Murder At The Foundling Hospital is the third installment in the Tate and Bell Mystery series, and I highly recommend to also read the previous books
Murder At The Foundling Hospital is the third installment in the Tate and Bell Mystery series, and I highly recommend to also read the previous books because are all masterfully written.
This book was a little hard to read, because the victim is a young girl, killed in the safest and only place she knew, the foundling hospital. The investigation is difficult and annerving because DI Bell and the nurse Tate aren't free to roam for the building and to follow their leads for the strict rules abiding at the hospital.
I like that Gemma and Sebastian feel like they have to protect each other. I wish their relationship becomes easier, but I still adore the small gestures of appreciation and support they exchange without anyone noticing.
Irina Shapiro is really good to highlight the difficulties of the Victorian age, and to portray these pathetic and miserable characters that live only for themselves without taking into consideration the consequences of their actions.
A Secret Gift was a nice, inspiring read. The storyline and the writing was brilliant.
Joy is a young widow who works at a nursing home. A day one of h
A Secret Gift was a nice, inspiring read. The storyline and the writing was brilliant.
Joy is a young widow who works at a nursing home. A day one of her elderly residents gives het a jar of "magic" pebbles that'll change her life.
Joy was a great characters, her grief feels relatable and I wished the best for her since the beginning. I've enjoyed her adventures with the pebbles and their recipients. She understood that helping others helped herself to find the right path for her life, to find happiness and to believe she could be happy again and to start to live her life to the fullest.
I'd recommend it, plus it set on the Cornwall coast and I love there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Merged review:
A Secret Gift was a nice, inspiring read. The storyline and the writing was brilliant.
Joy is a young widow who works at a nursing home. A day one of her elderly residents gives het a jar of "magic" pebbles that'll change her life.
Joy was a great characters, her grief feels relatable and I wished the best for her since the beginning. I've enjoyed her adventures with the pebbles and their recipients. She understood that helping others helped herself to find the right path for her life, to find happiness and to believe she could be happy again and to start to live her life to the fullest.
I'd recommend it, plus it set on the Cornwall coast and I love there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Grace accepts to be the nanny of a nice little girl, she moves back to Ireland after a long time she has worked in England and Eu
I loved this novel.
Grace accepts to be the nanny of a nice little girl, she moves back to Ireland after a long time she has worked in England and Europe. When she arrives at Hollowpark Hall she is charmed by the big, historical mansion, but pretty soon she discovers there are more residents than she expected that want her help to solve a mysterious incident happened years before.
The strenghth of the story for me are the characters, they are well developped and realistically depicted, they have such a depth I could feel their emotions. They pulled on my heartstrings and they crept on my mind so much I couldn't forget them after I have closed my book. My favourite is Deirdre, she was a smart and feisty woman and she was never scared. Her life was troubled but she never left her house.
The Belladonna Maze is a pretty long story, with a lot of fascinating descriptions of the places, a plethora of characters with their own stories to tell, and a good mystery to solve. I know it could be confusing but on the contrary even the smallest thing piqued my curiousity.
The author wonderfully tied the loose ends, with some twists and shocking revelations, she skillfully intertwined the double timeline, past and present stories and characters that inhabited Hollowpark Hall are essential for the pleasure of this read.
I wished a little more involvement of the ghosts because I love my paranormal mystery as much but this is the only criticism that I can do.
Merged review:
I loved this novel.
Grace accepts to be the nanny of a nice little girl, she moves back to Ireland after a long time she has worked in England and Europe. When she arrives at Hollowpark Hall she is charmed by the big, historical mansion, but pretty soon she discovers there are more residents than she expected that want her help to solve a mysterious incident happened years before.
The strenghth of the story for me are the characters, they are well developped and realistically depicted, they have such a depth I could feel their emotions. They pulled on my heartstrings and they crept on my mind so much I couldn't forget them after I have closed my book. My favourite is Deirdre, she was a smart and feisty woman and she was never scared. Her life was troubled but she never left her house.
