Review: Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun by James Dommek, Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this selection greatly. I listened to it in one sitting because I was so engrossed in the book. It brings up points that need to be discussed. What does make up a jury of peers, is one. Mental health and alcoholism are others. It is a sad tale though interesting. I don’t always enjoy narrators who are the author. In this audio selection, I did. Perhaps be the story is a true one and the narration respected that. In my opinion it was well done. I’m happy I listened to it.

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Review: Only Lies Remain

Only Lies Remain by Val Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This book! It kept me guessing. I did not see it coming. I was everywhere with who was doing what. I only put it down because I had some health issues crop up. Otherwise this would have been a sit down and read until I’m done book. Every time I had to put it down, my mind was on the book, what happened and what I thought might happen. I am planning to read it again when I’m over this medical thing so that I can read it in one sitting. The plot is twisted. I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone, even Aoife and I really liked her. I just felt like she was allowing her feelings to get in the way of believing people and what they were or weren’t doing. I’m not going to say anything else really. The book has a lot going on and you really need to discover everything yourself. I highly suggest you put this on your TBR and look for it’s release. Make sure you add it to your want to read shelf here on Goodreads so you get updated. You really don’t want to miss this one!
*The book is set in Ireland so some things may look like typos to American readers. It’s not. The author also has a very short video on Instagram where she pronounces the names that may be unfamiliar to us. I knew two of the names. The third I didn’t so I was super happy with that.
**A big thank you to the author and Goodreads for putting this book in a giveaway. I’m grateful to have won a book I greatly enjoyed. The review is voluntary and is based on my thoughts and feelings while reading and afterwards in thinking over the book.

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Review: Theater Nights Are Murder

Theater Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the fourth book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery Series. You shouldn’t read it out of order because you would miss so much fun. Actually each mystery does wrap up so you could but you really would be missing out on a lot. There is a love triangle, most likely going to wrap up, at least temporarily, soon. I have confidence in the author to not drag that on. But love is elusive and fickle at times, so who knows if Poppy’s choice works out or not? I’m leaning towards being Team Gia but, still having feelings for my first love..I wouldn’t hate if she chooses Tim. Then there is the relationship that builds with each book between Poppy, her Aunt Ginny and the Biddies. Trust me, you don’t want to miss any of that action. Every book just gets better until we arrive at this one. This book had me cry-laughing. The worst thing is I would wake in the middle of the night and start reading. I have no idea why. I know better. I know Libby Klein is going to get me in trouble. But some things are just worth it. So there I was, trying not to wake a bear, loving my kindle because you can easily read under the covers, tears streaming while I was trying not to laugh out loud. Suddenly, I hear a deep voice say a naughty word followed by which aunt? (I have a similar issue with another book aunt). I answer Aunt Ginny. After a pause, the voice, “why aren’t we listening to it? You act like she’s just your aunt.” Huh? Who knew? So I’ll be investing in the audiobook soon. Whichever form you prefer, be ready for a good time.
There is a bit more going on in this book but I loved it. The surprises, (there were a few), wrap up nicely and, I felt, enhanced the series. Libby Klein has me hooked, (apparently the bear, too). Get the book, (or the four of them), and get hooked.

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Review: Address For Murder

Address For Murder by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in Tonya Kappes new mail carrier series. I like Bernie a lot. She is 50, a single parent to an adult son and works as a mail carrier in a small town. Her husband is deceased. He cheated on her throughout the marriage. I think that alone complicates things for Bernie. She has a male friend but it has been hard for her to move on. If your thinking this is a cozy, right? Yes, it is. But it does have a romance storyline that has been as strong, in my opinion, as the mysteries. For me, it works well. Bernie is like a lot of women who find themselves single at 50 after being a couple for many years. You are dealing with a variety of feelings while navigating your new role in life. You’re still a mom, you still feel married but neither child nor husband is in the home and well meaning friends are ready for you to date. I enjoy this part of the ongoing storyline and it is this storyline that makes me recommend starting with the first book and going in order. The mystery is interesting with several obvious suspects. The trouble is, none of them seem to be the right one. I kept changing my mind! There were also some surprises. I’m not going further with that as then you wouldn’t need to read the book.
You can read it as a stand-alone if you insist. I recommend in order with Tonya Kappes books. She tends to build worlds with interesting characters, fun pets and quaint towns. You are easily invested from the start and you don’t want to miss anything. Once you open a book, you will find yourself transported, a member of her small towns. Get comfortable and enjoy the people, gossip and mystery. There is ice tea, coffee and plenty of good food. Pet the dogs and mind the cats. Life is going to be good for a few hours.

