Ms. Drew reached out about her Minnesota Thrift Shop cozy mystery series. I had not read any of them before and it was so much fun and such a treat to have a protagonist who was more my age (on the other side of 50 ahem…). And her shop is called Once Upon A Find – love that!!
Here’s the scoop about her latest: Add a Pinch of Poison. Find out what happens when a recipe box is discovered in the thrift shop and it looks like a recipe for murder!
Thrift shop owner Maggie Doyle is delighted when her grandson Parker starts bringing Gianna, the lovely Italian exchange student (he definitely does not have a crush on), to spend afternoons at Once Upon a Find.
But when Gianna discovers a hand-painted recipe box marked Dal Vecchio Paese (From the Old Country), the cozy afternoons turn deadly. Inside are treasured Italian recipes… and chilling instructions for poison.
Scrawled in the margins are dates and a name: the witness whose testimony sent an innocent man to prison. When Thaddeus Reynolds died suddenly years later, was it natural—or was it murder?
I loved these characters and look forward to reading more. Thank you for sending me a copy to review! Readers, this is not a long read either, under 200 pages, which is perfect for a weekend afternoon relaxing and reading!
I’m adding a note from Nora herself as I like her overview of the book better:
I’m Nora Drew, lifelong thrifter and author. Through my stories, I bring readers into the world of small-town Minnesota, uncovering hidden secrets in ordinary objects. Thrift shop owner Maggie Doyle is delighted when her grandson Parker brings the lovely Italian exchange student (he definitely does not have a crush on) to spend afternoons at Once Upon a Find. When Gianna discovers a hand-painted recipe box, the cozy afternoons turn deadly. Inside are treasured Italian recipes… and chilling instructions for poison.
And here’s her author bit via Amazon:
Nora Drew is the author of the Thrift Shop Cozy Mysteries, inspired by her lifelong love of secondhand treasures and the stories hidden inside ordinary things. A devoted thrifter, she believes the best mysteries often arrive disguised as forgotten objects—waiting patiently on a shelf for someone curious enough to ask questions.
Nora’s fascination with thrifting goes beyond the hunt for bargains. She’s drawn to the history, humanity, and quiet drama woven into well-worn belongings. Estate sales, rummage rooms, and small-town thrift shops have always felt like story vaults to her, filled with clues about the lives that came before.
At the heart of her writing is a deep appreciation for genuine friendship. Nora loves stories about people who show up for one another, swap theories over coffee, and solve problems together—preferably with humor and heart. Her mysteries are gentle, community-centered, and rooted in curiosity rather than chaos.
When she’s not writing, Nora can usually be found near a lake. She tries to hop in for a swim every day of the year—even in winter—believing that a little cold water is good for clarity and courage. Through her books, Nora invites readers to slow down, look closer, and discover the extraordinary hiding in the everyday.
Me again – I love that bio! Nora sounds like someone I’d like to have a cup of tea with and gab about books, or maybe investigate a vintage shop with. I give her props for swimming in the lake daily (I don’t do “water without sides”), though I do appreciate the serenity of lake life.
An image of a stack of vintage books and iced tea creates a peaceful reading nook overlooking a lush garden.
This summer I had a lot of reading time and I read SO MANY good books but I really do not have time to write about them all (alas, the day job calls). So I just want to shout out a few titles that I read and really enjoyed that are out now (or will be soon) that I was not part of a tour for:
The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury.
I had the book AND the audiobook. So much fun!
Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Oxford University, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is the irresistible debut from Kate Westbury that seamlessly layers mystery, romance, and a dash of academia to introduce the Crown’s newest undercover operatives. Oxford, England, 1951 – The Honorable Ginevra Bishop likes red lipstick, clever retorts, and earning top marks in her tutorials. She’s following her mother’s footsteps by studying at Oxford, eager to prove she’s more than a debutante.
Sidney Braithwaite likes brooding, Latin, and ignoring his nightmares. He’s determined to forge a new life for himself at Oxford, far from his childhood mining village and free from memories of the war.
Though Gin and Sidney have little in common, the British Security Service is keen to unite her charm with his espionage experience: there’s a Soviet spy at the university, and the agent tracking them down was poisoned. MI5 wants Gin and Sidney to pick up the trail and identify the informant before more sensitive information is compromised. As a team, the pair of undergraduates clash in personality, upbringing, and taste––but have a connection neither can deny. Gin and Sidney must unite their respective talents to follow the clues before they’re caught in the traitor’s crosshairs…if the sparks flying between them don’t blow up the operation first.
