Dead Woman Crossing
(Detective Kimberley King #1)
by J.R. Adler

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Kimberley looked down, noting everything she had in tow— a diaper bag, a stroller, a tote bag, a backpack and Jessica. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I think it takes a caravan of random products.”

In a small town like Dead Woman Crossing, gossip was like an airborne virus. Difficult to contain and easily transmitted. They were all infected.

Henry Colton is a dickwad. His name stuck out like a mule in a dress…

There weren’t any murders after that. He went inactive, as many serial killers do, as if taking lives was their job and they needed time off.

My Review:

Oklahoma is one of those states that doesn’t really stand out to most Americans. Nothing much has sprouted from there other than crops, oil, idiot politicians, a few country and western singers, and hmm… me. Other than an old Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and being able to hum a bit of the State song, most people draw a blank at the mention. With that in mind, color me stunned and outright startled when I noticed the main character was not only leaving her job as a detective at NYPD to start a more low-key career as a Chief Deputy near the old family manse but would be working in the very same tiny inbreed rural hamlet of my youth. Oh, my! What a surprise!

The author accurately captured the disconcerting small-town flavor down to the time-warped narrow-minded bigotry and misogyny, down to the very nub of hypocritical arrogance, condoned corruption and nepotism, domestic violence, and female boredom; and also reinforced my smugness at the brilliant decision to move far, far away. While I didn’t find it an enjoyable experience to reside there, as despite the old cliche – it wasn’t even a good place to be from, the breadbasket/short-grass country provided the perfect backdrop for Ms. Adler’s active and suspenseful murder mystery.

I do loves me a kick-ass heroine and I adored Kimberly King as well as her brilliant office genie and my new favorite grandmotherly octogenarian, Barbara. Kimberly held her own and doled out her own brand of sass while doing so. The writing was easy to follow with welcome hits of wry humor mixed in with insightful observations and perceptive character descriptions and depictions. I will be eagerly watching to see what and whom Chief Deputy King stirs up next.

The Mistress
by Jill Childs

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“Scoop up your poop, take responsibility for your actions, and control yourself.” Rowan glanced at Tara and her lips twitched. “Good advice for pet ownership as well as life.”

Spring’s the season of new beginnings, after all. Besides, we all survived an Adirondack winter and fifty-seven snow days. I want to celebrate any chance to get my clothes off.

Patty has mellowed over the years, but she’s a bit like medicine, better in small doses.

Like my sainted grandmother used to say, you can’t sew buttons on your neighbor’s mouth, although, in Patty’s case, I wish I could.

My Review:

This was a gentle, slowly evolving, and sweet story with generous servings of humor, personal angst, family drama, small-town life, and attempts at a new romance while widowed and living that small-town life – which certainly isn’t easy. I markedly enjoyed the characters as they each brought something uniquely appealing and different to the story. Ms. Gilroy’s writing style was easy to follow and pleasantly engaging and lazily pulled me in bit by bit as I grew familiar with these likable and hard-working characters and their individual traits. I covet their communal wishing tree as well as the exceptional treasure of knowing Mrs. Kathleen Byrne and look forward to a return trip for the remaining sister’s tale. I also learned a new term, as I needed to consult Mr. Google for a full explanation of the widowhood effect.

The Aussie Next Door
(Patterson’s Bluff #1)
by Stefanie London 

Jace Walters has never wanted much––except a bathroom he didn’t have to share. The last cookie all to himself. And solitude. But when you grow up in a family of seven, you can kiss those things goodbye. He’s finally living alone and working on his syndicated comic strip in privacy. Sure, his American neighbor is distractingly sexy and annoyingly nosy, but she’ll be gone in a few months…

Except now she’s determined to find her perfect match by checking out every eligible male in the town, and her choices are even more distracting. He doesn’t want to, but he’s going to have to intervene and help her if he ever hopes to get back to his quiet life.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Jace’s -brother was the kind of guy who seemed immune to worrying too much about his relationships— which had less staying power than the latest viral cat video. Along with his famous charm, Trent had the attention span of a goldfish, hence why their eldest brother, Adam, called him the One-Month Wonder.

 His elderly neighbor, Mrs. Marsh, had stood on his doorstep, still wearing her nightgown and slippers, her hair wrapped in a silk scarf and Truffle on a leash… Mrs. Marsh said she’d found Truffle humping her beloved beagle, Archer. Or, in her words, bringing “the devil” into her home.

Please never have children, Nick. We’ll find them lined +up in the backyard getting their nightly hose-down instead of having a shower.

 “I had to make sure you weren’t an ax murderer.” “As opposed to some other type of murderer? Would it be less of an issue if I didn’t use an ax?”

My Review:

This was an enjoyable and amusing story with an interesting premise but also deftly handled some perplexing real-life issues with sensitivity and thoughtful insights in an entertaining and agile manner. Both main characters were endearing and likable while riddled with idiosyncrasies and unique personal challenges that required accommodation and understanding.   I adored and admired them both well before reaching that well deserved HEA.

As the snowflakes fall, new love blossoms…

When teacher Florence Ashton receives a surprise inheritance, she decides to make the life-changing decision to up sticks to the charming town of Willowbury in Somerset. With a new house and a new job, she’s too busy putting down roots to think about love.

Air Ambulance pilot Sam Ellis is definitely not looking for romance either, especially not on his doorstep. When Florence, his new neighbor, complains about his noisy housemate, he feels more cross than star-crossed. 

