Flying by the Seat of My Knickers (The Travel Mishaps of Caity Shaw #Book 1)

(The Travel Mishaps of Caity Shaw Book 1)

by Eliza Watson

Much more to the book than the title suggests, a fun and encouraging tale.

What a combination of personality types! Humor. fear. enterprising, disenchantment, unworthiness, all play a part in this unusual story. From her partner lording it over her at home, to the flight to Ireland in search of a new life and a job, to the discovery of her Irish heritage, and a closer relationship with her sister, Caity Shaw is about to learn how important in the world she actually is. As one more of many women who have suffered mental abuse from their partners, Caity is on her way to Ireland where her sister is responsible for the smooth running of her job as an event planner, but will she allow Caity to become a part of her very active life, will she believe in her? This book is a lot of fun, but there is sorrow and terror in the past Caity is running from, will that cause her sister to reject her? Or will she give her a chance at a good job? Loved this book, much more to it than the title would suggest. I really felt for Caity for the struggles she has had and will have follow her until she learns what her real achievements will expose.

Out of the Past - a Reed Ferguson Mystery #5 by Renee Pawlish

Love the old classic film noir movies and now the books!

A classic private investigator who is also a fan of old detective novels, classic movies, film noir is about to find himself wrapped up in something that is not so old, but somewhat still classic. Wow, back to the '30s and '40s we go!

I enjoyed this book, mostly because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the reason Reed has been hired at this particular time and for this particular reason. What happened in Reed's past that has him upset? What are the real reasons for him to be paid to keep a teenage girl safe...and also, apparently, her friends? Another classic looms... classic corruption, in the background and in the past. What happened all those years ago to cause such worry now? Interesting and funny in an unusual manner.

Official and Confidential: The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover by Anthony Summers

How could one man do so much damage in what should be a country of federal dedication to its people?  This book took me ages to read, but kept my attention throughout. Totally fascinating in its depth. Secret is definitely the key! Full of probable criminal activity, a man of huge ego quite obviously unsurpassed for decades until his death and/or until recent events transpiring in the same United States. To say I was fascinated that these events could and did happen is to put it mildly. How could one man do so much damage in what should be a country of federal dedication to its people?

Mending Fences (The Deacon's Family) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

A very interesting read of a young man who made a lot of mistakes in his youth must make amends. He must "undo" the actions and sorrow he caused so many people with his antics.

I loved this book, besides giving me a good look at the Amish ideals, it is a very meaningful way of looking at things, trading past mistakes for a more fulfilling and actively correctly the wrongs done in the past. Aside from that, this book made me feel the closeness of these people, something that doesn't always show up in quite the same way. Very good and helpful, fulfilling storyline. I enjoyed every part of this book. Especially with the lessons Luke must learn and how he goes about repairing his past errors.

The World Beneath (Joe Tesla Series Book 1) Kindle Edition by Rebecca Cantrell

WWII, a medical project gone bad. Post-war leftover tests, are they possible? are they safe? will they help or kill? This is a fascinating book that goes in many directions but the biggest concern at this point in time is an infected monkey, but just how deadly and what is the infection?

Looking for a safe place to work or store the paperwork on this infection, those in the know have reached a strong possibility; a location holding information on the war, and possibly the various testings, labs, no doubt even the doctors and patients involved. This location is probably not where these people expect to spend their last days.

There is a train car, a piece of history underground, a particularly interesting train car, the very car that US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt innocently traveled across the country in, a trip meant to buoy up the people at home during the war. Why is it here?

How is it here? Soldiers start bricking up walls in front and behind the famous train. It doesn't take long to realize the people and a caged monkey currently in the train that has just arrived are doomed as the last bricks are placed.

The author then jumps to present day New York Grand Central Station. In the present there seem to be some leftovers. Are these people with mental and physical problems infected? Were they given the infection all those years ago? The symptoms are all wrong, no two seem to be capable of a "normal" life, but they seem to have small differences of reactions to the infection. Could it be the result of how long ago infection occurred, or has the original been manipulated?

Joe Tesla lives his life in the subterranean tunnels with his psychriatic rescue dog, a probable victim years before and is trying desperately avoid becoming a victim again. This part of the story is fascinating and terrifying. This is one book I can truly say has lots of twists and surprises, especially where our psychologically handicapped hero and rescue dog live. Fantastic story, I could happily read it again! Rebecca Cantrell is a force to be reckoned with, well-researched, I loved this book.

