The Christmas Swap

 This was an enjoyable Christmas story by Melody Carlson that I picked up by chance as a hoopla book.  In November there were hoopla freebies through my library- meaning you could borrow without it counting against your monthly allotment.  I picked this book by  because it sounded intriguing.  This isn't a genre I usually read but I did enjoy the light romance story.  Although some of it was predictable, the author did not always take the easy way out with the storyline.  The protagonist had to explain to his family why he wasn't joining them on their Christmas trip to AZ.  Instead of making everything perfectly happy go lucky there were definitely bumps in the road.  I definitely visualized this as a Hallmark Movie and then found out afterward that it was in fact made into a Hallmark movie.  I;ll have to be on the lookout when surfing through those movies.  

All in all a nice holiday story that makes you smile.

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very enjoyable heartwarming book. What’s not to love about Christmas in Breckenridge. The characters are very believable- shallow Gillian, puppy dog Grant, show off Harris and sweet Emma invade West’s home over Christmas. But West has trust issues and this doesn’t reveal his true identity. The ensuing story is somewhat formulaic but enjoyable nonetheless

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #
2. Pick your Poison #3-3 A book with a cabin on the cover 
3. Backpacking Bookworm  #bbReadingChallenge2021 character on a journey

Feng Shui Detective

 I selected this cozy to fulfill a prompt about reading book about feng shui.  This is the first in a series by Nury Vittachi.  I enjoyed the book but am not sure I would continue to read the series.  The plot didn't move quickly enough for me a lot of the time.  I also wanted to get to the solution more than I wanted to read the philosophical writings of CW.   The good parts were the interaction between Mr. Wong and his intern-   their exchanges and efforts to understand each other's different language and age dialects were often quite funny.  The story itself was interesting and allows the reader to learn about feng shui and more detailed aspects of Eastern belief systems. This story is mainly set in Singapore but does have a portion of the plot occurring in Sydney.  It was interesting to read about areas and streets I am familiar with from travels to both those cities. If you are looking for a cozy set in a foreign location other than the UK and you like a variety of protagonists- not just single women, this is a good choice.  

The Feng Shui Detective by Nury Vittachi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While an enjoyable book with a creative plot, it just did not grab me. I did like the humor in the communication between CW and his young intern. The generational and cultural differences are for some delightful exchanges. The feng shu information was fascinating as I learned much more about the belief system. If you are looking for a cozy set in a foreign country with different cultural aspects this is a good choice

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #128
2. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #139
3. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #154
4. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
5. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #94
6. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #131
7. Craving for Cozies  Book #112
8. Pick your Poison #9-1 A book about hygge, feng shui, or home harmony 
9. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  yes mystery
10. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge multiple continents
11. Backpacking Bookworm  #bbReadingChallenge2021  yes new culture
12. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags

Vanilla Vendetta

 I finally started this series by Rosie A Point.  I have had it checked out in my Kindle Unlimited account for months now.  I'm not really sure what I think of the series yet.  I will finish the other 2 in the box set before deciding whether I will continue on with the series or not.  
The book was a quick and easy read that I finished within a day but I did find the main character a bit annoying.  Charlie is a spy in hiding and I found that concept to be a bit far fetched for some reason.  I think I found her character to be over the top and not very believable.  I guess I just have trouble visualizing James Bond/Mission Impossible being a character in a cozy mystery.   The series is titled Mission Inn Possible, playing on the surname of the owner of the B&B that is central to the story.  I guess that should be an indication that it is meant to be somewhat cheeky and a play on the theme.

As mentioned, I will continue to give the next 2 books a try before I make a final decision on the series.  Maybe the characters will grow on my as they develop in the series.  

