A Christmas Carol Murder by Heather Redmond REVIEW

A Christmas Carol Murder

by Heather Redmond

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Synopsis:

London, December 1835: Charles and Kate are out with friends and family for a chilly night of caroling and good cheer. But their blood truly runs cold when their singing is interrupted by a body plummeting from an upper window of a house. They soon learn the dead man at their feet, his neck strangely wrapped in chains, is Jacob Harley, the business partner of the resident of the house, an unpleasant codger who owns a counting house, one Emmanuel Screws.

Ever the journalist, Charles dedicates himself to discovering who's behind the diabolical defenestration. But before he can investigate further, Harley's corpse is stolen. Following that, Charles is visited in his quarters by what appears to be Harley's ghost--or is it merely Charles's overwrought imagination? He continues to suspect Emmanuel, the same penurious penny pincher who denied his father a loan years ago, but Kate insists the old man is too weak to heave a body out a window. Their mutual affection and admiration can accommodate a difference of opinion, but matters are complicated by the unexpected arrival of an infant orphan. Charles must find the child a home while solving a murder, to ensure that the next one in chains is the guilty party . . .


Review:

Thank you Heather Redmond and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Being a big fan of A Christmas Carol I thought I would enjoy this murder mystery retelling, however, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Set in December 1835, Charles and his love Kate, are out caroling when they witness the body of Jacob Harley falling out of a window wrapped in chains. Charles just can't let this murder go unsolved so he dedicates himself to discovering who killed Jacob Harley and why. With a series of twists, turns and unexpected events this Christmas mystery will have you entertained on every page.

I absolutely loved this book! It had everything! From scandals and secrets, to murder and missing individuals, to a fresh take on well known and loved characters. In this world created by Heather Redmond, Charles Dickens is brought to life with a mix of fact and fiction that had me hooked from the first page to the last. I think Redmond did a brilliant job twisting and twirling the characters from the original Christmas Carol into this Sherlock style masterpiece.

I'd like to quickly point out this is the 3rd book in the A Dickens of a Crime series. Personally, I found this book did great as a standalone, however, others who have read the whole series may have a differing opinion.

I'd recommend this book for fans of A Christmas Carol, fans of Charles Dickens, fans of Sherlock type mysteries, and anyone else who enjoys and good whodunit murder mystery!

Looking For Normal by Karen Harmon

 Looking For Normal

by Karen Harmon

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Synopsis:

It's been said that we cannot choose our family members, but what do you do when the drama they bring becomes more than you want to deal with? You hop on the train that will take you to the land of promise, an alluring place across the mountains, called British Columbia.

Looking for Normal is an account of two people, each struggling to leave the desperate and dysfunctional circumstances of life, to establish themselves in a completely different environment and location. It is a sometimes humorous, sometimes sobering, yet always intriguing true story of family drama, and love found in the midst of heartache, addiction, and mental illness. It takes us through the Depression Era of the 1930s, on through the War and Post-War years of the 1940s and '50s, to the Free Love of the 1960s and '70s.

Against all odds, Vincent and Frances find each other in the land of promise, and begin the adventure of creating a new and better family experience, one filled with laughter, hope, and undying love.

They find that family is not far behind, and through each new adventure of dysfunction, they create a lasting legacy of strength, hope, and love within their own children.

This is a heartwarming true story that will encourage all of us to look on the lighter side and enjoy all that life brings, to treasure our family regardless of the struggles.

Review:

Thank you to Karen Harmon for a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed reading this sweet memoir. Inside we follow the lives of Karen's parents starting from when they were quite young. Reading through Look For Normal was like watching a video of these people growing up and creating lives of their own. It was really nice to see Vincent and Frances overcome all the struggles in their lives.

The writing was really well done. Karen knows how to tell a story thats draws you in. I enjoyed the writing style.

Overall, if you're a fan of memoirs this is something you may enjoy. 

One Woman's Treasure by Jean Copeland REVIEW

 One Woman's Treasure

by Jean Copeland

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Synopsis:

After Daphne accidentally “steals” a family heirloom from Nina’s front lawn thinking it’s junk left for trash pickup, she learns she’s wanted by the police for questioning. Once the dust settles, Daphne and Nina form a friendship inspired by their mutual love for antiquing and a desire for a fresh start in their lives.