Broken Arrow - America's First Lost Nuclear Weapon by Norman S. Leach

by Norman S. Leach
published by Red Deer Press

America's First Broken Arrow : A True Story of the Cold War, A Doomed Bomber and America's First Lost Nuclear Weapon

Have you ever seen a B36 war plane? Have you ever had an opportunity to see the "Fat Boy" atomic weapon? I have, and both of these are huge in comparison with the size I thought they would be. We had taken a car trip south and part of our route included the Atomic Museum at Alamogordo and New Mexico where "Fat Boy" resides. The reason I know about these combined is because it's an interesting story and by some freak of nature the crash site ended up in British Columbia (the "bomb" was dumped in the ocean when the plane became unstable). For years it was never known where the crash site ultimately was, until it was basically stumbled upon years later where it shouldn't have landed, on Mt. Kologet, north of Smithers, east of the small border town of Stewart and Alaska panhandle, and some of what was recovered ended up in our Smithers museum. 

Were we at war with the US? No, it was a mystery for years what had happened to the flight of this huge plane. How could any of the debris end up there? For an estimate of size, the tail alone was the equivalent of a five-story building and to get it in and out of the hangar, or even sometimes for take-off, the nose had to be lifted...in the hangar so the tail could dip down enough to get out, and on the tarmac to get enough speed for lift, because it was carrying so much weight, the weight of the very heavy atomic bomb, a very big bomb, "Fat Boy". Maybe not a complete one, but the equivalent weight and position. This was in the time of the "Cold War". The crash discovery was made 40 years after the event, but where was the bomb? Did it explode as a "dirty bomb"?

Because we had moved to Smithers, BC after the discovery of this crash site, it really intrigued us. It took so many years to be discovered, but that's not surprising because it was totally in the opposite direction than it should have been. It was assumed to have crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The good news is that several of the crew survived the terrible weather they had parachuted into on Princess Royal Island off the west coast of British Columbia.

This book is exceptionally well-written, Norman S. Leach wrote this with a passion and a lot of research and it immediately becomes a great non-fiction search and recovery, the product of an amazing piece of history between the flight from a frozen Alaska night, Valentine's Day, 1950 and during the years of the "Cold War".

A Premonition of Murder (Dream Club Mystery 3) by Mary Kennedy

by Mary Kennedy

published by Berkley

Mary Kennedy, you've outdone yourself. I loved this, the 3rd Dream Club Mystery, also the 3rd I've read. I find dreams so fascinating in the directions they go. The Dream Club is a perfect example. Beginning with a wealthy, elderly lady hosting a tea-party outside her mansion, she immediately stuns them with the news she dreamed she's going to die, that was the feeling she had from the dream. The Dream Club then tries to help her sort out the dream she had. Fascinating ideas. But are they a portent or a nightmare? The Dream Club is a very mixed group, so she will certainly get a variety of suggestions, though most concur her dream of death was not necessarily what the dream is about. So many different possibilities, especially when her house is a mansion, a beautiful old Savannah home, very large and housing some of her assistants. Are the people who are living there truly caring for her? or is there a darker side to some of them. How many can be trusted?

This dream seems to be complicated as the Club begins to consider the people in the house besides Abigail Marchand, since she is somewhat of a recluse and relies on these others. Of course, with the housekeeper having worked there for over 30 years, she will be receiving an inheritance of $30,000,000. Others appear to be non-threatening, but are they? Who are some of these people who have been showing up recently? Abigail falls to her death, but actually was pushed down the stairs. Finally some questions surface in the group along with Detective Sam Styles, a member of the Dream Club, as they really get to work on what the dreams of all of them have been leading them to, Abigail's housemates and yard-workers. Who is the family member Sophie, from another country? Is she really a relative? What was the real cause of death of Abigail's sister, Desiree? Who is the student recording the artwork in the house? Lucy, the housekeeper, has a son living in the mansion, what is known about him?

Lucy murdered, by whom? Sophie is supposedly Abigail's last living relative, is that true? Abigail has requested that Tracy and Ali record all items in the house after her death. A lot going on with this book. I found the views of the Dream Club very interesting, lives being lost strangely interesting as facts became clearer. I enjoyed reading the Dream Symbol Guide in the back of the book, I wonder what the dreams of floating mean?

