The Baker' Wife by Erin Healy

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this book through the GoodReads FirstReads program, and I am sure glad I did! I had been putting off reading it, something about it, it just kept ending up in the bottom of my too-read pile, but for some reason the other weekend, I say no more and read the book, and i am so glad i did.

I don't want to give away too much of the story, but I LOVED this book.

The chief detective is the stereo-type of what so many people think of when they hear the word Christian. He thinks he knows the Bible, he knows what God wants and he is perfect, he is without blame for anything and everyone else has sinned, and no matter what he encounters throughout the book, or how many people tell him he is wrong, he can't see his own sin and mistakes. He still thinks he is perfect, even after breaking the law and taking people hostage! i loved it, and yet at the same time I felt sorry for him, but man he had so many chances to change and to admit he was wrong.

His wife, Julia is another matter. After being married to him for so long, she rejects and even hates religion. She is sure that he is wrong, and she has went to the other extreme of her husband, so much as to reject that there i any place in the world for God, and it has effected their daughter, so much so that she sets out to seduce the preachers son, just to prove that they aren't perfect like her dad claims they all are. She is bent on destroying someone just to prove her dad wrong, but along the way she ends up destroying herself. Luckily, she is young enough and is open enough to the people around her to figure things out and to save herself and form some kind of life for the future.

All the characters in the book, twist and wind around into a full circle and as that is unfolding, it is amazing to listen to and to see them each grown and understand life in their own way, and to forgive and move on and become real people. it is not a Christian book in that is preaches a lifestyle to you, if just happens to revolve around a church and one man who thinks he has all the answers. The "baker" and hi wife, and more of the main character, actually, the wife, and I haven't even mentioned them.

Since reading this, I have told a number of people about it, and I was reluctant to start this book, but it turned out to be one of my all-time favorites. In fact, if I can get this to-read pile down, I might just have to read it again!

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Aftertaste by Meredith Mileti

Aftertaste: A Novel in Five Courses by Meredith Mileti

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Love the Goodreads First-Rads program, which is where I got this book. It allows me to read a number of books that I might not have picked up before.

I looked at this book, and I read the back cover, an I just couldn't decide if I thought I would like it, so I kept picking it up and then putting it back down and reading something else, but I have a number of books that I have in that pile and I just decided that it was too big, i had to read from that pile, so I went ahead and picked it up, only to be glad I did. Turns out i really liked the book.

I related to and understood the main character, Mira, who upon finding her husband and the waitress in the restaurant engaged in martial relations, she jumps on and attacks, only to get ordered to anger management classes. I think most women who have been in that situation would have loved to do exactly what she did, and why is she to blame, the waitress knew he was married, I mean really she should have taken some of the blame.

The book follows Mira as she tries to pick up her life, file for divorce, loses her restaurant and moves back with her dad, only to find that maybe that is what she really needed in the first place. I found that I was routing for Mira, I wanted her to leave her ex-husband behind, to find herself and to find a new life outside what she originally thought was important, to find a new purpose for her life and to find the love and joy of life again.

This was so well-written, and the added food content was so much fun! Talk about making you want to cook. Their was recipes and food and it was just mouth-watering. I loved it all so much and I recommend this to anyone who loves to cook!



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Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett (A Booktown Mystery, #3)

Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In the third book in the Booktown Mystery Series, Angelica has opened a diner in addition to her bookstore, the Cookery. Tricia's friend from college is in town, out-staying her welcome, and the local food panty is moving into a new home, only Tricia never knew the town even had a food pantry.

This was well-written, as Tricia realizes that she has no idea what is going on in her new town, that she spends so much time in the bookstore, she had no idea there was a food pantry, or anything, and she finds herself exploring this world of other people in order to find out what happened to her college roommate, who is found dead behind the diner.

Sheriff Wendy Adams is missing in this book, in fact she never appears to investigate the murder, she sends a new police officer, and finally Tricia feels that maybe the sheriff's department might be capable of handling this investigation on their own. But then again, she ends up getting drawn into the investigation, not out of fear that the new guy won't do his job, but just the past experiences won't let her relax and let it go, she has to figure it out.

