Category: Five Star Adult

BONUS REVIEW: Microphones and Murder by Erin Huss

BONUS REVIEW: Microphones and Murder by Erin Huss

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Edelweiss and Henery Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

After several years as an engineer on a successful podcast, Liv pitches the idea of her own true crime show, Missing or Murdered. But the “talent” says she doesn’t have the experience or the gumption to do it well. So Liv quits her job.

She gives up her life to move to Santa Maria where Amelia Clark lived before she disappeared in 2008. Liv is accompanied by her enthusiastic younger biracial step-sister, Camry. Camry’s great aunt, Hazel, lives in Santa Maria and is letting them stay with her while they launch the podcast and learn everything they can about Amelia.

Liv’s early investigation goes poorly. Witnesses are hard to find or reluctant to share. Her primary source is only able to give them some files on the case before he’s no longer able to help. The area where Amelia’s car was found has changed a lot in 10 years making it hard to get clues in that space. There’s a reason this case has gone unsolved for so long. Liv starts to wonder if she’s made a BIG mistake.

But when an apple comes crashing through the bedroom window at Hazel’s, the sisters have to wonder if they have more information than they realize, and if they have gotten too close to a killer desperate to protect their secrets.

Review

This was OUTSTANDING!! I was pulled into the story form the first page. I loved the characters! By the end, there’s a little group of 5 working on the podcast and the case, and they are delightful. Liv and Camry are sisters, but by marriage, which makes for an interesting dynamic. Hazel, Camry’s great aunt, looks like Mrs. Claus, but sounds younger and sexier when she’s recorded for the podcast. Oliver is a Deaf YouTube star with millions of followers. He speaks as well as signs. As his grandmother, Hazel signs as does Liv who studied ASL in high school and college. This dynamic made for some fun moments in the story. And Austin is a reporter with a stutter, a crush on Camry, and some contacts around Santa Maria that the sisters really need. I loved how they all came together as a group and how they worked together.

The case was top notch! They got breakthroughs at reasonable moments where just the right question or contact opened a new avenue for the investigation. The pacing was terrific. There were early roadblocks to test Liv’s commitment to this path. And future discoveries came in a way that never pointed to police incompetence – they just didn’t find the right information in the right combinations to put all the pieces together. There were reluctant witnesses and others who never knew they had relevant information before. And the overall resolution was very satisfying!

I can’t tell you how often I laughed while I was reading. Between the humor and the great characters and the fantastic plot, I was in mystery-lover bliss with this book. I cannot recommend this highly enough! I noticed a couple details that were inconsistent, but I trust those were worked out in final edits. I’ll definitely be picking up my own copy of this now that it has released. Mystery fans and podcasting fans should not miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

REVIEW: Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Meg has built a business around hand lettering. Stationery, signs, wedding programs, planner spreads. She does it all. And her business is really taking off (Instagram is a huge help!). But when she needs her business most, as her roommate tells her she’s moving out, Meg hits a creative wall.

At the same time, Reid Sutherland comes into her life. Well, back into her life. A year ago, Meg had worked with his fiancée on wedding materials. But Reid was the only one who discovered the “code”  in Meg’s designs – a sign she had seen the doomed relationship for what it was long before he did.

After talking to Reid – a handsome but uptight, reserved guy – Meg gets the idea to scout the city for lettering inspiration. And she invites Reid along. Maybe their hunt will help her over her creative block and help Reid find some joy in a city he says he hates.

Review

This was unexpected! The lettering angle – serifs and type/font descriptions and pen preferences – was so unique! I’ve never read anything with a premise like this. And the writing is sharp and funny with GREAT metaphors. At times, the humor would sneak up on me in delightful ways. I kept reading Meg’s descriptions out loud to my husband because they were so clever!

In the early chapters, while the writing was sharp, the story unfolded slowly. That is something that can derail me pretty quickly. But as Meg and Reid started their New York lettering “games,” I was sucked into the story. And as their relationship grew and Meg started to grow and develop some backbone in her relationships, I was completely captivated. Her observations about people – and about herself – were fascinating. I couldn’t wait to see how things developed. The conflict at the end was unexpected (for me), and fit the story perfectly. I couldn’t turn pages fast enough to find out how it would all turn out.

