Books, Books, Books, and a Cat

  This series gets better and better!  In this fourth installment, Casey and Eric are brand new parents and are still very worried about the safety and security of Haven's Rock. There is the constant threat of the nearby mining town and now there are strange hikers in the forest near their town. The next day they find one of the hikers dead. Casey and Eric begin to investigate only to discover that not all is as it seems.   First of all, let me just say that I love the setting and isolation of Haven's Rock.  It makes for an interesting read and a great place for a mystery to take place because it is not your typical urban environment. Second, I love the dynamic between Casey and Eric as they are such a great power couple.  I also loved seeing them as new parents.  The story had lots of action and secrets that kept me hooked until the very end of the book.  I enjoyed the different events that happened as I tried to make connections between resident...

4.5 Stars- Looking for a quick-witted heroine who can go toe to toe with Henry the VIII, well look no further.  In this funny, romance time traveling novel, Lily inadvertently travels back in time into the body of Catherine Howard.  Lily soon finds herself about to be married to Henry VIII, but unfortunately Lily knows her history and knows how this story is going to end.  She has to come up with a plan to try and save herself.  However, she doesn't count on the fact that she truly cares about the people around her and wants to help them.  Plus she finds herself falling head long for a medieval man.   This was such an enjoyable look at the Tudors.  I have read so many books set during this time period and I loved the added touch of putting a modern woman in this world.  Lily was smart and hilarious.  I laughed out loud so many times at the dialogue.  The romance part of the book was very steamy but not over the top.  This was a...

  This was a cute love story with a scientific fake lovers twist.  Dr. Frances is struggling to make it in the academic world.  She is brilliant and does great work but she has faced many challenges to get her research funding especially in a male dominated profession.   She decides to attend a conference in New York but her ex-boyfriends will be there.  Once there she meets up with her ex's current girlfriend and runs into her current nemesis, Dr. Lewis North.  He is constantly criticizing her work and seems to have it out for her.  In a very awkward exchange Frances implies that she and Lewis are dating. She is now stuck in the lie because she will  risk her academic integrity which could cause career suicide if it gets out. Lewis goes along with it and as you can guess sparks begin to fly as the fake dating turns into more.   There was a lot to like with this story. I enjoyed the dynamic between Frances and Lewis.  I also en...

  4.5 Stars- Another great addition to the series!  In this novel Mallory and Gray are summoned to the Adler household because during a seance the ghost of a former maid says she was murdered.  Mallory and Gray don't have any real proof that a crime was committed but decide to humor Mrs. Adler and begin investigating.  As the case unfolds they learn that there is more to the story than meets the eye.   First of all, if you are a fan of mystery this story will capture your attention.  I did not figure out what was going on until it was revealed.  Second, if you love historical fiction you will enjoy the details that this author captures of the Victorian Era.  There was also a surprise cameo of a historical figure that absolutely made the story! Third, if you like time travel this book is the one for you.  Mallory is a homicide detective from Canada with modern knowledge and seeing how she uses that in 1800s Scotland, makes this a must rea...

  There is so much juicy drama in this book and it is all based on real facts!  I have read books about Elizabeth II but I had no idea the extent of the scandal that her uncle and her parents were involved in.  This novel is primarily told from the perspectives of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married to second son Bertie, and Wallis, an American divorcée, who is involved with Edward David Windsor, heir to the British throne.  Mary the mother of both men also shares insight into the story in a couple of chapters.  Both Elizabeth and Wallis share their stories about how their rivalry began and how it had a huge effect on not only their lives but on England.  This story fascinated me as I really did not know much of it. I honestly felt like I could have been watching a soap opera as it was filled with so many jaw dropping details of what happened between them.  Although I was rooting for Elizabeth because I could relate more to her, I appreciated the backstory on...

  A delightful read that has me ready to pack my bags for a weekend in Maine.  Not only did this book have a wonderful setting but it also features three extremely strong women of all different ages in 1954.   Cynthia is a college student whose scholarship to a prestigious college has run out.  She had high hopes of getting a paid assistant job after writing a research article for her professor for the "American Economic Review."  However she is passed over because it is a man's world and her professor doesn't think it should go to a woman. Cynthia's only hope to stay in college is to get a summer job.  She travels to her wealthy roommate's summer home, hoping that a resort town will provide her with someplace to find work. She ends up finding work at Elizabeth Arden's Maine Chance Resort.  There we also meet Geraldine, a wealthy woman in her 70s who wants to escape her late husband's family who have happened to invite themselves to stay at her ho...

  Would you turn back time knowing you only had one opportunity to do so?  In Once and Again, the Novak women were gifted with a ticket that allows them to undo an event but only once.  Told primarily from the point of view of Lauren, the novel explores how a do over can have the ultimate impact on your life.   Lauren has been married to Leo for 3 years and infertility is taking over her life.  When her husband has a job opportunity in New York, she decides to return home to Malibu for the summer.  Her mother, father and grandmother all live together at their home on the beach.  Lauren has a rocky relationship with her mother but loves cooking with her grandmother and surfing with her dad.  Lauren's ex-boyfriend is also back home and she ends up seeing him often as he is out surfing.  As the story unfolds we learn about the complex relationship of all three women and the impact of their choices. The premise of this novel was really intri...

 From philosophy to romance to politics to mystery, this was a story that grew on me.  At first all of the philosophy talk and Adora's job made the book drag a little for me.  However as I kept reading I was drawn in as I learned about Adora's past and what she went through.  As the book progressed to the end, I did not want to stop reading to find out what was going to happen.  When we first meet Adora she is a philosopher working for a prominent New York City family.  She likes her life and when she meets a man at the ballet things slowly take a turn.  The novel flashes to the past where we learn about  Adora's time as a screen writer.  This is where the book really hooked me.  The book returns to the present where we learn of a possible conspiracy and art theft.  Adora also has the possibility of a new romance on the line.  There were not really chapters in this book but it was written in parts.  I did not mind this sty...

 4.5 Stars- There was so much to love about this novel. From the odd creatures, the quirky characters, the mystery surrounding Green, and the setting in the Catskills Mountains, I did not want this novel to end.  I really hope that there is a follow up novel because I want more to the story.  Green has a near death experience and finds himself drawn to nature.  He leaves everything behind to go to the Catskill Mountains.  Once there he rents a campground plot but really has no idea how to camp. While sleeping in his car the first night he encounters two strange creatures.  He ends up finding out that he has an unusual ability to see cryptids.  He becomes an apprentice to his neighbor who is a cyrptonaturalist and his world is turned upside down.   There was mystery, action, strange animals, and quirky but lovable characters. I enjoyed the fantasy elements and all of the different animals.  There were some interesting twists as well....