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The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers – Review by Christine Baranek

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The Last Cabin GirlThe Last Cabin Girl by Tom Swyers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Last Cabin Girl
By: Tom Swyers
5*

This book is amazing. I never read books in one day, but I did with this one. I was absolutely unable to put it down. It is one of the first books that addresses the world with COVID and I have to say, if I didn’t know that part of the story was based in reality it would make for an even more chilling thriller.
Josie is the main character. She has moved to a cabin in the woods along the river along with her children. They are hiding from her husband, well her soon to be ex-husband if he will ever sign the paperwork. They are living in a cabin from her childhood. She was 12 when she saw her first body in the river. She swears it was pink. The town will never let her forget it.
Just recently Josie saw another dead body in pink in the river. She is becoming very paranoid just as rumor is spreading about a new flu-like virus that is killing people in China. Her ex is becoming increasingly threatening and violent.
Josie works as a waitress. Her usual Zumba group is the local gossip mill. That’s where she finds out her ex is dating someone fairly seriously. That is also where she first hears of the mysterious app designer. She never expects that he would come into the diner and sweep her off her feet.
Soon, her ex is missing and suspected to be dead and more bodies are turning up. Unfortunately, she becomes a main suspect which is when the real drama starts.
I truly can’t speak enough for how hooked this book had me. Everytime I thought I had figured out what was going to happen next, there would be an unsuspecting turn of events. This definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I love how the new pandemic was intertwined and how it all played into Josie’s paranoia. This book is definitely one that I recommend.

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The True Purpose of Vines (The Winemakers Book 1) by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Christine Baranek

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The True Purpose of VinesThe True Purpose of Vines by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The True Purpose of Vines
By: Giovanna Siniscalchi
5*

This story was absolutely amazing. It is the story of a wine maker in Portugal who is bucking tradition due to the death of her husband and her father in law. She is the head of a vineyard and is trying to solve the impending doom of her vineyard and all the vineyards of Portugal. There is a parasite that is quickly moving in and destroying their grapes. Not only that, her husband before he died signed a contract with another man promising their wine production to them for years. Oh, and her best friend from when she was young has returned and wants to marry her. But he is not the man that she remembers and will stop at nothing to have her. Plus, she is keeping a secret valley of of vines, ones that she has crossed with American grapes in an attempt to make them stronger, but no one can know of this as it is risky on so many fronts. Her life is just a little bit stressful and challenging.
Enter Griffin Maxwell, he is an Englishman who is sent to Portugal to check on his families vineyard which just happen to be adjacent to be adjacent to Vesiuvius’ vineyards. This is the vineyard of the woman. He is there on business, to check on her production. As he wants to partner with the man who her husband signed the contract with. He is going to be partner by marrying this man’s daughter. Even if it isn’t what his heart wants. He begins to care deeply about not only the vineyards, but also the enchanting woman who is running Vesuvius.
This story is nothing short but amazing. It is full of information about the history of wine, which was all new to me. But it also is an amazing tale of a woman who is well before her time and doesn’t care what society thinks because she needs to survive for her family. It is a tale of a love of two people who both are truly fighting against it. And it is a tale of what happens when two people put everything aside for a common goal.

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The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas – Review by Christine Baranek

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The Scent of GardeniasThe Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Scent of Gardenias
By Lorraine Haas
5*

I am generally not a big fan of Historical Fiction. However, this story has me rethinking my views. I absolutely loved the tale of Margaret and her tales of being an independent woman long before her time. Margaret was born into poverty and if there was one thing she knew from the time when she was young, it was that she would do anything to keep herself from living like her mother. Margaret is willing to betray her family and leave what she has always known behind. She is also willing to take many risks and even put herself in danger. This story takes place in the time just before, during and after WWII. It gives a look at what it must have felt like to be a woman who yearned to be independent of men during this time, to be independent of their family, and who just wanted to live their own life.
This story is very fast paced and is definitely filled with twists and turns. While I give this book 5 stars, there were some characters that I wish were more fully developed. I wish that, as readers, we were given more of a look into the women back at Margaret’s home town whom she was forbidden from seeing. I also would have loved more of a look into the characters at the diner.
Once the story was over, I found that I felt it had really just begun. I find myself yearning for more. I want to know more about what happens to Margaret and her girls as well as the rest of her family. I can see how this book could definitely be given a sequel. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of women’s fiction, especially those who love a strong female lead character.

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Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 2) by Winter Austin – Review by Christine Baranek

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Hush, My Darling (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, #2)Hush, My Darling by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hush, My Darling
By: Winter Austin
5 Stars

Hush, My Darling is the second book in the Benoit and Dayne series. I did not read the first book, but the second book was clear enough that it stood alone and was easy to follow. This book is a page turner and one that I had a very hard time putting down, in fact, I read it in one day. This is unheard of for me! The book opens and we meet Dayne who has just been called to the crime scene. The body they have discovered has a message, one that is meant for Dayne herself. You see, Dayne is the only living survivor of this serial killer. And it seems that the killer has come back for her. This brings Daynes past crashing down around her both figuratively and literally. As Dayne grapples with her past, deciding whether to continue to be a cop and her very complicated love life, we also meet Benoit. Benoit is the new Sheriff in town. She is learning the ropes in a town that feels that she is not capable of the role. She is dealing with unprecedented flooding and now a serial killer is in her town. She deals with who she can trust and if the old Sheriff who is offering his help is trustworthy and has good motives. This story is filled with twists and turns until it comes to one stunning conclusion.

