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Having read five books to date in Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series (Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave), I can say that the first two hold a special, laugh-out-loud place in my heart, but they are all must-reads for mystery lovers, and I can’t wait for the sixth to come out. The sheer genius of an accidental assassin navigating single parenthood with sticky fingers...

In the latest installment of this fun mystery series, private investigators Roy and Mia, partners in both business and romance, are hired by a woman, Bianca, who claims to have a stalker. As Roy and Mia delve into Bianca's life, they uncover a tangled web of potential suspects, including a previous stalker, a suspicious ex-boyfriend, and a harassing co-worker. Is anyone in her life trustworthy? Could Bianca's own choices be contributing to her predicament? Amidst the mounting tension, the...

Out of the first 5 books in the series, The Twist of a Knife is my favorite, although I enjoyed them all. (The titles so far are: The Word is Murder, The Sentence is Death, A Line to Kill, The Twist of a Knife, and Close to Death.) Anthony Horowitz, a writer in real life and the creator of the acclaimed series Foyle's War, takes a unique approach in his Hawthorne novels. He writes himself into the narrative, partnering with a fictional character, a brilliant former police detective,...

The Murderbot Diaries is a series of 7 novellas: All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Network Effect, Fugitive Telemetry, and System Collapse. A "SecUnit" called Murderbot (a futuristic cyborg, a combination of robotic and cloned human parts) secretly hacks the governor module that controls all of its actions. Now an independent agent, Murderbot flees for its life, since rogue SecUnits are considered dangerous. Dr. Mensah, a planetary leader outside the...

Calla arrives in the mystifying country of Ireland, a land steeped in ancient folklore. Her quest: to unravel the mystery surrounding her birth and come to grips with her own identity. Are the tales of fairies, witches, and potent magic more than just stories? Mystery permeates the very air, from the disappearance of a young man, visions of death, and even clandestine operations, all entwined in a love story. But be warned: this tale contains steamy scenes and ends on a suspenseful...

Prepare to be inspired by this compilation of stories celebrating the extraordinary strength and unwavering love of mothers. From well-known figures to unsung heroes, these articles paint a vivid portrait of maternal courage, resilience, and devotion. Whether you're a mother, a daughter, or simply someone who appreciates the profound impact of a mother's love, this collection promises to uplift your spirit and serve as a cherished addition to any bookshelf.

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Widow and horse rescuer Allison Delaney finds her peaceful existence threatened by predators of both the human and animal kind. Her world is further complicated when Shane McBride, a man from her past, returns to take over the local veterinarian practice. As Allison worries for the safety of her beloved horses and her daughter, Lizzie, the rekindling of her connection with Shane brings long-buried secrets to the surface. But their shared history is fraught with obstacles, including those...

Step back in time to the WWII-era in Colleen Donnelly's "I Have A Story," a zany crime noir that blends wartime intrigue with romance and murder. Our protagonist, a journalist by day and crime novelist by night, finds himself caught between a gritty war story and a complicated love triangle. Get ready for a funny, fast-paced ride as three men and the women they adore navigate a web of mystery, mayhem, and murder.

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Six-year-old Piper is the innocent victim of unspeakable abuse. When Piper’s mother is found murdered, her absent father, Luke Callaghan, is located. Drawn back into Piper's life, Luke teams up with psychologist Dr. Madison Wagner to uncover the truth behind the murder and bring the perpetrator to justice. Their investigation plunges them into the dark and dangerous criminal underworld of drugs and child exploitation, forcing them to confront unimaginable horrors as they fight to protect...

Lauren and Taylor are best friends, whose enduring bond others struggle to comprehend. This is a saga of friendship, woven over decades. Lauren, blessed with a grandfather's wisdom, embraces the present, while Taylor's ambition often obscures his true emotions. Through the joys and sorrows of life, their connection provides a constant anchor. This story delves into the complexities of love, birth, and death and the possibility of friendship blossoming into something more.

