A SECRET IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH y Gin Jones & Elizabeth Ashby

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: It’s Halloween, and Maria Dolores is hoping for a trouble-free weekend, the last one before the Lighthouse Farmers’ Market closes for the winter. But her hopes are dashed when a state agricultural inspector threatens to shut down the market prematurely… right before a young woman falls to her death from the lighthouse cliff! The local homicide detective thinks it was suicide and won’t listen to Maria’s extensive list of possible suspects for foul play or the fact that the victim was known for getting into fights that went beyond mere words. Not even Maria’s boyfriend, lawyer-turned-farmer Merle Curtis, can convince the detective otherwise. Now it’s up to Maria to unearth A SECRET IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH before the killer buries the truth—and possibly Maria along with it—forever.

Thoughts: This is the 17th book in the Danger Cove Mysteries – and the third one with Maria Delores as the main character. It’s Halloween weekend and the last weekend for the farmer’s market in Danger Cove and market manager Maria Delores is just trying to hang on until the market closes down. But… the murder of someone dressed as she is, then someone tries to run her down in the street lets her know that someone really wants her dead. Add to that, a crooked agriculture inspector, a bee keeper who can’t make up his mind, and an irritating vendor who criticizes her every move and you have the makings for an interesting whodunnit.

And a very satisfying ending!

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Thanks to the Gemma Halliday Publishing for providing this book. All opinions are mine and are not solicited or influenced by anyone or anything.

MY LAST GIFT: An Essential End-of-Life Planner by Kim Boyer

Nonfiction; Self-Help; Planning Ahead

5*****

Blurb: Create a road map for your loved ones and peace of mind for yourself with this invaluable end-of-life planner. Written by a certified elder law attorney with more than two decades of experience in estate planning, My Last Gift helps you record your vital personal, medical, financial, and other critical information for the future. It provides practical advice as you get your affairs in order and offers handy tips for heirs who will manage your affairs after you’re gone. Whether you’re dealing with aging or illness or simply want to be prepared, this essential end-of-life planner is the perfect organizer for you and your loved ones.

Thoughts: I’ve seen several of these sorts of planners over the last few years and this is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s easy to read and understand. There are suggestions that will help you complete each section so that you and your family will know what to do when the inevitable happens. There are sections for topics like finances, medical notes, dependents and pets, property, business affairs, and more. It’s large notebook size and spiral binding so it’s easy to write in and there’s an envelope in the back if you need more pages (though there is a lot of room). This book is practical and useful. And will definitely be a help to your family in the future. Even if you think you’ve taken care of most of this, I suggest you get this to make sure you’ve covered all the bases.

Highly recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

@zeitgeist #partner

@penguinrandomhouse #partner

DBT CARDS FOR COPING SKILLS by Kiki Fehling

Nonfiction, Self-help,

5*****

Blurb: Portable DBT skills and strategies for when you need them most. Discover how Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can help you regulate intense emotions, strengthen emotional resilience, and build healthy relationships, no matter how challenging life gets. With accessible cards that you can throw in your bag, display as reminders in your office, or keep in your Distress Tolerance kit, DBT Cards for Coping Skills offers a new level of flexibility and accessibility for practicing DBT skills at home or on-the-go—and building a Life Worth Living.
Comprehensive 125-card deck with standard skills from all four DBT modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness; Additional DBT-inspired coping ideas with practice suggestions, tips, and calls to action; Linehan-Board-certified DBT expert who has helped hundreds of clients through DBT; A summary booklet with expert guidance, key concepts, and troubleshooting tips; Sturdy cards and box that hold up to daily use with clear organization for easy retrieval; Accessible explanations that don’t require familiarity or prior experience with DBT.

