What the HELL? There is no other way to start this review. I’ve never been so angry at a book.

How could a nation ignore the fact women were over in Vietnam? Just because they weren’t in the front lines did not mean they didn’t serve. It didn’t mean that they didn’t experience everything a front line soldier experienced. They saw such horrific injuries to all walks of life. They had to enlist in one of the armed forces therefore they WERE veterans!

France’s parents were horrible. Especially when she returned home. To come home to angry and disrespectful civilians and then experience from your own parents.

Veteran help is something I strongly support. My own dad hated the VA and I now understand more his reasoning. I suspected he had PTSD from Korea. No wonder so many of our veterans suffer from so many addictions. They helped themselves in ways they could. Was it the best? No, but you do what you have to to get through the day.

We as a nation still need to do better for our veterans that have seen active combat. They served our country and fought for us. Military PTSD is real. We should not shame them for it. We weren’t there. They were.

Read this book then do your own research if you don’t believe we failed an entire generation of veterans.

Would it be a cozy mystery if there was a scandalous mystery to solve at a wedding? Would I have it any other way? No, I would not. 

The book opens with Lady Frances learning of her sister’s indiscretion and the need to move the wedding up to ASAP. France’s new beau, George, offers his estate in the English countryside. Unfortunately, the lead up to the wedding is a time of mysterious events which results in a death. Grab your copy of the book to follow Frances as she navigates mayhem, murder, and her snooty mother. Who will come out on top and not six feet under?

I enjoy the audiobooks of these series as the narrator helps you get the feel of the time period. Put your headphones in and away you go Victorian England. 

What a story! You have grit, suspense, and romance. 

Stephanie, an Amish girl, witnesses a horrific murder while stopping at a store to buy her monthly treats. Another witness, Beverly, whisks her away from the scene. Beverly, a local social worker, knows the killing is gang related. Fearing for Stephanie’s life she sends her to her brother, Hardy, in Kentucky. Can Hardy protect Stephanie? 

I liked the multi person view points. You see the situation from the gang initiate, Stephanie, and Hardy. Your heart goes out to all as life is never “simple” no matter if you’re Amish or English. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author with no requirement to review in a positive manner. The above review is my own words. 

May Wrap Up 🌹🏇💐☔️

12 books total, 0 DNF, 7 new (new to me) books bought,  1 book donated, 0 non-fiction book read

L  Library

KO  Kindle Owned

O  Physical Owned

EL  E-library (Libby/Overdrive/Hoopla)

AB  Audiobook 

KU  Kindle Unlimited 

NG NetGalley

ARC Advanced Reader Copy 

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Every now and then you find a book that puts your life into perspective. The Girls of Good Fortune is one such book. I don’t care how hard I think my life is at times or was it will never be as hard as Celia’s life was in the late 1800s. 

Celia is half Chinese in 1888 Portland, Oregon and has passed as white in a time that being Chinese was considered threatening. After learning of her Chinese father’s gruesome and horrific death, Celia finds herself in a precarious situation. Does she ignore what she has learned about the massacre to protect her baby daughter or should she fight for justice for those who can’t? 

I found myself slowly working my way through this newest release of Kristina McMorris. I wanted to feel every emotion Celia experienced. Celia was not based on a true historical figure but the massacre and the Shanghai tunnels in Oregon was very real. McMorris has always found a way to bring a piece of history to my attention I knew nothing of. So much American history was not taught in any of my schooling. A shame. This is why I love books and authors who use their voice for good. 

As I have aged I have come to crave historical fiction that can teach me something. Historical fiction provides enough entertainment to keep me interested and teach me without realizing it. The Story She Left Behind was magical. I found myself transported to an exciting adventure every time I opened the book. PCH has a way with words that transform your world. 

The Story She Left Behind is a historical fiction book about a writer who publishes her first book at the mere age of twelve but disappears and is never heard from again at the age of 25. You start off in 1927 South Carolina and are quickly whisked away to the great smog event in 1950s England. Follow Clara and Wynnie as they unravel their family history while trying to stay alive. 

I had no idea about the true story of Barbara Newhall Follet and her tragic short life. There are many interesting tidbits of Beatrix Potter as well. 

It’s holiday and baby arrival time in Willow Creek, PA. Daisy is finding herself going in many directions but none as exciting as waiting for the arrival of her first grandbaby! 

In book five Daisy has been hired to host a tea for the local theater company. The hostess was a local girl who made it big in NYC acting. She has returned home but has not been as widely received as she thought. During the tea Daisy finds the host dead in the clotted cream. Can Daisy find out who is responsible for the actress’s demise or will Daisy follow and never meet her grandbaby?

This series is so good at balancing real life with the characters but not going so overboard the book is not the escape you wanted. Daisy is still working on her romantic relationship along with her tenuous relationship with her mom and sister. We get a glimpse of what has brought the discord between Daisy and her mom and sister. Daisy’s grandbaby makes a welcome debut but not without some new mommy struggles. I was pleased with how postpartum depression and antidepressants were discussed. A topic that can be triggering for some. 

My library only has audiobooks so I am not sure if the printed version has recipes. 

I have owned this book for a little over a year and have seen multiple good reviews on the series and am wondering why I waited so long to read the book. I love pizza so reading about it sure had made me hungry for a good one.

Delilah has returned to Lake Geneva with a fiancé, Butterball the cat, and a new restaurant. She is opening a pizza restaurant in the same place as a previous restaurant with a checkered past. Taking liberties with the history of the town and restaurant she decorates in a mob theme which may or may not have jinxed the opening. As the soft opening is winding down Delilah finds herself staring at a dead body and her elderly aunt holding the smoking gun. Can Delilah solve the case before ending up six feet deep herself?

The descriptions of the food and town have me craving a road trip. I’ve never been to Lake Geneva but it sounds like a place to add to my travel list. The mystery flows well and the characters are likable (except for one but he doesn’t stick around long).

A series I will definitely return to in the near future.

Another delicious visit to the Jersey shore.

Lucy has been learning all the aspects of running her family’s restaurant including catering. When a local high-society couple decide to wed they decide to hire Lucy’s family restaurant. All is going as planned until the best man is found skewered to death with none other than one of the restaurants kebab skewers. Lucy really wants to stay out of the investigation but finds it hard when the main suspect is her ex-boyfriend and head chef at the restaurant. Will Lucy find the real suspect before she is sleeping with the fishes?

A fast moving plot and mouthwatering food descriptions make this a delightful read. I plan on trying Azad’s Prized Shish Kebabs this summer.

This series is so comforting. If I lived in a cozy world I would want to live in Arborville, NJ and be friends with Pamela and Bettina. They live in a friendly walkable neighborhood with a to-die-for farmers market and co-op. Pamela seems extremely content with her life. I envy her ability to come up with tasty dinners at the drop of a hat.

In book twelve we join Pamela and Bettina as they try to solve the unfortunate death of a popular local fiber artist. There are plenty of suspects but only one is the real deal.

I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla through my local library. Unfortunately, it did not include the recipe or knitting tips.