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

by Erin Morgenstern

published by Anchor Canada (www.randomhouse.ca)

I am so happy to finally obtain this awesome and fantastic exciting book. I first heard of it a few years ago but wasn't able to get it until this month of October. I am thrilled that it went far above my expectations, and they were pretty high! Erin Morgenstern is a fabulous writer. This is probably the longest book I've ever read and yet I read it steadily, only stopping to sleep, eat and since it is frosty these days in northern BC, chopping wood for the fireplace, what could be more cozy for reading?

I loved this book, it's amazing and unexpected, characters clearly defined, the circus itself a character coming to life only at midnight and closing as the sun begins to rise. Not quite your usual circus, no animal acts, no Big Top, no clowns, but on the other hand, not like the famous Cirque du Soleil or the equally famous Russian Circus. A circus like no other. No, Le Cirque des Reves is something beyond, something living, something elegant. Yet, there is a dark side, too. Not obvious, but competitive, selective in its application of what the competitors, who remain unknown to most, will be compelled to do.

What impressed me was the flow of this book. I felt like I could just become one of the spectators, in fact, I think that is exactly what I was! The story is very unique with a style of its own.

The Inventor (a Penny Green Mystery Book 4) by Emily Organ

 Independently published

Oh, how I wish I had started this series with the first book by Emily Organ! That said, I really enjoyed reading the Inventor. I didn't really know exactly what I would find and learn in this book beginning in 1884 with a young lady as a reporter for the newspaper, but the story-line was excellent. Everything in this book was well-matched to its time, not to mention a really strong heroine reporting. The Inventor is placed in the time of working with electricity and I'm sure a lot of references were spot on. If not quite in their time, there are notes at the end of the book with dates, names, companies, and even references to what was going on in botany at the time Penny's father disappeared on a hunt for new plants.

This book has over 350 pp. yet I read it in one day. So dedicated to the story I was I simply couldn't put it down. I definitely want to read the previous books Limelight, The Rookery, and The Maid's Secret, (Books 1, 2 & 3 in the series).

A lot of history of Britain especially regarding the work with electricity, chemicals, filaments, but one can just imagine from the descriptions the appearance in a live show of fairies lit up with small lights in their performance. But unfortunately this didn't last on the first live trial. Instead, misfortune soon overtakes witnesses as the man who has created this effect for whatever reason commits suicide. A sad ending. But why? Our intrepid reporter Penny Green is witness, and also as a reporter will certainly be investigating why this happened. When she starts to receive threatening notes, the whole book takes a turnaround. It still is featuring electricity in its earliest days, but the who would single out Penny for very nasty threatening notes and even telegrams? Everything she does for the paper is followed up with threats, but still she can rely on help from her various contacts.

Seriously, I could not put this book down, in fact when I went outside to check on some noises (we live where there is considerable wildlife), I realized I had taken my book out with me!

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey

  Penguin Random House
  Tundra Books
  written by Linda Bailey
  illustrated by Julia Sarda

I love the illustrations in this book, both the imaginative and creative drawings, and the creative writing. Kids and adults are going to love these drawings, as creative as the original story itself. This is a childrens book, so creative. As it says, How does a Story Begin? Sometimes it begins with a dream. I am in awe of the creativity and the story in this book.

Mary is an unusual girl. She never really knew her mother, she died when Mary was only eleven days old. She comes to know some poets, writers, and artists, friends of her father and who will become famous through the years. Thus she becomes well-known in her own field. She is unique, well-read, and creative, and she runs away with a young poet who is very much like her, seeing what others don't see, too busy in their own lives to see the creativity in the lives of these two unique personalities. Meeting another creative story-teller, Mary has a lot to think about as a teen-ager.  She sees mystery everywhere, finds creativity fulfilling her life. Her friends want to become famous story-tellers...poets, artists, novelists. Mary, with her wonderful imagination, way with words, and desire to create, to tell stories, writes. Mary is the person who wrote about Frankenstein and created a book that is still known today. Mary grew up to be a classic and exciting author. Sometimes a Story begins with a Dream. If people dreamed of what they wanted to do, of what they are capable of, just look at what they can do!

Gray Ghost: The Bill Dix Detective Series Book 1 by C.L. Swinney

                                     What a thriller! This is one very active, very connected book!

