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Booked for Revenge–murder in the kitchen
Booked for Revenge
by Karen Rose Smith
Belltower Landing is the setting for this cozy mystery which gives the characters an opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking, paddle boarding, and boating. It is also perfect for having a tourist season. Jazzi and her friend Dawn have combined resources to create a combination tea shop and bookstore. The young ladies also conserve financial resources by living together in an apartment above the shop. In a thread of personal conflict, Dawn’s parents live in the same town and are not happy with this business venture or with the girls’ common interest in finding their birth parents.
The main focus of this book, however, is “The Gentlemen’s Bake-Off.” Tomes and Tea is involved because, as one of many creative promotional ideas, the duo will advertise and sell books written by the judges. They also host a book signing. When there is a murder, Jazzi slowly starts investigating. She has kept her relationship to her mother Daisy quiet to avoid getting drawn into just this type of situation. In her hometown, Daisy has a reputation for solving crimes.
There are many suspects—judges, other competitors, or even someone completely unrelated to the baking competition. I didn’t guess the murderer until the end of the book when the identity becomes quite evident. There are other threads that muddle the investigation, including a hidden camera, loud disputes, and missing evidence.
A little romance comes into play as Jazzi’s friend Parker, an IT specialist, shows signs of interest in Jazzi as more than a friend. Oliver, with an Australian accent, owns The Wild Kangaroo pub, and often shows up when Jazzi needs support. Dawn is drawn to Abe, an EMT/firefighter who is frequently on the scene with medical help.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery for the whodunit puzzle, the interesting characters, and the budding romances. There are a pair of kittens that are fun too. The bookstore setting is a magnet for me, and I am glad to see the young ladies making a success of their enterprise.
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. #2 in the Tomes & Tea Mysteries series, but could be read as a standalone.
2. This series is a spinoff from the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries series. There are references to characters in that series, but the author always provides background information to the relationship so there is no confusion. Jazzi, the protagonist in this series is the now-grownup daughter of the protagonist in Daisy’s Tea Garden books.
3. Clean
Publication: April 29, 2025—Kensington
Memorable Lines:
Tomes and Tea’s book club was a little different than most. They didn’t discuss one novel at a session. Readers brought in whatever their latest read was to talk about. This way tourists could drop in and join in too.
“Through the years, I’ve found it’s just as easy to be friendly as impatient. And the interchange can brighten a fan’s day as well as mine.”
Freshly Pressed by WordPress
I received an email today explaining WordPress’ selection of my blog post that reviews The Lion Women of Tehran:
| Your site has been selected for Freshly Pressed! |
| Congrats, we love your writing and want to share it with the world. Hi lghiggins, We’ve selected your post (The Lion Women of Tehran–power of friendship) for Freshly Pressed, a showcase where we feature editors’ picks and community favorites on WordPress.com. We are thrilled to share your post with our wider audience. Your post will appear at wordpress.com/discover/, where members of the WordPress.com community can read, comment, like your post, and subscribe to your site to get notified whenever you publish new content. Thank you for being part of the biggest and best community of bloggers around the world. We’re proud to be the platform that makes your voice heard. |
Thank you, WordPress for this honor. Thank you, readers, for your support of my blog.💜
The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted–starting over again
The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted
By Rebecca Raisin
When Coco is betrayed by her romantic and business partner, she loses not only her lover and her small, London publishing firm, but also her reputation. Although she did nothing illegal or unethical, she finds herself unemployable. Picking herself up, she takes her teen daughter out of their home and comfort zone and moves into one bedroom in her parents’ apartment in Paris. Fortunately, all four of them are bilingual.
Just as Coco acknowledges to herself that she will be unable to find a job in a publishing firm, she wanders down a cobblestone side street and discovers The Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted. The owner of the combination chaotic bookstore and unusual bar with cocktails (potions) and bespoke passages is Valérie. She hires Coco to help in the shop. Coco helps with traditional clerking duties and makes innovations in the running of the store. She also takes over the store’s book club introducing a number of interesting characters to the story. There are several mysteries in the shop. Where does Valérie disappear to every day? How does she seem to know just what each customer needs? Who is this Henri who keeps crossing paths with Coco? Where does he go every day at 4:00?
While Coco is settling in to her new job, she also has to tread untested waters with a resentful teen who misses her friends back in London. Eloise is being bullied at school and all kinds of difficulties arise from that.
The plot is well-written with some surprising twists and romantic turns that provide opportunities for character development. The crisis in Eloise’s life is complicated by her mom’s possible entanglement with Henri. The other characters see the romantic interest between Henri and Coco before the pair recognizes it, but that doesn’t mean it will progress smoothly for the couple. By virtue of its setting, the book has a lot of the feel of Paris in it. That ambiance will be a big draw for some readers as well as the bookish mood that permeates The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted.