Lidie by Jane Smiley
I haven’t read anything by Smiley in a while and I just LOVE her writing.
From the bestselling, Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist, a rousing novel that follows two young women fleeing a divided America: one running toward a dazzling future and the other running from a troubled past
Christmas, 1857. America’s future is precarious; civil war looms on the horizon. After her abolitionist husband is murdered in the lawless Kansas Territory, Lidie Newton returns, in mourning, to her hometown of Quincy, Illinois. But her sisters have little comfort to offer, and Lidie is haunted by the memories of her failures—until she takes an interest in her niece, Annie. Beautiful, self-assured, and mischievous, Annie sticks out in Quincy. She becomes an actress at the local theater, and when she is offered the opportunity to perform abroad, she decides to run away. But travel is dangerous for a young unmarried woman, so Lidie, armed with her pistol and her wit, goes with her.
The two women embark on a perilous journey across the Atlantic, rushing toward an unknown future in England. Once they arrive in Liverpool, they vanish into new roles in the household of Annie’s benefactor, Mr. Mallory Cunningham. Annie takes a stage name and finds her way to a career, while Lidie becomes her lady’s maid. But will either of them be content with her new lot in life?
Exuberant and riveting, a sly commentary on truth and beauty and fulfillment that resonates with our times, Lidie delivers a panoramic portrait of a volatile era and the headstrong women trying to live an honest life in it.
It Girl by Alison Pataki
Pataki never disappoints in her ability to make history come alive through engaging historical figures.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, New York’s streets teem with change: electricity, automobiles, the brash young President Teddy Roosevelt—and the It Girls. As artists’ muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison’s new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America’s sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot.
But the journey to stardom is not simple or straight. While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity: the iconic Gibson Girl, the most sought-after figure and face of her time. Enter a parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan’s mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premier “playboy” of high society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security—even love. But fame and fortune are cruel teachers, and Evelyn learns that the only person she can rely on is herself.
When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the Crime of the Century,” she is blamed for the acts of the men in her life. In the media frenzy that spirals around her, Evelyn realizes that to survive, she will have to write her own ending. But can this artists’ muse turned showgirl pull off the greatest act of her life?
It Girl is a breathtaking ride inspired by a singular artist and icon who captured the collective imagination of American society. Allison Pataki has crafted yet another unforgettable leading lady, a heroine who must find the power to change not only the world around her but her own destiny.
NumbWere the Beadman’s Fingers by Alan Bradley
Thank goodness, Flavia is back! This is possibly my very favorite mystery series and I can’t get enough of the very unique voice of Flavia and all the humorous goings-on in her life.
A nun’s corpse leads beloved amateur sleuth Flavia de Luce to uncover decades-old secrets in this charming final novel in the New York Times bestselling series.
“I love the Flavia de Luce novels! Flavia is the best female detective I’ve ever read, full of realism, self-confidence, and emotion (in roughly equal parts), and her tales are hilarious, engaging, and occasionally heartbreaking.”—Diana Gabaldon
In the cloisters of Golgotha House, a mere binocular’s-squint away from Buckshaw, a nun lies dead. When her fellow sisters prepare her corpse for burial, they discover that their companion has been living a shocking lie for years. The truth about her past, and the dark reasons she harbored for escaping it, are impossible to fathom.
Charged with cracking this mystery is the firm of Arthur W. Dogger & Associates (Discreet investigations)—consisting, of course, of the inimitable young Flavia de Luce and her faithful partner-in-detection Dogger.
Working under the eye of a glowering Mother Superior, Flavia and Dogger must uncover a decades-old crime and a secret that lies an ocean away—along with a trail of deception that lies closer to home.
The Pools by e. lockhart
An interesting story in verse by the author of We Were Liars. I liked it. Appropriate for older teens, I’d say.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the We Were Liars series comes a love story full of simmering darkness and astonishing twists, following two teenagers whose lives are shattered by a shocking transformation.
This gorgeous hardcover edition of The Pools will feature unique printed endpapers, deckled edges (rough, uneven page edges), and an exclusive stamped case!
Once, in a small New England town known for its hot springs, something terrible happened. Something that should have been a warning to stay away from the pools, if the stories were to be believed.
But no one is afraid of the water anymore, even if they should be.
When new girl Lexie meets golden boy Chester, their chemistry is undeniable. She’s running from a glittering life she won’t speak about. He’s hiding secrets of his own. Their connection feels bigger than both of them, despite their damage.