This was another great book. I loved getting to know more about Stoneham and the people there and the history and events of the town. It was a lot of fun, I really enjoy these books!



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Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett (A Booktown Mystery, #2)

Bookmarked For Death by Lorna Barrett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Bookmarked for Death is the second book in the Booktown Mystery Series by Lorna Barrett. I loved the first book, and this second one did not disappoint me at all. I enjoyed reconnecting with Tricia and her sister, Angelica, coming back to Stoneham, or otherwise known as Booktown.

Tricia owns and runs a mystery bookstore called "Haven't got a Clue", while her sister owns and runs the bookstore next door called, "The Cookery". Although Tricia and Angelica haven't had the greatest of relationships, it is nice to read along and watch them discover new things about each other and bond and build a better relationship than what they had before.

The town of Stoneham, that was dying out, but revitalized when its focus on book sellers and tourist trade was shaped. It just sounds like a place I would love to visit! A town full of bookstores! I mean really, what could be more perfect for someone who likes to read?

Tricia talks a local author into a book signing at her store, but before the night is over finds the author dead in her bathroom. Of course, Sheriff Wendy Adams is still mad at Tricia, and has alot of problems looking past those issues into the murder, wanting to find Tricia guilty, even when he isn't so of course that just means that Tricia will be doing some investigating. What she turns up, shakes her and the town. The best selling books were not written by the author, but by another woman, with a mystery in her life.

I loved this book. I love the idea of Booktown and I enjoy going there in the books. I enjoyed meeting the townspeople, learning more about ones I already knew and growing the town. It has been a blast. I find the mystery and Tricia to be pretty believable as a person and that makes it easier to get into the story.



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Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris (A Harper Connelly Mystery, #1)

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed Charlaine Harris as an author, so i thought I would check out this series, the Harper Connelly Mystery series.

Harper and her step-brother Tolliver, travel around using Harpers unique gift to solve mystery's. At the age of fifteen, Harper was struck by lightening in her bathroom, and when she survived, she was left being able to find dead people. Not only can she find them, but she "sees" the last moments, telling her their cause of death, but she is not able to see who did it.

The people Harper and Tolliver met on their travels are mixed, some see her gift as a curse some a blessing, some like it and other hate her for it, but then again, what else would you expect of people. Some people are more open minded and open to things of this nature, and others, who don't understand it, just aren't willing to accept it.

Harper has been called to a small town Sarne to find a missing girl. Her boyfriend at the time was found dead in a field, and no one realized that she might be with him for a number of days. His death was ruled a suicide. Walking the field, Harper was able to tell them where the girl was and how she died, and the fact that the boyfriend most definitely did not kill himself. Her job done, she was ready to move on, only to be called back to Sarne. Harper finds herself having to solve the mystery of what is going on, why these deaths and what secret all these people held in order to get herself and her brother free of Sarne so that they can move on.

I found the book well-written and enjoyable. I wanted to get to know Tolliver and Harper more, to learn about them, in fact I found myself feeling for Harper, rough life add a strange gift, and it can be lonely, and I wanted her to find happiness. It was such a draw, and I found I wanted to journey with them, learn more about them, even fight for Harper.

Can't wait to gt ahold of the second book and continue learning about them.



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A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris (An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, #2)

A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So after finishing Book one of the Aurora Teagarden Mystery series, it wasn't bed time and so I started on book two!

A Bone to Pick is the second book in the Aurora Teagarden Mystery and in this we find Roe attending her mother's wedding to a former Real Murders Club member, then attending the wedding of her former boyfriend and Real Murders club member, Arthur Smith, only to be shocked by the very visibly pregnant bride, then the funeral of a friend and former Real Murders club member. To add to her bewilderment, she is contacted by the attorney only to find out that the friend left everything to her! Everything being a house, a sizable bank account and a mystery.

Roe decides that she must solve the mystery, it is what Jane would have wanted and she proceeds to work on that. All the while trying to decide if she wants to give up her comfortable, and rent free townhouse for the ownership of the little house on Honor Street, only to find out that the house across the street is the new home of Arthur and his wife! As Roe ponders and puzzles her way through another mystery, she answers questions and makes decisions for her life and her future.