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Review: Christmas Spells: Witch Cozy Mystery

Christmas Spells: Witch Cozy Mystery by Morgana Best
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Kitchen Witch Series is one of my favorite series. The books in it never fail to lift my spirits. Christmas Spells did exactly that. I have been sick for awhile with it just worsening, which at holiday time can be so depressing. Amelia, Camino and her onesies, Alder and everyone, plus a Christmas theme, was just what I needed. The book is a quick read though, maybe it’s in part that, time flies when you’re having fun. This book has a visit from a ghost of Christmas Past needing help before the scary ghost of Christmas Future catches up. Christmas Spells is one Christmas cozy you don’t want to miss!

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Review: Snowfall at Moonglow

Snowfall at Moonglow by Deborah Garner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I look forward to reading the new Moonglow Christmas book every year. This is the fifth book. Each book does have a theme to it. So while you don’t have to read them in order, or even read all of them, I highly suggest you do. The staff at Timberton Hotel is the same year to year. The guest list has regulars and new people. They feel like family, especially if you choose to read the series. It is hard to imagine a Christmas missing any of the regulars, though it has happened. In this book we are waiting for snow..just as I am waiting for snow in real life. I am wishing hard, you have no idea. The activities, the cookie exchange, the feast, Christmas morning..everything is included to give you the Christmas you dream of. I miss Christmas with my family. The last time I was able to be home for it was six years ago. I read these books each year, adding on the new one, because while I’m reading, I’m part of it. If you just want to feel Christmas, without a bunch of commercialism, get these books and be swept away to the Christmas of your dreams.
I think I forget to mention in my reviews that cookie recipes are included in each book. I’m always amazed at all the different cookies. The recipes have a range to them from easy to complicated, (but not so complicated that you can’t do them. Just a bit more difficult for non bakers). The author has also released a wonderful cookbook this year, Sweet Treats, that also has the recipes.
I don’t usually put this in a review but if you need a gift for someone who enjoys reading, Christmas and baking, a fabulous gift would be the collection along with the recipe book. I have the books on my Kindle and I would still swoon to have them all gifted in print. Give the gift to yourself or to a reading loved one. They are truly Christmas Magic.

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Review: Possession

Possession by Gillian Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
Possession tells the story of a marriage gone bad. It starts out a bit slow. I was okay with that as I got to know and understand Anna, her family and her motivation. Once she meets Karl, the pace picks up but it becomes a difficult read due to the violence that is being done.
It is easy to be an armchair judge. I imagine a few who read this will do that. It can hard to believe that someone would chase after a spouse as Anna tells us Karl did. I imagine a few will think she is exaggerating or is paranoid. I’ve been in this situation. The one thing you can say about domestic violence is that it isn’t the same for everyone. Every situation is different in my experience. I’ve been in shelters and in therapy groups. No one exactly matched my story..or anyone else’s. I live an eight hour plane ride from my family. I’ve had people say oh enough time has passed or you live far enough away. I don’t answer. They won’t understand because they have their notion of what domestic violence is. I stayed until my youngest went to college. Judge me if you want. You weren’t the one who had divorce and protection orders thrown at them while a loaded gun was being shoved in the faces of their children finally being held to yours. You can’t say what Anna did or didn’t do was wrong or right. You weren’t there. You don’t know how crazy it can get. I hold a lot of what happened to us inside. The worst of it. I’m ashamed. I feel guilty. I suspect the same is true for Anna. The story for me, rang with honesty. If the author did not live it, she knows enough about it. If you are interested in domestic violence, read this book.
If you are in a domestic violence situation, plan carefully and do your best to get out. Seek assistance at thehotline.org, it has an emergency exit that will close the window quickly. The phone number in the States is 1−800−799−7233.

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