Welcome to this month's Curated Bookshelf! I'm glad to be back at it, but also feeling a little rushed this month because the past two months have thrown my personal life into all sorts of chaos. There were a few themes I was thinking of for May, but I decided to keep it on the … Continue reading The Curated Bookshelf: May 2023’s Theme
This year I'm working to be more personal and honest in my opinions about the books I read. I've spent my entire time reviewing books here trying my hardest to balance the good and the bad and offer a similarly balanced rating no matter my personal feelings about the book. Last year I finally decided … Continue reading Love, Like, and Not For Me Challenge: March and April 2023
At Home For so many reasons, I'm glad it's Friday. It's been a very long week, though much of it has been for planning for stuff going on next week. I like planning, but this has felt a little like overkill with everything that's been going on. I had meant to start responding to comments, … Continue reading The Lily Cafe Weekly Highlights – April 28, 2023
When I was a kid, Nancy Drew was my role model. I spent a few years immersed in River Heights and her mysteries, as familiar with Nancy, Bess, and George as I was with my own best friends. My mom even signed me up to receive three new Nancy Drew books every month, and then … Continue reading Feeling Nostalgic While Reading Nancy Drew
An Lan wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, but still shivered as she sat on a log and watched Li Feng build a fire. She had been a servant in the Warlord’s palace since childhood; living out in the wilderness was a foreign thing to her, yet the commander and the princess, and the Warlord, … Continue reading The Queens: Part 8
Title: Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust (Deep Dish Mystery #2) Author: Mindy Quigley Publisher: St. Martin's Publication date: April 25, 2023 Genre: Cozy Mystery One Sentence Summary: Pizzeria owner Delilah is hoping the upcoming "Taste of Wisconsin" culinary contest will help keep her restaurant afloat, but when a customer at the juice bar her ex's … Continue reading Book Review: Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley
At Home A couple weeks ago I ordered and received a couple of books. One was Mystery of the Golden Shells by Jennifer M. Zeiger. My kids really enjoy her choose-your-own-adventure books, so of course I had to get this one for them. My son saw it and immediately walked off with it, the first … Continue reading The Lily Cafe Weekly Highlights
Adina pressed her lips together, her eyes narrowing slightly as the girl bowed. She quickly smoothed her face out as Malin rose and offered a shadow of a smile and a nod of respect. Then she spread her arms wide, letting the flowing sleeves of the robe she wore over her simple dress fly out … Continue reading The Queens: Part 8
Title: Merry Arlan: Finding The Heir (Guardian Cadet Series #2) Author: Will Soulsby-McCreath Publisher: nopoodles everything books Publication date: March 14, 2023 Genre: Fantasy One Sentence Summary: After the events of the first book, Merry finds herself part of a team to bring former Lackey Nathaniel Larrings to the Elven Court for trial, where the Queen … Continue reading Book Review: Merry Arlan: Finding The Heir by Will Soulsby-McCreath
Adina shivered as she approached the arched doorway leading to the Northern Wing. The wood was carved with snowflakes and winter flowers she had never actually seen or heard of. The Northern Queen had always kept to herself, whether it was Malin or her predecessor, so Adina knew very little of the Northern Kingdom beyond … Continue reading The Queens: Part 7
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