One frigid winter morning in that small New England town, five people go for a swim in the pools. Five people, including Chester. What happens there sends shock waves through the town, changing life as Lexie knows it forever.
Magic Elizabeth by Norma Kassirer
I could NOT believe when this popped up on Net Galley. My very favorite book from when I was a little girl! I loved this story about a girl staying with her Aunt Sally and she is looking for a doll that was lost years ago. Part magical, part mystery and I was struck by how well-written this children’s book is!
A beloved middle-grade fantasy classic returns in a newly illustrated edition full of magic, mystery, and a doorway into the past.
When eight-year-old Sally is sent to spend the summer in a creaky old house with her elderly Aunt Sarah and a decidedly unfriendly cat, she expects weeks of boredom and loneliness. But everything changes when she discovers a mysterious painting of a little girl holding a doll—and learns that the doll, Elizabeth, vanished long ago.
Drawn by curiosity, Sally ventures into the attic, where an old mirror seems to open a doorway into another time. As she searches for the missing doll and the truth behind the painting, Sally discovers a story of friendship, empathy, and love that reaches across generations.
First published in 1966 and now back in print with brand-new full-color illustrations by Mark Richardson, Magic Elizabeth invites today’s readers into its timeless world of mystery, warmth, and wonder.
Here’s what makes Magic Elizabeth a classic fantasy for a new generation:
• A Beloved Children’s Classic Returns: A long-out-of-print favorite is available again for parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, and new readers.
• A Magical Journey into the Past: A mysterious attic mirror, a lost doll named Elizabeth, and a long-ago friendship create a classic children’s fantasy for ages 8–12.
• Brand-New Full-Color Artwork: New illustrations by Mark Richardson bring fresh visual life to Norma Kassirer’s timeless story.
• Perfect for Independent Reading or Sharing Aloud: A nostalgic favorite for adults and a moving story of imagination, kindness, and love for young readers.
Magic Elizabeth is a classic middle-grade fantasy novel about a magic mirror, a missing doll named Elizabeth, and a mystery that reaches into the past. This beloved children’s classic remains a moving reminder that imagination, kindness, and love can travel across time.
The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen
Rhys NEVER disappoints. I love her stand alone novels (well, I love all her novels) and this one was no exception.
A ghostwriter plunges into danger as she unravels the dark secrets of a powerful Scottish family in a thrilling novel of romance and mystery by the bestselling author of Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.
Australian writer Emma Callander has been recruited to complete the final historical mystery in a series by celebrated author Iris Blackburn. It’s 1965, and Iris’s memory is fading. She’s certain that only Emma can do justice to her novel about a murder on the Isle of Skye. When Emma ventures to Scotland for research, she discovers the story is not fiction at all but rather a true crime, unsolved for more than fifty years.
It was 1904 when a couple’s suspicious drowning led to the disappearance of a mysterious young woman the locals called the Wild Girl. To this day the mystery is unforgettable, especially among the descendants of an aristocratic family who’ll do anything to keep their secrets buried. From the misty Highlands to a medieval castle, Emma and Tony Gordon, Iris’s handsome lawyer, work ever more closely to uncover them.
But while Iris may be known for her fiendishly clever twists, there’s one not even Emma could have seen coming.
The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian
Speaking of never disappointing, Chris Bohjalian has to be the most versatile author out there today. And he’s a genuinely nice guy as well as hugely talented. Somebody call Netflix and make the limited series – now!
1978: It is the first Thursday in August and temperatures are flirting with ninety when Mira Winston, eighteen years old, drives a golf ball from her tee toward the practice net near the clubhouse and caddy shack. The golf ball, weighing 1.6 ounces, tears through the net, traveling 150 miles per hour, and slams, with sickening force, into the temple of a high school junior named Kenny Foster, rupturing an artery and unleashing a torrent of blood. Kenny brings his hand to the side of his head, then topples onto his side. He’s dead before the ambulance even arrives.
In the wake of this terrible accident—and everyone, at first, agrees it was an accident—Mira looks for comfort in all the wrong places: In her lover, Theo Catton, a married man three decades her senior. In her mother, a well-kept woman with secrets of her own. In the dead caddy’s little sisters, girls bewildered by grief. But when the investigators look more closely at the torn net, when a detective recalls Mira’s history of recklessness, and when Kenny’s father spies Mira with her married lover, the affluent and mannered community turns on this once-promising young woman. A gripping story that takes the reader from the sun-soaked greens of a tony Westchester country club to the fluorescent-lit stand of a county courtroom, The Amateur asks: What happens when one small moment—a swing, a ball, a piece of string—changes the course of an entire life?