Vanilla Vendetta by Rosie A. Point
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My verdict is still out on this series. While I ended up liking the mystery and the characters, the premise behind our main character's arrival in Gossip, TX seemed a bit fanciful. The spy in hiding felt a bit over the top for me but Ms. Point did a wonderful job of progressing Charlie from a high strung spy to settling into her role as a maid at a B&B. The guilty party was a bit of a surprise so that will keep the reader guessing. If you don't mind a cozy with a bit of a stretch on the back story of the main detective then this is a good series to try.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. AtoZ   #2021AtoZReadingChallenge  #AlphabetSoupChallenge   "V"
2. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #124
3. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #138
4. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #81
5. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #118
6. Craving for Cozies  Book #99
7. Pick your Poison #19-1 A book about secret societies/clubs 
8. Backpacking Bookworm  #bbReadingChallenge2021 
9. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
10. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 

Row 3
Bar, store, restaurant

• Weapons
• Row 1 
• Poison, poisoned food
• Detectives- Charlie/ Gamma
• Victims- Pete 
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #76  Shot #1

   

There There

 This debut novel by Tommy Orange has been on my TBR list since 2020.  I am glad I finally read this book and really enjoyed the story told in the work.  My biggest problem was in style and my difficulty  following the storyline as it switched between the different characters narrating the story.  I think some of this struggle was due to the fact I was listening to the book rather than reading.  If I had been reading a written edition, I could have switched back and forth to keep the characters straight in my head.

The other reason I only gave it a 2 1/2 star review was the ending.  I finished the book feeling like I had been dropped off a cliff.  There were so many unanswered questions regarding the fates of the characters.  Maybe this is a reflection of me as a reader and a need to feel like things are resolved and complete.  I left the book feeling like there was parts of the story missing.   I do think this does indicate I had a real interest in the characters and their lives.  I just want to know what happened to them.  

There There by Tommy Orange
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about this book and would really have given it a 2 1/2 stars if possible. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their stories and emotions. I liked the entire premise of the different people of Native American descent coming to the PowWow in Oakland each with their own motivations. The characters definitely interested me and drew me into their worlds and I found myself wanting to learn more about them. I just had a hard time with the erratic nature of the story line at times and struggled to keep the characters straight especially their relationships and their histories. I do think the fact I was listening to the book probably exaggerated this confusion. Perhaps in a written copy there is a character chart with their relationships to each other that helps keep the reader on track.
The other aspect of the book I found troubling was the ending. I felt like I was left without any resolution and a lack of knowledge of what became of the characters. I definitely think this feeling of frustration does attest to the degree to which I became invested in the characters and their stories. If I had not been engaged I probably wouldn't care so much about feeling like I was left hanging to know what became of the characters and their lives.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #89
2. Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  "O"
3. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #50 includes a 2nd person point of view
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #96
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #110
6. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #16. A book by an indigenous author
7. Nerd Daily  #NERDREADING2021 #27. SAME FIRST INITIAL AS YOU
8. Pick your Poison #17-4 A book by an author whose name is a color
9. Diversify your reading #DYRC21  yes contemporary fiction
10. Backpacking Bookworm  #bbReadingChallenge2021  Indigenous author/characters
11. Audiobook  #2021AudiobookChallenge  book #10

By Book or By Crook

 This is the first in a new to me series by Eva Gates.   She has set the series in a library in the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  The setting sounds like a fabulous location and I would love to have an apartment right on the beach such as the one Lucy lives in at Bodie Lighthouse.   The story captures much of small town politics and old family ties to those towns.  It also touches upon the local vs visitors relationships in touristy towns.  The diverse set of characters add to the story and as it unfolds we see more depth to some of the characters.  I look forward to seeing the relationships grow and reveal themselves as the series progresses.

The mystery itself was well structured with several subplots that blended well with the main storyline.   All in all it is a great start to what seems to be a promising series.

By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable cozy set in the Nags Head area of the Outer Banks of NC. This is the first in the series set in a library in the lighthouse. Mysterious happenings including the death of a library board member and the disappearances from a display of Jane Austen collection of books. Lucy as a new arrival gets her feet wet in her new position amidst all the mysterious occurrences. She has returned to the Outer Banks where she has summered during her childhood and has met up with family and friends and is reestablishing those relationships. The mystery is well written and it looks like it will be a good ongoing series.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #54
2. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #60
3. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #71
4. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
5. Cruisin thru Cozies free choice 34
6. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #58
7. Craving for Cozies  Book #50
8. Beyond the Bookends  story set in a library
9. Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO Book
10. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
11. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Library or bookstore
• Weapons
• Row 2 
• Pointy object
• Detectives- Lucy/Bertie/Butch
• Victims- Johnathon
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 63 Shot #1
13. 52 books in 52 weeks  #29 librarians

Ghostal Living

 This next installment in the Hamptons Home and Garden Mysteries centers around literature.  The book is full of references to many American authors and particularly the ones with connections to Long Island.  Kathleen Bridge returns with her main character Meg Barrett and her bff, El.   This installment is full of references to Fitzgerald, the least of which is the costume party that sounds like something straight out of The Great Gatsby.  

There are plenty of vivid descriptions of the decor, the books and the landscaping details.  Bee lovers will enjoy all the reference to honey and the Apiary in the book.   All the wonderful details about the Hamptons and the American authors blend well with the cozy mystery.   The guilty party is well hidden and its revelation a very climactic scene. 

I'm curious to see what the central theme of the next book is since we have now read about antiques, artists and authors.  

Ghostal Living by Kathleen Bridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I continue to enjoy this series of books set in the Hamptons. Besides the enjoyable descriptions of the Long Island areas and its residents, the books are full of cultural references. This one centers around Bibliophiles and books. Ms Bridge ties the area into the lives and works of many famous authors all while telling a wonderful cozy mystery. The mystery is multi layered and well thought out. There are several side mysteries that are somewhat intertwined. All in all an enjoyable read. This is the 3rd in the series but can be read as a standalone

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  √

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

Possible prompts

I will decide as the year goes along which prompts I use it for on several challenges since it meets multiple criteria within the challenge.

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #53
2. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
3. Cruisin thru Cozies  free choice #32
4. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #56
5. Craving for Cozies  Book #48
6. Pick your Poison #6-4 A book about flappers
7. Backpacking Bookworm  #bbReadingChallenge2021  personified animal
8. Medical Examiner Challenge  3 Toe Tags
9. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Library or bookstore

Row 3
Cliff, roof, high place

Row 5

Beach or shoreline

• Weapons
• Row 4
• Push or fall
• Row 5
• Medicine or drugs
• Detectives- Meg/El
• Victims-  Franklin & Violet Hollingsworth; Randall
10. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #62  Shot #3
11. Audiobook  #2021AudiobookChallenge  #5

 

Salt to the Sea

 This was the second book I have read by Ruta Sepetys and I enjoyed it as much as I did The Fountains of Silence.  This book was about a lesser known maritime disaster that occurred during WWII.  The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff was something I was unfamiliar with but it was an intriguing aspect to this historical fiction book.  I appreciated the variety of the characters, including some you did not like.

I enjoyed how the book was written in chronological order but was told by alternating narrators.  Sepetys does a wonderful job of revealing each of the narrators' back stories and secrets.   The ending had a twist to it that was intriguing and wasn't all sunshine and roses which made for a more realistic outcome.  

I will definitely continue to work my way through Sepetys' catalogue of works as I enjoy her blending of historic facts and a fictional story.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this historic fiction book based upon the little know sinking of the Wilhelm Guatloff. Sepetys writes a good YA book that appeals to adults. Her characters are well developed and have aspects to their personality that make them like able and unlike able. The story is well written by different narrative voices while on the same timeline. There is a nice build up to the back stories of each character and a nice twist at the end. There is a good balance of happy ending with tragedy as well. Rather than everything coming out perfect it mixed both outcomes. I look forward to reading more by this author

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√

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

Possible prompts

I will decide as the year goes along which prompts I use it for on several challenges since it meets multiple criteria within the challenge.