The Belladonna Maze is a pretty long story, with a lot of fascinating descriptions of the places, a plethora of characters with their own stories to tell, and a good mystery to solve. I know it could be confusing but on the contrary even the smallest thing piqued my curiousity.
The author wonderfully tied the loose ends, with some twists and shocking revelations, she skillfully intertwined the double timeline, past and present stories and characters that inhabited Hollowpark Hall are essential for the pleasure of this read.
I wished a little more involvement of the ghosts because I love my paranormal mystery as much but this is the only criticism that I can do.
Second Chances at the Board Game Café was an enjoyable read, filled with so many emotions and good deeds.
Jennifer Page has the talent to make me empa
Second Chances at the Board Game Café was an enjoyable read, filled with so many emotions and good deeds.
Jennifer Page has the talent to make me empathise with her characters, her writing is so warm and comforting I have a hard time to put her books down.
Taylor is a single mom, her life isn't going as she dreamt. She is stressed out because her son is bullied at school, her home is too small and she is forced to sleep on the couch, and to top it off her job isn't satisfying anymore. Fortunately she meets the best of people at The Little Board Game Café that will help her to find again her younger fire, purpose and hope.
I loved Taylor. At times I felt sorry for her, I could feel into my bones her struggles. She is really strong, but she had to learn to accept others help, because she is part of a beatiful community which leaves no one behind. Harry is just so kind and patient, but still scared to give out his heart to another woman. Fortunately with the encouragement of a sweet boy who shares the same nerdy passion for trains he finds the courage to give love another chance.
Recommended!! Now I can't wait to meet some othe characters from this special café.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Fangs for Nothing was a good, but pretty long, book. This novel has everything I like, a picturesque little village, good looking vampires, a non conv
Fangs for Nothing was a good, but pretty long, book. This novel has everything I like, a picturesque little village, good looking vampires, a non conventional book club, an intriguing mystery, and a funny, spicy and emotional storyline.
Winnie Preston is a decluttering expert who accepted a job offer from a Lord to sort out some rooms of his castle before a ball. Little she knows that the secretive Lord Alaric hides some secrets that will change her life.
The characters have an unexpeted depth. I empathized with Winnie, from start to end, her fears are relatable, also Alaric has some flaws and scars that make him more human. I loved them both, their pasts are dark and painful, and I wished they could finally have a happy and hopeful future together.
This felt like the second book in the series because there is a book about the coven ladies, but even if I was so curious about them this can still be read as a stand alone. The author wrote an epilogue that won't let you stop at this installment, I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Golden Glen is a peaceful little town, or it was until a dead body was found in a room at the local historical inn. Maiden Harlow, owner of the Harlo
Golden Glen is a peaceful little town, or it was until a dead body was found in a room at the local historical inn. Maiden Harlow, owner of the Harlow House Inn wants the cops out of her inn as soon as possible in order to save her business, so when she sees that there isn't any progress on investigations she decides to help the police arousing the antipathies of Daivid McAlister, the new Captain.
Murder Checks Inn is a very enjoyable cozy mystery, set in a lovely inn and with a cast of amusing characters. The murder mystery was engaging and well thought, but at times it seemed that the flirting and the attraction between the main characters took over. The author has made amends with the last few chapters full of revelations, twists and turn that I didn't expect.
I recommend it if you like your murder mystery with a touch of romance. I definitely don't want to miss next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
The Mongol Ascension, third book in the A Jamp In Time series, is full of action, adventure, and a teen who desperatly tries to save the World.
Dan mo
The Mongol Ascension, third book in the A Jamp In Time series, is full of action, adventure, and a teen who desperatly tries to save the World.
Dan most of the time is clueless as what to do, both as a regular teen and as a time jumper. I have to concede him that he is getting better at looking for leads to expose the villain's plan, but he is still too impulsive and hasty.