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Finding Melodie and The Wedding Special Boxset by Laura Rossi – Review by Christine Baranek

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Melodie Boxset (Melodie #1-2)Melodie Boxset by Laura Rossi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finding Melodie and The Wedding Boxset
By: Laura Rossi
5 Stars

This boxset contains both books in the series of Melodie and the Office Guy. I absolutely loved these books. They were easy to read with loveable characters that I found myself thinking about long after both stories ended.

Both stories focus on Melodie, who is perhaps one of the most loveable and relatable characters I have ever met. She had a very nontraditional upbringing and has a love of music. She is going to school to be a composer and works as a bartender and busking in London. It is here that she first spots Office Guy. Office Guy is another very lovable and relatable character. We all know someone who has lost themself while trying to be who they think the person they love wants them to be.

Finding Melodie centers around how Office Guy and Melodie meet and become friends. After Office Guy is broken up with, Melodie hatches the most incredible plan to help him get her back. What she doesn’t count on is falling in love with him. The question throughout the story is can she keep helping him try to get his girlfriend back when she knows she is developing feelings for her? Will her feelings ever be reciprocated?

The Wedding is all about the trials and tribulations that Office Guy and Melodie go through as they are finally ready to tell the world that they love one another. Office Guy comes from a very traditional, upper class background while Melodie comes from a family of musicians, who also happen to be hippies. To say Melodie wasn’t welcomed by them would be an understatement.

Laura Rossi truly created a gem in these two books. They were quick reads and they kept me wanting more. I can only hope that she will write more about Office Guy and Melodie in the future.

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Unabridged (Lovestruck Series Book 2) by Melinda De Ross – Review by Christine Baranek

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Unabridged (Smart & Sassy in the City, #2)Unabridged by Melinda De Ross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unabridged
By Melinda De Ross
5*

This is such an easy romance read. I truly enjoyed the pace of the novel and the storyline was fairly believable. The story begins with Angelina. Angelina works at a literary magazine and has come up with a great column. She has written it (and drawn illustrations to go with it) and she is dashing into her boss’ office to show him her next great idea. It is a little edgier than her usual column but she thinks he will approve of her next big idea. As she opens the door she is amazed to see who is in her boss’ office. Her boss has retired and the love of her life, whom she left behind three years ago is standing in his place. Her former lover is now her boss. Angelina’s past catches up to her present very quickly and she must determine how she can move forward. Three years ago, she left Blade with no explanation, searching for a better life for herself to give him the life she thought he deserved. A lot happens in three years, however, is there such a thing as a love that is meant to be? Angelina and Blade must decide how to move past those three years and the pain that both of them feels if they decide to be together now. They also must decide if it is even ethical for them to be together. Blade is in the middle of a messy divorce. It definitely isn’t going to be easy if they decide that they want to be together again.
This book was such an easy read. I truly enjoyed reading about Blade and Angelina and seeing how the grapple with the decisions of their past. I also really enjoyed how their families interacted with them. Angelina’s mom was an amazing character and I loved how she ended up having her own side plot of her own. I would definitely love to read a follow up that not only explores Blade and Angelina further, but also has a focus on her mother and her side of things.

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Reunion in the Outback (Welcome to Bunya Junction Book 4) by Nicole Flockton – Review by Christine Baranek

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Reunion in the Outback (Welcome to Bunya Junction, #4)Reunion in the Outback by Nicole Flockton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reunion in the Outback by Nicole Flockton

5 stars

This is the fourth book in the Welcome to Bunya Junction Series and I cannot tell you how much I loved it. The most important part, in my opinion, is that this book is able to stand alone as a strong novel on its own. I have not read the other three books in the series, but I promise that I will now as I want to know more about the characters that I grew to love throughout this story.

In Reunion in the Outback we meet Yolanda and Michael who are living their life in Sydney. They have just weathered one of the toughest trials of their marriage, and to be honest, their lives. They also managed to do this without the support of family nearby. Michael has been trying to outrun the reputation of his father while Yolanda has been trying to prove her independence from her close knit family.

When Yolanda senses changes in their lives, she chooses to run back to her family for their support. She needs space from Michael and she needs space to think. But is her family the best choice to return to.

Soon Michael is blindsided by even more change and he finds himself with the ability to run after Yolanda to try to win her back. But by returning home to Bunya Junction, he must face all that he ran from when he left and the reputation of his father. Is winning Yolanda back worth facing his fears? Will facing his fears win Yolanda back?

Both of them need to decide if they should stay apart or if they really were better together. They also must decide if what they were running away from all those years ago in Bunya Junction is really what they thought it was. Maybe their life and their home isn’t in Sydney after all.

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