Lady Avely's Guide to Truth and Magic by Rosalie Oaks

This is a really cute book and I am going to figure out how to read the other series that Oaks has. I was a little annoyed at some of the capitalization in this book and can't figure out why because I haven't minded it in other books. I am also not a fan of time skips but that only happened in the first half of this book and I was very relieved. 

Judith Avely has only recently been given the rank of marchioness for her husband's service to the crown. Unfortunately, after his death, she also discovered something else about him and she is returning to Sargenet, the estate of the Duke of Sargen, to try to heal that secret. Being able to use her new title will work to her advantage as she doesn't want anyone to know who she is. 

The first night at the inn, she not only encounters a vampiri, she also sees, and is seen by, the Duke. It seems that he is recently returned after nine years abroad to deal with the rumors of a haunting on his estate and the death of a footman. He could use her Gift of Discernment (being able to hear a lie) to help ferret out the truth of what has been going on while he is gone. 

I loved the lay out of the main characters but thought we could have learned more about some of the side characters, especially the ones that come into play at the end of the book. It is hard to do when there are so many characters that we will probably see in future books so Oaks was trying to paint them all equally. 

Matronly Misadventures #1

Four stars

This book came out February 16, 2024

Followed by Lady Avely's Guide to Lies and Charms

ARC kindly provided by Parkerville Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz

Isabel Wainwright has just been fired. She worked for a dream lab as a Level 5 extreme dream analysis. Her former boss had postulated that there were five levels of dreaming with very few people who are able to reach the fifth level. So far, Isabel is the only analyst they know of. There is an unnamed government agency who has been using Level Five dreamers to solve particularly nasty crimes. Isabel then interprets their more enigmatic dreams.

But her boss has died and his son fires Isabel. She is frantic since she just spent a lot of money on some very expensive furniture. Eventually she ends up asking her sister's husband, who runs a motivational center, for a job as one of his teachers.
The romance aspect comes in to play when one of Isabel's client, Ellis Cutler, who she had privately dubbed as "Dream Man," finds her and tries to draw her into the unnamed government agency. But he's not the only one who wants her expertise. There's someone else who is willing to kill to make sure Isabel doesn't leave with Ellis.

Four stars

This book came out September 30, 2004

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace

Jo Jones has had a very fraught couple of years. Her much-older husband sold their publishing company out from under her for a pittance and then divorced her. Right as that was happening her mother died. On the Monday before this book starts, she finds out that she's inherited an estate in England from her mother and the book opens with her arriving there with her solicitor, Rupert Selkirk. It's just unfortunate that the next person she meets, Sid Randles, the caretaker of her livable cottage, is such an unpleasant jerk. He even leaves a lawn mower running and seems to be the obvious suspect when a painting goes missing from a previously locked room. 

It is the painting that Jo focuses on during this story even though Sid turns up dead in her cottage. And it's very refreshing to see an amateur sleuth sort of staying in her own lane. 

This was a really nice read about an autistic main character. The author didn't avoid the dread love (interest) triangle but I think this is going to be the start of a series with characters I really enjoy. 

Four stars

This book comes out February 13, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Murder at Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose

Charlotte Sloane is coming up against the secret of her former life in a big way in this novel. In the last book of the series, she admitted her past to the Earl of Wrexford. But a young gentleman's death, presumably by his three-minutes-younger brother, will pull her into the spotlight.

Both of the young men in question were deeply involved in the scientific community but the twin who was killed was working on some particularly gruesome experiments that may also have led to his death. Of course, it might also be related to gambling debts. But whatever it is, Charlotte is determined to solve the murder, even if it means returning to a world she thought she had completely turned her back on.

I really liked this mystery and the fact that it moved Charlotte's character forward. We are getting to see both Raven and Hawk grow into their own. Wrexford may not have had as much to do in this book but his relationship with Charlotte is growing at a nice speed.

