The Candy Cane Caper (A Culinary Mystery) by Josi S. Kilpack book review

The Candy Cane Caper

(A Culinary Mystery)

by

Josi S. Kilpack 

The theft of a friend’s priceless, family-legacy Christmas ornaments brings amateur detective and culinary expert, Sadie Hoffmiller, back on the case in a new standalone cozy mystery.

In the latest chapter to the Culinary Mystery series, amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller continues combining her sleuthing with her cooking and baking to connect with people and gain information she might otherwise not have access to. Moreover, now that Sadie is married to Detective Pete Cunningham, she has a street-savvy husband to test out her crime-solving theories.

With Christmas approaching, Sadie is preparing for a large blended-family gathering—including many new grandchildren—in their home in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Even with the festive chaos, Sadie drops everything when word gets out that her friend, Mary, is the victim of a holiday robbery.

At ninety-four years old, and nearly blind, Mary knows this is may be her last Christmas and the last year to enjoy her family heirloom Christmas tree ornaments. She wants just one more holiday to display her ornaments and following Christmas Eve Mass, she’ll pass them on to her great-granddaughter, Joy. Though priceless to the family, the collection has been valued at $40,000, and the Christmas tree in the care facility has never looked so good. But before the ornaments can be retrieved by Mary, eleven of the most expensive ornaments are stolen.

A holiday Christmas caper might be new to Sadie, but she’s ready to mix in her seasoned crime-solving skills with a pinch of new holiday recipes.

My Review: 9/10

 

Let me start by staying I don’t typically read crime mystery novels because I don’t like violence/gore and the suspense gives me anxiety while I’m reading. But I LOVE this author - one of my absolute favs - so I decided to step outside of my comfort zone.

As someone late to the Sadie scene, I can say this book stands alone well. I loved all the recipes mixed in, and the contrast of Sadie’s homey personal life gave me some relief when the intensity was building in the mystery. I thought the story was great, the layers to the characters as well as the plot, were so well done. And I really loved the faith and relationship aspects. These were delicate subjects and I felt they were dealt with beautifully.

I enjoyed this book so much that I’m eager to start at the beginning and read the rest of the series!

More Than Words Can Say (Patchwork Family #2) by Karen Witemeyer book review

More Than Words Can Say

(Patchwork Family #2)

by

Karen Witemeyer 

After being railroaded by the city council, Abby needs a man's name on her bakery's deed, and a man she can control, not the stoic lumberman Zacharias who always seems to exude silent confidence. She cant even control her pulse when she's around him. But as trust grows between them, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.

 

 

 

 

My Review: 10/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I did not know that it was a sequel or immediately remember Zach and his family, but a couple of chapters in, my memory was jogged and I was excited to get to know Zacharias better. I thought his portrayal was one of the most realistic male perspectives I’ve read in quite some time. I loved Abby too. I wished she wouldn’t focus on her weight so much, but that was probably realistic as well. I loved the way they worked together as a team and the solutions they found to their problems. I liked the little ways they cared for one another. And I thought their personal challenges were really well done ( for Abby- prioritizing, family vs career, and trusting God with the outcome. For Zach- responsibility vs integrity, trusting God to make a way. ) This was such a sweet story, with a lot to relate to and a lot to inspire. Loved it.

Flight of the Raven (The Ravenwood Saga #2) by Morgan L. Busse book review

Flight of the Raven

(The Ravenwood Saga #2)

by

Morgan L. Busse  

Exiled and on the run, Selene Ravenwood is in search of the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking but first she must adapt to her marriage with the man she was originally assigned to kill. With war impending and a dark being after her gift, she finds herself at a crossroads but time is running out and soon her choice will be made for her.

My Review: 7/10

This was a great middle book. The first book went out on a BANG and this second book hits the ground running.

I loved the way marriage was represented and I enjoyed the exploration of and growth through faith.

Can't wait for the last book!

Mark of the Raven (The Ravenwood Saga #1) by Morgan L. Busse book review

 

Mark of the Raven

(The Ravenwood Saga #1)

by

Morgan L. Busse  

 

Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family's dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family's legacy--a legacy that supports her people--or seeking the true reason behind her family's gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.

One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

My Review: 6.5/10


This is a stretch from the genres I usually frequent- fantasy with a gothic feel and religious themes. I enjoyed the story, though I wouldn't recommend reading it before bed.