Reviewed from Kindle

What a thriller! What a way to take a vacation! This is one very active, very connected book. I knew I'd heard the words "Gray Ghost" through the years but had no idea until now how important those words were. I just looked at a list of books with that name included and it is a long list. I believe it has also been used as names for operations and various transport mobility during wars. Just picture planes, ships, submarines slipping out of side like a gray ghost in a fog. Just as easily a motorboat of any type could slip away in the usual fog of night with illegal cargo as silently as a ghost when needed. That aside, this was a fascinating book, beginning with murder and the sinking of a speedboat loaded with one hundred million dollars' worth of cocaine in the hull, and two dead bodies on deck. Wouldn't you think a nice fishing trip in the Bahamas would be restful for two vacationing narcotics detectives? But no, first their fishing guides were killed, the boat sunk, all before they even got started. What can you do when you do not have jurisdiction to assist in such a case that could cost your career if you interfere? But Bill and his partner will take the chance. This was a great fast action read, lots to think about, some very fast thinking but the mastermind is so diabolical, how will they ever catch him? Lucky for the readers, this is Book 1 in a series so there is more to come. I was totally whisked away by author C.L. Swinney as I followed their efforts, very exciting.

Behind Dark Doors by Susan May

Reviewed from Kindle

Fascinating and dark, I enjoyed these short stories, always with a quick twist. These stories bring to mind the old Twilight Zone TV series that were so suspenseful and held a twist. What was particularly different was that the Twilight Zone was visual whereas this book with its several very suspenseful short stories can sneak up on you as you absorb what you are reading. Of course, reading has its own ability to create visually and probably retain the shock that will come as it twists suddenly. Reading this book will definitely leave you with visually presented stories in your mind. It is also Book 1 of a series, so lots to look forward to. I read all the stories in one go, couldn't put it down until I finished the book. Short stories in this case didn't feel short because there was so much packed into them that will claim your mind long after you finish the book. Bring on the next! It's almost like shock therapy. You really pulled me in, Susan May!

The Case of the Exploding Speakeasy by David E. Fessen

author David E. Fessenden
published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

This book was a welcome surprise to me, featuring some familiar names if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes. It's like Sherlock Holmes rebooted! Such fun, and such competition! The mystery of the exploding speakeasy seems to have become a guessing game to the public. Three men have joined together to solve the mystery and are all living in the same house: Mycroft Holmes (brother to Sherlock), Thomas Watson, a newspaper reporter and son of Dr. Watson, biographer of Sherlock and the butler, Basil Meridan, who is now out of a job and apparently into a new one serving this group. One might say this unusual crew sharing a crowded apartment makes for strange bedfellows.

Beginning with a disaster of unknown cause, four men begin to put their heads to an explosion that doesn't appear to really be what it seems. But let's get back to our room-mates for a bit. When the explosion occurs, we learn some identities of those who were safely out of the room. An English butler, Mr. Watson, and at home, who should arrive but Mr. Holmes, Mycroft Holmes! Who else should turn up, and why? How exciting to have Sherlock Holmes' legacy arrive on your doorstep! They didn't arrive all at once but almost, not quite, prearranged or maybe I could say predestined. Did you love the Sherlock Holmes adventures when you were young? This is definitely up your alley. Just a start but sure feels like more to come. And of course, "Times They Are A-Changing. So take it with a little tongue in cheek, maybe a quarter dose since we don't want problems. Now on with the show! I truly enjoyed this merry mixed group working out the clues, I am so glad I came across this book, a good mystery and a fascinating one.

The Hydrofoil Mystery by Eric Walters

written by Eric Walters
 published by Puffin Canada
1st published 1999 Reissued 2018

A fascinating YA mystery the basis of which comes from the actual invention and historic bites of interest from WWI, I found the book very well-defined in its time-frame and place, Halifax, Nova Scotia, with WWI German submarines attacking the east coast of North America, lack of money, lack of entertainment for teens; no wonder people were desperate for both money and entertainment. Thus we find our young hero, Billy McCracken, not so much a hero at this point, he is getting in with the "wrong" crowds and his mother is in a quandry. This boy has a lot of anger buried and possibly doesn't even realize it, but more than that he is gambling and smoking, neither a particularly a healthy life.