Andrew Varga has the ability to make you curious and passionate about every historical time he writes. Before opening this book I've never heard about the Mongol history, other than the name of its most famous conqueror Gengis Khan, but now I crave to learn more.
I enjoyed this story, I recommend it. You won't want to put it down once you pick it up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
The Grown Up To-Do List was a pleasant, quick read.
When Cleo meets an old high school mate, she realizes how all her friends have matured chasing the
The Grown Up To-Do List was a pleasant, quick read.
When Cleo meets an old high school mate, she realizes how all her friends have matured chasing their dreams, while she is stuck in her teen life, still living with her parents in her little coastal town, and working at the fish & chips. So she decides to change her life, becoming a responsible and independent adult. She has only a few months to show her new self to her friend, so she starts a To Do List.
I have yet to decide if I liked or didn't like Cleo. At the beginning definitely not, because she is so immature to complain about her failing life without committing to change. Then I became her cheerleader when she makes an effort to grow up, learning to not rely on others for all things and taking responsibility for her actions.
I've appreciated Jennifer Joyce writing. The story is humorous, but still thought provoking.
I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Plum Everly accepts to shoot a new reality show in France to go away from the american paparazzi and to finally show her true self. When she arrives
Plum Everly accepts to shoot a new reality show in France to go away from the american paparazzi and to finally show her true self. When she arrives in Provence she finds out that the historic residence she has to restore, Chatau Mirabelle, hides some myteries and secrets that will make her job more interesting and valuable.
I really liked Plum, she is smart, witty and fun. I despised how the show biz wants to exploit her popularity without taking into account her feelings, but I liked to see her gaining more self-awareness and self-knowledge throughout her french trip. I found the romantic aspect a bit lacking, even if Elliott is an adorable grumpy man.
Overall, Heart Restoration Project was a nice read, with an heroine desperate for proving her worth, and an enchanting landscape.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Coming Home To Starr's Fall was a very sweet and touching read.
Laurie Ellis decided to move to Connecticut to pursue her dream of opening a pet shop,
Coming Home To Starr's Fall was a very sweet and touching read.
Laurie Ellis decided to move to Connecticut to pursue her dream of opening a pet shop, and to find her family.
Laurie doesn't know her parents, she only has a small hint that brought her to Starr's Fall. She is a nice woman, with a positive attitude even if life hasn't been kind with her, who deserves to find her place in the World and to call it home. I enjoyed to see Laurie easily integrate into the community, becoming friends with most of the towners. I followed with the most interest the developping relationship between Laurie and the grumpy bookseller Joshua, because there was a little spark from the start between them.
I've loved this world that Kate Hewitt created, the writing was good and evocative. I'm already looking forward to next story in the series.
I recommend to read this sweet novel that helped me to escape the heat of this Summer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel was sucha great read. I loved it.
Anais is a romance author, but she can't even write a full sentece since her me
Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel was sucha great read. I loved it.
Anais is a romance author, but she can't even write a full sentece since her messy divorce that left her with a decaying hotel and some meagre savings. Will she have the boutique hotel up and running before Christmas? Will she overcome her writer's block? Will she get over her desire to plan her hero's demise? Fortunately she isn't alone in this journey, she has her favourite cousin Manon, the kind builder JP, and the grumpy neighbour Noah.
I've chosen to read this book for the nice cover, and the brilliant Paris setting. The storyline was well written and intriguing, the characters were fabulous, and it's just what I did need these days. This novel gave me some pleasure, it put a smile on my face, and it warmed up my bibliophile heart.
"I suppose chances are that we'll all leave this mortal coil somewhere in the middle of an unfinished book, which makes me strangely sad."
I was in Paris in May, but the author made me want to go back as soon as possible to follow Anais through the streets and the literary cafes of the VI arrondissement. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
The wishing tree beside the shore is a light, fluffy enchanting read.
