This was a book of my mamaw’s. She loved to read biographies. I used to groan if I had to read one but as I’ve grown older I have started to enjoy them more. I’ve really enjoyed biographies about famous women in history. I knew very little about President Truman and his wife, Bess.

Bess was a powerhouse for her family and her husband. She became the head of household when her father killed himself. Her mother depended on her for everything. She had an alcoholic brother that the Truman’s tried to help many times over and over. She suffered miscarriages. She worried a lot especially when it came to her husband. She lived through four wars and an assassination of a president. She saw the progression from horse and buggy to trains to cars to airplanes as the preferred mode of travel. She survived Washington D. C., a place she fought long and hard to avoid but ended up loving.

A fascinating read with politics intertwined but it’s mainly on who Bess was a daughter, wife, and mother.

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Who is an author you love but at the same time curse the person who introduced you to that author? Abby Jimenez is that author for me. I have loved everything so far (one author I’m caught up on) but at the same time I curse April for introducing me because I HAVE to read the new one ASSP after release day! I’m not at auto-buy status yet but that is a struggle.

The Night We Met was so so good. At one point I had to walk away from the book I was so mad. I’m talking I wanted to give someone a strong jab in their solar plexus. And that person was a very minor character.

I had angst reading this book. Abby even admits in the back of the book it had more angst than her other books.

Larissa comes from a hard background and has to deal with stuff most of us never have to know. She is dating Mike, a good looking guy who is full of himself and lazy. He can talk a good game and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes except his best friend, Chris. Chris realizes he has fallen for Larissa but knows he can’t do anything about his feelings except ignore them. Through a series of events Larissa and Chris find themselves together a lot.

I enjoy how characters connect through all AJ’s novels. When I crack one open I feel like I’m falling back in with a group of friends. I’m already anticipating the next one.

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Cozy mystery fans do I have a new one for you. Vannetta Chapman has wowed us again with a new cozy mystery series. This one is set in Texas and is Amish adjacent (meaning side characters not main).

Emma and Sydney are sisters and have just bought a building to open their own stores. Emma will sell quilting and sewing supplies while Sydney sells books. Before the ink is even dry on the papers they find a dead man in their back door. Who and why?

I enjoyed the dynamic between Emma and Sydney. Emma is the oldest sister and in true oldest form is a little bossy and likes things to go in an orderly fashion. Sydney is the baby and is a free spirit in a lot of ways. (There is a 3rd sister Delaney but you don’t get much of her…yet). Even with their small squabbles you can feel the love between the sisters.

You will laugh quite frequently and have a smile when turning the last page. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

This was just released at the end of March so I suggest you run to go get it.

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I am a firm believer that the right book finds you when you need it. If I could fall sleep on April 11 and wake up on the 26th I think I would be happier. Those are two weeks of heavy grief every year. The Switch is about how everyone handles grief differently and that we all need to work through the grief at our own pace but may need a push in the right direction. The right people will stick by your side even on the hardest days.

Leena Cotton’s sister passed away a year ago and to handle the grief she threw herself into her work until she couldn’t. After a mandatory vacation demand was given she calls her almost octogenarian grandma, Eileen. They concoct a plan to switch lives for two months. What transpires is more than either could have hoped.

Don’t think this book is all sadness and darkness. It is the furthest thing from sadness and darkness. You will find yourself belly laughing and turning the pages long into the night. You will be wishing for a small English town of your own.

A clean romance with light swearing and kissing. If I had a teenage daughter I would have no trouble letting her read this book.

And yes, you will need cookies and tea while reading.

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Are you a series reader? If so, which series do you hold back on because you don’t want it to end?

A Library Lover’s Mystery series is that series I make myself read slowly. I love everything about this series. Let me count the ways:

1. It is written by @mckinlayjenn how can you not like?
2. Library setting
3. Small town
4. Set on the coast (Connecticut)
5. Dogs
6. Sully ♥️♥️♥️ book boyfriend of all book boyfriends

One for the Books is the eleventh book in the series. It is wedding time for Lindsey and Sully. But we all know there have to be hiccups and a murder. Unfortunately the dead was their officiant for the wedding. Oh goodness. With just days away from the wedding both Lindsey and Sully have their hands full.