Through some interesting maneuvers he finds himself sent off to work for Alexander Graham Bell. He has no idea of how his life might change. This is where the book became very interesting to me. Aside from Bell being an inventor and teacher of so many things, he becomes a real friend to Billy, who he insists on calling William McCracken. Alexander Graham Bell invented the first hydrofoil boat in 1911, intended to resist enemy submarines reaching/attacking the east coast. This I found fascinating. I believe young teens will find this interesting and older teens will be drawn to the technical side, but also what happens when the war and early technology clash. Billy becomes very interested in this machine that is so amazing. When danger lurks, he and others working with Bell are ready and willing to save the ship from attack. I thought the book had a lot going for it and in it. The lives if people in the Maritimes, the inventions and the well-written inventor, the technology, Bell's "lessons" to help young people. Altogether it makes for good reading.

The Hidden Village: A Story of Survival in WW2 Holland by Imogen Matthews

 author Imogene Matthews
 published by Amsterdam Publishing
Reviewed from Kindle

This is a book that truly has a strong message
This is a book that truly has a strong message and imparts some very important safety measures, especially for the children. Depending on the reader's awareness of WWII, it is a difficult story and yet made me follow the people involved, really drew me. While I say it is a difficult story, it is even more a very well-written story that encompasses several years, several lives, and a Hidden Village. Now that is very interesting and I loved the story-line, the closeness of the village, the historic significance. I read this whole book without stopping, it grabbed me so much. Was there a real "Hidden Village"? I honestly don't know but I have suspicions of a sort. There have been signs of it. The people are the main focus, because this was the way a community came together and lived and watched out for each other, and protected the Jewish families and in many cases just the children.

Even today the world reverberates with loss and fear, lost dreams and lost family. Sometimes it seems that every generation has a war and it starts all over again. Generation after generation. But this is a story that is innovative, careful, frightened yes, but they are making plans, they are refusing to simply be victims and nor do they leave these people to what is absolute slaughter. I really found this not only an interesting read, but grew up feeling for many of the innocents and those who lost their lives. WWII is a history not forgotten.

The fascination comes mostly with how the Dutch were able to hide so many in some very small places. If indeed the Hidden Village is/was real, it operates in this book as a community living as normal as possible, while being very careful. The Village is not seen easily, thanks to the heavily wooded area surrounding it. But most people know if they go into the woods, they are not as quiet as one might think. Sometimes a twig snaps, sometimes a bird stops in mid-song. But back to the German searches through the community, did they ever find the Hidden part? When refugees are taken in to the village homes the transition is pretty smooth but the need for so many spaces increases constantly. Closets, attics, under floors, small spaces. This book is based on a village in Holland of which some signs have been found. I would say this historical fiction is closer to fact than originally thought. Those who have read Corrie Ten Boom and Anne Frank will remember they were hidden in this way.

There are several times that there are near misses of the villagers getting caught. Finding an English pilot once and an American pilot later, both in the woods, shows how chancy any outdoor activity is. How they managed to get the glaring white 'chutes out of the dark forest fast enough for them not to be found amazes me. But life goes on and on, and for probably years the Hidden Village was not found. My thanks to Imogene Matthews for the courage, insight, endurance, and the ability to see things that may or may not have been there and interpreted it all into a polished and fascinating piece of historic value. This is the best I have read in this genre.

Deal Gone Dead: A Lily Sprayberry Realtor Book 1 by Carolyn Ridder Aspension

written by Carolyn Ridder Aspension
reviewed from Kindle

Round and round the suspects do go, when they will stop no one will know 
Is there a sale on cast-iron skillets in town? They seem to appear with a bit of regularity in this book. Unfortunately, no one is cooking with them. What's a realtor to do when she finds her client dead from a blow to the head, a death by cast-iron skillet! Myrtle Mae Redbecker may be difficult, but who would do anything remotely like this to an elderly woman, the elderly woman you have an appointment for morning coffee with?

Lily, stuck with a childhood nickname of Lillibit, finds the news gets around faster than she could possibly guess, being that all she did was look out in front of the house only to see a large group of Myrtle Mae's neighbors gathered already! Who sounded the alert? or, being a small town, who rounded up citizens in siren vehicles. I'm from a small town but the only time we would hear that is to announce lunch hour at noon. Then again, Myrtle wasn't the favorite of the block but curiosity will win out every time no matter the draw. Yes, there is something about small towns or counties that seem to be able to pass news faster than the telegraph, and in this case one of the fastest is Lily's old beau from college, her ex-boyfriend, now County Sheriff Dylan. With the arrival at Myrtle's home of her great-nephew Jesse, craziness is compounded. Sheriff Dylan is checking the house and body out, Lily is trying to keep Jesse out of the house until given the all-clear.

