Waiting on Wednesday! ~ I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower

Waiting on Wednesday has been around for a while and I know that it was taken over by Wishful Endings and called Can't wait Wednesday so will link to her.

August 1856. The Dickinson family is comfortably settled in their homestead on Main Street. Emily’s brother, Austin Dickinson, and his new wife are delighted when famous thinker and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson comes to Amherst to speak at a local literary society and decides he and his young secretary, Luther Howard, will stay with the newlyweds. Emily has been a longtime admirer of Emerson’s writing and is thrilled at the chance to meet her idol. She is determined to impress him with her quick wit, and if she can gather the courage, a poem. Willa Noble, the second maid in the Dickinson home and Emily's friend, encourages her to speak to the famous but stern man. But his secretary, Luther, intrigues Willa more because of his clear fondness for the Dickinson sisters.

Willa does not know if Luther truly cares for one of the Dickinson girls or if he just sees marrying one of them as a way to raise himself up in society. After a few days in his company, Willa starts to believe it’s the latter. MissLavinia, Emily’s sister, appears to be enchanted by Luther; a fact that bothers Emily greatly. However, Emily’s fears are squashed when Luther turns up dead in the Dickinson’s garden. It seems that he was poisoned. Emerson, aghast at the death of his secretary, demands answers. Emily and Willa set out to find them in order to save the Dickinson family reputation and stop a cold-blooded fiend from killing again.

Amanda Flower is one of my favorite mystery authors, she normally does fun cozy mysteries but she has started coming out with some great historical mysteries and I really enjoyed the first book in this Emily Dickinson series, so I can't wait to get to this new one! 

It comes out in November from Berkley.

Week in Review #53

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

This has been a tiring week because I haven't slept very good as my legs have been bothering me and then we had storms..ugh. So I don't have much to report this week.

I can't believe that September is almost over!! Crazy!

Have a great week and happy reading!

Books I have added

• To Slip the Bonds of Earth - Historical mystery with the Wright Brothers sister as the main character! I love this author so I will grab anything she does so don't even know what it's about...lol.
• Mission 1: All in a Day's Work - This looked like a cute middle grade mystery about a girl who is telepathic and can talk to animals. Jack the Polar Bear needs her help investing what happened to his regular zoo keeper.
• The Great Cupsnake Escape - I have read the first book in the Frankinschool series, so I am curious to see what the characters are up to in this one. :)

Books read last week

• Bait and Witch - I have been meaning to try this one for a while as it's one of Barb's favorite series and so finally got to the first book. I enjoyed it. If you like paranormal cozies give it a try.
• S.O.S - This is a series that doesn't take itself series and is sort of a spoof of Sherlock Holmes. It's a fun middle grade series though it did leave me hanging a bit at the end of this one!
• The Haunted Library - Been trying out some little kid spooky books so I can get a recommendation for them when someone wants a less scary option for spooky season. This was cute!!
• Fear Ground - The second book in the Dead Wood series that wasn't real scary but did have some spooky spots but a fun middle grade book.
• Gravebooks - The second book in the Nightbook series and I think I might have liked it a bit more than the first one.
• Jaclyn Hyde - This is a cute not spooky kids book about a girl who is always trying to be perfect and finds a formula to make her perfect but it sort of backfires. :)
• Taken In - The ninth book in the Southern Sewing Circle and still not a huge fan of it but I am reading the series with a group and so I keep going.

Currently reading

 

• It - So my goal for the coming week is to try and make it to at least chapter 12 which is 612 pages in and then finish the rest in October. Currently on page 427 of 1138.
• Spy School Goes North - I want to get this one finished this week so really need to concentrate on more of my print books this last week of September. Currently on 197 of 289.
• Extinction - I am so excited for this book! I have it as an ebook and buddy reading it with a discord friend so going a bit slower but loving it! This is the last in a series and kind of bummed as it's a favorite. I think this series is better than some adult horror books...lol. Currently 51% into it.
• Witches Get Stuff Done - I haven't read any more on this one and I need to so only 27% into it.
• Tentacles - I just started this one and it's a print book so hopefully I can get it done if not it rolls over to October. I am only on page 11 of 319.

What might be up next

 If I start anything else it will probably be books from my October TBR. :)

How was your week? What did you get?

Week in Review #52

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

Weather wise this week was nice and I don't mind fall like weather but I have heard about how the winter might be so I am not really ready for summer to end yet.

Not really anything to report except I watched Virgin River season 5 and it's still basically a hate watch as I really hate what they have done to some of my favorite characters from the book series but some things were interesting.

Hope you all have a great week and happy reading!

What you might have missed on my blog

Review of Jackaby

Books I have added

• They Stalk the Night - Horror book about some sort of creature.
• No Romancing the Passengers - A mystery book on the sea.
• Accidently His - Third book in the Designing Debutant series and I can't wait to get to this one!

