A Vase of Mistaken Identity

A Vase of Mistaken Identity

Cathy Elliott

3 out of 5

If I would have known my publishing houses, I would have realized earlier that this is a Christian Fiction murder mystery. The book implies that it would be a cozy, with the mention of quilts, cats and tea, but I really didn’t get that feel from the book.

Thea James owns an Antique shop in a small town and when the local homeless man brings in a valuable Roseville vase with a list of women’s names on it Thea is curious, but when two of the women are either injured or missing, Thea’s investigation skills kick into full gear.

The story is quite slow moving and is centered around Thea rediscovering her faith and finding a new man then in actually moving the mystery forward. The ending seems abrupt and convoluted. Didn’t really appeal to me.

Cruel Intent

Cruel Intent

J.A. Jance

4 out of 5

Apparently this was book 4 in the Alison Reynolds series and I have missed out on some very good storylines that were a bit relevant to the telling of this story.

While Ali Reynolds is remodeling her house in Sedona, with the help of her butler Leland, Bryan Forrester, her general contractor is arrested for the brutal murder of his philandering wife. Bryan swears that no matter how bad it looks, and it’s not good, that he didn’t do it.

Of course Ali needs her house finished so she does some digging and finds out that Bryan’s wife isn’t the first person to die that was associated with singleatheart.com a dating site for married men and women.

Very good, if somewhat unrealistic ending, I recommend this book, but begin at the beginning of the series.

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea

Nancy Atherton

4 out of 5

I can not get enough of this series. I adore the characters, I adore the settings and I adore the fallibility and the deep caring that binds Lori Shepherd to her friends and family.

Lori’s rather calm life is suddenly turned upside down when death threats hit home and her and the lives of her twin 5 year old sons are threatened. Bill calls in a trusted family friend, Sir Percy Pelham and his gigantic helicopter to whiz them away while Bill stays home going through old files to see who is holding a grudge.

But life can’t be that simple for Lori, after arriving at Percy’s castle on an island off of Scotland, she begins to notice things that just do not make sense. Like why do simple sheep ranchers need satellite dishes and gourmet food in the market? What are these villagers up to and can Lori figure it out, before jumping to too many conclusions, before the true danger arrives.

Peter a character from previous books makes reappearance and it’s nice to see what he has been up to. I highly recommend this series - it’s a great breakaway from the heavier stuff in our TBR’s.

Serena

Serena

Ron Rash

5 out of 5

This book will stay with the reader in much the same was as Steinbeck holds onto you and won’t let you go.

Harsh realties abound in this stunning book when George Pemberton, the timber baron, disembarks from the train in North Carolina with his new wife Serena and are greeted by an angry father and a very pregnant young girl. What ensues sets the tone for this often brutal and very greedy look into the depression era timber industry.

Serena is no prim and proper lady, she is just as determined as any man and when she sets her sights on Pemberton, she got what she wanted even if he wasn’t so sure that it should be taken at no cost.

When Serena begins to see a person getting into her way, there is no problem tracking them down and having the problem dealt with, this isn’t just other businessmen, this is anyone. Anyone that Serena sees as a threat to her plans. A little too late Pemberton see what type of monster he has helped to create but his need for money and power allows him to turn a blind eye to the destruction of both forest and humanity.

The visuals that Rash gives you in both character and setting are truly amazing, you fall into this book and lose your own surroundings and time. He draws such a complete picture that you truly feel that you are there and that these people are real. The ending is beyond a doubt stunning and leaves you breathless and with more questions. Truly a great find and one that you will want to pass on to your friends.

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover


Linda Wisdom


4 out of 5


Jasmine Tremaine, better known as Jazz to her friends, has been banished to the use of basic witch skills for the last 400 years because of stupid rules and her inability to control her temper. So she is stuck making a semi normal living eliminating curses and limo driving for some of the less desirable ghouls that are part of her world.

Life wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for Nikolai, the rather hot vampire cop that should know better then to anger Jazz, but they just can’t keep away from each other, even though everyone knows that witches and vampires don’t mix.

