The Favor by Nora Murphy

A gripping debut domestic suspense novel, The Favor explores with compassion and depth what can happen when women pushed to the limit take matters into their own hands.

Staying is dangerous. Leaving could be worse.

Leah and McKenna have never met, though they have parallel lives.

They don’t—ever—find themselves in the same train carriage or meet accidentally at the gym or the coffee shop. They don’t—ever—discuss their problems and find common ground. They don’t—ever—acknowledge to each other that although their lives have all the trappings of success, wealth and happiness, they are, in fact, trapped.

Because Leah understands that what’s inside a home can be more dangerous than what’s outside. Driving past McKenna’s house one night, she sees what she knows only too well herself from her own marriage: McKenna’s “perfect” husband is not what he seems. She decides to keep an eye out for McKenna, until one night, she intervenes.

Leah and McKenna have never met. But they will.

Kindle, 288 pages

Expected publication May 31, 2022

by St. Martin's Press

4.5/5 stars

This book grabbed me right from the beginning. Two women, at one time successful in their careers but now carry a secret neither can share.

It wasn’t long before I was engulfed in the story of these 2 women. There is a fair amount of jumping through time to know their past and what transpired to get them in this current situation and to understand what happened and why.

For me it was a pretty quick read, not just because of the short chapters but I was genuinely intrigued. Though it isn’t hard to figure out what is going to happen it’s the ‘what happens next’ question I kept me going.

I really liked the Detective, and fingers crossed that maybe I will see more of him in future books.

This is Nora Murphy's debut, great job, can’t wait to see what comes next.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for a digital arc in exchange for honest review. You can find The Favor on books shelves May 31, 2022 and it is available for preorder now.

The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to the California frontier in this sweeping, romantic tale of a displaced New England suffragette, a former Union soldier disinherited by his Southern family, and the town they join forces to save.

1875. When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never knew: a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle's newspaper--and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada's most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say--and publish--whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she's right.

Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh's same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead--and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada's problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias's restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.

Everyone may be looking to strike it rich in this lawless boomtown, but it's a love more precious than gold that will ultimately save them all.

Audiobook, 15 hours, 19 minutes

Published February 8, 2022

 by Recorded Books Audio

3.5/5 stars

This was one of my highly anticipated book of 2022. Francine Rivers has written some of my favourite books, The Masterpiece, Redeeming Love and her Mark of the Lions Series. So maybe my expectations were is a tad to high. That being said, after I finished reading I discovered that the author has made it known she wrote something lighter this time around.

The Lady’s Mine follows the arrival of Kathryn to any unknown area and basically to fend for herself. It’s a time when women are suppose to cater to the men, to be at their beck and call and forgo their own desirers, but such is not the case for Kathryn.

I liked her determination, her strength and the way she stands up for herself. She is smart and doesn’t bow down to those against her, no matter the danger.I also loves how she stood up for others, those being taken advantage of or just with no one to lend a hand.

The story was lighter than what I am used to, so that took a bit of adjustment. This book took me to the era of saloons, mines and printing presses. There was mystery, intrigue and of course, romance.

Not my favourite Rivers book but still entertaining. I went with the audiobook, narrated by Kate Forbes, who did a great job.

This audiobook was obtained through my subscription to Scribd, if you would like to try it for free for a month let me know and I can send you link.

Wish Upon a Crawdad by Curtis W. Condon

Wish Upon a Crawdad takes place in rural America during the waning years of the Great Depression. Times are still lean, but there are glimmers of hope—especially for resourceful kids, like Ruby Mae Ryan.

Ruby isn't your typical, depression-era twelve-year-old. For one thing, she's got a jar full of coins, thanks to her crawdad business and other odd jobs. But she doesn't let the money go to her head. She's too busy trying to make more. That's because she's got something special in mind, and time is running out. So, Ruby calls on crawdads for help.

A lot of people wish on the first star at night. Ruby does that, too, but she also wishes on the first crawdad of the day. She figures the odds are better. "Not many folks wish upon a crawdad," Ruby says. To convince doubters of their magic, Ruby points to a wish coming true as the story unfolds. Electricity: she's never had it--no one in the valley has--until she wished upon a crawdad.