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
Notes: Includes several instances of one vulgar French word and one English expletive is uttered a few times. Otherwise clean.
Publication: February 3, 2025—Boldwood Books
Memorable Lines:
Eloise and I have left London with only two suitcases and a backpack full of books. I also have a couple of extra bags, but those are under my eyes and here for the duration.
I’ll probably lose my French citizenship mentioning that fashion doesn’t inspire me, but honestly, who can pretend about these things? “If I were to spoil myself, it would be a book-buying spree, not a blouse with or without frills.”
“Your car has more dimples than a golf ball.” “Parking in Paris is a blood sport.”
A Killer Clue–rare book dealers
A Killer Clue
by Victoria Gilbert
Jane Hunter, a librarian forced into an early retirement, works for Cameron Clewe who has hired her to catalog his books and other literary collections. Cameron is wealthy, generous, intelligent and very nice, but he does have quirks. He avoids crowds and becomes anxious in certain situations. Jane is a good, calming influence, gently reminding him of social cues such as saying “thank you.” He is in his thirties and she is sixty-one. Together they have formed an informal sleuthing team. Jane does not want to be involved with murder investigations, but she ends up doing just that. They are helped by various contacts, but one of the most valuable ones in this book is Jane’s landlord Vince, a retired investigative reporter.
The mystery in A Killer Clue begins with a rare book seller, Eloise, approaching the pair to exonerate her mother who recently died in prison. She had been found guilty of killing Eloise’s father. Eloise, unfortunately, discovers a murdered former detective in her bookshop. He was the one who was on the case that sent Eloise’s mother to prison. This is just the start of a novel with multiple threads and lots of twists and turns. It is also very bookish because in addition to Cameron’s library, there are two competing rare book stores featured.
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. #2 in the Hunter and Clewe Mystery Series. I have not read the first in the series, but I don’t feel like that hindered my reading of this book.
2. Clean
Publication: October 24, 2024—Crooked Lane Books
Memorable Lines:
I couldn’t change my past, but I could banish negative memories and focus on all the positive aspects of my current life.
I knew my reaction was because I’d felt ambushed. That had been a tactic my ex-husband, Gary, had frequently used on me—publicly forcing me to agree to some action or event because there was no graceful way to say no.
The Storyteller’s Tale–making words come to life
The Storyteller’s Tale
by Judith Bouilloc
translated from French by Madeline S. White
You’ve heard the expression “make words come to life”? In The Storyteller’s Tale, the librarian Iliad Livrani can do that. She is so talented that the queen invites her to come to the palace to perform. During this same period, a messenger arrives from the palace with an offer of marriage from Lord Tarlyn. The immediate complication to this generous offer is that there are several gentlemen at court with that name. Which one might he be? Iliad is chaperoned by her fire-breathing Granny Cassandra as they travel to the castle and have many adventures.
Iliad can create visible words that become images and this talent is useful to the king as he tries to transform his kingdom into a parliamentary monarchy. There is the usual infighting in the court and within the royal family. Magical creatures like a flying bird-deer populate this story. Lovers of literature will find pleasure in the various classical choices Iliad makes for her readings. Lord Tarlyn is a mystery man, and there are difficulties because of his character, abilities, and goals. There are reasons for his secrecy, but they are only gradually revealed.
I enjoyed the fantasy world the author created, especially the magic with words. The various creatures and plants were also interesting. There is a romantic hero and a villain, a mystery and a challenge. Iliad and her sisters are strong women with an equally strong sense of right and wrong. Democratic principles are important to them as are reconciliation and feelings. One of the themes is that character is more important than outward appearance.
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: Middle Grades, Fantasy, Teens and Young Adult
Notes: All of Iliad’s book choices have footnotes to note the author and explain briefly what the work is about.
Publication: August 21, 2024—Rivka Publishing
Memorable Lines:
“The term snatchwords refers to a person who can make sentences detach themselves from paper by reading them aloud. They internalize each word turning them into moving figures and setting by sheer force of imagination.”
The Livrani women were known to express their feelings with great exuberance. Some might say it was their greatest weapon against ill-fortune.
“What I think is that Balthasar is an aristocrat by birth but a democrat by opinion, and as such, he is likely to change things.”
Dying to Read–murder and rare books
Dying to Read
by Lynn Cahoon
I don’t often listen to books instead of reading them, but I decided to go the audio book route with Dying to Read after I finished reading Cahoon’s Reading Between the Lies. C.S.E. Cooney is the narrator, and I think she did a very good job of distinguishing the various characters.
