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The Scent of Gardenias by Lorraine Haas – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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

Historical fiction is not my go-to genre but I needed a “break book” in between my usual psychological thrillers. I’m so glad I chose this one! The author does such an amazing job with the story, setting, and depth of characters. Margaret Rose is a strong and likable female lead but so many other female characters in this book are strong as well. As the novel progresses, you can even see the true strength of her mother, even though Margaret wants to live a life different from how she was raised. I truly loved this story and recommend it to anyone who normally reads historical fiction or if you’re looking for a break from your usual genre.

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

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

I’m a sucker for a good serial killer story and this one was right up my alley.
Two years ago, Lila Dayne was almost a victim of the I-80 killer but survived. After surgery, healing, and therapy, she moves to a small town in Iowa and takes a job as Sheriff Benoit’s Detective Deputy even though she fears the killer’s return.
In the midst of a terrible flood in their area, Deputy Dayne discovers a dead body. She immediately knows the I-80 killer is behind it and spirals out of control knowing he is on the prowl to finish what he started. Can she keep her mind clear enough to help her team find the killer before it’s too late?
I loved this book and didn’t realize it was book 2 of a series until after I got started. It can definitely be read as a stand alone but I’m going back to read book 1 because I loved the characters. The author did a great job making this book thrilling to read and created characters with depth and believability. I’m also looking forward to book 3 when it comes out!

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The Last Cabin Girl (Detective Josie Thompson Series) by Tom Swyers – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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

The Last Cabin Girl was full of suspense literally from the first page! I love when a book sucks you in at the very beginning and doesn’t let go until you’ve devoured every last page. I read a LOT of thrillers and the author was able to keep my attention the entire time! There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t expect, I flew through this book in one day. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I am going back for the other three right this instant! If you love domestic suspense, definitely add this one to your TBR pile.

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The Killer Jack Mystery (The J.D. Pierson Case Files) by C.H. Sessums – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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The Killer Jack Mystery (The J.D. Pierson Case Files)The Killer Jack Mystery by C.H. Sessums
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

JD (Jenny Dee) decides to help her father’s failing PI firm as it slips closer to shutting down during the depression. She receives a phone call from her uncle from prison asking for help finding a stolen necklace of her cousin’s. Her cousin winds up dead and now not only is JD looking for a thief, she’s looking for a murderer. Time is of the essence! Can JD solve the mystery of the missing necklace AND find a murderer on the loose before they strike again?

The Killer Jack Mystery is such an entertaining and quick read! The author does a great job keeping the story interesting and mysterious in the short length of 188 pages. It’s a cozy mystery that is perfect for a car ride, plane trip, or rainy day at home. I finished it in one day and look forward to picking up more books in this series!

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Class Clown (Ghost Girl Series) by Allan Evans – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Class ClownClass Clown by Allan Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abbey is a ghost magnet. Many of them are calm or confused but some are downright evil. While at the circus with her family, she starts seeing ghost clowns and some even follow her to school. Some of her friends begin to go missing and Abbey can’t help but think the ghost clowns are to blame. Will she get to the bottom of the disappearances and help get her friends home to safety?
The author does a brilliant job mixing paranormal and reality in this young adult thriller. Abbey is a very likable character and super independent and fun. I don’t usually read YA books but I couldn’t put this one down! This book is definitely for anyone and everyone!

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The Worry Knot by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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The Worry KnotThe Worry Knot by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rourke is in 7th grade and is riddled with anxiety. He’s got some mysterious neighbors, twin younger sisters, an autistic older brother, and parents who always say “it’s fine”. He is in a constant state of worry about different things but especially his brother. You’d think with this being a YA book geared towards middle school readers, it would be funny and lighthearted but it is definitely deeper than that. Although still a wonderful read for this age group, it is great for adults as well. It was a stark reminder that all of us have our own internal struggles, especially children. It’s so easy to think children live carefree but they have things in their everyday lives that can cause worry and anxiety just like adults. I definitely recommend this book for young and older adults. It really helps put some things into perspective.

