This was the 3rd in the Devlin/Falco suspense series. I‘ve read the previous two and enjoyed them all, but I think this was my least favorite. Devlin and Falco are detective partners in Birmingham, AL and this one begins with them already in a personal relationship (which was a bit jarring as there was mostly just attraction ending the last one). There are multiple mysteries here (arson, murders…both present and past, serial killer), but🔻

My December #BookSpin. 😊🎄☃️🎅🏻🤶🏻👼🐫🐑

Thanks Sarah!

😂😂😂😂

*Courtesy of Instagram.

Finally made it to the post office @DanaManiac ! Your #LMPBC is on its way with arrival by Tuesday the 30th (hopefully). 🤞🤞

@TheAromaofBooks @kimmypete1 @suvata

Repost for @LitsyBirthdays :

Hard to believe December is almost upon us and with it the time to celebrate all these wonderful Litsy friends! ❤️❤️❤️

If you‘d like to be added to the @LitsyBirthdays calendar, please send your Litsy handle and your birthdate to litsybirthdays@gmail.com .

The #birthdayfairies and Litsyland look forward to YOUR special day! 😊😊

This was my pick for #LMPBC, and I really enjoyed it! I won‘t go into details (no spoilers for my group), but it‘s a sweet romance centered around two renowned chefs (think Gordon Ramsay) and the issues they have to overcome to get to their HEA. ❤️ 4.25/5⭐️

PS. I‘ve read one other book from this author and loved it as well.

@DanaManiac I‘ll get this in the mail to you later this week, if that‘s OK?

Love this…❤️💙

Thanks for the tag @Andrew65 🤗

#ThinkPositiveBePositive

This is such a fun, inexpensive, meaningful little swap! Have you signed up yet?! 😊🌲📚🌲

See below for the link!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCLVcYCrG252A3AZYwiLHy4w-HvDSgOg3cSLDd...

Thanks @MaleficentBookDragon !

#jolabokaflodswap

Just saw this on FB…so cute and nostalgic!

(Offered at The King‘s Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT.)

This was more of a “so-so” but I bumped it up for the #coverlove . 😂😂 Lucy is a popular morning radio personality who is placed on suspension when a questionable video surfaces. She becomes a public pariah on social media and contends with threats. At the urging of a friend, she journeys to an Outbound vacation spot in Finland as a volunteer. Tommi, as the owner of Wild Zone, is striving to get his dream job off to a good start. My main issues🔻

This is a 4th in series, and while I did enjoy it, it wasn‘t my favorite, maybe because I‘ve never been crazy about the older man/younger woman trope. James is a larger-than-life war hero who is idolized by society and was gifted a dukedom for his heroism and leadership. He is writing his memoirs (incognito) at the Grand Palace on the Thames. Mariana is an opera singer who has been vilified by society for allegedly inciting a duel. James, with 🔻

As an historical romance fan, I‘m going out on a limb to say that I believe JAL is the best writer in the genre. This series has been wonderful, and this 3rd in series is my favorite so far (and maybe my favorite of hers ever). Hugh, an American from rural NY, is in England searching for a runaway young woman. Lillias is the beautiful and popular daughter of an earl. They are immediately attracted to each other, but she is above his reach, and 🔻

Thanks for the tag @eanderson !

1. Toughie! I‘m a big Anglophile. And I find the aristocracy very interesting (especially of the 19th century). I think it would be cool to be a fly on the wall at a ball during that period. Watch the interactions, the assignations 🤣, see the fashion and ogle the decor.
2. I‘m thankful for the amazing far-away friendships I‘ve made here. 🤎 Especially one in particular @eanderson .🤗 But so many others as well.

“THINGS TO REMEMBER

Tomorrow is a new day.
Making mistakes is part of life.
Saying ‘no‘ is okay.
Not everyone has to like you.
Beauty & strength come from within.”

Thanks for the tag @Andrew65 😊

#ThinkPositiveBePositive

Interested??!

See @Liz_M ‘s comment below: 🔻

“I‘ve set up a Slack team as a place to continue brainstorming and coordinating. Anyone interested in volunteering, please email Litsy.readalong@gmail.com , and I‘ll invite you to Slack.” 😊

@Liz_M

This is the 6th in a favorite mystery series of mine. Taking place in late 1800s NY, detective partners Prudence (a brilliant heiress who dreams of attending law school) and Geoffrey (an ex-Pinkerton southern gentleman) search for a brother/sister who are in danger and have been living on the streets. In the process they uncover a horrific sexual fetish private club who kidnap young girls with certain characteristics. I love both this author‘s 🔻

While I did finish this one (my Nov. #DoubleSpin), it was a close call. And while this is a first-in-series, I felt like there was no backstory…just jumped right in. 😮 I felt no connection to characters who were often more like caricatures, the mystery was not well-plotted or interesting for that matter, and the writing was simplistic. Disappointed. 🙁 1.5/5⭐️

“Each day I am thankful for NIGHTS
that turned into MORNINGS;
FRIENDS that turned into FAMILY; (Litsy😊)
DREAMS that turned into REALITY;
And LIKES that turned into LOVE.”