Yet, after 40 years of being apart, Nick needs her help in solving a case of missing vampires and Jazz must face a horrible time in her past to help him that will either rip Jazz and Nick apart for ever or leave them to battle each other yet another day.

Very funny book with adorable characters like Norma, a ghost who can’t leave Jazz’s beloved car, and Fluff and Puff, real Bunny Slippers that seem to enjoy ripping into and eating anything within their reach but are afraid of heights.

If you can handle graphic and humor give this book a try.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R7A2KQR5JKEH4/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm


Nancy

I'm Fine with God It's Christians I Can't Stand

I’m Fine with God, It’s Christians I Can’t Stand

Bruce Bickel
Stan Jantz

5 out of 5

This wildly funny and quite informative book takes you on the journey through the 10 things that most people can’t stand about Christians. From Morality through God wants them to be Rich to the Monopoly on Truth, this book hits on reasons and explanations that has you laughing and nodding all the way through.

If you can’t take a humor with your faith, this book isn’t for you, but if you are willing to see something from a different perspective and at least acknowledge that more than one person can have an opinion then this is a great book to check out.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/RBZ6J82P76AW8/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Doctor Olaf Van Schuler's Brain

Doctor Olaf Van Schuler’s Brain

Kirsten Menger-Anderson

3 out of 5

Told in short little vignettes you are introduced to the Steenwycks, multi-generational family members that have all become doctors and explore the medicine of their times, though each seems to be bordering on mental illness you are drawn into their stories and experiments even though you realize that there is something a little off balance with all of them. From the very first Dr. Olaf Van Shuler in the 1600’s who takes home dead animals to study their brains to phrenology to hysteria to the modern day Dr. Elizabeth Steenwycks and her now desperate research into prions.

The stories bounce from one generation to the next with just a touch of the previous to let you know what direction you are going in. And thank you Kirsten Menger-Anderson for the family tree in the beginning of the book so I could keep everyone straight.

Though there are some very interesting parts of this book, it was just too dull to keep my attention. You could literally skip large parts and still be on track with the story. The wacky-far-out medical beliefs of the day were one thing, but the repetitiveness of mental illness was just too much. By the end you understand the point that the author is trying to make, but for me it just was too long in getting there.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R15PWWU184FI94/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Nancy

A Beautiful Blue Death

A Beautiful Blue Death

Charles Finch

5 out of 5

A Wonderful Atmospheric Historical Fiction

First in what is hopefully a continuing series featuring Charles Lennox, a Victoria gentleman, who has solved crimes that Scotland Yard seems to take credit for. Set in England 1865, Lenox is called by his next door neighbor and childhood friend Lady Jane Grey when Prudence Smith, Grey’s former employee, is found dead in the home of her new employer. Things just don’t add up in Jane’s mind, but Charles can figure it out, he’s clever that way.

Since Pru was found in the home of George Barnard, the current director of the Royal Mint, with a secret of his own; Lennox’s instincts are set in high gear and a wonderful who-done-it-and-why leads the reader on a brilliant journey.

A great cast of characters that leave you smirking and curious, making this an interesting addition to the Historical Fiction genre.

But the best part -- this book seems to start in the middle of the whole Charles Lennox experience with references to the past that makes you wonder exactly where Lennox came from and where Finch is going to take him. Will more of the past be explained or will Finch just leave that up to the reader’s imagination.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Mary An Shaffer and Annie Barrows

5 out of 5

This Book Will Warm Your Heart

I’m not much of a fan of reading a book because everyone else is, but if I would have skipped this one, I would have missed out on a true gem.

Juliet Ashton is awash in indecision; she has just finished a very impressive newspaper series and is looking for a new book adventure. Since WWII has just ended and everyone is still uncertain she just doesn’t know what to do. That is until she is introduced to the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and learns about their trials and fortitude while living under the ruling thumb of the Germans on Guernsey.

Told in a back and forth letter and telegram style, this book brings you the joys and tears of some truly memorable characters; people that have always lived together but truly learned to love together when an incredibly brave woman and a delightful little girl keep their spirits up during a devastating time and its aftermath.

This book will warm you heart and have you laughing out loud.

Amazon Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R33OIG43WWX8K7/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm