Whats in a name 2026

  Once again,  Andrea at Carolina Book Nook is hosting a prompt-based challenge that’s all about titles.  This is one of the most creative ones I participate in each year.  

You can sign up at any point on the Linky on the page but only count books read between  

Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2026.  Creativity to apply a book to the prompt is encouraged but only count a book for 1 prompt.  

Andrea’s site has links for reviews for each category so please be sure to go back and link your book reviews as you work through the challenge.

#wian2026

Post reviews on the blog for each prompt

Progress: 1/6

 In 2026, choose 6 books that have titles that contain:  (Click on the links for more examples and info)

• Six/6
• Cold weather
• Peace
• Pathways
• Terrain
•  Discovery in Great Sand Dunes National Park by Aaron Johnson
• Blog and Goodreads Review 1/10/26
• Flower

Review: Gone to Hot Pot

Gone to Hot Pot by Vivien Chien
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

fun novella

Fun story from Megan’s perspective. Kikko takes a tour around Asia Village while Lana is in CA. Fun interaction with the shop owners and recurring characters starting Megan and kikko.

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Review: Diamonds on the Danube

Diamonds on the Danube by Cheryl Dougan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

good read where we meet the characters who are also in the ocean cruise mysteries. the relationships don't start out great and it is interesting to see how they have grown and changed by the time the ocean series starts. iand enjoyed getting the background info the mystery was quite a twisting turning bit of plot work

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Review: Private Oz

Private Oz by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

exciting nail biter

This installment in the Private series was a page turner. The detective work mixed with glamorous clients leads to some very interesting scenarios. My only complaint is the fact the chief of police missed recognizing a pretty important clue in a major case. Otherwise wuite the thriller

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Review: The Correspondent

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

engrossing read

I really did not know what to expect with this book but I found it to be engrossing once I started it. The lost art of letter writing and the connections it creates is brought to life in this book. It is amazing how connected to Sybil the reader becomes. I highly recommend this book

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Review: Dead in the Water

Dead in the Water by Susan Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The characters and relationships continue to develop in this second book in the series. This series seems to be great for readers who like character driven stories with a growing g level of familiarity with the characters. The book gives a deeper sense of Hope and her cruise family. Hope is a tenacious detective who will do whatever is needed to defend her friends.

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Review: Drugged on Deck

Drugged on Deck by Susan Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting first installment in a Caribbean cruise series. While I enjoyed the character, Hope, it did seem like an unlikely staffing scenario for a cruise ship. The scenario did allow for Hope to have a personal experience with her new boss, Felix, and allow her irritation with her employer show through. The mystery was interesting and had characters who were easy to dislike and others who were easy to like The series shows promise and I will continue reading to see where the personal relationships amongst the characters develop

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Review: Murder at the Rusty Anchor

Murder at the Rusty Anchor by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another enjoyable installment in the cozy capers series. This one delved into the personal lives of some of the book club members more than previous books. Mac finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation yet again. Seems as though the Cape is a dangerous place if you have a connection to Mac Almeida. The mystery is full of suspects as the victim was a much hated man. After some twists and turns and reluctant info from the book club members the guilty party is finally caught. This book is full of clues, suspects and plenty of descriptions of Cape Cod.

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Review: The Wayward Wind: Sailing New Seas: The Cozy Cruise Mysteries Book Fifteen

The Wayward Wind: Sailing New Seas: The Cozy Cruise Mysteries Book Fifteen by Lizzie Josephson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

full of criminal activity

This installment finds Cosmos cruise in Sri Lanka and Madagascar. There are several men who believe themselves to be charming, the ladies don’t agree so much. I be finds himself dead in the pool which is unusual for this cozy series as the crimes are usually non murder. It has some good plot twists on the sailing toward Capetown

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Review: A Wee Christmas Homicide

A Wee Christmas Homicide by Kaitlyn Dunnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Liss and her small town are quite upset at the lack of snow in Maine. The lack of precipitation meant a lack of tourists which is bad for holiday sales. Enter the latest toy craze and a few ambitious shopkeepers. Somehow this freeze of teddy bears leads to a death. Lisa cannot help but get herself in the middle of it all. Thus frustrating both the men in her life. Just how far will she go and what does Christmas have in store for her. This series is great for cozy readers who like small town settings and especially if they are into Scottish heritage

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Review: Mayhem in the Mediterranean