Cancer survivor Rarity Cole owns a bookstore in Sedona, Arizona. She also hosts a book club on Tuesday nights at the shop. It began as a mystery book club for cancer survivors, but has become more inclusive and even has an extension for a group of amateur sleuths who investigate and share information with law enforcement. As Rarity moves further in time from her breast cancer experience, she remains committed to healthy practices but seems to see herself less as a survivor as she moves into her new “normal.” It is clear, however, that the cancer and its treatment will always color the perspective of Rarity and the other survivors of cancer.
This book has a lot of plot complications. There is a murder at a Memory Care Center where Shirley, a part-time employee at the bookstore, has placed her husband who no longer recognizes her. There were shenanigans with the security system. Shirley’s husband George is accused of the murder. Another resident claims to be getting ready to marry George. There are many other suspects at the nursing home with a variety of possible motives. Meanwhile, rare copies of some first edition books appear randomly at Rarity’s bookstore. They seem to tie back into a theft/murder cold case. On the personal front, Archer, Rarity’s boyfriend, is ready to move in with her but suddenly stops regular contact causing Rarity to revisit emotional issues experienced with her ex-fiancé who decided she was “no fun anymore” when she was going through her cancer treatments!
Dying to Read is fascinating and the whodunit was a surprise but made sense. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series because clearly that good storyteller Lynn Cahoon has more adventures in mind for Rarity.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: 1. #5 in the Survivor’s Book Club mystery series
2, To amplify on my listening versus reading: I am thankful for the hearing aids I wear but while they amplify, they do not always clarify speech for me. For example, this week I thought I would do a quick listen to a book that I read about three weeks ago to refresh my memory before my book club meeting. I had to give up within a few minutes of listening; it just wasn’t working for me. I reread the book instead, enjoying the beautiful language even more the second time around. Envious of a fellow blogger who inhales books and listens to many audio books at an increased speed, I tried ramping up the speed which made the hearing process go from bad to worse. I’ll remain thankful for reading and only occasionally dip into audio books (while I walk my dogs).
Publication: May 6, 2025—Lyrical Press/Tantor Media
The Christmas Inn–big city or little town
The Christmas Inn
by Pamela M. Kelley
Riley Sanders left the Cape Cod area after high school graduation for the big city. After college she settled into life as a website content creator and manager in Manhattan. Her boyfriend works an obscene number of hours for a law firm. She thinks she has it all until life circumstances return her to the town of Chatham—at least temporarily. There she finds the family, friends, and community that she hadn’t realized she missed.
Her mother Beth is trying to manage a gradually failing inn with a broken leg. Riley is needed to help run the inn physically but also to expand the inn’s presence on the web to increase exposure and entice new visitors. There are lots of interesting characters in the story with several people reuniting with old flames.
The Christmas Inn is a clean, sweet romance with all the Christmas vibes. Between divorces and deaths, several people have difficult memories associated with Christmas, but they put on a happy face each year and muddle through. Riley’s former boyfriend has a sweet little boy who is excited about Christmas. He and his dad are staying at the inn while extensive repairs are being done on their house. His presence adds youthful enthusiasm to the extensive festivities in the community.
The book is replete with descriptions of the food and drink the characters consume. Everyone likes hot chocolate, and it goes well with the many cold, snowy events. The adults also enjoy a variety of wines and cheeses chosen from a local shop which is located near a bookshop in the friendly town. Riley has some big personal and professional decisions to make in this relaxing Christmas story, so grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy the plot.
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: Romance, Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Notes: clean
Publication: September 24, 2024—St. Martin’s Press
Memorable Lines:
“We do use some AI here, but not at the expense of anyone’s jobs. We use it to enhance what we are already doing. I don’t believe in replacing people with machines.”
It was a mix of attorneys and financial types. The traders had a certain air about them, a cockiness that swarmed around them. They were incredibly impressed with themselves and expected everyone else to be equally impressed. Riley found it tiresome.
She’d thought they were on the same page. But maybe they were reading a very different book.
The Book Club Hotel–reconnecting
The Book Club Hotel
by Sarah Morgan
The title The Book Club Hotel certainly prepares the reader for a bookish read. Indeed, Sarah Morgan’s clean romance does have a book theme as a trio of college friends reunite yearly to relax, catch up, have fun, and discuss a chosen book. They are turning forty this year, and each is at a personal crossroad. Erica, who teaches crisis management to businesses all over the world has never managed to commit in a relationship. Her father had walked out of her life the day she was born. Her bitter mother raised her on the necessity of being independent. Claudia has just been abandoned by her boyfriend of ten years and has lost her job. Anna, known for her homemaking skills and perfect relationship with her husband Pete, is dealing with the impending departure of her twins as they prepare to leave the “nest” to fly off to college.
