverford, disappears in 1933. Was she murdered or did she travel to America to start a new life? As the story unfolds for the reader, much of the status of women during the period between the two World Wars is revealed. There is also a focus on the works of Shakespeare, particularly Twelfth Night, as there is a production of it in both timelines. The characters are fleshed out in both timelines with some villains and heroes in both. It is interesting to see that the Haverford residents in the 1930’s, even the “nice” ones, were disdainful of the servants that worked in the house. There were also those in the lower classes who felt they and their peers should “mind their place.”
My interest in both storylines never flagged. I no sooner finished a chapter with my interest peaked than the focus changed to equally compelling events in the other storyline. This seesaw continues all the way to the end of the book with a number of surprises along the way.
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: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Notes: clean in all aspects
Publication: March 14, 2024—Aria
Memorable Lines:
“I don’t know where you all find the time for reading,” Polly says regularly. In my opinion you make time for the things you love but she has no interest in fiction, or books in general. She hated dusting the library, but lucky for her I was always willing to do it.
I wonder if he knows why he is here—I wonder if he realizes how badly the estate needs his father’s money? And I wonder what it must be like for Prunella and Cecily, being duty-bound to marry somebody they might not even like, let alone love.
Viola wanted to run upstairs to her flat, get into bed and pull the duvet over her head. Alternatively if the ground would like to open up and swallow her that would be fine too.
The Dubrovnik Book Club–paralyzing fear
The Dubrovnik Book Club
By Eva Glyn
This book!
I love the title and subject.
The cover is appealing.
Glossary includes Croatian words.
Descriptions give a peek into the beauty of the country and the joy that comes from a delicious pastry.
You would think I would love this book, but I just couldn’t relate to or want to read about the circumstances that plague the characters. Four characters are consumed with paralyzing fear:
Long Term Covid
Gay
Abused by Wife, accused of murder
Refugee PTDS and survivor guilt.
The author does manage to weave their stories together through the book club. While I sympathize in general with their situations, I found that I had no empathy for any of their attempts to get over their problems. A main motif throughout the book is “fake it until you make it.” The conclusion, however, was quite satisfactory.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 3/5
Category: Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Notes: There is a lot of swearing in English. There is also a lot of swearing in Croatian, but without the glossary, which generalizes the level of offensiveness, who would know?
Publication: March 8, 2024—One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK)
Memorable Lines:
“There is just one rule; a simple one. As its name implies, this shop is for everyone and so is the book club, so all I ask is that you leave any prejudices you may have about people and their reading choices outside. Let’s learn from each other.”
“And perhaps it does not have to make sense in your head when it is about how you feel in your heart.”
That was the biggest irony of all. That now she felt ready to leave and to see the world, all she wanted was to stay.
Letters of Wisdom–forgiveness
Letters of Wisdom
By Wanda E. Brunstetter
Long known as a writer of Amish themed novels, Wanda E. Brunstetter has recently turned her hand to writing some books with very serious themes. Although they still focus on the Amish and how characters face situations, the problems are consequential with multi-generational results. Sadly, the stories such as this one originate in Brunstetter’s personal experiences.
Irma Miller suffered traumatic physical and emotional abuse inflicted by her stepfather on her only, not on his biological children. She is reluctant to share these experiences until she sees herself morph into the monster her stepfather was. Her surprised husband insists she get help in the form of therapy with a Christian counselor. Her mother-in-law and the bishop’s wife also provide childcare for her children. Healing is not an instant process. Letters from her friends helped. She had not been able to deal with her three children rationally and a fourth is on the way. Irma finds she has to confront the trauma head-on, granting and accepting forgiveness. Her mother and step brothers and sisters needed to be a part of that process too.
The characters, other than the stepfather, are likable. They are all caught up in a web of pain. The extent of the abuse is not evident in the first part of Letters of Wisdom, but becomes apparent later. Prayer and forgiveness are essential parts of the healing process, but Irma’s path is a difficult one and hard to witness.
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: Christian, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: 1. #3 in the Friendship Letters Series, but can be read as a standalone.
2. This book has a frank and realistic view of abuse in the family. If that is a trigger for you, you might want to give it a pass.
Publication: March 1, 2024—Barbour
Memorable Lines:
She sensed the real emotions that remained in this house from Homer’s cruel treatment of Irma while she’d lived here, but none of the other children had ever talked about it.
She’d grown to hate him over the years. And even now, knowing he was dead, her soul filled with animosity thinking about all the terrible things he’d done to her.