Wrexford & Sloane #3

Four stars

This book came out September 24, 2019

Follows Murder at Half Moon Gate

Followed by Murder at Queen's Landing

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

My Murder by Katie Williams

I saw this on the Books We Love list for 2023 and thought it looked interesting. We meet Lou who is a clone but who has all the memories of her previous body. As you can imagine, there is some dysmorphia over whether she really is "her" and some exploration of what it means to be yourself.

With four other women, Lou was brought back by the Replication Committee. All five of them were killed by a serial killer whose name is now famous and he is in prison. They are all trying to figure out what it means to have been brought back with all of their memories, with their same faces, but with a gap missing of what actually happened at the end (ascribed to trauma.)

Lou is having problems since the daughter who she wasn't even sure about before she died certainly wants nothing to do with her now that she has returned. She's also struggling in her job which seems to be virtual cuddling (human touch in a virtual age.)

A really interesting book that was a little disturbing a points but overall an interesting read. 

Four stars
This book came out June 6, 2023

Borrowed as hard copy from Library

Opinions are my own

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

I read the first book by Stevenson, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, and enjoyed it. There was some verbal trickery that I didn't quite agree with but still, a fun book. Having read that book made this one more enjoyable and so did expecting that the author would toy with the readers expectations.

Ernest Cunningham returns as the first person narrator. He's been asked to come along as the debut writer on the Australian Mystery Writer's Society's fiftieth anniversary of their Festival. Along with five other writers, he will be doing a series of panels for a select group. 

Also on the train is his girlfriend, Juliette, and his literary agent, Simone Morrison, as well as any number of other characters. Ernest is not excited to see Simone as he is late on delivering his next book, the one he has already gotten an advance for. It's just too bad because he just doesn't have a brain for fiction. So it's with mixed emotions that Ernest realizes that a death along their journey may not be entirely natural. He decides that he is going to investigate, all while writing his next book (the one we are reading) while adhering to the rules he lists at the beginning of the book. 

As in the first book, Ernest drops clues as to who the murderer will end up being. Also like the first book, many of those clues were deft red herrings. It made it a little hard to read and some of the story felt a little thin but it was overall a very nice read and I'm hoping that the epilogue is a hint to how the next book in the series will be rolled out. 

Four stars

This book comes out January 30, 2024
Follows Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone

ARC kindly provided by Mariner Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

I didn't realize this was a collection of short stories. Or that this was such a short book. It is still utterly delightful. I'm wondering where they were published before because I had read one of them.

All of the stories center on Maud. She has lived in the same apartment for over seventy years. After her father died, it was the only thing of value the family owned. The building was sold but her apartment was kept for as long as she, or her mother, or her sister, lived. Maud is the only one left but she still lives in that apartment. She travels at least once a year but always returns. Her life has been filled with disappointments but lately she has taken to killing the people that she sees as a threat.

Four stars

This book came out January 1, 2013

Followed by An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

I've read all of Hallett's other books and really enjoy her format of a mix of various media. This book includes texting, transcription, and a What'sApp-type app. Supposedly, the reader has opened a safe box with printouts of all of this communication. The story mainly revolves around Amanda Bailey, an author who is focusing on a case that is about eighteen years old, that of a cult whose leader is in jail for killing two people. They also kidnapped a baby who will be turning eighteen this year and a new book could focus around their experiences and the life they now live.

As with Hallett's previous stories, there are layers upon layers and red herrings abound. It got a little too complicated for me in parts but it was overall a lovely read.

Four stars

This book comes out January 23, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Atria Books and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Random in Death by J. D. Robb

A young girl is attending an under 21 concert at a local club. Someone elbows her harshly, but it's the needle stick masked by the movement that kills her. She ends up dying in the arms of the lead singer.

In the way of things in the "In Death" books, that lead singer is Jake, amour of Eve Dallas's friend, Nadine. He is able to get ahold of Eve so that she becomes entwined in the story. The bigger problem of this story that this girl is only the first. Someone out there is targeting teens but there is no discernible connection between the victims. 

It will be up to Dallas and Peabody to figure out what is going on before the killer takes any more lives.

This is one of the Dallas stories where we see the point of view of the killer so we know a little more than Dallas does. There are also a number of characters from past stories and they are becoming more and more entwined as the Dallas stories go on. A few too many people (felt like some were shoehorned in) but a solid addition to the In Death series.