But now, Ruby has another wish. She wants something so badly she won't even say what it is out loud, afraid that might jinx the wish. Instead, Ruby calls it her "secret surprise." The only other people who know about it are Daddy and her best friend, Virginia. And they'll never tell. Or will they?

Wish Upon a Crawdad is all about friendship and adversity, courage and fear, heartbreak and triumph, and it has as many channels and curves as the creek running through it. Along the way, Ruby searches for a legendary place called Crawdad Haven, kisses a pig, "dances" with an angry dog, escapes death, and even has a chance encounter with a famous dignitary. Not bad for a twelve-year-old, crawdad-catching girl from farm country.

Historical note: The story unfolds during a pivotal time in America. The Great Depression is not yet a memory, and the country is only eighteen months from another world war. Ninety percent of villages and farms don’t have electricity. But that’s begun to change, thanks to rural residents banding together to form their own power companies called rural electric cooperatives. Such is the backdrop for the story, which takes place in 1940 in a valley near the fictional village of Crossroads, Oregon. It’s a fitting name, given rural America—and the entire country—are at the brink of a new age.

Kindle, 235 pages

Expected publication May 3, 2022 

by Heart of Oak Books

3.5/5 stars

The cover is what drew me to this book. The girl actually reminded me a little of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird. My intuition was confirmed.

Wish Upon a Crawdad is about Rudy, a 12 year old and her adventures one summer. She is spunky, careful and has a secret - a goal to save her money to buy something special. We don’t know what that something is until the end…mysterious. So her summer is spend catching crawdads and doing other odd jobs - some not always successful. She is feisty, daring and has a short fuse.

This was a fun story, getting to know Rudy, her family and the way of life on a farm in the 1940's. I feel that the finished copy would be best to read, hopefully with some illustrations to showcase the story fully.

Wish upon a Crawdad releases May 3rd and available for preorder now.

My thanks to Heart of Oak Books (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for honest review.

Death Comes For Christmas by PJ Donison

A beloved aunt dies mysteriously. Fentanyl shows up in all the wrong places. Can a burned out lawyer with a drinking problem figure out who killed Auntie Freda?

Camelia Belmont is struggling to manage a stressful job, an escalating anxiety disorder, and a few too many cocktails. She just needs a nice, quiet family holiday back in Saskatchewan, away from her demanding law practice and a very unhappy boss to get her head straight. But when her beloved Auntie Freda dies suddenly, the Phoenix attorney is determined to find the killer. As she digs into the circumstances leading up to her aunt’s death, Camelia discovers a link to a local drug dealer and an exploding opioid crisis.

Despite scanty evidence, a keen RCMP retiree, and uncooperative relatives, Camelia is convinced the killer is one of their own. Tracking down clues despite their protests, Camelia worries her tactics could seriously alienate her closest family members, including her husband. Can she discover what happened before the RCMP take over and the whole mess blows up in her face?

Death Comes for Christmas is Camelia’s Origin Story and the first book in the suspenseful Camelia Belmont Murder Mystery series. If you like soft-boiled whodunnits with a smart female sleuth, true-to-life characters, and dark insights into the opioid epidemic, you’ll love PJ Donison’s debut literary mystery.

A sudden death. A deadly toxic drug. A squabbling family. Can Camelia Belmont find out who really killed Auntie Freda?

Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2022

4.5/5 stars

I am super excited to share my thoughts about this book. But disclaimer first. I first meet Pamela back in 2017 where we became part of Table 17 at SIWC. I jumped at the chance to read this book and share my thoughts, which in no way is influenced by our relationship.

Death Comes for Christmas has a wonderful mix of characters, some I loved right off the bat (Freda), others I didn’t and there were even a couple that creeped me right out.

There are many layers to this story, which also marks the beginning of a new series. Picture the dysfunctional family setting where alcohol plays a big part for some, there are secrets and a mysterious death.  As you can read from the blurb above there is a lot going on.