I have read some delightful rom-coms this year – Well Met (♥♥♥♥♥), The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Passion on Park Avenue (♥♥♥♥½), Love on Lexington Avenue – and this is another delight to add to the list. Don’t miss this one! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower

REVIEW: Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Millie Fisher recently moved back to Holmes County, Ohio. She had lived in Michigan for years, taking care of her sister. But now she’s back, enjoying being home in her Amish community with family close by.

Millie has a reputation as something of a matchmaker in her community. God has given her a sense for when two people are a good match – or not. Which is why Millie is so eager to talk to her niece, Edith. She rushed into an engagement to Zeke Miller, but it’s obvious to Millie that the two are ill-suited for one another. Thankfully, Edith agrees and breaks her engagement.

Gossip spreads quickly in the small community. And people have some strong opinions about the break up. It caught everyone but Millie by surprise. But it’s nothing compared to the surprise of finding Zeke, murdered. Millie is desperate to help Edith, but she’s keeping secrets and she looks guilty. Millie’s going to have to work her people skills to figure out who wanted Zeke dead – and why.

Review

This was terrific! It’s a spin off of the author’s Amish Candy Shop series, so the setting and several of the secondary characters are familiar.

I loved Millie and her English friend, Lois. They are a delightful contrast, and they are hoot together! Because of those two, this is my new favorite Amanda Flower series.

Flower does a great job weaving this book together. There are enough connections to the other series that readers of those books will feel instantly at home. But they are presented in such a way that newcomers won’t feel like they’ve missed something. The author also seeds the book with story threads that can play out in future books. I can’t wait.

The mystery was great. All the pieces came together well. The pacing of the sleuthing worked, too. I enjoyed everything about this one – don’t miss it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Sweet as Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand

REVIEW: Sweet as Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Lily, Poppy, and Rose Christner have been raised by their Aunt Bitsy since their mother and father died. Bitsy’s a little unusual for an Amish woman, but she has done well by her nieces. They have built a honey bee farm on their property, and their honey and other bee products take care of their family.

Dan Kanagy is back in town after two years in Pennsylvania. He went to learn more about raising cattle to help on his family farm. His parents hoped he might find a wife there, but no luck. He has always been in love with Lily Christner.

Lily can’t believe that mean Dan Kanagy is back in town. He made fun of her braces and thick glasses when they were in school together. His nicknames for her always hurt so much. Thankfully, Paul Glick has always pulled her away from the teasing and been her one true friend. He seems to be talking a lot about their “future.” But Dan’s arrival leaves Lily’s feelings very confused.

Review

The author has launched a new series – the Petersheim Brothers – and I ADORED the first book, Andrew (Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥). While I was waiting for book 2 (Abraham, out now), I decided to try one of her other books to see if I enjoyed more of the author’s work than just that one title. I read this in a day, and I loved it. In fact, when I finished it, I gave it back to the library and bought the whole three-book series for myself.

The characters are my favorite part of this series, although the story is terrific. I fell in love with all three of the Christner girls – responsible Lily, spunky Poppy, and wary yet sweet Rose. And their Aunt Bitsy is delightful. Dan is terrific – although his cluelessness is cringe-worthy. I kept watching him screw up this relationship with Lily because he has NO idea his nicknames and teasing tear her apart.

Lily’s boyfriend shows a lot of examples of gaslighting. The more strict parts of the Amish life and community reinforced the awful things he said to her. My heart broke for Lily as she accepted his manipulation as her due, and I was quite vocal about my dislike of that man as I read. But I especially loved that Lily worked out her own issues. No one rescued her. In fact, when someone tried, it caused even more trouble. This was something she had to do for herself.

I enjoyed the second book in the series, A Bee in Her Bonnet (Rating: ♥♥♥♥½), and I read book three, Like a Bee to Honey, in a day (Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥). I highly recommend this series as well as the Petersheim Brothers series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

BONUS REVIEW: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Nina Hill is quite content with her bookish life, thank you very much. She works at a bookstore, and runs their kids’ book clubs. She attends her own book club and store author events. She is very attached to her planner and her quiet routines. Add in her trivia team – Book ‘Em, Danno – and what more could she possibly need?

