Lost Lake by Susan Sleeman

 

When Gabe's best friend Kenna calls and tells him she's scared and heading to see him Gabe worries when she doesn't show up. Where could Kenna and her daughter be? Soon Kenna's body is found. But where is Lucy her daughter? Gabe and Elaina, a detective on the force, team up to find Lucy. They know they are racing against the clock to find a killer and an abductor. Will they be able to overcome their pasts to find a lost little girl before it is too late?

I think this is one of my favorites in this series. There was a good amount of romance and also a good amount of suspense to keep me turning the pages. I loved El and Gabe together. They knew they cared for each other and there wasn't a lot of denial in that. They just had to figure out if they could make it work. There was the right amount of suspense to keep the reader interested, but not over the top. We once again got to see how the Lost Lake Team supports each other and how well they work with law-enforcement. I always have to mention the spiritual aspect of this author's writing. I like the way the characters struggle with their faith, yet they don't let go of it. The author portray's faith in a very real way that allows the reader to relate and know that struggles with faith are real and can be overcome. I definitely recommend this series and this book!

The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson

 

Christine is in search of family that she only recently found out she had. She finds her biological grandmother who mistakenly thinks that Christine is applying for a housekeeper job. Christine would like to learn more of who her biological parents were, but maybe some skeletons are better left in the closet!

The writing reminded me a bit of Grace Livingston Hill. An innocent girl, a sinful world, and all works out in the end. I enjoyed reading this even though we are not anywhere near Christmas at the moment. It was an enjoyable and quick read and I would recommend it to those that enjoy a heart-warming story around the holidays.

Not Precisely Mr. Knightley by Carolyn Miller

 

EJ(Emma Jane) and her best friend Jordan have created a dating app called Dream Match. They have worked for years on it. Ever since EJ was young she has been driven to succeed. Now she is close to her goal and she is determined to reach it even if it means alienating her best friend and her family. Will EJ realize what she already has before it is too late?

This is the second book in The Silver Teapot series. I have to say I liked the first one better. Although this is loosely based on Emma by Jane Austen it is very loose. As in similar names, and maybe a bit of Mr. Knightley setting Emma straight. Just as I had a hard time getting through Emma, I had a hard time getting through this book. And oddly it wasn't because I didn't like it, it just moved along rather slowly. So should I say ploddingly? I definitely didn't care for EJ's character. She was driven. It made her harsh and a bit blind to what was going on around her. For a smart person it took her awhile to come to her senses. I liked Jordan's character. Above all else he told Emma the truth...until he didn't. He never lied to her, he just avoided her. He was harsh, and then he avoided her. It confused her and their friendship wasn't based on confusion. But as in Emma, everything worked out in the end and EJ once again became a character I could like. The third book, Not So Very Sensible, comes out in October of 2026. The description sounds good so I will most definitely read it. As for Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, like EJ, I was determined to reach my goal by finishing the book. I found that it was worth it in the end and I'm glad I stuck with it. If you read it let me know what you think!

Mad About Murder by Cindy Vincent

 

Maddie Montgomery is once again involved in a murder mystery in her neighborhood. Even though her new beau has warned her to stay off the case Maddie is determined to solve who killed her philandering neighbor. Not only is she dealing with a murder investigation, but she is also dealing with a young teenager bent on sabotaging Maddie's book sales. Between disastrous kitchen episodes from said teen, nightmare hair appointments from one of her neighbors jilted loves, and an evening of speed dating will Maddie be able to solve the murder? And there is still the mystery that her husband left when he passed away. Once again, will Maddie be able to survive a murderer on the loose?

This is the second book in the Maddie Montgomery Mystery series. I enjoyed it very much and it gave me several chuckles along the way. Like Maddie, I wasn't happy with the way Remy treated her when he went on duty, but I also wasn't happy with the way their relationship is still kind of up in the air by the end of the story. And what about the new guy in her life? Guy seems like a nice enough man, but I have a feeling there is more to him than we get to see in this installment of the series. There were a few things left hanging by the end of the story. What was Maddie's husband mixed up in that are now coming to light? Who will Maddie choose, Remy or Guy? And what is up with Maddie's neighbor Spencer Poe? Is he former CIA as Maddie thinks or is there something more mysterious about him? The humor in the series is entertaining. Oh my goodness, Maddie's hair mishaps about killed me! The teenager trying to replicate Maddie's recipes found in her books about did me in! The speed dating scene had me cracking up! If you enjoy cozy mysteries and light humor then try this series. You'll enjoy it as much as I did!

Truffle Trouble by Amanda Flower

 

Bailey and Aiden are finally getting married! Of course chaos reigns the days leading up to the wedding! It wouldn't be Bailey, Harvest or of course Margot if chaos didn't reign. And of course what is a wedding without a murder? And of course said murder keeps Bailey and Aiden from starting out their married life with a honeymoon! 

So many thoughts! I'm thrilled that Bailey and Aiden are finally married. We've waited for this for a long while now. That being said, I found the lack of sparks between the new Mr. and Mrs. kind of disappointing. I know the point of the story is the mystery, but a steamy happy marriage kiss would have been nice, and called for. There were such few scenes between Aiden and Bailey in fact that it was like business as usual and nothing special. Which kind of was disappointing. Moving on...Margot! Oh my gosh! Margot! I got so frustrated with her pushiness and Bailey's constant waffling under her. Just say NO people! Even Juliette! Everyone expects a piece of Bailey and for Bailey to fix everything. Great, but what happens when Bailey runs out of Bailey to give? The good and fun parts? Oh my! Lois and Jean-Pierre? Hysterical! And what a marvelous duo! I love them together! Who'd have thought? The "who-done-it" had me waffling until the reveal. I always am surprised by the end of the mystery of the motive and the who. Always clever and always has me saying "of course!" All of the usual characters were present and accounted for. Ruth? Oh she's a piece of work for sure! Definitely a fun read and a clever mystery. I want to give the author and her husband a shout-out for their Etsy shop. All the proceeds of what they sell go to their cat rescue efforts. I can't remember how many cats they themselves have adopted, helped, fostered, etc. but they have a passion for these pets and if you are interested in learning more you can visit their Etsy shop: AmandaFlowerDesigns. 

Death From High Places by Benedict Brown

 

Christopher and Lord Edgington investigate the death of one of Albert's friends. Christopher faces a fear of jumping out of an air balloon. Unfortunately someone doesn't make it. Which one of the friends is a murderer and why?

A fast read since this is a novella. Even though it was short it was still well-written and entertaining. I enjoyed it very much. 

Emma A Modern Retelling by Alexander McCall Smith

 

Emma by Jane Austen was not my favorite Austen book. I have managed to get through it only once and that took me a couple of tries to finally buckle down and finish it. I don't know why that is. But anyway, this modern retelling by Alexander McCall Smith seemed to move faster and be more interesting even though it followed Austen's book very well. I really like Alexander McCall Smith's writing. If you have never read his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series you are missing out! He did this retelling justice and made it much more easy for me to get through it. The story was easy to follow, and modern enough to keep reading, but not so modern that it detracted from the authenticity of the original. There wasn't any gratuitous cursing or sex scenes, which was much appreciated! An enjoyable read and well done retelling!