I enjoyed the writing, getting to know the characters came naturally, it was atmospheric with the chilly Canadian winter storms and chilly vibes from this lot of players.

There were little droppings of clues along the way that left me scratching my head. But alas all things were wrapped up nicely with an ending I didn’t see coming at all.  

Death Comes for Christmas is available for purchase in both print and digital (it's only $1.26!!).  I recommend this for those that love a good whodunit with some savoury characters.

The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Drowning Kind comes a genre-defying new novel, inspired by Mary Shelley’s masterpiece Frankenstein, that brilliantly explores the eerie mysteries of childhood and the evils perpetrated by the monsters among us.

1978: At her renowned treatment center in picturesque Vermont, the brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Helen Hildreth is acclaimed for her compassionate work with the mentally ill. But when she’s home with her cherished grandchildren, Vi and Eric, she’s just Gran—teaching them how to take care of their pets, preparing them home-cooked meals, providing them with care and attention and love.

Then one day Gran brings home a child to stay with the family. Iris—silent, hollow-eyed, skittish, and feral—does not behave like a normal girl.

Still, Violet is thrilled to have a new playmate. She and Eric invite Iris to join their Monster Club, where they catalogue all kinds of monsters and dream up ways to defeat them. Before long, Iris begins to come out of her shell. She and Vi and Eric do everything together: ride their bicycles, go to the drive-in, meet at their clubhouse in secret to hunt monsters. Because, as Vi explains, monsters are everywhere.

2019: Lizzy Shelley, the host of the popular podcast Monsters Among Us, is traveling to Vermont, where a young girl has been abducted, and a monster sighting has the town in an uproar. She’s determined to hunt it down, because Lizzy knows better than anyone that monsters are real—and one of them is her very own sister.

Kindle, 352 pages

Expected publication: April 26, 2022

by Simon & Schuster CA

4.5/5 stars

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a Jennifer McMahon book. This one sounded so interesting and I went in reading Frankenstein a couple weeks ago. It’s not necessary but I’m glad I did.

Alternating between 1977 and 2017, more so the past story line and that is the one that really appealed to me.

In 1977 you know something isn’t quite right and with the appearance of Iris, out of the blue sets Vi out to discover where she came from. All three kids, Eric, Vi and Iris are obsessed with monsters which leads to The Book of Monsters which is dispersed throughout this story.  

In 2017 the story continues 40 years later with mysterious disappearances and the past resurfacing. I enjoyed the intrigue and couldn’t quite figure things out.

This was a mysterious creepy read, there was suspense, intrigue and that genuine ghosty feel throughout.  There were twists that threw me a couple times. But while I found the ending to be good and satisfying the execution lacked the tension and suspense that would have completed the vibes created in this book.

The Children On The Hill releases April 26 and available for preorder now.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Never Coming Home by Hannah Mary McKinnon

First comes love. Then comes murder.

Lucas Forester didn't hate his wife. Michelle was brilliant, sophisticated and beautiful. Sure, she had extravagant spending habits and that petty attitude, a total disregard for anyone below her status. But she also had a lot to offer. Most notably, wealth that only the one percent could comprehend.

For years, Lucas had been honing a flawless plan to inherit Michelle’s fortune. Unfortunately, it involved taking a hit out on her.

Every track was covered, no trace left behind, and now Lucas plays the grieving husband so well he deserves an award. But when a shocking photo and cryptic note show up on his doorstep, Lucas goes from hunter to prey.

Someone is onto him. And they’re closing in.

Told with dark wit and a sharply feminist sensibility, Never Coming Home is a terrifying tale of duplicity that will have you side-eyeing your spouse as you dash to the breathtaking end.

Kindle, 384 pages

Expected publication May 24, 2022

by Harlequin Trading Publishing (MIRA)

4/5 stars

Canadian author Hannah Mary McKinnon is releasing this, her pandemic book on May 24, 2022.

Never Coming Home is somewhat of a switch from her previous novels in that we know the bad guy right from the get go - no spoiler it’s right there in the blurb. With meticulous care Lucas planned everything, covering all his tracks with precision. But did he really??

