The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II, by Mari K. Elder

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II by Mari K. Eder 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I enjoyed this book very much.

A very interesting history of some of the amazing but mostly unknown women who served their country in their own ways during WWII.

I'm a huge women's history fan, though I tend to stick with women of the old west. When I saw this title I thought I would branch out a bit, so to speak. And I am glad I did. These are some amazing women that no one has ever heard of, and we should know about them.

I found the writing to be well done and the stories interesting. I am glad they are finally being told.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Murder Most Fowl, by Donna Andrews

Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 29 in the series and still just as fun as the first few. As always, Meg's got a lot going on in her life. Michael's actors in the play he's directing, are staying with them, all with their own issues and personality quirks. Add in Meg's extended family, and it all makes for some laugh out loud moments and a grand read.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

A Good Day for Chardonnay, by Darynda Jones

A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the series.

I am really enjoying this series. I love Sunshine and Auri, they're both fun and have a great relationship. They're both fun, smart and sassy. Sunshine's parents could use being a little less indulgent with Auri, though, haha. Levi, at times makes me want to slap him, with his macho man act.

All in all, I found this book a fun, fast read and I am very happy that all the mysteries within the mystery have wrapped up. It will be interesting to see where things go next.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Murder in Connemara, by Carlene O'Connor

Murder in Connemara by Carlene O'Connor 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book two in the series.

This one was just okay. I didn't realize this wasn't book one, but I didn't feel like I missed anything. I had a hard time liking the protagonist, Tara Meehan, and the whole thing felt a bit slow. I'm not sure I would read the next one, since it wasn't anything that really stood out.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

A Spirit Seeks Asylum, by Lena Gregory

A Spirit Seeks Asylum by Lena Gregory 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 6 in the series.

This is hands down my favorite book in the series. The others have been okay, but this one really connected with me. I always enjoy Cass and Beast, and more Bee just added to the fun. The strong friendships between the main characters and the way they support each other, just makes me smile.

I have to admit, I also want to know more about Thea, and her grandmother. Hopefully Cass can help her blossom a bit.

All in all, a fun, fast read. I truly hope there are more in the series coming.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Dogged by Death, by Laura Scott

Dogged by Death by Laura Scott 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book one in a new series.

It was a decent start to a new series, but some things were a bit too unbelievable. They characters could use some more development. Allie comes off as a total dingbat, and because of it, not super likeable.

Hopefully the next book in the series will be better.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

Reserved For Murder, by Victoria Gilbert

Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, Unfinished.

Book 2 in the series.

I saw this on NetGalley, and even though I didn't care for the first book, I thought I would give it another chance.

Unfortunately, I didn't like it anymore than I liked the first, so it goes unfinished and on my NOPE list.


*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

Carried to the Grave and Other Stories, by Leslie Budewitz

Carried to the Grave and Other Stories by Leslie Budewitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

A collection of shorter stories, with the title story being previously published on the author's website. All are tied to the author's Food Lover's Village series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each story was another glimpse into life in Jewel Bay, from the founding of the Mercantile to present day.

The title story actually combines past and present, weaving the two together quite skillfully as Erin uncovers another family's long kept secret. I'd originally read it when the author provided the link in her monthly newsletter ages ago, and enjoyed it again on re-read. This one left me a little sad, both times, and especially sad that the family continued to feel the need to hide the truth in this day and age. (sorry to be so vague, but trying not to give any spoilers!).

I especially enjoyed An Unholy Death, with its glimpse at the founding couple of the Merc. I loved Kate with her big heart and Paddy's obvious love and devotion. I am really hoping we get another story with Kate, Paddy and Grace.

The entire book was a nice, quick read, that I didn't want to end.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

See Something, by Carol J. Perry

See Something by Carol J. Perry 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 11 in the series.

Fast, fun, easy read, with a touch of paranormal. Lately, it seems like all I can handle are light, easy reads, so this was perfect for me. And I enjoy Lee and Aunt Ibby, and the Salem setting. I always learn a little something new about Salem, MA, too. Lee's boyfriend is growing on me, especially since he seems to accept Lee's gift.

I always look forward to more Witch City.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Organize Your Corpses, by Mary Jane Maffini

Organize Your Corpses by Mary Jane Maffini

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.

Re-release of book 1 in a 5 book series.

Ugh. I didn't find ANY of the characters likeable, not even the dogs. I got to the discovery of the body and lo and behold, the main characters favorite pen under the body, rolled my eyes hard and closed the book on my Kindle.

Life is too short to waste on books you don't enjoy.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

Deadly Ever After, by Eva Gates

Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 8 in the series.

Honestly, I keep saying I am done with this series, because I haven't really liked one and the character of Louise Jane distracts and annoys me. There's just something about the series that keeps dragging me back. That said, I actually enjoyed this one.

The whodunnit was a bit obvious, and LJ is still a pill who just got massively rewarded for her bad behavior, so that was annoying, but it was nice to see Lucy and Connor happy.