Mayhem in the Mediterranean by Cheryl Dougan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

fun series centered on cruising

This is a fun series perfect for the armchair traveler. If you like cruising it’s an added bonus. This book combines a mystery with details about Italy’s famous cities and landmarks. These cozies are great for readers who don’t want a death at the center of their stories

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Review: Chocolate Cherry Cheater

Chocolate Cherry Cheater by Jennifer Joy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

always a fun time

Even when investigating murders there’s fun and laughter around Jessica and her co-conspirators. Abuelita and Tia Rosa are up to more antics and the reader has a chance to read about some more of Ecuadors beauty at the caldera. Thus series is fun and well thought out with great characters

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Review: Five Furry Familiars

Five Furry Familiars by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable read full of furry animals. Each book teaches the reader more about the coven and the life of witches. The mystery was a good plot and definitely bonded Mia with Christina’s family again. Mia and Trent’s relationship moves along and discussions of the future take shape as well. Looking forward to the next book.

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Review: Five Found Dead

Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book which paid homage to some of the classics set on the orient express. The characters were engaging and unique. There was plenty to keep the reader guessing in a book in classic setting with a modern flair

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Review: Murder and Grits: The Complete Savory Mystery Series Collection

Murder and Grits: The Complete Savory Mystery Series Collection by Karen McSpade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun cast of characters. Join Piper and her quirky pals as they work through a series of crimes in small town Savory, AL. This is a compilation of books that tell a continuous story. It has some hilarious moments during the crime fighting. It has the requisite sexual and professional tension with the good looking sheriff. I look forward to reading more of Piper’s adventures

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Review: Buckeye

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

intense emotional ride

This book has a lot to unwrap. There are characters to love and those you can’t help but be very angry with. It’s almost like reading a book about what could be one’s own life. I’d imagine most readers can find a bit of their lives in this saga. It’s also interesting to draw correlations between 2026 and many of the times in history that are addressed in this book. It gives hope that all will be ok and the country will grow and heal again just like it has in the past. Just like the characters do too

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Review: Much Ado about Nutmeg

Much Ado about Nutmeg by Sarah Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marley finds herself mixed up in another murder investigation as the Senior games come to town. Between that investigation and her wedding plans she’s quite busy. This book is full of suspects and the reader will be as perplexed as Marley trying to figure out who committed the crimes. The ending was quite dramatic and a bit unexpected

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Review: Elementary, She Read

Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An intersection and quirky MC, Gemma, uses her extreme attention to detail to help solve a murder. She’s very much a female Sherlock but doesn’t necessarily see the parallels. The mystery is well structured and is solved by reviewing the facts ultimately to reach a conclusion. The hero of the confrontation is an unlikely candidate and one the reader is rooting against in some ways. The relationship tension is a subplot in the story for sure.

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Review: Candy Corruption

Candy Corruption by C.A. Phipps
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This cozy centers around 3 sisters and their growing relationship with Betty. Scarlett, Violet and Ruby are continuing to run the cafe their mother left them but still continue to get ahead. Betty needs a job and is quickly welcomed into the girls’ inner circle. When Betty is threatened Scarlett is determined to help despite putting herself in danger. As the story unfolds the seriousness of the situation escalated. A good mystery with some hints along the way for attentive readers to figure it out. As is often the case money and love play a central role in the characters lives

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Review: Dog Gone Troubles

Dog Gone Troubles by Karen McSpade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Clever premise with a unique plot and quirky characters. Sidney’s clumsiness makes her endearing if a bit flighty seeming. After reading this prequel I am looking forward to trying the series. Good for fans of magic spells and endearing characters

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Review: Read on Arrival

Read on Arrival by Nora Page
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The characters on this story really help to set it apart from other cozy mysteries. The MC is a retiree aged woman who is still working bc she loves what she does. Her nosiness gets her mixed up in murder investigations and puts her in harms way. The book mobile is a fun feature as are her Southern manners and ways. Looking forward to reading more about Cleo’s adventures

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Review: Something Read, Something Dead

Something Read, Something Dead by Eva Gates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A twist here and there keeps the reader on their toes. Family can truly be annoying and Josie’s is no exception. While planning her wedding Josie and Lucy find themselves in a death investigation. At first there appear to be no suspects but when looking at motives they start to surface. A good book with do
E pleasant turn of events and glimpses at the good side of some recurring ( and previously annoying) characters

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Review: Discovery in Great Sand Dunes National Park

Discovery in Great Sand Dunes National Park by Aaron Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable read. Great for people that like mysteries/ mild thrillers and reading about outdoor adventures. Enjoyable for an adult even though middle grade book

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