Certainly not the good looking guy from her rival quiz team You’re a Quizzard, Harry. He might be handsome and all, but he seems to only know useless sports trivia. Sure, that horse racing fact came in handy for the Quizzards, but if she was going to date a guy, he had to be a reader.

Nina also does NOT need the drama of discovering her birth father. She’s lived almost thirty years without him, and now that he’s dead, what more could he provide?

But the man had a family – and money. Nina’s new siblings and extended family want to meet her, and some want to keep her from any part of the estate. An estate she couldn’t care less about.

Life was so much simpler when it was just Nina, her cat and her quiet bookish life!

Review

I’m sure my husband was tired of me reading passages to him every couple pages, but the writing here is clever and snappy. I adored it! This falls into a narrow category of the “perfect” book for me. I loved the characters. The writing is sharp. I laughed often; the book and pop culture references were fantastic! I didn’t want to put the book down, but at the same time I didn’t want it to end.

Nina is a hoot! She’s crazy smart, witty and quirky. I clicked with her book love – of course – and her organized approach to life. She’s a cat person. She has made the best out of a non-traditional upbringing. I adored her. Add in two awesome kid characters – Clare and Millie – and a couple of Nina’s new relatives, and I was in awesome-character heaven. Even the most abrasive character was a favorite by the end.

I expected Nina’s anxiety over this new family to make that part of the story awkward and angsty, but it was actually my favorite part of the book.  The romantic storyline was good, but the family piece was outstanding! I read this from the library, but this is now a must-buy for me. And I loved the writing in this from the first sentence, so I’ll be checking out the author’s other work asap. (Mostly off-page sex. Includes discussion questions for book groups.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++

REVIEW: How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

REVIEW: How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Workman Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

This is something of a how-to book for parents, grandparents, teachers and other caregivers eager to help kids connect with books. The book is broken into sections by the age of the child – baby, toddler, emerging and independent readers, middle grade, and teen. The whole book is a celebration of connecting around books, reading and investing in kids.

The authors are down to earth and speak truth about everything from how hard it is to raise a reader if you aren’t a reader to how hard it truly is to learn to read. It’s a skill that can take until a child is 7 to naturally develop. They answer questions like, “Why would I read to a baby who can’t understand the words?” or “Why are there no brown kids in my favorite childhood books?” They also address the anxiety adults face about when their kids might start reading, differences in kids’ readiness in the same family, concerns about middle grade readers reading young adult material, etc.

Each chapter is full of tons of information. The baby chapter, for example, sings the praises of board books. The size and heavy pages are great for small hands. They stand up to older baby and toddler antics like chewing or throwing better than 8×8 paperbacks or larger picture books. Then the authors give some feedback on things to be wary of with babies and books. And finally they have a good-sized list of recommendations.

Other topics include: reading out loud, the joy of libraries, when to get outside help for your reader, when teens take a reading break, reading on devices, graphic novels, the post-Harry Potter slump, etc.

Review

I cannot rave about this book enough! The structure and organization is perfect. Parents can go straight to the stage they are in and get practical advice right away. The tone is conversational. You could easily read this from start to finish and flag your favorite books and underline the principles you love. It won’t feel like reading a bossy parenting book.

The authors are honest about their own experiences raising readers – it wasn’t perfect. They don’t shy away from questions about things like cringe-worthy classics in the 21st century or the range of ages when reading clicks for kids.

There are TONS of recommendations in this, both by age and by other categories in the final chapter. This is a resource parents can use as they plan and execute actions to help their kids embrace reading and books. Older kids might use the recommendation lists to find ideas for things they want to read next. This would work for grandparents and others who love to buy books for kids and need good recommendations. This can also be helpful if you have well-meaning folks in your life who need proof that it’s okay that your 6 year old is still learning to read. This would also be a fantastic resource for teachers, principals and other educational professionals, both as a resource for their work, but also as a resource to share with teachers and families. I highly recommend this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++

REVIEW: The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole

REVIEW: The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole

Posted on by Jaymie

A Princess in Theory

A grad school student doesn’t have time for scam emails telling her she’s betrothed to an African prince. But what if they aren’t a scam? Prince Thabiso has a chance to get to know Naledi thanks to a case of mistaken identity. And he likes what he learns. But there may be too much history between them and their families – not to mention his failure to tell her his true identity at first – for a relationship to work.

