Between a Rock and a Hard Place Book Review

Between a Rock and a Hard Place
A Potting Shed Mystery

by Marty Wingate
Random House Publishing Group - Alibi

Description
Perfect for fans of Laura Childs, Ellery Adams, and Jenn McKinlay, Marty Wingate's enchanting Potting Shed Mystery series heads to Scotland as Pru Parke plans her wedding . . . all while a vengeful murderer is poised to strike again.

After her romantic idyll with the debonair Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Pearse culminates in a marriage proposal, Pru Parke sets about arranging their nuptials while diving into a short-term gig at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. At hand is the authentication of a journal purportedly penned by eighteenth-century botanist and explorer Archibald Menzies. Compared to the chaos of wedding planning, studying the journal is an agreeable task . . . that is, until a search for a missing cat leads to the discovery of a dead body: One of Pru's colleagues has been conked on the head with a rock and dumped from a bridge into the Water of Leith.

Pru can't help wondering if the murder has something to do with the Menzies diary. Is the killer covering up a forgery? Among the police's many suspects are a fallen aristocrat turned furniture maker, Pru's overly solicitous assistant, even Pru herself. Now, in the midst of sheer torture by the likes of flamboyant wedding dress designers and eccentric church organists, Pru must also uncover the work of a sly murderer—unless this bride wants to walk down the aisle in handcuffs.

My Thoughts
This was a hard book for me to really get into because the intro scene is about finding a body so you know there has been a murder but then the book starts out with Pru and her fiance Christopher on holiday. It was over 30% in the book before the murder occurred. I would have preferred this to be classified as fiction instead of mystery.  The only other issue I had with this book was the volume of characters in it. There were just so many people that I had a hard time keeping straight who was who.
I enjoyed the book once I got over expecting it to be a mystery book. I really like the characters of Pru and Christopher and how they interact with each other and are there for one another. I quite enjoyed the middle age romance story. I liked learning about the history of gardening subjects. I just really wish it was not classed as a mystery. I felt deceived because that opening scene was misleading. The boys in the preview are never heard of again. I dont' think that later on when the murder really occurs, the boys are even mentioned as having found the body.

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Spelled by Betsy Schow

Fairy Tale Survival Rule #32: If you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked witch, sing a romantic ballad and wait for your Prince Charming to save the day.

Yeah, no thanks. Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks―like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But a forced marriage to the not-so-charming prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future.

Talk about unhappily ever after.

Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving the kingdom in chaos and her parents stuck in some place called "Kansas." Now it's up to Dorthea and her pixed off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse...before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells The End for the world of Story.

My Thoughts
I like to try new books once in a while that are something that I wouldn't normally read. I am so glad I made that decision with Spelled. This is just such a fun read. It is like Grimm's Fairy Tales has a head on collision with the Wizard of Oz. I love all the quotes from various characters at the end of each chapter. There is no rhyme or reason to the characters appearing, you can have a complete mix of fairy tale with Oz but it works.  I like the puns and quotes in the book. Its funny and fast moving.  The cover graphics are awesome, what woman doesn't love a pair of sparkly heels :).

 The book starts out with spoiled brat princess Dorthea, who thinks the world revolves around her (typical teenager). She pretty much ruins the entire world and then has to fix it with the help of her unwanted fiance and her smart aleck kleptomaniac former maid. You see Dorthea's character developing and becoming much more aware of the world around her and of course falling in love with the fiance who isn't as awful as she thought he was. The author does a great job keeping the story interesting and there are a few surprises throughout the book. Spelled isn't going to change the world as we know it but really who wants to read serious depressing stuff all the time. Perfect summer read for anyone 13 and above. (there are a few characters who die so if  your child is super sensitive, you might want to skip this for a while) Honestly even as someone in the middle years, I really enjoyed this book. I am so ready to read the next book already.