In the meantime, what will happen with the sale of Myrtle Mae's property, the reason why Lily had come to the house, other than coffee, in the first place. Finding her dead is certainly going to complicate things, since there are three bidders, one to be accepted this morning. The reason for getting together with Myrtle that morning was that she had made a decision on which buyer she wanted.


I love these Southern cozy mysteries! Well crafted, yet a veritable verbal pile-up. You never know what direction they're going to go. As it happens, the sale is for the property, and Jesse has no claim on the property which Myrtle had put in a trust. Are big developers going to be changing property in the area into condos, tearing down history? But wait!! Who is putting holes in the walls and floor of the attic? Why? When? How? So much to look into, but what I love about this book is the mysteries, who is doing what where and why? Surprisingly, the answers are not all that forthcoming, there are more mysteries yet to add to this story, some long-standing.  Carolyn Ridder Aspension, for a small town this story has plenty to say--I really enjoyed reading it, suspense, mystery, and all the knotted threads to unravel. Questionable property lines may throw a shovel in the mix ending the sale, since there seems to be an extra shovel by the window most days. There seem to be several thoughts on who has a right to the property, what property is being questioned, many secrets and as many secret missions to solve them. And then there's the long history of the "hidden money" story. This book was funny, sad, different and enjoyable. I leave the final outcomes, discovery and enjoyment for other readers to visit unspoiled and enjoy.

Death by a Honeybee (a Josiah Reynolds Mystery #1) by Abigail Keam

author  Abigail Keam
review based on Kindle

 I really enjoyed this book by Abigail Keam , sharp, witty, and dedicated to her bees; as a former beekeeper, I also not only self-involved into the mystery of the death of this beekeeper, but also learned some new things I didn't know before. With such a shocking death, one might wonder how in the world anyone will be able to get to the bottom of this crime, if, indeed, it is a crime. I loved the character of Josiah and also of Matt the upcoming lawyer, his partner Franklin provided a combination of humor and good advice. Not so much the unhelpful Taffy and Nancy. But back to the bees. Who killed Richard Pidgeon? Or was it an accident, a heart attack? There are so many angry honeybees around him who would be able to tell. Nothing will calm them for some time.

Josiah, owner of this land and a most vigilant beekeeper, has not been lucky in love. She also seems to be thrown into chaos of the wealthy kind, she has it (mostly when married to Barron), then she doesn't (mostly when he married #2 wife). Of course this probably has more to do with her losses with her lawyer fees and other similar matters trying to keep on top of arrest for this crime she didn't commit. Though she loves the home her husband Brannon had built, when they came to a place in their lives when their interests drifted apart, divorce reared its ugly head yet she reveals that she never had closure, and then he died leaving behind his first wife Josiah and daughter, he leaves little else, which may be causing someone they knew, or maybe #2 wife simmering with the idea he was been murdered and by Josiah? Life in this town is like a chess game!

There are a lot of characters in this book, and each has a reason to be included. Everyone from "Daffy" Taffy to Officer O'nan, a vindictive piece of work. Every year there is a honey competition at the Farmers' Market and there appears to be a very tight race between Richard and Josiah to win in previous years, casting suspicion on Josiah, especially since the very dead Richard was found in one of her hives. Definitely a quirky murder, if that is what it is, but why at Josiah's? Now Josiah is the number one suspect for the murder of Richard, this before murder has yet to be proven. What Josiah learns is that everyone has suspicions, and she won't be allowed to communicate with her friends and others in town until her name is cleared. The more I read the more there appeared to be issues between people, but also others appear to be strong and honest. It's a complicated town, though a portion of the population seems to be well-off financially, others are in need, and of course there are the renowned Kentucky horses to also make you either rich or poor. It's curious how much transferring of funds and/or properties goes on in this town, and why? There also seems to be a number of people with allergies: asthma, bee stings, (maybe that famous bluegrass of Kentucky causes Josiah's breathing problems?)

I gained so many memories with the movie game that Josiah & Matt played often, sometimes joined with Franklin it was so much fun. Old movie quotes from old stars and even a dance taken from Dick Clark's TV Dance show in the late '50s and '60s. If you like movies and stars from either side of the 1940s, you'll enjoy all these references (maybe even play along), I did. This book was an unexpected pleasure to read, even with the deaths. I love new discoveries! I enjoyed every minute! Thank you Abigail Keam for an enjoyable reading day!