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Depending On You by Jessica Aiken-Hall – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Depending On YouDepending On You by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cate and Patti have a friendship that is very close and even though they no longer live in the same city, they would do anything for each other. 20 years ago, Cate killed someone and the only person who knew was Patti. At the end of that fateful summer, Patti left the state and didn’t look back. Now that the case is reopened and Cate is feeling pressure to tell the truth, Patti comes back home to help her friend.
The author does a fantastic job keeping the suspense high while weaving the past and present together. This book was easy to fly through because I was completely engrossed in the story and friendship of these two women. It is definitely one I will recommend to my bookish friends!

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Divine Vintage by Sandra L. Young – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Divine VintageDivine Vintage by Sandra L. Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Divine Vintage is such a fun, mysterious, and enchanting novel! The author does an outstanding job weaving together past and present to create a world like no other. Tess opens a clothing boutique featuring clothing from the past. When she tries on a gown from the turn of the century, she gets visions of the past from the eyes of the murdered bride. Mixing murder mystery with a little romance worked well in this novel and it kept my interest the entire time! The character development was on point and the relationship between Tess and Trey seemed natural and organic. It’s hard to tell that this book is a debut from this author and she knocked it out of the park! I look forward to more of her work soon!

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Apocalypse Thoughts (The Pox Series Book 5) by Kendra Griffin – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Apocalypse ThoughtsApocalypse Thoughts by Kendra Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Apocalypse Thoughts is a wonderfully written, witty, and easy to read Young Adult book. All of the characters, especially Kella, are so easy to like and feel like you know personally. The relationship between Kella and her brother Huck is wonderful and honestly refreshing. As these teens trek through the Appalachian Mountains to carry CDC data north out of Georgia, they learn many valuable life lessons. They are stronger than they think, braver than they’ve ever had to be, and truly care about each other. Not only is this story action-packed, it can be used to teach young adults that not every task is easy but if you work hard at being a valuable member of a solid team, you can just about accomplish anything! The author hits a home run with her writing style and storytelling and I am looking forward to reading the prequel to this book, The Pox Ward.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exiled South is such a refreshing read and different from any book I’ve read. The lengths Lizbeth goes to to find out more about her family tree is truly astounding. The sudden death of her husband turns her world completely upside down but allows her the opportunity to research more into her past. Even her short-term trip to South America answers questions she’s had her entire life. The author does an amazing job painting the landscape of each scene in this novel, it’s as if I was standing next to Lizbeth watching her journey as she made it.

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No Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No Names To Be Given is such a unique and touching story of three young women from the 60’s who become friends in a maternity hospital…the last place any of them thought they’d end up. Becca, Faith, and Sandy all come from different backgrounds and walks of life but find that their friendship helps them each through the toughest time of their lives. The author does such a fantastic job creating a solid background and story line for each woman individually while intricately weaving them together to form a story that sticks with you for long after you’ve finished reading. Filled with mystery, heartache, and scandal, this book is one to move to the top of your “to be read” pile as soon as you purchase it!

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States of Grace (Grace Locke Mystery Series) by Mandy Miller – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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States of GraceStates of Grace by Mandy Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I cannot believe States of Grace is a debut novel! The complexity of the main character, Grace Locke, is multi-layered but relatable and I rooted for her from page one. The author writes as if she is well-seasoned with multiple best-selling novels under her proverbial belt. I flew through this book, hungry for the next installment of the Grace Locke Mystery Series. The story is filled with twists and turns that Grace must navigate to not only try and prove the innocence of her high-profile client but save her career. I cannot recommend this book and author enough and am looking forward to snatching up her next works as soon as they’re available!

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Black Canvas by Laura Rossi – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Black CanvasBlack Canvas by Laura Rossi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Black Canvas is not your everyday psychological thriller. This is my favorite genre and this book has quickly climbed into my top favorite reads. It literally kept me on the edge of my seat trying to read faster just to see what happened next. The author tells this story in a way that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Pay attention because you won’t want to miss a single thing!