Initially I thought, I don't know why she's beating herself up; they're only nightmares, it's not like she's actually doing the things in the dreams. Then I thought about some nightmares I've had that caused lingering anguish and the fact that the damage from emotional and mental abuse can oftentimes last longer than physical abuse. And that's what is repeatedly happening in these dreams- mental and emotional abuse. So now I get it.

I enjoyed the world that was built and am intrigued by the mystery. And I like what I've read so far about the religious themes, good vs evil, etc. I'm invested. I want to uncover the history, see this world put back together, families and friendships restored, and I want to see the gifts working the way they were intended.

It felt like Selene and Amara needn't have the animosity between them if Selene made an effort to reach out or show affection, etc. And I wish that Selene was a bit more determined to find a new way rather than give in to feeling trapped and just go along with things. But I think she has potential.

Looking forward to the next book!

If You Love Me: A Mother's Journey Through Her Daughter's Opioid Addiction by Maureen Cavanagh book review

 

If You Love Me: A Mother's Journey Through Her Daughter's Opioid Addiction

by

Maureen Cavanagh  

 

Maureen Cavanagh’s gripping memoir If You Love Me is the story of a mother who suddenly finds herself on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic as her daughter battles—and ultimately reckons with—substance use disorder.

Fast-paced and heartwarming, devastating and redemptive, Maureen’s incredible odyssey into the opioid crisis—first as a parent, then as an advocate—is ultimately a deeply moving mother-daughter story. When Maureen and her ex-husband Mike see their daughter Katie’s needle track marks for the first time, it is a complete shock. But, slowly, the drug use explains everything—Katie’s constant exhaustion, erratic moods, and all those spoons that have gone missing from the house. Once Mike and Maureen get Katie into detox, Maureen goes to sleep that night hoping that in 48 hours she’ll have her daughter back. It’s not that simple.

Like the millions of parents and relatives all over the country—some of whom she has helped through her nonprofit organization—Maureen learns that recovery is neither straightforward nor brief. She fights to save Katie’s life, breaking down doors on the seedy side of town with Mike, kidnapping Katie outside a convenience store, and battling the taboo around substance use disorder in her picturesque New England town. Maureen is launched into the shadowy world of overcrowded, for-profit rehabilitation centers that often prey on worried parents. As Katie runs away from one program after another, never outrunning her pain, Maureen realizes that even while she becomes an expert on getting countless men and women into detox and treatment centers, she remains powerless to save her own daughter. Maureen's unforgettable story brings the opioid crisis out of the shadows and into the house next door.

My Review: 11/10

This book is certainly gripping. It sucks you in right away and refuses to let go. It had me sobbing repeatedly. While that may not sound like a recommendation, it is. It affected me deeply and it is so important to get this information out there.

I could do without most of the language, especially as it makes it harder for me to recommend to some people. But it really should be required reading, especially in school, arming kids with knowledge and putting them on their guard to what drugs and addiction really are.

Addiction runs in my family, generation after generation. So much of this was like reading clips of my own life, and yet there were still things I didn't know.

I've always hated hearing that addiction is a disease, because regardless of what happened afterward, you made those poor choices initially, with no regard for yourself or anyone who loves you, and saying it's a disease seems to take the responsibility off of you and makes you a victim. That frustrated me. Despite that, I never felt like ignorance or a bad decision for whatever reason deserved a life sentence of misery and suffering and bondage.

But Ms. Cavanagh educated me on the biology behind addiction: "'... drugs cause unnaturally high spikes in dopamine (a chemical that's released when a person does something that their brain judges to be beneficial, and the release makes them feel good),' she explains, 'which causes the brain to adjust to produce less dopamine, and drug users eventually continue their use just to feel normal again , because their baseline level of dopamine has become very low.'" This shook me.

She goes on to talk about addiction being a game of "Russian Roulette: Genetics Edition" and how she got the empty chamber. Me too. I have never been so humbled and so grateful. And also so terrified for my kids, knowing the genetics that have been passed on to them. At least I'm informed and can try to be proactive.

She talks about how often it starts with unsuspecting kids with sports injuries getting prescriptions for pain meds. I was horrified. I can't tell you how many of these stories had me in tears, but the one that left the deepest wound on my soul was reading about a person addicted to drugs being acutely aware of just how much the were taking and how close to the edge they were. I always thought of overdoses as ignorance- one time too many, overestimating what their body could handle, or just being so out of their minds that they had no idea what they were doing. It never occurred to me that it was suicide. That it was misery and they desperately wanted escape and could find no other way. My heart is permanently broken.

This book is SO important. To end the stigma, to spread awareness, resources, compassion, and hope. Read this book and recommend it to every you know. I know I will.