The Grapevine by Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson
As a California girl, I love stories that take place in California and this was a very engaging mystery. Yes the grapevine is a highway pass in SoCal that weaves together – integral to the story – but grapevines themselves weave into intricate and thick branches, just like this story had several strands that wove together.
From bestselling authors Alexandra Sokoloff and Craig Robertson, The Grapevine is a thrilling mystery featuring a quirky and relentless female protagonist, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Karin Slaughter.
How far would you go to find your missing child?
Lou Gomersall’s going as far as it takes. And there’s no turning back.
When her nineteen-year-old daughter Abby disappears, Lou embarks on a reckless road trip in the family RV, scouring the highways and back roads of California. Through desert and mountains, into the woods, and to the ocean’s edge.
A year later, the police don’t believe Lou’s theory that four other missing young women have been taken by the same elusive predator. So, when another college sophomore vanishes, Lou jumps on the fresh trail, enlisting millennial #vanlifers, Gen Z entrepreneurs, boomer RVers, homeless sages, truck stop prostitutes, and everyone in between in her do-or-die mission to rescue Abby …
Or kill the man who took her.
Last Mission to Paris by Susan Elia MacNeal
Susan is an incredible writer (LOVE her Maggie Hope series) and this one was another amazingly researched and engaging WWII story.
Decades after serving as secret agents during World War II, three women reunite to uncover the truth behind the murder of their fellow agent in Paris.
In the rugged Scottish Highlands, four young women training as secret agents became inseparable: Flip, a fearless Southern Belle; Zaina, a dreamy Indian princess; Bella, the infamous star of stage and screen; and Gabrielle, a witty London shopgirl. They parachuted by moonlight into Nazi-occupied Paris, where they trusted each other with their lives… until the betrayal that shattered everything.
They were captured. Gabrielle was killed. And the truth about what really happened in Paris was buried. Twenty years later, in the vibrant London of the Swinging Sixties, the surviving agents are honored with a statue on the Thames. However, the well-deserved public recognition is eclipsed by the sudden death of a renowned war historian—and an anonymous letter suggesting that Gabrielle’s demise was far more suspicious than it appeared.
Chloe, Gabrielle’s daughter and a budding historian, grew up in the long shadow of a heroic mother she barely knew. Determined to uncover the truth, Chloe seeks out the three surviving agents, her mother’s friends. As past and present collide, Chloe draws the women back into a world of secrets, alliances, and duplicity.
As they follow clues from London to Paris and then to Berlin, the women discover their last mission didn’t just fail—it was deliberately sabotaged.
Because some missions didn’t end—and some betrayals go further than anyone can imagine.
Thank you for my review copies and the opportunity to read these books!
Coming soon…What I’ve Been Listening to this Summer (even without the 2-hour commute each day!)
I’m here today as part of the blog tour for a new suspenseful thriller — one that kept me guessing and guessing and I could not put it down!! The Wife After Me follows the protagonist ex-wife (I don’t think she is ever named – or if she is, I forget it!) as she adjusts to her divorce while house-sharing with her ex-husband. Everything is shared evenly until he brings home a new woman and then marries her. Tensions mount, strange things occur, and I was on the edge of my seat!
Here’s the scoop:
She married my ex-husband. They’re living in my house. One of us won’t make it out alive…
I share a house with my ex-husband, Ben. A floor each, a schedule for taking turns to use the kitchen. It may sound odd but it’s all perfectly amicable. Then his new wife moves in…
Yasmin breezes in on a cloud of expensive perfume, and it’s clear Ben is besotted. But her perfect veneer soon starts to crack. I know she’s been in my room. And I realise I have more to fear than I’d ever imagined…
Then Ben disappears, and I’m alone in the house with her. I hear a noise in our basement. I run down the steps and the door slams behind me. But is it Yasmin turning the key in the lock, or is the truth even more dangerous?
And will I survive…?
Fans of None of This Is True, John Marrs, T.M. Logan and Freida McFadden will be utterly gripped by this addictive, page-turning psychological thriller.
I was thinking that this would make a great Netflix limited series!!
Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!
