Review: Future of Us

Josh and Emma used to be best friends, but that was before Josh tried to kiss Emma. Now they talk, but their friendship has an awkwardness that they can't seem to get past.

Then Josh brings over an AOL disk for Emma's new computer. Emma logs in and immediately sees Facebook - and herself in the future. She's married. Curious, she calls Josh.

Together, they try to figure out what Facebook could be and who they are in the future. They realize that the actions of today changes the outcome of their future.

What will they change?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book- it hooked me from the beginning. However, my teen years were the 90s when AOL and dial-up internet were in fashion. I hope that today’s teens can relate to the story because it was great. I loved the friendship turned romance. I loved how Emma changed her future with knowledge of Facebook. I loved the alternative perspectives. I’ll be so curious to see if teen gobble it up as fast as I did.

Cover Thoughts: I like it, but it's hard to see what's in the background. I like the fuzziness- as the future changes.

Source: BEA Arc

Comes out: November 21st

Upcoming Mysteries I Can't Wait to Read

Here are some of the new mysteries I can't wait to dive into!

Killer Crullers: Suzanne's donuts are excellent. One man adores his Crullers. When he doesn't pick up his order, someone else buys them. The sale to the stranger proves a disaster to the town and Suzanne. Out January 3rd GoodReads

Drop Dead Chocolate: No details are out yet for this one. Out April 24th GoodReads

I ADORE this series, which always always makes me crave donuts! Here's my review of the first book.
Affairs of Steak: The 6th book in this amazingly fun series! Chef Olivia must pair up with her rival to solve a double murder in the White House. Here's my review for book 5 - Buffalo West Wing Out January 3rd GoodReads

Crops and Robbers: The Farmer's Market where Becca works and her sister runs, is expecting a visit from a restaurant association. Becca's excited at the prospect of having her jam in restaurants, until it's rejected. The 3rd book in this series which will be out December 6th GoodReads

Walled Flower: Katie's been mad at her late husband who sunk all their savings into Artisans Alley instead of her dream of owning a B&B. Now a young couple bought her dream. To their dismay, they find a skeleton in their new place. The 2nd in this series and this will be out February 7th GoodReads

Cookie Before Dying: Olivia and her dog stumble across the body of a man who might have been robbing another local store. The second in this series: out December 6th GoodReads

Due or Die: A murder is committed in the librarian's sleepy town in Briar Creek, Connecticut. The second in this series: out March 6th GoodReads

It Takes a Witch: Darcy discovers her witch heritage and then becomes involved in a murder investigation. The first in a new series out January 3rd. GoodReads

Clobbered by Camembert: The third in this series. Charlotte runs into an old family friend just starting a honeybee farm. Things don't go has planned and when she turns up dead, Rebecca's boyfriend is the number one suspect. Charlotte knows her assistant's boyfriend couldn't be responsible and set out to prove just that. Out January 3rd: GoodReads

Town in a Wild Moose Chase: I still need to read the 2nd in the series, because I really enjoyed the first book. The third in this series - with Candy trying to figure out the story behind the dead body found in the woods amid the swirling rumors during the town's Wild Moose festival. Out February 7th GoodReads
Scrapbook of Secrets: A debut novel.A one time reporter turned stay at home mom, Annie uses her investigating skill to dig into the death labeled a suicide, but seems suspicious. Love the scrapbooking angle. First in a new series out February 7th GoodReads

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof: Rita's taking over the cake shop in hot humid New Orleans. Looking forward to this second book in the series but I can't find any description of the book - out February 7th GoodReads
Buried in a Book: When Lila's fired from her journalist job, she accepts an internship at a literary agency. Love the premise of the debut novel out in February 7th GoodReads

The Last Word: A best selling novelist comes to town to work on his newest book. Olivia finds him strangled. The third in this series - out December 6th GoodReads


Die Job: The third in this series which involves an attempted murder at a haunted plantation. Out January 3rd GoodReads

Cocoa Conspiracy: Lady Arianna's an expert in chocolate. She must use her knowledge to track down a traitor. The second in this series. I LOVE this old fashioned cover! Out December 6th GoodReads
Explosive 18: I ADORE this series- so looking forward to the next book coming so soon!!! Comes out November 22nd GoodReads

Christmas Review: Wallflower Christmas

Lilian and Daisy's brother appears in England. Rafe and his father do not get along. Previously Rafe cut ties with his father and became a self-made man. Now, however, he's like to be part of the family business. He's willing to have his father pick out his potential bride.

