Upcoming Cozy Review: The Diva Sweetens the Pie

* 12th book in the Domestic Diva series *

In the middle of Old Town's annual Pie Festival, the celebrity judge falls face first into a pie. It's not a pretty sight; she's later declared dead. However, the festival must go on and the organizer asks Sophie to lend an even bigger hand.

The celebrity judge used to live in town before her rise to stardom. When Sophie's asked to look into a different matter, she wonders if the past is influencing the present.

When someone frames her for an act of violence, she's determined more than ever to uncover the truth before someone else gets hurt.

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series. It always makes me want to cook or bake something. This time, I wanted to eat pie. I loved catching up with the characters; they feel like old friends. With all the red herrings, it was difficult to uncover the truth about the murder. I like how Sophie gets pulled into investigating a side mystery. And the recipes! I can't wait to test out a few pies and a few cocktails. Another fun addition to this charming series. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: April 30th
Library Recommendation: This series should be in your mystery section.

Picture Book Review: Ira Crumb Makes a Pretty Good Friend

Ira Crumb is new in town and he desperately wants a new friend before school starts. But he's trying just a little too hard and no one wants to be his friend.

A sweet and funny book about finding friendship. It's the perfect story to share with anyone (new or not) looking to make a new friend. 

Because of the set-up of this book, it's also great for beginning comic readers. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Places in Books to Visit

This week's topic is all about traveling to places you've read about in books.

Diagon Alley - Always

Visiting these Christmas stores:

Bluff Point,  Maine - small town charm.

Hiking  and seeing the beauty of nature 

Alaska (But not if some bad guy is chasing me)

Scotland - even in the winter

New York City during the Gilded Age

Paris. I would never turn down Paris

San Francisco would be nice!

Especially if I run into this big group of friends

Visiting this bakery in Torte would be amazing, although it would be hard to pick out something on the menu!

Universe of Stories: Teen Summer Reading Program (4)

The past couple weeks I've talked about programming ideas.

You can find them here.

I've decided to do something a little different this year for my teen summer reading program.

Mary and I are going to do food programs once a week - it's going to be The Summer of Oreos. It was partly inspired by the marbled Oreos and an Oreo cookbook. We will also be doing a craft program every Friday with Galaxy Soap, Alien/Space perler beads, All things Marvel, All things Star Wars, and making Lava Lamps.

But this week, I'm going to talk about some space books. This is by no means a compilation of books, just a jumping off point if you're looking for some new items to add to your collection. 

 

 What other books would you add to this list?

Join the Revolution of Dumplin'

Two important questions for you:

1. Have you read this book?

2. Have you seen the movie?

If the answer to either question is NO, what are you waiting for?

They are both excellent!

Standing up for what you believe in and cherishing your loved ones are both popular new year’s resolutions this year, and DUMPLIN’ offers an inspiring look at both.

Willowdean Dixon is the headstrong character in DUMPLIN’ who battles grief, friendships, and love on the way to shaking up her small Texas town’s misconceptions and entrenched beauty pageant standards. Along the way, she’ll make some unlikely friends and allies and learn more about herself. The Netflix adaptation, featuring Jennifer Aniston, Danielle Macdonald, Dove Cameron, and Odeya Rush, is only part of the story. If you watched the movie, you’ll love delving deeper into Will’s story, and if you haven’t yet, this is the perfect time to experience the revolutionary body-positive book that is transforming the YA scene and encouraging more focus on characters who love the way they are and aren’t looking to change for anything--or anyone.

Here's your chance to win a paperback copy of the book

(US Only please)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Romance Review: Something Like That

* Book 1 in a series *

With work being done in her home, Cameron (Assistant US Attorney) picks the wrong hotel room. First - there's all the noise. Second - there's a murder next door.

Cameron might have been the only witness. But the FBI agent she'll have to tell about her night is the same agent who blames her for ruining his career three years ago. He's suddenly back in town and not at all happy to see her.

Together they must untangle a web of lies and secrets all while thwarting danger.

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - I loved the banter between the two. I liked the dual perspectives and figuring out the real story three years ago. I really liked how Cameron interacted with her bodyguards besides Jack. A fun hate to love romance with tension, danger, and laughter. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Book gifted from OTSPsecretsister

Review: Little White Lies

* First Book in a Series *

Never in a million years did Sawyer Taft imagine that her estranged grandmother would show up on her doorstep. Her imagination also never included a contact where Sawyer would earn money (a lot of money) to complete the debutante season.  But she also never imagined uncovering secrets from her past.

So she said yes.

Now she's stuck in high society where secrets are more deadly than she ever imagined. When one girl threatens her family, how far will Sawyer go to stay in control and complete the contract?

My Thoughts: I love Jennifer  Lynn Barnes. I always read her book and they're always fabulous. I started this one and was sucked in. I couldn't put it down. I really liked the dual timelines - and learning why the foursome was in jail in the first place. I loved the banter between the debutantes. I loved Sawyer's sass. I love how she and her cousin became friends - I mean after that incident, how could you not? The family history stunned me. There were so many twists that I never saw coming that made me turn the pages faster and faster because I needed to know what happened. And now I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Book sent for review
Warning: When you pick up this book, make sure you have enough time to finish it.

Romance Review: As Good as the First Time

* First Book in the Sugar Lake series * 

When Olivia gets the wind knocked out of her after she loses both her job and her boyfriend in the same day, she's more than happy to help out her aunt. She and her sister travel back to the place that once upon the time stole her heart. 

She grew up in Sugar Lake with her extended family, the bakery, and the boy next door. She discovers upon her return that not much has changed. The small town has changed but the bakery is still the same. Drea (Olivia's sister) has plans for improvement. Together both sisters help their aunt while gaining insight into their troubled relationship. Olivia works on figuring out her future while making peace with her past. Could her past be the key to her future?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. My mouth watered almost the entire time I was reading and I had a desperate urge to bake something. I enjoyed the second chance love story. I loved how Olivia had to go home and face her past in order to move forward with her future. I love how the sisters ended up, but it was hard reading them fight with each other in the beginning. I'm so looking forward to reading more about this small town and this family.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A mouth-watering read that's perfect for your romance collection

Picture Book Review: Pies from Nowhere

The National Lunch Company employed a cook by the name of Georgia Gilmore. When Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to move, she organized a movement of women who cooked and baked goods to sell for the cause. They didn't want their names mentioned, so they became the Club from Nowhere.

A fantastic picture book biography of Georgia Gilmore in this moment in time. I loved learning about her; I didn't know about her. I love how she and others baked in secret and how they helped the protests the way they knew how. I love her bravery and how she used her knowledge to become her own boss, further helping others. Great illustrations.

A must have book for school and public libraries. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Quiet Middle Grade

This week's topic is quiet books - books you enjoyed and want more people to read. 

Here's a few I've talked about previously.

As I started looking, this very quickly turned into a middle grade post.