Never Coming Home is mysterious, lots of red herrings with unreliable (and unlikable) characters. It is well written with moments of wit, disbelief and shock.  There is a dog, which is always a great addition. All in all an addicting read with an ending that was fitting.

My thanks to MIRA for a digitial arc in exchange for honest review.

The People’s Princess by Flora Harding

Buckingham Palace, 1981

Her engagement to Prince Charles is a dream come true for Lady Diana Spencer but marrying the heir to the throne is not all that it seems. Alone and bored in the palace, she resents the stuffy courtiers who are intent on instructing her about her new role as Princess of Wales…

But when she discovers a diary written in the 1800s by Princess Charlotte of Wales, a young woman born into a gilded cage so like herself, Diana is drawn into the story of Charlotte’s reckless love affairs and fraught relationship with her father, the Prince Regent.

As she reads the diary, Diana can see many parallels with her own life and future as Princess of Wales.

The story allows a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life in the palace, the tensions in Diana’s relationship with the royal family during the engagement, and the wedding itself.

Paperback, 384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 31, 2022 

 by One More Chapter

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, Before the Crown and did an impulse purchase of this book when I saw it at the bookstore. Sounds super intriguing, right?

Alternating between the 2 time periods worked for me but other things didn’t.   I really enjoyed getting to know Charlotte, I didn't even know who she was before reading this book.  She is a spunky character, has a mind of her own and back in 1812 that was frowned upon for women let alone someone in line for the crown.  I'm not a fan of insta love but watching her journey and learning about that era was nice.

Maybe because I know so much of Diana's story I found it slow and repetitive. There wasn't a lot of interaction between her and the royal family and what was glimpsed wasn't impressive. After 100 pages or so I ended up switching over to the audiobook, Julie Teal was the narrator and did a great job (though I did find the voice of Charles made me not like him, he was gruff and uncaring.)

For those that like stories on the Royals, this fits the bill nicely.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge

The Wildling Sisters by Eve Chase

An evocative novel in the vein of Kate Morton and Daphne du Maurier, in which the thrill of first love clashes with the bonds of sisterhood, and all will be tested by the dark secret at the heart of Applecote Manor.


Four sisters. 

A house with a past.

 One secret summer.

When fifteen-year-old Margot Wilde and her three sisters arrive at Applecote Manor in June 1959, they expect a quiet English country summer. Instead, they find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their daughter, Audrey, five years before. As the arrival of two handsome neighbors divides the sisters' loyalties, Margot is drawn into the life Audrey left behind and the mystery of her vanishing. Fifty years later, Jessie is desperate to move her family out of their London home, and gorgeous Applecote Manor seems like the perfect solution. But once there, Jessie finds herself increasingly isolated, at odds with her fifteen-year-old stepdaughter, and haunted by the strange rumors that surround the manor. Rich with heat and angst, in The Wildling Sisters the thrill of first love clashes with the bonds of sisterhood, taking readers on a breathless journey into the darkest secrets of the human heart.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 3, 2018

 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

3.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Eve Chase book.

Four Sisters
A house with a past.
One shocking summer.

Sounds intriguing right? It was. Told in 2 time periods added to the suspense.

Back in 1959 three sisters arrive to spend the summer at Applecote Manor. Their cousin disappeared 5 years ago with no trace of since. What follows is a time of adjustment for the sisters, with a nervous aunt and uncle trying to safeguard the sisters while also holding out hope for their daughter's her safe return.

In 2009 a young family moves in ready for change and a new beginning. But tragedy is still fresh in the mind of one who doesn’t take well to the new surroundings. Then she becomes obsessed with the disappearance of so long ago.  What pique her interest are things she finds around the house and rumours. Plus she needs something to occupy her mind instead of dealing with the move and a stepmother she isn't fond of.

I enjoyed this book, aside from the mystery there is family dynamics, relationships and trust issues. There is some uncomfortable moments of hope and confusion. Secrets are finally exposed as well as grief revealed and bonding.