In Death #58

Four stars

This book comes out January 23, 2024

Follows Payback in Death

Followed by Passions in Death

ARC kindly provided by Macmillan and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Libby February 2024

Through the Wilderness by Brad Orsted

I sort of peripherally know the author having worked with his ex-wife and was curious about the book. I knew a little bit about their story (that they had a child who had died) but didn't know the whys and wherefores. And that story is enough to bring anyone to their knees.

Orsted talks through his life with a bit of a description of his childhood through meeting his wife and kids, his daughter's birth, and death. Interspersed with these stories are his life after it changes irrevocably. He moves to Montana, on the border of Yellowstone National Park. 

More and more studies are showing the healing powers of being in nature and Orsted is certainly proof of that. His story is a hard one to read but hopeful in the end with a great look at Yellowstone and the joys of living in the wild. 

Four stars

This book came out June 27, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Can't Get Enough by G.A. Aiken

Shalin the Innocent wouldn't mind sleeping with Ailean the Wicked but doing so would set off the rampant jealousy of her princess who is obsessed with the male. So she's been sent to the human realm to protect her. 

However, Ailean sees her after a night of debauchery with another woman and he kisses her. When word gets back to the princess, Shalin is suddenly sold to a dragon in the Northlands. Ailean is irate. But he's going to get his woman. 

The origins of Bercalek. Too short but adorable. 

Four stars

Dragon Kin #0.1

This book came out September 1, 2008

Followed by A Tale of Two Dragons

Borrowed from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker very nearly declared themselves in the last book. But they were interrupted by Stoker's brother, Tiberius. After that, Veronica fled halfway around the world for six months, afraid of her feelings (whether or not she'll admit that to herself). She's barely back when Tiberius lures her to a remote island, to  a house party in a castle with promises of the larvae of a rare butterfly. Veronica knows he has ulterior motives but she's willing to do what it takes to get the butterfly. And maybe to tweak Stoker's nose a bit as she poses as Tiberius' fiancée. 

But it is even more mysterious than it first appears. Three years ago, a woman disappeared on her wedding day and the family has been in hiding ever since. This house party is their first toe into coming back into society. But a seance brings a ghost back to life and old secretes rise again.

The story was fine but the real draw for me was the growth for Veronica. A bit for Stoker as well but their story moved enough to be an enjoyable read.

Four stars

This book came out March 12, 2019

Follows A Treacherous Curse

Followed by A Murderous Relation

Opinions are my own

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown

Christopher has finally graduated. Unlike three of his four close friends, he is not going to university. He is still unsure (mostly) of what he wants to do with his life so he's going to head out into the world. Of course, that will be with his adventurous grandfather. This time, they are heading to Clearwell Castle where a friend of his grandfather's resides.

When they get there, a festival of some sort seems to be going on. One featured around Morgana. They find out that hundreds of years ago, one of the castle residents was supposed to marry a local girl (best guess on spelling) from Scouse. She disappeared before the wedding and he married and had a baby very quickly thereafter. Lo, these many years later, the mayor of the neighboring town is still using this as a platform to be elected. 

But there are more current matters to be concerned with as a local man has recently died under semi-suspicious and another person dies while Christopher and his grandfather are there.

This series is absolutely great in that we have an experienced detective along with the inexperienced amateur. Plus, Christopher isn't just immediately an awesome investigator, instead, he is learning the ropes.

Four stars

This book came out September 20, 2022

Follows The Curious Case of the Templeton Swift

Followed by The Snows of Weston Moor

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Cursed Princess Club Vol. 2 by LambCat

Though her friends and family see the beauty within Gwen, she is still having trouble seeing it herself. It is showing up in the cracks that she sees when she looks in the mirror. But there is a new man in her life, a portrait artist who is bored by the regular beauty he sees in the world. In Gwen, he has found a new muse and a flavor of beauty that sates his jaded palate. 

