The Mother in Law

 The Mother In Law, by Sally Hepworth is an ebook I have had on my Kindle for a while.  I uncovered it when I went looking for a thriller set in Australia in order to fulfill prompts from different challenges using the same book as the month was nearing an end.  This book has quite an intriguing set of characters and a suspenseful story based in Melbourne.   The story bounces back and forth between the present when the matriarch of the family has passed away and into the past at different times to set the stage for the story.    The book grabbed my attention enough to stay up until 2am to finish it on the 2nd day of reading.  I plan to look into other books by Hepworth.  

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this thriller set in Australia. I liked both the suspenseful storyline and the characters developed in the story. The family dynamics in the story are very relatable to many readers I am certain. There are background stories that all weave together to tell a story of relationships and death.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  77
2. Mount TBR   #MountTBR2023  Book # 8
3. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #57
4. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #58
5. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #105  Shot #1
6. Medical Examiner Challenge 3 Toe Tags
7. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #23 recommended by a bookseller
8. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #8. Book that is set in the decade you were born in 
9. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #26. RECOMMENDED BY BOOKSTORE
10. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #21 A book set in the decade you were born
11. Pick your Poison  # 24 A standalone book
12. Read with Allison #17 Bookstore Recommendation:
13. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge  Jun Set in Australia
14. Diversify your reading #DYRC23  June: Thriller

Demon Copperhead

 Demon Copperhead is the 2nd book by Barbara Kingsolver that I have read.   The first was Poisonwood Bible many years ago.  I do remember enjoying that book very much.  I liked the writing and the character development in Demon Copperhead but due to the heavy and depressing nature of the story, I ended up DNFing it as I just couldn't take the sadness at this point in my life.  We are dealing with some serious health situations with my husband and I just don't want to read books that are depressing and make me any more upset than my current life is.  I only read this book because it was a selection for my book club and wanted to try to complete the June book but just ended up getting a synopsis of the ending from a fellow member.  

I gave the book a 3 star rating because I did think it was a well-written adaptation of David Copperfield and the characters certainly grabbed my emotions.  

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

while the book is good and the characters well developed and easily to show empathy toward most of them I had to DNF this book as the topic was far too heavy and unsettling for me to read at this point. I was reading it for our book club selection and just couldn't bring myself to finish it entirely For those looking for a book with serious topics and great character development this is a good book. It highlights how so many of the horrific aspects of society- drug use/ under education/ failure by the system is very socio-economic in nature.

Trigger warnings:
Drug Additction/ Domestic Violence/ Neglect

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book # 76 
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   64
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 15
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #69
5. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #25 standalone
6. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #12.  Goodread's 2022 Winner or Nominee
7. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #25. SUN, MOON OR STARS ON COVER
8. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #49 The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list
9. Pick your Poison  # 27 A book with a toy on the cover
10. Sci and Nature # 18 Element from the Periodic Table in the Title:
11. Beyond the Bookends  August- Read a book about the impact of poverty

A Sprinkling of Murder

 This cozy is definitely not in my normal repertoire.  I have read other cozies by Daryl Wood Gerber and I know I like her style so I decided to give the Fairy mystery a try.   I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed A Sprinkling of Murder.   The added bonus was the setting in Carmel, CA.   A town I spent time in during my childhood and one that is closely associated with my love of books.  Near Carmel is a shopping center that is set up like it's in the trees.  there was a fabulous bookstore there that my mother took me to for author signings and such.  I met Beverly Cleary and Hank Ketchum among others at this store.  

A Sprinkling of Murder by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A refreshing cozy that inspires one’s creative side and encourages opening one’s imagination to accept that which is generally not considered real. I have enjoyed other mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber but generally would not have gravitated toward a mystical one such as this. I tried it in order to meet a challenge prompt about fairies. I’m glad I did it’s a clever mystery made that much more enjoyable as it’s set in Carmel, CA. I spent time near there when I was young so that adds to the charm and appeal of the book for me. Anyone looking for a mystery that has some mystical qualities that make you smile should try this book

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  75
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #63   
3. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 1
4. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 -1
5. What an Animal Book #27
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #68
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #56
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Craft #2
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #57
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #50
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #44  Shot #5
12. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
13. Cozy Mysteries   #4 Paranormal or Magical Cozy
14. Pick your Poison  # 87 Midsummer Night's Dream: A book about fairies 
15. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  JUNE- Take the Plunge set around water

Road Trip Summer 23

 The 52 book club has a mini challenge for the summer that involves a choose your own adventure style approach to the prompts all based on a Road Trip Theme   The original host's challenge post can be found here

First we must decide where to go:

Beach/ City or the Woods

Next who will you travel with:  

BFF/ A pet/ The whole Family

Mai Tai One On

 I found this book on my library Hoopla site.   I was looking for a fun sounding cozy and it seemed to fit the bill.  Mai Tai One On is a Tiki Goddess mystery by Jill Marie Landis and is set in Kauai.   What's not to love about tropical island settings.   The characters grew on me as the book went along.  Many of them have pasts they are keeping hidden from most people and this leads to some confusion and misdirection.  The mystery was plotted well and had some twists that were unexpected.  I plan to read the rest of the series since it felt like a vacation while reading it.   