However, I kind of wonder if this is the end for the series, since Lucy will be moving out of the lighthouse. And what happens to Charles the Cat? Lucy isn't leaving him to LJ, I hope. He's honestly my favorite character. If there are more in the series, Lucy needs to take Charles with her and cart him back and forth to the library each day.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


View all my reviews

Peaches and Schemes, by Anna Gerard

Peaches and Schemes by Anna Gerard

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, I couldn't get in to it.

Book 3 in the series.

Honestly, I think Covid has killed my cozy vibe. I'm just not really liking any lately. I couldn't concentrate long enough to finish this one.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley

View all my reviews

Murder in the Cookbook Nook, by Ellery Adams

Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 7 in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.* I mention this early, because there were A LOT of typos/errors in the version I read, and they really distracted me from the story.

Errors aside, I honestly can't put my finger on one single thing that I didn't like, I just couldn't focus on the story. I think maybe I am growing out of cozy mysteries or I am in a reading slump, because I've had a hard time with a lot of books lately.

BUT, I am still having issues with the whole Edwin relationship and his "real" profession. Stick in an "influencer" and I just found myself annoyed.

It's too bad, because I loved Bake Off and thought the idea for this was fun. Add in a surprise appearance of a crossover character from a defunct series and I should have loved it.

I think I may take a break from cozies for a bit.

View all my reviews

Southern Sass and a Battered Bride, Kate Young

Southern Sass and a Battered Bride by Kate Young

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 3 in the series.

Not a great place to start. While the author does attempt to fill in some background, there's just too much going on that I feel like I missed.

The characters are mostly fun, though the MC's best friend, Betsy, is so over the top Southern that I really would like to smack her. She's really just too much.

All in all, the book was okay, but it certainly didn't make me want to double back and read the previous two.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

A Tale of Two Cookies, by Eve Calder

A Tale of Two Cookies by Eve Calder

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 3 in the series.

I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was book 3. I prefer to start from the beginning, but I didn't have any problems getting in to this story.

The characters were fun, and some of the situations made me laugh out loud. I thought the mystery of the missing bride groom was interesting and didn't want to put it down until I finished. Lucky for me, it was a fast, easy, read.

I'm looking forward to more from this author.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Wining and Dying, by Daryl Wood Gerber

Wining and Dying by Daryl Wood Gerber

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay. Ish.

Book 10 in the series.

An improvement over the previous book, but not by a lot. I was at least able to finish this one. The last several books just don't quite have the charm of the previous ones, and Jenna has become the Too Stupid to Live heroine a few too many times, so that's frustrating.

I think I might be done with this series. It just really doesn't "spark joy," for me any longer.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Knitty Gritty Murder, by Peggy Ehrhart

Knitty Gritty Murder by Peggy Ehrhart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, Really 3.5 stars, but I really liked it.

Book 7 in the series. While this book can be read as a stand alone, there are a lot of characters and you'll be happier if you start from the beginning.

I have read just about every knitting mystery series there is, and this series is one of the keepers. It took me a bit of time in the first book to warm up to them, but now I happily greet each new book in the series. And this one is probably my favorite so far. Can you beat death by circular needle?!

The Knit and Nibblers are a lovely group, with Pamela and Bettina taking the main character spots, and of course the cats always add more fun with their brief appearances. This book added gardening to the knitting and I was sold.

My only complaint about the series is the author still goes in to way too much detail about the food that gets served at each get together.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Picture Perfect Frame, by Lynn Cahoon

Picture Perfect Frame by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 1 of 5 stars, just meh.

Book 12 in the series.

I love this series, and have since I first stumbled across it in my local library. But lately I haven't been so thrilled. First there were all the holiday themed novellas that scrambled the time line, and then there was the somewhat of a cliff hanger of Aunt Jackie's weird behavior. But we got answers there, and a full length book, so I was happier.

This one disappointed me again. It just didn't keep my attention for long. I found myself putting it down for other books, before picking it up again days later. I finally finished, but it was a struggle.

I was hopeful that with this one, all the wedding blather would end, between Aunt Jackie's previous bridezilla behavior and now Amy's wedding. But it sure looks like Jill and Greg will be next up, so so much for that. Honestly, I'm sick of weddings and all the planning and money spent on them, even in fiction!

I will wait and hope for a better story in the next one though, because I really do love South Cove and the characters.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

Double or Muffin, by Victoria Hamilton

Double or Muffin by Victoria Hamilton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 7 in the series.

I've enjoyed this series, but this one really wasn't my cup of tea. Once again, a reality show is filming in the castle, but instead of ghost hunters, this time it's opera singers. I know nothing about opera, and I don't particularly care to, so I just wasn't able to really connect with the story, or really care much about what was going on.

But honestly that's all on me, and I will hope for another in the series.


*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews

A Stranger in Town, by Kelley Armstrong

A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 6 in the series.

This one was okay, but I kept getting tangled in the threads of the numerous characters. There was just so much to deal with.

I like the series as a whole though, so I will be back for book 7.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

View all my reviews