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #39
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  Prussia
3. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #47
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #53
5. Historic Fiction  #histficreadingchallenge   Book #6
6. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #6 A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title 
7. Around the Year in 52 Books #6 a love story
8. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021  #28
9. Monthly Book Awards #AwardReadingChallenge  Audie winner 2017
10. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge  yes Prussia
11. Beyond the Bookends    Read/listen to Audie Winner
12. Backpacking Bookworm  #bbReadingChallenge2021 teaches you something new 

Chorus Lines, Caviar and Corpses

 This was the first book in the Happy Hoofers series by Mary McHugh.  I enjoyed the premise of the book and the tight comradery of the main characters.  They are a strong group of women who have a great friendship.  Their individual character strengths and weaknesses were accurately represented.  Their internal squabbling and the peacemaker in the group all felt realistic.  

The vivid descriptions of the Russian towns and St. Petersburg were wonderful.  The food and culture of Russia were well represented.  As was the historical facts blended in under the auspicious of a tour guide and local guide on board their cruise ship.  The premise of the mystery was a good one although the strength of the revelation was a bit lacking as I found myself guessing the guilty party early on in the book.   

I am looking forward to reading more adventures with these ladies.  There next adventure is in Spain so that should be interesting.  The series seems like it will be a fun way to virtually travel the world.

Chorus Lines, Caviar, and Corpses by Mary McHugh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the ensemble cast of friends in this cozy. I did find the mystery a bit predictable which is why it’s a 3 not a 4 star. The characters were like able and realistic. I look forward to seeing their relationships develop in the series. The descriptions of St Petersburg and the towns along the river were wonderful and makes me want to visit even more than I did previously

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  Russia
2. Beat the Backlist #BTB2021  #33 non-binary protagonist
3. Mount TBR   #MountTBR2021  Book #5
4. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #38
5. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
6. Cruisin thru Cozies  free choice #9
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #27
8. Craving for Cozies  Book #23
9. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2021  #50 A Shoe On The Cover
10. The Unofficial Magnus Archives Challenge  #TMARC21  #9. The Stranger: MC/author is a performer
11. Magic in the Books Book 6 #7 A book involving music
12. Pick your Poison #13-4 A book about cross dressing
13. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  set in russia
14. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge  Eastern Europe
15. Backpacking Bookworm  #bbReadingChallenge2021 
16. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
17. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Boat
• Weapons
• Row 2 
• Knife
• Detectives- Tina
• Victims- Brad
18. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #53  Shot #1
19. Unruly Reader Bingo  #23 russia

BackPacking Book worm #bbReadingChallenge2021

 

I have found another Monthly challenge hosted at Backpacking Bookworm.  I am going to try to fit it in with my other challenges although I may not get everything read in its appropriate month I do intend to finish all the books during the year.

Categories

Jan  character with a disability 

Laughing at my Nightmare by Shane Burcaw

• Blog Post and Good Reads Review 1/30/21

Feb  set in Afghanistan IDEA: The Kite Runner

Mar celebrates diversity 

A Burning by Megha Majumdar

Blog Post and Goodreads Review 3/16/21

Apr  teaches you something new 

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Blog Post and Goodreads Review 4/7/21

May  personified animal 

Ghostal Living  by Kathleen Bridge

Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/4/21

•  By Book or by Crook by Eva Gates
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 5/6/21

Jun  epistolary or diary format

Where'd you Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

Blog Post and Goodreads Review 6/26/21

Jul  Indigenous author/characters 

There There by Tommy Orange

Blog Post and Goodreads Review 7/7/21

Aug  children's classic IDEA: Where the Sidewalk Ends

Sep  historical fiction based on true events IDEA: Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolution's Women

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron

Blog Post and Goodreads Review 9/20/21

Oct  nordic noir IDEA: Snowblind (Dark Iceland #1)

Nov  learn about a new culture 

• Feng Shui Detective by Nury Vittachi

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 11//21

Dec  character on a journey 

• The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson

• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 12/6/21