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MURDER OFF ROUTE 82 (Eve Sawyer Mystery Book 3) by Jane Suen – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Murder off Route 82 (Eve Sawyer Mystery, #3)Murder off Route 82 by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eve Sawyer is a college student who has recently become popular because of her help solving a murder over the Summer. As she is preparing for the new semester, she is suddenly drawn into helping a mother find her missing daughter. Eve quickly begins searching for clues and, during her investigation, enlists the help of two of her friends. This missing person’s case quickly turns into a search for two people and time is running out. Will Eve be able to solve this mystery? This book is the third in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series but the first I have read from this author. I felt as though I wasn’t missing pertinent information by starting with the third book but I look forward to going back and reading the first two now! This cozy mystery was a fun and entertaining read with constant action and intrigue. I definitely did not see the plot twist at the end!

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Dead Sound (Things Unseen Series Book1) by Anise Eden – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Dead Sound (Things Unseen, #1)Dead Sound by Anise Eden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had me hooked from page one! Neve and Con work together through dangerous situations to stop the apocalypse. Their strong friendship and connection are paramount in their mission. Being able to see different scenarios from both of their points of view made this book more exciting and even harder to put down. I couldn’t wait to finish a chapter to get the other person’s point of view. This book is filled with so much action, adventure, and suspense that it was hard to put down!

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Mom, Is There a Santa Claus? by Susan J Berger Illustrator: KC Snider – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Mom, Is There a Santa Claus?Mom, Is There a Santa Claus? by Susan J. Berger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This wonderfully illustrated book is a great way to have the conversation about Santa and keeping the Christmas magic alive. It is especially helpful if you have children of different ages. The author gives us the ability to take control of what could be a hard conversation and turn it into something special. I’ve been looking for the perfect way to answer this question and I believe this book will definitely help us!

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Fall to Pieces by Becky Flade – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Fall to PiecesFall to Pieces by Becky Flade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Definitely don’t judge this book by its cover! On first look, I assumed this book would be a romance novel disguised as a mystery but boy was I wrong! Detective Alexandra Danvers is a strong female lead with a rough past who is on the hunt for justice, no matter the cost. She and her new partner, Xavier Knight, work together to get a child killer off the streets for good but there are many obstacles they must go through to do this. There are so many twists and turns in this novel, it was hard for me to put it down! I sincerely hope there is more to come from this author and Detective Danvers.

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Strega – Magic: The Spirit Never Dies by Lynne Russell – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Strega - Magic: The Spirit Never DiesStrega – Magic: The Spirit Never Dies by Lynne Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strega: Magic: The Spirit Never Dies is such a wonderful read! It is out of my normal genre but I found it refreshing and welcomed the fantastic story-telling of the author. The way she was able to describe the characters, scenery, and emotions made me feel as though I was a spectator in 1800’s Italy and modern day Massachusetts. Even though a love story is at the center of this novel, it is far from a romance. The twists and turns made me want to keep reading until I was finished and even then, I wish the story could have gone on longer. I loved this book!

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Stranded (Cetacea Chronicles Book 1) by Feather Chelle – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Stranded: Cetacea Chronicles Volume 1Stranded: Cetacea Chronicles Volume 1 by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My children loved this book! It is full of adventure and excitement! The story also focuses on family values, helping others, and teamwork which are great topics for young readers. Along with being a great story, it is educational and can easily spark a love for learning more about the ocean and it’s various inhabitants. To encourage understanding and further learning, Feather Chelle has included a glossary of terms and a wonderfully detailed appendix at the end of the book so readers can learn more about their favorite characters.

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery) by Merissa Racine – Review by Jessica Heatherly

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery)Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shadows of Doubt was such a great read! The main character, Lauren, was very relatable and it was easy to root for her as she navigated her new life as a single woman. The story was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat with all of its twists and turns. As soon as I thought I had this one figured out, something else happened to make me realize Merissa Racine was still two steps ahead! The ending was definitely a shocker and I hope there are more installments of the Crawford Mystery series.

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