“…it’s in the past and we must live in the now and do better in the future. We have all made mistakes that we can not erase. So, in order to live a happy, fulfilled life, we must confess our sins, turn our fears over to God, forgive our own shortcomings, and make every effort to behave in such a way that others will see Christ living in us. Only then will our hearts be filled with peace.”
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels–strange mystery
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
By Janice Hallett
This work of fiction is about a true crime writer investigating a closed case that she thinks worth exploring as does her publisher. It turns out to be a complicated story that did not appeal to me for several reasons.
First, it appears to be a twenty-first version of epistolary text. Instead of traditional letters, it bounces back and forth between, text messages, transcribed interviews and phone calls, and pages torn from fictional books purportedly written about the “Alperton Angels.” This is a cult that weirdly seems to want to protect a certain baby to later sacrifice it because it is the antichrist. As I am not fond of epistolary writing, I found that aspect particularly unappealing. At 25% I almost didn’t finish, but I plugged on thinking it would get better. It didn’t.
Second, there was not a single character that I liked in The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. They were all lying and deceptive people. Full of mixed motivations, none of them were people I wanted to know, root for, or care about in any way. Perhaps for the right reader this would be appealing, but it just didn’t work 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: 3/5
Category: Thriller, Crime, Fiction
Notes: Epistolary
Publication: January 23, 2024—Simon & Schuster
Memorable Lines:
“Take away talk of angels and demons and you’re left with a very depressing but nonetheless run-of-the-mill story.”
“Electrical and magnetic energy are invisible but we know they exist, right? They can be stored and released at will. Could the force of evil, of negativity, generate an energy that is similarly controlled?”
“He was a lifelong fraudster but needed someone young, pliable, and with no police record to take all the risks.”
Keep Your Family Close–sisters and friends
Keep Your Family Close
by Annette Dashofy
With murders and multiple disappearances, this mystery will keep you turning pages. You’ll have to pay attention to figure out who did what to whom. Once you figure something out, you may need to double check your work, just as the detectives had to, because you may not have it right. Also, there is always the issue of who is telling the truth and what motivations the characters have for what they say and do. There is one egotistical, abusive man that the detectives (and I) would like to pin a murder on, but they have to stick to the evidence. If he did commit the murder, can they prove it?
Emma was a potential romantic interest for Detective Matthias Honeywell in the first book. She reappears in this book, and her focus is still on locating her sister Nell who has been challenged with drug problems since the death of their parents. Both women have found themselves in difficult, abusive situations. In this book we meet their childhood friend Eric who will do anything for them. Also returning is Kari, a yoga instructor, who becomes a good friend to Emma. Emma puts herself in dangerous situations by going to some seedy bars and a homeless tent area looking for Nell and following leads on the murderer.
I enjoyed Keep Your Family Close and look forward to the next book in the 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: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Mystery
Notes: #2 in the Detective Honeywell Mystery Series. When I read the first book in the series, I suspected I would see some of the characters again, and happily I was right. You could read Keep Your Family Close as a standalone, but I felt more grounded having read the first in the series.
Publication: 12/8/2023—One More Chapter (Harper Collins)
Memorable Lines:
Carlisle turned his fierce glare on Matthias, who met it with the one he’d mastered long ago. No twenty-something with a trendy haircut could outlast Matthias where intimidating looks were concerned.
Where the Guilty Hide–#1 in a good mystery series
Where the Guilty Hide
by Annette Dashofy
Faced with multiple home invasions where the residents were present, but captive, Detective Mattias Honeywell relives old pain. His partner, the older Cassie Malone, makes a good foil for him as he navigates life and work as an investigator. The other main character is Emma Anderson, a freelance photographer who appears to be hiding out from something or someone in a small trailer in Erie, Pennsylvania.
This novel is full of twists and turns and plots that overlap. I enjoyed playing detective along with Honeywell and Malone. I liked Emma and hoped for the best for her as she tried to unravel trauma from her past, stay alive, and find her missing sister.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Mystery
Notes: #1 in the Detective Honeywell Mystery Series. I have an ARC of the second book in the series that I will read next, but knowing that I enjoyed Annette Dashofy’s Zoe Chambers Mystery Series, I chose to read the first in this new series before I moved my attention to #2, Keep Your Family Close. This is not a cozy mystery, but I anticipate seeing some of the characters again.
Publication: 2023—One More Chapter (Harper Collins)
Memorable Lines:
Emma’s bruises and scrapes were almost healed. The trauma to her heart and soul hadn’t even begun to mend.
education pathways 