As they grow closer, their attraction moves way beyond friends. But who will be brave enough to confess her feelings first? Daphne, the self-conscious procrastinator who’s working hard to get her new business off the ground, or Nina, the newly-out mom whose priority is creating a stable life for her son? Before they can take a chance on becoming lovers, they’ll have to decide if love is worth the risk.

Review:

Thank you to Netgalley and Jean Copeland for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of this story. I thought it was well paced with the perfect amount of conflict to keep me hungry for more. Where the story fell short for me was the ending. I felt like the pace totally changed and put in fast forward mode. I feel like the story could of really benefited from the ending being drawn out a little more.

For the most part, I enjoyed the characters. I found Daphne to be an annoying character. She was just a bit too winey for me. Nina was interesting enough. She came with her own set of obstacles and it was good to watch her face them. My favorite character in the whole story was Sophie. Sophie is a side character who really stood out to me and I would of loved to of seen more of her within the book. She was sassy and fun and really added something to the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good adult f/f romance. 

Pretty Things by Janelle Brown REVIEW

 Pretty Things

by Janelle Brown

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Synopsis:

Two wildly different women--one a grifter, the other an heiress--are brought together by the scam of a lifetime in a page-turner from the New York Times bestselling author of Watch Me Disappear.

Nina once bought into the idea that her fancy liberal arts degree would lead to a fulfilling career. When that dream crashed, she turned to stealing from rich kids in L.A. alongside her wily Irish boyfriend, Lachlan. Nina learned from the best: Her mother was the original con artist, hustling to give her daughter a decent childhood despite their wayward life. But when her mom gets sick, Nina puts everything on the line to help her, even if it means running her most audacious, dangerous scam yet.

Vanessa is a privileged young heiress who wanted to make her mark in the world. Instead she becomes an Instagram influencer--traveling the globe, receiving free clothes and products, and posing for pictures in exotic locales. But behind the covetable façade is a life marked by tragedy. After a broken engagement, Vanessa retreats to her family's sprawling mountain estate, Stonehaven: A mansion of dark secrets not just from Vanessa's past, but from that of a lost and troubled girl named Nina.

Nina, Vanessa, and Lachlan's paths collide here, on the cold shores of Lake Tahoe, where their intertwined lives give way to a winter of aspiration and desire, duplicity and revenge.

This dazzling, twisty, mesmerizing novel showcases acclaimed author Janelle Brown at her best, as two brilliant, damaged women try to survive the greatest game of deceit and destruction they will ever play

Review:

Thank you to Janelle Brown and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Nina is a grifter, Vanessa is an heiress. Their lives have crossed before and now they will cross again, only this time it's serious Told from the alternating perspectives of Nina and Vanessa Pretty Things weaves an intricate web of lies, revenge and pretty faces. 

The writing in this novel was so good! There are so many delicious twists and turns perfectly placed throughout it. The two main characters are both bad ass women. It's hard to decide who you want to cheer for. While you could say that it starts off a little slow, the ending is certainly one worth continuing for.

Overall, I thought this was a great read. I'd definitely recommend any thriller lovers giving this one a shot.

Flamer by Mike Curato REVIEW

 Flamer

by Mike Curato

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Synopsis:

Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in Flamer, his debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love.

I know I’m not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They’re mean, and scary, and they’re always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.

I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe.

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes—but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

Review:

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing and Mike Curato for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is one of the best graphic novels I've ever read. The story really grabs you right in the feels. It made me laugh, and then it made me cry, and then it made me smile from the inside out.

Our main character of this story is Aiden. He is chubby, half Asian and just a little bit different. When the story takes place Aiden is at summer camp to enjoy his very last summer before high school. While calling Aiden a complete outcast would be a stretch, he does have his share of bullies to deal with. Throughout the book we watch as Aiden takes a journey of self discovery and learns what it means to accept yourself. 

The artwork in this graphic novel is so fitting to the story. The color scheme added that flare and really brought the fire aspect of the book to life. 