Books read last week

• The Great Pet Heist - This was a cute animal story. It's the first in a series.
• Game - This is the second book in the I Hunt Killer trilogy and wow that ending! I might need to get to the last book sooner rather than later...lol.
• Mrs. Smith's Spy School For Girls - First in a trilogy and it was fun.

I am on a middle grade kick right now...lol.

Currently reading

• IT - Still working on this one slowly. On page 251 of 1138. I am 23% into the audiobook.
• Spy School Goes North - I am enjoying this but I just didn't really read much on my print or ebooks this week (Watched VR season 5). So on page 68 of 287.
• The Fairfleet Affair - I am not sure if I am going to like this one. Just something about it bores me. I am on page 54 of 262.
• Witches Get Stuff Done - So far I am enjoying this one. I am 20% into the ebook.
• Bait and Witch - First book in the Witch Way Librarian cozy mystery series and it's strange but not bad. I am listening to this one so I think I am about 58% into it.
• S.O.S - The second book in the Curious League of Detective and Thieves, it's kind of silly but fun. I am listening to this one and I am 25% into it.

What might be up next

 Not sure.

How was your week? What did you get?

Two Bloggers One Series ~ Jackaby

 Barb and I am starting a new series! So this one isn't as long thank goodness and different but I have actually read this first one but never continued so I am excited to get going on it. Once you see what I have to say, go on over to Booker T's Farm and see what Barb thought.

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.

This one was a reread for me but I didn't really remember a whole lot so it mostly felt new...lol.

Abigail Rook has run off in search of adventure and in need of a job, so when she sees an advertisement for a job as assistant she goes in search of it and finds R. F. Jackaby a very quirky and eccentric man who has the unique ability to see the things others don't, like the supernatural.

Abigail learns that Jackaby sort of inserts himself into cases if he thinks there are supernatural beings involved and she is sort of thrown into the thick of things right off the bat. There is a killer on the loose and the wailing woman is calling their demise and it's up to Jackaby and Rook to figure out what is going on. 

Jackaby and Rook are interesting characters and the banter between them was fun. Jackaby is very eccentric and sort of just says things without thinking which makes for some fun conversations. Add in an interesting house, a duck who was a former assistant, a ghost who hangs out in the house and it's just the makings of a fun book and I can't wait to get to the next one!

4 stars.

Week in Review #51

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

This week was fairly uneventful and I like it that way. Only had one doctors appointment for my dad to go to which was just to get his diabetic shoes.

I started the Virgin River tv series over so that I can refresh myself for the newest season even though I pretty much hate watch it as it's nothing like my beloved Virgin River book series. I watch it mostly for some of the actors that are in it...lol.

Have a great week and happy reading!

What you might have missed on my blog

Review of Return to Virgin River

Review of The Big Flush

Books I have added

• Witches Get Stuff Done - I use to read this author all the time then I sort of dropped off so when I seen she had a new series starting I jumped on it! Perfect read for this time of year.

Books read last week

• Skandar and the Phantom Rider - The second book in the Skandar series and what's not to like there are flying unicorns! :) (Audiobook)
• The Big Flush - This is a fun little series about a girl just trying to survive living in Area 51 with her uncle and having an alien for a friend, oh and a trying to solve the mystery of who sent the giant space toilet their way. :) (ebook)
• Alias Emma - A Fast paced spy novel about a female spy who needs to get a guy to a safe house but the enemy is on their trail and she isn't sure she can trust her own people. (audio)
• Jackaby - This was a reread as I want to continue the series and I am reading it with Barb. (audio)
• Dread Wood - A spooky middle grade where detention could get you killed. (audio)
• The Case of the Missing Cheetah - Short little MG book about three girls who learn their teach isa spy and they want to be spies too. It also features fictionalized real female spies and tells you about them at the end. (ebook)
• World's Worst Time Machine - Kid buys a time machine for $3 dollars and things go very wrong. (audio)
• City Spies - Fun spy novel about kid spies. (audio)

Currently reading

• IT - Still chipping away at this one and I am 163 pages into it.
• Spy School Goes North - Love this series! This is an ARC copy. On Page 20 of 287.
• The Fairfleet Affair - Is a mystery and I am not far into it. It's also an ARC copy. On page 40 of 262.
• Witches Get Stuff Done - eARC and just getting started so only about 6% in.
• The Black Lyon - I haven't worked a lot on this one. So on page 84 of 276.

What might be up next

 Probably a book that is book two in a series as I am trying to work on my series.

How was your week? What did you get?

Two Bloggers One Book ~ Return to Virgin River

It is a bit sad saying goodbye to a great series as I have grown so use to the characters and life in Virgin River. After you see what I thought of the last book go on over to Barbs from Booker T's Farm and see her thoughts. 