Searching for You (Orphan Train #3) by Jody Hedlund book review

 

Searching for You

(Orphan Train #3)

by

Jody Hedlund 

Despite years on the run, Sophie Neumann is determined to care for two young children. She won't abandon them the way she thinks her older sisters abandoned her. But times are growing desperate, and when she falls in with the wrong crowd and witnesses a crime, she realizes fleeing 1850s New York is her only option.

Disappearing with her two young charges into a group of orphans heading west by train, Sophie hopes to find safety and a happy life. When the train stops in Illinois for the first placement of orphans, Sophie faces the most difficult choice of her life.

Reinhold Weiss has finally purchased his own small farm. With mounting debts, a harvest to bring in, and past scars that haunt him, he's in no position to give his heart away . . . but can he say no when his long-lost friend shows up on a nearby train pleading for his help?

My Review: 7/10

Overall, I enjoyed this story, though I did have mixed feelings.

Some things really made sense to me. Sophie has compromised her character and done things she's embarrassed by; she wants her life put back together before seeing her sisters. But at the same time, I think she knows it's not nearly as bad as it could have been and I would think the love, desire for resolution and even curiosity would be stronger.

Also, I found it kind of weird that Reinhold has been passed around from story to story.

And while it didn't bother me, it seems that 90% of their relationship is formed on attraction. It's a constant and heavy companion, so if that bothers you, you might want to pass on this one.

Without giving things away, I really enjoyed the background, the supporting characters, the history and development of the orphan trains and seeing different paths unfold. Though I found it unlikely that Sophie could have managed to stay fairly untouched since she seems to be a blinding beacon of beauty, I liked her and Reinhold together and the way they took care of each other.

Sophie's personal struggles with Olivia and Nicholas was a great piece of the story. And I loved (Loved!) the Duffs. We all need a Euphemia in our lives.

The Bride of Ivy Green (Tales from Ivy Hill #3) by Julie Klassen book review

The Bride of Ivy Green

(Tales from Ivy Hill #3)

by

Julie Klassen 

 

Much has happened in idyllic Ivy Hill in recent months, and while several villagers have found new love and purpose, questions remain--and a few dearly held dreams have yet to be fulfilled.

Jane Bell is torn. Gabriel Locke is back and has made his intentions clear. But Jane is reluctant to give up her inn and destine another man to a childless marriage. Then someone she never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill. . . .

Mercy Grove has lost her school and is resigned to life as a spinster, especially as the man she admires seems out of reach. Should she uproot herself from Ivy Cottage to become a governess for a former pupil? Her decision will change more lives than her own.

A secretive new dressmaker arrives in the village, but the ladies soon suspect she isn't who she claims to be. Will they oust the imposter, or help rescue her from a dangerous predicament?

In the meantime, everyone expects Miss Brockwell to marry a titled gentleman, even though her heart is drawn to another. While the people of Ivy Hill anticipate one wedding, an unexpected bride may surprise them all.

Don't miss this romantic, stirring conclusion to Tales from Ivy Hill.

 

 

 

My Review: 6/10

 

First off, I would highly recommend reading or rereading the previous two books in the set before starting this one. I barely remembered who any of these people were and where we left off. And that made for confusion and missed connections for a bit.

In the first book, I loved that the romantic choice was not obvious and that it was not even fully resolved. Rather the story was about Jane's growth and dealing with things and putting them to rights herself. The next two books followed suit and now it seems less like a strength and more like a formula: multiple men vie for our female lead's affection, two come out at the top and that keeps the romantic tension going until the conclusion. I felt more frustrated in this book. Too many misunderstandings dragged out. I just didn't have the patience for it.

Additionally, it felt weird to introduce Madame Victorine into the story at this point and I just wasn't interested.

I was glad Jane finally got a resolution and that it came at an unexpected time in an unexpected way.

A Return of Devotion (Haven Manor #2) by Kristi Ann Hunter book review

A Return of Devotion

(Haven Manor #2)

by

Kristi Ann Hunter  

 

Daphne Blakemoor was perfectly happy living in her own secluded world for twelve years. She had everything she needed—loved ones, a true home, and time to indulge her imagination. But when ownership of the estate where she works as a housekeeper passes on, and the new marquis has an undeniable connection to her past, everything she's come to rely upon is threatened.

William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the exact opposite of his father. Starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect until his housekeeper turns his life upside down.

They've spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest wounds and, perhaps, find a new path for the future together?