But as the nights draw in and both find themselves thrown together in Willowbury’s seasonal drama production, will they overcome their differences and allow a little bit of winter magic to fall along with the snow? And what secrets will be revealed by the box of memories Florence finds in the attic at Bay Tree Terrace?

Let Fay Keenan transport you to the perfect country winter wonderland, with roaring fires, spectacular scenery, and unforgettable characters.  Perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Fern Britton, and Katie Fforde.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Sam needs a third party to interpret for him on occasion, he’s that emotionally constipated.

Wandering into the kitchen, he saw Aidan emptying the dishwasher… ‘Don’t remember you ever doing that when I lived here all the time.’ ‘That’s because you did it all for me,’ Aidan grinned. ‘Why own a dog and bark yourself?’

My Review:

This was a light, sweet, and slowly evolving romance with relevant, relatable, and current issues. The writing style and storylines were original and easy to follow and cast with characters who were likable, hardworking, and endearing. Toss in a production of the Bard, a few tasty servings of sizzle, and mix in meddling friends and family and the end result is a light and entertaining diversion.

The Last Charm
by Ella Allbright / Nikki Moore

A moving and heartwarming love story perfect for fans of Me Before You and One Day in December…

Leila’s charm bracelet tells a story of love, a story of loss, a story of hope.

This is the story of her … and the story of Jake.

When Leila Jones loses her precious charm bracelet and a stranger finds it, she has to tell the story of how she got the charms to prove she’s the owner. Each and every one is a precious memory of her life with Jake.

So Leila starts at the beginning, recounting the charms and experiences that have led her to the present. A present she never could have expected when she met Jake nearly twenty years ago…

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

‘Along with my dad, my grandad taught me about the kind of person I want to be… Someone who can look at themselves in the mirror and be proud. Someone,’ I finish, my voice echoing through the church, ‘who makes the people around them better just for knowing them. That’s what he gave me,’ I say in a fierce voice. ‘That’s who he was. I’ll miss him, but he’ll still be with us all, because every time one of us does something good that we can be proud of, and every time we look in the mirror and feel it, he’ll be there.’

My Review:

I am ruined – Nikki Moore broke me and turned me inside out more than once. This crafty author hit all the feels, several times each and with a poignancy that still stings my eyes and constricts my throat when I consider how the events were staged. Ms. Moore’s character development was nothing short of phenomenal with a full cast of oddly compelling and uniquely damaged individuals.   I never fully joined team Leila as she was an immature and self-absorbed prickly pear who was often overflowing with resentment; prone to stubborn, impulsive, and hypersensitive behaviors; and was rather horrid, petty, and harsh in her treatment of the lovely Jake.   Jake had numerous challenges of his own and was undeserving of her vile comments and wrath, yet he accepted her abuse as he had his horrific childhood. Jake’s storylines were tragic so, of course, I adored him!

The writing was emotive and left a deep bruise on my coronary muscle. Despite her rather prolific career with words, this was my first exposure to the agile scribblings and emotive storytelling of Nikki Moore/Ella Allbright, and while I was conflicted most of the way through and eager to administer a few well-primed pinches to the bratty main character, I would not have been able to walk away from this complex and maddeningly paced tale had my hair been on fire.

Amazon / B&N / GP/ Apple  / Audible 

The Perfect Hideaway
(Full Bloom Farm #3)
by Alys Murray

The Saturday Morning Park Run
by Jules Wake

This is the story of two women.
One old, one young.
One looking for new adventures. One looking for a purpose.
Both needing a friend.

And this is how, along with two little girls in need of a family, a gorgeous stranger, and a scruffy dog, they bring the whole community together every Saturday morning for love, laughter and a little bit of running…(well, power walking).

Some people come into your life when you need them the most.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

What did you say your name was again? That’s the downside to being old: butterfly brain. By the time you get to my age, it’s so full of stuff, I lose things in there.

‘Yes, although Frank – he was number three– wasn’t official; we never married but everyone thought we were, until his wife turned up at the funeral. Was a surprise to me too.’ Her greying eyebrows beetled up to her hairline in exaggerated horror.

‘I’ll wear my best tracksuit. The white one with the red gofaster stripes down the side… I save it for special occasions.’ I bit my lips trying to suppress a giggle as my mind goggled at what sort of special occasion merited an Adidas-style tracksuit.

‘Penny is lucky enough to live next door to me, where I bring light and sunshine into her life.’ Penny laughed and put her arm around her friend.‘ Is that what they call it? Plenty of gin, I’d say.’

I forced my legs to go a little faster, I was going to overtake him. I think my head must have been flooded with hallucinogenic endorphins because the Chariots of Fire music was playing in my head and every competitive bone in my body had suddenly sat up and taken notice.

My Review:

This was a fun and entertaining women’s fiction story with large chunks of family drama and a little bit of romance. The Saturday Morning Park Run was my second taste of Jules Wake’s clever word skills and will be back for more as she is a gifted storyteller. I found her writing style to be lively and engaging while her descriptions are vibrant and amusing while covering all the senses. The story was slowly developing and shrewdly plotted with lashings of humor and profound insights and observations. I adored it and have added her entire listing to my TBR.

I addition to providing me with pleasing and clever amusement, Ms. Wake added to my Brit Words and Phrases list with chanced his arm – which means to do something risky. I can’t wait to use it on my Brit friends.