The story is set at the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont, an idyllic setting at Christmas time. Claudia and Anna are puzzled by Erica’s choice of a rural Christmasy locale for this year’s getaway. It is very out-of-character for the unromantic Erica. There must be some secret agenda behind her selection.
The lives of these three women intersect with that of the owner of the Maple Sugar Inn. Hattie, a young widow, is the mother of a sweet and precocious little five year old girl Delphi. Their dog Rufus adds fun to the tale which revolves around the trio’s friendship, Erica’s draw to the inn, drama over two bad tempered employees who try to control the inn and its owner, and a handsome, kind Christmas tree and organic food farmer who lives next door. It’s a good read!
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: An unexpected bonus for me is that the book has a strong
Christmas theme with decorations, snow, hot chocolate, and traditions.
Publication: September 19, 2023—Harlequin
Memorable Lines:
“It’s hardly a gift at all. It’s a book, and my sister and I think of a book as a necessity rather than a luxury.” “A necessity is something you need,” Gwen said, “like food or water.” …”Books can take you to a different world.”
Books were her hobby. Reading kept her going. …all Anna had to do to relax was pick up a book and she was immediately transported to another world.
“What do you think of this dress?” “It’s too black. It needs more glitter. Or maybe feathers. I have some in my art box. We could stick them on.” Glitter? Feathers? That was what happened when you asked a five-year-old for fashion advice.
Booktrovert?
Are you an extrovert? An introvert? Maybe a booktrovert?
I fell in love with this t-shirt on author Melinda Curtis’ website. I rarely buy clothes for myself, but this shirt is me!
When I started looking around, I found lots of other t-shirts on the Internet with the word “booktrovert.” What??? This is a thing??? Where had I been in the last few years? (OK, that one is easy–I had my nose in a book!) I looked up the word “booktrovert.” According to the Urban Dictionary and other sources, a booktrovert is “a person who prefers the company of fictional characters to real people.” Now, I just find that weird. That is NOT who I am. Since this word is “made up” or can be considered part of our evolving English language, I am going to offer up MY definition: a booktrovert is someone who may or may not enjoy the company of real people, but enjoys spending time reading a good book. A booktrovert also enjoys all things bookish–memes, libraries, bookstores, mugs, bookmarks, book clubs, t-shirts, etc.
So, to all of you who love books, I salute you and the books you are reading. I also wish you a wonderful season of reading, whether you are sunning on the beach or snuggled up by a cozy fire!
The Keeper of Hidden Books–importance of books
The Keeper of Hidden Books
by Madeline Martin
This book is perfect for:
—lovers of books, reading, and libraries
—those who think reading is important for continuity of culture
—people who value ideas
—readers who like the notion of discussion in book clubs
—history buffs
—those interested in Poland—culture, history, role in WWII, underground resistance
—Girl Guides and Boy Scouts
—people who want to know more about the horrific treatment by the Nazis of Jews and Poles.
The Keeper of Hidden Books starts gently with Girl Guides preparing their skills for a war they assumed would never happen. Poland had lost its freedom before, and the Poles were determined it would not happen again. We gradually learn about the lives and values of several of the girls and their families. We witness the responses of the Polish citizens—both heroic and traitorous. As the story progresses we watch the destruction by the Nazis of libraries and books and the valiant efforts of librarians and volunteers who resist this extinction of knowledge. We also observe the desire of people of all ages to maintain access to books that provide escapism during times of hunger, persecution and despair.
This is a good book for me because I treasure books as many of the characters in the novel do. It is a warning to all of us to guard our freedoms, especially the freedom of speech which includes the written word. Hitler worked hard to maintain his power through censorship; we must not let history repeat itself.
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: Historical Fiction
Notes: The author concludes with notes about her research into the history behind her story, a tale which is based on real events and people in Warsaw. Buried in her discussion of the destruction of books by the Hitler Youth is the statement “But the power of books still endured.” That is a distillation of the theme of this book.
Publication: August 1, 2023—Hanover Square Press (Harlequin)
Memorable Lines:
Now the world crumbled in on itself, burning away the beauty of Warsaw, and there was no more time for reading than there was food to eat.
More and more children were appearing at the library as time went on. Many of them were desperate for distraction, to read about faraway places they could not go, or to transport themselves to mythical lands that could still tease at their dulled imaginations. They wanted stories where villains were vanquished. But books were more than a means of escape for these children; they offered another life to live. They offered hope.
…why Hitler so feared the books he banned. There was power in literature. Brilliant and undeniable. Books inspired free thought and empathy, an overall understanding and acceptance of everyone.
education pathways 