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This story is a historical fiction set in Georgian England that is similar to a Charles Dickens’ classic. Upon the death of their father, two sisters, Rosabel (Rose) and Oriana (Ory), find themselves victims of a law that favors only male heirs. With Rose still shy of legal age and Ory even younger, they fall under the guardianship of Horace Stanbury, a distant cousin, who is overbearing and sinister. Meanwhile, Allan Everard, a Baron's illegitimate son, struggles to forge his own path,...

For generations, Annabelle's family has been ashamed of her great-grandmother Julianne's mysterious past. Determined to find the truth, Annabelle embarks on a mission to renovate Julianne's long-abandoned house and decode the secret messages hidden within. But as she delves deeper into her family's history, she finds herself torn between her unsupportive fiancé, who actively tries to hinder her progress, and the childhood neighbor who becomes her unexpected confidant and ally. As he wisely...

Private investigator Lyle Dahms is back in the second in the series that takes place at the Renaissance Festival outside of Minneapolis. Lyle must come to the aid of his geeky friend Stephen Edgerton when a member of Stephen’s medieval armory circle is murdered, even if Steven doesn’t appreciate his efforts. Amidst the revelry, Lyle meets Naomi, a wench at the festival pub, and becomes entangled in a perplexing murder involving a crossbow on the festival grounds. Further murders follow and...

The first in the Lyle Dahms series introduces a flawed yet endearing private investigator, his geeky friend Stephen Edgerton, and homicide detective Augustus Tarkof in this crime noir that Dashiel Hammet and Raymond Chandler fans will love. Lyle Dahms is a PI in Minneapolis – not Sam Spade of California - but with just as distinctive and unique of a voice. When Lyle goes undercover at a crime scene, he becomes involved in a murder investigation with mob ties. Carmen, an aptly named femme...

A sweet, modern western romance

In the heart of Wyoming near Jackson Hole, an unlikely connection sparks between Chance, a weathered cowboy carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Casey, a gentle librarian seeking healing of her own far from her Midwestern roots. Their blossoming romance promises a fresh start, but their tragic pasts threaten to keep them separated. Bound by heartbreak, Chance and Casey must confront their pasts and decide if they're willing to risk everything...

After having read Women and Adversity – Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists, I downloaded Honoring 23 Black Women and read it in a couple of hours. It’s a fast read, plus I couldn’t put it down, reading about one remarkable African American woman to the next and the next, all the way to the end. Some names are recognizable. Others are obscure. Some have impressive accomplishments in math, science, literature, the arts and so much more. Others are amazing for their ability to overcome great...

This book is an inspiring and informative tribute to the remarkable women, both historical figures and contemporary activists, who dedicated their lives to women's suffrage. Through carefully researched and thoughtfully written short pieces, the collection illuminates the diverse contributions of each woman, moving beyond mere facts to capture the spirit and dedication that fueled their struggle. Written with profound respect and care, this is a vital resource that belongs in every library...

In the port city of Baltimore lurks a killer with a peculiar choice of weapon. Special Agent Laci Duvall of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations finds herself embroiled in another perplexing murder case when the president of a military spouse's club is found dead, stabbed by a pink flamingo. With a colorful cast of suspects ranging from rival club members to disgruntled neighbors and fair-weather friends, Laci and her trusty sidekicks embark on a hilarious and twisty investigation...

Ella Rowe seeks a fun-filled vacation with her best friend, Janie, in Key West, only to bump into Navy pilot Daniel Ellsworth, a man who won’t give up in his pursuit of her. A series of fateful encounters draws them together, but Ella is caught up in a mysterious past she's desperately tried to outrun – a past filled with haunting memories, a deep-seated fear of the ocean, and echoes of past lives. Drawn to the Victorian house on Lighthouse Lane that some say is haunted, Ella begins to...

In the charming coastal town of Pembroke Cove, Maine, Lily Michaels' life takes an enchanting turn when she discovers she's a witch, a secret she shares with her eccentric Aunt Mimi. But magic isn't the only surprise in store. When a shocking murder occurs at the local library, just as Lily was settling in for an Agatha Christie movie, she finds herself drawn into a real-life whodunit. Now, while juggling newfound magical abilities, Lily must also unravel the mystery surrounding the crime,...