Overall, I love this book! It was touching. I think it will relate to a lot of tweens/teens who are going through similar situations. 

The Murder of Minnie Callan by Tom Gruchy

 The Murder Of Minnie Callan

by Tom Gruchy

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Synopsis:

The Murder of Minnie Callan is the dramatic memoir of retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer Thomas Gruchy. It tells the story of a criminal investigation that changed the lives of many, including the author, forever.

Sixty-year-old Minnie Callan, wife, mother, and grandmother, was an innocent bystander when an attempted crime was aborted nearby in her hometown of Norman’s Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, on March 13, 1986. The intended victim escaped unharmed, but sadly, Minnie Callan lost her life during the encounter. When Thomas Gruchy, one of nine RCMP officers stationed at the nearby Whitbourne Detachment, received the call, he had no idea how shocking a discovery he would find in the sleepy town of Norman’s Cove, nor how much of a toll the investigation would take on him and his fellow police officers.

Purchase Link:

CA - https://www.amazon.ca/Murder-Minnie-Callan-Tom-Gruchy-ebook/dp/B07HCQB5N4

US - https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Minnie-Callan-Tom-Gruchy-ebook/dp/B07HCQB5N4

Review:

In a little community of Newfoundland murder is a rare occurrence, so when one woman is found beaten and left for dead the town is shook to its very core. The night of Minnie Callan's murder RCMP Officer Tom Gruchy is called in to investigate an anonymous call, what he found has stayed with him to this day. In The Murder of Minnie Callan Tom Gruchy takes us through his experience from the very beginning. We read through as he receives that phone call and then finally until the end of the trial.

The story of Minnie Callan's murder absolutely broke my heart. I found myself shedding a tear for Minnie and the fate she suffered. What happened to Minnie could only be described as heartless and evil. 

The writing itself was good. I found it read like it was being told straight from the Officer's mouth. I didn't find it to be polished like most true crime books and I think that it really added to the story and gave it an authentic feel. After all, the author, Tom Gruchy, is also the RCMP officer who was called in to investigate the anonymous call, found Minnie Callan, and stayed on the case to the end. You can feel his connection to the case through his writing. There wasn't a lot of overly descriptive writing throughout the book, which if you're like me you appreciate something that is short and to the point. There's enough description in the story to create a visual of what is happening without the info dump. 

Overall, I thought this book was extremely well done. I recommend it to any who enjoys true crime or even anyone who would like to experience a true crime novel through the eyes of the officer who was there.

Everything is Beautiful by Eleanor Ray COVER REVEAL

 Everything is Beautiful

by Eleanor Ray

Hi everyone, today I have a wonderful treat for you! Today we have a COVER REVEAL and I have to say, it's a really beautiful cover. I can't wait to show you I'll stop rambling and get to it!

Synopsis:

Sometimes it’s impossible to part with the things we love the most…

When Amy Ashton’s world came crashing down eleven years ago, she started a collection. Just a little collection, just a few keepsakes of happier times: some honeysuckle to remind herself of the boy she loved, a chipped china bird, an old terracotta pot . . . Things that others might throw away, but to Amy, represent a life that could have been.

Now her house is overflowing with the objects she loves – soon there’ll be no room for Amy at all. But when a family move in next door, a chance discovery unearths a mystery long buried, and Amy’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. If she can find the courage to face her past, might the future she thought she'd lost still be hers for the taking?

Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant and The Keeper of Lost Things, this exquisitely told, uplifting novel shows us that however hopeless things might feel, beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places.

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Pre-order Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-Beautiful-Eleanor-Ray/dp/0349427437
US - https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Beautiful-Eleanor-Ray-ebook/dp/B087ZDNZM8/

Publication Date: 4th February 2021

Author Bio

Eleanor Ray has an MA in English Literature from Edinburgh University and works in marketing. She lives in London with her husband and two young children.
Eleanor was inspired to write Everything is Beautiful by the objects her toddler collects and treasures - twigs, empty water bottles and wilting daisies. She is currently working on her next novel.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @EleanorRayBooks
Facebook: @EleanorRayBooks
Instagram: @EleanorRayBooks