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Longest Yard Sale Book Review

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

About the book

ONE MAN’S CLUTTER

When Sarah Winston turns Ellington, Massachusetts, into New England’s largest garage sale for a day, it’s the small town’s biggest event since the start of the Revolutionary War—but without the bloodshed. That is, until a valuable painting goes missing…and the lifeless body of an Air Force officer is found in Carol Carson’s painting studio, his face perfectly framed with the murder weapon—a metal picture frame.

IS ANOTHER MAN’S CLOVER
Sarah is mad as heck that someone used her town-wide garage sale to commit a crime—and frame her good friend Carol. She is definitely on this case…but it’s not easy rummaging through increasingly strange clues that point to cheating spouses, downright dirty investment schemes—even the mob. And Sarah will have to be very careful if she wants to live to bargain another day…

About the Author

Sherry Harris started bargain hunting in second grade at her best friend's yard sale. She honed her bartering skills as she moved around the country while her husband served in the Air Force. Sherry uses her love of garage sales, her life as a military spouse, and her time living in Massachusetts as inspiration for the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series.

I haven't read anything by Sherry Harris before but I have to say I love her writing style. I really liked the characters in this book and the flow. Once I started reading this book, I honestly couldn't put it down until I had read the whole thing. I love cozy mysteries and this was a great one. Sadly most cozy mysteries can be solved by the end of chapter one but that isn't true with this book. I did have it figured out before the end but it was unexpected. I like how the author ties the characters in and all the different plot directions. I love to yard sale and thought how cute to have a series related to yard saling. I can't wait to see how book 3 turns out because I want to know how the romance is going to work out. I thought this was a great book and will be recommending it to my friends.

This book will be released on Amazon on June 30th so preorder your copy today. You don't want to miss this book.
And don't miss book 1 in the series Tagged for Death

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Huckleberry Harvest Ebook Review

About The Book
Anna and Felty Helmuth's zest for matchmaking is unstoppable—and with grown-up grandchild number three on her way to their home in lovely Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, what better reason to put their talents to work once more?...

When Mandy Helmuth hears that her best friend Kristina's heart has been broken, she decides to visit her grandparents and cheer her up. Mandy never liked Noah Mischler anyway, with his rough exterior and outspoken ways. Unfortunately, she can't avoid him—especially after he saves her life…

If he weren't helping Felty with home repairs, Noah would be more than happy to stay away from uppity Mandy Helmuth. Of course, then he wouldn't have been able to rescue her—and she wouldn't have had the chance to discover the real Noah beneath the tough persona—the one she falls in love with…

About the Author
Jennifer Beckstrand Webpage
https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbeckstrandfans
Jennifer on Twitter

Jennifer Beckstrand is the bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer has been nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award, and Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for Inspirational fiction. Both Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Christmas appeared in Examiner.com list of top ten inspirational books for 2014.
Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and three adorable grandsons, whom she spoils rotten.

Books by Jennifer Beckstrand
Forever Apple in Apple Lake Series:
Kate's Song
Rebecca's Rose
Miriam's Quilt

The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill Series:
Huckleberry Hill
Huckleberry Summer
Huckleberry Christmas
Huckleberry Spring
Huckleberry Harvest
Huckleberry Hearts

My Thoughts
This was my first intro into the world of Anna and Felty Helmuth. I like reading Amish type books. I doubt I could live that simply but its nice to read about. At the very beginning it was a bit confusing because it seemed to jump from one scene to another without an intro but I figured it out and then was able to follow right along. There are a couple of heavy topics in the story line such as alcoholism but mostly its just a fun romance to make you laugh especially when you think about having to eat poor Anna's cooking :).  I have to admit that Mandy's friend Kristina made me want to slap her across the face and for sure I would have dumped her as a friend but I guess it takes all kinds.

Pre-order your copy of Huckleberry Harvest on Amazon today.

I received one or more products mentioned above for review purpose. No other form of compensation was received. My opinions are my own. Your opinion may vary from mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.