Weather and reading

After days and days of rain. we are finally seeing some sunshine today although it is a little cooler then I would have chosen for early June. It doesn't deter me from porch sitting, after all, isn't that the beauty of moving to the south, Living the "Mayberry" life. I think porch sitting comes with that. 

Viewing the cows over the road, hearing the sound of lawn mowers as neighbours are trying to catch up with the grass that has grown so crazy after all the rain.
 I got plenty of reading done this rainy week. I finished reading two books this weekend. 
 Hazel Gaynor, The Cottingley Secret, this was an excellent read. I will add a review for that soon. There have been a few other books that I have read this week. Thoroughly enjoyed Guests and Guilt by Diana Xarissa. This was the 7th in her Isle of Man Ghostly cosy series, it's such a fun series.
Angela Pepper's Wisteria Wolves which branched off from her Wisteria Witches series. 
 For now, I'll be grabbing my Kindle or a book and sitting on the porch and enjoy the lovely spring weather,

Book Review: Better Off Read

https://www.amazon.com/Better-Off-Read-Bookmobile-Mystery/dp/1683316436/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526498835&sr=8-1&keywords=better+off+read+a+bookmobile+mystery

This was a very fun read. The mystery was excellent and there were many suspects. It kept you guessing to the end, with lots of twists and turns in the plot. I really enjoyed the mature characters in the storyline. The senior librarian and her companions are really quite quirky and entertaining. I really find myself invested in the characters. Some are likeable and others not so much and that makes the cast of characters a bit more realistic to me. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good old fashion mystery, with some great laugh out loud moments.

Book Review : Cake and Punishment

https://www.amazon.com/Cake-Punishment-Southern-Baker-Mystery-ebook/dp/B075QJM2W8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526498110&sr=8-1&keywords=cake+and+punishment

This was a  delicious, light read.It's delicious because so many sweet treats are mentioned throughout the story and there are recipes for many of the treats that you can make and eat along with the characters if you choose. The mystery is well plotted out with no shortage of suspects. The story brings a woman back to her hometown after many years with lots of changes in the small town. There is a lot of southern charm sprinkled into the story.
The characters are charming, the kind of people that you would hope, (or maybe hope not) to find in a small community. 
Anyone that likes a good mystery, with a little romance or loves baking will surely enjoy this read.

Book Review : American Cinderella by Krista Lakes

https://www.amazon.com/American-Cinderella-Royal-Love-Story-ebook/dp/B07CRSRBR9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525713822&sr=8-1&keywords=american+cinderella+krista+lakes

Another book review. 
 This book was an advanced reader copy I received in exchange for an honest review. It’s a modern twist on the classic Cinderella story meshed up with politics. It is a cute romance with some rather steamy scenes, overall the story was enjoyable. the characters are likeable and though some would say such a thing that happens in this tale is unlikely. That is a happy point of reading. It is an escape from the real world. No matter how old we get and no matter how jaded the world may make us, who don't have that dream of a handsome prince and a fairy tale romance. Thank you to this author for the reminder.

Why I Am Doing Book Reviews

 Have had a few people asking me lately why have I gotten into book reviews.  There are several reasons.  
 I love reading and I can never have enough books around me or on hand. 
  I purchase, borrow and rent loads of books every month and frankly I find a lot of the reviews on books really crappy. 
 There are the professional ones done by the publishers with paid reviewers who will only say how great something is because it is the hottest, the newest author, or the current fad to read a certain title or author.  That's all fine and wonderful for selling the books.and of course, that is the point However I think for those of us that truly love to read we require a bit more than what is popular or the in thing to be reading.
 Many reviews that I see on Amazon or other sites when checking out a book are little more than a grade school book report, or a repeated copy of the book synopsis from the site or back of a book. I'm a reader I've already read the description. 
 I prefer to know how did the book make you feel? Did you laugh,  cry,  get angry? Did you love the characters or hate them. Is the story told entertaining or did you learn something, better yet was it a great escape?  

 Book reviews give me the chance to read all types of genres and styles that I might have otherwise overlooked. I hope that when I do a review it gives that feeling to someone else so when choosing among the millions of books available Someone might say oh this sounds like something I'd read.

Book Review

https://www.amazon.com/Through-Streets-Broad-Narrow-Rose/dp/1842235974/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1522964487&sr=8-4&keywords=gemma+jackson+ivy+rose+series

While I really liked this story, I was disappointed that much of the story was left hanging for the next in the series. I will follow the series, but I do wish people writing series would not leave so much unanswered in a book.

That said, it was a very intriguing read and I found the story of the great poverty of the people and the differences in the classes of people sad. The story gives hope in the perseverance and strength of its characters. I will be following this series.

Book Review

https://www.amazon.com/Around-World-Anita-Martinez-Beijer-ebook/dp/B079VDPBVF/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522433004&sr=8-3&keywords=home+life+around+the+world

  Although this book is not yet released  I have had the opportunity to view and advanced readers copy. The release date is May 15, 2018, and I think it is a wonderful book for people who love the decor of homes and a peek into styles from other places. 
 This book takes you around the world to some amazing homes. It is not just the fabulous photography of the homes that make this book so appealing. It is the stories behind the homeowner's thoughts and ideas in creating their beautiful spaces.
  It is not the type of book that you will sit down and read cover to cover like a novel, but I found myself reading and then going back to view the photos many times. 
  I believe we all have a little bit of the "nosey neighbour" in us and are curious to see inside of the homes of other folks. This book gives you that chance to have a look.