I loved this story! In some ways, it was typical with the secret identity which you know will come out and risk everything. But the characters were fresh and the science/disease piece of the story was fascinating. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

A Duke by Default

Naledi’s best friend Portia has secured an internship with a sword maker in Scotland, but he’s abrasive and pushes her away every chance he gets. He doesn’t want her help for his armory. And he doesn’t want her to find out he’s the son of a duke! But Portia might turn out to be exactly what Tav needs – for his business AND his personal life.

I loved Portia! She’s really trying to do some work on her personality, and I loved ALL of it! It left me wanting more. My favorite of the three full-length books in the series. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Novella)

Likotsi was in America while her boss, Prince Thabiso was wooing Naledi. And she enjoyed a romance of her own while there thanks to a dating app. But it didn’t last, and Likotsi left, brokenhearted. Now she’s back in New York, so of course she runs smack into the woman who broke her heart. Will the second meeting give them another chance at love or only more heartache?

This is the only piece in the series that I have not read yet.

 

Can’t Escape Love (Novella)

Portia’s younger sister, Regina, is a force to be reckoned with – both in life and in business. But the stress of her media enterprise is leaving her sleepless and exhausted. In the past, she had a live-streamer to listen to. His voice always soothed her and helped her sleep. But his archive has been deleted. If she can track him down, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get his voice back into her life. But she might discover the PERSON behind the voice is even better for her than the voice alone ever was.

Definitely read this one after A Duke by Default so you can avoid important spoilers. This is my favorite couple in the whole series. I absolutely adored this story and these characters. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

A Prince on Paper

Naledi’s cousin Nya has been trying to shake off the trauma of her past and her controlling father. And a fake relationship with the step-prince of Liechtienbourg makes for the perfect distraction. But Nya’s past continues to stalk her, and Johan needs more help than just a fake fiancée. Their tenuous friendship might not survive their “engagement.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the psychological aspects to these particular characters, and really to the series as a whole.  There’s great character development (in every book) and the reader really gets to see where personal issues impact the romantic relationships. This one did not follow the same pattern as the first two full-length stories in the series, which I enjoyed – this felt fresh. (Language, sex, LGBTQ+ characters)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Millenneagram by Hannah Paasch

REVIEW: Millenneagram by Hannah Paasch

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

Millenneagram seeks to take the rich history of the Enneagram and give it some fresh terminology and set it free from some of the spiritual connotations that might alienate those who would otherwise embrace it. It hopes to help folks see themselves in a new light, pursue some healthier behaviors, and embrace the best parts of their type.

This is a drink and some appetizers at your favorite bar with that one friend who geeks out over the Enneagram and doesn’t sugar coat her observations about your life. No, the author isn’t an 8. She’s a fiery 4 who understands uniqueness, and encourages readers to embrace their own.

If you flinch when you come across profanity online or in a book, this is NOT your Enneagram resource. Profanity abounds and you can find an f-bomb on almost every page. It’s okay if that’s not your vibe. There are lots of other resources you can try. The author herself recommends The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Riso/Hudson and The Complete Enneagram by Chestnut as well as others.

This IS the resource for folks who want straight talk and contemporary examples about the Enneagram. Each chapter that focuses on a type includes a story, a general description, a survival story (where these traits come from), discussion of wings and variants, advice for others as they relate to this type, and direct talk to those who claim that type as their own. The bottom line for the author is this: learn your patterns and parent yourself to the healthiest expression of that you can get to. And I love that!

One of my favorite statements she makes multiple times is “You are the point of you.” The author obviously has vast relationships with people of each type. I felt her love for every one of them throughout the book. She wants the best for them. She wants each type – each person – to live in THIS moment, loving and accepting who they are and knowing they are worth whatever work is necessary to be at their best and healthiest. And she pulls no punches when she spells out what that might look like and what it will entail to get there.

While I have enjoyed a variety of resources on the Enneagram, this one stands on its own. The tone is unlike any other resource I have read. It’s a mash up of love and empowerment with a side of in-your-face truth. And I loved all of it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik

REVIEW: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ada Von Hasenberg has been on the run for two years from her father and an arranged marriage. As one of the younger kids in one of the High Houses, Ada would be most useful to her family in a political match. Then she could broker deals between the families – and spy on her in-laws. Once she ran, though, her father put a bounty on her head. She’s been captured and thrown into a cell to catch a transport home.