Kaylee Sloan’s home in Southern California is full of wonderful memories of the woman who raised her. But the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother’s recent death. A successful author, Kaylee hoped she could pour herself into her work. Instead she has terrible writer’s block and a looming deadline.

Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives north through the mountains and the majestic redwoods, she immediately feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend—or a stranger—in need.

Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As the holidays approach, Kaylee’s dread turns to wonder. Because there’s no better place to spend Christmas than Virgin River.

We are finally at the last book in the Virgin River series and I am a little sad. It's weird because book 18 came out in 2012 and then this one came out in 2020 so that is an interesting bit a time between them. I wouldn't be sad if she wanted to come back from time and to time and do more in this series. :) 

This book gives us new characters which is nice but kind of strange because they normally seem to be kin to someone most of the time. Anyway this is about Kaylee who is still trying to get over the loss of her mother because they were quite the team. She doesn't really know her father as he left them when she was younger and got remarried a couple of times and even though her mother still talked to him from time to time Kaylee and her dad were just not close. Her relationship with her dad is a part of this story. Anyway, she needs to work on a book that she was suppose to be working on but couldn't concentrate at home as it reminded her of her mom, so she goes to Virgin River to write. Some friends who have a vacation home there told her to use it but when she gets there it's on fire. 

Landry is a dog trainer and not new to Virgin River as he has spent a lot of time here with his grandfather (I think) anyway Landry was married but things didn't work out and he just really like Virgin River so decided to move there permanently. Dealing with his ex is a decent part of this book because that seems to be a theme in VR books. Anyway, Kaylee needs a place to stay and Landry has a guest house, but Kaylee is afraid of dogs and he is a dog trainer. 

I really enjoyed the romance in this one as it was very sweet and slow moving at first from friendship to lovers. I also love how Landry helps Kaylee over her fear of dogs and that his dog. I also thought the ex drama was handled very well and the relationship with Kaylee's father was very sweet.

I will say that this one was a little hard hitting for me since it's about a woman who lost her mom. Even though it has been a long time ago, it just made me think of my mom a lot. 

I am very sad to be finished with this series but I can't believe that Barb and I finished 19 book series! I am currently looking into what small town romance series we might try next. :)  If you love small town romances you really should give this one a try.  It's so different from the tv show so keep that in mind. In my opinion the books are so much better and less dramatic! :) 

5 stars

Review of The Big Flush (Area 51 Files #2)

 

A killer space toilet is hurtling toward Area 51, courtesy of a mystery traitor on base, and things are about to get messy if Sky and her friends can’t solve the case.

Sky Patel-Baum, Area 51’s latest arrival, thought she had finally figured out her strange new home. Sure, there are aliens everywhere , and her new BFF Elvis is from the planet Galzoria. But it turns out things can still get weirder. Because some special visitors just arrived with a warning: Area 51 is in danger!

A hunk of space junk is headed right for the base! And it’s not just any hunk of junk! It’s a giant toilet! Even worse? A traitor on base is working with angry aliens to coordinate the attack.

With one case already under their belts, Sky and her friends are on a mission to save Area 51. But what happens if their investigation goes down the toilet? That would stink!

There are some new arrivals to Area 51 and with them they bring news of a large piece of space junk coming to earth and headed right for Area 51! It's really big space toilet! It's up to Sky and her friends to try and figure out more about this space junk and who is behind it. 

The adults want them to leave things alone but we all know kids never listen and so at times get in trouble but they also figure out who is behind everything. 

I am being very vague because some things I want to say I think might spoil some things for book two and that you just need to read it and find out. 

This is a story filled with fun illustrations by Lavanya Naidu that made me chuckle. I really Sky, Elvis and Zack and Mini Elvis (you just have to read to figure that out). 

This one leaves you with some information and a slight  cliffhanger that makes you want to get to the next one so is it 2024 yet?!

If you have a young reader I am sure they will enjoy this one!

4 stars!

Week in Review #50

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

Hi everyone! Hope everyone had a great August. I can't believe it's already September! Those who have an extra day off for Labor Day I hope it's a fun one!

So puppy update, I am not sure if this pup is going to work. We are trying really hard but he is so hyper and I am afraid he might trip dad. Also because he was a stray he is very food aggressive and has almost bit me a few times. He wants to eat all the time which I think really is the reason he gets in to everything if he thinks it could be food he is in it. We are trying as he can be very sweet but I don't know. :(

Other than that not much has happened over the past week, the weather was nice.

I haven't watched anything new, just a rotation of Murder She Wrote, Magnum PI (the original) and Rockford Files. :)

Have a great week and happy reading!