Natalie is beautiful, sweet, and blue blood runs through her veins. She would be a suitable bride. However, Natalie fails to inspire him. She's not the woman he's been thinking about. She's not the woman he can't get out of his head.

He's thinking about her companion Hannah. Will he let his father dictate his marriage or will he follow his heart?

My Thoughts: I ADORE this series and was thrilled to see a holiday romance. I love the idea of honorary Wallflowers! Hannah was sweet, charming, intelligent, and darling. I loved the banter between Rafe and Lillian. I love the scene with the Christmas tree. A fabulous addition to the series!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE it - but they are missing a Wallflower

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Christmas Review: O'Brien Family Christmas

Susie and Mack are having their honeymoon - with the entire family over Christmas in Ireland. Most of the family's concerned about Laila and Matthew and their dating habits.

The O'Brien family can't help but meddle in relationships. They aren't going to give up now. Laila's trying to figure her life in the aftermath of her fight with her father. Her father's cut her off because of her relationship. But Laila still cares for Matthew.

Matthew makes his feelings clear. Can Laila and Matthew work out their differences while dealing with the holiday festivities in Ireland.

My Thoughts: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! I loved the trip to Ireland with Gran sharing stories from her past. I loved the relationship progressing between Laila and Matthew. A sweet romantic tale.

One side note - this isn't a stand alone read - it's in the middle of a wonderful series. Those picking it up without reading the prior books might be a bit lost.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Christmas Review: Franklin and Winston

Two powerful men of the 20th century come together to discuss the strategies of World War II. Their time together would help win the war and aid in the aftermath of the destruction and devastation.

My Thoughts: A cute short, nonfiction picture book that discusses the Christmas after Pearl Harbor. I enjoyed learning about Winston Churchill and FDR and their time together. I didn't know anything about this visit. It's a different side of Christmas, but fascinating.

Cover Thoughts: I really like it!


Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Christmas Review: Christmas at Harrington's

***Now that Halloween is over, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It's Christmas week at YABookNerd***

Lena hasn't had an easy life. Just released from prison, she sets out to a new town in search of a new life. She meets a kind woman on the bus. They share a meal and a little bit about their lives.

As the bus pulls into New Haven, they go their separate ways after an invitation for Lena to join Moira at church. Lena heads towards her new home - a rough looking boarding house. There Lena meets a single mother and her child. Immediately, she befriends them.

She helps the mother find a job and watches the little girl. She meets Moira for church, bringing the little girl. As Jemima blossoms, Lena's heart begins to thaw.

Moira invites them over for Sunday lunch. At her home, Lena spills the secrets about her past. Moira believes in her. Before Lena and Jemima leave, Moira gives Lena some new clothes. In one bag, Moira stuffed the coat she wore on the bus. The coat makes Lena look like Mrs. Claus. It helps her find a job at Harrington's - as Mrs. Claus.

Lena loves her job and really gets into character. When her past comes back to haunt her, she's not sure she will survive this set-up. Could there be magic in the air that will ease her sorrows?

My Thoughts: It took me a chapter or two to get into the story - and then I was hooked. I loved the idea of Mrs. Claus. I loved Jemima, and Sally, Moira, Beth, Cassidy, and Lena. A heartwarming read that made me sigh with happiness.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect!

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

November is NaNoWriMo month

National Write a Novel Month starts today - and for the 4th year, I'll be writing. This year I'm not writing a YA novel, but a cozy mystery. It's a big difference for me, but I'm really excited about it!

Although I'll be crazy busy writing in all my free time, I'll still be posting reviews and whatnot.

Who else is writing?

I'm also YABookNerd at the site - feel free to friend me there. and GOOD LUCK to everyone writing