Marcus Loch is the prisoner sharing Ada’s cell. He’s also known as the Devil of Fornax Zero. He’s wanted for killing his superior officers and fellow soldiers. His bounty is almost as high as Ada’s. He’s a dangerous man – but he just might be exactly what Ada needs to escape.

As Ada is developing and discarding possible escape scenarios, her not-quite-fiancé, Richard Rockhurst, shows up, saying Ada’s father sent him to pick her up. Now, Ada’s been in hiding for two years, but she keeps up with the news and is in touch with her siblings. So she knows nothing has changed that would make that story remotely true. If Richard gets his hands on her, Ada and her family could be in trouble. If she takes her chances on Loch to help her escape, she could be aligning with a murderer. But she already knows she can’t go with Richard if she wants any sort of life on her own terms.

Review

This was spectacular! In my search for another series like Gini Koch’s Alien books, I have finally been successful. This has a similar combination of a science fiction story with a kick-butt protagonist and a romance with terrific chemistry. And I loved it. This could end up being my favorite book of 2019. It certainly is my favorite so far this year.

The plot is pretty simple. Ada and Loch go from capture to escape to capture to escape – one or both of them – with some regularity. In this way it is significantly different from Koch’s intricate, twisty plotting. But I enjoyed Ada so much, I was willing to follow her anywhere, even into captivity once again.

The political pieces of this world were fascinating. Three rival houses control the system, and their distrust and competition with one another usually helps keep everyone in check. But something threatens that tenuous balance. And no matter what has happened before, Ada is still committed to protecting her family (mostly for the sake of her siblings).

I have lots of questions moving forward. I want to know more about Ada’s siblings. I’m curious to see where things go after the closing events of this book. One character who drove some of Ada’s choices at one point completely disappeared in the later portions of this book – will he be a factor later? Thankfully, book 2 is scheduled to arrive in October of this year, so I don’t have to wait long. (Aurora Blazing – told from the perspective of one of Ada’s sisters! I have already pre-ordered this one.)

If you enjoy your science fiction with a strong female protagonist, be sure to check out Polaris Rising. I originally read this one from the library, but the minute I finished the book, I ordered my own copy. This is a re-read for me for sure! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Murder Once Removed by S. C. Perkins

REVIEW: Murder Once Removed by S. C. Perkins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Gus Halloran hired Lucy Lancaster of Ancestry Investigations to look into his family history. One of the most significant pieces of his family lore was a story about the death of his great-great-grandfather Seth. Lucy found proof that Seth had been murdered rather than accidentally trampled by horses. And she even found out a few facts about who planned the murder – a man with initials C. A. involved in Texas politics at the time. She narrowed the suspects to a couple men, but Gus latched onto one name – Caleb Applewhite. Caleb’s descendant, Daniel, is a U. S. Senator. And Gus’s son, Pearce, is running against him.

Lucy still wants to do some digging and find out for sure who ordered Seth’s death. But journals about the incident and the community where it happened are stolen in a burglary. And then the photographic evidence of the crime is taken – and a friend of Lucy’s is killed. Now Lucy is racing against a murderer to see who can get to the truth first.

Review

This was outstanding! The characters, the setting, the mystery, the writing. All of it was perfect!

I loved Lucy, but the whole cast is terrific. It’s big enough for some fun, interesting interactions, but not so large you can’t keep track of everyone. I enjoyed the diversity and the culture pieces with the Mexican restaurant and Lucy’s community. And the work set up with her friends – and their interesting jobs – was unique and I loved it. I never felt like I was reading something I’ve read a hundred times before. I read a lot of cozy mysteries – and this one stands out from the crowd.

The mysteries were fantastic. You have the 150 year old murder and then the contemporary one. Both were fascinating. I loved how all the pieces came together! Any nuanced genealogical tidbit was clearly explained without long technical details. And the cases twisted in on themselves in fantastic, clever ways.

The voice of this is a delight. Lucy is funny! Her banter with the FBI agent who’s driving her crazy was so fun. Several fun details – like the cat NPH – added to the overall enjoyment of a truly great story. I can’t recommend this highly enough!!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++