I'm glad I read this and look forward to Black Rabbit Hall, which I believe is the author's debut.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#13)

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Jamie Fraser, former Jacobite and reluctant rebel, is already certain of three things about the American rebellion: The Americans will win, fighting on the side of victory is no guarantee of survival, and he'd rather die than have to face his illegitimate son--a young lieutenant in the British Army--across the barrel of a gun.

Claire Randall knows that the Americans will win, too, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won't include Jamie's life or his happiness, though--not if she has anything to say about it.

Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna, and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, have resettled in a historic Scottish home where, across a chasm of two centuries, the unfolding drama of Brianna's parents' story comes to life through Claire's letters. The fragile pages reveal Claire's love for battle-scarred Jamie Fraser and their flight from North Carolina to the high seas, where they encounter privateers and ocean battles--as Brianna and Roger search for clues not only to Claire's fate but to their own. Because the future of the MacKenzie family in the Highlands is mysteriously, irrevocably, and intimately entwined with life and death in war-torn colonial America.

With stunning cameos of historical characters from Benedict Arnold to Benjamin Franklin, An Echo in the Bone is a soaring masterpiece of imagination, insight, character, and adventure--a novel that echoes in the mind long after the last page is turned.

Paperback, 1087 pages

Audiobook, 46 hours

Narrated by Davina Porter

Published September 1, 2010 

by Orion

3/5 stars

Whew, finally I did it and finished the audio version of the 7th Outlander book. Coming in at 46 hours I did ramp up the speed a little which took it to 34 hours - still a big book. I am determined to get caught up with this series this year.

Davina Porter has narrated this whole series and does a great job.  She brings the story to life, one of my favourite readers.

So, the good. Picking up where the last book left back has Jamie, Clare and Ian leaving Fraser's Ridge behind and heading off to Scotland - with many detours along the way. I liked reading about the year 1777, familiar names and events in history. The lifestyle was depicted nicely. I'm even slowly starting to warm up to Brianne and Roger.  I enjoyed see some faces from the past, though some through sad circumstances.

The not so good. I am not a fan of John Grey, I tried the branch off series that focuses on him and just couldn’t get into it. John and ‘his’ son William took a lot of space that I found distracting but saying that I’m wondering if they play a bigger part in the next book. There were parts of this book where I wondered the point of some scenarios and if they were just fillers.

The ending left some doors open for what comes next. One part of the ending seemed rushed and given what happened should have been more emotional but rather downplayed not giving this reader time to absorb what happened (sorry can’t say more, spoiler.) 

All in all, not my favourite book in this series. I'm not sure when I will start Written in my own Heart's Blood it comes in at 57 hours (to scared to see how many pages that is) but hopefully by summertime.

This book was is part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#19)

The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke

Don’t miss the brand-new chilling gothic thriller from the bestselling author . . .

Upon the cliffs of a remote Scottish island, Lòn Haven, stands a lighthouse.

A lighthouse that has weathered more than storms.

Mysterious and terrible events have happened on this island. It started with a witch hunt. Now, centuries later, islanders are vanishing without explanation.

Coincidence? Or curse?

Liv Stay flees to the island with her three daughters, in search of a home. She doesn’t believe in witches, or dark omens, or hauntings. But within months, her daughter Luna will be the only one of them left.

Twenty years later, Luna is drawn back to the place her family vanished. As the last sister left, it’s up to her to find out the truth . . .

But what really happened at the lighthouse all those years ago?

Paperback, 432 pages

Published October 5, 2021 

by HarperCollins

3.5 stars

This was my anticipated read of 2021. I usually pick a spooky Halloween right and this was it. Coming in with rave reviews for its creepiness factor I jumped in.

Alternating between a couple points of view and time periods keep me on my toes. That being said I still had to think for a minute in terms of who was who for the different chapters and time period.

This was a story of folklore, witch trials and mystery. It was atmospheric, especially with the old lighthouse setting, mystic caves and history. There was some suspense surrounding the disappearances and danger. But there were a lot of characters to keep track of.

I know I am in the minority since there are so many 4/5 star reviews, but this ended up wavering between 3-3.5 stars for me. 

This book was part of my 2021 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge