Was the teacher killed because she was grumpy and opinionated or did have a secret life?

This cozy mystery had plenty of twists and turns to keep you flipping the pages long into the night. Daisy and crew has been hired to host a teacher appreciation tea at the high school. All is going well until the counselor and Daisy find the very opinionated Althea floating in the school pool. While Daisy is working on finding out who is responsible for the ghastly act she is also hosting her youngest daughter’s new friend for a couple of weeks. It is not without ups and downs. Daisy finds herself trying to help the young girl with a touchy situation.

And, let’s not forget flaky Jonas, Daisy’s boyfriend. What is his problem? I get it, he suffered a horrific loss of his girlfriend/partner and their unborn baby, he has beef with the local detective but geez he takes it out on Daisy with his hot and cold affection. At times I feel Daisy needs to move on until he comes to terms with his past but then when he is “on” he is perfect for her. Hopefully, he will make the decision to live in the present and treat Daisy like she deserves.

Daisy has a big heart but it sure gets her in some pickles. I was happy to see her and her mother are continuing to work on their relationship. It seems to give Daisy a bit of peace she was missing.

I know there are plenty of mixed reviews on this book. Either you love it or hate it. I loved it.

I am one who enjoys epic family sagas (think The Thornbirds) and you kind of get that with the Ives story. You have the rom-com moments we all enjoy between Alice and Hayden. There is suspense and build up. Plenty of mid-level spice.

The last 15% of the book had me in my feels and boo-hooing silently. The pain Alice felt was expertly written. I felt it to my core. It made me wish I could go hug my own mama and not let go.

There is a surprise that is revealed that I had a thought about but then it went away and then bam you are smacked by it.

For me, this book was perfection.

It’s my favorite season of the year, autumn, as we join Sophie and crew for their 18th mystery. Usually by now if a series has went on this long I’m frustrated and tired with the characters but Krista Davis has kept this series fresh with each new mystery.

In Old Town, Virginia there is a new social media craze of posting your stylish brunch. It seems the parties have increased the need for interior designers as one must update their dining room for their brunch. One designer feels she is being stalked and asks Sophie for help. Unfortunately, the designer’s partner is found dead. Can Sophie find out what happened before her funeral becomes the next brunch?

I enjoy how each chapter begins with a Dear Sophie or Dear Natasha question and answer. Some I have found useful. The recipes at the end of each book are interesting and sound yummy. At the end of this book there several sweet breakfast options.

One of our SummerQuest challenge is to read a book based on its cover. It Happened One summer by Tessa Bailey was my choice. 

I. Was. NOT. Prepared. 

Thank goodness I was listening with headphones! There was so much innuendo and “activities” that I felt myself blushing continuously. It reminded me how much of an introvert I really am. 

The premise of the book was good. LA socialite has a mini breakdown and family sends her off to another state to prove herself. Socialite finds herself and love. Love with the least social man on the planet. 

I enjoyed the book even if it might have been too spicy for me. Honestly I think it is how the spicy is written if it feels too much for me. 

Here I go again with starting another new series. I am not sure why I downloaded this book from my local e-library but boy am I glad I did.

The Soup Lover’s Mystery series is set in Snowflake, Vermont. Book One opens in the brutal midst of winter. Lucky is visiting the graves of her parents who perished a car accident. She has returned to run the family soup and sandwich restaurant with her grandfather. One morning the restaurant’s chef, Sage, goes out back to dispose of the refuse from the day before and happens upon a dead body. A body he knows but no one else knows he knows. Unfortunately, the local PD finds evidence of his relationship and he is arrested. Lucky is set on finding his innocence wile trying to keep the restaurant afloat, looking after her grandfather, and possibly start dating again. Is Lucky as lucky as her name or has her luck run out?

Imagine a crisp cold day with snow swirling around and you see the fogged up windows of the local restaurant and find yourself walking in to perfection. Warmth and friendly faces all sharing a bit of time that life offers us. You sit down and find yourself relaxing and have realized you have found your favorite place. This is what it felt like opening A Spoonful of Murder. As I read I felt all warm and happy inside. All the characters are fun and interesting. I am interested to see how the series feels to me as I continue and hopefully experience all the seasons with Lucky and crew.

I love fixing a good homemade soup as much as I love eating it. Their a plenty of yummy soup and sandwich recipes included. I am already making plans of fixing the Tomato Spinach Soup for the hubby even if it is already summertime.

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.