Again, this is so well written that it draws you in, I could almost see myself walking around the little house on Honor Street, I could feel the eyes of the neighborhood, and feel for Roe. I was pulled into the story and into her life and I wanted it to keep going. I wanted to know more and to find out more about Roe, even after the mystery was solved. Guess that means I have to find book three!



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Real Murders by Charlaine Harris (An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, #1)

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoyed author Charlaine Harris's Vampire books with Sookie Stackhouse and so I decided that I wanted to try some more of her books, so I got ahold of some of the Aurora Teagarden Mystery books.

Real Murders is the first book in the Aurora Teagarden Mystery series and begins with the monthly Friday night meeting of the Real Murders Club. This is a group of people that get together to study, read and analyze old murders, argue for the conviction or against, or present suspects if never solved. It is all very scholarly, and they are an unlikely bunch that probably wouldn't be friends otherwise. This week, Aurora is leading the discussion of the Wallace Murder in England in 1931. Funny thing happens on the way to the meeting, as Aurora enters the VFW Hall, where they hold their meetings, the phone on the wall rings, and someone asks for Julia Wallace. Ok, now that is enough to freak out little Aurora, or Roe to her friends. She mentions it to another member but they shrug it off, and along the meeting goes, as each member arrives, until Roe is getting concerned. Maime Wright was suppose to open the building, and her car is here but she isn't. Finally Roe decides to check the other rooms for Mamie, only to find her in one room, murder in exactly the same way and staged exactly like Julia Wallace! ACK!

Roe is a down-to-earth librarian and she has never been around anything like this in her life before, and it becomes unsettling to her. Then when a box of poisoned chocolates how up on her door step, addressed to her mother, Roe is even more concerned. What is happening to their little town and why her?

As Roe continues through, she thinks about what is going on and puzzles and ponders over the murder, first one, then a second and so on. As a scholarly person, she puts bits and pieces together that seem logical to her in her studious mind, but not so logical to the police, only for her to find the true murderer before the police do.

I would not consider this a cozy mystery, it' just a mystery. It is well written. I come to like Roe, I feel for her as a person and what she is going through, and I want to see her come out on top. I enjoy the Southern life and the charm of that place in the book, and it is a good book and a good read. She is not a nosy-body, she just puzzles and ponders, she isn't really out to investigate but she just can't get it out of her mind. She is a likable character.

I enjoyed this book, and moved on to the next in the series.



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Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames (A Cheese Shop Mystery, #3)

Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Clobbered by Camembert is the third book in the Cheese Shop Mystery series, and in this one Charlotte's old boyfriend comes back from France, which stirs up trouble with Jordan.

This book find us in the middle of winter, a Winter Wonderland Faire is starting, the whole town is excited, except that there is a new lady in town, and she is making enemies at every turn, stirring up old memories and making Charlotte question the truth about her parent's death.

We find Matthew and Meredith working on planning a wedding, and learning to deal with Slyvie living in town. Jordan and Charlotte and back from a vacation together, and she still has more questions about who Jordan is, and with Chip reappearing in town, it makes her wonder if he is the right man for her or not, but not that she would ever take Chip back, that is truly over. Rebecca and Ipo have started dating and they are finally going to have their first kiss, which has Rebecca all a-fluster, growing up Amish, she is not sure about this, but it will work out.

Blackmail, divorce, intrigue and murder all wrapped up in a tidy little book, so much going on and so much more to find out.

Loved the book (hated the last couple of paragraphs - cliffhanger notice) but over all well written, in fact I never guessed who the murder was until about the same moment that Charlotte did, and it was not who anyone thought~

Of course, there is the town grievances, the fued between Slyvie and Matthew, the power struggle over the twins, just a whole lot of fun stuff going on all around the murder, and while you are at it, a lot of good information about cheese and wine! I think those are my favorite parts! I love hearing about the flavors and taste of different cheeses, makes me want to write a list of the ones I want to try and keep it with the book. Same with the wines!



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llan Lokos

Pocket Peace by Allan Lokos

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a copy of Pocket Peace from the GoodReads FirstReads program! Thank you very much!!