At the same time, the pastel king has finally allowed his princesses a bit more freedom. They can go on dates with their fiances from the plaid kingdom. But does Frederick still want to be engaged? He isn't sure but he doesn't want to give up. 

The Cursed Princess Club is dealing with a lot. They were sure that Gwen wasn't cursed but, after looking at her family portrait, they aren't so sure as they once were. Oh, and Nell's had a premonition that one of them will die before the new moon passes. 

Four stars

This book comes out July 4, 2023

Follows Vol. 2

ARC kindly provided WEBTOON Unscrolled and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Murder on Milverton Square by G.B. Ralph

I can't remember why I picked this book up but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. There wacere some parts where my suspension of disbelief was stretched a bit thin but I am definitely looking forward to the second book in the series as I really enjoyed Addison's character development. 

Addison Harper's uncle has died and left Addison something in the will. Summoned to Milverton by a rather abrupt lawyer, he at first enjoys the adventure. He's astonished to find out he'as inherited quite a large estate including Milverton Manor which looks like it hasn't been redecorated since the 60s. It's just too darn bad that the best-looking guy in town happens to be Sergeant Jake Murphy who is investigating Addison in the death of the aforementioned lawyer. 

Of course, as mysteries are wont to do, this book has the lawyer as a villainous sort who has made a number of people in town angry so the mystery is slow going in the solving department.

Four stars

This book came out November 8, 2022

Followed by Poison at Penshaw Hall

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

48 hours of listening. 48. hours. It was a very interesting read and really inclusive of all of Streisand's work which, as most of us know, is extensive. I did finish the whole book before it needed to be returned to the library but it did start to drag a bit. In an effort to include everyone she worked with, Streisand name drops everyone. Ev. Er. Y. One. So many names. A really interesting look at her life from her side and most of the stories, especially those that set her up to look like a high strung diva are shown to have been untrue. Like so many women, she was vilified to make others look good. 

Four stars

This book came out November 7, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn

We finally get to meet the elusive Caroline, the woman who done Stoker wrong. And with his best friend. Whom she then married. Who is now missing. Who is accused of stealing a valuable diadem from an Egyptian dig site. And Stoker and Veronica have been asked to investigate. Of course, Veronica is ready to charge toward danger and drag Stoker behind with her.

A lovely addition to the series. We get a great peek into Stoker's past and a bit of an explanation as to how his character has been built.

Four stars

This book came out January 16, 2018

Follows A Perilous Undertaking

Followed by A Dangerous Collaboration

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

For those of us who have seen Britney's Instagram, we can tell that this book has been heavily (HEAVILY) edited. Or the ghostwriter was really good at pulling together a coherent narrative from fractured stories. But it is an interesting glimpse into the life of a woman who, the world is slowly discovering, was done wrong by almost everyone around her. While she may not be completely on her feet, that is probably not completely her fault and what happened to her is given context by what was going on in her own mind versus the narrative being built by people who only wanted to make money off of her. We get stories from Star Search, the Mickey Mouse Club years, her marriages, some of her dating life, and her time being pregnant. Getting to see behind the curtain makes her so much more relatable.

Four stars

This book came out October 24, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden

If you had the chance to go back to major life moments and make different choices, would you do it? Lolly Blanchard is about to make that exact choice. Her life changed irrevocably when her mother died. All of her own dreams were put on hold. But now her life is changing again and she's wondering whether she made the right decisions. Her aunt has the answer. Three lemon drops that, taken before she goes to bed, will let her live her life in an alternate version of her life. Lolly is skeptical... until the first night has her waking up overseas, in charge of the restaurant that she had always hoped for.

A little sappy in points but a cute read and a life lesson in how you really can shape your own decisions.

Four stars

This book came out August 2, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinion are my own

Not That Fancy by Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire has had a fantastic life. Singing, TV shows, movies, Broadway... the woman does it all and she shares some of that with her readers. The stories aren't particularly deep but they are entertaining. We get to see teh highs of her life as well as the lows. There's not a lot about her personal life, it's mostly about the professional but what is included is all positive. Definitely worth a listen.

Four stars
This book came out October 10, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own