Thoughts: I’m not a psychologist or therapist, just a person who’s been there. And these cards are really helpful. And sturdy. They’re not going to be easily destroyed from use. But, as much as I like them—and I do—they really should be used in conjunction with a therapist. They are easy to work with and “user-friendly” in that they’re well-written and easy to read and understand. Using them daily will make this kind of therapy more approachable and understandable.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from PenguinRandomHouse with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

@penguinrandomhouse #partner

@zeitgeistpublishing #partner

FINDING SAFE HARBOR by Adrew Grey

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, M/M, Novella (105 pgs), 4 flames heat

4****

Blurb: Sometimes what you start takes longer than you thought to finish. DEA contractor Thorsen Magnus thought he caught the big fish, but in the end it led nowhere. Now, four months later, he is still trying to get the rest of the meth operation in the Mendocino area. And it’s proving almost as frustrating as most of the relationships in his life have been. The one major exception there, and bright spot, is his new partner, Michael. Michael Constantine left his father’s employment to start his own architecture firm. But the family has a way of not letting go, especially with his father’s business in trouble and his brother implicated in Thorsen’s investigation. With his case stalled and his boss threatening to pull the plug, Thorsen needs to find a lead, and fast. While not happy about it, and against his protective instincts, he enlists Michael’s help, and together they manage to get things back on track. But the leads they uncover could expose them to more danger than either of them imagined.

Thoughts: This is a sequel story to “Chasing Safe Harbor.” Thor and Michael are continuing on with their lives after their last adventure with drug smugglers, but the smugglers aren’t done. With the help of Peter, Michael’s brother, they and the DEA set up a trap, but things don’t always go to plan. They’re also still dealing with issues with their families, especially their dads. They try to have a loving relationship in the midst of conflicts and trouble. But somehow, they manage. And get to the HEA that an Andrew Grey romance demands.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Welcome to the Sunny Side Up Diner, where the pancakes are fluffy, the bacon is crisp, and murder should not be on the menu… Jax Tapman has lived in the same small town her whole life. On one hand, it’s helped her dream of buying the local diner with her best friend come true, and their newly opened business is hopping. On the other hand, it means everyone knows her, and she pretty much never gets away with anything. There are a lot of expectations that come along with being the town darling. So, when Jax finds a dead body behind her Aunt Hildy’s restaurant, surely no one will truly believe she did it, right? Wrong. The victim was strangled with swag from Jax’s diner, and suddenly every eye is squarely on her, town darling or not! Enter Eliot Taylor, Aunt Hildy’s new cook and a former cop who grudgingly agrees to help Jax clear her name and save the diner’s reputation. Only the deeper they dig, the more dirt they churn up, proving there’s far more happening in the small, innocent town than meets the eye. Together they’ll uncover more secrets than Jax can shake a spatula at and far more danger than she might be ready to handle. Can Jax save her reputation and solve a murder…or will this order be her last?

Misty Simon always wanted to be a storyteller…preferably behind a Muppet. Animal was number one, followed closely by Sherlock Hemlock… Since that dream didn’t come true, she began writing stories to share her world with readers, one laugh at a time. Touching people’s hearts and funny bones are two of her favorite things, and she hopes everyone at least snickers in the right places when reading her books. She lives with her husband in Central Pennsylvania where she is hard at work on her next novel or three.

Website

MASHED POTATO MURDER by Leslie Langtree

Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Novella

4****

Blurb: It’s Thanksgiving—time for family, fun and… murder? Thanksgiving would seem to be the holiday for sharing—that is, except for the bloodbath that usually occurs over the last crescent roll. This year, ex-CIA agent turned Girl Scout leader, Merry Wrath, has to host the turkeystravaganza with her husband Rex’s family and a few friends. And with eccentric-eater Officer Kevin Dooley around, she also has to set up a security perimeter to defend the leftovers. Turns out, the turkey’s not the only thing that is dead… Things really get interesting when the world’s most terrifying thirteen-year-old, Betty, shows up with a Murder Mystery Game, where everyone is a character and the victim only pretends to be dead. But there are secrets served up with the turkey and gravy, and Merry realizes she doesn’t know everything about her kith and kin. At least it’s only a pretend murder, but Merry has a reputation to protect. Can she solve the “murder” before everyone else and keep her spot as the best amateur detective in the family?

Thoughts: I honestly don’t know whether to laugh out loud at the antics in these books, or groan. Maybe a combination of both? In this one, Merry Wrath and her husband Rex are hosting Thanksgiving dinner. But they end up with several more guests than they planned on, including two of the girls from Merry’s girl scout troop and Rex’s deputy – who attempts to completely eat them out of house and home. The one girl, Betty (who is really scary) devises a murder-mystery game that all must play. At least this time, there’s no real body, though they do go through the whodunnit clues and suspects. It’s ridiculous, silly, fun, and entertaining.