My Review: 9/10

Daphne is not a character I commonly read about. She is a dreamer- quiet, a little fearful, easily intimidated, regularly lost in her own thoughts. It's not hard to imagine how someone like her would get paired up with someone like Jess. Or how she might have gotten swept up into letting her life be decided for her. She had many introspective moments that led to personal growth: questioning her escape tactics, ability to be alone with herself, and whether or not she had forgiven herself just to name a few. Strength comes in unexpected ways and I really enjoyed this story.

Now fingers crossed that Jess, my favorite, finally gets her story told!

Brutally Honest by Melanie Brown, Louise Gannon book review

Brutally Honest

by

Melanie Brown,

Louise Gannon

The tell-all memoir from the loudest, proudest Spice Girl and the truth behind the headlines

As one-fifth of the iconic Spice Girls and judge on X Factor and America's Got Talent, Melanie Brown, a.k.a Scary Spice, has been an international star since her twenties. Brutally Honest is an exposé of the struggles and acute pain that lay behind the glamour and success.

With deep personal insight, remarkable frankness and trademark Yorkshire humour, the book removes the mask of fame and reveals the true story behind the Spice Girls, as well as the horror of her most recent marriage and her 10 year struggle to be free.

 

 

 

My Review: 10/10

 

This book is intense and so brave. Definitely not for anyone sensitive to language, sex, or violence. There is healing and humor and light at the end of the tunnel, but the majority of the story is hard to stomach and I had to take it in pieces.

Highly recommend- this is a story that needs to be heard. Women need to recognize the signs of abuse and manipulation before they become trapped. And those already in such a situation need to hear encouragement that they can get out. It is never too late.

Daisies and Devotion (Mayfield Family #2) by Josi S. Kilpack book review

Daisies and Devotion

(Mayfield Family #2)

by

Josi S. Kilpack

 

Timothy Mayfield has nearly given up on his search for a wife. Though he is the picture of a fine, social gentleman, Timothy wishes his finances provided a more stable foundation. Then his Uncle Elliott presents to him a solution: participate in his “marriage campaign,” and upon approval of his choice for a wife, Timothy’s inheritance will be his.

Freed from the constraints of having to marry for money, Timothy is ready to marry for love instead. And he knows exactly what he wants in a wife: youth, optimism, beauty, blonde hair, fine-boned features, shapely shoulders, small waist, blue eyes, button nose, solid fashion sense, a light laugh, low voice, arched eyebrows, fair skin, elegant fingers, quick wit, calm manner, and a dazzling smile.

His friend, Maryann Morrington, an heiress in her own right, tells him outright that his expectations are ridiculous—no such woman exists. Maryann had considered Timothy as a potential suitor for a time, but then their relationship shifted to friendship and she has avoided allowing herself to have feelings for him again.

She agrees to help him find his “perfect wife,” because she’s certain that the search will render nothing. Until it does. Miss Shaw appears to fulfill every single item on Timothy’s list—unlike Maryann who has brown hair, brown eyes, lacks delicate features, and possesses a laugh that is definitely unladylike.

But when Timothy and Miss Shaw begin courting, Timothy realizes something profound. He’d rather spend his time with Maryann. But can he trust his judgment when his heart has led him wrong so many times before?

It is only when Maryann leaves the London season early, that Timothy realizes that he had truly fallen in love with her and that his list of requirements were nothing but fantasy. If he hopes to build a strong relationship, Timothy must convince Maryann that she is the very woman he’d been looking for all along—before it is too late.

My review: 10/10

This book sucked me in right away and as a result, I stayed up all night to finish it. And then went back and read all of my favorite parts over again (no small feat). That is super rare for me. It was just SO good.

I loved the premise for this book: that the interest and attraction is one-sided (realistic) and that there is character development and growth that changes things. The relationship that grows is based on friendship, playfulness, bringing out the best in each, confiding secrets and challenging each other- all of the best ingredients for a super sweet love story. Timothy was cheerful and worked hard to be a man of strong moral character, a delightful combination. He was honest to a fault. Most of the time, he was a very believable male character: a bit insensitive and not realizing how something sounded until after the fact. Maryann was strong, bold and intelligent.

The only thing I didn't like was Maryann's reaction at the very end. She dragged it out way too long and the refusal to hope or trust did not seem in line with the personality she displayed throughout the novel. And then, that leads to over the top gushy confessions which are not my cup of tea either. But overall, it was a small blip in an otherwise flawless story. Love love loved.

*Side note, I am especially hoping for redemptive stories for the especially bad family members, Harry in particular!