Jaimie Admans created a good story, nothing not heard before or unpredictable bu
The wishing tree beside the shore is a light, fluffy enchanting read.
Jaimie Admans created a good story, nothing not heard before or unpredictable but I adored the writing style and the wishful tree.
Felicity works in a property development office in London but she still hasn't had a chance to show her value until a day her boss tells her to go back to her home village to persuade the owner of a residential home to sell part of his property in order to build a seaside hotel. Felicity thinks that is her chance to get a promotion but when she comes to the place she is not sure anymore that's the job she wants to do. Lemmon Cove community gathered around the centenarian sycamore they wany to save, at the protest Felicity meets the funny and witty elderlies who live at the care home and the camping owner who is tied at the tree overlooking the sea is non other than his first love Ryan. Will she get the courage to tell everyone her real job?
Felicity and Ryan were separated for a long time with a broken heart and I liked to read how they mend their relationship under the magical gaze of the wishing sycamore. I would have preferred a little more incisive and resolved heroine but I can also understand Felicity fear to tell the truth and to risk to lose her new and old friends and her feeling part of the community.
Perfect for the Summer hot days where no one wants to think too hard.
The Cat Who Chased Ghosts was a quick, short and suspenseful read.
The Thompsons have inherited an old and decaying house, and an equally old cat. Whe
The Cat Who Chased Ghosts was a quick, short and suspenseful read.
The Thompsons have inherited an old and decaying house, and an equally old cat. When Timmy, the young Thompson kid, hears the rumors that his new house is haunted he decides to investigate.
Nic Minnella build up a spooky adventure with a good pace that hooked me up from the first to the last chapter. I liked to see Timmy become more confident and daring throughout the story. I appreciated his loyalty to his new friends, and how he tries to not leave anyone behind. I would have liked to see a little more on page growth of the characters and their relationships, but I'm looking forward to meet these characters again.
I recommend this novel to pre-teens or to the most courageous kids because ghosts could be scary.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
A dead body was found hanging at the Traitor’s Gate and Inspector Bell is called to investigate a new, muddled case. When the evidences hark back to
A dead body was found hanging at the Traitor’s Gate and Inspector Bell is called to investigate a new, muddled case. When the evidences hark back to the Crimean war he has to ask for nurse Gemma Tate help again.
In this second installment the dynamics between Sebastian and Gemma are different, they know each other better, they trust each other intuitions, they care for each other more, and they are considerate and protective. I've also liked how Sebastian see Gemma true worth, and during Victorian era it's not a given.
Irina Shapiro created a murder mystery with so many credible suspects that I wasn't able to guess the culprit until the very end. The gloomy atmosphere, the morally grey characters and their strong sense of hopelessness add up to the beauty of this novel.
I highly recommend Murder at Traitors' Gate. Get ready to be transported to the Victorian grimy and vicious London, and enjoy the journey.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Secrets In Pink is the second book set in the small town of Chattertowne, that has reporter Audrey O’Connell as the protagonist.
The town has gone th
Secrets In Pink is the second book set in the small town of Chattertowne, that has reporter Audrey O’Connell as the protagonist.
The town has gone through some major changes, a new mayor was elected, and an out of state Police Chief was called up, that have caused some animosity among the towners. So, when some mean graffiti against the mayor were found on the new parking lot asphalt the culprit seems obvious, until it’s not anymore.
I liked Audrey and the new Chief, Cole, bantering. They despised each other since their first encounter, but this investigation calls for both of their knowledge and insights and in order to solve the mystery they start to cooperate. This occasion lets them know each other better, bringing them closer and resulting in a nice friendship.
"When it comes to love, choose the one who chooses you. Otherwise, you'll spend your life chasing for something that will never be yours, not really."
The author wrote an interesting and enjoyable story, with a good mystery, a humorous and sassy heroine, and an unsufferable, but gorgeous, police chief who will test our heroine patience and physical attraction.
This is a book I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
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