Recommended for those who want something different and short.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

MURDER AT FIRST LIGHT by Christine Knapp

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: Lighthouses, nannies, and murder… Life has calmed down for modern nurse midwife Maeve O’Reilly Kensington, following her daughter’s eventful arrival into the world. Her family has settled into a welcome routine, and Maeve is about to break new ground as the first faculty midwife at Rosemont College in the quaint New England town of Langford. Unfortunately, her tranquility is short-lived. During an early morning row on the bay, Maeve witnesses a jogger stumble out of Langford’s iconic lighthouse, First Light, and collapse. He is later pronounced dead, and Maeve wonders if it was a natural death or foul play. First Light had rescued many in the past but certainly didn’t save this hapless soul. When Maeve and her indomitable sister, Meg, assist a young Irish nanny caught in the aftermath of the death, they land headfirst in the world of Langford’s posh “Yummy Mummies.” Will the fearless M&M’s crack the case? Will Maeve adapt to the college world? Life in Langford carries on…with its usual mix of midwifery and murder!

Thoughts: This is the fourth in a series. As such, since I hadn’t read the previous ones, I wasn’t sure who all the characters were and what their relationships were, but the author quickly brought me up to speed without hitting me over the head with the information. I really liked Maeve. She’s a no-nonsense kind of person who knows what she’s doing, but still admits she has doubts about some things. Just not about her midwifery. It’s the whole teaching at a college that makes her gulp. But she handles it with the same aplomb as she does delivering a baby in the backseat of a van (which she does in the opening scene).

I found the tidbits of information at the beginning of each chapter interesting. I just wasn’t sure what they were doing there. This was a murder mystery, not a study of obstetrics. The beginning of the story started out rather slowly for me, but did pick up once the body appeared. There were plenty of suspects for her and her sister (the M&Ms! LOL) to investigate and pass along any info they got to their cop brother Pat.

There were quite a few stereotypes as far as characters went, but the author wove them in with enough skill that you didn’t mind. I loved Maeve’s mother. She’s a hoot in a wheelchair and sparkles. And her sister is stylistic in her fancy clothes and shoes. But the funniest part was the “Yummy” crowd at the posh gym. All that spandex in lollipop colors! Had to laugh at that. Especially when the M&Ms joined them. Maeve was definitely not comfortable in her violet outfit. And her coworkers! They were fun too.

In other words, though there was some slowness, there was enough LOL moments that I kept reading and smiling.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

THE GODDESS PATH by Kirsty Gallagher

Nonfiction, Self-Help, Spiritualism

4****

Blurb: The Goddess Path is your sign to start living authentically. Taking you on a personal deep dive, this 13-step journey will help you to uncover all that keeps you hidden. By venturing on the goddess path, you’ll reclaim your self-worth, learn how to establish your boundaries, cultivate intuition and learn who you truly are. Kirsty will help you embrace your shadows so you accept and love all parts of you; you’ll get to know yourself like never before. Packed with wisdom, affirmations, simple practices, rituals, and a sprinkling of ancient goddesses, this is your invitation to activate your sense of wholeness. These pages will help you trust yourself and show up in the world as your most powerful, goddess-like self.

Thoughts: I’ve read other “spiritual pathways” types of books but this one is very different. Yes, the emphasis is on goddesses from various religions and crystals and altars, but you don’t have to buy into that if it makes you uncomfortable. But… you should still read the book. There is good information on taking a path to self-discovery. There are daily affirmations that will help you find who you really are; learn to set boundaries and say no, figure out your hopes, dreams, desires, and value. For these things alone, this is a good book. And the author encourages you to take the pathways slowly – this is not something to rush through.