About the Author:
Nora Valters grew up in the New Forest in the south of England and has lived in London, Manchester, Bournemouth, Oxford and Dubai. She currently resides in Weston-super-Mare. She studied English Literature and Language at Oxford Brookes University before embarking on a career in marketing and copywriting. Her debut psychological thriller Her Biggest Fan was published in October 2020. Her latest novel is His First Girlfriend and she’s currently writing her seventh novel, which will be out soon. Nora loves to travel and has journeyed around the world. She enjoys exploring new places, knitting/crochet, painting, hiking, and is an avid reader. She’s also a bit obsessed with dogs!
I’m here as part of the tour for a new series by Donna Ashcroft – the Honey Haven series, which is a sweet but spicy romance. This first title is The Candy Apple Cafe.
Here’s the scoop:
Falling in love can be sweet and spicy… 🍏 🍭🌶️🍏 🍭🌶️
A fun-loving baking queen with a heart of gold. Her gruff neighbour. A tiny Scottish town. Is this a recipe for love – or disaster? This is the utterly unputdownable spicy Autumn romance you’ve been waiting for! Seasonal spice + hot Scotsman = 🧡 🔥🌶️
When Izzi pulls up in her battered old car outside The Candy Apple Café, she takes a deep breath and channels her trademark optimism. She’s run away to Honey Haven to escape the mess her life is in right now. Only, she hasn’t bargained on a handsome, broad-shouldered Scotsman appearing out of nowhere and grilling her on why she’s parked there… it turns out the baking work she has lined up is in his gran’s café and he’s her new landlord… Cameron is immediately rubbed up the wrong way by Izzi’s upbeat vibes and yet, his eyes keep meeting hers across his gran’s cake display at The Candy Apple Café. Cameron’s heart beats a little faster every time she looks up at him through those long, dark lashes and there are only so many times Izzi can pretend she hasn’t noticed the way he towers over her, his dark brooding eyes failing to avoid hers… Then Izzi and Cameron find themselves thrown together to organise the town’s Autumn festival. Planning a spectacular cinnamon-scented event as a surprise for his gran, they find themselves pressed up against each other as they work to turn a crumbling castle into the perfect haunted house filled with sweet treats… But he’s closed off his heart. And she’s only meant to be in town for a few weeks. Will the heat between grumpy Cameron and sunny Izzi dial up a notch? Or will their relationship turn as chilly as the Autumn air in Honey Haven?
Snuggle up with a steamy hot drink and bed down with this spicy romance, filled with grumpy sunshine vibes and a dreamy HEA. Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Harper Graham, and Gilmore Girls!
I did like the character of Izzi and I do like a light romance – though this one had a bit more steam that I usually read! (but nothing over the top – it’s no 50 shades of whatever). I’m curious about the rest of the series and if it will continue to center on Izzi, or maybe other characters in the town. I do like a series that follows a town and all the interesting people in it. There are many good TV shows (BBC ones) that follow small towns like that and I never get tired of them!
So check out this new novel and let me know what you think!
Thank you for my copy and for having me on the tour.
About the Author:
Donna has had sixteen books published in total. Four have been in the Amazon top 100 and one even made it to number seven in the UK and US Kindle charts, another made it to number one in the UK, US and AU free Kindle charts. She was also shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019.
She lives in Hertfordshire, with her own romantic hero, two grown up kids who pop in occasionally and two grumpy cats. She loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie.
I just love this series! This is the latest installment in the Lady Eleanor historical cozy mysteries. I love anything that takes place in theaters or on stage, and this one is centered on Shakespeare! Lady Eleanor has found another murder mystery to solve and has her friends and trusty pup to help her!
Here’s the scoop:
Lady Swift and her handsome husband Hugh Seldon are totally charmed by the picturesque town where Shakespeare once lived. Everyone is abuzz with chatter about the upcoming production of Macbeth… But wait, is that a body backstage?
Dashing showman Richard Ratcliffe is set to return to the stage at the famous Shakespeare Memorial theatre. But when priceless items belonging to Shakespeare himself go missing from the theatre’s collection, Eleanor knows someone has gone off-book…
Then the beautiful old theatre is set on fire. The gang are horror-struck, and while racing to help, Eleanor’s loyal butler Clifford discovers an act of foul play: Ratcliffe, the show’s leading man, is dead inside from a blow to the head. Was the fire a deliberate distraction to cover up the murder? Hugh believes Ratcliffe may have caught the thief in the act, but Eleanor isn’t so certain.
With the production in tatters, the cast and crew are flailing. Everyone is playing a part and Eleanor needs to decide who is putting on a deadly show and who is telling the truth. Did the director have more to gain from the insurance money than a standing ovation? Maybe the leading lady feared she was about to be upstaged?