Beautifully written and the wedding…sigh🥰

The cover deserves its own spotlight. There is no way you can look at the cover and not want to dive right in.

All the stars one again to Jenn McKinlay.

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Oh, a new to me series by the way of cozy mystery book bingo.

Belle, a crossword creator, and Rocco, a private investigator, are just days away from their wedding. Unfortunately, a murder or two interrupts the process. As Rosco looks into the murders Belle has her own thoughts since themed crossword puzzles were at the scenes. The closer they get to solving the more it doesn’t make sense. Will the wedding go off without a hitch?

The Crossword Connection is book three in the series and I was able to pick up with no problems. I will definitely be looking into this series more. It is an older series (early 2000s). I enjoyed that it wasn’t “flashy” like some of the current cozy mysteries.

A bonus: there are crosswords you can work throughout the book. Answers in the back.

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I am currently in love with the 1920s and 1930s. It has always held a fascination with me. The women look so elegant in their hats and gloves. I often wonder if I could have pulled that look off it that was my time. Somehow I think not. I’m always going to be short and stumpy. 

Against her upper class parents wishes Elizabeth is working as a Gal Friday (receptionist) at a NYC newspaper and on a whim she agrees to go with a reporter on a story as a photographer. She studied photography at college and believes she can do a good job. She and the reporter realize they make a great team when one of Elizabeth’s acquaintances comes out of the bathroom at a debutant ball covered in blood. Her stepmother’s blood. Elizabeth gets a great shot that is plastered on the front page. As Biz (Elizabeth) works with the reporter to figure out who really is the murderer she finds herself experiencing new things. 

A read that you find yourself fully immersed and when you look up you can’t believe you aren’t in a noisy newspaper office filled with smoke. 

I read the second book years ago and wished I had started with the first and continued. I believe this is only a 3 book series though. 

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Are you a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, ER, or any other medical drama? If so, The Devil Wears Scrubs is the book for you.

I already can hear your question. Doesn’t Frieda write psychological thrillers? Yes, but this is a fiction without murder.

Dr. Jane McGill has started her first year as an intern and it is starting off worse than she could have imagined. Jane believes her senior resident is the devil in disguise. Very little sleep, constant ridicule, and the roommate from heck has her questioning life’s choices.

I enjoyed this more than I expected. I almost took it back to the library based on reviews. I’m so glad I didn’t. It was fun following along with Jane as she sees her patients.

Is this an earth shattering read? No, but it did provide entertainment and that is what I wanted.

TW: a death scene while not gory is heartbreaking.

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A beautifully written story of strength, resilience, and unexpected love.

Salina lives in Havenlee, Indiana and much to the dismay of her parents (especially her mom) has not made a love match. Salina wants to marry for love not just because that is what is expected.

Seth is visiting his aunt and uncle after being rejected three days before his wedding. He hopes the time away from Kentucky can help him heal emotionally and ready to work the job that is waiting for him.

A devastating weather event hits a small community near Havenlee and an opportunity to help others also finds a way to help both Salina and Seth.

I took my time wandering through Salina and Seth’s story. I knew each time I opened the book I was entering a beautiful world. I was happy and content by the last word.

My favorite scene was when Salina was determined to get to Seth. I understood her feelings. I experienced something similar. When you love someone you find a way to be by their side.

This is book 12 in The Heart of the Amish series. You do not have to read each one or in order.

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Whoa! This one is so different from the first two. I went in blind because it was Frieda. I’m still shocked by the twists and turns.

Millie and Enzo are married with two children, Ada and Nico. They move to Long Island in a beautiful to them house in a friendly neighborhood. Or so they think. Was moving the best decision?

I know there are two camps of Frieda McFadden. You either live or works or hate them. I happen to enjoy them. They are quick reads with lots of action. This is no exception. They provide what I need out of reading. A time to relax. Hmm…should murder books be relaxing?

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