Overall, I thought it was a good self-help book that can help you find your true self. Be prepared to do some deep thinking.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

KILLING IN THE CARIBEAN by Jennifer Fischetto

Fiction, Cozy Mystery

4****

Blurb: From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Fischetto comes a beach read full of romance, mystery, and a vacation turned deadly in the sunny Caribbean! Welcome to Voyage Cruise Line: where a sunny day is always just a trip away! At least, that’s the official motto Zibby Foster learned when she was hired as the ship’s dance instructor. And she’s starting to believe it—sailing to tropical ports all over the world that have almost been enough to leave the cares of her former life behind. So, when the ship docks in Barbados, Zibby and her new best friend, Cady Hart, plan to soak up the sun, see the sights, and sip the island’s infamous rum at Cady’s boyfriend Aiden’s local bar. Only their plans go terribly awry when a group of American tourists enter the scene, and one of them dies right in front of Zibby after sipping one of Aiden’s cocktails! With the police suspecting foul play, suddenly Aiden’s livelihood is on the line, a murderer is on the loose, and it’s up to Zibby and Cady to figure out just what killed the vacationing victim. With a little help from the ship’s sexy doctor, Zibby finds herself getting closer to the truth as she gets closer to the deceased’s circle of friends…maybe too close as the danger mounts, time runs out, and the killer sets his sights on Zibby as his second victim!

Thoughts: I love unique settings and this story had one. From a cruise ship to the island of Barbados – I’d have liked a little more setting description for the story. I couldn’t really “picture” where I was. But that’s a minor issue. The mystery of who killed the victim was well done with plenty of suspects and the standard amateur sleuth. The characters are realistic and interesting.

Zibby (love her name and the reason behind it!) is working as a dancer on a cruise ship. She makes a best friend, Cady, and they’re on their way to Barbados where Cady’s boyfriend Aiden owns a bar. And Zibby even has a romantic interest in the ship’s doctor. On their first trip into town, they meet up with a group of Americans vacationing there. They form a fast friendship, but when one of them ends up dead, things get really intense, especially since Aiden is one of the suspects. At Cady’s insistence – and with her help – Zibby decides to do her own detecting in order to set Aiden clear.

Overall a decent murder mystery. But we are left with some threads dangling – enough for me to know that there will be more in this series. (I hope). Yes, the murder gets solved and Cady and Aiden get things worked out, but, I’m guessing other questions will be answered in coming books (like what happens between Zibby and the doctor).

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

THE CONSEQUENCES by Avis Adams

Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, YA

5*****

Blurb: Olivia Jensen survived the Novel Hepatitis A Virus that devastated her community but is grief-stricken when she learns that her entire family has died. She ventures into the post-apocalyptic world left by storms and disease, searching for solitude to grieve and come to terms with her emotions. Unfortunately, Brian, the boy who has had a crush on her since the second grade, offers his help out of concern for her health. Is he hoping a relationship will blossom? Fat chance. Olivia, still weak from her recovery, must accept Brian’s help to get to the stables and check on her horse. When she is given a chance to help a little girl who will die without medicine, she joins forces with Brian. Together they travel on horseback through snowstorms to a mountain town in search of a doctor who has developed medicine. In a world with no existing infrastructure, Olivia’s community relies on her success. Can they find the doctor and bring her back with them before they freeze in the blizzards?

Thoughts: As several states deal with the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene and the COVID outbreak over the last few years, this book rang a little too true. In this one, the storms called Elprimo have devastated the US, as has a virulent disease that no one expected. Thousands dead, no electricity, no running water, towns devastated by both and cut off from everything because of storm damage.

Olivia and her friend, Brian, go to check on her horse, Shadow, at a nearby farm, but when they get there, Olivia discovers that Shadow has died. Given no chance to grieve, the elderly farmer sends them to a nearby farm to get hay for the remaining horses. Along the way, they find an abandoned 4-year-old girl, and thieves who steal their bikes, then accost them for the horses they’re riding. At the hay farm, they’re tasked with going to a nearby town for medicine for the family. They have to make their way through treacherous roads, a blizzard, and more, then get back home before more people die. I loved the dog with the rips. And how much they depend on the horse not just for transportation, but heart as well.

The two of them learn what it is to depend on each other for their lives and what desperate people are capable of. And that they are stronger than they thought. This is a story about friendship, survival, and strength of character.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced or solicited by anyone.