I will note that this book had a bit more spice with nudity and drug references that aren't usually found in cozy mysteries so readers be aware.  This would not be a book to have your young reader move onto after Nancy Drew.  

 

Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Enjoyable cozy set in paradise. a group of misfits star in this book. The descriptions of Kauai and the tropical venue is a fun read. This cozy is a bit edgier than most with some Marijuana references and some nudity detailed. The mystery was intriguing and I liked how the story incorporated Hawaiian language and customs

I’m will continue to read the series.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  74
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  62 
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  HI
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 1
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 -1
6. What an Animal Book #26
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #67
8. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #55
9. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #33
10. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #56
11. Craving for Cozies  Book #49
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #104  Shot #1
13. Medical Examiner Challenge 2 Toe Tags
14. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2023 3 Hawaii
15. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  June Take the Plunge- set around water
16. Read Your Bookshelf June: The title for your June book will have half as many letters as your May title  11 vs 22

Masking for Trouble

 Masking for Trouble is the 2nd book in the Costume Shop series by Diane Vallere.  I enjoy reading about the quirky character Margo and her affinity for dressing in character and costumes.  This story highlights the struggles Margo is facing as she transitions into her role as the manager of her family's costume store.  This book is perfect for those who enjoy small town stories and particularly if you like Halloween.  

Masking for Trouble by Diane Vallere
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable cozy especially for those who love costumes and Halloween. Margo is a likeable character who is unsure of her capabilities and thus has doubt. She is growing into her role as shop many but still has trouble defining boundaries in other aspects of her life. Her independence gets her mixed up in another murder in Proper City. This time she has trouble determining who’s guilty until it’s almost too late. The story is a great mystery with some character growth and development of various relationships thrown in to Round it out.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #72  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   60
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  NV
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 2
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 1
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #65
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #53
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #31
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #54
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #47
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 91 Shot #2
12. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags 

A Murder Like No Author

 A Murder Like No Author is the 3rd book in the Main Street Book Club series by Amy Lillard.  This is a cozy series with intriguing characters full of Southern charm.   The mystery is constructed well and it is easy to see how the investigation by the book club members is exasperating to Arlo.   The character development has grown through the different books in the series.   My only reason this isn't a 4 star read is the frivolity of the romance triangle is a bit over-dramatic at times.  Also, it seems like Arlo would have been more concerned with the outcome of the date at the premier than the story ended up representing.  I am not sure if the series continues as this book was published in 2021 and there is no indication that there is another installment in the works.  

A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is enjoyable and the mystery is well developed. I like the quirky characters but the love triangle aspect is getting a bit drawn out over the books. Also after making a big deal of a date we never find out how it went due to the action of the murder solution so this left me hanging and frustrated. Overall a charming series set in MS

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  73
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  61 
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  MS 
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 10 Book #1
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
7. What an Animal Book #25
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #66
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #54
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #32
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #55
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #48
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 62 Shot #3
14. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags

A Princess for Christmas

 

A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

a modern fairytale

This is a fun modern fairytale that highlights the fact that things are not as they always seem in others’ lives This book had a bit more graphic bedroom scenes than I had expected; I was anticipating more rom com but it did fit with the development of their relationship. There is a bit of grief central to the story so those who. Don’t want that in their books might want to avoid this one

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book # 71 
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  59 
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #64
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #52
5. 52 books in 52 weeks  #8 once upon a time
6. BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenreadingchallenge2023  #16. About Royalty
7. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #36 first in a trilogy
8. TBRChallenge  #TBRChallenge  June 21 - Love is Love

Unicorns have Bad Manners

 I picked this book because I needed a book about unicorns and dinosaurs and this fit the bill twice over.  It was a cute book with lots of fun illustrations.

Unicorns Have Bad Manners by Rachel Halpern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute kids book with great illustrations. Teaches kids about looking at things from other’s perspectives

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  70
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  58 
3. AtoZ   #2023AtoZReadingChallenge  #AlphabetSoupChallenge  U
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #63
5. What an Animal Book #24
6. Bookworm #59 Read a book involving Dinosaurs
7. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #2 about dragons or robots
8. Pick your Poison  # 101 Natural History: A book with dinosaurs in it
9. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2023 14 Unicorns