Thanks for the reminder to #ThinkPositiveBePositive @Andrew65 . 🤗👍☀️

Anyone else like to share?

This is my Nov. #BookSpin and has been on my TBR ever since I read two other books by Layne. Naomi, a young, wealthy entrepreneur, is out for revenge against the family who tossed her and her mom (their housekeeper/his mistress) out like trash when she was 9. But reconnecting after 20 years, she realizes that maybe they‘ve all changed, especially the boy who used to torment her. Layne‘s trademark humor is infectious, and other than some 🔻

1. I can‘t remember too far back 😂, but I do remember how excited I got when I got to go to the library (20 minutes away). I would hold my breath hoping for a Nancy Drew that I hadn‘t read yet. 😊

2. Any really, but rainy days curled up with a blanket are always special. ☔️

3. Good friends like Elisabeth. 🤗 Thanks for the tag @eanderson !

@LeahBergen @DanaManiac @Crazeedi @CBee @HappilyEverKrafter Wanna play?

#WondrousWednesday

This is 4th in a series that I‘ve been back and forth on, but this one featured more movement forward plot-wise, and I enjoyed it. As the prior book left a cliffhanger, Xanthe (a modern-day Spinner who travels through time to right injustice) must travel to Victorian England to rescue her friend/love interest Liam. While there she makes new “magical” friends while working to thwart two greedy, unscrupulous Spinners. I loved the introduction 🔻

‘If lovin‘ you is wrong,
I don‘t wanna be right…‘ 😂😂😂

It‘s OK to wish for leftovers, right??! 🤞🤞🤞

Happy Halloween to those who celebrate!

🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

@BridgetteM I‘m sending your #LMPBC book back tomorrow from our final rotation.
#Round012 #GroupI

This was a good debut spanning decades (1937-2009) and locales (Normandy, Mass., RI, FL) centering around how the events of D-Day impacted and shaped a family‘s generations. While the story is fictitious, I enjoyed the in-depth historical details. Told in three voices, Elise, a troubled Frenchwoman destined to live in the past, Hank, a WW2 soldier whose life is shaped by a promise and Lucy, their granddaughter who while searching out her 🔻

I‘m definitely in the minority, and I really wanted to like this more, but I actually struggled a bit through this one. A tale about the role the circus played in sheltering Jews in WW2, my favorite parts were the aerialists‘ performances. My two main issues (and unfortunately they were rather important) were the slowness/melodrama in parts and the actions of the characters themselves not feeling realistic (so frustrating at times). I felt 🔻

Here‘s my November #BookSpin / #DoubleSpin list with just a few change-outs from last month. 😊

Thanks, o fearless leader! ❤️ You‘re the best, Sarah!

Repost for @LitsyBirthdays :

The #birthdayfairies are beginning to replenish their fairy dust supply, and we‘re looking at you, November babies! 🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️

If you‘d like to be added to the Litsy birthday calendar, please send your Litsy handle and birthdate to litsybirthdays@gmail.com . Easy peasey! Please include YOUR info only. 😊

Ready to party with this great group of Littens! 🎈

I wanted to read this initial series starter because I had read a stand-alone by this author previously and really enjoyed it. Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan, a no-nonsense former bare-knuckles boxer and dockworker, is investigating a series of strange murders involving the Thames River. My only issues were with the story‘s length (a bit too drawn out), frustration with Corravan‘s moodiness and keeping up with a plethora of 🔻

Couldn‘t resist…😂😂

This is a debut, and a YA novel with a unique premise. Julie and Sam are high school seniors who have been together for 3 years. Tragically, Sam‘s life is cut short, and Julie is devastated in her grief and guilt. During one of her breakdowns she calls Sam‘s cell phone…and he answers. Thus begins a journey through the ultimate catharsis of saying goodbye. Other than some frustrations with Julie at times and a suspension of disbelief, this was a 🔻

How wonderful! Even more reasons to be thankful!! These amazing Littens are celebrating in November…are you on the Litsy birthday calendar?! If not, it‘s easy to sign up and get some extra love on your special day from your Litsy family. ❤️❤️❤️

Send your (only your own, please) Litsy handle and birthdate to litsybirthdays@gmail.com . The #birthdayfairies will take it from there! 🥳🥳🥳

This was my October #DoubleSpin, and I‘m so glad it came up. I‘ve been meaning to try this series for awhile, and I intend to continue on. A bit slow in parts but with a surprising twist at the end, this is an historical mystery series set in Victorian London with two very interesting leads. Barker is a mysterious, James Bond-like character and Llewelyn is his newly hired down-on-his-luck assistant (the last one died on the job). Enjoyed! 4/5⭐️

This was a cute romance, nothing earth shattering but nice. Set in Cornwall, Joy lost her husband 3 years ago, works as a carer at a nursing home (when she‘d rather be teaching), but she can‘t seem to move forward. Hope, a resident of the home and dear friend of Joy‘s passes along a gift to Joy before she passes. I won‘t spoil the gift, but it leads her to open a new chapter in her life, career-wise and romance-wise. Interesting premise. 4/5⭐️

Since it got fairly good reviews and since I‘ve read another book by this author that I loved, I‘m going to go with the tagged book. It sounds like a cute rom-com. 😊

Hope that‘s OK with all?