Hunting for local gossip at the town tearoom, Eleanor discovers Ratcliffe had secrets he was desperate to keep from stealing the show… But the culprit is waiting in the wings. And it’s only a matter of time before Eleanor steps too far into their deadly spotlight. Can she catch the killer before it’s curtains for her too?
A totally delightful historical cozy murder mystery. Fans of T.E. Kinsey, L.B. Hathaway and Lee Strauss will fly through the pages!
About the Author:
Verity Bright –
Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.
Thank you for my copy and for having me on the tour!
I’m here today as part of the blog tour for The Lost Husband by Shari J. Ryan. This was a WWII, historical fiction novel about a woman who survives Auschwitz and is sure she saw her dead husband, wearing a Nazi uniform. She won’t give up hope that he is alive.
Here’s the scoop:
Auschwitz, 1945. The gates are flung open. Prisoners flee for their lives. But as Celina stumbles toward safety, a man in a German uniform seizes her arm. She knows it’s impossible… but he looks just like her husband.
Celina has given up hope of ever leaving Auschwitz. Only memories of her beloved husband Noah keep her sane—her childhood sweetheart, her protector, once her entire world. If she allows herself to remember that he was killed, she knows she’ll be lost too…
Now, as the Soviets liberate the camp, Celina screams when a man in a German uniform grabs her. But the familiar green and gold sparkling in his eyes steals her breath. He looks exactly like Noah. But it can’t be him. Not here, not in this uniform…
As a Soviet officer hauls him away, Celina can’t let him go without making absolutely sure. Did her husband somehow survive the war, disguised as a German soldier?
To find the truth, she must follow as the Germans—now prisoners themselves—are marched away through the snowy forests of Poland. Staying hidden, and staying alive, will prove almost impossible.
But if it’s really Noah—and he’s still the good man Celina fell in love with—can she find a way to rescue him before she loses him all over again?
An inspiring, heartbreaking World War Two novel which celebrates the strength of human spirit and the power of love in the darkest of times. Perfect for fans of The Midwife of Auschwitz, The Choice and The Nightingale.
Here’s a little bit about Shari herself:
Shari J. Ryan is a USA Today Bestselling Historical Fiction writer. Her desire to write stories revolving Jewish livelihood during World War II stems from being a descendant of two Holocaust survivors. After the passing of Shari’s grandmother, she pursued an active interest in learning more about the inherited stories she yearned to understand better.
Shortly after earning a bachelors degree from Johnson & Wales University, Shari began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer. She then found her passion for writing books in 2012. In 2016, Shari began writing her first Historical Fiction novel, Last Words , a story about a lifelong journey through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor, and Shari quickly found a new passion to share untold World War II stories within a fictional setting. In 2023 she also began exploring her first foray into the world of gripping, twisty psychological thrillers.
Shari is a lifelong New England girl who lives to make people laugh. She is happily married with two wonderful sons and a spunky Australian Shepard, who fits right in with the family.
I’m here today as part of the tour for Susanne O’Leary’s newest novel, The Secret Bookshop in Ireland. Just the title drew me in! Secret bookshop? Ireland? Sounds great! I loved this story, from the main character and her dog named Brian Boru, to the bookshop and the people of the village. This is a sweet romance story as well (a clean read) and a story that leaves you feeling good inside.
Here’s the scoop:
‘It devastates me that this will be the first you’re hearing of the bookshop. But it’s yours now, and I hope it can heal you despite everything you might hear about our family. Good luck, dear Ciara, and remember to never give up…’
Standing amongst the wildflowers that border the abandoned bookshop, Ciara’s heart begins to swell. She never met her mysterious distant relative Martha, but there’s no denying that this place, filled with beautiful old books, is captivating. Trapped in a dead-end job and a tiny apartment in Dublin, this inheritance could change everything for her.
As visitors from Cherrywood village arrive to welcome Ciara, and she learns to love each priceless edition she now owns, it’s Ronan, the handsome lawyer with hazel eyes and husky voice who makes a lasting impression. Can he help her learn more about Martha? Why was Ciara chosen to protect the bookshop’s legacy, and why all the secrecy? The only certainty is the butterflies Ciara feels every time she locks eyes with Ronan. Is it crazy to imagine herself re-opening the bookshop and staying forever?