What you might have missed on my blog

Review of The Evil Inside

Books I have added

• Shadowheart - I am so excited about this fourth book in the Unsub series coming out in October but I may need to reread the first three or find some really good reviews to refresh my memory as it's been three years since one has come out! This series is a really cool serial killer crime novel, the author bases her killers in the book on real killers so it's always interesting to see if I can figure it out!

Books read last week

• The Evil Inside - A reread that was a buddy read with Barb, and I enjoyed it.
• The Titan Curse - Another reread as I want to continue on in the camp half blood universe but needed a refresher of this series and there is a new one coming out.
• Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess - A contemporary novel that was really good about a deaf girl and an older lady.
• The Whispering Pines - First book in the Exit 13 series that left me with a cliffhanger so I need to get to book two soon.
• Terror in Shadow Canyon - The third book in the Monsterous series and it was fun. If you like Goosebump type stories you will like this.
• The Polter-Ghost Problem - This was a fun book about three friends who have to help a group of ghost find out who is haunting them!
• Cat Crew - The second book in the Dog Squad series and it was cute.
• Brackenbeast - The second book in the Thirteens series and if you like middle grade horror fantasy then you will like this one. I would suggest reading book one in October as it takes place around Halloween.
• Return to Virgin River - It is sad but Barb and I have finished up the Virgin River series. This was number 19! Bittersweet feeling to finish a series you really enjoy.

It seems like a lot but I listened to them all and I do listen anywhere from about 1.75 to 2x speed. Most the middle grade were around 3 to 5 hours each.

Currently reading

• IT - Can you believe I have never read this book! It's been on my shelf since I was in my twenties which seems like a very long time ago! Barb wanted to reread it so we are buddy reading this one over the next two months so it will be on my CR list for the whole month. I am currently on page 40 of 1138! I have the print book but listening to the audiobook while following along.
• The Big Flush - The second book in the Area 51 Files and it's super cute! 39% into the ebook.
• Skandar and the Phantom Rider - Second book in the Skandar series and I am enjoying it. There are flying unicorns! :) I am 62% into the audiobook.
• The Black Lyon - is my carry over romance from last month and it's a print book so will take me a while to finish it now that I have a whole new and fresh tbr I want to get too...lol. I am currently 60 pages into it.
• Finch House - An eARC that I am trying to fit in and just started it so only about 5% into it.

This is how I read so much as I am always in the middle of a lot of books and then boom toward the end of the month I finish a lot...lol.

What might be up next

You will notice with some books that I have read or reading that they are the SECOND book in a series. That is my September goal, Second book September...lol. So two of these are second books in series and then I am also participating in my friends Spy Vs. Spy and reading a few spy novels. :)

• Game - The second book in the I Hunt Killers series.
• Alias Emma - A spy novel of some sort that my friend PK says is really good.
• Tentacles - The second book in the Marty and Grace series. It's about Cryptids.

How was your week? What did you get?

Two Bloggers One Series ~ The Evil Inside (Krewe of Hunters #4)

 

I love this series so much that I am rereading them with Barb till we catch up to where I left off and I am having fun doing it! Go check out what Barb @ Booker T's Farm thought about it after you see what I thought. 

For as long as it has stood overlooking New England's jagged coastline, Lexington House has been the witness to madness and murder. But in recent years the inexplicable malice that once tormented so many has lain as silent as its victims. Until now.

A member of the nation's foremost paranormal forensic team, Jenna Duffy has made a career out of investigating the inexplicable. Yet nothing could prepare her for the string of slayings once again plaguing Lexington House, or for the chief suspect a boy barely old enough to drive, much less kill.

With the young man's life on the line, Jenna must team up with attorney Samuel Hall to pinpoint who or what is taking the lives of those who get too close to the past. But everything they learn brings them closer to the forces of evil stalking this tortured ground.

It starts off with Sam coming home to Salem to settle the affairs of his dead parents home and all of a sudden he spots a naked young boy on the road covered in blood. 

Turns out that the boys family was killed and he is being blamed for doing the deed and Jamie and older man who is his counselor, doesn't think that he did it. He recruits his niece Jenna, who works for a special unit to help find out who or what might have done it. Sam who also knows Jamie gets conned into helping as well and using his legal knowledge.

Sam kind of comes off at first as a bit of a jerk when he is dealing with Jenna and trying to believe in her abilities to feels certain things or see parts of the past, etc. I get where he is coming from as I would probably be the same, but hope I wouldn't be a jerk about things...lol. 

I like Jenna she is Irish and spunky and a lot of fun and knows how to handle herself pretty well. 

I liked that this one takes place in Salem and that we get some witch trail history as it always seems to be a bit of history that collides with a modern day crime and that is fun.

These are just great comfort reads for me and I highly recommend if you like paranormal romance. 

4.5 stars