#LMPBC #GroupR

This was between a so-so and pan for me. Judging from other reviews I‘ll be in the minority here. The premise is good, and I had high hopes but unfortunately it didn‘t deliver for me. Meg is a 30 yo making her way into the fashion design world in NYC when her dad dies suddenly, leaving her the retirement home (housed in an historic building) that he‘s owned in Chicago since Meg was a young girl. She‘s all that‘s left of her family and has sad 🔻

#LMPBC #GroupR @TheAromaofBooks , @DanaManiac and @kimmypete1 here‘s a selection of romance books for your consideration. I know that Kearsley‘s is probably not totally romance as she usually incorporates some fantasy.

Please let me know if any of these strike your fancy. 😉 If not, I‘ll keep looking. 👍

@suvata

Need opinions please. 😊 I have a coupon to use on one of these books. Which would you choose?

This one is a pick with some issues. It was slow until halfway in and repetitive in parts. I felt it was too drawn out (too much filler in spots). The cold and despair was almost TOO relentless. But I loved the strong heroines who took matters into their own hands. For me, the men/monsters were not satisfactorily redeemed for their heroines with an ending that seemed rushed in comparison to the rest of the book. I enjoyed Uprooted more. This ⬇️

Currently reading (and my #BookSpin). I‘ve had this on my TBR since I read Uprooted and loved it. I‘m about halfway through, and although I‘ve found it a little slow in parts, it‘s beginning to pick up and am now fully engaged. 😊

OK, I‘m not embarrassed to say I “snort” laughed through this entire 200-page series starter. This book is a romp!! Phyllida Bright is a former army nurse, (40ish with a mysterious past) and the housekeeper at Mallowan Hall (home of the Mallowans/Christies). She‘s also a friend to Agatha and her biggest fan. When a man is murdered in the library and later one of her young housemaids, she takes it upon herself to investigate the visiting guests. ⬇️

This YA debut novel packs a wallop. All the emotions and also some triggers (domestic abuse, serious medical issue, bullying). Rainey is a fairly well-adjusted high school senior who is dealing with the stressful diagnosis of a loved one. Liam, a fellow classmate, however lives in fear and loathing of his stepdad and feels he has no future to look forward to. These two become friends through their proximity in math class and feel as if they ⬇️

Told from dual timelines between WW2 (1944) and 2019. This centers around two strong heroines who strive to move forward toward independence following personal losses (freedom/love). Their physical focal point is a French chateau that has seen cruelty and evil but also love and heartbreak. I loved this one with my only complaint being a little bit of naïveté on the part of the modern heroine. Well written but keep the hankies handy. 4.5/5⭐️ ⬇️

OK, this might be the funniest card I‘ve ever received! 😂😂😆😂 Elizabeth, how did you know that “While You Were Sleeping” is one of my favorite movies ever??!! And Joe Jr.? Well, he practically stole the show from Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman! ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏

Thanks so much for thinking of me and for giving me a nice walk down memory lane, sweet friend. 😘😘

Up next, a dual timeline historical fiction due out later this month. Love that cover! ❤️

#coverlove

Hunter is an author of contemporary Christian romance books. I‘ve read several of hers, and this is the beginning of a new series. Cooper is a sheriff‘s deputy running for sheriff in the small Appalachian town of Riverbend Gap, NC. While out riding in the mountains he rescues Katelyn (a new local nurse) from a dangerous situation. They have an instant connection. But neither knows that she is his brother‘s new girlfriend…until they meet at a 🔻

This was my #LMPBC for September, and I'm happy to have read it as I really enjoyed it.

Well-written with lots of historical background, it centers around the events of one of the most powerful hurricanes (in 1935) to hit the Florida Keys and is told from three women's experiences and how they overlap. I was invested in all three (Helen, Mirta and Elizabeth), but I think Helen was my favorite. The women were all very different in their past 🔻

While I was invested in the mysteries within this third in series, I wasn‘t quite as happy with the progression of relationships. There are actually two cases that are interconnected, one involves the death of a wealthy but unscrupulous man, the other, missing babies. Warning, there are very dark issues here, I‘ll mention in spoiler below. The connection between Dr. Raven and Sarah becomes a bit convoluted and takes an unexpected turn 🔻

I enjoyed the first in series so decided to continue with this one and am glad I did. Set in 1849 Edinburgh this one follows Will Raven (a young medical student) and Sarah Fisher (a housemaid/doctor‘s assistant) as they investigate a series of random seemingly unconnected deaths throughout the city. Just a word of caution, this series is dark, gritty and unflinching in its depiction of medical maladies/treatments during this time. 4.25/5⭐️

“He loved October. Had always loved it. There was something sad and beautiful about it — the ending and beginning of things.”

—Jacqueline Woodson,
If You Come Softly

Can‘t believe October is basically here!

Here‘s my #BookSpin / #DoubleSpin list. 😊📚

Thanks Sarah! 🤗