But nothing prepares Ciara for the letter she finds hidden high on the rickety shelves, for the heart shattering story of an abandoned baby and a devastating family secret. The truth about Martha could mean Ciara loses the bookshop forever.
Ciara is faced with an impossible choice: close the doors of her new home and return to her old life in Dublin, or stay to find out the truth and risk everything for a new life in Cherrywood…
An utterly gorgeous and romantic story about second chances that will sweep you away to Ireland. Fans of Mary Alice Monroe, Mary Kay Andrews and Rachel Hanna will devour this feel-good read.
About the Author:
Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She’s been inspired to represent people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour. When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.
It looks like this is the start of a new series – The Sisters of Cherrywood series – as this is Book 1. Yay!
Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!
I’m excited to be part of this suspenseful story, the psychological thriller Where’s My Daughter? I love this type of novel – twisty, edge of your seat, don’t know who to trust, suspenseful treat! This one kept me guessing up to the end.
Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!
Here’s the scoop:
They told me my daughter died. But an anonymous note proves she’s alive… and I’ll do anything to get her back.
I open the envelope and a photograph slips into my hands. My coffee mug falls and shatters on the kitchen floor. It’s my precious sixteen-year-old daughter, Sadie. Her hair is shorter and she looks thinner. I thought she was dead.
We were told she drowned at summer camp. A tragic accident, though she was a strong swimmer. My heartbroken husband is the one who broke the news. But this photograph proves it was all a lie. I turn it over with shaking hands and read the note: She’s alive. Don’t go to the police if you want to keep it that way.
Hands shaking, I read on: Your husband knows more than he’s saying…
This totally gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked until the final breathtaking twist! Fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid and Lisa Jewell will be up all night turning the pages.
About the Author: L.G. Davis
Liz’s story began in a refugee camp in Angola, where she spent the first eight years of her life. After that, she spent some years in Namibia (her home country), South Africa, and Germany. She now lives in Vienna, Austria, with her husband and two children. Liz wrote her first full-length novel at eighteen and hid it in a box under her bed. Several others soon followed it. Her passion lies in writing edge-of-the-seat psychological thrillers that give readers the same rush they would get on a rollercoaster.
Author Samantha Noble reached out to me about her cozy mystery series and while I am totally swamped with TBR books, I had to spotlight it because it looks WONDERFUL and I want to read it. Now I’m really a dog person, not a cat person as we are all allergic to cats; but I love all animals and pets and I love when a series ties in animals. This protagonist owns a cat café, a type of place I have always wanted to visit but alas, I do value our ability as a family to breathe so we don’t go. I admire from afar.
Here’s the scoop:
(image of print, digital, and audio versions of book in cozy setting with cat mug, headphones, magnifying glass, and warm throw, in front of fireplace with fire and lit candles) TRANSPORT ME THERE IMMEDIATELY PLEASE.
In Blueprints, Blackmail, And A British Shorthair, the tranquil life of Emma Clark is shattered when a renowned architect is murdered and a web of secrets entangles her beloved Savannah cat café. Drawn into the heart of the investigation by a cryptic set of blueprints and a sinister blackmail plot, Emma, alongside her clever British Shorthair, Purrlock Holmes, and steadfast Detective Jake Malone must navigate a maze of hidden motives, old vendettas, and dangerous lies. With small-town intrigue, feline charm, and a twist-filled mystery, this cozy whodunit will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Here’s the overview on Amazon:
Sometimes the truth is hidden in plain sight—and sometimes it’s curled up at your feet.
Running Purrs & Puzzles Cat Café in Savannah’s historic district means Emma Clark hears plenty of gossip. But when wealthy developer Garrison Faulk is found dead behind a nearby building, gossip quickly turns into suspicion.
The crime scene contains a clue that points uncomfortably close to Emma’s café, and before long, rumors are spreading faster than fresh coffee. With longtime residents guarding old grudges, business owners protecting secrets, and a growing list of suspects with motives to spare, Emma finds herself tangled in a murder that reaches far beyond a simple real-estate dispute.
Determined to uncover the truth, Emma follows a trail of hidden agendas, blackmail, and dangerous secrets buried beneath Savannah’s polished charm. Alongside her best friend Lizzie, a detective who would rather avoid cats, and Purrlock Holmes—the British Shorthair who always seems to notice what everyone else misses—Emma races to expose a killer before her reputation, her business, and the people she cares about become the next casualties.
In Savannah, some secrets are worth a fortune.
Others are worth killing for.