I liked this book, and it came at a time when I was going through some issues that I wasn't sure how to handle. I am still not sure how I will end up handling the issues, but I do know that I have found that there are a number of little tips in this book, that effect they way I look at each day and to make it better from my side.

Pocket Peace is filled with a number of small things each of us can do each day to change how the world around us effects us and how we effect it. One of the simplest, smile at everyone you see. If you tried that just for one day, what do you think you would find happening? You would be in a better mood and so many people around you would be in better moods!

There are more complex and detailed ideas that help you to focus on you and to make peace with the world, mediations and such, but over all I think it is a handy little book that everyone should read at least once!



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Pinned for Murder by Elizabeth Lynn Casey (Southern Sewing Circle, #3)

Pinned for Murder by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Pinned for Murder is the third book in the Southern Sewing Circle mystery series. As with this series, it is well-written, stepped in Southern tradition and lore, and enjoyable to the end.

The story begins with the town having been hit by a tropical storm, something that is not all that common, but then again not uncommon in the southern states. The library has minimal damage, mostly the bottom shelf of books, but it fairs better than alot of the older homes in town.

In this story, we visit our favorites from the Sewing Circle, with Rose being our focus, as her house has been damaged. She is depending on the help of a young man that she befriend long ago when she was a teacher, a gentle spirit that is a little on the slow side, some might say. We find him helping Rose, but at the same time being accused of stealing money from Rose's neighbor, Martha Jane when he tries to help her out, at the request of Rose, only for Tori to walk in and find that they money was never stolen, just that Martha Jane had switched her socks and money to the left hand drawer from the right hand draw and didn't remember! Of course, everything would be over if Martha Jane would have apologized or if she had been so spitting mad at everyone in general. But that is not Martha Jane, and she turns up dead the next day.

Poor Kenny Murdock, he is almost tried and convicted without anyone even taking a second look, but the problem is that the money is actually stolen this time, and well Kenny never did learn money in school. He could never understand the difference between a one dollar bill and a ten dollar bill! So why would he steal the money. That is all that was needed, that and the fact that poor Rose i so heartbroken over the whole thing, Tori is investigating again!

This one twists and turns, brings other people into town, and we learn more and more about each of our other characters, and right up to the very end, when we think we know who did it, we find out we didn't! Amazing!

I have really enjoyed this series and the characters, the southern charm and the warmth that just comes from the books when you think of the Sewing Circle sitting around making things right one piece at a time. It just takes me back to a simpler time in the world that I want to hold onto. It's refreshing!



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Snake in the Glass by Sarah Atwell (A Glassblowing Mystery, #3)

Snake in the Glass by Sarah Atwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book three in the Glassblowing Mystery series is as well-written and interesting as the previous books, and I enjoyed the cast of characters that are central to the storyline.

Em, is flying home from Ireland. She and Allison had went on a short vacation to reconnect with Allison's family and to heal some of her old wounds, but much to the dismay of Em and the rest of the cast, Allison has decided to stay on a little longer, which sends Cam, Em's brother and boyfriend to Allison, off in a sulk.

Uncle Frank shows up to visit, which is a great addition to the book. He is a character within a character and love having him in the story. It's not all fun and games, he is here for a little work, being a diamond broker from Australia, he is in Tucson for the annual Gem show. Of course, there is a little something-something going on with Frank and Nessa, but it seems to work.

A strange looking professor shows up at Em's back door wanting to rent her furnace to try out some gem heating techniques he's read about. And that is where things get strange!

Allison comes back, having made her peace with Ireland and her mother's death years before, only to find no one has heard from Cam. So being the good sister, Em talks to her boyfriend, the sheriff Matt, and one thing leads to another, between Cam being missing and the strange professor, Denis, Em and Frank and knee-deep in a mystery that somehow leads them to a dead body in the desert! All in the line of duty for a glass-blowing sleuth!

This story was well-writen, kept me entertained and guess at the killer until the very end. I loved learning more about the characters, and I really love the glassblowing information and tidbits. Also in this, there were added gem tidbits, that were fun and interesting.



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