Category: Cozy Mystery

Series I love and what I’m reading now

Posted on by bschick23 in Beach Reads, Cozy Mystery, Family Drama, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor, Lists, Romance

Hi dear readers,

I hope your summer is going well. We are nearly in July which is hard to believe. I’m already doing back to school shopping and creating my schedule for the fall. I think most of us are experiencing a warmer summer than usual for the south so I’m going to include some more beach reads in this post for your time spent by the pool or indoors in the cool A/C.

Edilean Series by Jude Deveraux

I’m nearly finished reading the second book in the Edilean series. I love historical fiction and romance, which Jude Deveraux is popular for combining in her novels.

The setting goes back and forth from World War II to modern times in the first novel, Lavender Morning. The second novel, Days of Gold, takes place in the 1700’s Scottish Highlands and United States. The series follows the drama of the Harcourt family and residents residing in Edilean, Virginia. Each book in the series can be read independently or in chronological orderi.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction, romance, family drama and period pieces.

Click here to purchase Lavender Morning. I began with Lavender Morning, but Days of Gold may be read first.

Click here to learn more about the author.

Blue Mountain Series by Tess Thompson

In a previous blog I mentioned the Blue Mountain series. I finished Blue Midnight, the first book, and I love it. The series follows the Haywood and Flanigan families in Idaho.

Recommended for fans of romance, family drama and mysteries.

Click here to purchase Blue Midnight, the first book in the series.

Click here to learn more about the author.

Quirky Bookworm is reading…

Occasionally I share the books I’m reading so you can read them along with me. I would love to hear your thoughts too! 🙂

Going There by Katie Couric

Katie Couric’s memoir, including the Today Show controversy with Matt Lauer, her longtime co-worker and friend. Click here to purchase and to visit the Katie Couric Media website, covering culture, lifestyle, news and health.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

National Bestseller, A Library Reads Pick, A People Magazine Best Book of the Week, A Goodreads Choice Award Finalist, One of NPR’s Books We Love 2021

When Patrick’s best friend from college passes away, he takes care of her two children in California while their dad is in rehab for addiction to pain pills. I haven’t finished reading, but so far it’s an uplifting and witty read from Steven Rowley.
Click here to purchase and to visit the author’s website.

The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore


An Indie Next Pick, A Junior Library Guild Selection, and a 2021 ALA Booklist Editor’s Choice
Set in the 1860’s, Kate Moore, author of best-selling Radium Girls, writes about Elizabeth Packard, one of many women sent to an insane asylum in Illinois for voicing her opinion on women’s rights and religion. In Packard’s case, it was her husband, pastor of a small Presbyterian congregation, who had her admitted. Thoroughly researched, The Woman They Could Not Silence examines how far we have come as a society in regards to women’s rights, which Packard played a significant role. Click here to purchase and to visit the author’s website.



The Ultimate Summer 2022 Reading List from LitHub. Click here to view.

Happy reading!

A little bit of family drama mixed with a little bit of mystery

Posted on by bschick23 in Christian Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Family Drama, Fiction

My two latest reads I have to share with you today are perfect if you are into family dramas and cozy mysteries. I’m also going to be sharing with you where I go to read about books online. I love to learn about what other people are reading.

Title: The House We Grew Up In
Author: Lisa Jewell
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: 2014
Format: Hardcover
Length: 388 pages
I have heard so much about Lisa Jewell from other readers that I decided to grab a copy of her book at Half Price. The family in this book is a little quirky, but it’s what makes for good drama. The mom is very eccentric and is hiding secrets of her past. Secrets that spill over to the next generation until all four children are carrying the burden of their mom’s past as well as their own. Jewell writes from the perspective of the mom and grown children. I don’t think this is the most popular out of Jewell’s writings, but it was enough to keep me interested to read more of her works. This read is perfect if you are into family drama with idiosyncratic characters.

Photo Credit: Jascha Gordon

About the author

From the publisher’s page:
Lisa Jewell is the internationally bestselling author of eighteen novels, including the New York Times bestseller Then She Was Gone, as well as I Found You, The Girls in the Garden, and The House We Grew Up In. In total, her novels have sold more than two million copies across the English-speaking world and her work has also been translated into sixteen languages so far. Lisa lives in London with her husband and their two daughters. Connect with her on Twitter @LisaJewellUK and on Facebook @LisaJewellOfficial.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Lisa-Jewell/75656043

Title: Because You’re Mine
Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: 2017
Format: Paperback
Length: 336 pages
I didn’t know Colleen Coble was a Christian writer until I was halfway into the book. I am a believer myself and will confess I don’t read much Christian fiction. I was surprised by how much I loved this book. I thought it was a worthwhile read. I loved Alanna, the main character. I wouldn’t say the book is an edge of your seat thriller, it’s more like a cozy mystery. I recommend if you love Agatha Christie, Rhys Brown, and Lillian Jackson Braun.

About the author

From the author’s website:
Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 4 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.

Where do I read about books?

On FB:
Women Reading Great Books It’s a private group so you will have to request to join.
The Fussy Librarian Book reviews

Anytime I find a new author, I follow their FB page to keep with new works and also to read what others are saying about them.

Online:
Book Browse book blog with reviews and find additional books that match your interests by typing in one of your favorite authors or titles.
Book Riot book blog that keeps up with the latest publishing news. I also follow their FB page.
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