Perfect for fans of Ellery Adams, Sofie Kelly, and mysteries with a cozy café packed with charming cats, hidden secrets, and Southern atmosphere.
I believe you can read these titles as stand alones as well as in order.
Thanks so much for reaching out! I look forward to exploring this series!
About the Author:
Samantha Noble is the author of the Hazelwood High Jinx and Purrs & Puzzles Cat Café cozy mystery series, where the gossip is juicy, the animals sometimes seem smarter than the humans, and the bodies always seem to turn up at the worst possible time.
Set in small towns bursting with secrets (and the occasional sass from a parrot or a dog or a cat), Samantha’s mysteries blend humor, heart, and whodunits that’ll keep you guessing. Whether you’re following a curious innkeeper, a determined cat café owner, or a parrot with a taste for drama, you’re in for a delightful dose of cozy crime-solving.
When she’s not writing or wrangling plot twists with her editors or VA Chad Penwright, or getting suggestions from her Beta Team or ARC team, Samantha is likely sipping something caffeinated, daydreaming about her next book cover, or driving around town plotting murders (fictional ones—promise!).
My friends at Blackstone Publishing sent me an early copy of this mystery thriller. To be honest, I thought when I read it: “Gee, it’s too bad dad can’t read this.” My dad, who passed away in 2011, loved a good mystery – not too violent or gruesome, but packed with thrills, suspense, and clever thinking. This was one of those stories.
Here’s the scoop:
When an assassin breaks into Roger Smith’s home one night, he gets more than he bargained for and ends up a bloody corpse.
Washington, DC, Detective Grace Lillinthal is summoned to the crime scene to investigate who would want to kill a gray-haired, respected family man and civil servant. But the more Grace investigates, the more it becomes clear: there’s more to Roger than what meets the eye–especially after discovering that Roger called John McKenna, a gregarious owner of a local bar that doubles as a den of thieves, before calling the police. Now, it’s up to the three of them to figure out who wants Roger dead and why–and it’s up to Grace to unravel the secrets Roger would rather keep hidden.
Here’s Amazon’s overview:
From Edgar, Barry, and Shamus Award finalist Mike Lawson comes McKenna’s Guy, a fast-paced thriller full of secrets, lies, and betrayal.
When an intruder with murderous intent breaks into Roger Smith’s modest home one night, the big brute gets more than he bargained for, ending up a bloody corpse staining Roger’s carpet.
Washington, DC, Detective Grace Lillinthal is summoned to the crime scene and marvels at the outcome. Why would anyone want to kill gray-haired Roger Smith? He’s the picture of respectability–a widower devoted to his family, an amateur painter, and a civil servant who works at the Government Printing Office. When asked why he’d be a target, a clearly shaken Roger claims to be baffled.
But instinct tells Grace there’s more to Roger’s story, and when she learns that Roger–after killing his home invader and before calling the police–phoned John McKenna, she knows she’s onto something. John McKenna is a disreputable character of the first order. He’s the gregarious, larger-than-life owner of a local bar that’s a notorious den of thieves.
After one hired assassin fails, another’s bound to show up. The clock is ticking for Roger and McKenna to find out who wants Roger dead and why–and suspects abound. Stubborn Grace is as determined to dig up Roger’s secrets as he is to keep them hidden, and soon the investigation becomes a relentless game of cat and mouse. Even if Roger doesn’t consider himself a criminal, as chaos takes hold of his world, survival requires that he think like one.
Early rave reviews are in for MCKENNA’S GUY:
“Lawson’s stand-alone strips plot, characters, and prose down to exceptional efficiency, producing maximum thrills without a wasted word. The perfect in-flight read, starring a surprisingly resourceful antihero.”
–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Brisk, clever…The pace never flags, and many of Lawson’s characters and set pieces evoke the best of Donald Westlake. It’s a highly enjoyable thriller.”
–Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Lawson unfurls his story in a literal, economic, almost deadpan prose that becomes hypnotic. It’s a delightful book.”
–Booklist
About the Author:
Mike Lawson is the author of twenty-four novels. He’s been a finalist for the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, the Barry Award, and has won the Friends of Mystery Award three times. The nineteen books in his Joe DeMarco political thriller series revolve around a character who is a fixer for a corrupt politician. The first book in his Kay Hamilton series, Rosarito Beach, was optioned for television. Before becoming a writer, Mike was an engineer and senior executive employed by the navy for work related to naval nuclear reactors. He and his wife live in the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks for my copy, Blackstone Publishing! This one’s for you, Dad!
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