Dying Words (A Ghostwriter Mystery #4) by C.A. Larmer

author C.A.Larmer
reviewed from Kindle

This is the first book by C.A. Larmer I've read and it was certainly entertaining and mysterious. Roxy is a ghostwriter and she has recently finished up with a photo to insert in the more or less textbook/memoir she has been working on for billionaire Sir Wolfgang Bergman. Surprisingly, the photo almost takes on a life of its own. What can possibly be so important or so damaging in that photo to be such a contentious issue. Sure, everyone seems to be looking at something or someone else, but why? Is the photo revealing something that Bernie is so desperately trying to convey to the family with his dying words with "Roxy...has...it"?

Roxy has her hands full with trying to help Bernie's daughter Sondra who certainly is very focused on what she imagines must be a fortune. Finding a copy of the photo and studying it tells them nothing of importance, and therein lies the mystery. This is a mystery that no one wants to talk about, a mystery that seems to turn around every time Roxy gets close, but Bernie's daughter is definitely not going to give up, not at all! Even as the people in the photo begin dying off or are killed off. Roxy, with her good friend Gilda, a policewoman, make no headway. They figure Sir Wolfgang has the answer, and maybe he does, at least part of it. The mysteries will take you down the garden path, so to speak, but so much happened in Indonesia with the survey group that nothing seems clear. Clearly, everyone knew something about this mystery, but with all the deaths and murders, no one seems to know it all. This was a good mystery, one that didn't want to be solved, and I really enjoyed the book.

Unsent Letters by Daralyse Lyons

author Daralyse Lyons
published e-book by Imajin Books (2018)

This book is probably the closest to a true love story as I've ever read.
Strangely, parts of it are very close to my own life and I'm sure other romantics would feel the same way. I wonder how many readers will have  been through some of this story themselves; the love and passion alive and finally getting themselves where they needed to be. This book is amazing! To me, it felt very real, the discovery by family members of the letters that tell the story. It is a beautiful love story, never independently known, but the flow was wonderful. It took a bit of focus at times to realize again that these letters were never sent, beautiful as they were. A whole lifetime of wonderful, loving letters. I thought the premise was insightful and well-thought out. It reminded me of the letters my mother still has from WWII between herself and my dad. I remember her condensing them into a complete story for the 5 of us, me and my brothers, leaving out the "personal" parts. Now after reading Unsent Letters, I can only think of them like the letters never sent.

Daralyse Lyons has given us a book that is personal, thoughtful, filled with love and hope. I was gripped by it, read right through to 3:30 a.m. and even reread some parts. I think the story is remarkable in its continuity and honesty. I am so thankful for the connection of the family/families, especially considering other familial changes and understanding. Honest and real. A true love story.  

Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon

author Jana DeLeon
review from Kindle

Well, I'm almost sure Longshot refers to a weapon, when I first saw the title I thought it referred to a drink. Sure. But this book turned out to be so humorous I was completely taken in, especially since it combines two different military operations and a lot of secrets. What can you do when your best assassin ends up on a worldwide hit list? Naturally the first thing would be to make her disappear, at least for a certain length of time. Where better? The Louisiana bayou, perfect if you don't become the meal of an alligator!

Fortune is a personal assassin who has blown her cover. Her new identity "Sandy-Sue Morrow" is obviously about as opposite as possible to her own. When Fortune learns where she will be, how will she ever be able to play that one out? Initiative? Improvisation? She will be the doppleganger as Sandy-Sue, who is a librarian, knitter (well, that could come in handy), and former beauty queen who also happens to be the niece of Fortune's boss...what? This will not be a new appointment, this is strictly to have her off the grid until she is no longer in danger from the arms dealers' hit list. This book is full of quirky citizens and rules, the town is named Sinful, yet Sundays have their own quirky regulations for a surprising reason. The Sinful Ladies Society is comprised of Seniors; one might say they are still living in the '60s but some are very capable, surprisingly versatile, and definitely not your accustomed "little old ladies".

I loved this book, full of adventure, murder, mystery, and some very good friends, the essence of quirkiness, even elderly as they are. What a surprise to learn their history! This book is fun, different, and what's with the deputy who keeps popping up out of nowhere? With so much going on one might wonder how anything gets accomplished, and for that matter does anything get accomplished? This is a read that will take you on unusual adventures just by being there. I can hardly wait to read more by Jana Deleon.